During this time our shipment of the first edition of Molly O'Malley and the Leprechaun came in, so I'm very excited to get copies out to all of my fans who were waiting for their book! Plenty of copies still available, and I'm extending the initial discount for a little while longer.
I'm going to start creating podcasts of Charlie and the Chess Set and posting them here on the blog.
For today, here is a short story about resolutions - marginally, at least, but I was looking for something a little bit January.
Agent Jason Stone approached the front door warily. He checked behind him; no sign that he was followed here. The street was quiet, with streetlights casting halos that clung to the road, leaving the yard and entryway cloaked in the late-night darkness.
Pressing a small button on his keychain, a dim LED illuminated the lock. He selected a key and carefully slid it into the cylinder. Soundlessly he opened the deadbolt, swung the door open and stepped into the foyer.
The first floor was clear, but what he was looking for was on the second floor. Jason tested the steps. No squeak, he was in luck. At the top of the stairs he took the hallway to his right, second door on the left. He turned the knob and peered in.
Clare was asleep, as he had anticipated. He watched her from the door for a moment, drinking in her beauty as she breathed softly.
Next he moved back down the hallway to the door he had passed by. He rested his hand on the knob and paused. He wondered if he was too late. Slowly he pushed the door open to find Michael’s eyes fixed upon him. “Come in, Agent Stone.”
Jason stepped into the room and casually draped his jacket over the chair. “Good evening, 006. Is everything in order?”
Michael smiled. “You’re the one coming back in from a mission. How did it go?”
Agent Stone smiled in return. “Well enough, I suppose. I made it back in one piece. You’re up late.”
“I worry about you when you’re out. Anyway, ‘M’ is waiting for you.”
Jason nodded and picked his jacket up. “Well, I’d best report in, then. See you in the morning.”
Proceeding past the staircase, Jason approached the final door at the other end of the hallway. He opened the door slightly. The lights were out, but he could tell that ‘M’ was there.
He hung his jacket in the closet and changed into his PJs. Slipping under the sheets, he wrapped his arms around Maggie and kissed her passionately. She touched his lips with her finger. “Are you still playing that silly ‘Secret Agent’ game with Michael?”
“Who? You mean 006? That is his age. It’s hard to believe that Clare is almost nine now. I’m glad I resolved to take the late flight home after the conference instead of waiting until tomorrow. I miss you guys something awful. Family comes first this year.”
Maggie smiled. “I resolve to love you even more,” she whispered. “It’s a new year, Agent Jason Stone, and your new mission is to be the perfect family man.”
Jason grinned. “Now some resolutions you just want to keep!”
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