Jillian Chantal

This week’s word for Tuesday Tales is Purple. I’m still working on the Scotland story (which has been accepted by Solstice Publishing and will be out on June 21). We join the hero and heroine behind the pub. I have a picture at the bottom of the color of heather when it’s not purple. This photo was taken in the month of October.

Check out the other stories here.

“Let’s go outside.” Naill didn’t hesitate or wait for her to answer. He opened the door and led her out in the cool air. Funny how June in Scotland could still bring pretty cold temperatures. It was almost heaven to a Florida girl like her.

Leta had come in the front door that faced the high street. This back area was a bit creepy. Dark, with no streetlights and a big bin for the trash looming over the walkway made her think of a horror movie. She hoped no madman with an axe waited at the other end.

“Come with me. I want to show you something.” Naill kept his hold on her hand and walked her past the sinister garbage container and an open area behind the strip of business.

When they were in the clear, he pointed outward. “I hope you’ll still be here when that whole field blooms in August.”

“What is it? It’s pretty in the moonlight and I’ve seen it all over but I’m not sure what the brown plants are.”

“It’s heather. In the late summer, it turns purple and is a sight everyone should see.”

“So, it’s brown and partly green the rest of the year? I’ve seen pictures of heather but I figured it wasn’t in this area of Scotland since I haven’t seen any purple plants.” She turned and looked up at him. “I thought the brown was pretty.”

He laughed. “If you’re that easy to please, we should get along well.”

The word of the week for Tuesday Tales is save. I’m continuing on my new story set in Scotland this week. It’s called Dreamily Ever After. We pick up with the heroine in a pub with some people from the village and the hero.

Remember to check out all the other tales here.

Liam returned with Naill. “Hope you ladies don’t mind. I found this gent over by the bar and he begged for the chance to join us. How could I refuse?”

“He’s right. I gave him my pitiful face and now, here I am.” Naill set lagers in front of both Leta and Mairi. “And I pay my debts in ale.”

“Can’t argue with that, can we, Leta?” Mairi asked.

“Of course not.” Leta picked up her first pint and drained the glass so she could start on the fresh one. One thing she hadn’t gotten used to yet was that the pub didn’t serve the beer as cold as she liked it. But she was learning to tolerate it.

“I like a woman who can polish off her ale.” Naill laughed as he pulled a chair up and sat close to Leta. Too close, really. His thigh pressed against hers, unnerving her.

At a loss what to do, Leta sat as still as she could with the exception of moving her leg slightly to try to give herself some space from him.

The moment she did, his moved as well. Was he actually trying to be sure they remained in contact? She could scarce believe it.

But her disbelief changed to belief one moment later when Naill slung his arm around the back of her chair and settled it around her.

She looked into his eyes with a question on her lips.

He shook his head. “Just let us be.”

Glancing over at Mairi with indecision, she was surprised to see the older woman staring across the pub at a gorgeous blonde girl who appeared a little younger than Leta.

“Who’s that?” Leta asked Naill.

“Remember when I told you I was avoiding someone at the bonfire?”

“Yes?”

“That’s her. Coira. Lord, save me.”

Now it was clear. He was pretending to be with her in order to throw off the woman he didn’t want to be with.

Leta actually relaxed now that she knew that he was using her to protect himself from an unwanted advance. This made perfect sense to her.