#alightinthewindow

[mleighsquickspot]

image: Abstract Halloween Background Composition with Stock Footage Video (100% Royalty-free) 20021533 | Shutterstock

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[mleighsquickspot]

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Happy Spooky Month

[fredhandbag]

It's a rainy Saturday here in SC. And it's Date Night 🙌🏻 Today's #bookfrommylibrary is A Light in the Window by Jan Karon. This is one of my favorite series. "Father Tim's attractive neighbor is tugging at his heartstrings. A wealthy widow is pursuing him with hot casseroles. And his red-haired Cousin Meg has moved into the rectory, uninvited. He's still trying to raise Dooley, a thrown away boy and keep up with Barnabas, a dog the size of a sofa. Father Tim is in need of divine intervention. Life in a small town is rarely quiet and never boring." You are missing out if you have not visited Mitford. Every book is filled with the wonderful characters of Mitford and the miracles and mysteries of everyday life. Don't miss it. #alightinthewindow #jankaron #drama #ncmountains #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookshelf #books #booknerd #bookhoarder #bookworm #booklover #bookish #bookreview #bookclub #novel #bookaddict #bookaholic #bookcover #bookhaul #bibliophile #igreads #goodreads #homelibrary #bradsbooks #bradslibrary

[waterfromsand]

A Light in the Window

"At last," she breathed, catching sight of a warm, familiar glow through the mist. 

Maeve had walked miles through heavy rain, trying to get back to her cottage on the outskirts of the village. Though her glossy, emerald cloak was showing signs of wear, it had kept both she and her basket of herbs mostly dry for the trip. It helped that the rain had at last decided to let up, leaving in its wake just a thick curtain of cold mist.

Maeve quickened her pace, eager to get inside. The cloak may have kept her dry, but it was not made to keep her warm. She was chilled to the bone and in desperate need for close proximity to a fireplace.  

"Good evening, Chirrup," Maeve said upon entering her cottage. Her petite gray tabby greeted his mistress with a soft mew and a twitch of his nose. 

"Sorry, love," Maeve said, scratching her familiar just under his ear, "I need it for my next brew." Chirrup wrinkled his nose and stalked away, flicking his tail. The little tabby was not a fan of the smell of white sage, and Maeve had had the nerve to bring home a whole bundle.

Maeve rolled her eyes at the retreating cat as she put her cloak up on its hook by the door. A simple gesture in the general direction of her fireplace resulted instantly in warm, dancing flames. Heat quickly filled the cottage, seeping into Maeve's chilled bones. 

"Much better," Maeve sighed, hanging her herbs from the rafters to dry. 

Resting her hands on her narrow hips, Maeve turned and surveyed her cottage. She screwed up her lips and scrunched her nose at the sight. How had she managed to let her cottage get so... disorganized? There were small vials, dishes, pots, spell books, and colored bottles scattered everywhere. A thin film of dust covered almost every surface, and everything felt grimy.

Though she was exhausted from her trek through the chilling downpour, Maeve could not rest with her cottage in such disarray. Moving to start putting her books and potion ingredients on their respective shelves, Maeve called out to her broom. 

"Broom, dear, would you very much mind sweeping up the floors?" Maeve looked over to where her beloved broom was propped up in the corner. The skinny little thing quivered a bit, but didn't move from it's spot. 

Maeve gave her broom a pointed look. "I'll polish your handle and straighten your bristles," she offered. 

Immediately her broom was cheerily brushing up the floor throughout the cottage, kicking up little puffs of dust as it did so. 

Maeve smirked and continued on with her own general straightening up. While she wiped down her tables and shelves to free them from their grimy coating, she asked her kettle to fill itself with water and hang itself over the fire for tea. 

Maeve finished wiping out her favorite tea cup, then politely asked her kettle to come pour her favorite bergamot tea. When she found the tea a little too strong for her liking, Maeve swirled her wrist and pulled a fine cloud of sugar into her drink. 

"Delicious," she hummed, sighing into her steaming cup. She put her tea aside for a moment to change into her long, soft nightgown. While she pulled on the clean nightclothes, her dusty walking gown washed itself in a small vat of water near the door, then hung itself by the fire to dry. 

With her home clean and smelling of fresh herbs, Maeve was content to take her tea and favorite book over to her window seat. She curled up on the sill, wrapped in a heavy quilt, and exhaled in relief. Her muscles were sore from the long walk, and there was nothing better than tea and a good book after a trying day. For just a moment, Maeve leaned back onto the wall and watched the flames flicker in her tinted glass lantern. The light was so warm and friendly, and served as a welcoming beacon. She always left it to burn when she left the house, because returning home to its glow was comforting. She had lived alone with only her cat and enchanted broom to keep her company for far too long. What she really needed was a human companion to come home to. A loving hug was preferable to a simple lantern, but at least the gentle light was better than nothing. 

Maeve let out a soft, sad sigh, and closed her eyes. One day, she thought to herself, I will find someone. I know he's out there waiting for me. 

As if to reaffirm her promise, Chirrup leapt up onto Maeve's lap. 

"Well," Maeve chuckled, "I am hoping for someone a little more striking than a tabby, but I suppose you'll do for now. Does this mean I'm forgiven for bringing home the white sage?" Maeve laughed as she scratched Chirrup's dark ears. She noticed that he refused to look at her still, but he wasn't above allowing her to pet him. 

Feeling a little less gloomy, Maeve took another sip of her warm tea, then peeled open her book to read by the glow of her lantern. A soft rain began to tap on her window, and in that moment, everything felt right in Maeve's world.