Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Santa Claus Needs Some Loving


Santa Claus Needs Some Loving




The twinkling stars shining on the snow always makes me long for home. It’s the first day of the Christmas season and love is in the Centralia Air.

I am headed over to help decorate the town hall and sing a few songs. I think there are a few happily ever afters about to take place. My first couple is Zach and Meredith.

Zach Reed is the local barber he owns Reed Barbershop. He’s handsome with those chocolate brown eyes and sexy swagger. At 6’6 he was a standout basketball player in college then he spent 10 years with the Celtics. After retirement he and his wife Shannon moved back to Centralia. Zach and Shannon divorced about 5 years ago. Every since his divorce Zach has been looking for love.

I have arranged for Zach Reed to play Santa Claus this year for the little ones and Meredith Matthews is his helper.

Meredith Matthews has been love with Zach Reed since she moved back to town 4 years ago. Sweet Meredith owns the town candy store Chocolate Lady. Meredith is petite and reminds me of a fairy with all that long black hair. Her eyes remind me of Elizabeth Taylor with their unusual purple hue. The poor dear is 5’4 but we all pretend that she is taller.

Try as I might I have never been able to get these two together. This year I think I will sprinkle a little Christmas magic around and see what happens.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Always Abigail……………….The Mayor & Baking



Mayor Fields is such a lovely women. She's single and I think our Jeff will make a nice companion for her.

“Mayor Fields, I am so delighted that you are my baking partner. I see great possibilities for our shared baking experience”

"Are these the decorations for the courtyard? Pointing to the small wagon of fall festival decorations. Always Abigail begins to smile and turn around.

I just love fall!" Twirling around with her bright smile Always Abigail does a little dance.

Always Abigail! Lord help me!

Always Abigail is nothing but a trouble maker of the highest order. I am not sure what she's up! That smile of hers has me cringing. It's that “I have a man for you smile” she always gets when she's around people that are single.

I can assure you whatever it is I get the feeling I am not going to like it.

“I am so excited about these baking classes at Chastity’s. I have several dozen recipes I have been dying to try!"

The women does go on and on about nothing. I actually like Always Abigail. I love to see her and her poison pen devour the single population one single at a time.

The woman has skills when it amour. Who else could have gotten the king and queen talking again.

She’s in my baking class that has to means she’s trying to set someone else up. I am not sure Always Abigail is the cooking type. She always seems to be writing.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Always Abigail……………………… ..The Baker






The brisk winds of fall came tumbling in to the village last night. It's constant companion snow descended upon the village like a light dusting of sugar on corn flakes.

I love fall in Centralia. The trees are turning colors the sights and sounds of autumn always make me smile. Growing up in the south I never experienced a true winter, until I moved here. I am always excited about the start of fall.

One of the hall marks of autumn in the village is the celebration that takes place from the first weekend in October till the Fall Festival and Halloween on October 31.

Each weekend in October there is a party or small festival that celebrates autumn.
One of the things I love most about the B&B is the beautiful stone fireplace in the living room. Jessie makes sure on nights like last night the fire never goes out. That is one of the things I am going to miss living in the B&B full time. My own personal fire starter.

I am moving to the carriage house adjacent to the B&B. The carriage house dates back to the late 1700. King Jacques at the suggestion of Queen Sophia (whose good graces he wants to get back in) was nice enough to send over a couple of strong shifters to assist me with the move after the picnic.

That nice of him!(as you said Always Abigail anything for my Queen. I think the king just gave me the finger)!

I am headed over to Queen Sophia’s. She and I are going to help decorate the courtyard square for the season. After that I am headed off to learn to bake.

Chastity’s Bakery has really fabulous classes on baking cookies. I want to bring cookies to every party I go to this fall. This should be really nice. A lot of the women in Centralia will be taking this class.

I see Mayor Fields. I think I pop over and say Hi!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Always Abigail....................Plotting















“Will your husband be kicking my ass soon Sophia? I would prefer not to bleed if at all possible today. You and Always Abigail and you’re crazy scheme are going to get me killed. Honest to the goddess you need to make up with Jacques.”

“Rhys Jacques will kill us both if Always Abigail plans don’t work.” Sophia sighed looking like a wayward child.

“Let me share a little secret with you Sophia. Killing me will be his pleasure. You will never die at his hands”.

“Rhys Jacques is not going to kill you.”

“Really how do you know I want destroy your lover.”

Standing in door way of the dairy process plant with his full security team Jacques walked over to Sophia. Looking up at him she realized she still loved his was sexy swagger.

So she still loved him but his lies had destroyed their marriage.

“Jacques, you are not going to kill anyone especially not Rhys so stop with the posturing. We are leaving.”

“He can leave we need to talk.” Blocking her exit Jacques prepared for battle with his mate if he had to he would use everything he had to hold on to her including sex. There was no way he would allow the two of them to spend a cozy afternoon enjoying a picnic by the lake.

“Jacques, I see your WIFE coming. I think it best I leave you to her”

Lila was rounding the corner walking toward them. Dressing in purple and white she looked beautiful. Catching Rhys hand for support Sophie left the processing plant with her back to Jacques as the tears started to run down her face.

“Sophia”

“Not now Rhys I am the older sister you are the younger brother. Don’t say a word. Please don’t threaten to kill Jacques again. I still love him.”

“Mom!” Jack came racing toward them. “Are you ok?”

“You and dad need to work this out. Dad is not giving up. He is determined not to lose you.”

“Jack this is between your father and I. I love you son but stay out of this. I am going to walk over to the bunkhouse and admire the beautiful flower beds. I will join you both at the picnic in a little bit.”

“Uncle Rhys, you still haven’t told dad you’re moms’ brother. Let me guess Always Abigail is behind this.”

“I still haven’t figure out how you knew Jack.”

“The two of you look alike.”

"Jack, I have never looked like a woman” Laughing Rhys patted Jack on the back.

“Come on your twins. Dad can’t see it. I am sure Always Abigail has something to do with that.”

“Actually I asked Always Abigail not to say anything to your father or anyone for that matter. I am here for two reasons and the main one is your parents. Sophia and Jack are both stubborn and they have reached an impasse it’s up to me to help my sister.”

“You haven’t told her you know Lila is your mother”

“No and I am not going to. She can’t handle it between Dad and Lila. Mom has enough stress on her. She does not need to know I am talking to Lila or that she is your mate."

“How did you figure that out?”

“I’ve known she was my mother since I was 6 and she sent me a letter I intercepted from the mail when dad was away on territory business. As for her being your mate Always Abigail dropped a hint with her poison pen.”

“I should have known that woman could not mind her own business. I see Jacques is going toward the bunkhouse.” His security team was headed for the picnic area. I would say your father does not plan for your mother to join the picnic.”

“No good could come of this. Barley must be in on it. He talking to mom and slowly moving her around. Now he’s showing her the flower beds in front of the cabin dad just went into. The old bastard is up to his old tricks.

“You are not going to stop your mother from going that way Jack?"

“Nope it would do no good. Besides I am hungry I smell cotton candy. That’s how I ended up at the processing plant. I am headed to the picnic to my food and moms looks like the whole town has turned out.

She needed time to think. Walking towards the first set of bunkhouse she collided into Barley.

“I am sorry Barley I was thinking. How are you doing the farm looks marvelous? I am so glad Always Abigail invited me to the picnic.”

“Queen Sophia I am honored that you came.” Smiling at Queen Sophia he looked over her head to see Jacques signaling him to direct her to the bunkhouse as he was going inside of. Shaking his head he gave a small nod of agreement.

This was Always Abigail’s doing. The woman was a menace to society. She played both ends to the middle and the meeting ground was happily ever after.

Looking around as the queen talked he noticed Jacques security force going toward the picnic area. All but Jeff he would provide protection while Jacques and his mate talked. Rhys and Jack observed what he did this was a set up.

Most likely this was Always Abigail’s doing. Where was the little minx anyway? She seemed to be missing. Scanning the area he saw her at the gate to the C& C with Beth and Becca. What the hell was Beth doing here?

“Queen Sophia I’ve started a new bed over by the second bunkhouse. I called last week for your advice on how to replant trees in that area. If you would be so kind as to look at them and give me your expert design advice then invoice me for our consultation I would appreciate it. “

Thank the goddess Always Abigail had suggested he call the queen last week when he planned the picnic or his head would be on the chopping block for interference.


He was certain when the queen found herself alone in the bunkhouse with her mate she would analyze every move she made. The poor women would never realize like he just did Always Abigail set this whole thing up for a specific purpose.

Walking faster he headed to the gate something was not right and he got the feeling he would soon be on the receiving end of Always Abigail’s poison pen.

Walking up the trail Sophia saw the beautiful flower bed. Looking around she saw the plant Barley mentioned on the porch. Climbing the stairs she reached to inspect the plants as she was grabbed and gently tugged into the bunkhouse.

“Now mate we will have that conversation you denied me minutes ago.”

Pulling her close Jacques kissed his queen. As their tongues tangled Sophia at first fought for control realizing that would never happen with Jacques she give in to her mate.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Always Abigail................Sophia & Lila


“You think I should forgive him”

“I am not sure”

“How long have you known?”

“Since this morning, there has always been something there I could not explain. Jack also knows I think.”

“Jack is why you are here. Jacques and I have screwed up his opinion of relationships. He’s scared he will be like his father.”

Looking at the lake Queen Sophia seemed older. Her raven hair flowing she looked like a Creole princess.

“Always Abigail I am a Creole Princess.”

“So, no boyfriend”

“No boyfriend”

“But you can’t tell him. Let me think otherwise”.

Smiling at the Queen I realized it was her story I was going to tell. Queen Sophia the wayward wild child bride of a king who grew old before his time.

Beyond the beautiful smile was a woman scorned by the betrayal of her husband. Lila was the woman her husband mated. Lila was his true mate. She was the woman who haunted her marriage.

There is so much more that Queen Sophia did not know. The secret he could not tell. He had love Lila. If he had been allowed to choose his choice would have been hard but in the end he would have choose love.

Deep inside she did know. Sophia knew the choice would not have been her. Lila was his mate. Sophia held his heart and soul. She was the air in his lungs the reason he lived in an old man’s body. Choosing Sophia sent his immortal body into the aging process.

The pain of his betrayal was at the heart of their separation.

“Always Abigail you make it sound like my fault that I am his mate”

“Lila?”

“Yes, Lila, the home wreaker! I thought I was supposed to be a minor character in this story Always Abigail. It was my understanding I would get a mention and or a shout out and that was it. Now it’s poor Queen Sophia and that whore Lila who broke up her marriage.”

“Lila your role in the story is getting bigger and I am not sure why.”

“Always Abigail you don’t like me do you”.

“I can’t say I do.”

“You think I broke them up.”

“No, I think you helped a bad relationship end sooner than it was supposed to.”

“Why and how am I his mate”.

“Well, it’s a long story if you got a minute.”

“Of course I do”

The first time they collided Sophia Breaux was sliding down a banister in her father’s house. Jacques the new Alpha of the Centralia pack was coming through the door with her father when bam he was tangled in a wade of raven hair.

The young woman that greeted him was a mess of arms, legs and the sweetest smile Jacques had ever saw in his life. He was smitten.

Jacques was in town for Alpha training and the wayward Sophie who was home for the Christmas holidays. They ended up colliding a few more time that week. With nothing more than smiles and curious glances the two of them parted ways and went back to their regular lives.

A few years later when Alpha Breaux died Jacques attended the funeral. He and Sophia collided again on that same banister. Reconnecting over dinner Jacques comforted Sophia that night.
Never the right time had they parted again going back to their separate lives each vowing to stay in touch.

The two of them could not forget each other, yet they went on with their lives. This is where you come in the story. A year later Jacques meets and mates you. He loves you more than rainbows.
The only problem you are not his true mate you are his mate select.

“What the hell is a mate select?”

“It’s when someone loves someone enough to bond with them on a level so close to a true mate they can have all the joys and ups and downs of a mate until they cross the path of their true mate. Then they can choose a full bond with their select mate or they can bond with their real mate. Either way it is a tough chose and someone ends up hurt. A mate can also choose to have his memories whipped out by a strong alpha.

“So, am I the true mate of the mate select.”

“I am not sure. No one has told me”.

“He and Sophie still have a relationship”.

“Yes they do. Jacques loves her but I am not sure what he really wants and neither is her”.

“Why are they still sleeping together”

“Love is the only word that comes to mind”.

“What is going to happen to me?”

“I am not sure”.

“Can I get on with the story now?”

Shaking her head yes I continued.

Five years have pasted since you and Jacques mated. Three weeks have passed since you give birth to Jack.

You feel incomplete. Jacques territory of Centralia has grown to cover the outskirts. Although you have plenty of help, a maid, chef, and nanny you complain of being overwhelmed.

You asked Jacques for a little time to yourself. Six months you say, to go to Paris and study art.
Reluctant Jacques agrees. You leave with the understanding that in 6 months you will come back.

After 6 months you don’t want to leave Europe you want to be free. Jacques gives you your freedom.
In the 6 months that you have been gone Sophia has moved to town to open her design shop Sophia’s Design Emporium she has also reconnected with Jacques. She’s even taken a liken to his son Jack.

Sophia is in love so whatever explanation Jacques gives her about your absence she accepts.
Time passes quickly, they fall in love and marry and began to have children of their own. In all this time except for the occasional letter you and Jacques rarely communicate. You have however kept up with Jack’s life.
You are unaware Jacques has married and has other kids.

You have also moved on with your life.

After 16 years you return home to Centralia. You have found your true mate and would like for Jack to relieve you of your mate status with him.

Sophia never knew you and Jacques were mates.
You Lila are woman who left her husband and child for16 years.
Now you come back home pissed that Jacques has moved with his life.

“Yes my dear Lila you are a hellcat”.

Always Abigail..........................King Jacques












Always Abigail the irksome woman had given him more frown lines in the past year than his first 1,000 upon the earth. The woman was a troublemaker. Every day one of his pack was calling him about her meddling. He’d only agreed to let the minx come to town for Sophie.

Always Abigail was supposed to find a mate for his son Jack not everyone in town including his headstrong mate. The old battle-ax wanted to find his mate a boyfriend.

He and Sophie had been separate for 150 years. That was not to say they did not indulge in the occasion bed sport. That was perfect between the two of them. If only he could heal the broken relationship. That would not be possible if Always Abigail had her way and gave his mate to another. The woman’s pen was poisoned.

Looking at the river he saw Sophie smiling and talking with Rhys Cacao his rival. This was the man that Always Abigail had chosen for his mate. He would be dammed if Sophie would take another mate. Marching toward the lake he decided to lay down the law to Always Abigail, Rhys and his wayward mate.

“Dad” Blocking his path was Jack. Jack was his eldest, the next alpha of the pack if he ever found a mate. That was what Always Abigail was supposed to be doing. The irksome little trouble maker was suppose to be writing a story for his son not meddling in his affairs.

“Yes, son, what is it”.

“Um, I think you are making a big mistake if you go over there with that look on your face. Mom’s not going to be happy. Always Abigail is her friend “.

What Jack said was true Sophie thought the world of the Abby . Dammit what was he suppose to do let the blasted woman write him out of his wife’s life?

“Dad I think you need to talk to mom and not umm yell or issue ultimatums.” Looking at his son he realized what he said was true. The only thing was he was losing his mate and he could not live with that. Sophie was his and there was no way in hell Always Abigail was writing his out of her life period.

“Jack when you find your mate I hope all that works for you. Cause it sure as hell will not work for me. Stomping off Jacques headed toward the lake.”

Watching as his father and his security team headed to towards his mother Jack sighed. This was not going to turn out good. His mother and father gave him the he-bi-gibes when it came to relationships. They had been separated since his birth.

Correction they had not lived together since before he was born. He found that out when he was thirteen and walked in his mothers bedroom thinking her alone found his father there in bed with his mother.

The two of them could give lessons in screwed up relationships. Looking around he was overcome with the smell of cotton candy. Taking a deep breath he turned to Levi head of his personal security team motioning for him follow him as he looked for the source of the sweetest smell to ever capture his nose.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Always Abigail…….The Country Cow


















The Country Cow Dairy Farm is one of my favorite places to visit on the outskirts of Centralia. One of my favorite things about the farm is of course its owner Barley Gibbs. The other is the ice cream! Barley makes the best homemade ice cream in Centralia.

The Country Cow is a working dairy farm. Since its opening the C & C has delivered milk in glass bottles to residents 7 days a week rain sleet or snow. Barley uses his fleet of snowmobiles during the winter to deliver milk.

The majestic beauty of the farm always leaves visitors breathless. The big red barn which displays the Country Cow logo never fails to take my breath away. Surrounded by trees the barn is a historical landmark that inspires artist from around the world to sit for days capturing it’s beauty.

The Country Cow allows visitors to get a little R&R in the bunkhouses in back of the main house. The beautiful country cottages are romantic and restful.
Well, I am all most to the main house. I see Barley and so of the others from the outskirts are here.

Oh, dear I wish I had added a sweater to my things…..I am off to enjoy my the last day of Summer in Centralia.