Gemotions

The final chapter of her book lay open on her lap, a warm mug of tea steaming beside it. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, painting the room in dancing orange light. Sarah had been planning to dedicate the day to the last few pages, to simply bask in the story’s embrace. A pleasant weight settled over her shoulders.

A screech of power tools sliced through the quiet.

She flinched, her shoulders tensing. The neighbor's property line butted directly against her garden. The noise was going to be persistent, she knew. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the fire soothe her.

The urge to go outside and investigate was powerful, but she closed the book again and reached for her tea, determined not to let anything steal her good mood.