Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend (21 page)

Authors: Robert James Waller

BOOK: Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend

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He straightened up and began his backcasts. Jellie Markham leaned against the door frame and watched him, remembering what
Chitra had said about high plumage and southern winds, about warrior-poets and motorcycle men. And she smiled, shook her head,
and began laughing softly to herself. “God help us all.” She changed out of her India clothing and walked down toward the
stream in an old sweater, jeans, and hiking boots. Malachi saw her and came running, bouncing and barking. Leonard Markham
heard the dog and looked up, put his hand high above his head, and waved to her. Behind him, water sprayed jewellike off Michael
Tillman’s fly line as he reached back in the last sunlight of a blue, mountain evening.

Acknowledgment

Thanks to the usual suspects—Georgia Ann, Rachael, Carol, Shirley, Gary and Kathe, Susan, J.R., Linda, Mike, Bill, and Pam—who
are kind enough to read various drafts of what I write and offer comment. And thanks also to Maureen Egen and the rest of
the folks at Warner Books for their patience with a wandering man. The standard disclaimer is in effect: my work is better
because of these people, the weaknesses are mine. And, of course, thanks to the Aaron Priest Literary Agency and all the readers
out there who make this curious, reclusive life of words and imagination possible.

RJW

Cedar Falls, Iowa

January 28, 1993

A
N
O
UTPOURING OF
P
RAISE FOR
R
OBERT
J
AMES
W
ALLER AND
H
IS
F
IRST
N
OVEL THE
C
OAST-TO
-C
OAST
#1 B
ESTSELLER AND
W
INNER OF THE
1993 A
BBY
A
WARD