I’m sure you’re surprised to see me here
today instead of the lovely and talented Diane Burton, but her son is getting
married this weekend, so we’ve switched dates. Actually, the switch works out
well for both of us. I have book two of my Highlander shifters due
to turn in to my editor on my regularly scheduled day. Plus, I’ll be a week away from the
release of book one--A HIGHLANDER'S OBSESSION. I’ll be lucky if I can remember my name.
I chose to lean my post toward the movie “Lost
in America,” a comedy of a yuppie couple who sell all their possessions, buy a
huge camper and set out to touch nature and experience new things. To become
lost in what is America.
I confess to wanting to do that myself a
few times, but since my mind wanders through my storylines while I drive, forcing me to inadvertently veer off the road, dragging
along a camper seems more dangerous than even I want to try. So, I’ll not add
that adventure to my bucket list. Oh, but think of the possibilities!
In my soon to be released paranormal, the heroine and Effie, her aging hippie
grandmother with the pink hair, go on a bit of an adventure when they travel
from Virginia to the Highlands of Scotland to attend Gram’s uncle’s funeral.
Paisley, my heroine, is an animal communicator with the blessing—or curse—of being
able to telepathically communicate with all species. And, poor soul, she’s
unwittingly reserved rooms for her and Gram at a castle turned lodge run by
a pack of bear-shifters. Handsome human hunks in kilts who also shift.
There are
three brothers running Matheson Lodge—Creighton, who is laird of his clan and
head of his bear sleuth, Ronan and Bryce.
This scene takes place around the dinner
table. Paisley and Creighton have come in from outside where they’ve been
arguing. I’ve cleaned up the language a mite so as not to offend…
Creighton took his place at the head of the table.
Paisley ignored her assigned seat next to him, perched instead like a
fire-eating dragon at the opposite end of the table. To silently communicate
with her, he opened his telepathic shield. Yer place is by
me side here in this chair. He jerked his chin toward the
vacant place setting.
Look, you arrogant Scot. You might order everyone else
around, but not me. Never me!
Bryce choked on the water he was drinking. His eyebrows
rose in that quizzical way he had. Creighton forgot his brothers and other
shifters would be privy to their argument. Well, so be it. At least his mother
and Effie lacked this telepathic way of communicating and would have no idea
what was being said.
“I thought we’d eat family-style tonight instead of
using the serving board.” His mother glanced around the table. “Creighton,
would ye begin by passing the roast duck?”
“Certainly.” He speared a couple slices of meat before
passing the platter to Effie on his left. Yer acting like a child,
Paisley.
Ronan cleared his throat, shooting Creighton a
wide-eyed, warning glance.
Effie accepted the platter he offered and smiled. “You
always set such a pretty table, Fiona.”
A child? Why you overgrown bossy galoot!
Galoot, is it? He slapped spoonfuls of mashed
potatoes on his plate, never taking his eyes off his blonde Viking.
Both of his brothers sniggered and he shot them each a
glare.
“Ronan, Bryce, ye know how impolite it is to laugh at a
private joke at the table. I’m sure Cook would enjoy having the evening off
from washing dishes.” His mother’s voice, while polite, held a warning.
Bryce bobbed his head. “Yes, Mum. Sorry.”
Hunh. At least your brother knows how to be polite. Paisley slid a
drumstick off the platter onto her plate.
His bloody polite brother favored him with a
self-satisfied smirk while he chewed a mouthful of duck.
One more word out of ye, lassie, and I’ll drag ye to me
study and paddle that sweet arse of yers I had me hands on yesterday.
Bryce choked and Ronan pounded on his brother’s back.
Look, Bozo, before you even think about paddling my behind
you’d better grow a new pair. She speared a
piece of meat into her mouth, staring at him in silent challenge. The
last I heard, they were
bitten to hell by bugs.
Cook dropped a platter of fruit on the floor.
Ronan and Bryce’s heads swiveled in Creighton’s
direction, no doubt to see how he’d respond to her remark.
He snatched a bowl of peas and carrots from his mother
and plopped several spoonfuls onto his full plate. Some peas rolled across the
ivory tablecloth. I told ye it was the witch’s fault.
His brothers’ heads swiveled in Paisley’s direction.
Look, anyone stupid enough to smear a love potion over his privates
deserves to be attacked by bugs.
Creighton slapped his fork onto the tabletop and
clenched his fists.
His bampot brothers leaned against each other in fits
of hysterics.
Cook and the butler stood side by side at the swinging
doors to the kitchen, their backs to the room, shoulders shaking with laughter.
Effie moaned. “I love this plum sauce you put on the
duck. It’s scrumptious.”
I dinna see what has ye so
pissed. I never once said ye were the woman to
end the family curse. That asinine thought came from the depths of yer mind.
Paisley flung a spoonful of mashed potatoes onto her
plate. No, but you implied it. Another clump
of potatoes flopped onto her dish. You and your threat to toy with me
while you were touching me everywhere. What is it with men? More
potatoes followed. First Alex romanced me so he could cash in on my gift. Then
you put your hands in my pants so you could make me
think you cared. When all the while you were just after a special breed of
woman to release your clan from some ancient curse.
Ronan and Bryce both lifted wineglasses as they turned
toward Creighton.
In Creighton’s red haze of anger, someone handed him a basket
full of warm rolls. He tossed one onto his bread plate. I had me hands
in yer pants because ye had me so turned on I couldna think.
Another roll and then a third landed on the small saucer. ’Course, how
could any man think with ye scratching and clawing at
his back the way ye were?
Both brothers spewed wine.
Their mother stood and flung her napkin onto the
tablecloth. “That’s it! I’ve had enough!” She pointed to the mound of food in
front of Creighton. “Do ye think yer the only one hungry tonight? And just why
are ye scowling so mean at poor Paisley?” Her angry glower slid to Ronan and
Bryce dabbing at the spilled wine with their napkins. “I’ve also had my fill of
yer poor manners too. All of ye are acting like adolescent hooligans.” She
stood with her hands on her hips. “What is wrong with everyone tonight? Is it a
full moon, or what?”
Please attend my release day party on Facebook on August 19th. There will be laughter, man candy in kilts and prizes. You may preorder this title at
http://amzn.com/B00ILX9WC0.
