Gordie hung up the office phone still shaking his head but Jane was quickly forgotten as he returned to the exams from the freshman class on English literature. He was secretly glad that Jane had interrupted him with a phone call and an urgent request for help. The exams were disheartening and he hated grading paper anymore, he would be glad to shuffle the task off his graduate assistant when he showed up.
Jane forgot all about Gordie as soon as the call was concluded. She had made a decision and was moving on to the next step in her still forming plan of action.
She ran upstairs and quickly through together an overnight bag. That task completed, she plopped down on the bed and reached for her cellphone. Scrolling through the list of numbers, she quickly found the one she was looking for and dialed.
“Morning,” the pleasant voice at the other end of the line said.
“Morning Jo, its Jane Perkin. I need your help. Can I come stay for a couple of days?” Jane was breathless and talking nonstop.
“Morning Jane and slow down. Of course you can come stay but what’s up?” Jo replied, her voice and manner calm and reassuring like all librarians.
“It is a long story that I will share in detail when I get there but I need your research skills and advice.” Jane was beginning to sound distracted.
“I’ll be at the house, get here whenever you like. I’ll keep dinner for you.”
Jane murmured her thanks, and rang off. Swallowing the last of her coffee, she made her way into the kitchen and threw together lunch. The workmen must be eating too because for once the house was still and quiet. Jane couldn’t believe her creative energies were flowing again so soon after the completion of the last book. She usually had a dry spell for several weeks or months after completing a book, but this time was different. The journal of Emma Perkin was so full of information and tidbits that Jane knew she would be writing the next Pippa novel almost immediately.
Placing her dishes in the dishwasher without thinking about her actions, Jane was beginning to write in her head. She poured herself a glass of iced tea and wandered to the front porch and curled up in her favorite chair. So lost in thought was Jane, that she didn’t notice Fred pull into the garage. He bent down and kissed his wife on the check, knowing from the look on her face that she was lost in thought. Jane jumped when Fred kissed her, the shock of the tea spilling down the front of her shirt startling her as was Fred’s unexpected appearance.
“Fred!” she shrieked, surprised by her husband’s early afternoon appearance. “What on earth are you doing here at this time of day?”
“Well, my love, I warned you that I would be home early today this morning and I have a surprise for you.” His voice was tender and Jane’s head popped up, her face inquiring. “I rang up Jo when I reached the office and asked her if she wouldn’t mind your company for a couple of days. I have arranged for the workmen to speed up the process.”
Jane laughed and smiled as she grabbed and squeezed her husband’s hand. “Fred, you are the sweetest man alive and I am blessed. I must tell you called Jo and Gordie today. Gordie should be here soon and I asked Jo if I could come stay for a couple days.”
Fred laughed and sat down next to his wife, still holding her hand. “Try and relax at Jo’s. I can see that glint in your eye. I know that Pippa is trying her best to get you to write another book already. You need some down time before you and Pippa wander off into the next adventure.”
“I know you are right Fred but you know how it is. When there is a story that wants to be told, I am helpless to stop the words from flowing out. Jo will be able to help me and Gordie will help us figure out how to handle the journals.”
“Alright, but can you make me a promise?” Fred’s voice was filled with love and concern born of years dealing with the creative process that sometimes accompanies the writing of a novel.
Jane looked up at Fred, her violet eyes staring into the azure blue eyes that she had loved her entire life. “You know I will promise you anything, Fred.”
“Promise me, that you will try to relax and have some fun with Jo. Bring your stitching along with your laptop and tablet. Relax with the girls and don’t become so caught up with Pippa that you forget to eat and have fun.”
Jane squeezed his hand, “I promise. Eat, relax, stitch, and write in moderation I promise.” And as the promise was made, Gordie’s car pulled into the driveway.
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