Writing Prompt Number 3

[Tommie Lyn]

Sorry I'm late getting this prompt posted -- the grandkiddos were here most of the week, so I was ..... shall we say, distracted?

Anyway, this week's challenge is to come up with a story with the title "Blue Jeans and White Stetsons" (and don't ask me where THAT came from, lol -- don't know if I can come up with anything. Although.....)

So, write a story, 500 words or less, with the title: "Blue Jeans and White Stetsons."

Go to it and have fun .......

And, a cyber jelly donut awarded to each who can include these words:

pine tree
ball of yarn
pink
ocean
cloud

[jacks girl]

Blue Jeans and White Stetsons

The pine tree that Jackson Mann planted was nearly 8feet tall and as Tally stood looking at the pine cones that had fallen off she wondered if Jackson would come home from his new Ocean side home for Christmas. The mountains of Colorado should be calling him home, and the fact that Tally was 3 months pregnant and she couldn't wait to tell him was making her hope he came soon.

Tally picked up a few cones and headed into the house to place them as decorations. she was tired from her walk and she sat down to work on the afghan for the baby. She needed a new ball of pink yarn from her basket and as she leaned over to pick it up the phone rang. Every time it rang she hoped it would be Jackson.


But it was her mother, she stood pacing going over to the picture window and looked out to a large puffy cloud that looked like a cowboy hat. Did everything have to remind her of the man she loved. Why had Jackson ever gotten that new job offer. She sighed and tried to hide her misery about missing Jackson.


Little did she know that Jackson was only a few miles out riding in his old res mustang a smile on his face. the phone call that Tally would never make was made by her mother last week. Soon Jackson would arrive, tanned, with a smile on his face and a pink sleeper for the baby and yes he would still be wearing his old Blue Jeans and that white stetson.

Sorry hubby wanted to talk had to make the ending quick

jacks girl

[lynnmosher]

Tommie Lyn, this one sounds like it could be fun. I've wanted to try but haven't had the time. I think now it will be better.

[Tommie Lyn]

Blue Jeans and White Stetsons
Word Count: 496

Jerry squatted, stood, shook one leg, then the other. The blue jeans still felt stiff. He scowled. He hated giving up the soft, faded comfort of a well-worn pair for the vivid blue of pants off the rack at the mercantile.

"Guess I'll take 'em," he told Marge.

She glanced up at him when he paid her and smiled.

Still as pretty as a speckled pup, he thought. Even after all these years.

He cleared his throat. "You seen the nostalgia festival down at the Rialto Theater?"

"No."

"'Member when we used to go to the picture show and watch Gene Autry when we was kids?"

"Sure do. That was a long time ago, though."

He scraped the toe of his boot across the tile floor, hooked his thumbs into the waistband of the stiff new jeans, leaned backward onto the counter, and knocked a ball of yarn off a knitting display. He scrambled to pick it up and replace it.

"Aw, shucks," he said in a low voice. "Hey, wanna go with me? To the cowboy serials tonight?"

"Sure." Marge's face turned a bright pink, and she looked away from him.

"Starts at six. Can I pick you up?"

"Yeah. You can come by here. I get off work at five-thirty."


* * *

"That was fun," Marge said as they left the theater. "And I liked seeing the good guys wearing their white stetsons. Nowadays, you cain't hardly tell who the good guys are anymore."

The street was nearly deserted. Too late, he realized there was a group of young boys leaning against the brick wall of the building close to the alley. He positioned himself between Marge and the boys.

"Yo. Old man. You got any money on you?" said the one with a pine tree tatoo on his forearm.

"Just keep walking," Jerry said under his breath to Marge.

"That ain't nice, just ignoring us like that," another boy said. He left the wall and sauntered toward Jerry and Marge.

Jerry stepped in front of Marge and faced the young punk.

"Listen, son, you don't want trouble with me. Just walk away."

The boy laughed. "You mean, you don't want trouble with us. Ooo, Mama," he said, leering at Marge. "You tired of this oldster? 'Cause he gonna be gone."

Jerry reached out, grabbed the boy by the arm, slung him down, around and shoved him into a parking meter, head first before his companions could react. The boy collapsed onto the pavement, and the others backed away.

"How'd you do that, old man?"

Jerry said nothing. He walked slowly toward them, then, suddenly jumped at them and said, "Boo!"

The punks ran.

Marge looked up at Jerry, an ocean of emotion showing in her eyes. "You're still the hero in the white hat, aren't you? You always were." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

"Darlin', I'm only a beat up ol' cowboy that your kiss just put on cloud nine."

[melw]

He was like a vision standing in his blue jeans and white Stetson. He looked like a little boy as he pulled his hat off.
Bethany looked up from her knitting, the ball of your falling from her lap. The man picked it up and said “pink’s not my colour.” He grinned with perfect white teeth.
“Thank you. Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Brent Howard. My horse caught a stone, could I borrow a pick from your barn?”
“Your horse?”
“Yes, ma’am, it’s by the pine trees. They must be perfect trees come Christmas time.”
“Let me get Luke.” Bethany said and went into the house. She entered the study. Luke a man wants to borrow something to get a stone our of his horse’s hoof.”
“Okay, I’ll come.” Luke put his arm around his sister’s shoulder and went to the front porch.
“Hello, I’m Luke Dawson and you met Bethany.”
“Didn’t have the pleasure Ma’am,” Brant didn’t miss Luke’s arm around her shoulders.
Luke took Brant to the barn. “Brant why don’t you stay for dinner? You can bunk in with Whitey in the bunkhouse. Beth is cooking up beef stew.”
“Most obliged. Can I keep my horse here?”
“Sure, just bring him in after you pick out the stone. I’ll be at the house.”
Brant went to where Cloud was tied. He picked out the stone. “Oh Cloud, I met the most beautiful woman, but she is married. Bethany.”

Bethany shouted at her brother “what? You invited him to dinner?”
“Mum would if she was here.”
“Mum isn’t here. Luke why?”
"What is it Beth?”
“Did you see his eyes? Like the ocean after a storm?”
“Beth maybe he is the man after all. He is a Howard.”
“Never again will I love a man with a white Stetson. Not after Nathan Howard.” He hurt me.” “Beth.”
“No Luke, don’t do this to me.”
“Bethany?” A knock sounded on the kitchen door and Brant came in.
“Luke go wash up.”
“Brant come in, sorry you had to see us squabbling, sibling rivalry.”
Brant couldn’t’ hide his smile. “I’m only child. He sat down and sighed. “I hate white Stetsons, they dirty so quickly.”
Bethany turned and said “Huh?”
“Mum bought this one for me. After my old one got chews by a bear, it was battered anyway.”
“Please sit down. Are you looking or work Brant?”
“Actually yes. Are you offering?”
“I own the ranch so yes, I am offering at least for branding time.”
“I was wondering who b Dawson was?”
“My dad Ben, he died about a year ago.”
“Ben Dawson from Kansas City?”
“Yes, you have the same accent. You’re not Luke Howard’s son are you?” Bethany opened her eye’s wide.
“Yep, I saw the will Ben wrote Bethany?”
“I should have know n my knight would come n blue jeans and a white Stetson. You are who daddy wanted me to marry.” Bethany words were captured by a cowboy's kiss.

[JCdudette]

Okay Tommie Lyn, I told you I usually write non-fiction, but I did this one just for you. Let me know what you think.


Blue Jeans and White Stetsons

The bellow of the old hound dog could only be translated one way, “Hap’s home!” Jenny could hear the rattle of the pick up as it pulled up in a cloud of dust in front of the house. The door creaked open and shut with a bang as Hap returned the dog’s greeting, “Hello, Blue, dja’ miss me?” He laughed with a loud “Ha, Ha, Ha,” as he patted the dog and climbed up on the porch toward the screen door.

Jenny padded toward the door to meet him, “Hello dear,” she said as he stepped in and set down his things.

“Hello sweetheart!” Hap exclaimed. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a peck on her cheek. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Is that right?” she said, “What is it?”

“Now, now, dear heart, you are going to have to wait, let’s get dressed,” he replied.

Jenny eyed Hap with the curiosity of a kitten inspecting a ball of yarn, “Get dressed, how?” she inquired.

“Well, in our best, of course,” he answered, his blue eyes twinkling like the sunlight dancing off of the ocean.

“What are you up to?”

“You’ll see.”

Soon they both were ready to leave, dressed in their best: chambray shirts, blue jeans and white Stetsons. Hap held the door as Jenny climbed into the truck. He jumped in, started it, and jerked it into gear.

“So, are you going to tell me where we are going?” Jenny asked.

“Nope, you’ll see soon enough,” Hap answered, grinning.

Jenny gazed out the half open window, the breeze blowing softly on her face. As they traveled down the tree-lined road, she began to recognize where they were heading. “Oh, Hap, you aren’t taking me there?”
Hap just kept grinning and driving. Soon, he turned down a dirt trail. They came around a bend and Jenny let out a gasp. “What have you done?” she exclaimed with glee. There in the clearing next to a cluster of trees stood their family, and their minister.

“Happy anniversary, sweetheart. You didn’t think I forgot did you?” Hap asked.

Smiling, Jenny shook her head, “No, of course not. Happy anniversary.”

Hap and Jenny got out of the truck and walked over to the waiting gathering who met them with hugs and well-wishes.

Hap had set it all up. There were picnic tables decked out with white table cloths and a table set with a punch bowl and three-tiered cake. The smoke from the barbecue wafted in the air. A wooden canopy dressed with pink flowers stood over the minister. And there, they renewed their vows, next to the pine tree where Hap had carved their initials so long ago--the place Hap had removed his white Stetson, and knelt in his blue jeans to propose to his beloved Jenny.