Saturday, June 09, 2012

Sweet Saturday Samples - June 9, 2012

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples! Here's a piece of a new scene I wrote this week. Part of the writing process is to go back and fill in information or character involvement that is missing from the first draft efforts. This is such a scene, and is located in Chapter 2.
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Feeling the overwhelming fatigue brought on by two days of mourning, Julia Owen only half listened to her husband tell her his plan to leave early Thursday morning on a three-day journey to sell beeves. Getting to sleep was of higher importance than staying awake until Rod ran out of steam, turned on his side, and began to snore. She hoped this was not a night when Rod felt amorous. She had barely been able to go through the motions of her chores today, and had no strength left to spare for her husband's needs.

Then a question worked its way into the forefront of her mind. She opened one eye, waited for Rod to take a breath, and asked, "Why are you herding cows down to Chester Bates this week? I recall his letter made an offer to trade them for wheat. He won't be harvestin' for a month or more."

"I have a pressing matter to take up in that country, and I reckon it won't wait until then." Rod scratched his chest above the neck of his nightshirt. "I figure I may as well make one trip as two. Chester will bring us the wheat."

She whispered, "If you're goin' after James, that's entirely the wrong direction." Pain at the unexpected loss of her son made her body quiver.

"I know that, woman." Rod's voice had taken on the soft gruff tone he used in tender moments when he felt vulnerable.

Annoyance that he didn't expand his answer drove Julia to shift her weight, rise on her elbow, and open both eyes to stare down at him. "What aren't you tellin' me?"

After a long moment, Rod turned his eyes away and said, "I have an errand."

"Roderick Owen, don't you be speakin' nonsense to me. What errand takes you away from work at this season?"

When his hand flew to his head, she barked at him, "Don't be a-worryin' that scab or it won't never heal. What's the truth?"

"It's a little errand for Marie," he admitted, tucking his hand under the covers.

"Marie?" Surprised, Julia almost missed Rod's failure to explain himself further. When she had gathered her wits sufficiently to notice his silence, she poked him in the ribs. "What business does the girl have in the Cuchara country?"

Rod sighed. "She accused me of neglecting her welfare. She wants a husband."

"No!" Julia sat up.

"She made it plain she's woman-grown and expects me to get her one."

She looked at Rod. "You're not--"

Rod cut her off. "She said young Tom is twenty. I had no notion."

Julia shook her head and sighed in turn. "Your matchmaking has an ill reputation." She sank back onto the bed. "Does she have her cap set for Tom Morgan?"

Rod shifted one of his legs. "I've had him in mind for years."

"I asked does Marie want him?"

He shifted the other leg. "She didn't say me nay." After another long pause, he continued, "I'll know more when I get the two in the same room."

"What?" Julia sat up again, her back stiff.

"Julie, shh."

"You're takin' my daughter down country with a passel of cows?"
~~~

Thank you for visiting. Come back every Saturday for more samples. Now, use this list to go to other blogs for more Sweet Saturday Samples. I know the authors enjoy comments as much as I do, so don't be shy.

Copyright 2012 Marsha Ward

17 comments:

  1. Sounds great, Marsha! Just wanted to say hello and thank you for stopping by GingerMyrick.com. I'm just starting out, and your support is very much appreciated! We lady writers have to stick together, you know!

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    1. You're more than welcome, Ginger. Thanks for the return visit and the comment.

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  2. Loved how you captured the essence of "men" by having Rod roll over and start snoring!

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    1. I try! ;-) Thank for your visit this week.

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  3. Interesting dialogue going on here.

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    1. Can't you just see it? The movie in my mind for the Saga used to star a certain Hollywood couple, but they got divorced, so I have to wipe that out and start clean.

      Are Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross still married? Why yes, they are! A few years too old, though.

      Dare I put Tom Selleck in the role of Rod? Delicious!

      Thanks for visiting, Lindsay!

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  4. I like the familiar interchange between husband and wife. Just because they've been married for years doesn't mean things are boring.

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    1. Absolutely, Penny. Recently, I discovered that I modeled this couple on my parents. I only said that aloud to someone today, so it's a very recent discovery. Or maybe not. Maybe I knew it all along, buried somewhere deep down.

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  5. I would definitely vote for Sam Elliott. :)

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    1. LOL! He DOES have that fascinating voice, and he's not bad looking, either! Thanks for visiting, Janice.

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  6. Great scene, Marsha!

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    1. Thank you, Joan! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and comment.

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  7. Love her last line! She goes right to the heart of the situation--her daughter's being "sold" right along with the beeves! Great sample!

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    1. Thanks for the visit and comment, Jenna! Yes, Marie will be in more trouble than she knows.

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  8. Replies
    1. Thank you, Oldroyd family! I really enjoy writing this novel.

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  9. You just keep getting better, Marsha! The dialog is wonderful. It's as if you're channeling the 1800s, especially the south. I am very impressed.

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I welcome your comments.

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