The trees are bare; our lawn is golden instead of green. What a gorgeous time of the year except for darkness; she covers the light and night falls too soon.
Dr. D discovered Tony Flanagan’s secret last week. He’s a good man opening his home and heart to foster children; a man to love.
excerpt:
Hacienda for Tiger and me as he pressed against my ankles in need of food. If he knew how to sing, the Rolling Stones “I Don’t Get No Satisfaction,” would be his choice. Then I saw a message light blinking on the land line and thought please no emergency.
Tony’s voice and my heart beat faster when he said, “Diane, if you can forgive me, please forgive me, let’s have dinner at one of your favorite places and since I don’t know the area very well, pick somewhere special where we can clear the air and get to know each other.
“Hi, Tony here,” and I laughed, the sound of his voice music, a symphony to my weary ears. “ Pick me up at eight, I know just the place, The Conch House on the ocean.”
A date, what do you think about that, Diane, not bad for starters like a baby learning to crawl, then walk, there’s hope. I weighed myself, not a pound gone; I don’t ask for much so I’ll walk every day, eat healthy and see what happens. If by tomorrow I haven’t lost two pounds, I’ll go back to my slothful lifestyle.
I have two large Grand Dogs. One is a Pit Bull ; the other is a Chocolate Lab. They love their Granny. I ask you why oh why must I dog sit every so often? I’m just a Gal who can’t say NO. Don works late tonight so I’m packing my pillow, jams, writing stuff and off I drive to daughter’s where the pooches wait for me. Shh, don’t tell but I do believe by next year, wedding bells are happening and I won’t sit any more for the Grand Dogs sweet as they may be.
Moving along with Dr.D and the Dad. Last week Tony admired Diane’s tomatoes in the fridge as she admired his butt when he leaned over.
excerpt:
. My youthful staff tended to saunter in soon after me from active social lives Saturday night and to my surprise, Tony hurried in with a small child in his arms.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ear ache, the sitter didn’t call me.”
Sitter? he said he didn’t have children.
“What’s your name, honey?” and I held out my arms, not meeting his eyes.
She sobbed and buried her wet face in my neck, “Maria.”
“Let’s take a look in your ear and see the bad booboo that’s hurting you.”
After a thorough check-up I beckoned with a follow me crook of my finger and led Tony to my private office.
“Maria has a severe ear infection; I checked his insurance papers; “Maria Gonzalez and your name is Tony Flannigan as I recall and you said you have no children so what’s this all about?”
There was, years ago, an old saying: Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet; give me something good to eat. On that charming note, we end Halloween Night. Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end. Last night, we drove to the city to meet Don’s cousin who qualified for the Marathon. All the way from California, this darling girl flew and we had a great time. Acting days of yore returned to me. I was in my glory carrying on like looney tunes, having a ball.
And now back to Dr.D and the Dad. When last seen, Diane opened the door and let Tony into her life
Excerpt:
Holding up the big graceful pink shell that carried an echo of the ocean, he said, “Where did this conch shell come from, I’ve never seen one this large.”
“My folks liked to canoe all over so every year we went down south to the Keys and there it was half buried in a dune.”
“Your home is so, um, cozy is the word, filled with things you care about,” and then Tony lifted Tiger and draped him around his wide shoulders and my damn cat purred loud enough for me to hear.
His obvious delight in learning about me and my background filled an empty place in my heart.
“Let’s make dinner unless you’d like to go out cause I’m a good short order cook.”
“ I must warn you, I haven’t shopped in days so slim pickings are what’s available in the fridge and you’re welcome to check it out.”
He leaned over peering in, my tabby clinging to his shoulders.
Nice butt, I thought.
“How ‘bout omelets with cheese and um, Diane, you have beautiful tomatoes.”
I covered my boobs, realized his head was still in the fridge while mine was in the gutter.
Hi Folks, the week continues with ear infections and throat infections for daughter and my grandest. What a week we’ve had. Meanwhile I’ve finished the book about the Costigan twins and I LOVE it. Titled Together Again, it should be released in two weeks.
Moving along with Dr.D and the Dad, we’re up to more fun as they get to know each other.
Excerpt:
“After our uh, collision, I’ll need a shower before my next client,” and Tony grinned to indicate his sand covered hard body deliciousness. A six-pack of ab muscles dared to show through.
The only heat between us would be the Florida sun once I stood up. I also had to be at the clinic before long and needed a shower and a change. And the tide was rolling in fast as I scrambled around on hands and knees to gather my belongings to finally struggle to a standing position.
“You know my name and profession and I know almost nothing about you except that you use vanilla scented shampoo; your neck and shoulders are tense but your skin is perfect.
“I’m Diane O’Rourke, head pediatrician at the walk-in clinic in town.” I stopped in the hot sand, regrouped belief in myself with a few breaths and thought I may be a bit overweight but so what, I don’t know any other woman in town who has accomplished so much. Fortified by the mental shot in the butt, I trudged behind Tony like a bear cub
And the days dwindle down. . .Actually the weather has been wonderful but troubles afoot, my friends, with daughters bunion surgery and a sudden major problem with my precious granddaughter’s blood cells in her dear chin explosion. She needed a bit of plastic surgery and a stitch in time. Frankly, this Granny is weary.
Moving on with the delicious story Dr. D and the Dad, The guy who resembles Antonio Banderas trips over the sand lump of Dr. D. Lets see what happens next.
excerpt:
I just lay there like a lox on a plate and continued to moan.
“Don’t move,” he said.
That’s the moment I fell in love with him, one of the moments.
“Tony Flannigan here, I’m a physical therapist.”
Gentle hands felt my neck and shoulders. He set my straw hat aside and ran fingers through my best feature to press my scalp. Peering through my dark wrap-around sunglasses, he smiled to display the whitest teeth on the East Coast.
“How about your ribs, any pain?”
Panic set in because Tony wouldn’t be able to find my ribs. Mom always taught me to clean my plate and that’s no excuse for a middle aged woman.
Once upon a time. . .That’s the way old fairy tales began long ago and some new ones still do. I dreamed of a woman not young, not slim, not HOT the way so many heroines are described these days. My woman is smart, pretty, a bit over weight and lonely. She’s a doctor who lives in a paid-up home on the beach in St. Augustine Beach, Florida. Now what? I wondered. How can I tell a story about her with romance, conflict, and all the ingredients needed to make a story interesting. So I began to write. My imagination conjured up a hero, a plan for them to find each other, background to round out, friends and more. Before long, with some sleepless nights, a story evolved; a new adventure for me and a title.
Introducing Dr. D and the Dad.
blurb:
A trip over a mound of sand on the beach begins a journey for Diane O’Rourke and Tony Flannigan. She’s a pediatrician, a bit over weight; he has a foster care home with three children under his sheltering wing… and a dark secret. Can they overcome the past and make the future work for them? They might just find the initial trip was well worth it.
The pediatric clinic closed at five o’clock. The staff hurried out calling to one another, “Meet you at Island Grill at nine. Don’t be late. A new hot band is playing tonight.” They were in their twenties through thirties. Everyone looked for companionship on Friday night and a whole lot more to follow on Saturday night, the loneliest night of the week for Diane O’ Rourke. I shrugged and locked up. Driving the mile home I wondered how to enhance my status. Online dating didn’t appeal to me. Was I destined to live life with a cat, as a healer of other people’s children, and no sex? A dim prospect and I’d have to do something before I got another day older. But what? The singles column in the Jacksonville News was awful. Men liked younger women, that’s a fact. Join a health club, yoga, weight watchers. Might be the answer. My patient’s parents would love to see a new improved me. I sure didn’t want to join some women’s group going to movies and events all over Florida including the Keys. My cat waited for me. Something tasty like chocolate must be in the freezer. My home, my cat, and was that all? I wondered. Nights are long in February, long and chilly with the ocean blowing heavy winds. I thought about building a fire and got over it. Too much effort. My unfaithful companion, a six year old orange striped cat named Tiger snaked around my ankles until a can of cat food was emptied into his bowl and he forgot about me. My new doctor’s jacket size 16 felt a bit snug when I finally removed it. What the hell? Must be a different brand. The colorful mumu I slipped over my head allowed me to breathe. Now for dinner. The male husky voice from the beach, from the shower fantasy, called from the screen door at the back. “Diane, it’s Tony from the beach this morning. I stopped by to see if you’re all right.” Tony from the beach? “Tony, I just came home, feeling fine and wondering what to make for dinner.” I hurried to the screen door and let him into my life.
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your support.
The trees are bare; our lawn is golden instead of green. What a gorgeous time of the year except for darkness; she covers the light and night falls too soon.
Author Charmaine Gordon 