Gamble's Run is on schedule for a mid-July release.  Hard to be believe that its seven year journey to publication is nearly complete.  Of course, a new journey starts...sales, marketing and promotion.  Here's one last excerpt before its released, from chapter 5.

“I know that Melody needs my help,” said Garrett.  “I know that whoever or whatever John Gamble is, he stole a big chunk of my life.”  He met Melinda’s eyes and suddenly realized that he had just made his decision.  “And I know that I’m going to get her back.  I don’t care what it costs me, Melinda.  I’m going to save her.”  Melinda looked away again.  Garrett pressed his advantage.

“Who is John Gamble?  I know how much you hate me, but you must know that I’m going to do everything I can to save her.  Who is he, Melinda?”  Melinda gripped the bat until her fingers went white.  Garrett could see that her hatred of him was going toe-to-toe with her fear for her daughter.  He waited, but before she could answer, a black Volvo came screeching to a halt behind him.  He turned, knowing exactly what he would see.  Sure enough, Darrin Chance was climbing out of his car.  His eyes were blazing, and his mouth was etched into a feral snarl.  He slammed his door shut and stormed toward him.

“I warned you,” he shouted, pointing at Garrett.  “Now I’m going to take you apart.  Mom, go inside.”

“Stay where you are, boy!”  Darrin jerked to a stop. 

“Get inside, Mom,” he said again.

“You stay right there,” ordered Melinda.  “I mean it now.  Don’t you come any closer.”

“Mom…”

“Hush,” snapped Melinda.  She turned her attention back to Garrett. 

“You save my baby,” she said in a low, dangerous voice.  “You give me your word.”

“I’ll save her,” said Garrett.  “Not for you, and not for me, but for her.  I love her.  I always have, and I always will.” 

“LIAR!”  This was from Darrin.

“Shut up, boy,” snapped Melinda.  She turned back to Garrett.

“You’ll have to go back to Florida,” she said, “back to where you were.”  Garrett nodded.  He knew as much. 

“Why?  What’s down there?” 

“Our past,” whispered Melinda.  Garrett could see that she was struggling with the words.  It was as if something was fighting her.  “And our future.  I thought that when she came back, she might…but now…” 

“I don’t understand.”

“You will,” said Melinda.  “When you get there, look for…Gamble’s Run.”  Sweat was starting to bead on her forehead.

“‘Gamble’s Run’?  As in John Gamble?”  Melinda nodded, and then winced.  She rubbed her chest.  “Are you all right?” 

“Gamble’s Run.  Do you understand?  Find…Gamble’s Run.”  She backed away, gasping for breath.  “That’s…all I can tell you.  Now get out of here, and don’t you ever come back.”  Garrett opened his mouth, but Melinda had already shut the door.  He stared after her for long seconds.  Then he turned to leave.  Darrin was still there, and he was still angry.  Garrett eased down the porch steps, hoping that the oldest Chance son would have the good sense to leave him alone.  Of course, he did not.  As Garrett made to pass him, he grabbed his arm.

“My turn,” he growled.  His other hand curled into a fist, and he pulled it back, ready to strike. 

What happened next would haunt Garrett for the rest of his life.  The instant Darrin touched him, he felt the darkness seethe.  It boiled up, triggering a kind of anger that he had never known.  Then a small part of it flew out of him.  He could almost see it as lanced away and flew straight into Darrin.  Part of him was horrified, but another part was grimly satisfied.  He felt his mouth curl into a sneer.

“Don’t you ever touch me again,” he rasped.  Darrin probably did not even hear him.  He released his grip on Garrett’s arm and stumbled away, his hands clawing at his chest. 

“What did you do to me?” he screamed.  “Dear God, what did you do?”  At that instant, the door flew open.  Melinda stood there, only now instead of a bat, she was holding a shotgun.  She pointed it straight at him.