Under
the Western Sky
is
my retro-romantic suspense. Also from Tirgearr Publishing, Under the
Western Sky takes readers back to 1976. This retro romance is full of
faced paced suspense as well as the story of young love in bloom.
Libby
Marshall and Bobby Menendez are happy in their new found
relationship. Friends for years, they finally realize their feelings
are much deeper than mere friendship. They are just beginning to
explore this new relationship when Bobby's cousin, Ramon, is beaten
by white boys because he dared to date a white girl.
Racial
tension is high in the small, Midwestern town as the police strive to
find the guilty parties. Bobby and Libby wonder if he will be the
next target as events unfold and the true evil is revealed – Under
the Western Sky.
Excerpt
from Under
the Western Sky
Having
worked summer stock out here several times, Bobby knew they kept a
fully stocked tool shop. Tools made handy weapons. The shed would be
locked, but he hoped to get in without too much trouble. Provided
they hadn’t changed the combination on the padlock, he still
remembered it.
Taking
a deep breath, he scooted across the open stretch of land between the
stage and the scene shop. This was where he was most vulnerable. A
dim bulb lit the front of the shed and he would be visible until he
got the door open. Saying a silent prayer, he dashed across,
flattening himself against the side of the concrete brick wall. His
hand found the lock as he slowly rolled to face the door. His fingers
moved quickly, but his shaking hands made him start over twice before
the lock gave a distinctive snick, falling open in his palm.
He
eased the door open and a dim string of lights flickered on when he
touched the switch. Moving with confidence, he found what he was
looking for. Grabbing a tool belt, he filled it quickly with
screwdrivers, hammers and chisels. He stuffed a bag of nails into his
pocket; a razor knife went into another.
"I
swear, I thought I saw something down here," a man said, outside
the shop.
Bobby
flicked off the lights, grateful that they wouldn't show outside. He
slipped quietly into a corner between the router and the table saw,
sliding silently down the wall.
"What's
in there?" He heard Tex ask someone.
Danny
answered slowly, his words somewhat garbled. Bobby was sure his lips
were swollen from the beating he'd taken.
"That's
where they keep stuff for the plays. Old scenery, paint."
Bobby
wished he'd put the lock back on the door, but it was too late to
worry about it now.
"Open
it," Tex commanded.
"It's
probably locked, boss."
"Open
the goddamn door, moron. Here, I'll do it myself!"
Wood
creaked and shattered as Tex kicked it down. Bobby had to suppress a
laugh. He'd have gotten through a lot quicker if he'd simply tried
the doorknob.
"Keep
him out here," Tex said to his companion.
"Yes,
sir."
Tex
entered the shop immediately running into a stack of lumber just
inside the door. It was a dumb place for it, but as it was always
there, Bobby had known to avoid it. Cursing loudly, the man tried to
find a light switch but they were hard to find in the dark. Whoever
had built the shop had wired it wrong, putting the switch on the
opposite side of the shop. The only switch operated the string of
Christmas bulbs Bobby had used to find his way around.
For
the first time, Bobby noticed the sawdust on the floor. Although
there were other prints in it, his were distinct and fresh. They
didn't escape Tex's notice.
"Someone's
been in here," he called over his shoulder.
While
his head was turned, Bobby jumped up, pushing the table saw toward
the big man. With a roar, the older man jumped out of the way as the
heavy power tool fell on the floor.
"You
little shit! I'll get you for that!"
Bobby
hurled a handful of nails at him, grabbing a 2 x 4 off another stack
of lumber. Screaming, Tex flung his arms up to fend off the nails.
Staggering, he stooped, grabbing another piece of wood for himself.
The
two pieces of lumber cracked together, sounding like a gun shot.
Grunting and cursing, Tex wailed away with his piece of wood. He was
strong and his blows hammered mercilessly at Bobby. A lucky shot got
in under Bobby's guard, glancing off his elbow. Pain and numbness
shot up his arm as the end of the wood connected with his funny bone.
He
dropped his 2 x 4, fingers numb, arm throbbing. Tex advanced,
taunting him with the wood. Bobby knew his left arm was useless,
hoping the blow hadn't broken it. Easing a hammer out of his tool
belt, he held it low, waiting for Tex to move.
Tex
grinned, laughing harshly. It was a cold, hollow sound in the cement
shop.
"Not
so feisty now, eh, muchacho?" He moved closer to get a
better shot at Bobby.
Bobby
countered his movement with his own, getting a better grip on the
hammer. As Tex swung back, he hurled the hammer at him, catching the
man on the side of the head. It was a glancing blow, but knocked him
back a step. Roaring in pain, Tex rushed him, board cast aside and
forgotten.
Bobby
dropped into his fighting stance, ready for him. In one fluid motion,
he grabbed Tex by his outstretched arm, locking it to his side.
Putting one leg between Tex's, he trapped the bigger man. Even with
his left arm dangling limp at his side, Bobby yanked hard on Tex's
arm. With a satisfying crack and a yelp, he knew he'd dislocated his
elbow.
He
threw Tex to the floor, flipping him on his face, nose in a pile of
sawdust. He yanked the injured arm straight up behind him, pinning
him in place with a foot on his neck.
©
2017 Dellani Oakes
