Nothing brings a family together faster than an emergency situation. You struggle to stay calm while seeking all available information. Nothing else matters beyond getting that loved one the help they need . . . no matter what it takes. That’s where the separated by misunderstanding then by miles couple in my Dana Ransom contemporary romance, LIFETIME INVESTMENT, find themselves in this out in the middle of nowhere scene.
Published: September 30, 2014
Length: 178 Pages
Rainwater glazed an already slick trail. Wyatt was a veteran hiker, and the corrugated bottoms of his boots were made to provide the best traction, but neither of those facts protected against a preoccupied mind or a careless misstep. And a rocky path was unforgiving.He felt his foot give on a patch of uneven stone. Immediately, Wyatt shifted his weight to compensate, but he was a second too late, a heartbeat too slow. His heel skidded on wet earth even as he twisted to catch himself, but down he went as Beth’s briefcase undercut him; left foot going straight out ahead of him, right leg angling behind as he hit with jarring force. The sound was like a rake handle snapping in two. He was slow to associate it with his awkward descent . . . until he tried to move . . . until he tried to untangle the unnatural bend of his body.“Wyatt? Are you all right?”His voice was faint with surprise.“I broke my leg.”
I loved writing this book as one of four contemporaries originally published by Zebra/Kensington then reissued by BelleBooks. It’s filled with personal knowledge (like riding Chicago elevators with editor bosses, hiking in the wilds of Michigan in woefully inadequate footwear, helping an injured recalcitrant male when they don’t think they need it, and discussing float planes with an eager pilot friend). And I especially enjoyed pig-backing research done for an earlier UP book (Upper Peninsula to those not familiar with my home state). I love recycling – information and experiences. And books!
As a mother of two boys and grandmother of one, I’ve always managed to keep a level head in stressful situations, but when a pet is involved . . . Like a sick baby, they can’t tell you what’s wrong and don’t understand you’re just trying to help when you force icky meds down their throat. I’ve spent a fretful week with a sick kitty (a four-year-old boy who is strong as a fanged and clawed ox and yet still very much a baby). Having gone through kidney stones with the ex and already one bout of urinary stones with this little guy, I’m a pro at delivering meds and tough love but you never get used to not being able to take the pain away. After that first nearly $400 emergency pet visit to an unfamiliar clinic, sitting in a 20-degree car for two and a half hours listening to my son’s heavy metal (which I don’t really mind) because we couldn’t go inside, I’m hoping the upcoming recheck will be under more pleasant circumstances.
Taking a break to see what you’ve been up to before heading to my “work desk” (which is actually on the other side of my office but sounds important) to get to the halfway mark on my W-I-P romantic suspense. Then, it’s off to do more kitty cuddling! Happy Almost March!!
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Ouch! You described his fall so well! Similar to falling on ice, which we have a lot of on the sidewalks here. I'm always afraid to fall again. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThe absolute worst was when I was working and carrying mail to the box out on the street. Snow covered the hole that caught my foot and dropped me into a glob of slush. Had to work the entire day with an oozy knee and elbows but I did save the mail!!
Deletethe rake handle snapping line - perfect and ew!!! at the same time.
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And getting meds into cats is "soooo" much fun. I have scars to prove it.
So far, kitty has been very obliging (after the first tussle, that is!) and he's strong boy! The pill was a pain (literally!) but now it's just eyedropper meds so not so bad.
DeleteDuring emergencies, I can stay calm until professionals take over. Then I start shaking. Never had cats but I'm sure it's the same as trying to give dogs their meds. Peanut butter works wonders. Good luck with your sick baby.
ReplyDeleteGreat snippet. The way you described him going down, it felt like slow motion. Ouch!
Cats are much easier than dogs - not as strong but smarter. They know it's coming and that it's futile to resist - especially if there's a treat afterwards!
DeleteEnjoyed the snippet. I liked his moment of utter disbelief before he realizes what has happened. I hope the kitty is doing better...great snippet today.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean! Kitty is almost his old pesty self - and I'm loving that about him!
DeleteI think I will be limping for the rest of the day after that description. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI cringed at the phrase "a rake handle snapping in two." I broke my wrist when I was in 5th grade and I still remember the sound! I hope he can get out of this mess quickly. Thank goodness he's not alone! Great snippet and descriptions!
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