キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな?』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう?もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
Captain’s Log, Stardate 12.08.2006
I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.
526. My scarf is coming along nicely. It’s so soft, I love it.
527. I’m starting to eat an ounce of nuts every day. It’s supposed to be very healthy, plus it has the good fats I probably need to lower my cholesterol. And there’s a lot of fiber, too.
528. I’ve been drinking cranberry juice every day, too, for my uterine tract. But I think next time I’ll buy the 100% juice instead of the cranberry cocktail. This stuff was cheap, but there’s tons of sugar.
529. I got my tea from Adagio today! I ordered samplers of Candy Cane (because I can’t find Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane anywhere, I’ll have to go to Whole Foods and look there) and Candy Apple (apple and caramel—Mmmmmm). I also ordered my favorite everyday tea, Adagio’s Irish Breakfast. Again, if anyone wants a $5 gift certificate for Adagio Tea, just e-mail me or comment. It’s a clever promo Adagio has where I can give them anyone’s e-mail address and they’ll e-mail a $5 certificate.
530. I cleaned out my room a bit and catalogued things I’m giving away to Salvation Army.
531. I organized my books a little bit today.
532. I raised my monitor a bit (when I’m sitting down) so let’s see if it’s good or not.
533. I got my stamps from Stampin’ Up today! Wow, that was fast! I’m very excited. I’ll be able to use the new stamps and the new paper for Christmas presents, now.
534. I’m loving Nichole Nordeman these days. Right now I’m listening to This Mystery. Some of the songs seem to relate very well to my heroine, Trish—especially “Fool For You.” I’ll post the lyrics at some point.
535. I found a stick of lip balm that doesn’t have those artificial stuff that I’m allergic to, so I can use it. :)
536. I exercised yesterday!
537. I got my new cross training shoes and used them for the first time yesterday. What a difference it made! My non-existent arches didn’t hurt like they did with my old shoes, which I think were too old.
538. I ate lots of veggies yesterday, including more of that organic fresh herbs and baby greens salad that I love so much. With extra virgin olive oil mixed with aged blackberry balsamic vinegar. Yum.
539. I’m so glad there’s no youth group tomorrow night. I can use the time to write.
540. I discovered I can use my wobble board when I’m standing and working at the computer.
541. I found a Korean soap opera available on Netflix and put it in my queue. I have K-dramas in my second book, so I have to watch one for research. Maybe I’ll also figure out why so many people in Hawaii are so hooked on them. I didn’t believe it until Mom told me about them.
542. I didn’t play with my new laptop today, I actually stayed focused and got work done instead. I’ll fiddle with it when this book is done.
543. During lunch, I enjoyed reading the Betty Neels book I’m in right now, whose title I can’t remember. LOL
544. I only read a little bit of my book at lunch and went right back to work.
545. I worked on my scarf while I was watching syndicated CSI Miami episodes (it’s become so addictive!)
546. I’m on day 23 of my Bible in 90 Days. God gave mercy and lenience even to mad, bad King Ahab. That just boggles my mind. But if He can grant mercy to even him, who worshipped pagan gods and sacrificed children and stuff, then I shouldn’t doubt God forgives me when I repent.
547. I’ve been in a good mood all day, listening to great songs and writing.
548. I drank lots of water today
549. I downloaded some free sheet music from worshiptogether.com today. Totally cool website!
550. I balanced my bank accounts and paid my credit cards yesterday
I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.
526. My scarf is coming along nicely. It’s so soft, I love it.
527. I’m starting to eat an ounce of nuts every day. It’s supposed to be very healthy, plus it has the good fats I probably need to lower my cholesterol. And there’s a lot of fiber, too.
528. I’ve been drinking cranberry juice every day, too, for my uterine tract. But I think next time I’ll buy the 100% juice instead of the cranberry cocktail. This stuff was cheap, but there’s tons of sugar.
529. I got my tea from Adagio today! I ordered samplers of Candy Cane (because I can’t find Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane anywhere, I’ll have to go to Whole Foods and look there) and Candy Apple (apple and caramel—Mmmmmm). I also ordered my favorite everyday tea, Adagio’s Irish Breakfast. Again, if anyone wants a $5 gift certificate for Adagio Tea, just e-mail me or comment. It’s a clever promo Adagio has where I can give them anyone’s e-mail address and they’ll e-mail a $5 certificate.
530. I cleaned out my room a bit and catalogued things I’m giving away to Salvation Army.
531. I organized my books a little bit today.
532. I raised my monitor a bit (when I’m sitting down) so let’s see if it’s good or not.
533. I got my stamps from Stampin’ Up today! Wow, that was fast! I’m very excited. I’ll be able to use the new stamps and the new paper for Christmas presents, now.
534. I’m loving Nichole Nordeman these days. Right now I’m listening to This Mystery. Some of the songs seem to relate very well to my heroine, Trish—especially “Fool For You.” I’ll post the lyrics at some point.
535. I found a stick of lip balm that doesn’t have those artificial stuff that I’m allergic to, so I can use it. :)
536. I exercised yesterday!
537. I got my new cross training shoes and used them for the first time yesterday. What a difference it made! My non-existent arches didn’t hurt like they did with my old shoes, which I think were too old.
538. I ate lots of veggies yesterday, including more of that organic fresh herbs and baby greens salad that I love so much. With extra virgin olive oil mixed with aged blackberry balsamic vinegar. Yum.
539. I’m so glad there’s no youth group tomorrow night. I can use the time to write.
540. I discovered I can use my wobble board when I’m standing and working at the computer.
541. I found a Korean soap opera available on Netflix and put it in my queue. I have K-dramas in my second book, so I have to watch one for research. Maybe I’ll also figure out why so many people in Hawaii are so hooked on them. I didn’t believe it until Mom told me about them.
542. I didn’t play with my new laptop today, I actually stayed focused and got work done instead. I’ll fiddle with it when this book is done.
543. During lunch, I enjoyed reading the Betty Neels book I’m in right now, whose title I can’t remember. LOL
544. I only read a little bit of my book at lunch and went right back to work.
545. I worked on my scarf while I was watching syndicated CSI Miami episodes (it’s become so addictive!)
546. I’m on day 23 of my Bible in 90 Days. God gave mercy and lenience even to mad, bad King Ahab. That just boggles my mind. But if He can grant mercy to even him, who worshipped pagan gods and sacrificed children and stuff, then I shouldn’t doubt God forgives me when I repent.
547. I’ve been in a good mood all day, listening to great songs and writing.
548. I drank lots of water today
549. I downloaded some free sheet music from worshiptogether.com today. Totally cool website!
550. I balanced my bank accounts and paid my credit cards yesterday
Comments
I haven't posted in a while, but I've really been enjoying your Thousand Gifts. I like tracking along with you because you work so hard at finding healthy things to work into your everyday life. I'm so impressed!
I'm so addicted to CSI: Miami on A&E. I watch it practically every night. I love how terrible Horatio's character can be sometimes. And congrats on the new shoes! I think people don't realize that you need to get new shoes more often than you think you do. Have fun with them!
Sarah