I will try not to make a mess in the kitchen with this story revolving around this old wives’ tale: If an unmarried woman is anxious to marry her beau, she will suddenly begin to accidentally break dishes more than usual. It is a hint to the beau that she really wants to get married.

I’m aiming for a short story ... we’ll see.


+++++

“Can’t you wait a few more weeks?” sighed Sue, not that she expected her mother to comply.

A lone “No” appeared on her blackberry screen.

“I’ll come tomorrow,” she promised in desperation. “If it makes you feel better, put the box in the garage.”

“Sue, if by night time the box is still here, I’m placing it by the curb for the garbage collector,” warned her mother. “It’s been in the attic for years collecting dust. You should have picked it up a long time ago.”

“I got it, mom. Good day,” she replied irritably.

Her mother was in a real bad cleaning mood, and Sue knew by experience her mother would make good on her threat. If she wanted to be honest with herself, Sue would admit her mother had a point. She should have brought it back with her when she moved out. But Sue wasn’t inclined to concede victory. This was a family heirloom. It belonged to her grandmother. How could her mother even think of getting rid of it? She growled before burying her head in her hands.

Jack watched from the entrance. It was lunchtime, and he didn’t expect to find Sue alone in the bullpen arguing with her mother, not when he heard Lucy mention a sale earlier on this morning. He approached her sideways not realising she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings. When he placed his hand over her shoulder she jolted.

‘Sorry,’ he signed. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“I was ... I didn’t see you,” forcing a smile.

“Want to talk about it?” sitting on the corner of her desk.

“No ... Yes ...” She sighed again, blowing a strand of blond hair from her face in the process. “Why is my mother so difficult?”

“Have you eaten yet?” ignoring her rhetorical question. She shook her head. “Come,” offering his arm to her. “And you can tell me where you’re planning on going tomorrow,” having caught the end of her conversation.

“Jack, you’ll think this is silly and laugh at me,” feeling somewhat embarrassed by the incident.

“After spending the morning in court I could use a good laugh,” smiling encouragingly at her.

His eyes were twinkling merrily, drawing her in their depth. She would never be able to withstand his interrogation.

His eyes were twinkling merrily, drawing her in their depth. She would never be able to withstand his interrogation.[/color]
[/quote]

you're not alone sue

great start, looking forward to more

cath

This shoud prove to be very interesting....


~laura michelle~

What a great start! I can't wait to see where you go with this. I can almost imagine the possibilities.

Whooooohoooo!!!!! Another Marlene story!!!!! Can't wait to see where you take that! Great start!!!

I am trying to figure out what the heirloom is!

I am so pleased to see this one start, Marlo. The heirloom has me intrigued.

Hehe *happy sigh* Oh that twinkle in his eyes! Great job! I must remember that this is a Valentine's Day story, from Marlo.. So there is nothing to worry about

Marlene, a short story or a long one, I don't care. I just love anything you write!

I'm excited, Marlo!!!

Sue, withstanding an interrogation from Jack is probably the least of your worries!!!

Now, what is this heirloom that doesn't seem to mean much to Sue's mother???

Joy

Another story!!!! Great start. I wonder what kind of heirloom it is and if maybe a certain someone with chocolate brown eyes might accompany Miss Thomas on her trip????

okay..........second try.


YIppee! I'm so glad you started this!!!!

And Short Story????? Nah!!!

Jill

looks great...
I'm hooked.
UPDATE SOON

yipee, another Marlene story!!!! looks interesting...

Oh boy! A new Marlo Story. My day has just been made a whole lot better!

Oh my I'm giddy with delight -- you're posting a story again!

kav

It's soooo good already!!!!!

Em

Oh, boy! Another Marlene story!! Anxiously awaiting more soon!!!

a marlo story!!! I can't wait!!!

Ive been waiting patiantly for you
to start A new story and you have now
I need more please Lin

Guys, you know how to make a girl feel welcome. Thank you

+++++

Sue discreetly gazed at the man in the driver seat. With one hand casually steering the wheel and his other resting on the middle console with his fingers wrapped around a coffee cup, he seemed almost carefree. Only his eyes continuously scanning the heavy morning traffic betrayed his concentration.

“Something you like?” he teased her, tilting his head in her direction so she could see his lips. His smile and the mischievous wink he threw her way made her blush.

Jack was flirting with her after catching her off-guard. And not for the first time she wondered what would happen if she played his game. He was the main reason she refused the job in New York, not that she ever shared this information with him. When he grilled her the previous day at lunch about her mother, Sue spilled the story. She needed to move, she told Jack. She could still picture the brief look of panic on his face. She quickly added a box to her sentence, and his entire body just seemed to instantly relax. He wanted to know what was so important about that box that she needed to drive to Ohio on a Wednesday to retrieve it. To her surprise, he didn’t laugh, offering to make the trip with her instead. He could use a day off, Jack insisted, since his testimony in court was no longer needed, the witness having accepted a plea bargain. Except she was not certain she believed his excuse.

“Among other things, “ an enigmatic smile curling up at the corner of her lips, “I was admiring the intricate patterns the raindrops were tracing on your side window.”

“Is that all?” wiggling his brows at her.

He was in a playful mood and he made her his intended victim. Not that she complained, she loved this side of Jack, she loved all sides of ... She bit her bottom lip. Her wayward thoughts were adding a darker shade of red to her cheeks.

He noticed she shifted in her seat, visibly flustered. Every time he looked at her, she took his breath away. When at lunch she mentioned moving she scared the daylight out of him. As relieved as he was that she did not mean it literally, he still decided to accompany her to Ohio. He realised he was reacting to an irrational fear, but he almost lost her once, and he was not willing to tempt fate a second time.

“I was also ... Jack!”

The car in front of them braked suddenly. Placing both hands on the wheel he swiftly manoeuvred around the car, missing by an inch the bumper sticker saying “I don't have a license to kill, I have a learner's permit”, only to end up on the shoulder of the road facing a stopped truck.

“Hang on, Sue,” not that she needed to be told or to read the command to brace herself.

He veered while putting on the brakes, avoiding the truck only by gliding sideways down the shallow ditch.

When the car stopped he turned his attention towards his passenger. She was ghostly white and staring out the window with eyes as big as saucer. He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him.

“Are you hurt?” She shook her head, her lips brushing against the palm of his hand. “Good,” smiling tenderly at her, before wrapping her in his arms.

She held on to his jacket, seeking comfort and warmth.

The middle console was a nuisance, it prevented him from tightening his embrace. She was shivering from the fright he gave her, and he felt responsible even though he knew he could not have anticipated the reaction of the driver in front of them.

He stroked her back, soothing her. His cheek rested against her head. He could smell her shampoo and feel the texture of her hair. He wished for the right of running his fingers into the wavy blond locks. It stunned him to realise he unconsciously gave life to his fantasy. When she didn’t pull away he grew bolder and buried his face in her golden mane.

His breath tickled her ear. For a moment she imagined his sweet whispers in the night. He was only a friend, chiding herself for daydreaming about him. But when she lifted her head she was left breathless by the intensity of his gaze. Never had she seen his eyes so dark or the longing reflected in them so strong.

Her gaping mouth was an invitation he could not resist. He leaned towards her, giving her ample time to withdraw should she be inclined to. When she cuddled closer instead, the beating of his heart accelerated in anticipation. His lips tingled as they skimmed over hers. He wanted to savour the moment, make it last forever.

She felt the tiny electric shocks coursed through her entire being. Her breathing was shallow and her lips were dry. She added some moisture with the tip of her tongue, accidentally brushing his lips.

His resolve to take it slow weakened at her innocent gesture. He ...

Jack startled her when he abruptly pulled away, and she squeaked when she saw a stranger knocking on the windshield.

“Yes,” lowering his side window while inwardly cursing the tow truck operator’s ill-timed interruption.

“Good morning, son,” smirked the machinist. “Need any help getting out of the ditch?”

Marlene, you are the queen of knowing how to make a romantic situation disappear I think....

I KNEW Jack would go with her!! I love it!!!

I'm glad Jack managed to manuever the car without their being hurt!! Now, can we smack the tow truck driver for the interruption???

Joy

You are mean! You are terrible! You are awful! You are horrible! I LOVE YOU!! You had me melting right along with Jack and Sue and now I would like to use one of the mechanic's tools to hit him over the head! Of course, he was only being nice

Great job!

You've got my vote already for romance

Well, nuts!! Now we can add the tow truck driver to the list of interuptees!

I just figured she would go to Ohio to get that box and that Jack would go with her -- yippee -- road trip!!

This is going to be sooooo good! Can't wait for more!!!

Donna

The correct answer would be "NO! No we don't need your help! GO AWAY!" And then they could get back to what they were doing. It's far more important than getting out of a silly ditch!

Em

Now...that's not nice....poor Jack and Sue....


~laura michelle~

oh boy! A Marlo Roadtrip. Could this be any better? Oo, oo, oo, can I go, can I go, huh, huh, huh, Can I?

This is great Marlene!

Kim

oh good grief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

another interruption

cath

marlene can I bribe you for no more interuptions
after this one please I knew it was bound to happen but not quite as soon
more please pretty please Lin

Oh, that was just mean!

Aw, that was just mean. You string us along, making us believe that they're actually going to kiss and you do something like that? -pouts for a second before cracking a smile- I've gotta say I love a good Marlo story.

Wow. That's my kind of accident! This road trip is getting very interesting and it's still early!! Now if they can just steer clear (no pun intended) of tow truck drivers and the like. Can't wait to see where this is "going" (OK, I intended that one).

Oh, and for the record... short stories=bad.... long stories=good.

Tina

but still, it was ssoo romantic!!!

How on earth did I miss a new Marlo story!!!!!!! I'm always up for one of your roadtrips.....especially ones that start out with Jack finally making a move! I'm still curious as to what's in this box though! Eagerly anticipating your next post!

aww. what why did you stop?
UPDATE SOON.

v

I'm so excited! No one does road trips like you do and I already like how this one has started. Bravo!!!

Wow Marlo, you've cut right to the chase with this one! Here we are only the second post and already the road trip and the interruptions have begun!

I am glad that Jack was able to maneuver around that car and truck. This road trip to Ohio looks like it will be filled with all kinds of adventures. That tow-truck driver came at the best and the worst of times. Best, because he can help them to get on the road again. Worst, because he interrupted a special moment.

I promise "No Cell Interruption" ... now I wonder if I'll be able to keep that promise

+++++

“Will we make it before nightfall if I let you drive?” she inquired with a mischievous voice after the tow truck pulled them up the slope.

“It was the fault of the idiot in front of me,” he pointed out indignantly.

“I know, Jack,” showing compassion. “Besides, the ditch was almost dry, and I do trust your wild days of trashing cars in water are over.”

“Very funny, Thomas,” giving her a dubious look. “Beware, my revenge will be sweet.”

“Really?” Her eyelashes were fluttering and she was smiling innocently at him. “And what will your revenge be?”

She was flirting back with him, giving him a taste of his own medicine, and he was enjoying every second of it.

“Let’s see,” thinking he would not mind a kiss, a very passionate kiss. “Dinner with me?”

“Is that all?” raising her brows. They were already having dinner together all the time.

He wondered if she realised how disappointed she sounded, giving him hope she wanted more than the casual relationship they were sharing.

“Dinner followed by a romantic walk in the park with Levi?”

“I’d rather you take me than Levi, “ she stated boldly, “but if you prefer the furry type it’s fine with me.”

Her little nonchalant shrug was almost his undoing. He came very close of stopping alongside the road and finish what he started in the ditch. Instead he shook his head in amusement. He would concede her this round, but the war was far from over.

“Talking about my furry buddy, where is he? I expected him this morning.”

“Lucy was dropping him off to a grooming salon”, and she went on explaining why Levi was in desperate need of a shampoo and haircut after his late night encounter with a trashcan.

I just thought this was cute banter... <-----this is Levi cheering!

Ditto.. Great job on Levi, Kaci! Marlo You have to keep that promise! Along with a promise of another kiss - SOON!

[quote name='tracyfbeye' date='Jan 25 2007, 08:00 PM' post='257869']
[quote name='theatrenut86' post='257867' date='Jan 25 2007, 01:49 PM']
[quote name='marlo29' post='257865' date='Jan 25 2007, 11:44 AM']

"Dinner followed by a romantic walk in the park with Levi?"

"I'd rather you take me than Levi, " she stated boldly, "but if you prefer the furry type it's fine with me."
[/quote]

I just thought this was cute banter... <-----this is Levi cheering!
[/quote]

Ditto.. Great job on Levi, Kaci! Marlo You have to keep that promise! Along with a promise of another kiss - SOON!


[/

quote]


I have to agree but please no interuptions and plenty of fuzzies for them with
Lin

I'm absolutely delighted I found this story! Can't wait for more from you!!

that was so cute....So glad that Levi isn't there... but now jack doesn't have anyone to go to park with. hahaha

UPDATE SOON.

Their banter is always so cute.

Oh--lala! Those ditches come in handy!!!

Jill

Just love the banter....





~laura michelle~

You do that teasing so well, Marlo!!!

Joy