( Photo by timsackton on Foter.com / CC BY-SA )
Yesterday, it was 85 degrees, and I spent half the day doing yard work at my aunt’s house and came home sunburned and sore. Today, the high temperature was 59, just after midnight, and it’s been cool and showery all day long. Spring must actually be here.
Today is a perfect day for staying inside and reading (or, in my case, writing). I did get in some reading time, between final tax prep and laundry, and I was so tired last night, that I actually slept in this morning, so I feel pretty good about my Sunday. But now it’s Sunday evening, which means my brain starts thinking about the work-week ahead. The day-job shouldn’t be too crazy this week (if things go as scheduled, anyway), which means I’ll get in more writing time than the past few weeks. The manual labor yesterday was good, since my brain was kind-of fried after the last week or two–we’ve been busy again, and I’ve been helping out another team in the office since my schedule was lighter. But fried brain isn’t good for creative writing, so I didn’t get as much writing done as I would like. But I’m starting the week with some new words on pages, so it’s already a good start to the new week. But I was thinking the other day that I am ready for a long weekend, or at least an extra day off, sometime soon. I still have almost a week of time off to schedule (more than that if I count the 40 hours I am allowed to carry over into next year), and I am need of a break so much that I don’t even think I will feel the usual guilt that someone might have to cover my work.
Am I the only one who feels that way? That if I take a day off, or even part of one, that someone else might have to do my work, and then feel bad about it? I almost always feel guilty about having to rely on someone else when I am scheduled to be off. I know it’s stupid, because I cover other people’s work often when they’re off.
So I’m going to shut off that stupid voice that tries to remind me someone else will have to deal with my work, and I’m going to look at the calendar when I get to work tomorrow and see what I can schedule soon. But right now, I am going to switch more laundry around, and get back to my writing while my brain is still cooperating.
How about a little snippet from my first shifter story before I go?
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The day went too quickly. When she first had a chance to look at her watch, it was after lunchtime. Tessa intended to leave a little early so she could take a look at home and find out if she had any furniture left before the rental store closed for the night.
Amy stuck her head around the office door about two-thirty. “Knock, knock. I’ve brought you a visitor.”
Tessa’s breath caught and her burgeoning smile froze as Harley strolled into the room. “Hi,” she managed.
He smiled and dropped into one of the chairs in front of her desk. “How’s your day going?”
“O-okay.” She sat back in her chair, taking a slow breath.
“I have some news to share with you.” His smile faded a little.
She tipped her head to one side. “What news?”
“Dad sent me, actually. The break-in at your house was done by members of the local coyote pack.”
Tessa frowned. “What?”
“Coyotes. They’re unhappy with our family, and they targeted you.”
She watched him for a moment as she pondered his claim. “Why would they do that?”
He shrugged. “You’re like family. Dad wants you to stay at the compound until he can make sure things are settled.”
Tessa stared over her desk at Harley. “Absolutely not.”
His jaw clenched. “It’s for your safety, Tessa.”
“I have my own home, and, thanks to you, a shiny new alarm system to keep me safe.”
“That alarm isn’t designed for this sort of thing. It’s really mostly to frighten away any casual thief, or to let you know when there’s trouble so you can call for help. But, Tessa, that help isn’t instantaneous. It takes more than a few minutes for us to get to you, and longer for the police, depending on where in the county they’re patrolling when the call comes in.” A muscle in his jaw ticked. “The coyotes aren’t going to be frightened by your alarm system. By the time anyone gets to you, they could have hurt you or worse.”
“I appreciate your concern, Harley,” she said, keeping her tone even, which was a challenge since she was now as annoyed as he was. “But I’m not defenseless, and anybody who tries to put his hands on me won’t go away unmarked.”
He growled. “I think you’re underestimating just how determined they are.”
“I’m not going to change my mind. Staying at the compound is unnecessary.”
He was silent for a moment, his golden eyes narrowed. “Fine. Then you’re getting a babysitter.”
“Oh, for Gods’ sakes.” She shot to her feet. “I am not a child, Harley, and you are not my father.”
A grim smile curved his lips as he pushed to his own feet. “Good thing, or you’d be over my knee.”
Tessa’s heart beat faster at that idea, and heat burned her cheeks.
Harley’s expression shifted to something dangerous. Predatory.
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Are you doing anything relaxing this week, like playing hooky for a day, or planning an upcoming vacation? I’m going to devote a little time this week to narrowing down some of our Maine vacation plans for later this year. Have a great week!
