Book Snippets; This one from Dandelions Never Die (Book 1)

The following Thursday night Ricky and the boys arrived again, this time with Bree in tow. Eric allowed Shelley a small break from her rigid discipline. He helped her prepare a delicious meal of baked chicken, brown rice and steamed vegetables. Shelley felt adventurous enough to make homemade biscuits as a special treat for her family, but they turned out flat and hard and, of course, a little overdone. She threw the pan down on the counter.

"Shit. I give up. I just give up."

Eric turned at her use of profanity in front of the kids and knew it wasn't because she'd burned the biscuits. He went to her and tilted her face up to the light.

"You're tired Shelley. Come sit down and don't worry about the biscuits."

She hesitated, but he pulled on her arm and they sat down to eat. Ricky, however, made his way over to the pan and picked up a hard round saucer.

"Hey Look guys, Mom's made us Ninja weapons to use in our battle tomorrow."

Shelley couldn't help but giggle. Eric was also pleased with his son's ability to lighten up any situation. Ricky was always happy, always cheerful and always making those around him smile.

Bree watched Ricky's antics with admiration, her eyes following his every move. He was almost a carbon copy of his father, except Ricky was a bundle of laughs. She'd also seen the serious side of him. She wondered if he was anything like any of the movie characters he'd portrayed. Deadly when provoked. He was responsible enough to take excellent care of Mark and Joey and a true professional when it came to his career. She was in awe of the gorgeous young man. She'd offered herself to him once and he'd turned her down. She wondered if he still took that stance. Intending to find out, she looked forward to spending time with him on the picnic the family had planned for the next day.

And so it was, after the morning workout and chores, everyone helped put together a huge picnic lunch, packed into backpacks. Mark and Joey armed themselves with Shelley's biscuits and the group started off on a hike.

Eric and Shelley walked side by side watching the children wonder along the path in front of them, finding points of interest, throwing rocks and stopping to wrestle with Ricky whenever the inclination struck. Eric felt Shelley's hand slip into his and he lifted her fingers to his lips with a smile.

Exploring a new area of the mountain, they came to a small path that forked off to the right. Mark and Joey ran ahead, around the curve and out of sight while the adults stood and discussed which path they should take. Deciding to head a little further up the mountain, Shelley called Mark and Joey to come back, but they didn't respond.

She could hear them laughing and throwing rocks into the stream. Handing Eric her pack she disappeared around the curve in search of the little Ninjas. A few seconds later a blood curdling scream erupted from Shelley's lungs striking fear in Eric's heart and draining all color from Ricky's face.

It seemed to take them forever to travel the short distance around the bend to find the source of Shelley's trouble. Ricky, Bree, and Eric came to a halt where the path ended and stared in horror.

A rope foot bridge dangled precariously thirty feet above the water. Mark and Joey clung desperately to the wooden slats that had once formed the walking surface of the bridge. The bridge had torn free from one side, apparently when Shelley had stepped out on it.

Shelley dangled from the rope that had previously formed one side of the bridge. Swinging helplessly now below what was left of the bridge, she tried to pull herself up in order to help Mark and Joey who could slide off the boards at any time, but it seemed it was all she could do to hold on.

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Dandelions Never Die - Book 1 of The Dandelions Series
Available in paperback, on Kindle, Nook, IPad and most all e-reading applications

Picture from an article in the China Post
February 19, 2009 9:23 am TWN, By Richard Saunders
,Jiajiuliao Trail: A walk in the woods