Sweet Saturday Sample - October 5

It's been a month since I've contributed to Sweet Saturday Samples -- and that's too long! I'm back today with another excerpt from my WIP, Elly and the Geriatrics. This scene takes place after Elly has crashed her grandmother's golf cart into a pile of mulch, and Derek and Elly have shared their first kiss.

      After a quick explanation to her grandmother of what had transpired, amid apologies and assurances that the only thing injured was her pride, Elly headed for the bathroom. A glance in the medicine cabinet mirror confirmed what she’d feared. She looked terrible. Her hair stood out from her head like a red fright wig, a smear of dirt stretched from her nose to her right ear, and bits of mulch dusted her from head to foot like brown snowflakes.

      But Derek kissed me anyway.

      She ran her fingertips over her lips, remembering the feel of his mouth on hers. Those thoughts warmed her and made her wonder why he’d chosen that moment to make a move.

      Don’t question it. It was wonderful.

      Then a piece of bark fell from her hair onto her hand, bringing her back to reality. She shook her head. 
      The man must be as blind as Mrs. Bagley or else really desperate for female attention. 

      Thoughts of those kisses teased her while she showered, towel-dried her hair, and put on makeup. Once those tasks were done, she donned a clean pair of jeans and a cotton shirt. She slipped her feet into strappy sandals.

       I'm not really chasing after the guy.

       She fastened one hoop earring, then the other.

       And I don't want a relationship with him.

       She frowned at her reflection and made a face.

       What do I want?

       She spritzed perfume on her neck. Dammit, it felt good to have a man admire her. Maybe Granny was right. A little flirting wouldn't hurt. Would it?

What's Sweet Saturday Samples?

Each week, writers post brief samples of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books from which they're taken may be spicier. 
For more SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLES, click HERE.

Sweet Saturday Samples - Sept 8

I've missed the past few Sweet Saturday Samples, but I'm back today with more from Elly and the Geriatrics, my work in progress. In this scene, Elly and Derek are sitting in his truck at the Sonic drive-in restaurant and they’ve just shared their first kisses. 

      As he watched her sip her cherry Coke, Derek wondered if their kisses had affected Elly as much as they had him. The touch of her lips had sent a lightning bolt of lust straight through him—something that hadn’t happened lately. He turned to look out the window, trying to keep his thoughts from turning X-rated. He hadn’t meant to kiss her and wondered what had come over him. He glanced over to see her brows creased in a frown. Maybe his actions puzzled her too.

       Actually, she was the one who took it from a friendly kiss to a sizzling liplock. He liked that—a woman who didn’t play games but went after what she wanted.

       But what's with the ex-boyfriend? Is she still hung up on that jerk?

       Now that she’d confessed her living arrangement with Mrs. M, it all added up. No wonder she’d been around the neighborhood so often.

***

       Elly wondered what had possessed her to grab the man and give him such a lustful kiss. She’d been surprised when he reached for her and kissed her—surprised and delighted. She didn’t even stop to think before she kissed him back. It just felt right.

       Then the reality of all she’d said hit her. Why did she bring up all that stuff about Rick? Damn, she always talked too much when she was upset. And making out at the Sonic in the middle of Shannon Ridge? Adult women don’t behave that way.

       Oh, yes, they do, Granny’s devilish voice chirped in her mind.  Especially when faced with a good-looking man.

       Elly frowned and stared down into her drink.

       Slow down. Remember Rick.

       Then the memory of Mrs. Bagley's warning about Derek nagged her thoughts.

       Would she make up something like that? Yeah, the old girl probably thought kissing on the first date was sinful, but still….

       What do I really know about Derek?

       She scooted closer to the truck’s door and sipped in silence.

What's Sweet Saturday Samples?

Each week, writers post brief samples of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books from which they're taken may be spicier. 
For more SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLES, click HERE.

Sweet Saturday Samples - Aug 11

I’ve missed the past couple of Saturdays, but now I’m back with more from my WIP, Elly and the Geriatrics. To bring you up to date: Elly wrecked her grandmother’s golf cart, Derek came to her rescue, and now they’re chilling at the local Sonic Drive-In, evading Mrs. Bagley’s snooping eyes. (I skipped ahead a little.) You’ll find my previous Sweet Saturday Samples post here.

     Moments later Derek found a spot in the Sonic parking lot, asked Elly what she wanted, and placed their orders.

     Then he turned and faced Elly. “Are you ready to tell me what went on back there?”

      Elly bit her lip.

      Can I trust this man.

      I don't know him well … but he’s always been kind to Granny.

      Besides, he’s an employee of the retirement village, not a member of the Geriatric Government.

      She looked up and saw Derek’s dark eyes full of concern.

      Oh, who cares what old Bagley said about his history with women?

      She stared into Derek’s eyes, watching for the reaction she hoped she’d find. “If you have to turn me in, I’ll understand, but I hope you won't.”

      Derek reached across the seat and took Elly’s hand. “Good grief. What is it? Did you run over Mrs. Bagley’s petunias? Did you steal a bottle of water from the rec center refrigerator? You didn’t go skinny dipping in the neighborhood pool, did you?” His lips twitched.

      Elly squeezed his hand, took a deep breath, and looked down at their fingers twined together. “I’ve been living with my grandmother for almost two months.” She looked up at Derek, wondering what she’d see in his face. All she found were raised eyebrows and a smile. He squeezed her hand.

      “I see. And?”

      “Derek, I know I’m not supposed to stay in the park for more than a month, but Granny needs me, and I need her too.”

      Elly told him about the postponement of her career plans while he nodded as if he understood. He slipped his arm across the back of the bench seat and pulled her to his side. As she shared her worries about her grandmother, he gave her a hug. Feeling safe and protected, tears fell when she told him a little about Rick. “He lied to me. And now I’ve destroyed Granny’s surrey. And Mrs. Bagley is going to cause trouble. And I don’t know how I’m going to—”

      Derek put his hand under Elly’s chin, tilted it up, and gently kissed her lips. With his thumbs he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

      "Things will get better,” he whispered.

      Without pausing to think, Elly raised her hands to rest on his chest and kissed him back.

There's nothing like that delicious first kiss, is there?

What's Sweet Saturday Samples?

Each week, writers post brief samples of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books from which they're taken may be spicier. 
For more SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLES, click HERE.

Photo of lips: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32135406@N00/2843391506/
The candy photo is mine.

Sweet Saturday Samples - July 21

When we left Elly and the Geriatrics last week, Elly had just discovered that the brakes didn’t work on the golf cart she was driving. Here’s what happened next. (By the way, she’s disguised as her grandmother.)

      Oh, God. I'm gonna crash.

      Panicked, Elly steered the runaway cart toward a pile of mulch up ahead, hoping the bark chips would stop her or at least cushion the crash. She gripped the steering wheel, ducked her head, and braced for impact.

      Seconds later, the cart’s front wheels plowed into the pile. But though the vehicle came to an abrupt halt, Elly kept going and flipped into the mulch. In slow motion, the cart seemed to sigh, tilted onto its side, and then slid down to the pavement.

      Elly rolled to her back and stared up at the evening sky, catching her breath and trying to stop her head from spinning. She wiggled her arms and legs.

      Nothing broken.

      A glance back up the street told her Mrs. Bagley wasn’t in sight. Then Elly heard pounding footsteps and shouts.

      "Mrs. Macaulay! Mrs. Macaulay! Are you all right?"

       She turned to see Derek rushing toward her, his dark eyes wide.

       "Elly?" He let out a whoosh of breath. "I thought you were your grandmother. Are you okay?"

       "Yeah." She nodded, more embarrassed than hurt. “I’m fine.”

       Why does he always see me at my worst?

       She looked down at her clothes and brushed at the bits of bark stuck all over her body. A giggle tickled her throat.

       I look like a grizzly bear, covered with brown fur.

       Derek shook his head. “Are you sure you’re okay? I knew the cart was going too fast to make the turn. I was afraid that Mrs. M….” He stopped and chuckled. “Elly, what’s going on?” Derek moved closer and extended his hand. “Here, let me help you.”

       Elly grasped Derek’s palm and let him pull her to her feet, her relieved laughter joining his. She enjoyed the firm feel of his hand holding hers, but when she looked over his shoulder, she gasped, dismayed to see Mrs. Bagley now standing at the top of the hill. 
       She grabbed Derek’s arm and pulled him behind the mound of mulch. “I've got to get out of here.”

       "Why? What's going on?" He frowned and turned his head to follow her gaze. “Are you sure you aren’t hurt?”

       "No, I’m okay. Really. It's Mrs. Bagley and . . . it's a long story. Oh, God, if she sees me, there's gonna be trouble."

        Derek shrugged. "It’s getting dark, and she probably can’t see us all that well. I doubt she can walk this far. What's the big deal?"

       "Please. I’ll explain later. I need to leave. Now.”

       Being rescued by a knight on a white horse would be romantic, but I’ll take a good-looking man in a pickup truck any day – even if it’s an old Ford! How about you?

       By the way, I’m still tweaking the ending chapters of this work-in-progress.

~ Sandy Nachlinger ~

What's Sweet Saturday Samples?

Each week, writers post brief samples of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books from which they're taken may be spicier. 
For more SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLES, click HERE.


Photo credits:
Ford F-150: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_F-150_XL_Reg._Cab.JPG
Rainbow Swirl Lollipop: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollipop. This photo was taken by Evan-Amos as a part of Vanamo Media, which creates public domain works for educational purposes.

Sweet Saturday Sample - July 7

More today from my WIP, Elly and the Geriatrics. In this scene, Derek has just purchased some garden tools Elly found in her grandfather’s shed. But even though Elly's hair looked like it had been styled with an eggbeater and dirt streaked her T-shirt, she made quite an impression. While women are concerned with hair, clothes, and makeup, men tend to focus on other things, don’t they?

(Click here for last week's Sample)

        Derek stared in his rearview mirror and took another look at Elly as he left the driveway. Her tight T-shirt hugged her curves like a coat of paint. 

        He let out his breath in a wolf whistle.

        When she'd bent over to pick up the shovel and he’d caught a glimpse of pink panties cupping her butt, he was pretty sure his mouth fell open. And the taut muscles in her legs—long legs that went from pink painted toenails all the way up to heaven. Derek’s libido went into overdrive when a snapshot of that vision clicked in his brain.

        Wow.

        When she asked if he saw anything else he wanted, he’d bit back the answer that came to mind. 
        Oh, yeah. 
        He’d definitely be buying more of her grandpa’s tools, and he was sure interested in anything else she had to offer.

        For the first time in many years, Derek found himself really drawn to a woman, wanting to get to know her better in all kinds of ways. The feeling surprised and pleased him. Sure, she was good-looking, but her kindness toward her grandmother and the way she didn’t fuss about her appearance attracted him too. A nice woman—not at all like some he’d been with since Suzette.

        When he’d seen Elly at the rummage sale, he hadn’t realized she was so tall. At least five foot ten—maybe more. Today he saw that her height almost matched his own. Her body would be a perfect fit for his.

        A vision of deep brown eyes and wild red hair sealed the deal.

        And don’t forget those legs. 
        Oh, no way could he forget those long legs.

        He gripped the steering wheel tighter and stared straight ahead, knowing he’d better guide his mind away from the direction it was heading and pay attention to the road or he’d wind up in a ditch.

What are Sweet Saturday Samples? 

Each week, writers post brief samples of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books from which they're taken may be spicier. 
For more SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLES, click HERE.


Photo sources:

http://www.shop-truereligion.com/women-true-religion-jeans-joey-cut-off-shorts-medium-zuma-p-46.html
theKitchn.com

Sweet Saturday Sample - June 30

Why is it that when we look our worst, that’s when we see people we know? In this scene from my WIP, Elly and the Geriatrics, poor Elly is a mess.

          Elly paused at the door to Grandpa’s shed, arched her back in a stretch, and stepped from behind the cedars lining the driveway. As she looked up, an old pickup truck rolled down Bluebonnet Lane.

Is that Derek?

She jumped back behind the foliage and watched as he backed up and turned into her grandmother’s driveway.

Doggone it. It is.

She edged toward the shed, hoping to hide inside, when she stumbled over a wheelbarrow filled with all kinds of hand tools. The contents fell onto the concrete with a clatter. Elly heard footsteps thumping down the driveway.

“Mrs. M? Is that you?” Derek asked.

Elly took a deep breath and smoothed her t-shirt. That action left streaks of dirt down its front, adding to the grime already there. She’d started out the morning in sweatshirt and jeans, but as the day warmed and her physical activity increased, she’d pared down to T-shirt and cutoffs. Now she wished she’d dressed a little better. She wore not a smidgen of makeup, not even lipstick. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail and tied it with a shoelace hours before, and she knew it probably stuck out like a bouquet of thistles by now.

          The man will probably run the other direction.

          Not that I care.

          She stepped from behind the trees.

In case you’re curious, here’s what a thistle looks like. Of course, Elly’s hair is red, not pink.

While you’re visiting our blog, take a look at the trailer for I.O.U. SEX (below). Hope you enjoy it!

What are Sweet Saturday Samples? 
Each week, writers post brief samples of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books from which they're taken may be spicier. 


For more SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLES, click HERE.

Photo source – Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Highfields/Gallery?rdfrom=commons:User:Highfields/Gallery#My_Uploads

Sweet Saturday Sample - June 23

Would you spend hundreds of dollars on a vintage fishing lure? Elly hopes someone will do just that in today’s Sweet Saturday Sample from my WIP, Elly and the Geriatrics. Here’s what happened after Elly went through her late grandfather’s storage shed.

       That evening, Elly sat at her laptop, the list of Grandpa’s treasures at her side, while her grandmother watched Jeopardy in the other room. Every few minutes, she’d hear Granny's high-pitched voice calling out a response and making comments to the contestants. Elly chuckled. The range of her grandmother’s knowledge always amazed her, and she was convinced that this nightly TV ritual helped keep her mind sharp.

       Elly propped her list next to the computer and typed the name of the first item in the Google search box. To her surprise, a screen full of hits came up. She clicked on the first listing and found a page loaded with photos of colorful fishing gear. Near the top, a vintage Paw-Paw “Injured Minnow” fishing lure like one she’d found in the tackle box, had an asking price of three hundred dollars, while an antique Poul Jorgensen salmon fly was going for seven hundred.

       “Holy moley,” she said to the screen. “Seven hundred dollars to catch a fish?” She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked again, wondering if she’d imagined what she’d seen, but the numbers on the screen didn’t change. Sure this must be a fluke, she checked two more sites. To her amazement, they confirmed the lure’s value.

        “Unbelievable.” She let out her breath with a whistle. If the rest of Grandpa’s collection was worth that much, Granny could replace the trailer’s roof and asthmatic air conditioner and maybe even buy a new refrigerator. She wondered who would pay so much for old fishing stuff.

Encouraged by what she’d found, Elly vowed to start her own online postings that very night, beginning with a few items from Grandpa’s tackle boxes.

Connect with more Sweet Saturday Sample authors here: 

The Sweet List.

What is Sweet Saturday Samples? 
Each week, writers post a brief sample of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books from which they're taken may be spicier. 

Fishing lure photo source: http://www.artofangling.com/forsale.html

Sweet Saturday Sample - June 16

Welcome back, Sweet Saturday Samplers! Here’s another peek at my WIP, Elly and the Geriatrics.

Elly has been cleaning out her grandmother’s storage shed and she’s stopped for lunch. Since she is breaking the rules of the senior citizen community by staying with her grandmother, she hides in a bedroom when someone knocks on the door.

           

“Come in, Louisa Mae,” Granny said. “Electra, honey, it’s okay. You can come out.”

         Elly’s heart sank. Why was Granny calling out her name when her presence was supposed to be a secret? She’d been discreet all day, staying in the shadows at the back of the carport between the trailers, and now Granny was acting like it was no big deal.

         When Elly came through the door, carrying her dishes, her grandmother beamed. “Honey, you remember Louisa Mae from next door.”

         Elly pasted a wary smile on her face and nodded to the woman. She remembered seeing her several weeks ago, on the other side of the six-foot fence separating their properties, her hair as fine and fluffy as cotton candy and almost as pink. She’d bent down to hide and hoped the woman hadn’t seen her. Now it didn’t seem to matter. “Yes, I do. It’s good to see you again.” She glanced at her grandmother. “And I like to be called Elly.”

         “It’s good to see you too,” Louisa Mae said.

         Elly said nothing, wondering how much Louisa knew.

         Granny took a look at her granddaughter’s serious face and laughed. “Oh, don’t you worry, honey. Louisa Mae knows all about our little arrangement and she approves. She’s the soul of discretion and she won’t tell anyone, will you, Lou?”

          “Absolutely not. I’m delighted to have you next door, helping your grandmother. Ruth Ann and I were just saying yesterday what a blessing you are.”

         “Ruth Ann?” Elly’s heart sank one level lower. “Who’s Ruth Ann?”

         “Why, she’s our neighbor. Three trailers down thataway.” Louisa Mae pointed down the street. “But don’t worry, we’re all on your side, and we can all keep a secret.” She leaned forward and looked over her shoulder, as if spies lurked behind the Barcalounger. “The only one you really have to watch out for is that old busy-body Marybeth Bagley, but she’s as blind as a bat. Why, her glasses are as thick as the bottoms of Coke bottles!”

         “Thanks for the warning,” Elly said. She wondered how many other residents knew of her stay with her grandmother and how long her secret would remain intact.

Indulge in Sweet Saturday Samples with us! Here's the link:
The Sweet List


What is Sweet Saturday Samples? 
Each week, writers post a brief sample of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books may be spicier. 

Sweet Saturday Sample - June 9

More from Elly and the Geriatrics, my WIP, for this week’s Sweet Saturday Sample. In this scene, Elly is packing up the unsold items from their rummage sale table when Mrs. Bagley, the President of the Sunset Acres Homeowner’s Association, stops by. Jeremy is Mrs. Bagley’s trouble-maker nephew.

Mrs. Bagley turned and looked around the room. The chain affixed to her eyeglass frames jiggled. “Jeremy stayed with me for a while but, unfortunately, he was forced to leave.” She paused, her smile gone, and raised thin eyebrows. “Our homeowners’ association has a rule that young people can visit for one month, then they have to go. One month. I assume you’re aware of that restriction?”

Elly searched her mind for the right response. She wondered if the Bagley woman knew she’d been living with Granny almost twice that long.

“Yes, ma’am,” Elly answered, limiting her response to as few words as possible.

“Well, just so you know. We won’t tolerate any breaking or bending of our covenants.” She fixed Elly with a glare, her forehead ribbed with rows of wrinkles.

Elly clamped her teeth together, holding back the rude retort that came to mind.

“And another thing.” The woman’s frown deepened and she leaned closer. “I saw you talking to our groundskeeper. I’d be careful around that young man if I were you. He has a way with plants, but from what I've heard ....” She paused and sniffed. "...he has an unsavory past regarding women."

Elly swallowed a gasp.

Unsavory? Derek? He seemed like such a nice guy.

But then, so had Rick.

Just then Granny walked up and interrupted. “Why, hello, Marybeth. How is Jeremy these days?” Her voice dripped with honey. “I'm so sorry to hear he had a little trouble with the sheriff over in Fannin County.”

Mrs. Bagley backed away. “All a misunderstanding, I’m sure. Just normal high spirits in a young man.” She pinned Elly with a glare. “Remember what I said.” Then she turned as quickly as her cane would allow and hobbled away.

Once the woman was out of earshot, Granny let out a hiss. “Old sow. She’ll be spying on us like a fox watching a henhouse. We’ll have to be more careful.” 

Indulge in more Sweet Saturday Samples here: The Sweet List

Sweet Saturday Sample - April 28

Here’s another sample from my work-in-progress, Elly and the Geriatrics. If you haven’t read my earlier posts, you’ll need to know that Elly is staying with Granny M to help her recover from a broken ankle. But that’s against the Sunset Acres Retirement Village rules, so Elly is in disguise. 

Elly parked Granny’s golf cart near the door of the Shop ‘N Hop and grabbed a fabric tote from the orange-colored bin behind the seat. Granny had hot-glued yellow fringe around the bin’s edges and added a big glittery M on the back—M for Marge Macauley. An orange vinyl canopy covered the cart’s top. That, too, had a trim of yellow fringe dangling from its edges, inspiring Granny to call the vehicle “My Little Surrey.” To Elly, the two-person cart resembled a miniature Rose Parade float.

            Elly pulled the handwritten list from the slicker’s pocket and read the items Granny M had written in looping cursive.

            Two-percent milk (quart)

            Tylenol

            Miss Clairol #108 (reddish blond)

            National Enquirer

            White bread

            Peanut butter

At the bottom, she saw the words,

  Buy yourself a treat.

            Elly chuckled. The kind of treat she wanted wasn’t available at a mini-mart. If she could just have a day at a spa, complete with massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure, that luxury would keep her smiling for a month. Heck, while she was daydreaming she might as well make the masseur a drop-dead gorgeous Matthew McConaughey or George Clooney clone and set the scene on a beach in Hawaii. Why not? It sure as hell wasn’t going to happen. Really, if she just had a decent apartment back in Dallas and a start toward her career, she’d be satisfied. She straightened her shoulders and pushed aside her frustration. Jobs weren’t easy to come by right now, Granny needed her, and their arrangement suited her temporarily. The rest would come, hopefully soon. She pushed open the glass door to the store.

Now where do they keep Miss Clairol?

Personally, I'd choose Matthew McConaughey. Can't resist that Texas drawl.

By the way, I was amazed at the tricked-out golf carts pictured online. Here are links to a couple of sites that include photos. 

Go, Granny. Go!

Crazy Golf Carts

More Crazy Golf Carts

Click here to read earlier posts from Elly and the Geriatrics:

Post #1  /  Post #2

For links to more Sweet Saturday Samples, click here:  http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/

Photo sources: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:George_Clooney_66%C3%A8me_Festival_de_Venise_(Mostra)_3Alt1.jpg

http://the-real-breaking-news.com/matthew-mcconaughey-has-her-request-marriage-at-christmas/

[NOTE: The golf cart photo is mine.]

Sweet Saturday Sample - April 21

After all the kind comments and encouragement I received following last Saturday’s post from my WIP (tentatively titled Electra and the Geriatrics), I’m moving forward with the story. Last week you met my protagonist Elly. Today’s post gives you a peek at my hero Derek.

      Derek watched the heavy gate clang shut. He’d recognized Mrs. Macauley’s distinctive ride and waved, but she must not have seen him.

      Where is she headed, all by herself? Should I have stopped her?

       He’d started to shout a greeting, then changed his mind.

       Probably not.

       Those senior citizens can be damned independent.

       He chuckled.

       Especially Mrs. M.  A real ball of fire ‘til she’d fractured her ankle.

       He shrugged, stepped back under the oak’s branches, and leaned on his shovel.

       Must be feeling better if she's running around in her golf cart.

       He wondered what had happened to the granddaughter who’d been helping her. He’d seen her a couple of times at the rec center right after Mrs. M fell off that curb. Nice-looking woman. Her relation to her grandmother was obvious—red hair, lanky build, though the granddaughter was taller. But for one reason or another, they’d never met. Probably just as well.

       Derek turned and resumed his work beneath the native red oak. The neighborhood’s gardening committee had decreed that the entrance to Sunset Acres Retirement Village be spruced up this spring, and their first project included putting flowers beneath the tree’s branches. As their landscaper, he wasn’t too hopeful of the plan’s success. He’d tried his damnedest to convince them that the roses and daylilies they wanted would never survive in the shade at the oak’s tangled roots, but the ladies on the committee wanted colorful blooms. He hoped a few azaleas, with impatiens and begonias in bright ceramic pots, would satisfy them. Of course, they would have to approve his choices. The whole thing would take on a drama far out of proportion to the importance of the issue. He shook his head and chuckled, imagining their heated discussion.

       Good thing he could find humor in his situation. By now he’d hoped to be settled down with a wife and kids, heading up a successful landscape design company. Instead, here he was, pushing thirty and still working toward those dreams.

       He put a foot to the shovel’s blade and spaded up a mound of mulch, then spread the top-dressing over the hard-packed ground. What a life. But right now, there wasn’t an alternative.

I hope you enjoyed today's excerpt. You'll find more Sweet Saturday Samples here: The Sweet List