Page 1 of St. Lucia Escapades
Chapter 1
Moira
The End. Leaning back in her desk chair and smiling, Moria Donovan let out a relieved sigh. Finally, the rough draft of her latest novel was finished. This book had given her fits from the beginning. Even though she had plotted the story out, the second she began typing, the story took on a life of it’s own. That can be both a good thing and a pain in the ass for an author. Leaning forward, she moved the mouse. She quickly compiled the files, saved them and shot them off to her editor in New York. Once the email was sent, she shut down her computer, picked up her empty coffee cup and stood from the desk.
Moria headed for her kitchen, rolling her shoulders as she moved. She had awakened at around five that morning and unable to fall back asleep decided to try and get some writing done. It had worked too. Reaching her red Mr. Coffee pot, she refilled her mug. Glancing at her moving cat clock, the one where the eyes and tail move, before taking her cell from the charging dock on the counter. Exiting the kitchen and heading for her back deck, she dialed her mom.
“Hello,”
“Mornin’ Ma.” Moria greeted, her Irish blood playing out in her voice.
“Oh Moria my baby. I’m surprised yer’ callin’. Your Da and I figured you’d be locked in yer’ office writing.”Maureen Donovan chuckled, her own Irish lilt that matched Moria’s relaxed Moria even more.
“I had a bout of inspiration this mornin’ and was able to finish. I sent it to Holly about five minutes ago.”
Moria dropped into one of her deck chairs and breathed in the fresh spring morning. She loved DC in the spring. Especially in the area where her ground floor apartment was. Three blocks to the east was a park that was bursting with flowers this time of year. Not to mention her neighbors hanging flowerpots on the decks. So yeah, the smell of flowers was everywhere around her right now and she loved it.
“That’s wonderful me darlin’. I can’t wait to read it. When were you hoping to release it again?”
“Well, now the release date is set for September seventeenth. It will be at least two, maybe three weeks before Holly will get the rough draft back to me.”
“It’s April now, so barring any setbacks, this one will be ready by what, end of June?”
Moira laughed, “Aye Ma. You sound like Holly.”
Maureen snorted on the other end,“Considering you’ve been doing this since yer last year of college, yer ol’ Ma has picked up a few things.”
“Yer not old Ma.”
“Bless you dear, but I feel it sometimes.”
Moira took a sip of her coffee, “I hear you and Da are planning to retire at the end of the year.”
“Aye, we are. Yer Da is sixty-four and so am I for that matter. It’s time. I’ve been a nurse for forty-two years and your Da a Garda for just as long. We’re too old for this.”
Garda, Irish slang for police. Moira and her older brother Sean had been so proud of the life their parents had built for not only them, but for her and Sean as well. “And what will you two do with all that time? Travel?” Moira questioned.
“We’ve talked of that aye. Your Da would like to go back and visit Ireland again. We’ve no’ been back since yer grandparents died. You and Sean were only wee bairns then. It would be nice to see Belfast now, without all the troubles that were there when yer Da and I were growing up.”
“You and Da should. You two have always talked about going back to visit.”
“Aye. Well, let us get through the end of the year first.” Maureen laughed. “Now, I believe the tradition when ye finish a book is that you, me, and your Da have dinner out.”
“Yes, and keepin’ with tradition it’s Da’s turn to pick where.” Moira grinned.
“That it is. He’s at the station today, so I will call him and text you later this afternoon when he gets home.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m going to get a shower, then I think I’ll go for a jog in the park. It’s such a beautiful day.”
“You be careful out there and enjoy your run. Is breá liom tú.”
Moira couldn’t help but smile hearing her mother say, ‘I love you’ in the native Irish, “Is breá liom tú, ró-mamaí.”
“See, good thing me and your Da insisted you and Sean learn to speak Irish.”Maureen teased.
Moira couldn’t argue that. Hell, she had to admit, Irish was a very musical language and it kept that bond between her and Sean even stronger when they were young. They could talk to each other and not worry about being overheard since Irish wasn’t a language you heard much in America, even in DC. It was like their own private club. Moira said bye to her mom, polished off her coffee then headed inside to change for her jog.
Cord
