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Authors: Brenda Beem

Knockdown (35 page)

BOOK: Knockdown
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Takumi grinned. “And a lake or waterfall to bathe in.”


You’re right.” I pushed away and hunted for signs of a stream. Dylan said there was fresh water. I’d be clean. It had been weeks. I grinned and bounced up and down.

There was more
movement on shore. The people who had gathered to watch us scrambled away from three burly men who hiked from the high bank above. A woman ran and snatched up a toddler who was playing in their path.

The largest of the three
men yelled, “No one comes ashore until the Doctor says it’s okay.”

“Doctor?” I swiveled to find Angelina.

She was beaming.

“Thank
you, God.” Nick closed his eyes.

Jervis
jumped up and down with Makala still on his shoulders. “Your sister’s gonna be fine.”

Makala squealed and grabbed his hair.

Dylan and Zoë danced on the bow.

Taku
mi swung me around and around. All of a sudden I knew what I had to do. I wiggled out of Takumi’s grasp and started taking off my clothes.

Takumi’s eyes bugged out and he
yelped, “What are you doing?”

W
earing only my bra and panties, I climbed over the boat rail, and stood on the edge. My arms swung high into the air. I crouched and leapt for the sky.

I managed only one summersault before
I hit the water. But it was a good dive.

“Yeah,
Toni!” Angelina yelled. “That was awesome.”

Nick whooped
. Makala and Jervis clapped and yelled.

Takumi
hurried to shed his pants. Dylan grabbed Zoë’s hand. The applause turned to laughter as Takumi, Dylan, and Zoë cannon-balled off the boat and joined me.

It wasn’t fresh water. It wasn’t as warm as I’d hoped. B
ut it would do.

Takumi’
s sculptured chest emerged from the depths. I splashed his handsome face and laughed.

Oh, yeah.
It would do just fine.

 

 

End of Book One

 

To
be continued…

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

Many special people have influenced the creation of this novel. I’m especially grateful for my talented writing group, Writers in the Rain, and my writing partner, Dennis. These gifted authors helped and encouraged me in so many ways. You are the best. Thank you, Fabio Bueno, Eileen Riccio , Martina Elise Dalton, Angela Orlowski-Peart,  Suma Subramaniam, and Dennis Robertson.

Cathy Durning, thank you so much for sharing with me your passion for my story at a time when I needed it most. Kyra Freestar, thank you for your editing insight. Susan Siegmund, your creative coaching sessions helped me to see where I was going. Thank you to the staff at Evernight Teen for choosing my novel and for all the work you’ve done to make it better.

I’m so very appreciative of my dedicated friends Cyndee Lampe and Gail Wohlford, who read my chapters week after week, asked great questions, and urged me forward. A big shout out to Frank Wohlford for teaching my husband and me everything we know about sailing. It’s a gift we can never repay.

My dear friends, Mary Avzaradel, Chris Caplis, Barbara Davey, Karen Jones, and Judy Livingston, thanks for your support, suggestions, and enthusiasm for my novel.

My favorite nephew and author Jason Beem. You inspired me with your awesome novel, Southbound.  I’m holding you to your promise of your voice for an audio book for Knockdown.

Almost last but not least, a giant hug goes out to my children and Whistler’s crew, Justin, Mikiko, Jenna, Jon, and Brittney. You read my many rough drafts and liked them! For this, and all the different ways you shine in the world, I love you. If you think you see yourself in one of the characters, well…

Lastly, I want to thank my husband and my captain, Gary, who sails my boat and who has always supported my dreams.

 

www.brendabeem.com

 

 

 

 

 

Evernight Teen

 

www.evernightteen.com

 

BOOK: Knockdown
3.12Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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