During this month of holiday celebrations, I'm going to do something different for "Everyday Miracles." One of my books, THE BODYGUARD, was described as a "feel-good Christmas story" by my first editor. That book is also available as a free download every Monday until Christmas (thanks to my wonderful publisher, Rogue Phoenix Press!). So I'm going to offer excerpts from THE BODYGUARD that illustrate those miracles. (This book and all my Rock'n'Romance trilogy are available for the special holiday price of 99 cents through December 31.)
Hope you enjoy the excerpts and the free download on Mondays!
"When is Mommy going to come and get us?" Abraham’s voice wobbled as he huddled with his sister in a metal ore car tipped on its side against the wall of the mine.
Angelina shivered. "The angels said not to be afraid."
Abraham squared his little shoulders bravely. "I’m not afraid. I just miss Mommy."
Angelina leaned close to her brother and whispered. "Sometimes I worry they won’t find us."
"We need to make a signal."
"What’s that?"
"I saw it on TV," Abraham said. "Boppy the clown pointed a mirror at the sun to make light flashes."
"Do you have a mirror?"
Abraham shook his head.
"Me neither. What else can we do?"
"We could build a fire."
"We’re not supposed to play with matches."
The twins sat for a few moments, their small faces frowning thoughtfully.
"Snow angels." Angelina jumped up excitedly. "We can make snow angels by our cave like we did on Aunt Shannon’s lawn."
"And Gabe can smell that it’s us ‘cause dogs noses are extra sniffy. It said so on TV." Abraham’s eyes shone with hope. "Let’s do it now."
***
"What do we do now?" Abraham asked.
"I don’t know." Angelina’s sobs echoed with heart-wrenching sadness.
Abraham sat silently for a time. This wasn’t right. Angelina always knew what to do. "Maybe we can ask the angels for help."
"They got buried in the snow." Angelina pointed to a feather sticking out of the wall of snow.
Abraham picked up another feather a few feet away. "Maybe they got away." He picked up another and another. "Come on, Angelina. The angels left feathers to show us the way out."
"There aren’t any angels." Angelina wiped her sleeve across her nose. "I just made that up to make you feel better."
For a moment, Abraham’s lower lip trembled. "I’m going to follow the angels. You have to come with me ‘cause Angel Mitch said always stick together."
"Mitch isn’t here."
"The other angels will take us to him." Abraham tugged on Angelina’s hand. "You have to come." He pulled once more, tugging Angelina out of the scooped out pocket in the rocks where they had taken cover during the avalanche.
"Alright." Angelina scowled crossly. "You don’t have to rip my coat."
Abraham smiled to himself. His sister hated to admit she was wrong. She got real grouchy and pretended to be mad. Later, she would say she was sorry. For now, it was enough that she came with him.
--from THE BODYGUARD, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel
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