I’ve had it in my plans as a writer to publish novellas (book series) about a government agency. It’s been on my back burner for over three years, and I’ve finally decided to definitely finish the first one.
Below is a sample of the type of story that will be part of my book series: “Watson County: Every Deputy Has a Story”. There’s a lot I would like to add to this post with an even more in-depth story, but I’m waiting until the first book is out. This is just the beginning of a series on the lives of Watson County where you’ll be a part of the journey of a rural Sheriff’s Office with drama, love, scandals, two-faced politics, loyalty to the badge and family, and courageous men and women wearing a badge that is often disrespected because of some of their actions as well as fellow officers. It’s a story that I hope you’ll follow.
Enjoy the teaser!
I remember the first day we met. It seems like just yesterday that we met, and I can see the hallways at Clifton High with all the silver lockers and the scent of Lysol that hung in the air because Ms. Renee (janitor) was determined to keep us from getting sick. You were leaning against your locker, and I thought you were so cocky with your letterman jacket. Well, you were so cocky! Not only were you the vice-president of our class but the quarterback of the team too. You were very driven even in school. I liked that, but I didn’t like you at first. You seemed like a know-it-all.
You looked at me from your locker and winked, and I almost failed over from laughter thinking such a lame move from this popular guy named Sam. I mean why didn’t you just come up and talk to me? But later you did because you asked me out five times over the course of a couple of weeks.
I finally gave in and said yes cause you were so damn cute with those dark eyes. But do you know what it was that got me to say yes? When you showed me that you cared. I had just got back to school from being out of town attending Shelby’s funeral (my best friend from back home). A drunk driver killed her while she was on her way home from cheerleading. I was still crushed and couldn’t stop crying, and you came up to me at my locker, and touched my shoulder and looked me in the eyes and said “Rachel, look at me. I’m here, you can talk to me. I’ll listen or just cry on my shoulder. I’ll hold you up.” From that day on you did just that, you held me up with your words and actions as my friend.
I think I cried for five minutes before I could pull myself together. You gave me a hug and said if I needed anything that you would be there for me. You cared and acted on it. The next day at school, you brought me a card. Of course, I cried again. I never forgot that act of kindness, and I didn’t. You asked me out for the sixth time a couple of weeks later, and I said yes.
That yes was just the beginning of us: Sam and Rachel.
Fast forward to our college years, and we couldn’t imagine a life without each other. You finally proposed to me in our senior year. Do you remember bending on one knee on the football field with everyone from the college looking on? Our parents were there in the stands too! I was in just jeans and a T-shirt. And that was the best YES of my life. We had a beautiful wedding with our closest friends and family at Cathedral of Praise. We had so much celebrating afterward and then that night we made love all night or so it seemed. Forever love was just starting, and it started off with a bang.
Then two years, we moved into the first home that we bought together. By then you were a detective with the local Sheriff’s Office, and I was teaching second grade. We couldn’t be happier. I was so proud of you with everything that you accomplished from being a deputy to detective. You worked hard and earned it.
Today, I’m going through so many memories with you right now. I miss you. I wrote this last night and wanted to share this with you.
I had to write something about you Sam and that was about our love and how I just want to see you. I’m still haunted by the memory of Sheriff Jenkins coming to my school with Chaplin Hill. I was called to the front office, and they were waiting for me. I looked at them and just knew, but I didn’t know what exactly. I just knew you were gone. They sat me down and told me that you died in a car crash on your way to investigate a missing child’s case.
A drunk driver killed you. Just like my friend Shelby, but you couldn’t hold me and tell me everything was going to be OK. You weren’t there to whisper in my ear and tell me that it was fine for me to cry until I was spent. That it was fine for me to lean on you for strength. I couldn’t feel your arms around me. You weren’t there because you were gone. It’s been three months which seems like an eternity without you.
You were taken from me and our baby. Yes, Sam, we are expecting. I found out a month after the funeral. I couldn’t believe my ears when the doctor confirmed it. She was conceived the night before what I call: the worst day of my life. So, I’m laying on our favorite blanket in front of your grave to tell you that you are going to be the father. I just found out today that we’re having a baby girl. I couldn’t wait to tell you.
She’s never going to get to meet you, but she will know who you are. She will know that you were the kindest man who ever walked the earth, and she will know that you had a big heart who cared and volunteered with Boy Scouts. She’ll know that you were an only child who wanted a house full of kids and also knows that you were loved and still loved by me. Most of all, I want her to know that without our forever love that she wouldn’t be here. It was our love that created her.
I hope she has your dark eyes and your kind heart. I hope she has your height because being short can be challenging. I hope that she has your sense of humor and quick wit. If you were here, you would tell me she’s going to have my curly blonde hair, but babe dark hair always is dominant. Do you remember how we use to daydream about our child together? You would tease me that no matter what sex of the child we would have that they’ll know how to dance for sure because of my years of dancing at recitals and that they would be sassy. You always called me “Sassy”.
Sam, I’m still broken and miss all of you today. I also wanted you to know I’m naming her after you. I’m naming her Sammie Lynn. Well, you know I can’t her Samuel. Smile. You know that’s funny.
I’ll be here next week and again I’m going to talk to you. I know that maybe you can’t hear me, but I have to believe that you’re looking down and that you’re listening. Until next time Sam….my forever love.