THEN THE OWL CALLED - EXCERPT LAVENDER BLUE

The grounds carried moist dirt and wet bark from the evening’s rain shower. The old oaks were swinging slightly in the breeze, and except for the soft rustling of the leaves, everything was still.

This calmed Joy as she walked toward the stables. She lightly knocked on the tall wooden door. Ben answered barefoot and shirtless, his belt unfastened for the night. If he noticed her glance, he gave no sign. She quickly looked up to meet his eyes.

He opened the door wider. “Coming in?”

She stepped in, suddenly warm and flushed. She leaned against the brick wall and felt the cool on her back.

A lantern glowed on the table beside the photograph—the one that he often moved or completely tucked away. She’d never asked who the girl was, nestled into his chest. She’d always wanted to ask, but she always thought he would tell her when he was ready.

He turned his back toward the kitchen, and she watched his muscles flex as he pulled another glass from a shelf anchored into the brick. Her eyes travelled down his back before she could stop them. She glanced away.

“Not ready for sleep?” his voice was low, but his rasp was softer than it had been in days.

“No,” she answered, relief settling in. She’d been afraid to come, but his anger appeared to have waned.

He poured two small shots of scotch. “Here, have a drink.”

Their hands brushed as he handed her the glass, and their eyes caught on one another—for a moment longer than needed. She took a step back and then sank to her safe place, the leather sofa by the fire. He sat on the stool near his drafting table, leaned back against its edge, and crossed his arms over his bare chest.

A silence fell, and they let it in.

Then the owl called, echoing across the grounds.

“Your spirit animal has returned,” Joy grinned. “Hooting like it owns the sky.”

“Owls are wise. Mysterious.”

“Oh, please!” Joy's exclaimed as her eyes lit up. “Hungry and dangerous.”

Ben studied her for a moment. “They’re romantic. In a rugged, nocturnal sort of way.”

“You think owls are romantic?” Joy smiled behind her glass.

Ben’s lips lifted. “Mate for life. Watch from the shadows. Don’t need to be loud to make an impact.”

“So let me get this straight. A haunted bird of prey who lurks in the dark and stares too much is romantic? Sounds like an urgent warning sign to run.”

Ben chuckled low. “Many of us observe before making a move. Staring is underrated.”

“Or some of us get stuck watching, and our chance slips out of our fingers, like a feather.” Joy’s words fell out innocently enough, but she noted Ben did a double-take. She hadn’t meant to flirt. Perhaps she had. She wasn’t sure.

He nodded slowly. “Silently strategic. Just waiting for the right time.”

She smiled again. “Or maybe it’s a coward with feathers.”

The corner of Ben’s mouth curled, and a flash of amusement filled his eyes.

“Feathers are useful.”

“Is that so?”

Ben took a sip of the amber. “Yes. For flying away when things get too tough. Or too real.”

The owl hooted again, and they both turned toward the panes of windows and the grounds beyond.

Silence settled again.

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ABOVE IS AN EXCERPT FROM

LAVENDER BLUE

Copyright © 2025, Calgary, Alberta by Pamela Tchida

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews or scholarly works.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

ISBN 9798272883230

EXCERPT: LAVENDER BLUE: THEN THE OWL CALLED

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