debiclardy

This is a novel I've been working on and am curious if any of you like it so far. Thanks.

“You haven’t told him, have you?” Lily Morgan asked her sister. Her voice held only a trace of apprehension. The dozen or so bangles on her wrist jangled as she stirred honey into her tea.

Magnolia gazed across the roomy kitchen of their antebellum home and out the window over the sink. “I was thinking of telling him after we were married.”

The clatter of Lily’s spoon hitting the ceramic tile caused Magnolia to jerk her attention back to her sister.

“You can’t be serious,” Lily said.

Magnolia lifted her chin a notch. “Why not?”

“You already know the answer to that, but I’ll remind you, dear sister.” Lily leaned forward over the scarred oak table. “If you wait and the marriage is consummated, you’ll never be able to take the memory away. Before marriage that option is always open.”

“I know.” Magnolia once again looked out the window. A crisp spring breeze fluttered the lilac curtains and the weeping willow tree swayed. Sometimes she cursed her own fate. “Lewis does love me.”

“Are you trying to convince yourself or me?” Lily asked.

“Why do you dislike him so much? And don’t tell me it’s because of Hestia.”

Upon hearing her name, the black and white feline stretched and sauntered over to the table. Lily picked up the cat and stroked her hand over its back.

“She hisses and tries to scratch Lewis every time he comes here. Besides, she’s told both of us he isn’t the one for you,” Lily said.

Besides, she’s told both of us he isn’t the one for you,” Lily said.

Magnolia looked away. She knew Hestia had never been wrong. But maybe she was this time. “She only senses Lewis doesn’t like

cats. And how can you blame him? You saw the long ragged scars on his arm and hand. Can you imagine getting those at only ten years old?”

“Hmmph. He probably deserved it,” Lily said wagging her finger. The cat purred as though in rhythm with Lily’s bracelets. “Besides, it isn’t just Hestia.”

“What else then?” Magnolia let go an exasperated sigh.

Lily tilted her head matter-of-factly and said. “He doesn’t smell like wintergreen.”

Magnolia stood and took her teacup to the sink. “I’ve had enough of this. Don’t you have to go brew a potion or something?”