Annie Crow Knoll-Sunrise is the story of a place where people come to restore their spirits, heal their pain and reclaim their
lives.
Annie is a determined young woman who is left to run her family's property after the death of her parents. Managing fourteen summer cottages with only the help of a family friend, she struggles to survive on her own. When she meets Drew, a young college professor, Annie thinks she's finally found a love she can trust.
But years of conflict and pain destroy their bond and leave Annie alone again, unless she can find lasting peace and passion in the most unlikely arms.
In this family saga, love, loss and history twine together the people whose lives are changed by Annie's determination and the magic of her knoll nestled along the head-waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
Book Excerpt
“Annie is
pregnant,” Drew blurted out to a paint spattered Packard, who
stood
stunned in front of
a huge canvas of blues and greens. A brilliant red was dripping
from
the brush he held
limp in his hand.
Drew dropped onto
the sofa by the wood burning stove. He sank low into the
tired springs and
threw one arm over his face.
Packard sighed
before putting down his wet brush and pulling over a stool to
sit
opposite
Drew.
“I’d assume that
congratulations are in order, but you don’t look too
happy.”
“No. She doesn’t
even know that I know.”
“She didn’t tell
you herself?”
“No.” Drew lowered
his arm and met Pack’s gaze. “She hasn’t told me yet.”
“How do you know?”
Pack asked.
“Doc’s wife let it
slip.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, a real
banner week for the Bidwells.”
“Why hasn’t Annie
told you?”
“Hell if I
know.”
“Maybe she’s
concerned that you’re too upset about not getting the
promotion.”
“I
am.”
“Maybe she’s afraid
that you won’t be happy about the baby.”
“I’m
not.”
Pack felt a surge
of anger in his chest and throat. He clenched and unclenched
his
right hand. “Well
for God’s sake, Drew! No wonder she hasn’t told you.”
Drew threw his arm
back over his face again. “I don’t know what to do,” he
moaned.
“You’re going to
pull yourself together and go home and take her into your
arms
and tell her that
you’re thrilled.”
“Oh,
God.”
“You’ve got to take
care of her, Drew. She’s pregnant with your baby. You’re
her husband. It’s
your job to convince her that everything will be fine.”
“Okay, okay,” Drew
hauled himself up off the sofa. “You’re right. I’m being
childish.”
“And selfish,”
Packard added and stood, slapping a big hand on Drew’s
back.
“Go take care of
your wife. She’s frightened. That’s why she hasn’t told
you.”
Drew dragged
himself toward the studio doors. He raised a hand, a gesture
of
thanks, without
saying a word or turning to look back at his friend.
As Packard threw
red over the cool blues and greens, he pictured himself
taking
Annie into his
arms, reassuring her, comforting her, and awaiting his
baby.
Then he shook the
image out of his head. Packard would have to trust that
Drew
could do the
job.
Gail Priest lives in New Jersey and summers in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay with her husband and their cockatiel. In addition to writing novels, plays and screenplays, she teaches and directs in a high school performing arts program. She loves theatre, reading, birding and being out in nature
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Sharon x
http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting ANNIE CROW KNOLL: SUNRISE and sharing the excerpt. I like the bird imagery on your site. I'd enjoy visiting your area of the UK. It sounds beautiful, and you can tell from the book that I love nature and especially birds.
All the best,
Gail