my gosh.



the world must be melting.

*Lizzy fans her melting self*

wow!

Oh... are you lot still here?






MORE MORE MORE!

**clears throat**

On the 3rd day of Christmas, my true love sent to me.... 3 Jack Hudson searing kisses, 2 Bobby Manning Dimples and a facesmooshedinthewindow smilie

**bows to thunderous applause**

cath

Think that just about covers it!! Brilliant Kav!

gorgeous!!!!!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....................................

*incoherant babbling*

I would say how FAB that was, but I'm melted. Kav, remind my melted form to get back to you!

Jen

Kav, somewhere in the middle of that post I quit breathing, and am now a puddle on the floor!!!

I love all these thoughts coming from the Polar Express experience, trying to make it to the surface with both of them!!

Pure Magic!!!

Joy

the fact that she still could think was amazing...i would have been a mess. can't wait for lucy's reaction...that is so going to be great...i bet she's going to call tara or bobby right away.

That was great Kav!! Jack finally made a move!! I love this

Jack, I'm so proud you sent Lucy back and acted !!!!

Wow...

My long weekend officially begins now! Happy Thanksgiving to you guys in the U.S. Can someone tell me why it's always a Thursday and do you have to go back to work on Friday? In Canada it's always on a Monday so we get a long weekend.


“I’ve always loved trains,” Tara said with a whimsical smile. “I toured Europe on a Europass after college. I think I spent more time on the train than in any country. I still get nostalgic every time I eat a stale sandwich,” she sighed rapturously. “Of course nothing compares to the memories of my childhood.” She sighed again as she bent over her blueberry muffin, meticulously cutting it in half and slathering on a generous dollop of butter. Completely absorbed in the task she didn't notice that everyone was expectantly waiting for her to continue.

“Uh – Tara – you can’t just leave it there. What childhood memories can’t be compared with?” Lucy asked curiously.

“Well, according to my mother, they aren’t memories exactly. But I remember distinctly doing cartwheels down the aisle of a passenger car and a boy with a funny accent sitting on me to make me stop. My father thinks I dreamed it…but it still seems so real.”

“So does that mean that if we have our Christmas party at this new restaurant we’ll get to watch you execute cartwheels?” Bobby teased, leaning over Tara’s shoulder to steal half of her blueberry muffin – the buttered half.

“Hey! That’s my breakfast!” Tara protested half-heartedly but Bobby was unrepentant.

“All this talk about restaurants is making me hungry.”

“If you ate before coming to work, Manning, you might not feel the need to graze from other people’s plates,” Myles rebuked lightly as he placed another muffin on Tara’s desk. “Orange cranberry bran made with whole wheat flour and soy milk for the lactose intolerant. It’s a new recipe.”

“Why, thank you, Myles, I think,” Tara said, though she picked the muffin up gingerly and sniffed it suspiciously.

Myles was experimenting with natural food cooking or, as he liked to call it, ‘the culinary art of Mother Nature’. Some of his ventures had proven more interesting than flavorful. Like the time he laced his organic chocolate cookies with garlic powder to boost their immune systems. This latest offering however smelled exactly like what Myles claimed it to be so Tara bravely took a bite and was surprisingly pleased.

“This is good,” she mumbled with her mouth full.

Myles beamed proudly and handed the basket round to the rest of the congregated team. “Where’s Jack?” he asked Sue, watching her blush bright red at the mere mention of their team leader’s name. He turned to the others with a shrug of his shoulders. “All I said was Jack…ah there she goes again. It’s like watching a display of fireworks,” he added with interest, his voice deadpan but his eyes twinkled with affectionate amusement as he studied their analyst. “Is there a reason she suddenly blushes at the mere mention of a certain someone’s name? I don’t want to say it again in case we get burned from the residual heat.”

Sue rolled her eyes and snubbed her nose at Myles who was a little too jovial for her liking this morning. Deciding that ignoring him was her best strategy, she searched around for another distraction. She didn’t have far to look. “Bobby don’t you dare give him a piece of that muffin,” she snapped out with enough authority to freeze Bobby’s hand in midair.

“Ah, Sue, look at that face,” he implored.

Sue shook her head firmly and Levi’s whole body slumped as he cast a soulfully defeated look at Bobby.

“Ah, Sue,” he tried again, “you of all people should know how hard it is to resist big pleading brown eyes…”

The cheeky wink Bobby gave her told Sue that he knew something. It seemed as if news traveled like the speed of light when you wanted to keep things quiet. Her face felt like a flashing neon beacon again and sighing in defeat she resigned herself to suffering through the ensuing ribbing and pointed barbs that would undoubtedly become a part of her day. She eyed the muffin still dangling temptingly over Levi’s salivating snout.

“You give one crumb to him and you are in charge of walking him all day and that will include hosing down his butt…”

Bobby’s hand whipped the muffin out of sight in a flash and he held his hands up in surrender much to Levi's dismay.

“Impressive,” Myles drawled. “Too bad you’re not that fast when you’re drawing your gun. Levi, don’t look so crestfallen, I have taken your delicate digestion into consideration and have created the perfect morning repast for such an intrepid dog as yourself.” He held up a giant sized cookie cutter bone for Sue’s inspection. “I think you’ll find that none of the ingredients in this doggie biscuit will have the disastrous results the bran flake muffins did yesterday. Guaranteed to put a shine to his coat but not girth to his waistline, and easy on the most sensitive of systems. May I?"

Levi was dancing circles around Myles as he waved the hefty treat in the air. Lucy wrinkled her nose and stepped back. “Phew – Myles what’s in that thing? It hardly smells appetizing this early in the morning.”

“Levi begs to differ,” Myles pointed out, indicating the dog who was indeed sitting back on his haunches, blowing bubbles through his nose at the mere hint of ambrosia awaiting his inspection. “A little salmon, some freshly crushed garlic, my secret ingredient…and voila, Levi’s on his way to the culinary experience of a lifetime. May I, Sue?”

Levi answered the question for her by jumping out and tugging the treat right out of Myles’ hand and then making a beeline for his favourite hidey hole – underneath Jack’s desk – to enjoy it in peace.

Lucy listened to the contented woofs and grunts of pleasure coming from Levi’s safe haven and laughed. “Well someone doesn’t mind garlic in their cookies, I see.”

“Speaking of culinary experiences, if you’re sure this restaurant you and Jack checked out looks good, I’m in for trying it out,” D told Sue. “And speaking of Jack…where is he?”

“Why does everyone think I should know where Jack is every waking minute of every day?” Sue countered a tad grumpily.

“Uh-oh, trouble in paradise. It would seem Miss Thomas is as much in the dark about Jack’s whereabouts as the rest of us,” Myles teased.

“He had an errand to run,” Bobby said around the muffin he’d popped into his mouth whole. “He won’t be long.”

Sue of course got nothing of what he said, but Lucy was quick to sign it along with a few pointed questions, which Sue chose to ignore. She eyed her roommate speculatively. Perhaps she was the one who had let the news of last night’s events slip…though how she had the time was beyond Sue. They had both slept late and come into work together. Sue had endured the usual drill of questions during the drive with surprising good humour, the memory of Jack’s passionate farewell the night before still fresh in her mind. When she woke up this morning and signed on to her email she had found one from him. He sent it at 12:01 and had written: Tomorrow is today and I’m still dreaming about you. Looking forward to tonight when I’ll do more than just dream…

Now she looked at his desk expectantly and felt a jolt in her midsection when she was confronted by his obvious absence. Where was Jack and what kind of errand could he possibly have to run so early in the morning?

What is Jack up too.....


~laura michelle~

I have a guess about the errand!

As for Thanksgiving my office is closed tomorrow, no school for hubby or kids so we are having an extra long weekend. There is a historical reason why its Thursday but I don't remember what it is.

Now garlic in chocolate is not something I would bake although chocolate after eating garlic seems to get rid of garlic breath (even better than toothpaste). Did you plant any garlic this fall Kav?

Pumpkin or chocolate pie?

I like it a lot!

I am loving this story... But, where is Jack??

BTW, I am so happy it's Thanksgiving because my school gave us a five day weekend, it started on Wed and ends on Sun...

that was really terrific but wheres jack
what errands has he too run levi s a cutie with his treat
runs under jacks desk to eat away from sue,more soon please
Kav Lin

i hope he's doing what i think he's doing

Absolutally loving it Kav!

Can't wait for more!

BLT

Hmm... I'm certainly wondering what Jack is up to...

And I love how an innocent little typo can send me into a wonderful bought of laughter.



hehe, thank you, Kav!

I love Myles teasing Sue to watch her blush!! He has really come around where Sue is concerned!!!

I think I have an idea as to what errand Jack is running, but I'm going to wait to see if I'm right!!!

Joy

On this Thanksgiving Day (in the U.S.) I'm thankful that you write on this site, Kav. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of your stories.......

I love how each of the team members has their own little remembrance of their time on the Polar Express - at least it seems that way even though we haven't been privy to each one's thoughts yet. I wonder what Myles remembers.....

All I can do is ditto this. And be extremely jealous of a long weekend. I am off to work again in the morning.

This is quickly become another treasured Kav Masterpiece!

Kim

Have I mentioned how much I love Kav? let me count the ways.... **oops! too many to count!**

As to the significance of Thanksgiving on Thursday....

http://www.theholidayspot.com/thanksgiving/history.htm

Most businesses are nice enough to close their offices for Friday as well. But if you work in retail or banking or movie theaters... the day after is just another day... a very busy day! Friday is the start of the Christmas shopping season. Hard to believe though, as when mall walking... the decorations have been up all month and Santa's been sitting and taking pictures with the kids since Veteran's day at one of my malls. However... I must say, my favorite retailer of all is Nordstrom. Why? you might ask... well, as a former employee of their catalog division... I'll admit loyalty but actually, I fully appreciate their commitment to celebrating one holiday at a time. all of their stores are closed on Thanksgiving so they decorate after store closing on Wednesday and unveil their holiday decorations no earlier than the friday after Thanksgiving. (personally, I refuse to decorate my house until after my birthday...) Would you believe me if I said that in my last 9 years of working.... I've only had one day after Thanksgiving off? The last two, I worked at a bank call center... busiest shopping day of the year, people want to spend the money they don't have... LOL the 2 before that were at the catalog. the one before that is the one I was off... If i've come to Oregon for Thanksgiving... I've had to drive back to Seattle that night because I had to work at 6 or 7 in the morning.

**clears throat, looks around...**

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 4 bran muffins from Myles, 3 Jack Hudson searing kisses, 2 Bobby Manning dimples and a facesmooshedinthewindow smilie.

**bows deeply as the curtain falls**

I'm still trying to get over the last post... and then this one - I love Jack's email! I can't wait until tonight!!!!!!

Em

loved all the teasing sue had thrown at her, another wonderful post

cath

Great n=bantering wihin the team. But what errand was Jack running ?

I just got in on this -- just read the second post. I am truly hooked on this fantasy story! Wow!!!!

Donna

Lizzy -- typo - You don't know how many times I do that -- but I've always caught it before!!!! And thanks for the info on Thanksgiving. Lucky you guys with a four day weekend every year.


It was his third time driving around the block and he was beginning to feel like a fool. He didn’t usually hesitate when he had formulated a plan…and he finally had a meticulous one mapped out for Sue Thomas. A blaring horn indicated the impatience of the driver behind him as he slowed down to a crawl, peering through the thick plate windows searching for any sign of life. Of course he was being ridiculous. A second longer blast indicated that the driver behind him was in complete agreement. Jack put his foot to the gas pedal and began to speed up when he saw something out of the corner of his eye that nearly got him rear ended. He swerved into a parking spot in the nick of time and barely acknowledged the staccato drill of the strident horn as the irate driver took off past him. What on earth is he doing here? There was only one way to find out and Jack soon became a man of action. Unbuckling his seatbelt he shifted into super agent gear, bolting out the door and practically accosting the man on the sidewalk.

“What are you doing here?”

“Whoa – Jackie, my man. Nice to see you too but you gotta work on that salutation. You’re more likely to scare a person off than…”

“This isn’t your part of town.”

“Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed, buddy? Because I’m sensing a distinct aura of hostility from you and frankly you’re giving me indigestion. I have a delicate constitution you know…and stress after eating gives me gas…” he belched loudly and then thumped his chest as he grimaced. “’Scuse me…didn’t see that one coming.”

“Howie – why can’t you ever answer a simple question with a direct answer?” Jack bit out in frustration.

“Sure I can, just give me a try. Go on ask a question. Any question. I’m an open book,” Howie spread his arms magnanimously as if embracing the whole world.

“I already did.”

“Oh, really? Jeez all those negative vibes that are zinging off your personage must have zapped my memory banks because it’s escaped me already. So, go ahead, Jackie…shoot…” Howie eyed the glowering agent nervously and added hastily, “figuratively speaking, of course.”

“What are you doing here, Howie?” Jack ground out, eyeing the storefront behind them. The Christmas Shop’s holiday windows looked even more festive than he remembered and he distinctly noted movement behind the dense cluster of fir trees. The store couldn’t possibly open this early, could it?

“Whaddya mean? It’s a free country, isn’t it? If I want to take a stroll on any street in DC that’s my prerogative,. You may be a fed, Jackie, but you don’t own the streets.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed. Howie was being much too evasive, a sure sign that something wasn’t right here. He wished Sue was with him. She had the deft hand and infinite patience to work with the annoying snitch. “You came out of that store.”

“Who me?” Howie feigned confusion, which wasn’t hard. The man was bumbling at the best of times, but today he was nearly jumping out of his skin.

Jack clamped a hand on Howie’s shoulder and propelled him backwards toward the entrance of the store. A quick glance at the front door told him the store hours weren’t posted, unusual, especially at this time of year. He glanced at his watch – it wasn’t even nine o’clock, but he tried the door anyway and he wasn’t surprised when it opened.

“Howie dear, did you forget something? You really need to be on your way before…” Her bun was still perfectly in place, her dress this morning red instead of green and there were holly and reindeers on her apron, but she looked as fresh and serene as she had the evening before. “Mr. Hudson…” she seemed momentarily flustered by Jack’s unexpected appearance.

“You know Howie, ma’am?” Jack asked politely enough but alarm bells were ringing inside his head…or was that sleigh bells?

“Well of course, dear,” the elderly lady answered quietly, her composure back in place.

“Sure,” Howie answered nervously, a stark contrast to her unruffled demeanor. “We go way back, don’t we Mrs. C? Way back to the…oomph. Sheesh – you have sharp elbows for a jolly old…ouch…would you watch where you jab those fingers? You gonna go for the jugular next? I forgot how you ruled the roost with that iron hand…It’s no wonder I…”

“Howard, dear, Mr. Hudson is a busy man and I’m sure he isn’t interested in our…history…” the saleslady’s eyes grew frosty and Jack suddenly felt a chill in the air.

“Actually, Mrs. C? I’m most interested…since Howie is a…business acquaintance of mine and I’m in an investigative line of work…which leads me to ask how you know my name?”

“Oh, my, didn’t you mention it last night? I was sure you did…” Mrs. C’s eyes wouldn’t quite meet his and she flushed as red as Santa’s suit – which was an odd connection to suddenly crop up in Jack’s mind.

“You caught me out, Jackie! I’ve been bending Mrs. C’s ear here all morning, haven’t I, eh? Eh? Talking about my friends at the Bureau and then bam, who should show up but one of them. One of life’s amazing coincidences, dontchya think? You might even call it…magic!” he chortled and wheezed as if he had just said the funniest thing in the world.

“Exactly,” Mrs. C beamed at Howie, and Jack got the impression that the little man had suddenly gone up in her estimation several notches. Little man…Jack looked sharply at Howie. Was it his imagination or in the dim morning light did his ears turn up at the end? Jack blinked and shook his head. Sue had somehow managed to thoroughly addle his brain.

Sue. She’d be at work wondering where he was. Would she worry? Begin to over analyze his actions last night? Come to the conclusion that he was avoiding her? Having second thoughts…though she didn’t even know what his first thoughts were, considering they hadn’t gotten around to speaking much last night. Memories crowded his mind, a collage of images that assaulted his senses. The smell of her skin, the taste of her lips, the softness of her hair. She had him bewitched. Completely. And he didn’t mind a bit. He just needed to get back to her. He glanced at his watch and frowned, flicking his finger against the glass covered face and holding it to his ear. It still displayed the exact time they had entered the store.

“Howie dear, don’t let us keep you,” Mrs. C’s soft, dulcet tones, served to soothe Jack’s perplexed agitation. “Now Mr. Hudson, how can I be of assistance to you today?”

As if in a trance Jack allowed the lady to draw him into the store, barely aware of Howie’s hasty retreat. He bought every glass icicle on display and several more boxes full behind the counter. “Do you think it’s too much? Overkill?” he asked anxiously.

“Personally, dear, I’m of the mind that you can never have too many icicles, but then that’s the way I was raised,” she smiled sweetly up at him. “I think your idea is lovely and your young lady will be touched by your thoughtfulness.”

Jack flushed under her praise, strangely pleased to have her approval. He watched as she packed up his purchases and handed them over in a cheery red bag decked out with green curling ribbon.

“Sue’s a lucky lady…you take care of her now, you hear?”

Jack’s hand wavered as he reached out for the bag, nearly dropping the fragile contents. For a split second her words sounded strangely familiar as they echoed to him from the past. Her steady hand righted the falling bag, and fixed it more firmly in his care before gently ushering him out the door. She sniffed the air and smiled appreciatively. “Snow,” she declared with satisfaction. “And that can only mean one thing…”

Very cool....love it....Mrs C.....very cute....


~laura michelle~

Howie just confirmed my suspicions about this sweet old lady being Mrs. Claus.....

If I'm not wrong, I think Jack's heard this phrase for the third time already...
Jack is so cute worrying about what Sue must be thinking if he doesn't get to work soon!!
More please...

Wow, this story is simply scrumptious! (And not just because of those muffins that Myles is making!) Howie is too funny, especially since it seems like he has some northern "connections." Too funny! I love it!

i hadnt even noticed the typo.. and when i saw Lizzy's post i was
-->:crylaugh:



When i was in high school i got the whole week off for Thanksgiving... which is strange that i got so much time off to essentially eat dinner on thursday night....


So Mrs. C is Mrs. Claus and Howie's and elf... I always thought he would make a good elf...

I don't remember why Thanksgiving is on Thursday either, but I remember when I was in grade school we would get off Thursday and Friday. Now the kids get out Wednesday, too. I've had to work retail a few years. Grocery stores are bombarded on Wednesday, but they're generally pretty empty on Friday after Thanksgiving, so I was sometimes able to get the day off. Now I work in an office and get both days off for a long weekend.


What is Jack doing now? Whatever it is, I'll bet it's going to be magical! Just like the impending snow.

And Mionebristow, what's going to be on the fifth day? Icicles?

Have I mentioned that I'm THANKFUL that you are off for the next three days? Sitting at home, waiting on you to post, is so much more pleasant than being out in the hordes of shoppers...each rushing around trying to make every sale.

I'm quite comfy and waiting for more.

Howie and Mrs C together ... I could just imagine it ...


Jack, you're hooked and you're going to sink soon ... too much magic in the air



Kav ... where do you get your inspiration???

So I was right about Mrs. Claus!! And Howie as an elf?? It fits perfectly!!!

I hadn't thought about Jack going back and buying icicles - I'm imagining the icicles catching the light and sparkling - beautiful!!!

I have Thursday and Friday off, and I am going on vacation next week, so I really feel in the holiday spirit - Kav you are definitely adding to the euphoria!!!

Joy

Ornella

what does it mean? (Or am I being dense)

You're not dense, Rosa...only Mrs. C knows what snow means...for now. I'm sure she'll let you in on it very soon!



She knew the second he walked into the bullpen. Excitement buoyed up from deep inside her and it was all she could do to remain rooted to the spot where she stood with Lucy by Myles’ desk. She risked a glance, caught the smoldering look in his eye and her knees buckled. She swayed.

“Oh for pity’s sake will someone get the woman a chair before she cracks her head open on the side of my desk?” Myles asked just a little too sharply. He amended his acerbic tongue by rolling out an office chair and pushing Sue gently into it. His eyes apologized when his lips wouldn’t and aside from the stain of embarrassment on her cheeks, she showed no outward sign of being affected by his words.

“What’s up? Sue are you feeling all right?” Jack’s eyes cooled by degrees, showing warm concern now as he hurried to her side.

“I’m fine. Myles was just being…Myles,” Sue assured him with a smile.

“And he was just about to explain why he doesn’t want to have our Christmas party at the restaurant you and Sue discovered last night. The rest of us are in agreement,” Lucy said pointedly.

“And majority rules, don’t you know?” Bobby added, the matter already settled in his mind.

“It’s a great restaurant, Myles. I think even you would approve of the menu and the service, if you don’t get Albert as a waiter, that is,” Jack agreed, his hand snaking out and accidentally brushing against Sue’s ear as he stood at her side. He thought he was the only one who noticed her stiffen in reaction, but then he forgot he was standing in the midst of a group of trained agents. There were knowing smiles all round before Myles distracted them by renewing his objections.

“I hate trains.” It burst out of him with such force Lucy actually winced. Heads turned in the hallway and D came in from his office.

“You still trying to bring him round?” he asked with a grin. “Want me to pull rank and order the party at the Polar Express?”

Myles shuddered at the mention of the name. He felt like someone was walking over his grave, unpleasant shivers wracking his body in a reaction ridiculously severe for the circumstances. Sue watched him worriedly. He’d been adamant about refusing to go to the party if it was held at the restaurant and no amount of persuasion or threats could convince him otherwise.

“But Myles, it’s not really a train,” Lucy tried wearily to reason with him once again. “It’s a restaurant decorated like a dining car. No railway tracks, no moving cars, no whistles blowing, no swaying side to side as the train picks up speed…”

“You’re making me nauseous,” Myles complained, rubbing his stomach and grimacing.

Lucy sighed. “I don’t know why – but I find trains so romantic. I feel like anything can happen when you’re on one.”

“That’s my point exactly. Anything could happen. It could pick up speed too fast and jump the tracks or derail because some two-bit lineman outside of rural Hicksville didn’t know his left from his right, or some terrorist could strap himself to the engine and detonate throwing the passengers into a abyss of blackness that they'll never find their way back from…”

“Whoa, Myles, get a grip,” Jack ordered lightly.

“If you feel that strongly about it, we won’t go,” Sue declared decisively. “We’re a team and all of us should be able to make it to our Christmas party – no exceptions. We’ll find somewhere else.”

“But that’s the whole problem, Sue, there isn’t anywhere else. Everything’s booked.” Lucy objected. “Myles if you won’t let us have the party at the Polar Express than you can darn well host it at your house and you can foot the bill for the catering…that’s if you can find anyone at this short notice.”

“Well it’s not my fault you started planning things so late in the year. Everyone knows you have to make holiday bookings at least two months in advance. Who was on the party committee anyway?” Myles asked irritably striding for the nearest exit.

“There is no committee, Myles and you know it. You all just leave it up to me every year and this year I…” Lucy called out after his retreating back before hightailing it back to her desk in a huff.

Sue looked at Jack, chewing her lip uncertainly. “I didn’t think that changing the venue of the party would create this kind of reaction,” she told him helplessly.

He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. “I’ll go see what’s really bugging Myles. You smooth things over with Lucy. Don’t worry,” he winked, “you know as well as I do that Myles’ bark is worse than his bite. No offence, buddy.” He ruffled Levi’s head before following Myles out the door.

* * *

“I guess Lucy was right,” Tara murmured in an aside to Bobby. “It wasn’t wishful thinking this time.”

“What exactly did she say happened between those two when Jack brought Sue home last night?” Bobby asked with a wicked gleam in his eye.

“Bobby – you behave yourself. Lucy will kill you if you jinx this for them,” Tara scolded and then cast a wary glance over at Sue before beckoning Bobby closer. Under the shelter of her computer monitor she relayed the little bit of information she knew. “They were standing in the doorway – Lucy said the place was smoking – his look was so hot and she was glad he wasn’t wearing his gun because she’s convinced that he would have shot her for interrupting. He was twirling Sue’s hair…”

“Twirling? What do you mean by that?” Bobby asked.

“You know…like I do all the time…like this,” she demonstrated with a piece of her own hair, “only it was Jack doing the twirling, not Sue.”

“So you mean Sparky had a hold of Sue’s hair like this?” He reached for the same strand Tara had just let go of. “And he was, what, twirling, you called it? Like this?”

Tara could barely breathe, his hands were so big and his fingers were clumsy, pulling a few strands until it hurt, but she didn’t tell him stop.

Bobby looked down into the winsome face and noticed the faint trace of freckles across her nose. Sweet. That’s what she looked like. Open, honest – the kind of woman you knew where you stood with from the start. No games…no coy flirtations. He had a feeling that when Tara set a man as her target she would pull out all the stops. He was messing up her hair pretty badly – any other woman would being having fits by now, but Tara just watched him wide eyed as he tugged a chunk of her hair up on top of her head. He smiled as he flipped the ends of her hair over his fist. Pigtails…His eyes narrowed and Tara’s face blurred, in its place the pixie mug of a young girl with sticky up hair…

Tara dragged her eyes from Bobby’s and cautiously looked around the bullpen. No one had noticed yet, but they were on borrowed time. What was he thinking? “Bobby!” she hissed in protest but he seemed in a daze. She panicked when she saw Jack and Myles walking back into the bullpen and jumped up from her chair taking Bobby unawares. He lost his balance and they tumbled to the floor. It was all Bobby could do to prevent hitting Tara with his entire weight. They landed in a tangle of arms and legs and laughter that included the whole team.

Bobby grinned down at Tara sheepishly, as she tried to ease out from under him. He suddenly became clumsy and every move she made was countered by one of his own, further entrenching her beneath him.

“Bobby!” she protested, half laughing, half moaning. When she looked up he winked and she suddenly felt like she was being sucked into a vortex, her mind swirling backwards to another time, another place, where a cocky boy had forcefully stopped her energetic gymnastics display. She shook her head dazedly, blinking rapidly to clear the odd image from her mind. “Bobby – did you ever have a pet kangaroo?”

i think the pen is at risk of going up in flames

cath

Cath....and everybody is starting to piece the past together

caught up with 2 wonderful post
poor mrs c with howie was sweet bobby with tara
but poor lucy with myles loved it more soon please
pretty please Lin

The munchkin niece and nephew are finally napping so Aunt Carrie has a few moments to reply and say how much I am enjoying this story!!

The romance you write always leaves me breathless and drooling and generally swoony, and I will be anxiously checking back for more updates... in between 'pwaying wif' the munchkins who are utilizing every free second that their out-of-town aunt and uncle are here.

Keep turning the heat up...I think it's causing the memories to return!

This is wonderful, Kav.

Kim

i love the fact that they seem to remeber things....and poor myles, he really is frightend, well who wouldn't be if you almost got eaten by a big black whole.

Sooooo Myles !!!



Snow is melting here !