Every Sunday, I try to post an excerpt from my novel, The Awakening of Russell Henderson. Here’s another. The book is available at http://www.amazon.com/author/edwardlehner.

I fumbled around looking for my swim suit which I couldn’t locate. Then I remembered where it was in a cubby in the camper. I went to get it and saw Frank heading out wrapped in a towel and carrying two drinks. I hurried and got my suit and headed to the tub Hanna motioned me to sit in beside her. Meg and Frank were seated across from us. I noticed quizzical stares from all three as I got in. Frank motioned me to my margarita, now in a plastic glass. Hanna and Meg both had wine. 

I slid into the hot water which seemed really hot, but mellowed as my body got used to the heat. I relaxed in. The jets were going and I felt a slight massage to my back. This is living. Sure isn’t Iowa. God, I’m loving California.

We didn’t talk, everyone just laid back and enjoyed the warmth and the ambience. The jets stopped and the water quieted down and I saw, for the first time, that everyone was naked, but for me. Oh shit. No wonder they all gave me that look. I diverted my gaze. I know I turned beet red. Maybe I’m already red from the heat. 

Meg saw me and, I will love her forever, reached around and pushed the button for the jets. She said, “Ever been in a hot tub before, Russell?”

“My first time. It’s nice. Relaxing.”

Birdsong comes at dusk
Making love happen again.
Crickets greet the moon.

Every Sunday, I try to post an excerpt from my novel, The Awakening of Russell Henderson. Here’s another. The book is available at http://www.amazon.com/author/edwardlehner.

I followed her to the great room where I saw a tall man with narrow hips, broad shoulders, blond hair, and blazing blue eyes set into a square jawed chiseled face. He had on a sleeveless t-shirt exposing his rope muscled tattooed arms, khaki cargo shorts, and flip-flops. Hanna ran to him and was swept up into, what appeared to me to be a bone crushing hug.

“Hanna! So good to see you! You’re back. I can quit worrying now. Man, you look more beautiful than ever. Traveling must suit you.” He grabbed her again for a long hug and kisses in her cheeks. She giggled in delight. He let her go and turned to me. “And you’re Russell — ”

He walked towards me and I felt totally intimidated by him. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a man hug, something I had never experienced before. Men in my family and in my home town did not hug. You shook hands at proper arms length and that was that. Having never been hugged by a man before, I was taken by how hard his body felt, unlike Hanna’s which was all soft and snuggly. 

“Damn, Russell, good to meet you. Hanna’s told me about you. Said she likes you. I guess if she thinks you’re okay, maybe I will too.”

Oh shit. Maybe?