The Cog & Sprocket has only been my shop for a short while. I inherited it from my grandfather, Thomas Clagan. I got the horology gene from him, and spending summers in Orchard with he and my grandmother helped it bloom. He didn’t want me to call him Grandpa in the shop, so I called him G.T., Grandpa Thom. We’d had a rift before he died, so I’m working hard to make it up to him now, by taking good care of the shop, his widow Caroline, and the shop cat Bezel.
All of which made being late all the worse. Pat Reed was waiting for me to wind the clocks in the shop. It was our Saturday ritual. Coffee from the Sleeping Latte, the shop his daughter Moira ran. Baked goods from his wife Nancy waiting for us once we were done. Coffee getting cold? Sweet buns waiting? I needed to get a grip.
I ran down the stairs, excuses at the ready. The shop was empty, and I heard keys rattling at the door. I threw the door open, hoping to surprise Pat. Instead, I was surprised by my handsome neighbor, Ben Clover.
“We’re waiting for you, Ruth,” he said. At least I think that’s what he said. With his dreamy blue eyes, sandy hair that fell down over his brow just so, perfectly fit jeans it was tough to focus on words. Especially before I had coffee.
“Waiting?”
“We’re having a business owners meeting over at the barbershop, remember? We need to talk about your idea for the loyalty cards—”
“Right, right. Let me grab my coat.”
“It’s only next door. Take mine.”
Swoon. I threw his coat over my shoulders, grabbed my notebook, and ran out the door. Not only was I late, I almost missed a meeting for a project that was my idea.
“By the way,” Ben said while he waited for me to lock up. “Guess what happens when you’re late?”
“What?” I asked.
“You get to chair the committee. Come on, there’s a room full of people who are waiting to hear what you need them to do.” Ben smiled, and rubbed his hands over his arms. I followed him off the porch, and down the side alley between our shops.
I really needed to start being on time.
*************************
Are you always late? Do you get everywhere early? Are you a just-in-timer? Let me know in the comments!
Julianne Holmes is thrilled to be joining the Killer Characters blog the 20th of every month. She also blogs with the Wicked Cozy Authors, and on Live to Write/Write to Live. Join on her Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as well.
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ReplyI'm always early! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Replykaren(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com
I never want to be late so I worry about it way too much.
Reply[email protected]
I am always early! Thanks for the chance to win.
Replygrace dot koshida at gmail dot com
I am usually early myself. I hate being late.
Replydebby236 at gmail dot com
As long as I get all green lights, I'm usually early. Welcome Julianne. Would love to read this series. I'm always looking for new authors. mlarkin at rmrgroup dot com.
ReplyI am usually early. I hate being late. This is a new to me series. I'd love to win and read. [email protected] Dianne Bahn
ReplyI'm all over the place. I like to be early, but sometimes, I have trouble getting out the door. I'm never just on time. I'm either way too early or running late. Bevarcher AT me DOT com
ReplyThanks for the chance to win! Look forward to reading this.
ReplyBecky Prazak
[email protected]
I am always early. This was a habit from way back. Thanks for the lovely giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyI hate being late. It is a gene I inherited from my father, lol.
ReplyI loved the first book in this series. Would love to win this second book.
[email protected]
I'm always worrying about being late----so I'm always early.
Reply[email protected]
Being early is important and I have been following this credo as it was instilled in me. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyWhile I love to be on time my husband doesn't. He family is famous for being late. Lol this series sounds great, hope I win the first so the second will the twice the fun to read. Thank you for the opportunity. Yvonne Gilbert mommomsworld(at)yahoo(dot)com.
ReplyWhile I love to be on time my husband doesn't. He family is famous for being late. Lol this series sounds great, hope I win the first so the second will the twice the fun to read. Thank you for the opportunity. Yvonne Gilbert mommomsworld(at)yahoo(dot)com.
ReplyI used to be early all the time, then I had kids and was late all the time...now that my kids are grown I'm usually on time! Congratulations on the new release! Nicole :-)
Reply[email protected]
I am always running late! This looks like a good series! [email protected]
ReplyI hate running late, I need to be early! This looks like it's going to be a great series, thank you for the opportunity to win! [email protected]
ReplyI'm always early or on time. I hate being late and actually tell my husband the wrong time to leave so we can be on time occasionally. Haha!
Reply[email protected]
I'm always late when I go places. Its to the point where my family tells me that something starts at 11 but it doesn't really start until 12. I can't wait to read this series. [email protected]
ReplyI am compulsively early! Linda Kleback [email protected]
ReplyThe book sounds great. I like to be early. I hate rushing. Thank you for this chance! [email protected]
ReplyI like to be fair and share between the three early, just in time and late. Am I allowed to enter as I live in the UK? If I can my email is [email protected]
ReplyI like to be early.....hate the idea of making someone else wait. I think that is called something technical, no idea what. I think this story sounds terrific. annettena(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyI am definitely an early person--I do not like being late. My husband has a great saying for people speeding through traffic to their destination: "Should have left sooner!" Thanks for the giveaway of Just Killing Time! [email protected]
ReplyI'm almost always early. Some of my family members are usually late and it drives me crazy! lol
Replymittens0831 at aol dot com
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ReplyI'm a sucker for a cute cover and a whimsical title!
ReplyI am a sucker for a great convert and a whimsical title!
ReplyI usually try to get places a few minutes early in case of traffic.
Replysgiden at verizon(.)net
Usually a little early.
ReplyLove the clock series.
To me being on time means being 15 minutes early. I greatly dislike people who are late!
ReplyThis sounds like a great series-I'd love to both start and catch up!
cozyupwithkathy @ Gmail dot com
I try to be early or at least on time.i have my clocks set 10 to 15 min. ahead to be on time. I always told my kids all I had was my word so I had to be on time because I said I would. Lol [email protected]
ReplyWelcome to Killer Characters, Julianne. I'm usually arrive early, I don't like being late and try my best to be on time.
Replydiannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Welcome to Killer Characters, Julianne. I'm usually arrive early, I don't like being late and try my best to be on time.
Replydiannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I am very punctual and like to wear a watch. Welcome!
ReplyJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I've been wanting to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway. [email protected]
ReplyI don't like to be late. I like to be a bit early. Usually it works out for me.
ReplyElaineE246 at msn dot com
I am usually always early. I hate being late. This sounds like a fun series. [email protected]
ReplyWhen I was young and in high school I was an "on timer". Then I discovered the excuse of fashionably late in college. When I had my son he hated that we were late a lot. Then I met my husband who is former military whose mind set is: if you are 15 minutes early then you are "on time" and if you show up "on time" by the start time then you are already late. We are usually 30 minutes early to everything!
ReplyI would love to win This! Thank you for a great giveaway! [email protected]
When I was young and in high school I was an "on timer". Then I discovered the excuse of fashionably late in college. When I had my son he hated that we were late a lot. Then I met my husband who is former military whose mind set is: if you are 15 minutes early then you are "on time" and if you show up "on time" by the start time then you are already late. We are usually 30 minutes early to everything!
ReplyI would love to win This! Thank you for a great giveaway! [email protected]
I try to be early where ever I have to be. Sometimes really early but then I just grab a book and wait and read. There have been times I've been late, usually because of traffic.
Reply[email protected]
I always try to be early but it doesn't always work out that way. lil_munchiekin at yahoo dot com
ReplyI am usually early all the time. I do not like being late. Thank you for the chance to win. bookaunt at outlook dot com
ReplyI am not sure why but I have been always early for work appointments, lunch etc. I would rather wait than have anyone wait for me. Thank you for the giveaway. Georgia [email protected]
ReplyI am never late. It irkes me when people are.I wear a watch and plan ahead. seascapelife at gmail dot com
ReplyI always tend to be early or on time.
Replymarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I hate to be late! Awesome giveaway! Thanks for sharing! [email protected]
ReplyI hate to be late. [email protected]
ReplyI am early . [email protected]
ReplyMy Dad always said Be ten minutes early...I have tried to always do that. People drive me crazy that run late but I have been known to go out of the house still putting on makeup... thank you for the Contest. I have been wanting to read this series.
ReplyMarilyn [email protected]
I was always early but now that I don't drive, I am still ready early but don't always get to where I am going early. LOL Such is life. I am excited at getting a chance to win your book. It is on my Wish List but I haven't gotten it yet. [email protected]
ReplyI'm a hurry up and wait - always early. My husband is an on time or late person. So, I tell him we need to be somewhere a little early and it works out. [email protected]
ReplyI'm usually on time,but it depends on the event. Kkcochran (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyMy mother taught me that being on time or early is a sign of respect. My father was on time two days in his life: his wedding and his funeral.
ReplyOh, oops als (at) foxgull(dot) com
ReplyI'm usually early. kckendler(@)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI get real nervous if I'm running late.
ReplyI am always early! don't think I have ever been late, always been too early. thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyMy father was a clock collector and also made grandfather clocks for each of his children. His attraction to clocks was carried over to me. I have several of his anniversary clocks and cuckoo clocks. Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway for the first book in this series. [email protected]
ReplySounds intriguing. I am usually early.
ReplyCarol Smith
penelope223(at)yahoo(dot)com
This series looks great!!! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Reply[email protected]
The book sounds so good and I have not read any books by this author! [email protected]
ReplyI am totally intrigued by this series. I set my clocks ahead to keep my husband on time. I always end up early because I hate being late and having people stare at you when you enter. But if my husband comes with me, then the it seems I can never set the clocks ahead enough, lol. Merry [email protected]
ReplyI love the description of Clock and Dagger. I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for a chance to win the first book in the series. I hope you have a good week and a great release! [email protected]
ReplyI like the title Clock and Dagger. Sounds like an interesting setting. I enjoy the punny titles of cozies.
Replycatbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds amazing! [email protected]
ReplyI try to be on time, doesn't usually happen! [email protected]
ReplyWow, thank you all for you comments! What a fun start to my Killer Characters adventures!
ReplyCongratulations to Veronique Boudreau! I hope you enjoy JUST KILLING TIME. A reminder that I will be giving away a copy of CLOCK AND DAGGER in August!
ReplyThank you! I appreciate the opportunity, and am looking forward to reading!
ReplyCindy
[email protected]
Cbalevre(at)ptd(dot)net
Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity, and am looking forward to reading!
ReplyCindy
[email protected]
Cbalevre(at)ptd(dot)net