Meet Lisa Bilbrey, this week's featured author who is sharing an excerpt from her book titled "Life's Unexpected Gifts"
Life's Unexpected Gifts --
“Hey, Emma.” Yanking the door
shut behind him, he shuddered. “It’s getting colder.”
“What on earth are you doing
out in that mess?” I asked, moving around the counter and pouring him a cup of
coffee. He took a seat at the counter, laying his coat on the stool next to
him. “You’re not working today, are you?”
“No, the old man’s down near
Austin; something about a new tracker that’s supposed to make harvesting his
fields easier.”
“Jeb’s actually looking at
technology made in this century?” I teased. “What’s the world come to?”
Lucas laughed, his eyes
lighting up in amusement. “That’s what I said. You know Gramps, though; it
won’t be more than a week before he’s complaining about something not working
right.”
“Yeah, that sounds like him.
Are you eating or just enjoying the coffee?”
“Do you have any of your apple
pie?” he asked, eyeing the glass case behind me.
“There might be a piece or two
left. Ice cream?”
He nodded. “Please.”
Placing the larger of the two
slices onto a plate, I added a scoop of vanilla ice cream and set it down in
front of him with a smile. He moaned the moment the dessert touched his tongue.
He came in almost every day,
asking if I had any pie for him. I’d started sticking one in the back just for
him.
While he savored each bite, I
worked on restocking the front. I knew every time Daisy worked the early shift
that I’d have to clean up after her. I didn’t really mind so much; it helped
the day go by just that much faster. My father always said that idle hands were
a waste of time. I never believed him until after he’d passed. Now I sought
after anything that kept me busy. It was in those few moments where I stood
still that I thought of him the most.
Once Lucas finished his pie and
coffee, he stood up and put his coat back on. Fishing his wallet out of his
back pocket, he slipped a ten onto the counter. “Have a good day, Emma. Give me
a call if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Lucas,” I replied,
feeling my cheeks warm from his attention. “Be careful. The roads are getting
slick.”
“I will.”
The rest of the day went by
painfully slow. Due to the sleet changing into heavy snow, people weren’t
coming in to eat, choosing to scrounge around their houses rather than pay the
five dollars for one of Jay’s famous cheeseburgers, even if they were the best
in the county. After three hours without a single person coming in, Jay huffed
and announced that we were closing early.
Hugging my coat around my body,
I stepped through the backdoor and took a deep breath. The night had turned
colder and a light layer of snow dusted the ground. Being extra careful, I
walked over to my truck, pulling open the door. Gasping, I found an origami
butterfly sitting on the seat. It was made from blue paper with little pink
roses.
I smiled and picked it up, turning
it over in my hand to admire it from every angle. Dropping my eyes down to the
seat, I found a piece of paper folded in half.
Opening the note, I brought my
fingers to my lips as I read.
In Japan, the butterfly
symbolizes a new beginning and long life.
I hope this makes you smile,
like you did for me today, love.
Author: Lisa Bilbrey
Lisa Bilbrey
Biography—
Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and
has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996.
Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller.
Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller.
In late 2011, Lisa opened
Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley.
Links—
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