Presented by SHANNON MUIR’S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS
SPONTANEOUS CHOICES SHORTS features short serialized fiction by author Shannon Muir, that may be later released as part of e-book or print collections. In 2019, these serials will appear every second and fourth Thursday (and fifth Thursdays as they occur) beginning January 17, 2019. The story line featured over the next sixteen days is “A Spontaneous Kind of Mystery,” featuring the return of Marnie and Zane. This is part 2 of 16.
Marnie wasn’t much of a social butterfly. She rarely went out to events, but that also meant her calendar wasn’t overflowing with conflicts. Marnie loved reading, mysteries and suspense especially, but poetry didn’t usually hold her interest. However, it would be a great chance to get to know the cousin with whom she’d recently reunited.
“Tell me where and when. I think I can get there tonight.”
“It’ll be great to see you. Also bring any of your friends that you can!”
Marnie took down the details and started to think about who, if anyone, she’d actually ask.
Sophia, her now best friend, would be an obvious choice. They used to work together at a bank before Marnie ended up doing finance at the medical device company. Sophia always liked hanging out and going on adventures, which was part of how they both met Blake in the first place.
Then she thought about Zane. Marnie knew she’d never hear the end of it from Sophia if she didn’t ask. Besides, odds are he’d not be available anyway with his nursing shifts.
Marnie dialed Zane’s cell phone number, and to her surprise he answered. She’d gotten his cell phone number from Sophia, but she didn’t have his home number. Maybe someday, she’d ask for that. Granted, his cell phone might be his only phone in his line of work, but asking if he had a home phone number seemed far more personal.
“Hey Marnie,” Zane said, rather hurriedly. “I hope you’re not needing me to help you out again. I’m still a bit burned out from that last adventure.”
Just days ago, he’d assisted in the rescue of Sophia – someone he’d known from school – when Marnie called him for help when she couldn’t figure out how to outwit Owen from Legal. She’d hoped he wouldn’t always see her as a damsel calling in distress. They always seemed to meet up like that.
“Blake called and invited me along to a poetry reading tonight, along with any friends I might want to take,” Marnie blubbered nervously. “I know it’s just short notice, and you might not like poetry, I really don’t know. But in case you were interested, I thought I should ask, so that you didn’t feel left out or anything, you know?”
Marnie stopped talking, but heard no response on the other end of the line.