Jillian Chantal

This week, Tuesday Tales, a group of authors writing to prompts each week, we have an awesome photo prompt. I am a massive fan of romantic fires. In the picture prompts, the writers are limited to 300 words.  This time I have 305. Just ignore that last sentence. It’s five words.  Be sure to check out the other writers’ entries with the same picture here. 

She left and after a hot bath, some Excedrin and bundling up in her thick terrycloth robe, she started a fire. Relaxing on the couch in front of the fireplace, she dozed throughout the afternoon.

The doorbell startled her. Standing, she tightened the sash around her waist and peered through the peephole. Ian. Lanett smiled, glad to have him come by to check on her.

When she opened the door, he waggled a bottle of red wine close to her face. “I thought you might need some. Medicinal purposes only, of course.”

“Kind of like doctor’s orders?” She stepped back to let him in.

“You might say that.” In his other hand was a carry-bag.

“What’s in there?”

“Take-out. I figured you might be hungry.”

“Famished actually. I came home early and skipped lunch.”

Ian stepped into the living room. “That fire is brilliant. Perfect for a cozy dinner.”

Lanett grabbed some wine glasses from the rack by the television. “Pour and I’ll get some plates.”

In the kitchen, she thought about her attire and considered changing but decided against it. After all, she did have on undergarments. It wasn’t like she’d be eating dinner with him naked under her robe.

Her cheeks still seemed hot when she returned to the living room. They must’ve been because he stepped over and touched her forehead. “Are you overheated?”

“No. I’m fine.” Suddenly nervous with him standing so close, Lanett fumbled the plates and almost dropped them.

Ian’s hands darted out to steady her and rescue the china. His hand brushed hers.

In her heightened sense of awareness of the heat emanating from him as opposed to the fire, Lanett thought she might actually have a coronary. And that made her laugh. At least if she did, she was with a doctor. How handy would that be?

This week’s word of the week for Tuesday Tales is boredom. I am still in the story of Lanett and Ian. It’s slow going for some reason and I need to kick it up a notch so I can move on to other stories. I don’t know why this one is taking me so long to write. Be sure to check out the other stories here. They’re pretty awesome.

“How in the world did you get hooked up with two British doctors in such a short period of time? It’s not like New York City is teeming with us.”

“I don’t really know. When I advertised for a new partner in the medical journal, I didn’t expect to come across another but you were the best qualified. I also thought we would get along well.”

Ian stood. “I’m convinced now she’s had a psychotic break and somehow has fixated on me. She’s got a long road ahead of her to recovery but I have to say this. If she comes back to work here, I’ll have to leave. There’s no way I’ll be in the same place as her again unless it’s in a courtroom beside the woman she tried to kill.”

“You’re going to encourage your friend in pursuing the charges against Nancy?” Donald rose from his seat.

“No. I’m leaving that to the authorities. If they have their doctors examine her mentally, I will stand by whatever they decide based on those tests. I’ll also suggest my friend do the same. I’m merely putting you on notice that Nancy goes or I go. No matter if she avoids being charged with a crime.”

“I get it. You don’t have to beat me over the head.”

“Just so we’re clear.” Ian pivoted on his heel and headed down the hallway, asking the nurse he passed which room his first appointment of the day was in.

Ian wanted to ring Lanett and discuss what he’d just learned with her but decided it would be better to explain in person. He wasn’t sure if she’d gone to work or was still recovering from her ordeal with Nancy.

He knew he couldn’t try to contact her while the lobby was stacked high with patients. So much for staying ahead of the schedule today. It was important to set the record straight with Donald though, so he couldn’t regret starting the day behind. Hopefully, he’d be able to catch up and talk to Lanett during his lunch break.

The truth of the matter was, he has so much to do, chances of him dying of boredom were slim to none. He suppressed a laugh when he opened the door to exam room two. Bored? Him? Never.

Glancing down at the chart he’d pulled from the bin nailed to the outside of the door, he smiled. This appointment would be fun. It was ten-year-old Matilda, one of his cheekiest patients. She always brightened his day. Lord knew he needed someone like her today.

This week’s word is giggle for Tuesday Tales. I am still working on the story I’ve been working on with the snowstorm. Remember to check out the other authors’ posts as well HERE. They all have some awesome stories going on and lots of cliffhangers have been abounding lately.

By the time he got around to her, she was a nervous wreck. The reality of what could’ve happened had finally hit her. She shook all over.

The detective leaned in and stared into her eyes. “You seem agitated.”

Lanett rubbed her arms. Suddenly cold and not wanting to talk to the man as she was scared she’d embarrass herself by bursting into tears, she replied, “You think?”

He held his hands up. “Sorry. Sorry. That was the wrong word. Of course you’re agitated. You were attacked. I merely meant you didn’t seem to be in a state to talk to me and I wanted to see if there was anyone here who could offer you some moral support as we go through this. I already have a really good idea of what happened since there were some people here who pay attention to details but I do need your statement.”

“Ian is a friend. If he could sit with me, that might help.”

The detective waved Ian over. “Can you be her moral support?”

“Anytime.” Ian sat beside Lanett and took hold of her hand.

Being gentle with victims must have been a talent of the detective since he took her through her statement in such a way that her nerves settled down the more that she talked. Or maybe it was Ian’s presence that helped. The shaking of her limbs stopped and even when she spoke of the actual attack, she didn’t fall apart as she’d anticipated she would.

When they were done, Lanett giggled nervously. “Is this all then?”

“Oh, no. All the statements will be attached to my report and given to the district attorney to determine the charges to be filed.” The detective gathered all his papers and shoved them into the leather notebook he carried. “I’ll be in touch.”

He left the bar.

Lanett turned to Ian. “May I go home and collapse now?”

“If you think you’re all right to be alone, I’ll escort you and then leave you to rest in your own bed.”

“That would be wonderful. I love this bar but I’ve had quite enough of it for a while.”

Ian held out his hand. She took it gratefully and allowed him to lead her out of the place with a wave goodbye to Simon. She hoped the bar owner understood her need to get the heck out of there.