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I'm sharing another excerpt from my sci-fi romance, THE PROTECTOR. In last week's post, Rissa and her friends got all the kids out of the traffickers ship. I've skipped ahead to where Rissa and her friend Fortuna are discussing what happens next.
“The children are fed, bathed, and
clothed,” Fortuna said as she hoisted herself onto a stool at the work island
in Rissa’s kitchen, “and my girls have them bedded down for the night.”
Rissa placed a bottle of ale in front
of her friend then sat across from her—only on the Rim could a preacher’s
daughter be good friends with a pleasure house madam. If her father could see
her now, he’d be horrified, even more upset than when he’d abandoned her on
Marin 5—serve the hypocrite right.
Rissa picked up her bottle of ale, closed
her eyes, and let the cool, tart beverage slide down her throat.
Fortuna rolled her own bottle between
her hands as she said, “The children are from a homeless shelter.”
“Then no one wants them back?” Rissa
said as she dropped her head on her folded arms.
“What are you going to do now?”
She lifted her head. “Why does everyone
think I know what to do?”
Who knew rescuing two girls from traffickers would bring down a world of hurt?
After tavern owner Rissa Dix rescues two girls from a slave ship, she must rally the townsfolk to prevent traffickers from returning. Mining heir Dillan Rusteran has loved her for years. Little do they know that by rescuing more children they're tangling with a galactic trafficking ring.
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Hopefully, she'll come up with a plan soon since everyone is looking to her to have the answers. :)
ReplyDeleteShe's going to have to do something.
DeleteMaybe someone else can help her answer that questions. Great snippet! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jess. But that's the problem. Everybody looks to her to figure it out.
DeleteIt's tough to be the strong, reliable one, whom everyone looks to for answers. I'm sure she will succeed, whatever she does. Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Rachel. Thanks.
DeleteI agree with Rachel. I was always the one who was supposed to have the answer. It doesn't always work out that way. Good snippet
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charmaine. I know how you feel.
DeleteWell Rissa has sort of stepped up and taken the lead so far. But an interesting light on the character - excellent excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Veronica. She's in a hard place. Somebody has to do something.
DeleteNo end to the tunnel yet. I'm sure she'll do the right thing and find them a home.
ReplyDeleteAgain, somebody has to. Rissa just wishes it wasn't always her. She'd like someone to take on the burden.
DeleteOnce you take the initiative, you own the whole kit and kaboodle, it seems. Great last line.
ReplyDeleteThat's why you should never complain about something--you'll be in charge. LOL
DeletePoor Rissa, she needs someone to help her shoulder the burden - interesting revelation about her fathe, too. Great excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hywela. She's going to get somebody. Soon.
DeleteWhat a poignant scene. Their last, great hope is . . . tired and doesn't know what to do. A real earth mother at her wits end. Love the bit about dad!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. I love that you got it.
DeleteJust because the children are homeless doesn't mean they are orphans. There may well be parents looking for some of the children.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
DeleteDang those traffickers for picking smart targets. Someone, somewhere might be missing these kids, but it would be near impossible to find those people. Heart-breaking, but maybe Rissa can come up with a plan, after all. Or maybe someone else can pick up that load...
ReplyDeleteWe can only hope she'll get some help.
DeleteNice moment showing her inner doubts creeping in. No one can be heroic all the time, but I have confidence that she will be when she needs to be.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alexis.
DeleteHomeless? Might make them even better targets for traffickers. Someone will want them back, and it won't be to place them in loving homes...
ReplyDelete