Eruption (Yellowblown™ Book 1) (41 page)
Read Eruption (Yellowblown™ Book 1) Online
Authors: J. Hughey
Grandma poked her head in the door a few minutes
after we’d finished dinner. Her foot fit her regular shoes again and she hardly limped at all. “Two people walking up the driveway,” she said.
We were all more cautious
since the backpacker incident. I followed Dad onto the porch. I blinked then literally rubbed my eyes.
“Mia?” I breathed. “Mia!!” I
sprinted over the pavement in my socks. The lipsticked mouth hadn’t changed, but everything else was off. A ragged beanie hat covered her black hair. Her tweedy, vintage coat had a crusty stain on one sleeve. When I reached her she almost staggered into my hug. She clung to me for a moment in a way pre-Yellowblown Mia Carbone would never do. The motion caused a variety of duffels and tote bags hanging from her shoulders and arms to crash into me like the clappers on bells. She even smelled bad.
Mom and Dad showed up beside me. Dad unloaded her like a pack mule. I knew the brooding, unencumbered teen with her
as her brother, Tony, before she made the breathless introduction. The two of them were here, alone, on foot, unannounced, all the way from New Jersey. I knew their arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter for me and my family because this couldn’t be an unexpected vaca. Mia must need help, or a safe place to stay, or both. With my best friend at arm’s length again, I saw a tiny pinpoint of light shining in what had been feeling like a very bleak future without the Nebraska boy. At The Perch, Lord knew I’d never be left alone, but at least with Mia here I wouldn’t be so lonely.
THE END
Coming soon – Rhyolite Drifts: Yellowblown Series Book Two
www.jillhughey.com
.
My than
ks to Paul Knight, senior lecturer in meteorology at the Pennsylvania State University, for talking to me about weather patterns; to Susan Snider at Snider’s Elevator for sharing her knowledge of grain handling and livestock; Margaret Durand, R.N., for always answering my weird medical questions; and to Tom Hill for fearlessly teaching me to shoot a shotgun.
I appreciate the efforts of my editors, Gina Ardito and Judy Roth, who each took a turn at shaping
Eruption
into the story I wanted to tell. Also, kudos to my early readers, Kelly Hughey and Julie Hill, who had to slog through a fairly rough draft and encouraged me nonetheless!
The design team at Visual Quill started with my verbal ideas and turned them into a website, book cover, and series logo, all of which further my vision for my career.
Last but first in my heart, my thanks to my husband Scott and our two sons who understand that sometimes things like meals or evening relaxation time get pushed aside for the sake of the book. I couldn’t persevere without your love and support.