MORE OF THE BIG LIE

This story has grabbed some folks. I've been asked to continue it and not wait for Tuesday Tales to roll around again. Besides, Rory and Hack have the next few Tuesday Tales sewn up! If you haven't read the first two installments, scroll down and you'll find them. Here's the next scene from:

THE BIG LIE

Dale couldn't stop watching the time. Cliff will be here in five minutes to pick up Sylvia. Dale fussed about the shop, washing dishes that weren't dirty and half-listening to Sylvia go on about her wedding twenty years ago. 

"...I can bring in my wedding picture. Do you have one?"

"What?" Dale picked up her head.

"A wedding picture. Do you have one?"

"Here?  I'm not sure."

"Will you bring one in tomorrow if I bring in mine?"

"Sure, sure." Dale saw a dark SUV pull up to the curb out in front. The driver honked his horn. 

Bastard! Coward! Afraid to come in and face me. Her mouth set in a grim line. The ice around her heart hardened. Good. I don't want to see you either. 

Bursting through the strict controls she imposed on her emotions, a flutter in her chest and a slight sting of tears in her eyes stopped her cold.  Betrayer! I don't care about you. You married her. But even as the oft-repeated words in her head, appeared again, she knew they were a lie. 

Suddenly, the unbearable pain in her heart was almost as fresh as when she first found out.

"Tommy's here. See you tomorrow."

Dale managed a wan smile. "Tomorrow, then."

"Don't forget your wedding picture," Sylvia said.

"I won't."

Dale helped her friend to the door, then held it open while Sylvia moved slowly toward the car. Dale tried to turn away from the big picture window, but couldn't. 

Cliff was heading around the back of the car. He opened the door and helped his wife in. When he shut the door, he glanced briefly at the shop window. Their eyes connected and he stopped short. His mouth opened, then closed.

 Dale couldn't keep all her tears in check. One ran down her cheek. She rested  her palm on the glass. Cliff paled as he stood, frozen to the sidewalk. He mouthed the word "Dale?"

She saw Sylvia lean out the window and call to her husband. Cliff shook his head for a second before tearing his gaze away from Dale.  

When he reached the driver's side, he stopped and looked over the roof of the car at Dale, still in the window. 
Overcome with emotion, she turned quickly and moved to the back of the store. 

She rested her head against the wall, allowing tears to cascade down her cheeks as she heard the slam of Cliff's car door. When she looked again, his car was gone. 

If you like this story and want to read more, please leave a comment and I'll continue on with it. Thanks for stopping by.

TUESDAY TALES PICTURE PROMPT - THE BIG LIE

Welcome to my Tuesday Tales picture prompt story this week. We'll be delving into THE BIG LIE again for this one.

 THE BIG LIE – PICTURE PROMPT

Dale Carruthers strolled down Main Street in Willow Falls, carrying a cup of coffee. Taking a break from running her stepmother's  coffee shop, she peeked in the window of Purdy’s antique store. Junk store is more like it. She made a face as her gaze jumped from one dusty object to another.
“Find anything you like?” A female voice said.
Dale turned to see her brand-new friend Sylvia standing there, wheeling her oxygen tank behind her.
“Let me help you.” Dale took the sickly woman by the elbow and walked her back to the shop. She prepared her friend’s favorite coffee, then joined her.  Sylvia was a regular customer. Despite her failing health, she was still an intelligent woman with a quick wit. Dale looked forward to her visits.
“How long can you stay?”
“Tommy’ll be by to pick me up in an hour. That’s about all for today.”
“Have you lived here long?”
“A year or so. Tommy grew up here."
"Tommy? Maybe I know him?"
"Oh, his name isn’t really Tommy. That’s my nickname for him. His last name's Thomas.”
Dale became rigid. Her smile dissolved into a thin line. “Thomas?”
“Right. Clifford Thomas. Some call him Cliff. Do you know him?"
Dale didn’t hear anything after Cliff Thomas’ name. She dropped her coffee mug, which shattered on the floor, spraying her legs with warm coffee. 
"Oh my goodness, are you all right?” Sylvia put her hand on Dale's arm as she sat frozen.
“My, we’d better clean this up,” Sylvia said.
Dale stood up, as stiff as a robot. “I’ll get this.” She retrieved a rag from behind the counter.
“Did you know Cliff?” Sylvia persisted.
Dale nodded, kneeling on the floor. "A little." Her pulse kicked up. Know him? I was in love with him.

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MOVIE LOVERS - SNEAK PREVIEW!

Here's a sneak preview from my newest book, MOVIE LOVERS, set to release at the end of this month from Secret Cravings Publishing.

 Grace Brewster couldn’t control her breathing. Alone with Gunther Quill. Little me with one of the biggest producers in Hollywood. He leaned against the corner of his desk. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to the elbows, the neck, unbuttoned. His light blue striped tie hung loose. Grace noticed his perfect haircut and the whitest smile she’d ever seen. Brown hair going gorgeously gray at the temples and broad shoulders drew her attention.

 No wedding ring. No family pictures on his desk or credenza. He’s sex on wheels.

His dark brown eyes feasted on her body, not missing one curve or her dangerously low cut top. Suddenly feeling naked, Grace leaned back a little in her chair, folding her arms across her breasts. Her rich brown curls fell loosely about her shoulders. She blinked at him with the same big, ocean blues as her sister, actress Cara Brewster.
“Tell me a little about your script, Ms. Brewster.

Does it have a love scene?”

She gulped, her mouth dry as day-old bread. “Of course.”
“Tell me…no, no. Show me.” His eyes danced as he strolled closer to her.
“Show you?” Her palms began to sweat as she rose slowly from her chair. “How?”
“The best scriptwriters act out their scripts. Show me. Make me feel it.” His magnetic gaze held hers.
Before she could catch her breath, he was standing right in front of her, his chest almost touching hers. He reached out to her locks, rubbing some fine strands between his fingers.
“You are just as beautiful as your sister,” he whispered.

Blurb

Can revenge turn to regret? Duped by slick, famous producer, Gunther Quill, Grace Brewster makes the biggest mistake of her life. Feeling humiliated by Quill and Jake Matthews, her sister’s Broadway co-star, Grace vows to even the score with both men. Using an alias and the Internet, she executes a genius payback plot. Her attacks hit their mark, wounding her intended targets. But she didn’t count on her sharp words going viral before she can blink, taking the injury to a new level.

Her satisfaction is short-lived when the scheme turns sour. Her plan backfires, turning into a huge secret she shares with a cold-blooded tabloid journalist. Can she trust this ruthless opportunist to keep her secret from the man she loves and the sister she adores? Or will she be exposed and robbed of the only happiness she’s known since the death of her beloved mother?  

 

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