Big, huge day today. Got through a tough emotional scene — one I was avoiding, stupidly, because it ended up being a really good scene. Isn’t that always how it is? The one thing you really don’t want to do and avoid… is exactly what you need to add? I’ve also got the final few scenes carefully set up and laid out. Even ground through another sex scene that wasn’t a “good” one, if you know what I mean. Virginia’s holding back. Big time.
But it’s all downhill from here and that makes me a happy camper indeed.
In fact, I thought about staying up half the night to finish the book, but I do have to work tomorrow and it’s going to be a stressful week. I’ve got a lot of work to do and I can’t blow my hands on a 10K night and then expect to be able to program tomorrow. Sigh.
6,718 words today. Told ya it was a big one! That Man was on the phone most of night or work, so no TV distractions.
Finishing yesterday’s scene:
Virginia jerked so hard she couldn’t stifle a moan at the grating pain in her busted arm. “What? Are you insane?”
Ignoring her, Miss Belle continued. “It’s high time Virginia start dating again. I’m sure between the three of you brilliant young ladies you know a handsome, courageous man dumb enough to come wrestle with her.”
A speculative gleam shone in Vicki’s eyes.
“No,” Virginia said firmly. “Dating is something young people do. I’ve had my time.”
“Now who’s the fool?” Miss Belle snapped. “You’ve got half your life ahead of you still. It’s high time you start living it.”
Virginia could only stare at her mother, both moved and amused by her concern. Most people had feared her father, Colonel Healy, and yes, he’d been a tough old Marine who didn’t take shit off anyone. But it only took one look from Miss Belle and that man would have taken the San Juan Hill singlehandedly or died trying. Miss Belle wore big hats and frivolous pink dresses, but when push came to shove, she was the one who ran the family with a gay laugh and her wickedly keen mind. She used to joke that God had known exactly what he was doing when he’d put her in a small female body, because if He’d made her a big strapping man, she’d have been one mean bully.
“I bet Mal will know someone,” Vicki said.
Virginia groaned. “Don’t get the Mistress of Dallas involved or I’ll never have any peace. You know very well what kind of man that woman would try to set me up with.”
Vicki laughed, a knowing chuckle that spoke volumes. “A good-looking boy willing to do anything you say for a chance to kiss your toes? What’s the harm in that? Although I suspect she’s involved with someone herself right now. I don’t know if she’s still got her finger on the pulse of Dallas’s submissive male scene or not.”
Rae stared at Virginia a moment with those big, startled eyes. “Oh. Oh.”
“Where do you think Victor and Conn got their hard side, Rae Lynn?” Miss Belle said.
“But that doesn’t mean I want some boy running around my house saying ‘Yes, Mistress, how may I serve, Mistress?’” Virginia didn’t try to keep the disgust from her voice. “Good lord. I’ve got boys older than Mal. I sure don’t want her to set me up with anyone of that age.”
“Cougar,” Vicki said teasingly.
Virginia growled in response. “Grizzly bear is more like it, mean and nasty after getting woke up too early from hibernation.”
“And hungry,” her daughter replied, still teasing, but a growing understanding in her eyes that made Virginia avert her eyes.
Hungry. They have no idea. She didn’t want them to know exactly how lonely she’d been. How many nights she’d paced and practiced with the whip or crop just to exhaust herself enough to find a few hours of sleep.
“What do you want in a man?” Shiloh asked.
I want Tyrell. Virginia made herself shut the mental door on what she couldn’t have any longer, the fuzzy memories she’d clung to all these years. “If I were to date again, and that’s a big IF, he’d have to be older, more my age. A man my age would already be mature and confident. He’d know exactly what he wanted with the rest of his life and he’d do anything to get it. The same as me. He wouldn’t need coddling or teaching or patience, which I don’t have patience for! A man used to hard work, who’s probably already seen and done more than you children ever dreamed about. Someone who can stand up to me and tell me when I’m being a fool,” she said that with a smile for Miss Belle, “and won’t get his ego bruised when I tell him the same.”
“Now that will be the challenge.” Laughing, Miss Belle stood and started herding everyone toward the door. “Even Tyrell got his ego bruised on occasion.”
“All men do.”
“Let’s finish up dinner so our patient can get some rest. I’ll see what we can do about your man, Virginia. You’ve placed a tall order.”
Virginia settled down deeper into the pillows, her eyes already heavy. She’d done hardly nothing but sleep at the hospital, but there wasn’t anything like coming home to her own bed. Tall, she sighed, slipping into sleep. He should definitely be tall.
“Tall” order indeed
Is it bad that I’m not sure I like her finding some other man? I liked the hints of Ty you gave us…. If she has to find someone alive, can it be his reincarnation? 😀 I know whoever new guy is, you’re going to make us love him, too.