Tag Archives: #Romance/Suspense

Part 31 If Oak Trees Could Talk

19 Feb

Part 31 If Oak Trees Could Talk!Books

Hello again dear friends! Welcome back to my video blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk! I am so glad that you chose to join me again today. I hope that you are having a wonderful week. Can you believe that we are already into the middle of February? When I began doing the video blogs of my Romance/Suspense novel If Oak Trees Could Talk last summer, I really had no idea how long they would take or how many, so I am so grateful that many of you have hung in here with me to read or “tune in” each week! This week we finish up Chapter 15 The Cruise!

Chapter 15

The Cruise!

Henry looked carefully before backing up. He looked both ways and then pulled out, but just as he did, he could see the Sheriff coming right toward him.

            “Get down loves, Get Down!” Henry shouted.

            Helen and Amelia obeyed but weren’t for sure why? They could only assume that Henry saw Eugene, which he did. When Henry passed the Sheriff, he looked down a little as to not look him straight in the eye and threw up one finger from the steering wheel as to speak when passing. This was the right thing to do because, again this was the South. Every one speaks whether they know you or not. So Henry actually did this to keep the Sheriff from becoming suspicious. It had been a long while since Henry had even seen Eugene, so they hoped that Sheriff Eugene wouldn’t recognize him. As far as Henry was concerned, he had no clue as to who Eugene was either. He only knew he was the Sheriff because he had seen Eugene’s sheriff’s car. He kept driving and tried to not cause suspicion but all of a sudden in his rear view mirror, he could see the Sheriff do a U-turn in the middle of Harper Street! This could only mean one thing and even Henry knew what it meant. They were recognized!   The Sheriff knew who they were or at least who Henry was. Henry had a decision to make, either to stop or to drive faster!

            “Hold on Loves, we’ve been made!” Henry Shouted!

            “What do you mean, Daddy…..What in the world are you doing? You have to stop! You can’t out run a Sheriff. We are in enough trouble the way it is! Pull over Daddy and stop the car!” Amelia shouted as if her Dad couldn’t hear her yelling at him.

            “Calm down Dear Amelia, he is not deaf. He just does not remember every event in his life yet?” Helen said rather calmly considering that she was in the front seat with a man who may or may not even know where he’s going.

            “Okay, this has gotten crazy! Daddy you have to pull over somewhere! Let me take over the driving! I am the one who promised I would get you both back this morning. I should have insisted that I drive to begin with!” Amelia demanded as she could feel herself panic. When she glanced back she saw that Sheriff Eugene was still quite a distance behind them, but still he was back there. By this time the Sheriff’s lights and siren were flashing and blaring so that every citizen of Mason Creek would know that there was a Sheriff in hot pursuit of criminals.   Rarely did an occurrence like this one escape the attention of the Mason Creek’s residents, for there was very little that happened in this lazy Southern town!

            “Amelia, sweetie, just stay calm, I know exactly where I am and where I am going! Let him follow me, I bet it will be the first Police Escort ever to Glenview’s Residential Home for the Elderly!” Henry said as both he and Helen chuckled.

            “Are you telling me that you both find this to be humorous?” Amelia asked as she realized that this scenario could only end badly. “We’ve got to pull over and let the Sheriff know that we are on our way back to Glenview. He needs to know that we are not trying to escape again Daddy!” Amelia spoke sternly. However, it was to no avail. She watched her Daddy wink and then he smiled at her Momma with that all too familiar impish grin that Amelia had seen thousands of times. Henry cranked up the radio that was playing some country song by George Jones and patted the dashboard of his car.

“Oh baby, don’t fail me now!” He shouted, when all of sudden he pushed the gas pedal as far down as he could and peeled down the street burning his tires. The smell of rubber burning filled the car.   A huge cloud of smoke boiled behind them. It wasn’t long until Amelia could hear the sound of a siren getting closer.   Henry drove like he had done this many times. He squealed tires as he made a sharp turn into a side street that lead down past The First Baptist Church of Mason Creek. He darted into another side street that lead down the street that Glenview was on. As he sped down this street to where Glenview’s Residential Home for the Elderly was, Henry whipped the car into the parking lot which was practically empty. He proceeded to squeal tires and wheel his car around in circles until the image of several figure eights had been burned into the parking lots pavement. After making such an entrance, Henry suddenly whipped his car into a parking space. He put the car in park while quickly handing Amelia the keys!

“And that my Dears is how it’s done!” Henry boasted.

             Amelia was in total disbelief at what had just happened!   She was speechless and as pale as a sheet. Her Daddy got out of the car and went around the side of the car to open the door for her mother. He acted the perfect gentleman as he helped Helen out of the car. He pushed the lever to the back seat so that Amelia could peel herself out of the car as well. Just as they were all out of the car, they heard more tires squealing as a car barreled into the parking lot where they all stood.   Sheriff Eugene’s sirens rang out and lights flashed while he practically fell out of his police car and raced toward them!

            “Ms. Amelia, what in the world do you think that you are doing? Do you know that you could have gotten someone killed driving like that? Oh excuse my manners, hello Mr. and Mrs. Tyler.” Eugene shouted as he took his sheriff’s hat off to be polite. He was shouting quite loudly because his siren was still blaring. In the south it is an understood rule that you are to always respect your elders! He then ran back to his car to turn the siren and lights off.

            Amelia listened as the Sheriff was scolding her, but then suddenly she looked at her watch. It was exactly twelve noon. She answered him without letting on that it was her Daddy instead of she that was doing the driving.

            “Well, Eugene, I promised I would get my parents back to Glenview this morning! It is just now noon so I kept my promise. We’ve been here about five minutes or so, wouldn’t you say Momma?” Amelia asked with Henry’s same wink and smile.

            “Now Ms. Amelia, when I was behind you with my lights and my siren going you should have pulled over. You can’t just go speeding in and out of these side streets like you have just done!” Eugene stated.

            “Excuse me for interrupting you Eugene, I know that you’re trying to do your job, but I wanted to ask about your folks before we go back inside. How are Ed and Immagene doing?” Helen asked. “It has been entirely too long since we’ve seen them. The next time we spend time at home we really should have them over for some of Henry’s famous Barbeque.” Helen continued.

            “Uh thank you Mrs. Tyler. My parents are doing fine. They would truly enjoy Mr. Tyler’s delicious Barbeque. It is surely famous around these parts, Mam.” Eugene replied. He was holding his Sheriff’s hat in his hand as he showed respect to Mr. Tyler.     

            “Well, no since prolonging our return. Thank you, young man for escorting us to Glenview. We really appreciate it Sheriff.” Henry said as he grabbed Eugene’s hand and shook it.

            Eugene didn’t know what to do as the Tyler’s and Amelia left him standing in Glenview’s parking lot holding his sheriff’s hat.

            “Dang, I am sure going to hear about this when I get to the sheriff’s office!” Eugene said as he could see Mr. Hodges watching the shenanigans from his office window.

 

Thank you once again for “tuning in” or reading along with me! It is my hope that you have been enjoying my Romance/Suspense novel, If Oak Trees Could Talk!, for it has been my pleasure to share it with you! As always I would love to hear from you. I want to thank all of you that have begun following my WordPress blogs. Please continue to “tune it” as we are moving right along through the book.

If you are interested in obtaining your own copy of If Oak Trees Could Talk or any of my other books, please visit my Amazon Author Page here! Also If you are new to my Video Blogs and would like to catch up on the story from the beginning please check out the archives in this blog or simply subscribe to my Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times.   All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com

Part 22 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

12 Nov

Part 22 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

Hello Everyone, I’ve been out and about quite a bit the past month, but I want to sincerely thank you for your patience and for hanging in here with me as I continue reading and Video blogging my Romance/Suspense Novel If Oak Trees Could Talk!

Chapter 12

No Place Like Home!

 

Suddenly, the boys came running around from the side porch and frightened her!

“What are you doing, Momma? Are you going in or not?” Dylan asked, as he walked over and lifted up a potted plant to find the house key placed underneath.  

“Yes, sweetie, I was just having some wonderful memories!” Amelia whispered.

“We have always loved it here too, Mom, we miss being here. Can we just come over some time to hang out like we used to?” Rob asked.

“Well, I don’t know why we couldn’t! After all this house is like a member of the family, it needs to have life in it!” Amelia stated with a smile. “Now, let’s get in here and get what Gramma needs for her picnic!”

“Gramma’s having a picnic? Will it be in the gardens like we used to do?” Dylan asked with excitement.

“No, I’m afraid not, boys, this is a special picnic just for adults, okay?” Amelia replied.

“Yuck, it’s one of those kinds of picnics. Don’t worry we don’t ever want to go to that kind of stuff anyway!” Rob said with a wrinkled up look on his face.

As the three talked they moved forward through the door of Amelia’s childhood home. Everything was neatly in its place, just as it was when Henry and Helen left, but the house never felt the same. It never smelled the same either. Before Helen’s accident, the home always seemed so warm and inviting and smelled of wonderful scents of fresh baked goods. Helen loved to cook and bake for not only her own family but she was always fixing meals or baking breads, cakes, pies or other delectable sweets to take to neighbors, shut-ins, or even the residents at Glenview Residential Home for the Elderly. It was ironic that she herself became one of those residents!

When her parents were well, Amelia brought the boys over every day to see their grandparents. Henry would take the boys outside into the garage or down by the creek or down by the Oak tree. He was always telling them funny stories and helping them to become who they were going to grow up to be. Helen, of course, always spoiled the boys rotten. She always had fresh baked muffins or cookies with hot cocoa loaded either in marshmallows or with whipped cream with cherries on top. Helen would have the cups ready, the hot cocoa made and waiting for the boys when they come through her door! No greater parents or life could Amelia have asked for.

“Man, there it is!” Dylan let out a shout!

“There what is?” Rob asked his brother.

“That pocketknife that Gramps gave me, I’ve looked all over the place for it! I remember now that Gramps said that he would sharpen it up for me. He always said that a dull knife was actually more dangerous than a sharp knife. He was going to sharpen it so that he could teach us how to carve. Gramps always taught us things like that. I sure do miss his yard trips!”

“What are yard trips?” Amelia asked

“They were trips that Gramps would take us on and we would explore. We never came into the yard that we never learned something new! One time he showed us this big old worm moving through the grass. He said that you could tell if there was going to be a good or bad winter by the color of those worms.” Dylan said as he opened and shut his pocketknife. He checked to see how sharp it was by seeing if it would shave the hairs on his arm.

“Woolly Worms, That’s what he called them! He said they were Woolly worms!” Rob joined in.

“I remember that the Woolly Worm he showed us was browner then it was black and he said that the winter wasn’t going to be bad! He told us if the worm would have been blacker than brown that we could expect a bad winter. He started giggling when he told us about the bad winter. He winked at us and said that if we were to have a bad winter, then that would just have meant that we would have to blow up some tire inner tubes to sleigh ride down to the old Oak tree in the side yard. He also said that it meant that we would just get special treats! He licked his lips and told us to bring on the hot spiced apple cider or hot chocolate with extra marshmallows! Dylan continued, as everyone giggled while picturing Henry’s impish grin.

“Okay, we’ve got to hurry and get what we came in here for!   I am sure Gramma is probably wondering about us! Dylan please search in the pantry closet and see if you can find a picnic basket. Rob would you go upstairs please to the linen closet in the hallway, and get a blanket?   It doesn’t matter what kind, just a blanket. I will go get Gramma her radio and new batteries.

They each headed off in different directions to get the supplies that Helen had requested that they bring to her. As they met in the living room, each one of them had the same thought.

“Shouldn’t we get some kind of clothes for Gramps to put on?” Rob asked with a giggle.

“Yes, I suppose that we should,” Amelia agreed with a slight grin on her face as well.   “I will go and get him something, whether or not your Gramma can get him to put them on will be questionable! Wait just a second boys, I’ve got to go to the wine cellar as well! If Gramma is having a romantic picnic, than they’ve got to have wine.   I’ll be right back. We should all go together to give these things to her!”

The boys waited patiently in the living room where they had spent so much of their time. Pictures of their parents and themselves lined a wall that Gramma and Gramps called the “Wall of Fame!” The boys stood staring at the pictures as they told a wonderful story about a happy family that seemed to have everything.

“Man looking at this wall is sad!” Rob blurted out.

“I love looking at all of the old photos, especially of Gramps and Gramma! Even at Mom’s pictures when she was young. Look at that goofy grin. Who poses like that?” Dylan said with a chuckle.

“You do, look at that picture of you! You look just like Mom in that picture, look at you’re goofy grin. Oh wait! Look at Gramps in that picture! I take it back you look just like him with his goofy grin!” Rob said as he became more and more excited while looking at the pictures and stating something that had not really appeared so real to them before.

“Goodness if we look like Gramps when we are young……Don’t even say it!” Dylan ordered. “Don’t even say it!”

Suddenly their humorous revelation of their family portraits was interrupted when their Mom walked back into the room.

“What’s so funny, boys?” She probed as a smile come on her face seeing that the boys seemed happy about something.

“Believe us, it is nothing that we ever wanted to talk about Mom!” Rob answered as he threw a punch into Dylan’s arm.

“No, Mam, me neither.” Dylan agreed as he socked his brother back!

“Well, okay, let’s move it out! Gramma probably thinks we’ve gotten lost like Gramps today! Let’s get this stuff to her!” Mom ordered. “Just leave the door, we will come back up and get it later!” She continued as she walked toward the front door.

Thanks again for reading along or “tuning in” each week to If Oak Trees Could Talk!

If You would like more information on how to purchase your copy of If Oak Trees Could Talk or any of my other books please go to my Author Page

http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Hornback/e/B00J43R78C/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1413214474&sr=8-1

Never miss a week of hearing or reading along of If Oak Trees Could Talk! Please go to my blog at https://authorartistmomof2.wordpress.com/ as every week is listed in the archives!   You can also find my story published in the Lakeview Times http://www.lakeviewtimes.com

As always I would love to hear from you! If you have recently began reading along or have found my video blogs and would want to hear the entire story please Subscribe to my Youtube Video Blogs!

Thanks for all of the new followers, comments and the “likes.” They really encourage me to continue sharing each week! Until next time, I hope you have an awesome week!

Dancing and Prancing Leaves!

4 Nov

Dancing and Prancing Leaves!

Autumn Walk

Hello Friends, I know that this week I am changing it up a bit from my usual Video Blog If Oak Trees Could Talk.   The reason is simply because I  live in a virtual golden and russet forest this time of year and I love it! I’ve included a video of this rainy autumn morning in Georgia and I hope a little inspiration for you today!

It is a rainy Monday morning in Georgia as I am writing this! I simply love my times out on my front porch, in my wooded jungle of sorts, sipping my morning coffee and simply listening and watching as I spend time in His presence!

Autumn leaves are swirling around in the current of the wind until they slowly make their way to the ground! However, I’ve noticed one leaf this morning that seems to be rebellious, out into a current of its own, golden in color, swirling and dancing in the wind! It seemed that it too would hit the ground as it came swirling downward. Then suddenly it would catch another current and soar up into the air again! I couldn’t take my eyes off of that leaf until finally after what seemed like the longest while of it dancing and prancing through the air, it finally swirled down and around and around until it lay down so ever gently on the only bear place on the ground!

I thought how weird that leaf was but then I felt as though the Lord was speaking to me in what I had just witnessed. He has made us as unique as this beautiful swirling leaf. He has called us to come out from among the crowd and do something uniquely designed for us to do, that we alone have been created to do! What I thought was rebellion, was simply obedience, one seemingly out on its own dancing and catching the wind of His breath and Spirit as He directed the current! It was a precious moment for me this morning as I seem to struggle sometimes with the fact that I’m out here feeling very alone sometimes with my hopes and dreams. It’s not like I do not have supporters and those that cheer me or encourage me, but what the Lord puts in your heart of hearts sometimes seems allusive at times and the self-doubt as to whether you’re chasing a pipe dream kicks in!

Ah…… I breathe in a peaceful sigh as the Lord always sends the little assurances like only He can to encourage me! This morning was a great pick me up as I am soaring high under the power of His breath!

Thank you for spending this time with me! Be encouraged that you’re always under the watchful eye of the One who created you! Blessings to you my dear friends! As always I would love to hear from you! If you have recently began reading along or have found my video blogs and would want to hear more please Subscribe to my Youtube Video Blogs!

1/2 Kindle Promotion of If Oak Trees Could Talk

23 Oct

Selling now on Amazon for only $1.99! Check out the rest of my books on my Author Page!

Source: 1/2 Kindle Promotion of If Oak Trees Could Talk

Part 17 If Oak Trees Could Talk

9 Sep

Source: Part 17 If Oak Trees Could Talk

Part 15 If Oak Trees Could Talk

27 Aug

Source: Part 15 If Oak Trees Could Talk

Part 10 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

23 Jul

Part 10 If Oak Trees Could Talk!.

The Perfect Gift for your Valentine!

22 Jan

The Perfect Gift for your Valentine!.

My Books Make Great Christmas Gifts

24 Nov

My true story of finally having children after my husband and I were married for twenty years!

Written by: Christine Hornback

BooksChristine Gilliam Hornback’s Books
Caleb’s Cereal $8.99 USD
Jenny Lynn’s Secret Mission $10.99 USD
Tell the Enemy to Scat $7.99 USD
If Oak Trees Could Talk $12.99 USD
Bundle of 4 Books $45.00 USD