Saturday Snippet: Alone? A Woman? It Is Not Done.

The following snippet is from 

 Virginia's Vocation

by Zina Abbott

Lockets & Lace series, Book 19

 

          Virginia inhaled and held out her hands in supplication. “Mr. Porter, I wish you to reconsider. I am familiar with the general area. The Kaw Reservation is not too far from Boonville, where I used to live. I also have my source in Bonner Springs who deals with the tribe. He can provide me with valuable information. Please, allow me to complete that assignment.”

          “Alone? A woman? It is not done, Miss Atwell. I will not be responsible for you.”

          Virginia gritted her teeth. Her battle to be able to move freely and be regarded with the same respect and acceptance as a man she had fought her entire life still raged. She refused to surrender. “You don’t have to be responsible for me. I will be fine. My brother, who knows of my writing persona, lives to the west of the reservation. Perhaps I could ask him to accompany me while I interview members of the tribe and get their viewpoint.”

          “What does your brother do for a living, Miss Atwell?”

          “He's a farmer. He just built a new farm east of Salina. The Kaw cross the river next to his property on their way to hunt bison on the plains.”

          Using his whole arm, Mr. Porter flipped his hand dismissively. “Yes, yes. I read your article. And he can just walk away from his farm during harvest season to traipse around the countryside with you? You expect me to believe that?”

          Lips quivering, Virginia hesitated as she thought about his question. She knew Jefferson would be even more resistant than Mr. Porter to her visiting an Indian reservation. “Well, sir, I could always ask.”

          Virginia sensed Avery step close to her until his chest almost touched her shoulder. He leaned over and spoke softly into her ear. “Virginia... Miss Atwell... please think this over. It is one thing for me to escort you here to an American city for an appointment. Are you sure you are willing to risk your safety to travel among a tribe of Indians? Besides...” Avery turned to face Mr. Porter and addressed his question to both her and the publisher. “Are you even sure the Indian agent will let someone writing for your journal on the reservation to speak to their chiefs?” He turned back to Virginia as he sought to reason with her. “Perhaps, if you were a man, you could get away with it. I doubt they will talk to a woman.”

          Virginia closed her eyes and ground out her words. “I am so tired of being told what I can and cannot do as a woman! Mr. Wilson, you do not run my life.”

This book is part of the Sweet Historical Romance offer below. To find the book description and purchase link for 

Virginia's Vocation, please CLICK HERE. 

 

 

To find the book description and purchase link for my current book,

A Bride for Quentin, please CLICK HERE. 

 

My next book to be published August 10th, 

Lighthouse Escape

is now on preorder. You may find the book description by CLICKING HERE. 

This book will be written as a companion book to Lightkeeper's Challenge by Linda Carroll-Bradd

 

Also on preorder to be published September 1st is my second Cupids and Cowboys book, Madeline.

You may find the book description and preorder link by CLICKING HERE.

 

Christmas in July

Includes my book Too Old for Christmas

Please CLICK HERE.

 

Sweet Historical Romances

Lovely romances from several eras

Includes my two books, Virginia's Vocation and Mail Order Roslyn

 

Please CLICK HERE.

 

 

A reminder about Old Timey Holiday Kitchen. A multi-author series sponsored by the Sweet Americana Book Club, the first book will be released Monday, July 19th.

To find the series page on Amazon, please CLICK HERE.