Today I’m doing a day in the life of Samuel Craddock’s “down the street” neighbor, Loretta Singletary. Some people have told me they don’t like Loretta because she’s a gossip. But I’m very fond of her and maybe you’ll feel the same way when you get to know her better.
Loretta:
When I’m 80, I plan to stay in bed late every day, drinking coffee and reading, but until then I have too much to do! This morning I’m up at 5 o’clock baking Christmas cookies for the Methodist Church Christmas party tonight. If I’m going to take cookies over to the church by 2 o’clock, I have to get started.
The dough rested in the refrigerator overnight and while it comes to room temperature I sit down to write my son Gary an email. I know it’s a compliment that Gary thinks I’m sharp enough to learn how to use a computer, but every time I open it to send an email I feel as if I’m walking out onto thin ice. If I hit the wrong key, I can end up swimming below the surface, looking for a way to get back on top—meanwhile, being frozen out by all the things I don’t know. I tried to tell Gary that, but he said I was being dramatic.
This morning the computer smiles on me and I hear the little swooshing sound of the letter going off. But after I send it I realize the computer changed a couple of my words so that I sound like a crazy woman. Who would ever say something like, “I wash you and your family were already here.” But that’s what the letter says. I expect he’ll know what I mean.
When the first batch of cookies is in the oven, I run outside to do a little pruning. It’s that time of year and I try to do some every day. It’s my least favorite gardening activity, because I always imagine that it hurts the plant. Silly, I know, but there you are.
I’ve just taken the first batch of sugar cookies out of the oven when the phone rings. It’s 9 o’clock sharp, so I expect it’s Becky, making sure I’m up and baking. I don’t know why she volunteered to be in charge of the Christmas party. She’s the most nervous person I ever met. But it isn’t Becky on the phone, it’s Mary Ann Beasly with the news that Mrs. Summerfield, who lives next door to Samuel Craddock, took sick in the night and had to go to the hospital in Bobtail. They said it was nothing serious, but she’s almost 100, so I don’t know how they can be so sure. Mary Ann is in charge of the phone tree to get a prayer circle going. I don’t have time for this, but then I think, what will it be like when I’m that old—would I want some prissy woman say she doesn’t have time to pray for me?
I make myself sit down at the table and bow my head, hoping God doesn’t mind if I cut it short. Then I call the two ladies who come after me on the phone tree. I guess God heard my prayer because neither of them is home and I can leave a message on their machine and don’t have to talk to them.
While the next batch of cookies bakes, I decorate the first batch—little angels and wreaths. After a while I take a few minutes out to run some cookies down to Samuel’s house. If he’d come to the church party, I wouldn’t have to carry them over to him, but he’s stubborn like that. He says he doesn’t have any use for Christmas church parties. I need to tell him about Mrs. Summerfield, too, but his truck is gone and there’s no answer at the door. I set the plate of cookies inside. I’ll call him later.
The party starts at 6, and I’m in the rec room by 5:30 to help arrange the refreshments. Keeping busy is important when you’ve been a widow as long as I have. Hard to believe that Charlie has been gone for twelve years. Christmas is the hardest time and I’m blessed that my boys will be visiting me with their wives and sons. It would be fun to have a little granddaughter, but I’m thankful for those sweet boys.
I hear people arriving, the beautiful chatter of children, the voices of their parents trying to hold down their excitement. It’s time to go into the church service. Things will be lively for the next two hours. I’ll be glad to get into bed tonight.
You can read more about Loretta in The Last Death of Jack Harbin, the second book in the “Samuel Craddock” mystery series, published by Seventh Street Books. The first book in the series is A Killing at Cotton Hill . Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Book description of The Last Death of Jack Harbin
Investigating the brutal murder of a Gulf War veteran, Samuel Craddock uncovers a dark tale of greed and jealousy that extends into the past, and well beyond the borders of the small town of Jarrett Creek.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on January 21, and you will be entered to win a copy of The Last Death of Jack Harbin. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Terry Shames is the best-selling author of A Killing at Cotton Hill and The Last Death of Jack Harbin, Seventh Street Books. Her books are set in small-town Texas and feature ex-chief of police Samuel Craddock. Terry lives in Berkeley, CA with her husband and two rowdy terriers. She is Vice President of Norcal Sisters in Crime and on the board of MWA Norcal. For more information, please visit her website: www.Terryshames.com.
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In reading about this book, its storyline kind of reminds me of my own mother. So many parallels of Loretta and my moms life it makes me miss her even more now that she is gone. I would love to read this story further and find out how Loretta handles all the mysteries in her own life. Thank you
Loretta sounds like a fun character and I’m going to look for the first book in the series. Thanks for introducing me to another new author!
Sounds like a great book, Loretta sounds like a hoot. I would love to read this
I can relate! I’m looking forward to the time I can stay in bed late, drink my coffee and read! I’d love to start with this book in this series. It sounds really good! Thank you!
I love the way Loretta thinks!
Dru, I love your reviews. Thank you for this one!
Really looking forward to this book. I loved A Killing At Cotton Hill and Loretta is great!
Loretta is interesting – and that is the goal of a good character – be interesting to the reader.
That statement that when she is 80, she will stay in bed, drink coffee and read books hooked me! Thank you for the chance to win this very interesting book.
I have the first one on my t-b-r list..I guess I have to read it soon.
Thanks everybody for joining me on Dru’s Musings. And thank you to Dru for hosting me. I live in California, so some of you are three hours later than me.
I’m glad you like the idea of Loretta. She’s always busy–and sometimes a busybody. But she’s so real to me that know she’s a worthwhile person.
Terry — great introduction to Loretta. What a fun way to learn about characters. ~ Jim
The first book in this series has interested me and it’s been sitting on my book list for the longest time. Your post has only added to my resolve to read this series. Thanks so much for the post!
I already placed the first book in this series on my wish list. With your post, I now want to know how old Loretta is.
I have a dream…to stay in bed past 6 AM.
Sounds like a perfect read for me
I think I’ll like Loretta, too. I just wish she would deliver some of those sugar cookies to me.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Barbara, sounds like you’re like me–but I’ll probably always be up at 6.
Jennie, I think of Loretta as being in her 60’s. That may not seem old to you, depending on where you live. When I go to small-town Texas I’m always struck by how much people even in their 50s talk about how “old” they are. I don’t know what that’s about, but their attitudes seem older to me, too. Where I live I know people in their 90s who are vibrant members of the community and who don’t seem to think of themselves as old at all.
I have an adopted daughter who served in Afghanistan so any stories about vets interests me greatly. I’d love to be the lucky winner of this book.
Toss the hat Dru.
Love this character! Thanks for the chance to win.
We just did a month of older mystery sleuths. Will remember this book for the next time this comes around!!
noradrienne, doing the research for this book was a real eye-opener in terms of what we ask our young men and women to do for us and then the little we give in return…don’t get me started.
Ronna, who is “we” that did a month of older mystery sleuths? Sounds like an interesting thing, to focus on a particular sub-genre within the larger crime fiction genre.
I love the sound of Loretta, I like her plans for when she’s 80, I think I might make them my own, LOL.
Terry has a gift of making you feel her characters are your own friends and neighbors and live right next door! A read gift!!! Thelma Straw in Manhattan
Thelma, fans like you are like gold! Thank you for the kind words.
I like the fact that Loretta is keeping active. Give us all hope 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway, Dru.
Guess I’d better get to reading. Just got Cotton Hill one in my stack to read. And here’s the next one. After reading this posting, definitely moving it to the top of the queue. Thanks for the review and giveaway chance. Loretta sounds like a fun woman to know. I think living in Texas is harder on you & feel old before your time. 🙂
Lindar, this is for you: 🙂
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