Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors where authors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.
Apologies for not getting to everyone last week. Time got away from me. I'll try to do better this week.
I'm sharing snippets from my new release NUMBERS NEVER LIE, a romantic suspense. This snippet comes after Maggie answered the call from the sheriff.
Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines.
Drew forced his grief to the
back of his mind to concentrate on Jack’s sister, her pony-tail flopped over
her shoulder, while wisps of dark brown hair framed a face that had gone whiter
than her T-shirt.
“Stay put,” he grabbed the
teakettle resting on the back burner, dumped out the water, and refilled it,
“Tea, be ready in a minute.”
As he set the kettle to
boil, he tried to think what to do next. His First Aid class had been ten years
ago, or longer, think, he told himself.
She had to be in shock.
Warmth, that’s what she needed. He rushed through the archway to the living
room, grabbed a blue and red flannel quilt off the couch, and wrapped it around
her, then he stooped to rub her shoulders while her hands dangled between her
knees, her head bowed.
With his knuckle, he raised
her chin, her eyes appeared unfocused. “Come on, Maggie, look at me.” Come back from whatever abyss you’re standing
too close to.
Blurb:
A shocking secret brings danger to Jack Sinclair and his sister Maggie.
As kids, they were the fearless threesome. As adults, Jack's an accountant; Drew, a lawyer; Maggie, a teacher and camping troop leader. Returning from a weekend camping trip, Maggie receives horrifying news. She refuses to believe her brother’s fatal car crash was an accident. If the police won’t investigate, she’ll do it herself. Convincing Drew Campbell to help is her only recourse.
Drew Campbell was too busy to return his best friend’s phone call. Too busy to attend a camping meeting important to his teen daughter. Too busy to stay in touch with Jack. Logic and reason indicate Jack’s accident was just that--an accident caused by fatigue and fog. Prodded by guilt, he’ll help Maggie even if he thinks she’s wrong.
A break-in at Jack’s condo convinces Maggie she’s right. Then her home is searched. What did Jack do that puts Maggie in danger?
Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.
Good depiction of her state of shock!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ed.
DeleteThis is a lovely bit of descriptive writing. The last line is particularly poignant.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great comment, Jess.
DeleteIt's a good thing Drew is there to help her through this.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Thanks, Jess.
DeleteDrew is fast becoming a handy guy to have in sticky or icky moments! Nice scene, Di!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. He might not be great outdoors, but he's handy with emergencies.
DeleteI'm so moved by this snippet. Beautiful scene-well done, Diane.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charmaine, for the lovely comment.
DeleteGood description and I think she needs more than a warm blanket!
ReplyDeleteShe does indeed, Aurora. Thanks.
DeleteAw, this is very sweet. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGood thing he's there. I hope he can bring her back from wherever she's gone off to.
ReplyDeleteHe knows. He's been on the edge of that abyss. Thanks, Elyzabeth.
DeleteGood for Drew, glad he was there and kept his head about what to do. Quite an intense snippet today!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Veronica. Now I need to find a happier moment for next week. :)
DeleteWhew, it sounds like he’s keeping his head together. She needs someone like that right now.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing one of them has their act together.
DeleteHere's what I've got to say about this snippet, "Time to get real cozy dozy."
ReplyDeleteLOL, Trin. That's about the last thing she's thinking about.
DeleteI'm glad she's being cared for!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy.
DeleteI'm with everyone else, that last line is a perfect description of shock. What else is it but falling into an abyss inside your heart?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Caitlin. He was there just a year ago when he lost his wife to a car crash.
DeleteGood man, going right for the tea- it's important for bad news. Glad he's there for her sounds like she really needs someone right now.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brittany. Even though she's determined to be independent, she does need him at this moment.
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ReplyDeleteHe might not be a good camper, but he's handy in an emergency. Great guy! But then I'm prejudiced. *grin*
DeleteNot only is he caring - he instinctively does the right things - and I agree with everyone else, that's a great last line, and so true - losing a loved one is like being on the edge of an abyss! (I forgot to register for this round of snippets but my post is up at at https://hywelalyn.blogspot.com/2018/07/sunday-snippets-weekend-warriors_21.html )
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lyn. I've lost parents but not unexpectedly. I had to depend on my imagination as to how I would feel if I lost someone in a car crash. Thanks for saying I got it right.
DeleteWhat is it about tea that we immediately go for it in times like these? He has good instincts. Great scene.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alexis. He's a great guy. :)
DeleteI agree about the tea. It has the most amazing powers in times like this. Wonderful imagery in this snippet.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christiane. Tea is like chicken soup--amazing.
DeleteI felt his urgency to bring her back from the edge of an abyss. Great imagery of him rushing around to make this happen.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen.
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ReplyDeleteDrew seems like a wonderful guy. It's good to come across characters like him!
ReplyDeleteThank you. He didn't start out that way with her on the camping trip. But he came through when she needed him.
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