Bonus Material from the Nebraska Series Read online

  Tom: Home-cooked? You got a pizza.

  Owen: That I made.

  Dave: You’re right. That’s nothing like saving a woman’s life.

  Tom: Will you stop it with the saving her life from a bear or mountain lion thing already? Those don’t even live in Nebraska!

  Neil: I think Dave plans to have the robbers take Mary all the way to Washington or something.

  Dave: I was giving an example. It doesn’t have to be a bear or mountain lion. It can be something else. Maybe she almost drowns.

  Neil: After you taught her how to swim in Eye of the Beholder? Then you’d have to admit you’re a lousy teacher.

  Dave: Ugh. I can come up with something good. Just give me a moment.

  Ruth: Neil, you’re all dressed up. What is your perfect date?

  Neil: I’d take Sarah out to a top-notch restaurant and then to the symphony.

  Dave: Boring.

  Neil: You only say that because you don’t have refined tastes.

  Rick: Refined tastes? I’ll tell you what refined taste is. It’s whisking the love of your life off her feet and doing something totally unexpected but very romantic.

  Neil: Which would be…?

  Rick: Eloping. What could be more romantic than surprising her with vows to cherish and love her till death do you part?

  Tom: Um, like we already made those vows so it’s not going to happen again.

  Rick: Not unless you renewed them.

  Dave: If that comes with a renewed wedding night, I’m in. But only after I save Mary’s life.

  Tom: We get it, Dave. You want to be the awesomest dude in history. Can we get on to Joel now?

  …

  Tom: Joel?

  ….

  Ruth: Weird. Where is he? I told him to be here tonight. Let me go get him. *steps away from computer to hunt him down* Here he is!

  Joel: I’m here under protest.

  Ruth: Why?

  Joel: Because this whole thing is a waste of time. I got people who are sick and need help, and you’re bugging me so I have to participate in this sham of a competition? We all know who’s going to win. Dave can say he’d spit in Mary’s eye–

  Dave: Gross.

  Joel: And people would vote for him like crazy. It’s not my fault I was only 17 when Eye of the Beholder was written. The only reason Dave wins these stupid competitions is because of Mary. If it weren’t for Mary, no one would care about him.

  Dave: Hey!

  Ruth: That reminds me. I got the results from the last poll we ran, and I got good news for you, Joel. You got two more votes than Dave. You won the most romantic hero poll!

  Dave: He only won because he whined.

  Joel: Oh sure. You can’t take it, can you? For once in your life, you’re not first, and it bothers you to no end.

  Dave: Because you went on and on about how wrong it was for people to vote for me. As if it’s my fault I am who I am.

  Joel: And we know what to call you. *rolls eyes*

  Ruth: Enough, guys! So Joel, do you want to tell us your idea of a perfect date?

  Joel: Well, alright. I’d take April on a sleigh ride and enjoy the time talking to her.

  Dave: If you include the Abominable Snowman and save her from it, then I can see it being a date worth going on.

  Joel: Oh good grief. There is no such thing as an Abominable Snowman.

  Dave: And you would know this because…?

  Joel: Because I’m not an idiot.

  Tom: Wow! I can’t believe Joel called someone besides me an idiot.

  Dave: An idiot? Did you just call me an idiot?

  Joel: Seriously, Dave, you don’t know?

  Ruth: While they continue to argue, we’ll let people vote on who they want to go on a date with.

  Poll Results

  Dave Larson 16.67% (6 votes)

  Tom Larson 22.22% (8 votes)

  Owen Russell 8.33% (3 votes)

  Neil Craftsman 22.22% (8 votes)

  Rick Johnson 2.78% (1 votes)

  Joel Larson 27.78% (10 votes)

  Bonus Material from Shotgun Groom

  Description: When Joel Larson goes out to check on a sick child, the last thing he expects is a shotgun and a marriage proposal he can't refuse!

  Inspiration for the Book

  (Posted on February 4, 2013)

  Shotgun Groom was inspired by one scene that happened in The Wrong Husband. As soon as I wrote it, I knew exactly how Joel would get married. The scene took place in Chapter 21, right after Owen defeated Big Roy and became the official deputy.

  It was about time Jenny’s brothers stopped their harassment, Owen thought. Owen’s chest puffed up with a sense of pride as he closed the door of the jailhouse and placed his hat on his head.

  “Afternoon, gentlemen,” he said and buttoned his coat. “Getting ready for Christmas?”

  “We had some errands to run,” Tom replied. “Even if women say they don’t want anything but our love, they don’t mean it.”

  Joel snickered. “And you had to learn that the hard way.”

  Tom’s face grew red. “I can’t wait until you get married, Joel. I don’t care what you argue about. I’ll take her side each time.”

  “Unlike you all, I have no desire to tie the knot,” he replied and gave them a smug smile. “I’m going to stay single forever.”

  “Since when?”

  “Since I saw how you all ended up. No woman is going to tell me what to do.”

  ***

  It was a subtle slip that went into the conversation, but it was enough to inspire Shotgun Groom. I enjoy working with Tom and Joel. They’re my favorite characters to put together in the same scene because of their good-natured banters. The banter didn’t truly start until I wrote A Bride for Tom, which was written after Eye of the Beholder. The Nebraska books are ones that I can’t write in order. They need to be written when the characters are ready. This includes the books I’d like to write about these characters’ children, such as Isaac, Rose, and Harriett (all children of Dave and Mary Larson). And yes, I do want to write Sep’s story. (Sep is April’s brother in Shotgun Groom.)

  ***

  Interview with April Edwards: soon to be April Larson (Heroine in Shotgun Groom)

  (Blog post made on 08/07/2011)

  Ruth Ann Nordin: Today I’m happy to interview April. So, April… Hey, wait a minute. What are you doing?

  April Edwards: What does it look like I’m doing? I’m getting out of here before you start chapter 3 in Shotgun Groom.

  Ruth: By hitchhiking?

  April: Sure, why not?

  Ruth: Umm… Let’s see… For one, you live in 1878. There are no cars, no suitcases like the one you’re with, and no jacket like the one you’re wearing. Oh yeah, and no pavement.

  April: So?

  Ruth: So?

  April: Yeah. So?

  Ruth: You’re in the wrong century.

  April: I’m a fictional character you created in your mind. I can time travel at will.

  Ruth: And you chose 2011?

  April: Why not? A car is faster than a horse. Besides, with your reputation for being historically inaccurate, who’ll notice?

  Ruth: *sigh* April, why are you running away?

  April: Because I won’t force poor Joel Larson into marrying me.

  Ruth: Don’t worry. You won’t have to.

  April: I won’t?

  Ruth: Nope. Your brother will do it.

  April: I don’t think it’s right. Sep is only twelve. He’s still a boy. He can’t make Joel marry me.

  Ruth: You forget how convincing a gun can be, and Sep isn’t too bad with a rifle, though he did miss Lou when he tried to shoot him in chapter 2.

  April: *shudders* I don’t want to think about Lou. It’s horrible you brought him into the book. Wasn’t it bad enough that I had to endure Harvey? Do you have to bring in his slimy brother?

  Ruth: This is why you need to marry Joel. He’ll protect you.

  April: He wo
n’t need to protect me if I run away. I read the end of The Wrong Husband. I know he’s opposed to marriage.

  Ruth: Oh, Joel doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He thinks a wife would strap him down and make him miserable. He’s seen his brothers get married, and according to him, their wives have them wrapped around their fingers. He’s determined that such a fate will never happen to him.

  April: How wonderful that he thinks so well of women. *eye roll*

  Ruth: It’s not that bad. Joel just doesn’t understand how good marriage can be.

  April: I’ve been married, and it wasn’t that great. I’m much better off with Harvey dead. He didn’t do me, my brother, or the property any favors. The only good thing he gave me was my baby girl, Nora.

  Ruth: And where is Nora in your pursuit to run away?

  April: She’s with Sep at the mansion we now live in. It’s settled in western Montana where the rich Californians have their summer homes.

  Ruth: You’re really stretching.

  April: Why? It’s fiction. Anything is possible. I figure if I’m running away from this book, I’m making it worth my while. I have a lot of imaginary money. I’m not living poor like you have me living in the book, thanks to Harvey gambling all the money away. So to compensate for all we lost, we’re now going to live it up.

  Ruth: If you’re so rich, then why are you hitchhiking? Shouldn’t you have your own car?

  April: I don’t know how to drive. I was born before cars became popular.

  Ruth: You keep saying you’re a fictional character, so the rules of logic don’t apply to you.

  April: I might be a fictional character, but I’m not nuts. If I get behind the wheel without taking a single driving lesson, I’ll get myself killed.

  Ruth: As the author, I’m sending you and your family back to Omaha, Nebraska in 1878.

  April: But it’s not fair to Joel to force him into this.

  Ruth: April? What’s that? I can’t hear you. I think we’re getting disconnected as I move you through the fabric of time. (Time travel is weird that way.)

  April: I know you can hear me, Ruth. And I want you to know that I am not going to make this story easy for you to write. I’ll give you the dreaded case of writer’s block!

  Ruth: Sorry, I still can’t hear you. Oh well. Now you’re back in December 19, 1878 where Joel Larson is on his way to check on your sick child. Sep is waiting with a shotgun and Joel’s life is about to change forever. You look upset, April.

  Ruth: Here. Have a hot chocolate. It’ll warm you up and make you feel better.

  Photo Credits:

  April hitchhiking: ID 9064872 © Viktoriia Kulish | Dreamstime.com

  ***

  Interview with Joel Larson (Hero in Shotgun Groom)

  Blog post made on 08/13/2011)

  Ruth Ann Nordin: Before doing this interview, I thought it’d be fun to do a snippet from Shotgun Groom where our poor hero learns he is about to be married off. This happens in chapter 3. Joel Larson is the doctor’s assistant and has been sent to April Edwards’ house to check on her thirteen-month-old daughter, Nora. Sep is April’s twelve-year-old brother. Okay. Now that I set the stage, here’s the snippet from the story.

  “It’s time to get breakfast going.” April took Nora in her arms and carried her down the stairs. When she reached the kitchen, she set the girl in a highchair and turned to the shelf to grab the flour. “Do you want pancakes this morning?” she called out to Sep, who brought in a bucket of water from the well out back.

  “That sounds good.” He placed the bucket on the worktable. “The temperature’s dropping out there. I think we’re in for a snowstorm. Hopefully, the doctor’s assistant will make it here.”

  “Even if he doesn’t, Nora’s on the mend.”

  “I’d still like him to come out here.”

  Surprised by the determined tone in his voice, she eyed him. “What’s going on with you?”

  He shrugged and turned to the cook stove.

  “I already put the cow chips in there.” She placed the sack of flour and large bowl on the table. Putting her hands on her hips, she walked over to Sep as he placed a pot on the range. “I’m your sister. I know when you’re up to something, so you might as well spill it.”

  “I’m concerned about Nora, that’s all.” Avoiding eye contact with her, he retrieved the bucket of water and poured some of it into the pot. “Want me to start coffee?”

  “Sep,” she said, her voice laced with a warning.

  A knock at the front door echoed through the house, and she caught the relieved look on his face before he scurried out of the kitchen to answer the front door. With a sigh, she grabbed the apron from the hook by the kitchen door. She’d get breakfast for everyone, and that included Joel. She couldn’t send him off into the snow without a full belly. As she finished securing the strings on her apron, Joel entered the kitchen with a small bag. She frowned. Where was Sep? For someone so concerned about Nora, he was nowhere in sight. She frowned. Her brother was definitely up to something.

  Joel smiled as he walked over to Nora, who was banging her hands on the tray in front of her. “Good morning.”

  “Morning,” she replied, her gaze shifting to the hallway. From where she stood, she couldn’t see much of anything.

  “I’d ask how Nora’s doing, but the color’s back in her face and she’s happy.” He touched her forehead. “The fever’s gone.”

  Forcing her attention off the hallway, April looked at Joel and nodded. “Yes. After you helped her settle down yesterday, she had a real good nap, and when she woke up, she was much better.”

  “Good. I’m glad I made the trip for nothing.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Sep said.

  April’s eyes went back to the hallway and she gasped. Her brother stood at the kitchen entrance with a rifle in his hands, pointing it at Joel.

  Joel jerked and held his hands up.

  “Sep, what are you doing?” she asked.

  Instead of answering her, Sep stepped further into the kitchen and motioned for Joel to sit down.

  Joel slowly obeyed.

  April rushed over to Sep and tried to take the gun from him, but he dodged her. “You can’t kill him,” she said, her heart pounding anxiously in her chest. What was her brother thinking?

  Sep rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to kill him. We need him.”

  “Nora’s fine. You don’t need me,” Joel protested, still holding his hands up.

  “Oh yes, we do. You’re marrying my sister,” Sep told him.

  Ruth: So now that you got to read this snippet of the story, you can understand why Joel Larson requested to come by for an interview. Hey, Joel. What’s up?

  Joel Larson: Oh, nothing much. I traveled through time for a bit to pick up a book. It’s called 101 Ways to Kill Your Author.

  Ruth: Seriously, Joel. You knew this day was coming. Sooner or later, I had to write your romance.

  Joel: I want to go on the record. I stated flat-out in The Wrong Husband that I oppose getting married. I even brought The Wrong Husband here so I could read you the passage since you forgot all about it. *clears throat* Here it is:

  Tom’s face grew red. “I can’t wait until you get married, Joel. I don’t care what you argue about. I’ll take her side each time.”

  “Unlike you all, I have no desire to tie the knot,” he replied and gave them a smug smile. “I’m going to stay single forever.”