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 04.09.2008
A few weeks ago, Captain Caffeine and I were invited to his cousin’s wedding down in Los Angeles. Aside from the fact I would be eating excellent Chinese food, I wasn’t looking forward to it because at weddings (especially L.A. weddings), I tend to be surrounded by these stick-thin gorgeous Asian girls who are at least 10 years younger and wearing fabulous dresses that would cost my entire book advance check.
But I digress.
We did the easy thing and picked out a Crate and Barrel card for their gift because, hey, I’m practical. I’d much rather get a gift card right off the bat than have to pack yet another toaster into the car to return for store credit.
Captain Caffeine had a brain fart and bought a wedding card rather than ask ME, who has lots of wedding cards or could MAKE one just as easily with the TONS OF STAMPS sitting in our living room.
But I digress yet again.
The Crate and Barrel gift card (the size of a credit card) came with this large square card and envelope, presumably masquerading as a wedding card or birthday card or whatever. But it looked depressingly like a Crate and Barrel card and not an actual wedding card.
The Captain suggested taking the credit card out and sticking it in the wedding card he’d bought, but I threw a fit. I forced him to go back to the store to return the darn thing for freakin’ FOUR BUCKS. Can you believe how much they charge for a card these days???
But I digressed big time.
I had a brilliant idea. The Crate and Barrel card and envelope COULD be a wedding card if it were fancied up a bit. I got this idea from my friend Sharon Hinck, author and also my partner in crime, who supplies me with stamps from Stampin’ Up.
I took some ribbon, some French/Paris style flower stamps, and the bride’s colors (moss green and gold) and came up with THIS!!!
What do you think? Please tell me you’re impressed. If you’re not, just lie to me and say you are.
A few weeks ago, Captain Caffeine and I were invited to his cousin’s wedding down in Los Angeles. Aside from the fact I would be eating excellent Chinese food, I wasn’t looking forward to it because at weddings (especially L.A. weddings), I tend to be surrounded by these stick-thin gorgeous Asian girls who are at least 10 years younger and wearing fabulous dresses that would cost my entire book advance check.
But I digress.
We did the easy thing and picked out a Crate and Barrel card for their gift because, hey, I’m practical. I’d much rather get a gift card right off the bat than have to pack yet another toaster into the car to return for store credit.
Captain Caffeine had a brain fart and bought a wedding card rather than ask ME, who has lots of wedding cards or could MAKE one just as easily with the TONS OF STAMPS sitting in our living room.
But I digress yet again.
The Crate and Barrel gift card (the size of a credit card) came with this large square card and envelope, presumably masquerading as a wedding card or birthday card or whatever. But it looked depressingly like a Crate and Barrel card and not an actual wedding card.
The Captain suggested taking the credit card out and sticking it in the wedding card he’d bought, but I threw a fit. I forced him to go back to the store to return the darn thing for freakin’ FOUR BUCKS. Can you believe how much they charge for a card these days???
But I digressed big time.
I had a brilliant idea. The Crate and Barrel card and envelope COULD be a wedding card if it were fancied up a bit. I got this idea from my friend Sharon Hinck, author and also my partner in crime, who supplies me with stamps from Stampin’ Up.
I took some ribbon, some French/Paris style flower stamps, and the bride’s colors (moss green and gold) and came up with THIS!!!
What do you think? Please tell me you’re impressed. If you’re not, just lie to me and say you are.
Comments
Camy
I just wrote an article on this same subject. If you are interested, it can be found here. http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=870199
Camy