Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This weeks prompt is this picture.
Stalled Independence which I featured the past two weeks is complete and ready for my lovely editor. Plus, this picture lends itself better to another story. So this week I return to Independent Brake the prequel to my Dominion Falls series featuring Katherine Daugherty.
In this excerpt she is returning to her hometown after five years away. Her parents are long gone, living in Denver…and the first person she sees again has more impact on her story than she’s yet to realize:
“You grew up here?” Lottie, the young woman closest to Kat’s own age spoke up. Her nose wrinkled as she peeked out of the curtain. “How…quaint.”
“It was better then, not so many buildings.” Kat felt frisky enough to rile Lottie. The woman acted so prim and proper, but Kat knew her to be a hypocrite. At least Kat was honest about her dislike of some of what the league did. Lottie just drank and made time with men in every town they went to right behind the other women’s back.
“Well, I guess it explains some things.” Lottie eyed Kat’s pantaloons in disdain.
“Oh, please. I only started wearing these a year ago. Growing up here had little to do with my fashion choice.” Kat smirked. “I’m not ashamed of what I am, certainly not of where I came from. I liked growing up here. It was wilder, freer, and dangerous at times.”
Lottie’s reply was cut off with a sharp jolt of the carriage when the stagecoach stopped suddenly.
Kat didn’t wait for Lottie’s retort, or the driver. Instead, she reached out of the window and opened the door. She leaped out into the street, not surprised by the constant bustle of activity around her. All around most people kept up with their business, others were drawn to the carriage like bees to honey. She pulled away from the carriage to take in most of the town.
Straight down the main street she sill had a clear view of snow capped mountains in the distance. Then acres of fields gave way to the dirty, chaotic town. Behind her she could hear the mines working just a few miles off.
Her smile brightened as she turned, taking in the sights, and smells, of the town. The unease and tension slipped away and her shoulders dropped. She was home.
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
What a beautifully written, evocative piece, Sarah. I feel I know Kat and the town at the same time. I’m looking forward to more of this story.
Thanks so much, Jean. I love that even though I thought I already knew it, Kat’s story has manged to surprise me. I can’t wait to get this one out there for the rest of the world to see. 🙂
Perfect scene for this prompt. I like Kat – she knows who she is with just a touch of sass.
Fun story!
Thanks, Trisha!! Kat is a wonderful character. After introducing her in my series I knew I had to tell her story. 😀
What a great lead up to the description of the mountain then from it to the town.
Thanks, Lindsay. I figured it made a pretty perfect backdrop for where she is. 😀
Great how the pic fitted perfectly into the story!
Thanks, Iris! I do love when things work out like that. 😀
I am loving Kat. She’s awesome. Well done on the description of the picture, too
Just wait until next week, Jillian…Kat gets better. hehe. Thanks!!
Makes me think of Cripple Creek, Colorado.
Funny you should say that. I have this set in the fictional town of Dominion Falls…which I have positioned south of Cripple Creek/slightly southwest of Colorado Springs where the real town of Silver Cliff, CO is 😀
Love the way you’ve woven atmosphere and information together and kept me reading. want to read more.
I like your take on the picture prompt.