The rain had finally stopped and little Constance Delaney stood on the long porch of the plantation house and inhaled the fresh after-the-rain smell. It was too crowded inside the home with so many guests milling about. Ever since Mama went to sleep and didn’t wake up everyone was acting strangely. But Connie wasn’t sad. She never cries.

Mama, you told me you’d still be here even when I can’t see you.

A large dragonfly garnered her attention. A bubbly sound escaped her as she chased it. She felt the air beneath her as she jumped off the porch. Her feet sunk in the mud and water splashed up from the puddle. The dragonfly lured her around the corner of the great house and landed on the white rhododendron. What a pretty bug. A murmur of sound eased out of the open window. A familiar voice piqued little Constance’s curiosity, but the tone sounded strange. Papa?

“Dora was my life. What am I supposed to do with two girls?” The muted voiced filled her head. It was her father, but why was he so sad?

“I’ll never love another.” The ensuing sobs rang in her ears. Her brows knit. The insect darted to the next bush. She reached to catch it.

Papa never cries. He always says be strong.

“We wanted so much more from life; she wanted to give me a son. Damn the pox! Now I’ll never get to teach my child how to run the plantation. What difference does it make anyway?” His voice turned sour, giving her an ache in her chest.

Papa can teach me, he said I was a big girl. I don’t want Papa to be sad.

Now the tears came. The salty drops fell from her face and onto the white flowers; the dragonfly flitted away.

Thank you for playing. I’m learning, so bear with me. And check out these other authors:

Kinsey W. Holley, Paranormal (PG)    Babette James, Fantasy Romance (PG13)  Christina DeLorenzo, YA (PG 13)

Caitlynn Lowe, Epic Fantasy (PG)     Nika Dixon, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)  Kaige, Historic Romance (PG-13)

Dara Sorensen, Paranormal (PG)   Bryn Donovan, Paranormal Romance(PG13) Julia Knight, Fantasy Romance (PG 13)

Adelle Laudan, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)  Jeannie Lin, Historical Romance(PG13) RF Long, Paranormal (PG13)

Rebecca Savage, romantic suspense (PG 13)  Crista McHugh, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)