Ahhh, The Sound of Laughter in the Spooky Woods - Tuesday Tales and Sasquatch
Ahoy Fellow Fathomers! Happy Tuesday! It's time for another edition of Tuesday Tales. This week we have a delicious word prompt- "laughter". Today we visit our lovebirds from Finding Love and Bigfoot, the second in the Critter Getter series.
“Kalista shivered in the cool autumn air with Caleb’s sentence. She rubbed her arms and returned a question. “What about us talking makes us so crazy?”
Caleb thought for a moment before answering quizzically. “It’s part of the fun, right? The anxiety, anticipation…you know, like Thumper in Bambi. He called it twitterpated.”
“Twitterpated? Yes, I remember that scene now. I can identify with that. But, you have your own business. You chase Bigfoots and mean fish underwater. Us talking should not be this complicated.”
They both burst into laughter. “It definitely should not be this complicated.” Caleb decided, before taking Kalista’s hand in his own. “Thank you for being my new friend.”
“I do look forward to getting to know you much better.”
Caleb resumed the activity of getting the perishable groceries stacked together. “But, you know, that does mean at least one thing.”
“And that one thing would be what?”
“You need to come camping with us as often as you can.”
“You’re a smooth talker, Mr. Caleb. Why should I come camping with you as often as I can?”
“Because I want to see you.” Caleb stated simply before gently ruffling her hair. “I promise to take you on a real date when this season’s over.”
“There is nothing wrong with how we hang out now. I don’t find it deficient at all.” Kalista lifted some items to help Caleb.
“Deficient, I like that. Well, I mean I don’t like being deficient, but, I know that’s not what you meant.” Caleb struggled to maintain his cool composure and kept his deepest thought to himself; I hope you don’t get bored with me and my simple life.
Instead, Kalista merely laughed and reached forward to hug Caleb in a quick, awkward embrace before grabbing a handful of camping food to return to the cabin. She dashed off before he could say anything aloud.
Standing still in disbelief, only one word ran though his mind – wow."
My debut in Sweet Romance happens this week! I'm writing as Allee Mae, and you can read the first book in the Critter Getter series! I present Finding Love Under a Rock....
Now that you've read my contribution to TT, please visit my creative friends over at our main blog, Tuesday Tales for their take on the word prompt "laughter".
Blurb:
Kalista Bristow and Leandra Lehigh moved to Oklahoma not just to attend nursing school, but, to find some adventure. When Leandra reads about the sport of “noodling”, she is literally “hooked’, and reserves top-notch guides, Caleb Chandler and Owen Guthrie, to give them a true southern experience.
Wading through the murky river, Kalista finds herself drawn to the handsome Caleb and his red-dirt good looks. He manages a few shy glances in her direction, intrigued by her tenacity. Could this cute city girl bring him out of his awkward insecurity when it comes to dating? However, thoughts of blossoming love move to the wayside as the girls find more than they bargained for under the surface of that shadowy river. They must rely on Caleb and Owen to keep them safe, all the while beginning to believe the mysterious legends the guys have been telling them are probably all true.
Excerpt:
Kalista’s stomach churned nervously as her eyes darted around. Sunlight danced off the ripples in the water that their movements created. Is that us making those waves, or something just below the surface? “Crap, should I watch where I step?”
“That’s sort of a problem. You can’t watch anywhere you move. So, you just better hope you make the right step.” Caleb said solemnly.
“How far out do we have to go? The water is getting colder the further out we get. Besides, how can we get to the bank to get out if we do get into trouble?” Panic teemed in Kalista’s voice. “I don’t like water I can’t see into.”
“Hey, roomie, calm down. Good grief, we haven’t even started yet.” Leandra finally sounded exasperated with Kalista’s irrational fear. “Would you just enjoy yourself and get over being a baby already? Not everything has to be a swimming pool with pristine water to be safe.”
“Girls, girls, focus. You are both right in your own way. This is more than a simple excursion—it’s time we start paying attention to our surroundings.”
“Okay, so, we need to be one with the fish?” Leandra asked seriously as she peered down toward the water.
Kalista rolled her eyes. “Sheesh Lea, as if you could see anything through this brown tinged river water.” She looked more closely, realizing how intent Leandra appeared. “You really are getting in tune with your aquatic side, aren’t you?”
“We paid for this expedition so you’re darn right I’m getting in touch with my inner Ictalurus punctatus.”
Owen furrowed his brow toward Leandra. “What the heck is an ictaluruhhh…icta…icta-walruses or whatever you just said?”
“Owen, let me apologize for Leandra, leave it to the bookworm to use the scientific name for a channel catfish.” Kalista replied with amusement in her tone.
“You knew what I meant when I said it. What’s that say about you?” Leandra shot back triumphantly.
Caleb interjected into the banter. “Girls, we are actually not looking for Ictalurus punctatus. We are searching for Pylodictis olivari, a flathead catfish.”
Finding Love Under a Rock Buy Links:
Now that you've read my contribution to TT, please visit my creative friends over at our main blog, Tuesday Tales for their take on the word prompt "laughter".
Comments
And I think these two are really sweet. Look forward to seeing more of them!!
Dawne