Thanksgiftings

By Linda Mooney

Six Short Stories Celebrating the Season

 

Stories Included are:

BARNEY - She looked forward everyday for him to come by. Then came the one day when he didn't.

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE - All it took was one missing ingredient to melt the heart of a lonely old man.

AN EXPLOSIVE COMBINATION - In a post-apocalyptic future, a group of survivors reminisce about their first Thanksgiving after that climactic event.

THE LEG - Doug was determined to have turkey legs for his Thanksgiving dinner. He never planned on getting so much more.

THE WISHBONE - A grandfather finds out which end of the wishbone is the lucky part.

DAY 280,662 - When the last survivors of a doomed Earth reach their new planetary home, they discover the date of their first landing has special significance.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Mooney
• Release date: Nov 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393012146

Linda Mooney

Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love. She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance. In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith. For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website. http://www.LindaMooney.com

Book preview

1

Barney

Eva stood inside the screen door and stared out into her back yard. More specifically, at the sidewalk that ran parallel to the simple white picket fence that marked her property line. A glance behind her at the clock on the stove told her it was nearly five o’clock.

He should have been here by now, she told herself. He’s never been this late before.

There was the sound of someone coming into the kitchen. Mom, are you still waiting on that old man?

I just hope something hasn’t happened to him.

Her daughter, Rene, sighed loud enough for her to hear. He’s just an old bum!

This time she shot the young woman a disapproving look. I thought I’d taught you to have more compassion than that. She meant to sound angry. Instead, it came out sad.

What’s going on in here? Dallas, her son-in-law, also entered the room.

Mom’s upset because some old geezer hasn’t shown up at her back doorstep today.

Geezer?

His name’s Barney, Eva corrected.

Barney what? Or is that his last name? Dallas asked.

She shrugged. I don’t know. I never asked.

Why’s he supposed to come to your back door?

Eva slowly shook her head. It started back in July. I came outside to shake out a rug, and I saw this old man sitting on the curb with his head in his hands. It was hot and humid, and he didn’t have any sort of cap on, so I went over to the fence and asked him if he was okay. He told me he was, and he thanked me for my concern. I went inside and got one of your father’s old caps and gave it to him. He was so grateful.

You gave him one of Dad’s old caps? Rene asked, incredulous.

It was an old argument. Her daughter was adamant about Eva giving away any of Vernon’s things, even though it had been nearly seven years since her husband’s death.

Dallas sensed the growing tension between the two women, and stepped in. Bless him.

So you gave him a cap, and then what?

I didn’t see him for a few days. Then, one evening, I saw him walking down the sidewalk again. I waved to him. He waved back. I mentioned how hot it was, and he agreed. So I asked if he’d like a glass of iced tea.

So he just walked right in and you gave him a glass of tea, Rene remarked.

Eva smiled. No. Actually, he came in through the gate and joined me on the porch, and we talked while we each drank a glass of tea. She smiled at the memory. The next day, when I went outside to take the garbage can to the street, I found a rose lying on the top step.

Rene let go with an irritated groan. There was the sound of a slap, and Eva could envision the woman throwing up her arms, then letting them fall and hit her thighs. It was a reaction she’d made since she was five years old to anything she disapproved of. Come on, Dal. We need to get home before Chester trashes the living room again.

Turning around, Eva watched as her son-in-law tossed her an apologetic smile. It was a great Thanksgiving dinner, Mom, he told her. Walking over, he dropped a kiss on her cheek.

Here’s a suggestion. Give me a grandchild instead of a granddog, she half-teased.

We’re working on it! the young man called over his shoulder as he left the kitchen. Moments later,