After a lengthy hiatus, I’m back at work on Changed Tomorrows. I hope you’ll enjoy this wee excerpt.
Seconds after hearing the buzz of what he thought was an insect, Dustu heard the report of a rifle some distance rearward. Both boys instinctively laid forward on their horses necks and dug their heels into their flanks. After galloping at full tilt for a minute or so, Dust dared to steal a look behind them.
“Fly like the wind brother, he’s gaining on us!” Again, two pairs of heels urged the beasts to give more speed. The horses, sensing the urgency, responded by running even faster. At this speed the tiniest misstep would result in almost certain death for both horse and rider.
A stand of young pines beckoned, promising a little cover and the boys veered left in the hopes of disappearing in the trees. They would sacrifice some speed, but hoped the lack of visibility would make up for it. Just before they penetrated the copse another shot rang out. This time the shooter’s aim was a little better and Jim felt the hot lead ball searing into the meaty part of his right thigh.
“Dustu, I’m hit!”
“Where? Can you still ride?”
Jim knew he had to keep riding. Both their lives depended on it.
“I can, it’s only my leg!” he yelled as he urged his horse to carry him away.
Every step the horse made sent an electric jolt of pain up and down Jim’s leg. It wasn’t unbearable pain, but it was certainly making its presence known. There was a faint tingling sensation that seemed to be riding the pain like he was riding his horse.
In his preoccupation with the wound, he nearly failed to notice Dustu veering sharply to the left and disappearing into the trees. The hoofbeats softened and then stopped. Now, he could only hear his own horse trotting and breathing heavily. A thicker stand of trees just ahead looked like a promising spot to elude their pursuer, and he nudged the horse’s neck and headed in. As he did, he wondered; ‘Where did Dustu go?’
Don’t forget, New Yesterdays is available at Amazon. If you’d like me to send you a signed copy by mail just contact me and I’ll be happy to do it!
Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history.
Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute.
No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership.
Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing.
When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection.
Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations.
His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.
Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:
You may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only
You may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material
You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who loves to hike, to play music, make amazing fun food, carve wood, grow plants, to read good books and explore the world!
Life is a patchwork of moments — laughter, solitude, everyday joys, and quiet aches. Through scribbled stories, I explore travels both far and inward, from sunrise over unfamiliar streets to the comfort of home. This is life as I see it, captured in ink and memory. Stick around; let's wander together.
"Welcome to The Brit in Transit – your go-to buddy for stories filled with adventures, challenges, and the joy of self-discovery while navigating the wonderful chaos of life across the globe. Hop on board as we kick things off with tales from Washington DC, Florida, New York, and Connecticut, then embark on a thrilling journey through the historic wonders of Greece, Italy, and Spain. Amidst the wild ride of adaptation, our blog is here to share the laughter, unique experiences, cultural quirks, and even a bit of love. Join us in this friendly narrative that spans across diverse landscapes, from Europe to the United States and beyond. Come along for a dose of growth, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of a seriously meaningful life abroad. Start your friendly adventure with The Brit in Transit today!"
Excellent excerpt, Jim. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure enjoyed it. Good work.
LikeLiked by 1 person