Friday, July 20, 2012

Sweet Saturday Samples - July 21


When we left Elly and the Geriatrics last week, Elly had just discovered that the brakes didn’t work on the golf cart she was driving. Here’s what happened next. (By the way, she’s disguised as her grandmother.)

      Oh, God. I'm gonna crash.
      Panicked, Elly steered the runaway cart toward a pile of mulch up ahead, hoping the bark chips would stop her or at least cushion the crash. She gripped the steering wheel, ducked her head, and braced for impact.
      Seconds later, the cart’s front wheels plowed into the pile. But though the vehicle came to an abrupt halt, Elly kept going and flipped into the mulch. In slow motion, the cart seemed to sigh, tilted onto its side, and then slid down to the pavement.
      Elly rolled to her back and stared up at the evening sky, catching her breath and trying to stop her head from spinning. She wiggled her arms and legs.
      Nothing broken.
      A glance back up the street told her Mrs. Bagley wasn’t in sight. Then Elly heard pounding footsteps and shouts.
      "Mrs. Macaulay! Mrs. Macaulay! Are you all right?"
       She turned to see Derek rushing toward her, his dark eyes wide.
       "Elly?" He let out a whoosh of breath. "I thought you were your grandmother. Are you okay?"
       "Yeah." She nodded, more embarrassed than hurt. “I’m fine.”
       Why does he always see me at my worst?
       She looked down at her clothes and brushed at the bits of bark stuck all over her body. A giggle tickled her throat.
       I look like a grizzly bear, covered with brown fur.
       Derek shook his head. “Are you sure you’re okay? I knew the cart was going too fast to make the turn. I was afraid that Mrs. M….” He stopped and chuckled. “Elly, what’s going on?” Derek moved closer and extended his hand. “Here, let me help you.”
       Elly grasped Derek’s palm and let him pull her to her feet, her relieved laughter joining his. She enjoyed the firm feel of his hand holding hers, but when she looked over his shoulder, she gasped, dismayed to see Mrs. Bagley now standing at the top of the hill. 
       She grabbed Derek’s arm and pulled him behind the mound of mulch. “I've got to get out of here.”
       "Why? What's going on?" He frowned and turned his head to follow her gaze. “Are you sure you aren’t hurt?”
       "No, I’m okay. Really. It's Mrs. Bagley and . . . it's a long story. Oh, God, if she sees me, there's gonna be trouble."
        Derek shrugged. "It’s getting dark, and she probably can’t see us all that well. I doubt she can walk this far. What's the big deal?"
       "Please. I’ll explain later. I need to leave. Now.”

       Being rescued by a knight on a white horse would be romantic, but I’ll take a good-looking man in a pickup truck any day – even if it’s an old Ford! How about you?
       By the way, I’m still tweaking the ending chapters of this work-in-progress.
~ Sandy Nachlinger ~

File:Lollipop-Rainbox-Swirl.jpg
What's Sweet Saturday Samples?
Each week, writers post brief samples of their work on their own blogs and then link them to the main site, so readers can conveniently “hop” from blog to blog, meet new authors and become better acquainted with ones they already know. All samples are rated PG-13 (or milder), though the books from which they're taken may be spicier. 
For more SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLES, click
 HERE.


Photo credits:
Ford F-150: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_F-150_XL_Reg._Cab.JPG
Rainbow Swirl Lollipop: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LollipopThis photo was taken by Evan-Amos as a part of Vanamo Media, which creates public domain works for educational purposes.

25 comments:

  1. What an action packed sample today! Can't wait to see if Elly gets "busted." I bet KISA Derek will make it all turn out right. Can't wait for this one to be finished!

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    1. Thank you, Jenna. It's taking me sooo long to finish this! But I want to get it right.

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  2. No doubt her antics amuse Derrick. Nice work.

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  3. Great scene. I love how she sees herself all covered with the mulch

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  4. I have really been enjoying Elly and her adventures. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel, I'm enjoying your "Maeve and Martha" story too!

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  5. Elly is something else. I love her personality.
    Sassy thing!

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  6. Sandy, This just keeps getting better and better!! Ellyis quite a character and endearing to me as a reader. I look foeward to these excerpts each week, so keep them coming!!

    Hugs, Micki

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  7. lol...I totally enjoyed this snippet! And I love your "voice" :-) !

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  8. This is such a fun story! I love the unique concept.

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  9. Wonderful story...love the knight in the pickup truck!

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    1. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes ... and with different forms of transportation!

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  10. Yep! White knight in a pickup! Works for me :) And I think her worst is her best :) Love this story!

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  11. I love Elly and a great looking guy in a pickup truck sounds good to me!

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    1. Pickup trucks are almost required for guys in Texas.

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  12. My darling has a pickup truck! and a great pickup line! love the story, Sandy, can't wait til next week!

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    1. Love your comment! Thanks for stopping by, Deirdre. I hope you'll let me know if Derek does anything that sounds "non-Texan" to you. It's been a while since I lived in the Lone Star State.

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  13. Dear Two Sandys, This is great stuff you are writing in this book. One of my friends at our club ran over another lady, broke both of her legs, and when she got home her husband realized their insurance had lapsed. Put that in your book. It cost them almost $40,000 and the people didn't even sue. You know how much I love your writing. Good luck with all that you do. Hugs, Mary Firmin,Deadly Pleasures

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Mary. I'm doing this book solo, and I've finished writing it (except for fine-tuning and editing by the other Sandra!) However, I'll definitely keep the information you provided for use in my next book. How terrible for the poor woman at your club. I hope she had a good recovery.

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