If you’re new here, read the previous chapter’s first (if you are interested): Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapters Seven and Eight Chapters Nine and Ten Chapters Eleven and Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Bridget would never admit it, but she was worried Read more…
Note: Don’t forget all comments left on ANY post between November, 4th and November 30, 2010 will count as one entry into the Wii should be friends giveaway.
If you are interested:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapters Seven and Eight
Chapter Nine
Bridget was having an awful time falling asleep. She knew Lane was still up. She could hear him walking around the house checking all the doors and windows. He’d started on the 3rd floor and worked his way down.
Occasionally, she could hear him talking. He must be on his cell she thought; maybe he’s talking with the officers outside, getting an update. She hoped it was good news. The events of the past day and a half had spooked her. She hoped they found the other Bridget Riley soon, because this Bridget Riley didn’t know how to deal with all of this.
Bridget heard Lane talking quietly and then laughing, there was silence for a few moments, and “No you’re not bothering me … I’m glad you called … I love you too … Goodnight.” His walk around the house was bringing him closer to her end of the house making his conversation audible.
Bridget felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. He had a girlfriend! She knew it was silly to be upset. She knew that a man like Detective Johnson didn’t date women like her. She felt stupid, really stupid. She’d let down her guard and for a few minutes earlier in the evening she’d felt like any other woman sharing a meal with a handsome man. A couple of times, she’d even thought he’d been flirting with her.
“Dumb, dumb, dumb,” silently she chided herself. He was just being friendly, trying to make her comfortable with his presence. She hoped she hadn’t made a fool of herself. Of course, he was probably used to women throwing themselves at him, skinny gorgeous girls that had a chance with the Detective Johnsons of the world, NOT big girls like her. Not girls that even Barry Handford two timed. Oh the humiliation!
She vowed then and there to keep Lane Johnson at arm’s length. This was a business association and she reminded herself that she be smart not to forget it.
“Bridget,” Lane spoke softly. “Are you still awake?”
Note: Don’t forget all comments left on ANY post between November, 4th and November 30, 2010 will count as one entry into the Wii should be friends giveaway.
If you are interested:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Bridget threw her back and let out a hearty laugh. “You’re killing me Detective. I’m not mailing-posting. I’m blog posting. It’s what I do, well that and photography. “
“You mean like a hobby, or for a living?” Lane was interested, how in the heck did you make a living writing a blog?
“A living of course, I have to eat and pay bills,” Bridget snapped. “I suppose you think I live off of my parents? Am I right Detective?”
“I hadn’t thought about it,” Lane lied. One quick glance at her disbelieving expression, made him switch gears. “Okay fine, you’re right. I figured you probably have a trust fund or something. Are you telling me you don’t?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you,” Bridget retorted. She crossed her arms over her pink bag and stared straight ahead. She didn’t even want to look a Lane Johnson. It seemed he had a bunch of preconceived ideas about whom and what she was, so far it seemed like ‘probable criminal’ and ‘spoiled rich girl’ were at the top of his list. She wondered what other negative labels he’d conjured up.
Well she had better things to do than prove her worth to the likes of Lane Johnson. Even if he was the best-looking man she’d ever laid eyes on. Oh dear Lord, she was doing it again, she thought. Stop. It. Bridget.
“So tell me about blogging, explain to me how it works,” Lane prodded. He could tell from her body language and the frosty atmosphere in the cab of his truck that he’d managed to piss her off AGAIN!
Silence.
“Oh come on Bridget, give a guy a break,” he appealed.
Note: Don’t forget all comments left on ANY post between November, 4th and November 30, 2010 will count as one entry into the Wii should be friends giveaway.
Here is Chapter 2 of my NaNoWriMo. If you haven’t read Chapter 1 –> You may click here to do so.
Chapter 2
“Detective Johnson, I don’t think you understand. This isn’t a request, it’s an order.” Chief Daniels let out a big sigh, removed his glasses, and massaged the bridge of his nose. “Listen son, Bridget Riley is the daughter of my oldest friend. She’s insisting on going home, and I promised Joe Riley only the best to keep her safe.”
“I hear you Chief”, Lane Johnson was far from happy, but there was no arguing with the Chief. “I just don’t get it Sir. Why would she insist on going back to that run-down and now ransacked house? Wouldn’t she be more comfortable staying with her parents for a bit longer, and safer?” Lane couldn’t believe that after a dozen years of service, he was being forced into a glorified ‘baby-sitting’ job for a spoiled socialite.
“Detective, I agree that it seems odd. The old lady next door identified the perpetrators as Lionel Frank and Seth Robbins. You know as well as I do that they’re on Max Giovanni’s payroll. Whether or not Bridie is intentionally involved isn’t the issue. If she has something that Giovanni wants, she’s a sitting duck.” The Chief stopped, looked Lane straight in the eye. “I want to bring Max Giovanni in and I want Bridie Riley safe. You are just the man to do it. If Bridget Riley has committed a crime, she’ll have to answer for it just like anyone else. I want her alive to do it.”
“I understand sir. I’ll do my best.”
“I’m counting on it Johnson!” The Chief planted both of his hands on this desk and hoisted himself from his desk, indicating to Lane the meeting was over. “I realise it’s a Saturday, but please take as much time as needed today to clear up any necessary paper work. I’ll let Joe and Edie know you’ll pick Bridie up about 5 p.m. She spent last night with them.”
“Thank you sir”, Lane excused himself from the Chief’s office and headed straight for his desk, two floors below. Lucky for him, he didn’t let himself get behind with paperwork, so just a couple of hours later his desk was clear. He was ready for his new assignment. He figured he’d better head to his apartment and pack a few necessities. He really wasn’t looking forward to spending God-only-knows how long with a spoiled heiress in that dump! He supposed maybe dump was a bit harsh. If you looked past the mess that Frank and Robbins had made, he figured the first floor of the old place definitely had appeal.. He wondered what was keeping her from finishing up the upper floors. She couldn’t possibly be short of money. He wondered if maybe she had a drug or gambling problem and was into Giovanni for money. Why would Joe Riley’s daughter be living off of 97th street? It couldn’t be what she was used to.
Lane made a quick stop at his apartment to pick up enough clothing and toiletries for a few days. He hoped he wouldn’t need much more time than that. If Bridget Riley was playing games, he was pretty sure he’d be able to get to the bottom of the situation before long. He hadn’t mentioned it to the Chief, but a week from this Monday he’d booked off three weeks of vacation and had planned to drive out to Vancouver Island, to Tofino for some rest and relaxation. He sincerely hoped his babysitting duty would be over by then. He was willing to stick around if it meant nailing Giovanni, but he worked hard and he didn’t want to miss out on a well-deserved break for some spoiled, strung-out brat.
After packing, Lane decided to stop by and visit his Mom. He wasn’t sure how busy he’d be or for how long. He also knew she’d feed him, and if he was moving in with a drug addict, it might be smart to get a decent meal in him.
He knew his mom would be pleased to see him, and he was just as happy to see his mom. If he were honest, he was really happy to see her lasagne as well.
Over a huge plate of pasta he explained his new assignment to her. “Keep an open mind Lane. You can’t be sure she was involved. She may ‘just’ be a victim and in that case she’ll need some support and understanding. She’s probably terrified.”
Note: Don’t forget all comments left on ANY post between November, 4th and November 30, 2010 will count as one entry into the Wii should be friends giveaway.
If you follow me on facebook or twitter you’ll know that I am writing a book. Actually, I am participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Basically, the goal is to write a 50,000 word novel (more of a novella really) in thirty days (or 1667 words per day).
I took on the challenge last year and won (finished the challenge). I was thrilled … I wrote a book. A book that exactly ZERO humans were permitted to read (not even Mr. MK). I didn’t even read it over in it’s entirety when it was finished. I saved the folder on my laptop and forgot about, until Monday morning when I wanted to give it a quick read so I could write a sequel. You see I’d created two characters who could star in my next book (HA). It was then I realized that my final copy wasn’t on my desktop, but on my old laptop, whose hard-drive is frazzled. I still have the first 35000+ words, but lost the the last 22000+.
It really it shouldn’t matter. I obviously hadn’t intended to show it to anyone, however, I realized that my proof was gone. That’s when I realized that I should have let some one read it. I was a BIG CHICKEN!
So tonight I share with you all –> Chapter One of my second book. Please, please remember that I am not a professional novelist. This is intended to be an easy read romance. Due to time constraints (50000+ words in 30 days) I am not proof reading (until it’s done). There will be errors in grammar and punctuation. I spell in Canadian/British English, not American (most of the time). I am creating the plot as I go along (I decided not to revive the characters from Book 1). I’d love feedback, but please don’t be too hard on me.
***
Chapter 1
Bridget strode briskly, even boldly down the street, humming not all that quietly to herself as she made her way home. It was a Friday afternoon after all, and even the self-employed deserved an evening off. She marvelled at the fall colours. She loved her older neighbourhood, with its narrow tree –lined streets. Its unconventional mix of old and new, it was a neighbourhood in transition. It definitely felt like home. It irked her mother to no end that she’d chosen to use the inheritance from her Grandmother to buy, “that dilapidated old rattle-trap!”
However, if it were up to her mother she’d still be living at home, or in the horrible black and white, uber-modern penthouse apartment her mother had tried to bribe her with after she’d graduated from university. She just couldn’t understand that Bridget wanted to make her own way. She was nearly thirty after all.
She’d fallen in love with the old house the moment the real-estate agent had pulled the car up front. It was a three-storey turn of the century brick Victorian. It was definitely in need of some TLC, but her inheritance hadn’t been quite that large. Bridget had spent the last two years working painstakingly on the first floor. She managed to keep the early 20th century charm and detail, and at the same time had modernized the kitchens and bathrooms ***HOUSE DESCRIPTION HERE. She had just enough living space on the main floor, but was looking forward to getting to work on the second floor and the master bedroom.
She sighed, as anxious as she was to get started, she didn’t want to go into debt for renovations and the quality craftsmanship required to do these sorts of renovations didn’t come cheaply. Of course she did as much of the work as she could on her own, but she was no carpenter and most of the jobs required a professional.
Would you like to read my romance? You would? Fat chance… I’ve reached the 50,000 word goal of NaNoWriMo.org. Actually, I reached it on the 17th. I’m not done yet though. I still have to write the last few pages of my romance. You know, the part where they declare Read more…
For those of us above the 49th parallel, November generally means the end of fall and beginning of winter (snow and freezing temps). For me it means lost mittens and hats, melt downs over outerwear (see previous year –> here) and a much larger heating bill. It’s painful. Last year Read more…