CHANGING SEASONS = LIFE CHANGES

POSTED BY: Genie Gabriel

Web site: www.GenieGabriel.com

The changing of the seasons features prominently in my book, THE BODYGUARD. As fall approaches, Julia Cabot's marriage takes a violent turn and she runs for her children's lives. Her panicked flight leads her to take refuge with Mitch Garrison, a former bodyguard with his own challenges. 

As fall turns to winter in this book, Julia and Mitch face the deepest challenges of their lives. In the middle of a fierce winter storm, Mitch, Julia and rescue teams battle for a Christmas miracle that will save the lives of Julia's four-year-old twins.

***EXCERPT from THE BODYGUARD***

Up the mountain, Cayle was identifiable by the neon pink and green stocking cap pulled over his head, diligently searching the snow for other signs of someone who may have been in the area. By the time Mitch and Julia trudged up the slope, snow was falling in thickening intensity. 

"Cayle, we need to turn back," one of the members of the team shouted above the wail of the wind through the trees. 

"Another fifteen minutes." Cayle pushed on through the whirling snow. 

"How long can we keep looking?" Mitch asked the team two leader. 

Sam Jackson was a conservative man. He considered every angle, every possibility, and didn’t take chances. Sam shrugged. "That’s a matter of judgment. For me, we‘ve reached the point where the lives of the rescue teams are in danger. Cayle pushes the envelope. He takes chances. And he’s pulled off some rescues when everyone else had given up hope." 

"My children are out here somewhere." Tears mixed with the snowflakes on Julia’s cheeks. 

"Jack Stryker grew up in these mountains. If he hooked up with your kids, they’ve probably holed up in one of these old gold mines somewhere," Sam said. "The temperature rarely varies more than fifteen degrees inside the mine, even when it’s freezing out here." 

"Or they could be out in this mess," Julia stated. 

"That’s another possibility," Sam conceded. 

"I won’t give up if there’s a chance we can find my children," Julia said. 

"I’m sending the teams back." Sam opened his backpack. "Cayle will want to push on. You’ll need extra supplies to wait out the blizzard. Lash yourselves together so you don’t get separated." 

Sam stashed a first aid kit, chocolate bars, and solar blankets in Mitch’s pack. Then he looped a rope between Mitch and Julia and snugged it around their waists. "Keep the woman between you. The only way you’re going to find anyone in this weather is to stumble across them. When it gets so bad you have to stop, stay by a tree. Their branches will form a natural shelter near the trunk. Listen to Cayle. He’s the best. And pray." 

With one last salute, Sam followed the rest of the team down the slope of the mountain. Cayle had circled back to them by that time. "Good. Sam’s got you prepped." 

Cayle looped the rope around his waist and knotted it. "I figure we’ve got about an hour before the storm hits full force. We’ll cover as much ground as we can, but it’s going to be slow going into the wind. Stryker will stay close to the trees for shelter, so that’s what we’ll do. We may get lucky and stumble onto his hideaway. When we can’t go any further, we’ll dig in and ride out the blizzard. Ready?" 

Julia pulled the ski mask over her face and buttoned the top button of her fleece-lined coat. Mitch’s gloved hand clasped hers and for a moment their gazes collided. She drank in his strength and courage and determination. Then Cayle’s hand slipped under her arm and they stepped into the face of the storm.