by Amy E. Lilly
Dreambuilder: Sorry, dude. She’s my girl now.
Quinn closed her laptop. “I’m nervous. What if I screw this up?”
“You won’t screw this up,” Zach said. He handed her a cup of coffee and a slice of toast with peanut butter. He kissed the top of her head. “I’m dating a future five star chef. You’ve got this. After all, you learned from Grandma Rose.”
“You’re right. I’d better get going if I’m going to make it to school on time.”
“Good luck, sweetheart. I’ll be here when you get home,” Zach said.
“I don’t need luck anymore. I already have everything I need right here.” Quinn winked.
The End
Quinn’s Smoky Mary Recipe
Ingredients
2 to 3 cups ice
1-2 limes, cut into wedges
1 tablespoon horseradish, drained
1 jalapeno pepper, quartered (more or less, depending on your desired level of heat)
2 teaspoons smoked salt (to taste in the drink and the rest for brimming)
2 cups vodka (more or less depending on the mood and how bad the date was)
3 cups spicy vegetable/tomato juice (the best organic juice with 1 tsp. ground chipotle pepper if you can find it)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Celery stalks for garnish
Lemon and lime wedges for garnish
Directions
Muddle ice, lime wedges, horseradish, jalapeno, and salt in the bottom of a pitcher. Add vodka, tomato juice, and Worcestershire and stir to combine. Refrigerate if not serving immediately, or pour into glasses rimmed with chipotle pepper and smoked salt over ice. Garnish with celery stalk, and peppers. Enjoy and be sure to share with friends!
Preview
Permanently Deleted
Phee Jefferson Series
Coming December 2015
Chapter One
Phee sat at the circulation desk in the library. She was busy checking in the large cart of books next to her. She wanted to get everything done and shelved before she went home in a few minutes. The last patron was packing up to leave when Juliet burst through the front doors.
“Phee, you’ve got to come,” Juliet panted.
“I’m busy, Juliet,” Phee said. “I want to get this done.”
Juliet slammed her hand down in front of Phee. Startled at her sister’s sudden burst of anger, Phee looked up and saw Juliet was crying. “What in the world is the matter, Juls.”
“It’s Nellie Jo. They found Mike dead out at the pickle factory,” Juliet sobbed, “and Clint’s arrested Nellie Jo. Phee, he said she killed him. Nellie Jo killed her husband!”
Preview
Death Kicked the Milk Bucket
Coming Spring 2016
Chapter One
Claire stomped out of the building. Unfortunately, her attempt to slam the door failed miserably. It slowly eased shut and closed with a soft whoosh of air. The large overstuffed tote bag filled with ten years of her career slipped off her shoulder. Claire struggled to carry it all to her old Subaru parked in the company parking lot. As she yanked the tote bag back up, the strap ripped and everything tumbled to the pavement.
"Dang it! If one more bad thing happens, I swear I won't be responsible for my actions!" Claire declared to the empty lot. Sighing, she bent down to gather up her belongings. She heard a tearing sound as her pencil skirt split down the back. "Really? You have got to be kidding me. I guess that's what I get for challenging the universe.” Claire finished gathering up her files and desk knickknacks and stuffed them back into her tote. She grabbed the tote around the bottom and made her way to her car. Claire fumbled around in her purse to find her keys and gave a triumphant “ha” when she yanked them from the detritus of her purse. As she popped open the trunk, Claire heard a tiny mew coming from the dumpster. As she slammed the trunk shut, another small meow sounded. Claire walked to the dumpster and peered inside. Nestled in a small cardboard box surrounded by garbage and rotting food was a tiny orange kitten. It looked up at her and let out another meow.
"Poor little thing. Are you hungry? Somebody must have dumped you here and left you to fend for yourself.” Claire reached into the dumpster, lifted the fluffy orange kitten and snuggled him to her chest. It immediately started purring. "Well, you and I are just having a bad day. I got thrown out like trash, too. Would you like to come home with me?" As if it understood her, the kitten meowed and purred louder. Laughing, Claire picked carried the kitten to her car. She pulled a t-shirt from her gym bag, settled the furry bundle on to the passenger seat, then headed for her apartment.
Once home, Claire poured a small bowl of milk for the kitten. "I guess you need a name. How about Gingersnap?" Claire sat down on the kitchen floor and gently stroked the kitten's back. "You can be Ginger for short.” Claire's cellphone buzzed on the counter. She struggled up from the floor to answer. Isabella's name appeared on the screen and Claire hit the answer button.
"Hey, woman! How was your day?" Isabella asked cheerfully. In the background, Claire could hear the children laughing and yelling. "Knock it off you little monsters! I'm trying to talk to Claire and I can't hear over your screeching.” After years of friendship, Claire was used to Isabella carrying on multiple conversations while on the phone.
"I got fired," Claire responded glumly.
"Oh my gosh, Claire! What happened?" Isabella asked in a shocked voice. "Kids, please be quiet! Go play in your room until dinner's ready. Matthew quit hitting your brother. Sorry, Claire. They're out of control with their dad out of town this week. So tell me everything."
"Nothing happened. Mr. Simpson called me into his office and started going on and on about the economic downturn and how sacrifices needed to be made...blah blah blah. Five minutes later, I am in HR signing papers. Before the ink was dry, a security guard told me that I had one hour to pack my desk and leave the building. Ten years on the job and I’m kicked to the curb like two-day old fish. It wasn't just me either. There were two other people let go today." Claire slumped onto her overstuffed couch, kicked off her heels and put her feet up on the coffee table.
"I am so sorry. What are you going to do?" Isabella asked.
“No clue. I don't even want to think about it tonight. I'll worry about it tomorrow. Darrin is supposed to take me out tonight. He called this morning and said he needed to see me. Maybe he's finally going to pop the question. He's been very secretive lately. I’m pretty sure he's been ring shopping. I'll be Mrs. Stanislowski. Wife of Dr. Stanislowski. Claire Stanislowski." Claire let the name roll off her lips. "It sounds kind of posh."
"If you say so." Isabella grunted. She was not a fan of Darrin. In her opinion, he was boring and uptight. "Well, I've got to get dinner ready before the kids eat the dog. Text me when you get home tonight."
"Will do. Bye.” Claire disconnected and pulled herself up from the couch. Darrin was going to be there to pick her up soon, so she needed to hurry and get ready. He hated to be kept waiting. She pulled off her now ruined skirt and kicked it next to her hamper. Slipping off her stockings and silk blouse, Claire rummaged around in her closet for something slinky and sophisticated to wear. She chose a deep turquoise dress with a scoop neck and slipped it over her head. She quickly pulled her hair into a French twist and freshened her makeup. She added a pair of tear drop silver earrings and slipped her feet into her favorite black peekaboo toe heels. As she was spritzing on perfume, a knock sounded on her door.
Claire hurried to the door to let Darrin in. "Hi, sweetheart. Right on time. I just need to grab my purse, and I'll be ready to go."
"Claire, I'd like to talk to you," Darrin walked in and shut the door behind him.
"Uh...okay? You sound serious. Let's go into the living room." Claire thought he must be nervous and wanted to ask her in private. Darrin wasn't a fan of public displays of affection. She sat down on the couch. Instead of sitting next to her, Darrin sat in the chair. "What did you want to talk about?" She gave him an encourag
ing smile.
"This isn't easy for me. We've been seeing each other for a while now.” Darrin cleared his throat and swallowed. "And Claire, it's just...I've been seeing somebody else." He looked everywhere but at her.
Shocked, Claire struggled to grasp what he had just told her. "How long?"
"Does that really matter? I mean, what matters is that you and I aren't a good fit. You should just accept that it's over.” Darrin finished stiffly. He started to stand up.
"No. No, I don't think so. You don't come in here and out of the blue tell me you've been seeing someone else and then walk out the door. I'm sorry, but I deserve an explanation. No. Scratch that. I demand an answer. We've been seeing each other for almost a year. I have gone to all of your boring functions. I've been nice to your mother which is no easy feat, let me tell you. That woman is a dragon from hell. I've smiled and schmoozed everyone you told me to schmooze even when they were busy grabbing my butt the minute your back was turned. So, you, Darrin Stanislowski, owe me a freakin' explanation!" Claire's voice had risen in volume. She was so upset she was trembling.
"It's not you, Claire. You've been great. You are great. You and I together as a couple are not so great," Darrin said calmly. His lack of emotion angered Claire. She felt her ears get hot.
"Really? It's not me? How could it not be me? You are dumping me on what has already been a horrible day! I deserve an explanation!" Claire demanded angrily.
"I'm gay. Okay. Are you happy?" Darrin yelled back at her. His words immediately dampened her anger. "I'm tired of hiding who I am. I'm tired of using you to hide it. You deserve better. I knew you were expecting a marriage proposal soon. It's not like you've been subtle. I don't want to live a lie anymore. I'm planning on telling my friends and family, but I felt you deserved to hear it from me first. I'm sorry, Claire. I didn't mean to hurt you.” Darrin's unhappiness filled the room.
"Wait. You're gay. Really?" Claire was trying to process what he had just told her. "Are you actually seeing someone or did you just say that to make it easier for me to hate you?" She was trying to wrap her brain around the idea of the man she had been seeing for the past year wasn't who she thought he was.
"I've met someone. He's made me realize that I don't have to live a lie. You would like him, Claire. He's funny and smart. He makes me happy. I want someone to make you happy like that, too.” He gave her a sad smile. "I am so sorry that I've been lying to you. I hope you'll forgive me and we can be friends."
"I just...I don't know. I mean, I'm just not understanding how I didn't realize. Listen, can you just go now? I want to be by myself. I need to be alone. So please, just go." Claire wiped the angry tears that had started to fall with the back of her hand.
"I understand. Claire, I really am sorry." Darrin tried to give her a hug, but Claire shrugged him off. He walked out of the apartment and shut the door quietly behind him.
Once he was gone, Claire sat back down on the sofa and leaned her head back as she tried to accept what she just heard. Her boyfriend of a year had just dumped her for a guy. She got laid off from the only job she had ever held. She had less than a month's worth of savings in the bank and a fifteen-year-old Subaru that was a crap shoot every day on whether it would start. Claire felt a tickle on her cheek. She turned her head to see Ginger sniffing her. She reached up and stroked the kitten's fuzzy head. "Well, Ginger, looks like we've only got each other, girl. What are we going to do?" Ginger leaped down on to Claire's lap and curled up to go to sleep. "You've got exactly the right idea, girl." Claire kicked off her shoes and settled back onto the couch to figure out her next move.
Claire awoke to kitten whiskers tickling her chin. She gave Gingersnap a quick pat on the head and put her on the ground. A quick glance at the clock and Claire realized she had slept through the night. It was early morning and the sun was just peeking up over the city's skyline. She went into her small kitchen and started a pot of coffee. She popped a bagel in the toaster and searched through her fridge for cream cheese. Her refrigerator shelves revealed a limp bunch of carrots next to a jar of olives but nothing else. She settled on strawberry jam. Smearing the bagel with a large dollop of jam and pouring a cup of coffee, Claire sat on the bar stool at her kitchen counter. She opened her laptop and began to search the online help wanted ads. "Hmmmm...let's see if we can find someplace looking for an out-of-work history major whose only experience is writing advertisements for a pharmaceutical company.” Claire tapped away at the keyboard. "Let's see...secretary wanted. Must type 80 words per minute. That leaves me out.” Claire spent the next hour browsing through job after job. She glumly realized she wasn't qualified for most positions in the history field. She had dropped out of her Master's program halfway through her second year when she landed the position at Gaston Pharmaceuticals thanks to a referral from an ex-boyfriend who used to work there. The money had been good and she had jumped at the opportunity. Now, she found herself with no job, a useless degree and no prospects. She closed her laptop and decided to call her mom.
"Hi, Mom! It's me, Claire," Claire said with a false cheerfulness.
"You're up bright and early on a Saturday. What's wrong?" Claire's mother, Mary, had a sixth sense when it came to her children.
"Well, let's see. I got laid off, found a kitten, and Darrin dumped me for a guy," Claire declared in a matter-of-fact tone. "Other than that, I'm good. And you?"
"Gracious! I didn't expect all of that. Let's back up. Start with losing your job," Mary said. Claire proceeded to tell her mother all that transpired the day before. When she finished, her mom was silent on the other end of the line.
"Mom, are you still there?" Claire asked.
"Sorry, dear. I was just thinking about what you said. The funniest thing happened the other day, and I haven't had a chance to talk to you about it. I received a letter from the law firm handling your Great Aunt Lily's estate. It's finally been settled and well, everything has been left to me. It's not much, but she left her farm and a small yearly allowance to operate it with the stipulation that it stay in the family. I would venture to say that you have no savings and now that Darrin is out of the picture, nothing to keep you in the city."
"I wouldn't say nothing. I have friends and a life and..." Claire trailed off as it dawned on her what her mother was suggesting. "Mom, are you suggesting I move to Aunt Lily's farm? In the country? With cows and things?"
"Why not? The house and farm needed to be sorted out and you could go for the short term while you figure out what you want to do. Expensive shoes and a nice wardrobe can only carry you so far in life. They certainly aren't going to pay your electric bill. Plus, you'd be helping me out. I don't have time to go up there to go through the house until the end of the school year. This is a win-win for you and me," Mary said emphatically. Claire's mother was an elementary school teacher, and she was used to having her directions followed. "Your father can't do it with his busy practice. Your sister is up to her eyeballs in wedding plans and your brother won't be back from Africa for at least three months. It makes sense."
"Let me think about it. I mean, everything just happened to me yesterday. I haven't even had time to sort it out in my brain or see if I can even get another job. Besides, the only time I've been to the country is the one time we visited Aunt Lily. I got stung by a bee and swelled up like a puffer fish. It wasn't exactly a good experience. Cows and chickens don't really hold any appeal for me." Claire shook her head at her mom's suggestion. Claire living in the country in her Ferragamo boots. It just wouldn't work.
"Well, don't think about it too long. Someone needs to head up and get the keys from the attorney’s office and make sure the house is still standing. It's my understanding that a neighbor has been taking care of all of the animals and checking on the house. He's been kind enough to do it for the past two months, but I am sure he doesn't want to continue indefinitely. You could consider it a retreat. A chance to rethink the direction of your life. Regroup.” Claire's father was a psychologist and unfo
rtunately, his psychobabble worked his way into his wife's vocabulary.
"Give me a few days. I'll talk to you later, Mom. Love you," Claire said as she disconnected the call. Claire couldn't even wrap her brain around the idea of heading to the country. She was a city girl through and through. She loved the sounds and smells of the city streets. The bright lights and crowds were part of her. She couldn't even imagine not being able to get to a Starbucks in less than a few blocks.
Claire decided she needed a second opinion. She picked up her cell phone to call Isabella. "Isabella's House of Chaos. How can I be driven insane today?" Isabella answered. "Claire, I swear if these kids don't settle down I am going to lose my mind. We definitely need a spa day."
"Good morning to you, too. So, I'm not going to be Mrs. Stanislowski. In fact, no one will be Mrs. Stanislowski. It will end up being Dr. Darrin Stanislowski and Mr. Stanislowski," Claire gave a grimace as the image of Darrin slipping a diamond ring on another man's hairy knuckles formed in her mind.
"I don't get it. What the heck are you talking about?" Isabella demanded.
"Darrin needed to talk to me last night. He has decided to come out of the closet. I was the first person he came out to by dumping me for a guy. So I lost my job and my boyfriend to another man all in one day. This is what I get for cursing the universe. And now my mom wants me to go live on my Great Aunt Lily's farm and sort out her estate."
"Crap on a cracker! I knew something was off about that guy, but even I didn't see that one coming! I would love to have been a fly on the wall to see that meltdown. How badly did you hurt him?" Isabella asked.
"I didn't even raise my voice," Claire protested. "Well, okay, I did yell just a little, but can you blame me? I did not see this coming at all. I was a gay man's beard. I am a clueless idiot."
"You and the rest of us. Claire, I just thought he was uptight. I would never have guessed Darrin was gay. And your mom is crazy if she thinks you would survive in the country. She obviously didn't see you freak out when a pigeon came too close to you at the park. I thought you were going to hyperventilate and pass out from fear. A chicken would make you have a stroke," Isabella chuckled.