Another glimpse at To Dance With Dolphins.
"It's so cold." Would someone find them in time?
Sean looked about. "If we get out of the wind, it'll help."
He steered Claire toward a stubby evergreen with a broad trunk and a hollow center with one side partially rotted away, creating a natural barrier.
"This should help." He took a large pocket knife and cut several evergreen boughs and spread them out on the floor of the hollow tree.
"Get inside."
"But it's not big enough for both off us. What will you do?"
"I'll be all right." Sean set her cane against the outside of the tree, then helped ease Claire down.
She huddled inside, pressing against the rotted wood.
Sean sat in front with his back to her, his hoodie pulled down over his head.
What if he froze to death? They both could. Claire opened her coat and stretched out her arms. "Lean back against me."
Sean didn't argue with her. He rested against her chest, and she put her arms around him.
They stayed like that, huddled against the storm, freshly cut boughs enveloping them in a sharp, tangy fragrance.
"I shouldn't have decided on a walk, especially not this far," Clair said. "I didn't think it would get so bad. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault."
Claire had been careless, wanting time with Sean, wanting to be close to him, rather than paying attention to staying safe.
Now they were close - so close they might die together.
Claire's shivers increased and her hope faded.
"Someone will find us. We'll be fine." Sean drew his legs up close to hiss chest.
Claire should ask for God's help, but she could't hold the truth back. God, how can I believe in your mercy? You haven't protected me from this disease. My sister is sick ... and missing. Sean's brother died a horrible death. Why shouldn't I think that it might be your plan for us to die under this tree today?
Wouldn't it be ironic if her illness had nothing to do with the way she died? What if she could have been living differently, not letting her sickness restrain her?
"Are you all right?" Sean asked.
Other than regrets and life questions pummeling her? "Just cold. How long does it take for hypothermia to set in?"
"Someone will find us before that. Or the storm will blow through."
Claire rested her cheek against his back.
"Just don't sleep. Okay?"
The minutes passed and the world was only wind and snow. Claire's eyelids wanted to close.
What if no one came?
It seemed unfair to die like this - arms around the first man she thought she might be able to love.
And he didn't even know how she felt.
What's ahead for Sean and Claire? You'll have to read more to find out.
I'll be posting excerpts here until December 10th to give you a glimpse into the story and its unique and lovable characters.
I'm also having a Christmas drawing. Each day that I leave an excerpt from To Dance With Dolphins I'll also post a question and if you answer the question or leave a comment, you'll be entered in the giveaway. The winner will be announced on December 11th. Each time you comment I will add your name again, which gives you a better chance of winning.
I'll be giving away a complete set of the Alaskan Skies series or Sydney Cove series - your choice.
Question of the Day: Have you ever experienced a real winter storm? I'd love to hear about it.
Thanks for hanging out with me here. Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
Yes, last winter during the ice storms in the South. I was alone iced in on my farm for six weeks. And I made it through since I had plenty of food stocked up in my pantry and pet food for my animals. I am very proud of myself that I did this. People think that women cannot survive storms alone in wilderness areas. But we can!
ReplyDeleteThis winter I am stocking up on food, supplies, and plenty of books to read when the
cable goes out for days due to winter storms.
jcozart@paintrocksupplies.com
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DeleteJudy ...
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Six weeks! That's a long time to be on your own and out of touch. Just guessing, but ... you're strong and independent? :-) Right?
Back in 1994 when we lived in McKeesport, PA we got 4 feet of snow in less than 24 hours. Being from PA I am used to cold and snow but that took the cake.We lived in the city and everything was shut down for 4 days. We had enough food and hubby wasn't able to go to work. Thank goodness we had enough baby formula for the baby.We didn't have power during this time so thank goodness for warm blankets.
ReplyDeleteNo...but I'm looking forward to one (I'm an outdoorsy type of person) :)
ReplyDeleteDeanne, I can't imagine no power in the winter cold for four days. Unless you have some sort of wood stove for heat.
ReplyDeleteIf I lived in that part of the country I hope I'd be sure to stay stocked up on necessities.
Garret, I think you must be the adventurous type. I hope you get your winter storm, and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I should share one of my own stories.
ReplyDeleteIn 1980 we lived in Aurora, Colorado. It was the year they received the most snow in a 24 hours period ever (at that time). Three feet and wind created a winter wonderland. Sadly several people perished in the storm. One woman got lost on her way to the barn. A young couple, trapped in their car and not realizing that the tail pipe was buried in snow, died from gas fumes. So sad. There were several babies born at home that night as well.
I'm a west coast gal and I'd never experienced "real" winter. At that time I had a paper route - 42 miles of paper delivery every day. When I got up on that wintery morning I thought it would be safe to go out and deliver papers (I had a great winter rig). But it wasn't good enough for that storm.
My husband went with me and after about thirty minutes we realized just how dangerous it was to be out in such a terrible storm. We headed back home and my husband decided to cut across a parking lot. In the white out conditions he didn't see a snow berm that had developed and we ended up high-centered on that berm.
He worked hard to get us off of it. Even found a board and tried to clear the snow away. He looked like he'd been climbing Mt. Everest. Nothing worked. We were stuck.
And then it dawned on me that we hadn't prayed. And so we did and just drove right off that berm and headed for home. We spent the rest of that day and night at home. And oh, what a glorious sight greeted us in the morning -- bright sunshine and glittering snow ... everywhere. We had snow piled up to our rooftop.
Yes I have lived in the north all my life. The worst storm was back in 2010 day after christmas stuck indoors for 2 days till roads were plowed. I was in new jersey visiting relatives so ended up staying a week longer since all plane's, Trains and buses were booked solid for 7 days after the roads were plowed no i did not get a return ticked in advance as it was my brothers last christmas and want to spent some extra time with him.
ReplyDelete