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 12.04.2006
I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.
426. My new laptop is supposed to ship either today or in the next couple days!
427. I like how this One Thousand Gifts challenge is making go through the day and see more how God has blessed me.
428. Yesterday the pastor said something that never really struck me before. Married couples tend to start to sound alike and have the same gestures, to become more like each other the more time they spend together. That’s how it is with us and God—we’ll become more like Him the more time we spend with Him.
429. I discovered that knitting is a great way to get me to brainstorm. Something about the textile action, combined with repetitive visual, allows my brain to wander and think more creatively.
430. Bible in 90 Days, days 18 and 19: “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.” I Sam 15:23. Whoa! Strong words. I want to always be obedient and pliable for God, even though I’m not always. Thank God for His grace.
431. I got more snacks for me as I write, but this time I got healthier snacks: corn tortillas and non-fat refried beans for little bean burritos, celery and artichoke parmesan dip (the dip isn’t healthy, but I don’t use gobs of it with each celery), fresh fruit, and low-fat chips.
432. I was shocked to find I’ve somehow gained 7 pounds in 3 days even though I haven’t exactly gorged myself, but it was good because it made me look for healthier snacks when shopping this morning.
433. The sun on the trees is pretty today
434. The sun on spiderwebs is pretty, too
435. My husband and I had a good laugh in service, although we weren’t supposed to be laughing and we were trying hard not to be obnoxious or disruptive. It was a private joke between us in response to what the pastor said, and it was kind of heartwarming to share that moment of hilarity.
436. I exercised yesterday!
437. I made cards yesterday!
438. I got up early yesterday!
439. I went to bed early yesterday!
440. We had yummy home-ground hamburgers for dinner yesterday—sirloin and chuck. Man those things are good. Juicy and beefy.
441. I ate a lot yesterday, but I didn’t eat anything after dinner—no evening snacking.
442. I remembered to post my monthly column at WordPraise, Write Time: Working Full Time and Writing. I also posted another short article on dialogue at my Story Sensei blog.
443. I had a ball at Michael’s. There were more stamps for $1 each, plus ribbon for $1 each (even though the spools are only like 3 feet long). Yarn was on sale, so I bought some for my next knitting project.
444. I unraveled my knitting and instead used a larger gauge set of needles, and it’s much better.
445. My husband suggested a handy box for my yarns, so they don’t fly all over the floor when I’m knitting.
446. Had a good time watching TV with my hubby last night.
447. I was able to listen to several RWA workshops on MP3 while I was making cards. They were very useful for helping me with my current manuscript.
448. I found a great bag for my knitting supplies. I love being organized.
449. We had yummy organic mixed greens and herbs salad for dinner, and it was wonderful. I love the flavors.
450. I had fish, Greek sandwich style for lunch. Very tasty. I need to eat more fish during the week.
I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.
426. My new laptop is supposed to ship either today or in the next couple days!
427. I like how this One Thousand Gifts challenge is making go through the day and see more how God has blessed me.
428. Yesterday the pastor said something that never really struck me before. Married couples tend to start to sound alike and have the same gestures, to become more like each other the more time they spend together. That’s how it is with us and God—we’ll become more like Him the more time we spend with Him.
429. I discovered that knitting is a great way to get me to brainstorm. Something about the textile action, combined with repetitive visual, allows my brain to wander and think more creatively.
430. Bible in 90 Days, days 18 and 19: “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.” I Sam 15:23. Whoa! Strong words. I want to always be obedient and pliable for God, even though I’m not always. Thank God for His grace.
431. I got more snacks for me as I write, but this time I got healthier snacks: corn tortillas and non-fat refried beans for little bean burritos, celery and artichoke parmesan dip (the dip isn’t healthy, but I don’t use gobs of it with each celery), fresh fruit, and low-fat chips.
432. I was shocked to find I’ve somehow gained 7 pounds in 3 days even though I haven’t exactly gorged myself, but it was good because it made me look for healthier snacks when shopping this morning.
433. The sun on the trees is pretty today
434. The sun on spiderwebs is pretty, too
435. My husband and I had a good laugh in service, although we weren’t supposed to be laughing and we were trying hard not to be obnoxious or disruptive. It was a private joke between us in response to what the pastor said, and it was kind of heartwarming to share that moment of hilarity.
436. I exercised yesterday!
437. I made cards yesterday!
438. I got up early yesterday!
439. I went to bed early yesterday!
440. We had yummy home-ground hamburgers for dinner yesterday—sirloin and chuck. Man those things are good. Juicy and beefy.
441. I ate a lot yesterday, but I didn’t eat anything after dinner—no evening snacking.
442. I remembered to post my monthly column at WordPraise, Write Time: Working Full Time and Writing. I also posted another short article on dialogue at my Story Sensei blog.
443. I had a ball at Michael’s. There were more stamps for $1 each, plus ribbon for $1 each (even though the spools are only like 3 feet long). Yarn was on sale, so I bought some for my next knitting project.
444. I unraveled my knitting and instead used a larger gauge set of needles, and it’s much better.
445. My husband suggested a handy box for my yarns, so they don’t fly all over the floor when I’m knitting.
446. Had a good time watching TV with my hubby last night.
447. I was able to listen to several RWA workshops on MP3 while I was making cards. They were very useful for helping me with my current manuscript.
448. I found a great bag for my knitting supplies. I love being organized.
449. We had yummy organic mixed greens and herbs salad for dinner, and it was wonderful. I love the flavors.
450. I had fish, Greek sandwich style for lunch. Very tasty. I need to eat more fish during the week.
Comments
Hmmm....
Gotta eat now.
You're such a bad influence.
:0)