This is such a great introduction!
...she leapt from the bed, snatched her handbag, and rifled through it. Nothing was missing. Nothing had been touched.
She jumped to the door and turned the knob. It opened easily. It had no locking device.
I feel like living in a major city teaches you to react exactly like this - such nice characterization!
...but she never, ever let down her guard.
This time, she had.
I know this is a trope, but I'm just such a sucker for it - and it's used to such great effect here.
That, and a feeling of complete security.
That's the dream!
Did Clark find it boring? What did he think about as he drove up and down those endless rows?
I bet we've got an idea what he's thinking this morning!
I think if I went home without seeing him, I would always wonder.”
I absolutely love that she's bemoaning her rampant curiosity and then a moment later leaning on it! That's perfect.
This interruption is such a fantastic Martha-ism.
“Clark?”
His eyes shot into hers, deep and brown and soft, just as she had remembered them. “Yes?”
Awww. Is this the first time he's heard her say his name??? You can feel the electricity on the page here.
A cow? A cow had helped Clark through tough times? “She’s pregnant?”
:rotfl: I love the dynamic here between inside thoughts an expressed thought.
Very soon, all the bending, stretching, and squatting started to feel like a yoga class.
This is SO real - but even worse than yoga!
Martha wore a simple gold wedding band. Where was the man who had given her that ring?
Oh noooooo.... this is going to be so tragic.
“I can take it to him,” Lois offered, hoping she didn’t sound too eager.
Martha would have tracked that, even if she'd hidden it well!
Clark had been watching the back door of the farmhouse for over an hour.
Oh, Clark. He's just so charmingly steadfast!
He held up the bent screw. “I need to go to the barn to replace this part,” he said. “I’m glad I saved you the long trek to the far field.”
Sneaky!!!
The gap between him and Lois yawned wide and impassable.
Just really lovely phrasing here.
I really like the very gentle unraveling of the mystery of Jack, and also of whatever triad it is that's given her such heartbreak. Looking forward to reading more!
