Saturday Snippet: But I'm Still Thirsty!

The following snippet is taken from

 Clara 

Prairie Roses Collection, Book 25

by Zina Abbott 

 

          As soon as Clara saw the movement of her brother’s throat, she pulled the end up. “That’s one swallow, Danny. You may ask Will for another swallow when I return.” She released the hand on the body of the bag long enough to shove the stopper in place.

          “But I’m still thirsty!” A few drops of water dripped down Danny’s chin as he clung to the bag and tried to wrest it from Clara’s grasp.

          “No! I will not allow you to be selfish. Do you want your sister to die? She’s got heat sickness and needs water, too. Now, let go of the bag, or I’ll tell Will you are not allowed to have any more of his water.” She glanced at Will, knowing he watched the scene, but she could read nothing from his expression. Maybe he thinks I am being wicked and mean to Danny.

          “Not fair.” Pouting as he dropped his head, Danny released the bag. “You’re going to drink it all yourself.”

          “No, I’m not.” Clara shook her head. “Believe me, Danny. I’m thirsty, too, but I’ll not take even one sip. It wouldn’t be fair for me to drink when Anna and Aunt Pearl don’t have water. I’ll give Grace some, and then I’ll return the waterskin to Will. Whether or not he allows you more water depends on how well you behave.”

          “But, I’m tired, and I’m thirsty, and I want something to eat.” His gaze on the ground, Danny sighed. “Will you carry me, Clara?” He raised his gaze and lifted his arms.

          “I’m tired, too, Danny, and you’re too big for me to carry.” Clara softened her voice. “I’ll return as soon as I can so we can walk together.”

          “Tell you what, Danny. You climb up and ride on my back until we get to that clump of dead brush the Engleharts’ wagon is just now passing.” Tucking the ox goad under his armpit, Will pointed to a cluster of brown in the distance. He interlaced his fingers and held them out toward Danny.

          Her mouth and throat dried from the heat, Clara swallowed air. She studied Will’s face. She had felt drawn to him all those months ago, when they first met along the banks of the South Platte River. However, the more she learned about him—came to know the real heart and soul of William Clayton, the more she felt she could not ask for a better man with whom to connect her life—to marry and with whom to build a family. However, Pearl and Michael remained convinced she was too young to make such an important decision. 

 

 

Clara is currently available for purchase as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please

CLICK HERE

 

Pearl was my first book published in the Prairie Roses Collection (2022). Many of the same characters are in both Pearl and Clara. 

Today, Saturday, April 29, 2023, is the final day I am offering this book on a Kindle Countdown sale for 99ȼ to readers in the United States and the United Kingdom. The book is also available in Kindle Unlimited and paperback. To find the book descriptions for Pearl and the purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

The above snippet was taken from the chapter describing the wagon train crossing the Forty Mile Desert. If you wish to know more about this desert, please read my Forty Mile Desert blog post. CLICK HERE

 

 

 

My next book to be published will be Sabrina, Book 19 in the Rescue Me (Mail-order Brides) series. To find the book description and pre-order link,please

CLICK HERE 

 

 

Check out the following multi-author promotions:

Rustic Romance Wide or in KU

Includes my own JOSHUA’S BRIDE and A BRIDE FOR DEVLIN

Please CLICK HERE

Clean Historical Romance - April 2023

Includes my own Western romances, LAUREN, ELLIE,  and MAIL ORDER BLYTHE

Please CLICK HERE