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Working Experience into a Story
While at the 2010 Plano Balloon Festival, my husband took pictures and
I took notes. The balloons were great, but all I could think about was how to
work the entire scene into a book. That’s my world. To some all the world is a
stage…to me the world belongs in my books. Fortunately for me I was writing an
“on the run” story in Dallas. When your hero and heroine are on the run, it’s
very difficult to give them opportunities for the romance. So a balloon
festival was a perfect fit.
Excerpt from .38 CALIBER
COVER-UP
“Time
to move. The balloon’s up and the Sergeant Major will be headed to the john.”
She got out of the car and he followed around the parked trucks into a crowd of
people.
“Balloon?
And who is this Sergeant Major?” What the Sam Hill was she leading him into? A
brother is one thing, but a Sergeant Major of what exactly?
“Yeah,
it’s the Plano Balloon Festival.”
“And
your brother is working here?” His confidence slipped a notch with the
nervousness he recognized in his voice. Things lifting off the ground always
made him edgy.
“They’re
amateur balloonists. He and my dad own their own rig. It’s the Young Blades
balloon.”
Did
she know she was talking in code? They wove in and out of busy people,
half-inflated balloons and giant baskets lying on their sides. No one
questioned them and a few people even waved at Darby. It was obvious that she
was at home and in her element.
“You
might want to keep your head down. Someone might have heard about your
disappearance,” he advised.
“It’s
not much further.” She ignored his advice and waved at another couple.
Erren
watched her stride through the bedlam. Clearly these people were crazy to
inflate objects to carry them where only birds were meant to go. Hot air
balloons ranked just below hang-gliding and parasailing. Skydiving would never
be on the list since he’d never be in an airplane.
“Sean’s
not alone yet.” She came to an abrupt halt. “Hold on.”
Turning
her back on an inflated balloon and the two men securing ropes, she brushed off
imaginary lint from his shoulders. Definitely hiding her face from the
men.
The
balloon was huge, dwarfing the trees, with markings like gold blades or sabers
against an array of Army drab.
…
Darby
held out her hand and her brother dug in his pocket, pulling out keys. The
words being spoken didn’t reflect their actions, but he couldn’t relate. He
hadn’t experienced this type of relationship. No brothers or sisters and no
family since high school. If they weren’t in a hurry, he’d want to examine
their actions more.
“Anything
else?”
“Well,
if you could let the Sergeant Major know I’m working undercover and haven’t
been abducted.”
“Is
that all?” Sean scrubbed his face with both hands, clearly exasperated.
“Time
to go, Darby. Cop at ten o’clock.” Erren placed himself between Darby and the
Sergeant Major, who was headed their way with a police officer.
“If
they find you here, you won’t make it past the perimeter gate,” Sean warned.
Darby
looked at Erren. “Quick. Into the basket.”
“We
can’t hide in a basket.” Was she crazy? He wasn’t getting in that death trap.
Not even to escape. His gut tightened, tying knots on top of the knots already
there.
“We’ll
go up,” Darby insisted. “Tell him Richard’s proposing.”
“You
know he’ll never--”
“We’ll
already be in the air. Tell him the guy paid you five hundred.”
Sean
shook his head. “He’s going to be mega pissed.”
Erren
heard the conversation, but it didn’t register. The cop was closing in and the
thought of going up had his blood pounding in his ears. “Nothing short of a gun
to my head will make me get in that thing.”
“How
about cuffs around your wrists? And this time, they won’t be mine.”
“Not
happening.” He searched the crowd for another option.
“We’ve
spent all night avoiding the police because you believed there’s a conspiracy.
If we’re going to retrieve Pike’s package, we have to be free of the
authorities.” With an exasperated huff, she grabbed his arm and tugged him
forward. “Get in the basket. Now.”
She
was right. The cop advanced. There was one way out. Up.
He
hated...up.
“I’ve
got it, Sean. Thanks. This should work.”
There
wasn’t a step, so he hopped over the side, trying not to think about the
consequences.
“Yeah,
but you’ll have to deal with the Sergeant Major when you come down,” her
brother said.
“I
know,” Darby’s voice was softer, less authoritative than when she’d ordered him
into the balloon.
Erren
stayed on the floor of the basket. Maybe if he couldn’t see the dang thing
floating in the air, he wouldn’t lose yesterday’s lunch. Maybe he wouldn’t
shake right out of his shoes. Maybe. Just maybe.
Concentrate
on the weave of the wicker. It was only a bigger version of the baskets his
grandmother made. He could do this. They couldn’t get caught. It was the only
way to avoid days of sorting out the truth or being thrown off the case
entirely. Nothing to it.
Maybe.
Darby
climbed in, opened a valve and the smell of propane filled the air. She
immediately used a striker to spark a flame. The swoosh of the gas springing to
life shot through him with an image of the stupid air sack going up in flames
like the Hindenburg.
The
balloon rose and Erren kept his butt firmly glued to the bottom of the
basket.
“What
are you doing down there? You need to stand up. It’s a real clear morning. You
can see for several miles. Besides, you’re supposed to be proposing.”
“Proposing?”
He tilted his head and watched the wind whip her hair from her face. She really
was lovely. “Why would I be proposing?”
“You
really weren’t paying attention, were you?” She quirked an eyebrow at him
before returning her attention to the heater. “It’s the only reason the
Sergeant Major lets the balloon go up without him. He can’t stand the mushy
stuff.”
“Got
it.” There was no way in hell he was standing up. “But I’m not the type of guy
to go down on one knee.”
“Are
you at least the kind who can stand up? It’s hard to sell a proposal if the
Sergeant Major can’t see you do it.”
“Are
you kidding me? What’s wrong with you?” Her forehead scrunched up with her
questions. “You’re as white as a sheet.”
“No
descriptions necessary. I’m--”
“They’re
here,” she whispered strongly. “Stand up.”
“Can’t
do it.”
“This
has happened before?”
“Every
time.” Every rooftop. Every tree climbed on a dare. “As long as I can’t see
where I am, I can still imagine we’re on the ground.” The basket swung back and
forth like a swing. His body flinched, totally beyond his control. “Except when
that happens.”
“Where’s
the big secret agent man saving my life when I need him?”
Not
in this death trap.
“The
Sergeant Major will bring us down immediately if he thinks something’s wrong.
Sorry, tough guy, pull it together. Stand up.”
Her
hands were under his arms, tugging, before he could fight it. So he was the big
secret agent man? He could play that role. Right? Just another cover. He inched
his way to a standing position. His chest tightened to a not breathing level.
The basket swayed a little, but seemed
steady enough. They were still tethered to the ground by ropes. He’d seen them
before hopping inside.
“So
what do couples do up here when the guy proposes?” His hands shook against the
basket’s leather rail. His abdomen clenched giving him more than his normal
workout.
“They
definitely look more excited than you at the moment.” She took a step closer to
him. The basket swayed more. “Erren, look at me.”
He
did. Straight into dark green pools sparkling in the morning sun. It was easy
to concentrate on them. To see nothing else as they grew closer and blocked out
the treetops serving as their backdrop.
“Don’t freak out,” she whispered, dusting the
top of his shoulders with her fingers. Letting her hands linger on his upper
arms wasn’t his choice, but definitely kept her close enough so he couldn’t see
his surroundings.
She
drew closer and closer. Each second was imprinted in his mind like a frame of a
film. Her actions ticked away like a silent movie. Then her lips touched his.
Nature conquered fear.
His
hands were on her slim, firm waist instead of the cool leather trimming the top
of the basket. He couldn’t close his eyes completely. He watched her reaction,
felt her body relax. She anchored them to the center brace in the basket, but
arched her body toward him.
Up next in the story…their first kiss.
My puppy, DALLAS
“Have you ever wished you could read a book
filled with passion, intrigue, action, drama and gripping suspense all rolled
into one, well I am here to tell you I found it!! .38 Caliber Cover-Up by Angi
Morgan had me gripping the edge of my seat all the way. It was like being
inside a movie only so much better and a lot more exciting.
Come along with Angi as she takes you on the heroic adventures of both a hero (that will capture your heart) and heroine (who just gets more and more interesting throughout the book). They will let nothing stop them in proving what is right from wrong and finding love along the way. There is no way you will want to put this one down!"
Come along with Angi as she takes you on the heroic adventures of both a hero (that will capture your heart) and heroine (who just gets more and more interesting throughout the book). They will let nothing stop them in proving what is right from wrong and finding love along the way. There is no way you will want to put this one down!"
~D.
Steenberg, South Africa~
WHERE HONOR & DANGER COLLIDE WITH LOVE
USA Today Bestselling author ANGI MORGAN's work is a multiple
contest finalist and Publishers Weekly best-seller. She drags her dogs –and husband–
around Texas for research road trips so she can write off her camera. They now
have a map with highlighted roads they’ve traveled. Every detour somehow makes
it into a book.
~ ~ ~
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