I think this was a "Line, please" and this was "Trust me." I think. Anyway. I just like the lines supplied and getting an idea from imagining one of my charatcers saying it and under what circumstances. So, here it is.
Excerpt from "New Tricks: copyright Debi Matlack 2011. Posted for sharing; does not constitute publication.
“I knew this was a bad idea.”
Valerie lagged behind Daniel as they climbed the trail through the trees. A hike up to the summit of Wayah Bald seemed like a good idea when he’d suggested it. Now, however, faced with the reality of the narrow path, rocky footing and steep slopes, Valerie was rapidly losing her enthusiasm. She almost ran into Daniel as he paused, waiting for her.
“You were excited when I suggested it earlier.” Of course he wasn’t out of breath. Or the slightest bit nervous about the elevation. Valerie glanced downslope and gulped.
“I was, then, before I was faced with certain death.”
“Come on, silly goose. The path is perfectly safe. I won’t let you fall.” He moved aside to let an older woman and a little girl pass them.
“Y’all up here for the first time?” The lady paused, smiling at them.
“Yes ma’am. Though I think I’m a little more enthusiastic.”
“Don’t worry, sweetie.” The old woman shifted her walking stick so she could pat Valerie’s arm. “It’s an easy climb and the view is magnificent.” She glanced over at her companion. “Me and my granddaughter come here at least once a month. Have been since she was a wee thing. Enjoy!” The two continued their steady ascent. Daniel met Valerie’s eyes and raised his brows.
“Don’t say a word, adrenaline freak. I’m climbing.” Daniel’s chuckle drifted down as they resumed their hike.
“’Let’s go to North Carolina, you’ll love it up there. You’ve never been to the mountains before. You said you’d like to see the Smokys.’” Valerie’s bad-tempered mocking of past conversations only made the snort from above louder.
“You should save your breath. You’re not used to the altitude.”
“I’m a flatlander, anything more than sixty feet above sea level is a high altitude.” Her sentence ended in a squeak as a stone rolled under her shoe and she slipped. Before she could slide more than a foot, Daniel’s hand caught her wrist, stopping her fall and hauling her back to her feet. Eyes wide, she clung to him like a leech.
“You all right?”
“On the verge of a heart attack, nothing major.”
He brushed her off and looked up the trail. The other two had already vanished. “We can go back if you want, but we’re almost there.” He ducked his head down to look into her eyes. “What do you say?”
“Never give up, never surrender.” Valerie wanted nothing more than to retreat back down the path to the waiting car. But then she’d have to endure the terrifying ride back down to the highway on the steep gravel road, not to mention the silent teasing from Daniel. Looking with dubious confidence at the rest of the trail, she nodded. “Lead on, kemosabe.”
She slipped once more as they reached the top of the huge rock. She held Daniel’s hand like a lifeline; as far as she was concerned, it was.
The top was paved with flagstones and had a waist-high wall. Fall was just touching the vegetation with a festive palette and the slopes of the surrounding mountains were covered with trees of every color imaginable.
A long intake of breath and ‘wow’ was the best she could manage. It was glorious. Daniel squeezed her hand.
And I still love Valerie's wry wit *G* Thanks for sharing. I really do like these blasts from the past, you know?
And maybe one day, I'll find my favorite homework assignment and post it. For me, there were quite a few that I remember distinctly, and my problem was deciding which one to post, and once I did, it seems to be MIA somewhere in the WIP. It's a good thing these assignments don't expire...*G*
