Sunday, February 24, 2013

Catching Fireflies - new today!

February 24, 2013
Daytona 500 Sunday

CATCHING FIREFLIES
is available at
AmazoniTunes/AppleBarnes and NobleKobo,
and other online booksellers. 


Dale Langley longs for some triple R time - rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. He accepts his cousin’s invitation to winter over on Ocracoke Island, far away from the hustle and bustle of life on the mainland. He’s always loved being a rolling stone, traveling for his job without the worry of a place to call home, but it’s time for something different. Now Dale anticipates several blissful months to learn how to be still with no demands on his time while he prepares for the next phase of his life.


Aubrey Zimmerman came to Ocracoke to attend a friend’s commitment ceremony. Never one to settle down, Aubrey’s had enough of involvements that took him from man to man without a place to call home. He needs a break - and a little solitude. House sitting while his friend is on his honeymoon is the perfect way to clear his head and catch up on his sleep. At least it seemed that way until Dale arrived and Aubrey realized sleep is the last thing he needs.

Fate has changes in store for Dale and Aubrey, the sort neither one knew they wanted. Sometimes the more you wander the closer to home you get.

INTRO:

His hand on my knee snapped me back to the here and now. I looked around to find everyone hovering over the steaks sharing grilling secrets, and paying no attention to us.

I tried not to notice the warmth of Aubrey’s palm on my skin, but failed miserably. At least if I got hard, I was sitting down and my T-shirt was loose enough to hide it if I leaned forward. Or maybe crossed my legs. Or sank beneath the glider - or the ground. Thankfully, the thought of how embarrassed I’d be kept an erection at bay. Barely.

“You know, hon. I like to walk along the water after dinner. Why don’t you join me?”

I must’ve had a stupid expression on my face. He tilted his head. “No hanky-panky, of course, being that we just met.”

No one even glanced in our direction so I leaned toward him. “Um, sure. A walk would be nice. If I try to hold your hand are you going to stop me?”

“That’s all you can hold tonight, sugar. I don’t know anything about you, and I have to make sure you don’t bite before we get to know each other better.” He looked down then slowly lifted his beautiful gaze back to mine. “And you’re hiding something.”

I shivered as the memories of the vicious blows I’d received at the hands of strangers taunted me.

“I only nibble the occasional earlobe, and my secrets are my own, Aubrey. There’s nothing in them to hurt anyone else.”

He studied me for a few moments, his fascinating blue gaze enigmatic. “Fair enough, Dale.” He sighed. “I do have my own. What?”

“I could stare into your eyes forever.”

Aubrey didn’t blink. “If I had a dollar for every time some tomcat said that to me, I’d be rich…”

EXCERPT:

“That glass had better have the same amount in it when I get back.”

Aubrey swiped his index finger over his heart, specifically his left nipple, up and down then side-to-side. The man was all tease and I liked it. I wasn’t ready for anyone serious.

I carried his glass over to Mark and requested another. I watched as he made Aubrey another drink - virgin. I looked at him, questioningly.

“Apparently Aubrey doesn’t touch anything with alcohol in it. I’ve no clue why. The man’s a mystery to everyone except Chad.”

I thanked him for making the drink as he handed it to me. “A little mystery isn’t a bad thing, is it?”

“No, Dale, it’s not. But don’t expect too much. He’s only here for the commitment ceremony.”

“Thanks. That’s good to know.” I turned and reclaimed my spot beside Aubrey, handing him his drink as I sat. Brett was delivering the first steaks to those who liked to hear it go “moo” when they stuck a fork into it. Aubrey echoed my preference for medium-well to well when Brett asked. I touched my glass to his again.

“Ah, I’ve learned something else about you. Now I’ve got a very important question for you. Sauce, or no sauce?”

“Hon, I’ve been thinking of nothing but sauce since I saw you standing in the driveway.”

I grinned at him, appreciating his wicked sense of humor. “You are so bad. I was talking about steak sauce.”

“If you see me put anything on a steak, you’ll know it was ruined before it got to me, and I’m pretty sure Brett isn’t going to do that.”

“I have a feeling you’re right about that.” I sipped my drink, wondering if I should pry into why he didn’t imbibe. He beat me to it.

“You’re wondering why I don’t drink.”

It was a statement, not a question, and I gave him a nod. “So you’re psychic, too?”

“No, but everyone wonders why a man of my comparative youth isn’t out getting inebriated every night of the week, a behavior best described as gauche.”

“That’s not a word I hear often. Hmm…Brett just motioned for us to get our plates.”

Aubrey batted his eyelashes and smiled at me. I shook my head.

“Nope. You have to go fix your own plate.” I stood and held my hand out to pull him up. He sighed and wrapped his fingers around mine. I was right - his hands were strong.

We fixed our plates with a veritable feast. Steak, grilled mushrooms and peppers, fresh diced tomatoes in light vinaigrette, a cold couscous salad, macaroni salad and fresh fruit. I gathered from the conversation meals at Brett and Mark’s place were somewhat potluck. The hosts simply looked in the larder and presented what appealed to them on the spur of the moment, and whatever leftovers they had in the refrigerator, but it sure worked. I grabbed the last steak knife and squeezed in at the table beside Sam.

Drat that flirty Aubrey for parking his very fine little butt between the two old guys. I’m sure he did it because they fawned over him - and he was just as bad over them. It was honest and genuine, and fun to watch even with so many questions hammering inside my head.

Would he really take a walk with me this evening? The sun was well on its way toward the far horizon, and I loved being along the shore at dusk…crap.

How the hell had this happened? When I crawled out of bed this morning all I had on my mind was a long, peaceful, albeit cold, winter on the island. I was going to rest, relax, rejuvenate - and not get all hot and bothered over any guy that crossed my path. But here I sat doing just what I didn’t want to do.

Funny how life constantly gives a person what they think they don’t want.

Aubrey smiled at me.

Shit. I’d taken his bait and if I wasn’t careful, he’d set the hook.

_*_*_

Catching Fireflies is available at
AmazoniTunes/AppleBarnes and NobleKobo,
and other online booksellers. 

KC Kendricks
My home on the web- Between the Keys: http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
twitter.com/kckendricks
facebook.com/kckendricks
pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards
instagram.com/kc_kendricks
My country life at Holly Tree Manor


Saturday, February 16, 2013

Taking stock on a Saturday morning

February 16, 2013

Oh, this dreary, chilly weather. I'm tired of gray skies and damp ground. I crave sunshine and green growing flowers. I want a warm breeze so I can take my coffee to the patio and listen to the birds sing. I know the Saturday is coming when it will happen, but it's not this morning. So I join my cat at gazing out the window and whining.

Whether the weather cooperates with me or not, I've a list of things to accomplish today. It's been a productive writing week and the aftermath is all around me. My desk is a mess, my study is a mess, there are two loads of laundry to do, and the pet fur is making dust bunnies everywhere. I like my world to be neat and tidy and it's not. Friends and family didn't get the usual "check-in" calls this week so I have lots of folks to contact. Being a hermit only works for very short stretches.

In addition to the need to restore my nest to a better state is my writer's list of what I'd like to get done this Saturday. Blogging is on the list although this blog entry was not. I'm gearing up for the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge and I have a bit of prep work to do. Twenty-six blogs in April going A to Z takes some organization.

This past week I completed the manuscript of the second Amethyst Cove story and it needs to be proofed. I read the galley for Catching Fireflies (due out next weekend) and I need finish that webpage on my site. With a June 1, 2013, deadline for a story in an upcoming PAX, I need to get chapter three underway, too. Finished chapter three would be better than chapter three "underway" but sometimes a person has to settle.

The 2013 NASCAR season has arrived. With my two-monitor setup, I might be able to keep an eye on the festivities while I work. I wouldn't want to do it all the time, but it might be fun here at the beginning of the year.

Oh, and let's not forget it's tax season, too. It's time to deal with all that. 'Nuff said.

I want to share a snapshot with you before I get down to work. A few mornings ago we woke to wet snow clinging to the trees. The cat was sitting in the window making unhappy little noises so I got my phone to snap a picture of him. I got the unexpected. The light caught his eyes just right and you can see the result for yourself. We've joked about this cat being the spawn of the devil because he's got a lot of personality, and this could be the final proof.

Happy Saturday!

KC
http://www.kckendricks.com

Update:

Catching Fireflies is available at
Amazon, iTunes/Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo,
and other online booksellers. 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

A New Chick for Wisdom

February 7, 2013

There's happy news today. Wisdom, the 62-year-old Laysan Albatross cited as the world's oldest bird, has a new chick! I first read about Wisdom in March of 2011 (read the blog here) and have followed news about her every since. Knowing she's still with us isn't huge in the overall scheme of things, but I think it's joyous news.

Wisdom has already lived nearly twice as long as most birds of her species. She was first tagged with a simple metal band way back in 1956 by a U.S. Geological Survey researcher. The man was in his 40's at that time so she may outlive him.

Since Laysan Albatross' mate for life, it's safe to assume she's outlived all but the last of her mates. Maybe it's those younger males she's finding that are keeping her happy. She's hatched five chicks since 2006.

Read today's story at this link.

Way to go, Wisdom. Stay with us.

KC Kendricks
http://www.kckendricks.com