August 17th is a day I celebrate each year! It was such a HUGE day in my life, or start of my life with Rick Sikes.
Although we’d met and fallen in love in 1970, it wasn’t until 1985 that we were able to begin a life together. As Rick used to say, “Courtesy of Uncle Sam.” 🙂
On August 17, 1985, Rick stepped off a Greyhound bus and into our new life together. We’d waited a long fifteen years for that day.
I want to share a very short excerpt from “Home At Last,” as it says it better than anything else I can come up with.
Here’s a picture from that time and yes, it’s a real picture of us both.
Excerpt – Chapter 2 – Home At Last
The air brakes brought the lumbering bus to a stop and the door flew open. Luke stood and gathered his meager belongings, consisting of a cheap cardboard case with a change of underwear, one change of clothes, a comb, toothbrush and the shaving razor he’d been issued when he left prison. In his pocket, he carried his parole papers, which he’d glanced at often since leaving Kansas.
When he spotted Darlina at the entrance of bus station, he swallowed hard.
He maneuvered his lanky frame to the front of the bus and stepped off. He dropped his case and wrapped his arms tightly around her when she ran forward. They stood quietly, barely breathing.
His chest tightened when big tears welled up in her blue eyes. He hated to see her cry, even if they were tears of joy.
“Oh Luke. You’re finally home,” her voice quivered.
He cleared his throat. “It’s damned time too. Let’s get out of here. All of these people make me a little more than nervous.” Luke picked up his small case.
“Sorry, the air conditioner in the car doesn’t work. It’s damned hot,” she chattered nervously.
Luke nestled his free hand in hers and let her guide him to the maroon Chevy.
“Honey, it wouldn’t matter to me if you had to pick me up with a wagon and team of mules. God, it’s good to be back in Texas. All the way here, I kept thinking to myself, ‘Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore’.”
Standing beside the car, Luke threw his case into the backseat and pulled Darlina into his arms. He kissed her waiting lips and slid his hands slowly down her back, savoring the feel of her beneath his trembling hands.
Darlina let out a long sigh. “I’ve waited so long for you to hold me, baby. I thought today would never get here.”
Luke struggled to steady his voice. “Not nearly as long I have, sweetheart. Let’s go home.
***
And so they did.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmep0r0zs5c&w=560&h=315]
To celebrate, I’ve lowered the price of “Home At Last” in the Kindle store to 99 cents for three days! If you haven’t grabbed a copy, this is a great time to do so!
And if you read it and are so inclined to, please leave a review so that other potential readers will see your thoughts about it!
Pingback: Colleen’s #Book #Reviews: “Flowers & Stone,” “The Convict & the Rose,” and “Home, At Last” by Jan Sikes, @JanSikes3 – Colleen M. Chesebro
I to understand that both your book and musical inspirations come from those in prison.
You seem to market this idea very well.
Hello, usfman. These books are true stories and I am one of the characters, so I do know it inside and out. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Congratulations on the new release, Jan!
Hi, Mark. Thanks for stopping by. This not a new release. I released it in 2016. It was just the anniversary date of August 17th, I was celebrating.
Ok, a (hopefully) very fictionalized version of your life with Rick. As the guides always say, “write from life.” 🙂
I created fictitious characters to tell the true story through. It was much easier to step back out of the equation that way since I am a character in the stories. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, John!
Such a remarkable love story. Thanks so much for sharing this special day with us, Jan. Huge (((hugs))) across the miles. xo
Thank you, Natalie! I’m happy you stopped by!
And I was feeling bad because the 17th is my aunt’s birthday and I didn’t get to visit. This puts things in perspective. Thanks for sharing this, Jan. Your love is clear in every word, and it’s an enduring tribute to your relationship.
Belated birthday wishes are sometimes the best because just when you think it’s over, here comes another wish! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by, Staci! Have a GREAT day!
Maybe at the end of COVID we can celebrate all the holidays we missed. I think we’ll all be ready for a huge party by then.
All I can say Jan is that your husband is a hottie. No wonder you were able to write your story. It came from the heart. LOL
He most certainly was, Shirley – at least to me anyway. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Great post, Jan. Congratulations.
Thank you, John. I’m always happy to see your smiling face!
😁
Thanks for sharing your special day with us, Jan. The excerpt took us into a precious moment. ❤
Thank you for stopping by, Soooz! I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt!
It’s beautifully written, Jan. ❤
A beautiful book, series, and moment, Jan. Happy Anniversary.
Thank you, Denise! I appreciate you!
Jan, what a lovely way to remember this special day in your life with Rick. I read “Home at Last” some time ago and thoroughly enjoyed reading about your journey.
Hi, Peggy! Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed “Home At Last!” Thank you for stopping by and sharing!
I have this book on my kindle. I’m dying to read your series and hope to get to it soon. It’s great that you put this book on sale. I’ll make sure to promote it. 🙂
Thank you, Yvette! I appreciate you!!
Home at Last is a wonderful read, as is the whole series. I wish you a ton of downloads and many new fans, Jan. I always said your life with Rick would make a great movie love story. You really had something special together.
Thank you, Mae! I still intend “someday” to finish writing a screenplay and start submitting it. But, not today. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Hope the discount draws a lot of new eyes to your work.
Thanks, Craig! That’s always the goal, right? 🙂
How amazing, Jan. A lovely post and the book sounds wonderful. Another one for my TBR.
Oh, thank you, Robbie. I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for stopping by!
Lovely, Jan. I thoroughly enjoyed Home At Last. It was a blessing in so many ways! ♥
Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate you so much! YOU are a blessing, my dear!
What a special memory, Jan. Loved the photo and the excerpt!
A special day to celebrate and remember, for sure, Joan. Thanks for stopping by!
What a lovely way to remember this special annivesary. Great excerpt too! Wishing you all the best, Jan 🙂
Thank you, Harmony! I appreciate your comment and thanks for sharing!
This is a book everyone should read. It is filled with joy, new beginnings, and commitment. For you, August 17th is an important date to celebrate.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Karen. I appreciate you so much and thank you for the review of “Home At Last!”