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Author: KT Stephens
Date: 04-23-05 12:58
What I was able to see from his strong advice was the picture I was attempting to paint led to a wrong conclusion.
Secondly, he was right about the work being redundant. So, I tried a different approach. (Showing vs. Telling.) Please be honest about how it reads and what it needs. I’m learning a valuable lesson here. Thanks.
Spring was slowly making her entrance into Richmond, Virginia, still leaving the evening air chilly. Lori Forester built a small fire then curled up on the sofa to read a novel.
Earlier her brothers had retired to the study to talk privately. And men being men, they basically patted her on the head to send her on her way. It was the good sign they were up to something. Cooperating, she slipped into the parlor to relax and bide her time. She knew it wouldn’t be long before one of them came in to explain if it involved her.
Predictably, there wasn’t much of a wait. A tap sounded on the closed door and Bo stuck his face inside. “You busy?”
She closed the book and waved him inside. “Is your meeting over?”
Closing the door behind him, he crossed over to the fireplace. “Not exactly, but I need to talk to you.”
Unconsciously he began fidgeting with the porcelain trinkets on the mantle, when what he wanted to do was pace. At first he thought he could just say what he needed to, then get out, but one look at her expectant face somehow made it worse. He hated being the one to come in here and break the news to her. Unable to stand still he began pacing in front of the fireplace.
With a delicate sigh of impatience Lori asked, “Bo, what’s the problem?”
The question was all he needed to just blurt it out. “It’s about the store. We’ve sold it.”
Lori slowly uncurled her legs placing her feet on the floor. With disbelief she asked, “You did WHAT?”
Bo looked at her anxiously, but raced to get it said. “We’ve sold it so we can join Brad and Thomas in Texas. The ranch is prosperous enough now that they can use us.” He paused to let that sink in then finished, “It’s what we all want to do, Lori.”
She slowly got to her feet and walked over to the window to stare out into the darkness. At first he wasn’t sure if she was going to say anything. Then without turning around she asked, “What am I to do, move in with Aunt Emily and Uncle Horace?”
That option hadn’t occurred to them when they’d been discussing it. He frowned and decided to stick to their plan. “We figured you could either marry one of those suitors that have been hanging around you or go with us.”
Up until then her emotions had been teetering between tears and anger, but his obscene suggestion tipped the scales. “Your solution for me is that I marry one of them? Tell me Bo, have any of you chosen which one that should be?”
He would kick himself later, but he missed the fire coming out of her eyes. “Nah. I don’t think it matters much. They’re all about the same.” If he’d finished what he was thinking he would have said wimps. Fact was he didn’t like any of them and it puzzled him why she would be seeing them. But he and his brothers hadn’t interfered…yet.
“So do you think I should propose?”
Bo scratched his head as if thinking about it. “Well I guess that would be okay if you know which one you want. We haven’t got a lot of time though.”
It was just getting worse. “How much time do I have?”
“A little over a month, I guess. Maybe longer if you have a problem.” He was still missing the little tale-tell signs. Like the way she was wringing her hands and gritting her teeth.
“That’s very considerate of you. What if I decide to go with you to Texas?”
He figured now was the time to tell her the rest. “Well, you already ride a horse as good as any of us, but it would be a good idea if you learned to shoot your rifle while riding astride.” He finally caught the gleam in her eye and started moving towards the door.
Their brother Jacob stood beside the parlor door in the hallway deliberately trying to hear their conversation. He managed to hear most of what was said and it sounded as if things were going pretty good, but a minute later Jacob heard Lori yell one word. “OUT!” In response Bo mumbled something then ducked through the door barely managing to get it shut before a thunk hit on the opposite side.
Jacob couldn’t contain his mirth at the look on Bo’s face. His laughter boomed in the hallway.
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