Gems of Gratitude

Gems of Gratitude

Gems of Sisterhood 2

The Sisterhood

This book is a work of fiction by a variety of authors. Any names, characters, places, and incidents are entirely fictional and products of the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, locations, or incidents, is coincidental.

© 2016 by Metamorph Publishing and The Sisterhood: Alana Madden, Lily Luchesi, Elizabeth Horton-Newton, Lilian Surgeson

Cover art © 2016 by Markie Madden

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means- electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other--except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles--without the express written permission of the publisher.

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ISBN# 978-1537359427

Smashwords ISBN# 978-1370449668

AISN

Published in Fisk, MO USA by Metamorph Publishing

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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This anthology contains work by the following authors (in alphabetical order):

Alana Madden--Love’s Fate

Chrissy Moon--Sharliss

Christie Stratos--Intent

Elizabeth Horton-Newton--Chloe’s Dream

Jennifer L. Roche--A Rainbow of Ribbons

Karen J. Mossman--In Distant Times

LG Surgeson--The Tears of Winter

Lily Luchesi--Unpunished

Markie Madden--Jody’s Tail

Publisher’s Note

This book is a collection of short stories from authors all over the world. Some of the stories utilize the United Kingdom English spellings, which may seem odd to some readers in the United States. But, rest assured, these are acceptable spellings in the UK, and that’s why they have been left in the book rather than being corrected to their acceptable US spellings.

The stories in Gems of Gratitude feature a strong female protagonist and are intended to demonstrate what the characters are grateful for in their lives. I hope you’ll enjoy this anthology, and look for our Gems of Freedom to come next year in July.

Dedicated to the very spirit of sisterhood: the bonds of blood, the bonds of friendship.

Book I: Love’s Fate by Alana Madden

It was nearly Thanksgiving. Tomorrow, the food would be set out and thanks would be given. Angelina had been working all day to get most of the food preparation done so she wouldn’t be swamped tomorrow. All of her friends would be coming over the following day as her family was coming over today. She couldn’t wait.

As she checked on the dish in the oven, her husband came up behind her and kissed her neck. Hey babe, he said. How’s it going?

She smiled, flicking dark hair out of her eyes. Her hair fell to her waist in curling springs. Her dark brown eyes fixed on her husband. Almost done for today. Can’t wait to relax for a while.

I promise to rub your sore feet. You’ve been working yourself to death for days.

Mm. That massage sounds real nice right now.

You know what, I’m not entirely sure I want to stare at you bunions.

Angelina laughed. As if your bunions are any better, Tony.

Anthony Miles smiled at his wife. True enough. I’ll check on the kids.

Make sure Alex does his homework! She called after him. When she looked down, she scoffed. Tony had snatched a cookie when he was distracting her. She shook her head affectionately. She still remembered the day she met him.

Come on, Angie! Carla groaned, swinging her red hair. It’ll be fun! Just come this once, for us?

Angelina stared hard at her friend, suspicious. "Are you just trying to set me up on a blind date again?

No! Carla and their other friend, Jane, exclaimed. Their instant denial meant yes.

Why don’t I believe you? Why can’t you two accept that I’m happy being single?

Come on. It’s not like we’re asking you to date anybody! It’s just a party!

She looked at them a little longer. Just a party? She tried to act aloof, but knew she failed.

Excitement entered their almost identical, neon green eyes. We swear! You don’t even have to drink anything!

Angelina tried to hold on. Fine, I’ll go. The shrieks almost made her deaf and the hugs almost suffocated her. Alright alright, get off me! Then they pawed through her college dorm closet. She wondered what she’d got herself into.

They held up an outfit. Get dressed. We leave in fifteen, Carla said.

I’ll do your hair and makeup, Jane added, flicking her short blue bangs out of her eyes. Angelina never understood why her friend dyed her hair such a color.

No makeup. Jane stared at her. I’m already going so I get a say in some of it. No makeup.

Jane shrugged. Fine. Spoilsport. She tossed the outfit to Angelina. Angelina reluctantly dressed. She needed to have some fun, it’d been a long semester. She thought, what could it hurt?

The party was lively, with flashing lights coloring the air. People were dancing, if you could call it dancing. If they didn’t have clothes on, they’d be having sex. Angelina was both disgusted and intrigued by the way the women bent their bodies.

How do they do that? Don’t they have bones?

Carla snickered. No. They’re on a different plane than us mere mortals. Angelina continued to ogle at the sheer mass of people crammed into the small house. Jane and Carla skittered off to find some alcohol. Angelina finally pushed her way to the kitchen. She looked through the fridge and found a few sodas, unopened. She grabbed a Mountain Dew and drank deeply from it. The heat from all the bodies was stifling and she went out the back door to get some fresh air.

There was a forest behind the house and the air was a bit chilly. She breathed deep, smelling dew. The moon was full and bright; it lit up enough that there were hardly any shadows. There was a slight wind, just a breeze really, that stirred the air. There were a few people on the lawn, either puking or already passed out. The music was loud enough it could be heard even outside.

The door opened and closed. Angelina expected a drunk person would go stumbling off the porch to throw up. Instead an attractive, and sober, man stepped forward. He leaned on the railing, much as Angelina was. His jet black hair stirred slightly in the breeze. As she stared at him, bright blue eyes turned to her. She flushed at being caught staring.

Never been to a party before? He asked in a musical baritone.

Why do you say that?

You look out of place.

No, I’ve never been to a party quite like this. It’s... intense.

He laughed. I’ll bet.

Another guy came stumbling outside. He looked at the one standing next to Angelina. Yo, Tony! You missin’ a rockin’ partay! His words were slurred and he reeked of alcohol. Then he proceeded into the forest to throw up behind a tree.

Sam, don’t go too far into the woods! The black haired guy said. He turned to Angelina. Sorry about that. My name is Anthony but most just call me Tony. He held out a hand.

Angelina but my friends call me Angie. They shook hands.Tony smiled. So why are you, as your friend put it, ‘missin’ a rockin’ partay’?

Tony chuckled. I lost the bet and now I’m their designated driver. Got to stay sober. What about you?

It’s my first party. Don’t want to miss all the fun by being drunk. Besides, I don’t drink. Personal choice. She said it before he could speak. His friend, Sam, made a terrible sound. She glanced nervously at him. Will your friend be alright?

He’ll be fine. He’s a lightweight. Tony chuckled then grimaced. He’ll be a nightmare to drive home, though. He may be a lightweight in alcohol, but he weighs a lot. The sound of a thud drew their gazes to an unconscious Sam. Tony cursed.

I could help you get him in the car, Angelina suggested.

Would you? That’d be nice.

Sure. Together they struggled with him until he was laying down in the backseat.

You weren’t lying. Angelina panted. He is heavy!

Told you. He paused. Do you have a ride home?

We came in a cab. I’m not sure where my friends are, though I have a feeling I’ll find them like Sam here or with partners.

I could drive you home.

Really? I’d appreciate it.

Sure. Hop in. They talked about everything on the way to Angelina’s campus. When they arrived, Tony insisted on walking her to her door. There, they paused.

Can I take you to dinner sometime?

Angelina smiled. I’m free Friday.

He returned her smile. Good. Pick you up at six?

She nodded. I’ll be ready.

Now I’ve got to drive Sam home.

Drive safe.

Always. Goodnight, Angie.

Night. Angelina closed the door and fell asleep with a huge smile on her face.

Angelina snapped back to the present as her youngest, Casey-Mae, flew into the kitchen. She was only four, but she was a little sneak. She tried to snatch a cookie behind Angelina’s back, but the woman expected such a tactic.

If your father sent you in here to steal more cookies, forget it. Now, go play with your toys. Casey-Mae pouted and stomped into the living room. Angelina laughed at her antics and shook her head.

The next day, Angelina’s friends came over and her and Tony’s family gathered for Thanksgiving dinner. Jane and Carla shrieked at the sight of Angelina, crushing her in their embrace.

Hey girls! Angelina said. I was just reminiscing.

‘Bout what? Carla asked.

How you two boneheads helped me meet the love of my life.

Aw, how sweet. We’ll take it! Jane added.

Come on, let’s sit down. Angelina led them to the table. All three sat down and loaded their plates. They went around the table, stating what they were thankful for. Angelina was last.

She stared at her friends. I’m thankful for my beautiful friends, who led me to the love of my life and grateful for the family we’ve made. You led me to utter happiness. Thank you. They beamed at her. Tony kissed her cheek.

Well, dig in everyone! With a huge smile on her face, Angelina ate herself sick.

Book II: Sharliss by Chrissy Moon

I know exactly what you want, and how you want it. I’m going to give it to you just that way.

Naturally I looked up to see who had spoken. Wouldn’t you?

He was sexy: Young, I’d say early 20’s, with light brown hair and glimmering green eyes.

He was the barista at this independent Seattle café, and he certainly knew what he was doing as he shot a dazzling smile at a group of girls before walking off to make their drinks, leaving them to giggle and whisper.

A big hand waved in front of me, breaking the spell; a face thrust towards mine soon thereafter.

Hope you got some decent parking. Mark or Manny or whoever he