The dry bag sits on the kitchen counter and I’m arranging ham slices on the sandwiches. Anticipation bubbles through me. I haven’t been on a river trip in ages and I’m popping with excitement.
It’s only a one day trip down the Cache La Poudre here in Colorado, but it’s a stolen day, precious in its unexpected rarity. I probably shouldn’t go. There’s so much to do at Loving Earth Trust and I can’t afford to drop any of the chainsaws I’ve been juggling since I took over the executive director position last fall.
Top on the priority list is the film project in Moab, UT. When Lisa, my closest friend since our undergrad days at CU in Boulder, came to me with the idea to create a feature film aimed at convincing Congress to expand the boundaries of Canyonlands National Park in southern Utah, I hesitated.
Loving Earth Trust works hard to save and restore wilderness but a film seemed out of our expertise. Still, Canyonlands is threatened by mining interests, overly-enthusiastic recreationists, and even the local ranchers who could potentially over-graze delicate land. And as the new executive director, a project of this scope, if successful, would look good on my budding career.
So I found the funds and my passionate, impulsive, whirly-gig of a best friend tore into the film making business. Lisa wants me to have the full impact of the film so she hasn’t shown me much of it. That makes me nervous. She’s way over-budget and the deadline is looming, and the last Skype conversation I had with her, she seemed overly edgy.
I nestle two apples into the dry bag and struggle with second thoughts. I shouldn’t go on the river today. “What if Lisa needs something?” I’m addressing Abby, my aging retriever. He opens his eyes from his nap under the bushy corn plants I have in pots all over my apartment, but he doesn’t answer. He’s good at keeping his own council. “At this point, a day’s delay could make or break us.”
I debate cancelling the river trip and my eyes wander over the corn plants. My Hopi cousin instructed me to plant them to help heal the world. It may sound crazy, but I decided it couldn’t hurt. Besides, Abby and I like growing things inside with us. This whole Hopi connection is weird but I’m going with it. Learning the customs and history of Hopi has been interesting. But I feel a kind of niggling worry when I stop to consider the corn.
I haven’t seen the kachina since the terrible time on the mountain last fall. I should be glad. No one needs a mythical spirit popping in on them, and I was never happy when he showed up. This sad feeling of abandonment is silly. For the first time in a long time my life is right on track. I have a great job doing work that makes a difference. And there’s Cole.
He came into my life at the worst possible time. He stood by me while I grieved my dead, cheating husband, protected me even when I pushed him away. He’s shown me the steady, unconditional love I never knew existed.
This day is important to Cole. I’ve been so busy lately and he’s been patient. Even if I have thirty reasons I shouldn’t take a day off from Loving Earth Trust, I owe Cole one day of fun, at least.
I glance over my shoulder to make sure Cole is busy packing the splash jackets before I tuck my phone into the dry bag. It’s my workaholic tendency but there’s no harm, really. We probably won’t have a signal on the river. Everyone at the Trust can manage without me one day. Even Lisa is capable enough to solve today’s problems. Right?
Besides, what could possibly go wrong?
You can read more about Nora’s latest adventures in Tattered Legacy, the third book in the “Nora Abbott” mystery series, published by Midnight Ink.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on March 16 for the chance to win a copy of Tattered Legacy. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Shannon Baker is the author of the Nora Abbott mystery series from Midnight Ink. A fast-paced mix of Hopi Indian mysticism, environmental issues, and murder. Shannon is an itinerant writer, which is a nice way of saying she’s confused. She never knows what time zone she’s in, Timbuck-Three, Nebraska, or Denver, or Tucson. Nora Abbott has picked up that location schizophrenia and travels from Flagstaff in Tainted Mountain, to Boulder in Broken Trust and then to Moab in Tattered Legacy. Shannon is proud to have been chosen Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ 2014 Writer of the Year. Visit Shannon at www.Shannon-Baker.com.
While Tattered Legacy is available from your favorite online or bookstore, if you’d like to support indie bookstores, you’re welcome to contact Who Else Books at www.BroadwayBookMall.com. Ron and Nina are the best! And they might have a signed copy to send.
Sounds awesome! Thanks for introducing me to a new author!
Very pleased to see that Tattered Legacy is now available. I already have a copy of Broken Trust so there’s a perfect spot for it on the shelf. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I am interested in all stories about the Native American Indians so would like very much to read this book.
Famous last words – what could possibly go wrong. I would love to see!
Sounds like a wonderful story. I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks, Dru.
Tattered Legacy sounds like a great read! Appreciate the opportunity to win!
Wow…I must look for this series.
A new author for me. The book sounds interesting.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh, boy! Dru, you’ve chosen another money eater for me. ☺ I want to win this book, but now I’ll have to buy the others, too.
This book sounds wonderful. I’d love to read it 🙂
Good morning Dru Ann and all you early birds! As Dru knows, I’m usually up early but with travel fatigue and the time change, I’m three steps behind you all! This is the best reading blog on the planet so I’m completely thrilled to be here!
Sounds good!!!
So glad to have a chance at a copy.
Something different. Would love a chance to read it and maybe start a new series. thanks.
A captivating book and great feature and giveaway. Thanks.
Having not read any books by this author I find your review having me adding it to my to be read list. Thanks for the review.
Sounds so interesting! Looking forward to reading a new author – thanks for the chance to win a book!
I hadn’t heard of this series! I’ll have to check it out.
Thanks for all the great comments! I hope everyone is having a super morning. Today, my husband has his rifle out and we’re playing with the “action” and looking at the rifling in the barrel. I’m not a gun person so this is fascinating for me, if a little scary!
BTW, for those who don’t win Tattered Legacy here, you can enter the giveaway on Goodreads http://tinyurl.com/n5so6xw
“What could go wrong” is always bad news.
This sound like a really good read. I’d like to find out more about her Hopi connection.
Tattered Legacy sounds like an interesting read; thanks for the opportunity to win.
It sounds like an amazing story with great characters. I love the pretty cover. Thanks for the chance to win it.
A new to me author and the series sounds great. Would love a copy of the book
I find I can learn something about another culture when I read a good book—this one sounds interesting and fun—a good combination.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I would like to start reading this series.
Thanks for introducing me to new series,
Sounds great. I have been looking for a new series.
Oh this sounds interesting
Sounds awesome! New author for me.
Dru Ann has the best blog followers! All the comments here have really made my day. Thanks so much for taking the time to read about Nora and her day. Thank you, Dru, for having me.
Thanks so much another new author for my list
My former boss at the Natural History Museum used to tease me about my Hopi hairdo. So this book caught my attention.
This book has to be one of the most unique sounding books that I “will read” this year. I am truly enthralled with the storyline and can’t wait to order and get this book read. Thank you Dru, for alerting me to this author and her books.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
Wow! This book sounds fantastic! Thank you for the review and contest!
would love to read and thanks for having the giveaway
Would love to win! Sounds like a book I’d love to read!
Loved the 1st book….
Have to read the 2nd one…
Thank you for the giveaway!!
Thanks for the chance to read
Thanks for the new series and author.
This is a new to me author so thank you for highlighting this book. It sounds like a good series and I will be searching out the first book in the series. Thanks for the chance to win.
This sounds like a fantastic, new to me series. Thanks for the chance to win!
Would enjoy reading this. My mother had a Irish mother and a Native American father so enjoy reading this type of book.
Thanks for this introduction to Nora and the chance to win this book.
Great
Have not read this author before but I am really looking forward to this book. It sounds so interesting!
How did I miss this author & series? Going on my TBR list now!
Thanks , Dru! And for giveaway.
Awesome!
Sounds intriguing. Thanks for the contest!
Sounds like a book that will touch one’s heart and soul.
contest is closed.