Hello friends. I'm switching stories since Tonya and Will's story had been done for a while and I did get the final edits back. This is brand new sweet romance called The Love Talisman. It is a sequel to The Soul Mate Search. Today's prompt is Hardy.

Mr. Bigg’s hoarse meow served as an alarm clock reminding her she needed to get up and feed her pet. Ellie rolled over taking her pillow with her and covering her face. Her cat wouldn’t hesitate to bat her face to drive his point home. He had in the past. Besides, her head throbbed. It felt like tiny dancers were doing an early morning rendition of Riverdance inside her head.

Underneath the covering of her pillow, she took personal inventory. Her leg moved across the mattress. Alone, unless she counted one irritated cat. Head hurt, and her tongue felt like cotton. Both she contributed to the half dozen cosmopolitans she made herself last night. At least, she drank at home and not at some dubious bar making a fool of herself. Tried to interest in Nina in going out with her, but her friend seldom had time for socializing after taking the regional manager job. Sometimes it seemed like no one had time for her, especially Justin.

Technically, she referred to Justin as her boyfriend, but Nina tended to call him a series of names from selfish S.O. B. to the bad decision.  Well, at least, her friend wasn’t shy about sharing her opinion. Her bent finger rubbed a sore eye. No doubt, it would be both puffy and bloodshot. Liquor and self-pity never worked as  beauty enhancers.

Mr. Bigg head butted her pillow and raised the volume of his complaints. She should get up. No reason for her to stay in bed. It’s not as if the world ended just because her fellow called and announced he wouldn’t show. Never mind, the gourmet dinner she slaved over. Blame it on the cooking shows, which were her addiction. Recipes didn’t cost anything, even though the expensive ingredients often had her turning down the thermostat and taking two minutes showers to make budget.  Food didn’t break your heart, and it never left snarky messages on social media.

Last night, wasn’t the first time he'd stood her up. Her lips twisted as she tried to remember how many times she’d been disappointed in their relationship. Her fingers went up under the sheet as she counted. Three if you counted the work excuse. Once he claimed to be sick, that would be four.  When he stood her up the first time, she made the mistake of telling Nina.

Her best friend ranted so long and hard you’d think she was the one stood up. Her constant refrain to dump him grated on Ellie’s nerves.  That sealed her decision not to mention that all wasn’t well. On the flip side, at least she had someone.

The pillow depressed flattening across her face as her kitty kneaded it in preparation for laying down. “Okay. You win.” She shoved the pillow aside and blinked in the bright light. Odd, did she leave the light on too? A half roll revealed open curtains. The morning light flooded the room. Her lips twisted to one side as she considered the meaning of this unexpected development.  What day was it?

Justin only came over on weeknights. Nina used this idiosyncrasy has proof he was married or involved with someone else. Didn’t make much sense to her because a wife would object any night that her man wasn’t home. Justin never stayed the night, but she put that down to commitment issues. Many men were like that or at least the ones she’d met.

 Finished payroll yesterday so checks would go out today, which meant it was Friday.  The revelation had her jackknifing into position.  Oh my God, work. Not only should I be at work, but today was payday, the absolute paramount work day.   She enjoyed passing out paychecks to the rugged construction workers who manned the various crews. It made her feel like a cross between Lady Bountiful and some benevolent goddess passing out favors to hardy musclebound men with bicep tattoos.

Unfortunately, the men didn’t recognize her as such. Most called her kid, little sister, or even peanut due to her height. It made her more of a mascot than an accounting goddess. Little sister or goddess, the men would still be peeved if they didn’t get their paychecks in a timely fashion. A sharp trio of knocks set her into motion.

“Great. Now what.” She half-hopped half ran to the front door trying not to trip over Mr. Bigg, who twined between her legs. He probably felt his needs came first since he started his wake-up call much earlier. Who could be knocking on her door? Well, she knew who it wasn’t.

Using the footstool, she kept by the door, she slid it in front of the door before she hopped onto it. Why locksmiths insisted on putting peepholes so high always baffled her.  A strapping six-foot man probably never peered out the door before swinging it open. Little old ladies, children, and those in the height-challenged department did, which meant the hole could be about five inches lower for easy access.

Kelley, her landlord, stood on the landing with her rubber glove clad hands perched on her hips.  Instead of knocking again, she spoke instead. “I know you’re behind the door. Open up.”

The apartment sold her on it spaciousness and low price. The contract didn’t specify that the landlord would not only keep the unit up to snuff but would use her tough love skills on the occupant too. Might as well open the door, it would be more like holding back a tornado otherwise. Reluctantly she swung the door open.

Kelley gave her the once over starting at the bottom of her Hello Kitty pajamas working her way up to her Medusa locks.  A comment on her child-like sleepwear she expected, but it wasn’t what she got.

“You look like shit. Should I assume you aren’t going to work? I could hear Mr. Bigg crying his heart out. For a second, I thought something happened to you.” One rubber gloved covered hand flattened on her chest demonstrating her dismay.

Ah, yes, an explanation of sorts might help. Well, I got stinking drunk because my date was a no show. I do have plenty of roasted lamb if you'd like some. She sucked in her lips holding in that excuse. Her mind lighted on the fact Kelley could hear Mr. Bigg meowing. What else did she hear?  Ellie squeezed her eyes shut not wanting to consider the various things she didn’t want her landlord to hear. Some things should stay private. “Rough time getting started.” She gripped the door harder realizing she was wasting time talking when she should be racing off to work.

Today is the last chance to catch a snippet of The Bad Decision Legacy. I'm also having issues with finding sections that I can actually put on the website since it is an open site. I even did some editing on this selection. :) Join me next week for a sweet romance, The Love Talisman.


We left off with Will cooking and Tonya working on her resume. I jumped a few pages and now they're headed off to bed after Will gets an annoying call from a client who wants to steal the family bulldog from her soon to be ex.


EXCERPT



“Coming to bed or not?” She glanced over her shoulder with what she considered a come-hither look with half-closed eyes and a knowing smile.

Will immediately followed her, but glanced at the phone in his hand. “What about Gloria and King Louis the 17th?”

Seriously, the man hesitated. Her sexy quotient took a hit, but she reassured herself that his attention to his job made him the sought after lawyer he was. “Don’t worry. Gloria’s all talk. She feeling sad and lonely. You’re the only person who has to listen to her late night ranting. The woman will throw back a shot or two of peppermint schnapps and head off to bed. No bulldog napping, no issue. Won’t even remember her crazy suggestion in the morning.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Might as well leave the phone in the living room, since I don’t plan on listening to it buzz all night.”

Tonya's lips tilted up at the comment as she hustled into the bedroom. She nudged the still sleeping Sebastian off the bed, which wasn’t easy because not only was he heavier than he looked, but he passively resisted, rather as if a burr caught on the bedspread. The canine eventually jumped off the bed, but not before giving her disdainful stare.

“Sorry boy, occasionally my wants trumps yours.” The puggle disregarded the apology settling on a pile of discarded clothing with a snort.

“Yeah, yeah, life is hard.” She opened and closed dresser drawers pushing clothes out of the way. Where did she put the scented votive?  Her fingers finally encounter a smooth, waxy squat cylinder. “Bingo.”

Another search ensued, which involved moving jewelry and toiletries before she located the matches. She dumped out her heart shaped crystal dish that held earrings and placed the votive inside. “Safety first.”

The candle had burned brightly before she recognized that Sebastian was the only male occupant. Did crazy Gloria call again? The sound of the shower running helped her locate Will. She should clean up too. Her fingers plucked at the oversized sleep shirt. The mirror revealed the collar of her shirt cutting into her neck only looked painful, and not the least bit sexy.

Not good, not good at all. A dab of the exotic perfume that Lynne bought her last Christmas would be the hottest thing she owned. Must get lingerie, she mentally added to her to-do list.

The shower continued, making her wonder what he included in his shower routine. “Not much time left,” she spoke to herself but got a baleful glance from her canine. Nothing to wear might as well go with nothing. Her fingers gripped the tail of her nightshirt and pulled it off. Too bad, Will wasn’t the one removing it. Under the covers, she debated if the skin approach took away Will’s opportunity to be the pursuer. Good point, men liked to think they were in charge. Her heart raced a little as she imagined the night ahead. A twist of the lamp knob left the room in darkness except for the tiny flickering votive. The small candle did not provide the romantic atmosphere she anticipated. If she closed her eyes, they might adapt, allowing better night vision.

The hall light would work. The shower stopped while giggling threatened as she waited under the sheets, anticipating the man and fingering herself. Wouldn’t hurt to get things started, but thinking about wet, naked Will caused her juices to flow on their own without any manual stimulation. A softly whistled tune rode the air as Will opened the door. The man didn’t tiptoe around trying to be quiet. Either he expected her to be awake or he planned to wake her up. Her eyelids closed and she attempted to slow her breathing to be more sleep like. Difficult, with both her mind and fingers exciting her. Oh yeah, she dropped her damp hand to the sheets.

The sound of his wet bare feet slightly sticking to the wood floor came closer as she tried to control her breathing. His shadow fell over her, demonstrating the hall light remained on. Good deal. She waited to see what he’d do next.

She moaned and thrashed her legs, moving the sheet down enough to show her breasts. Hint, hint, sexual Prince Charming, come do me.

Will’s long sexy laugh elongated her nipples, which were already tight. The man had skills.

His mellow baritone purred close to her ear. “Too bad, you’re already asleep. I had a bedtime dance for you.”

Her eyes popped open as she scooted up on the bed. “Bedtime dance?” Will handed her his iPod and stepped back as her eyes devoured him. He wore a towel knotted at the waist and oddly a tie. He didn’t have that on when he picked her up today. Her eyes moved slowly over him memorizing his features.

His hands rested on his hips as she ogled him. All lean muscle, defined biceps, pecs, and abs, her tongue moistened her lips. “Damn, you could be an advertisement for a gym. Bring in the women in droves. No exercising would get done.” She shook her head slowly thinking the women would chuck down good money just to gaze at him.

A wicked smile stretched across his face as he hooked his fingers together and pulled upward giving a gorgeous display of his lateral side muscles. “Push play, darling. I not only worked on house safety today, but I worked up something you might enjoy.”

“Oh, yes!” She bounced on the bed in excitement making the girls dance up and down earning her a wink for her efforts. Yeah, she could put on a show too. Her index finger tapped the IPod sending the rich voice of Marvin Gaye through the room singing about sexual healing. Instead of the bump and grind striptease, she expected.Will’s slow sensual moves mesmerized her.His eyes met hers as he loosened the tie knot slowing pulling one end of his tie across his chest. He leaned over her allowing the tie tip to tickle her breasts. Her fingers tightened around the material as he shimmied backward leaving her only with the tie.

Smooth move. Only a towel left before she could get her hands on him. She clapped her hands together and wolf whistled. “Take it off, sweet thing. Show me what you the good Lord gave you!”

He pivoted to the music turning his back to her as he opened the towel but kept it tight across his ass. He stopped, ramping up the tension before he threw a sly backward glance at her. “I thought you were a good church-going girl. Maybe I should stop.”

Marvin continued to croon about everything he was going to do while her mouth dropped open. Joking, he had to be teasing her. He couldn’t stop. She blinked. Had to be a joke. Her eyes devoured his back. God, the man was gorgeous all over. A red dragon tattoo stood out on his shoulder blade, snarling, warning and challenging her. It suited him. “Hell no, you aren’t stopping. I did say I wanted to work on changing my image. Start dancing and drop the towel.”

BLURB:
The world of dating can be both brutal and mysterious. Why do some people marry the first person they meet and live happily ever after? While the rest of us suffer failed relationships, unexpected divorces, and even the death of a spouse that pushes us back into singlehood. Being single can be especially challenging after forty. Most people could use some help, which inspired the book.

Dating after Forty-eight is a collection of well-read blogs that highlights workable dating strategies. Instead of dating being a trial, turn it into a fun adventure and possibly a happy ever after.

EXCERPT 2 ( This is from the blog on Profile Pics)

This is where most of the complaints come from when people bitterly complain about their online dates looking nothing like their profile pic. Everyone wants to look good on their profile but using a photo where you are twenty years younger or fifty pounds lighter isn’t fair to you or your date. You’ll end up attracting men or women who want the younger, lighter version of you. When you show up, they’re mad, which makes for a bad date.

People who might like the current you bypass your photo because they figure you wouldn’t like them because they happen to look their age. Different sites tell you different things you should do for a photo.

The first thing you need to do is take some current photos of you by yourself. Close-ups, full lengths, doing something active, and remember to smile.

Men Do’s & Don’ts

·         Use pictures of you only. A trio of your golf buddies could have your date imagining one of them as her date only to be disappointed when you show up.

·         Dress well. This is your first impression. No shirt unbuttoned to your navel, ratty shorts, or tiny swimsuit.

·         Don’t use a picture of yourself with another woman, even your daughter. A woman wants to imagine herself by your side.

·         Do ask a friend to take photos of you or go to a professional. The selfies or bathroom  mirror pictures show a lack of initiative.

·         Show candid photos of yourself doing something you love from playing with the dog to barbecuing.

 

Morgan K Wyatt has penned twenty novels. Her articles and stories also have appeared in several anthologies and magazines. Her most recent fiction publications include a sweet romance, The Inheritance, and an anthology, Sunkissed: Summer Effusions.  

Dating After Forty-eight marks her foray in non-fiction. The research for the book and blog resulted in her own happy ever after love story. Now, she and her husband are getting ready to launch cozy mystery series under the combined pen name, M.K. Scott.



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Paperback version is also available too.

Hadn’t even told you the whole story and now, you’re already ill.”

Made her sick? “You got it all wrong. It’s not you. I’m disgusted that there are women like Bella that men go all moon-eyed over. When they have hearts smaller and darker than any storybook villain does.”

His look shouted his disbelief. “Yeah. Do you want to hear the rest of the story?” The embrace loosened as he took a step back. “I think I’ll go back to cooking. It might make it easier.”

“Cooking’s good.”

The simple motion of turning on the stove happened in slow motion as if Will were underwater. Maybe her mind drew things out. She waited while he moved around the kitchen. Returning to her laptop might help the process.

After rinsing off the slotted spoon, he began to talk in a low voice that forced her to move closer to hear. “I blame Edward, the senior partner most. He told me this woman was a dear friend who was in an abusive marriage. I believed him, and she played the part so well. Telling me detailed accounts of horrific things her husband had done to her. The woman could have written screen plays.”

Tonya opened her computer and powered it on before turning to look in Will’s direction. “She wasn’t abused? How would you know?”

He shook his head slowly. “Didn’t know then. Swallowed her stories, felt outraged on her behalf, even cracked open the prenup agreement due to cruel and inhumane treatment. Of course, later I learned women in abusive relationships blame themselves and have no desire to talk about it. The only way you ever discover it is a trail of emergency room visits or a history of police calls.”

“So, you got her good settlement, how was that such a bad deal? That’s your job.”

“Oh, yeah.” He ripped open the spaghetti box with more force than necessary. “An amazing settlement, considering the lying, cheating whore not only played me but my boss too. It also established my reputation as the go-to divorce lawyer if you wanted to royally stick it to your ex.”

“Hmm,” she murmured the sound, aware on some level that saying too much would stop him from talking altogether.

“Bella was a real piece of work. She’d tell me gut-wrenching stories she’d pulled off some battered spouse website while in between tales, she’d call me her hero.”

Tonya’s nose crinkled as she made a gagging sound.

“I saw that. Now, the thought of how gullible I was, sickens me. She told me she had fallen in love with me. I was convinced I loved her too. In fact, she tried to seduce me. Asked me to drop by for an emergency visit, attired only in a sexy negligee. At the time, I excused it. Left in a hurry, not wanting to lose the job I so recently obtained.”

“Please,” she stretched out the word feeling her resentment at the absent woman flare up again. “Don’t tell me you didn’t suspect anything?”

The gurgle of the boiling water covered up his initial reply as he guided the spaghetti in the water. “I intentionally misunderstood. I wanted to believe she was a woman who deeply needed my help. Keep in mind; I didn’t go to college to help predatory females. I thought I would help people. Bella read me well and gave me what I wanted to believe while she was screwing my boss.”

Her fingers paused over the keyboard. “Did you know this?”

“Not at first.” The slotted spoon stirred the spaghetti as he dripped oil over the boiling water. “No, that didn’t come until after the divorce was finalized. Ethically, I was free to confess my feelings for the gorgeous Bella.”

“Apparently, she didn’t feel the same way,” she bit out the words as she pecked at the keyboard, misspelling simple words.

“Ha! Talk about an understatement. She laughed at me. Pointed out that she’d be stupid to get involved after obtaining such a generous alimony. Went on to tell me she had no interest in anyone as green as me. Too ignorant to recognize when being played. She preferred older, experienced men, like my boss.”

The idea of the harpy manipulating a younger, vulnerable version of Will made her snap her teeth together wishing she could somehow put the bite on Bella. “Yuck! Good riddance. I bet you didn’t take it that way, though. Wish Bella was here so I could give her some woman to woman advice.” Her fingers balled together in a fist that she brandished over her head.

Will’s expression shifted from melancholy to amusement at her actions. “Yeah, for a time, I think I would have liked to have seen someone give her what was coming to her. Now, I just look at the whole things as a lesson learned.”

“Do you?” Difficult to believe that the emotional trauma could be called a life lesson. An exhale escaped her lips, realizing the tremendous life experience she was smack in the middle of right now.

“Now, I do.” He managed a wistful smile. “Took a while. I think everything that hurts takes a while to recover from. Kinda hate people who tell ya time heals all wounds, but they do get more bearable the further time goes on.”

Steam rose from the bubbling pot as Will peered into the cabinets. “Don’t you have a colander?”

Her teeth came down on her lips. “Oh. I kept meaning to buy one. Last one I had was plastic. Melted it.”

His head came up abruptly hitting the edge of the open cabinet. “Ow!” His fingers probed his hair possibly searching for the bump. “I was going to ask you how you did that, but maybe I’m better off not knowing.”

The stench of melted plastic resurfaced if only in her mind. She’d turned her oven on to preheat forgetting she’d used it to store dirty dishes when her mother arrived unexpectedly one day. “Ah, yeah, you’re better off not knowing. No one will accuse me of being a domestic goddess, that’s for sure.”

In the act of lifting the hot pot from the stove, Will grunted his agreement.

“Hey, you didn’t have to agree!” Most men would politely defer from saying anything. What she regarded as politeness, may have just been disinterest.

“Bella was my first client, and I was as green as they come.” A derisive snort signaled his own disgust. His eyes fixed on the wall as if seeing a memory played out on the blank surface.

“Odd, it was been about sixty plus clients ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. It’s one of the reasons I hate divorce law so much. Reminds me of an old Russian proverb that goes fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I was determined never to be fooled again.”

Initially, she would have let him not tell her, but not now that he’d gone grim-faced and stared off into the distance, she had to know. Her right hand cupped his chin. “What happened?”

He snorted again. ‘What didn’t? Looking back, I can see I was eager to be played. The senior partner had given me a line of bull about what a valuable service we provided. It was what I wanted to hear. Then he sent Bella my way.”

“Was she a regular Barracuda? All claws and curses?” She could imagine an angry middle-aged woman put aside for a younger model.

Will turned his head slightly to kiss her hand still cupping his chin. “No, far from it. An ethereal beauty possessing delicate features and long, beautiful, blonde curls. She reminded me of an Elven Queen or a fairy princess.”

Her hand dropped to his shoulder, lying there like a dead fish. He said the words almost the same way actors in the romcoms did when seeing their crush, who was all wrong for them. “I hate her, and I don’t even know her.”

The flare of animosity made her uncomfortable standing so close to Will. She slid one foot back, then the other, creating space between their bodies. His arms tightened around her.

“Oh no, you don’t. See, I knew this would happen. Bella is toxic.

Will turned back to the skillet lifting another meatball from the skillet. This one he placed on a plate. He continued transferring meatballs as he spoke. “I was going to give Sebastian the meatball. Then, I thought about Clint going in and out of the house as many times as he pleased without Sebastian even objecting. The man probably gave him some meat-based treat. If I gave him a meatball, I’d just be compounding the problem. He’s start assuming that strange men give him treats.”

Ah, Will liked her dog. Didn’t say it exactly, but that’s what she heard. “You’re not so strange.”

“Ha, shows how much you know.” He moved the skillet from the hot burner to one that wasn’t on. “A few of my client’s husbands referred to me as the devil. That was one of the nicer names.”

“Yeah, but you know how people are when they’re mad. Say things they don’t mean.”

Will snorted as he picked up the large pot and filled it with water and put it on the stove. Tilting the salt shaker over the water, he gave it a few shakes and used a slotted spoon to stir it. “They meant it. Besides, I don’t want Sebastian taking treats from strangers. So far, Clint has only given him non-toxic treats. What happens when he drugs the meat.”

Her gaze fell on her overweight canine who kept watch on Will’s cooking activities. “I don’t think Clint would do that.”

The slotted spoon in Will’s hand tumbled to the floor. “You don’t think he would do something like that?” His voice grew louder with each word. A quick flick of his wrist turned off the stove. He pulled out a kitchen chair and straddled it.

Tonya waited, knowing he had something to say. Couldn’t claim to be expert enough on men to pen a book, but she knew when the stage had been set for an important announcement. “Yes.”

His large hand rubbed over his face a couple of times. “Okay. Did you think he would  try to get you fired from your job?”

“No, of course, I never thought that. If I had, I wouldn’t have done the photos.” Everyone has a few things she regretted, but man, when she did stupid stuff; it bit her in the butt big time.

His folded arms rested on the back of the chair with his chin resting on his hands. Only his lips moved as he spoke softly while the rest of face stayed icily immobile. “Did you expect him to break into your house, vandalize your car, and make some type of voodoo doll in your image?”

“That’s a silly question.” Ah, she could see where he was going with this. No wonder he terrified his client’s soon–to-be ex spouses with snapping turtle tenacity and laser eyes that peeled the away public façades. Stupidity, lust and a whole lot of liquor got her involved with Clint; add a dash of loneliness too. “Okay.” She surged to her feet knocking her laptop askew, but Will righted it before it tumbled. Great, another thing he did for her.

“I didn’t know he was unstable. Crazy warning labels aren’t tattooed on the people I need to avoid.” Her voice grew shriller with her agitation, causing Sebastian’s abrupt departure. His tail whipped around the corner as he sought a safe haven from mercurial humans. Her hands were in the air as if she were testifying in a Pentecostal revival. Of course, her witness would be about her horrible luck with men.

Will stood slowly as if wary of her. Would he leave now? Decide he had enough of helping the whacked out damsel in distress. She didn’t want to be that woman. The one who needed a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on. So tired of all of this. Her foot landed hard on the floor expressing her frustration, but, unfortunately, her barefooted state didn’t serve her well. “Ouch!”

Will opened his arms wide as she half hopped and stumbled into them. He wrapped them tight around her pulling their bodies flush with one another. His lips landed lightly on her head. The kiss made her smile, a big goofy grin that he couldn’t see. Thank goodness.

“So, you think you’re the only one who stubbed their toe in the name of love. I almost hacked off entire limbs trying to get out of messy entanglements.”

Hard to imagine Will being as foolish as she’d been, but it did improve her mood some. “Tell me.” Her low-voiced request went unanswered. Stiffening her fingers, she poked him in the ribs. “Tell me.”

“Aw, you know it will just make me look bad and you’ll throw me over.”

Tonya laughed into his shirt. “Yeah, right. Like I’d throw over the man who just made my home safer than Fort Knox. C mon tell me.”

Will pressed another kiss to her hair. “It makes me look stupid.”

“As if I come out as a shining pillar of feminine wisdom for getting involved with a lunatic PI.”

His arms tighten around her as he murmured. “I’ll give you that.”

“”Hey!” Her fingers ran up and down his ribcage searching for a ticklish spot. Under his arm, deep into his pit, she’d found it. Knew she’d hit pay dirt when he pinned his arm to his side to prevent her wandering fingers from getting any farther.

“Stop that,” He managed between chuckles. “That’s so unfair.”

“Maybe,” she readily agreed. “I’ll stop when you tell. It will help me from feeling like such a doofus depending on how bad your story is.”

 His chuckles ceased and his somber expression returned, making her wish she hadn’t pushed him. An apology formed in her mind, something about it not mattering and forgetting she even mentioned it, but before she could utter it, Will spoke.