Good morning and Happy Friday!
This month is flying! It's rather strange. I was working hard to get things done so I could relax and enjoy fall, but other things keep popping up that need done. But I am getting a lot done. I actually have blog posts (for Read Another Page) except for a few links done for the rest of the year! I'm ready for writing camp, the books I wanted to publish this year are published, and I almost have my lines memorized for the Christmas play.
Last weekend was really busy with kids here and stuff, but it was also fun. I didn't get any writing done last weekend, but I've been able to get some writing in this week. So many stories want to be written! I am trying to finish up "Finding Home" (not sure if it will get a different title or not), and "Kate & Kylie" want me to keep working on their story. But I have to get a Christmas story written to put in our Christmas cards this year. I am working on one, but it might end up too long, so . . . If it is too long, I'll have to write another one. And then I got an idea for another Homewood Christmas story for next year. Ha! Crazy. "A Homewood Christmas" releases on Monday (though I'll tell you a little secret: it's already published!) and some of us are talking about another collection. Hopefully this first book will sell well.
Okay, the weather. We had temperatures drop down into the 20s one night, and into the 30s two other nights. But today it's supposed to be 81º. Maybe that cold snap will make the rest of the trees change colors. Some already have, but others are still holding on to their summer dress of green.
Registration for KDWC is open now and we have over 80 campers signed up. The gates open on Tuesday. Busy times are starting. But it's a good busy. Lots of writing. I'm hoping that I can get a lot written during camp. And now I'll quit talking and let you read the next part of this story. One of these days maybe I'll get back to it and finish it. If you have any suggestions for why Bets needs her brother, let me know, because right now, I don't know.
“Hang on, Bets, I’m coming,” he murmured.
Arriving home, Lucas went inside and looked around. How long was he going to be gone? What sort of things should he pack? Should he let anyone know he was leaving? There were no parents to worry about his absence, and he only really knew one of his neighbors, but there would be some people at church who would worry when he didn’t appear for choir practice.
“Lists,” he muttered. “I need lists. But I should know where Wimberley is and how to get there first.” Logan Lucas Kent was nothing if not practical. He sat down at his desk and opened his laptop. Soon he had the route to the small town figured out. He printed the directions, just in case he couldn’t remember them later, and tucked them into the pocket of his laptop case.
“Now for the lists.”
Quickly he grabbed a legal pad and sat down at the table. Soon several pages written in his neat hand were spread before him. There was a list of who he needed to contact about his absence, a list of things he needed to take with him, a list of things that needed done at the house before he left, like making sure the fridge was empty of anything that would spoil in more than five days and taking out the trash, and he had a list of food items for the trip. He was thankful his work could be done anywhere and that he was his own boss.
After looking over his lists and feeling fairly satisfied that he hadn’t forgotten anything, Lucas began to get ready in an orderly, steady way. There was no jumping between tasks or leaving one half done because he’d suddenly remembered another thing. Clothes were packed quickly but neatly in his large suitcase. He had debated for a moment about how much he should take, but decided to be on the safe side in case he had to stay a little while. His sleeping bag and pillow were added to the growing stack by the door. A few books, his Bible, a few of his favorite CDs, and a newly filled water bottle all resided in a plastic tub. Everything he needed for work, his laptop, planner, notebook, and power cords were loaded into his laptop case and set near the other items.
Next he headed to the kitchen. The small cooler was packed to overflowing with items from his fridge. “At least I haven’t been to the grocery store this week,” he muttered, shaking his head when the lid wouldn’t shut. Finding it difficult to try and repack the cooler as he crouched on the floor, he took everything to the dining room table and spread it out. The small amounts of leftovers he dumped since he wasn’t sure he’d have a way to heat them up. Sandwich things like meat and cheese, lettuce and avocados, along with the half gallon of milk, jelly, hard-boiled eggs, and mustard now fit nicely in the cooler. “But I’m going to need salt and pepper and plates and– My camping stuff!” Lucas rushed into the garage and grabbed a sturdy box. He knew there were more things in the box than he needed, but he didn’t want to take the time to sort it out. Before he returned to the kitchen, his eyes landed on his inflatable mattress. “I don’t know if Bets will have enough beds. Better be on the safe side and take it with me.”
He packed another box in the kitchen with things like fruit, bread, some snacks, and the last bag of chips. “This ought to last me.”
The visit to his neighbor didn’t take long. The older man promised to keep an eye on Lucas’s place while he was gone. He didn’t ask any questions about why he as heading to Texas and told Lucas to have a good trip. As he walked back to his house, Lucas called up the choir director at church.
“Hey, Seth, this is Lucas Kent. I’m well, but I wanted to let you know that there’s been an emergency, and I will be leaving town for an unknown number of days . . . Yes, I am too. No, I’m not sure. Hopefully not too long . . . Thanks . . . Sure, I’ll let you know . . . You too. Bye.”
“I can text Nate later.” Shoving his phone into his pocket, Lucas began the task of loading his car. This only took a short time, and a quick walk through his house assured him that he hadn’t forgotten anything important. He’d taken the trash out, the fridge was empty, the AC was turned down, lights were off, and he had everything packed and loaded. Upon seeing his lists and leagal pad still on the table, Lucas grabbed them and carried them out to the car. “Never know when you might need some paper.”
Just before he pulled out of his driveway, Lucas paused. Was this a crazy idea? His practical side said it was. How was he going to find his sister even in a small town? Was he going to have to go to every house, knock on the door, and find out if Bethany Jordon lived there? It all sounded wild and ridiculous, not something someone as organized and methodical as Logan Lucas Kent would do. And yet he couldn’t get the words out of his mind.
“Key, I need you.”
He’d do almost anything to help his baby sister.
“Even leaving my orderly life for the unknown.” Bowing his head on the steering wheel, Lucas prayed, asking for help and safety, and for wisdom on how to help his sister. “And, Lord, please keep Bets safe right now. Be her strength and shield.”
1 comment:
Hi! This story is so good!! You should finish it!!! Pleeeease!!!!
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