Just not writing at the moment. I've decided that writing only one chapter a week or so really doesn't work for me. The story gets disjointed and dreadful (more so than it already was), and I feel worse each time I post. I'm NOT giving up these stories, though. I think I can make some time in my schedule (I really want to make time) to get a chapter up at least every second day. Because of some upheavals around my place at the moment, though, it might take a week or two before my schedule is even remotely back to normal. I'll post at SteeleWriting when I've begun again. You're all fantastic readers, so I know you'll understand!

Helen

Laura stared at the case file in her hand, blankly skimming the opening paragraph for the tenth time. After realizing that, once again, none of what she’d read had sunk in, she closed the folder and relaxed back into the couch. It didn’t seem to matter that she couldn’t work tonight. Her mind was happily preoccupied with house payments, moving arrangements, and even the changes she would have to make to her morning schedule to get to the office on time when the new distance between work and home was measured. ( Read more )

Tags: neighborhood steele

Steele called the realtor from the limo. Laura listened anxiously to his side of the conversation, almost sure that they would be told the house had been sold an hour ago.

“Yes, we’re sure,” Steele said. “No, we don’t need to see the inside before making a decision.” ( Read more )

Tags: neighborhood steele

They jogged across the street and up the winding front path, admiring the garden as they went.

Steele took a deep breath and said. “I love a good garden.”

After waiting at the door for several minutes, Steele peered in one of the front windows. “It’s empty,” he remarked. “Come on.”

“What?” Laura asked, following him as he made his way around to the backyard.

“Just a peek, Laura,” he pleaded. “I won’t even leave a scratch.” ( Read more )

Tags: neighborhood steele

I forgot to say, in the previous post, how much I appreciate everyone's encouragement. It's nice to know that people are interested in reading this and that they're not putting any pressure on me to hurry. Thanks!


“Thank you, Mrs. Evans,” Laura said, smiling as she shook the hand of a thirty-something woman with pretty blonde hair.

“You’re most welcome,” Mrs. Evans returned. “I hope you find them.”

Steele shook her hand as well, and he and Laura made their way to the sidewalk in front of the Evans home. “She didn’t seem suspicious either,” he said wearily, looking around the street. “Why don’t we let go of this, Laura?” ( Read more )

Tags: neighborhood steele

“There,” Steele said as they closed the door to the apartment behind them. “That wasn’t so bad. No embarrassing questions.”

“Not yet,” Laura put in, but she smiled. “They all love you. You didn’t have anything to worry about either.”

He smiled. “No, I didn’t. I like Frances and Donald. And the kids.” He looked down at the drawing in his hand. “It’s customary to hang these on the refrigerator, isn’t it?” ( Read more )

Tags: neighborhood steele

I just wanted to apologize for the lack of chapters recently. A combination of writer's block, no time, an illness I'm just getting over, and other things on my mind hasn't been conducive to much productivity story-wise. I haven't abandoned it, though, and with any luck there'll be some new parts in the next few days. I hope you (if anyone's still bothering to check!) understand.

I wonder which episode I should watch to get my motivation back...

The conversation over dinner stayed, for the most part, in the realm of safe, casual chatter. It was only when Frances finally asked about wedding arrangements that Steele and Laura grew slightly nervous.

“San Francisco! What a wonderful idea!” Frances exclaimed. “Mother will like it.”

“Mmm,” Donald agreed, “And Elizabeth already lives there. It’s always best if she doesn’t have to travel at her age.” ( Read more )

Tags: neighborhood steele

Frances answered the door almost before the bell sounded. She hugged Laura tightly before turning to Steele and giving him a warm, if slightly awkward smile.

“Come in, come in!” Donald called from the room behind. “Steele, can I pour you drink?”

The flurry of hugs, handshakes, and excited shrieks from the children when they saw the Auburn parked in the driveway left Steele looking a little dazed. As they followed Frances into the living room, Laura whispered, “Are you alright?”

Steele gave himself a little shake and nodded. ( Read more )

Tags: neighborhood steele

Sunday afternoon passed far too quickly for Laura’s liking. Before they had begun living together, weekends seemed to drag on and on; two whole days of unproductivity and loneliness. Now, however, she found herself looking forward to them eagerly and treasuring the time she and Harry could spend alone. ( Read more )

Tags: neighborhood steele