Whirlwind Love:
Libby’s Journey
A Novel by
DiDi Hendley
Libby’s life of sacrifice and responsibility changes
when fates whirlwind takes her places she never dreamed,
directly into the arms of the love of her life.
Joe has built walls with words and actions,
never realizing the darkness he holds within,
until the light of her love breaks through.
www.WhirlwindLove.com
Join Libby’s Journey into Joe’s World
After 29-year-old Libby Morgan settled her niece, Megan, into college, she’s heading west to fulfill her ten-year-long dream of photographing a hot-air balloon “Freedom Festival” at the Grand Canyon in her parents’ refurbished RV. No one could have predicted where her road would actually take her.
Disillusioned, 35-year-old Joe King is fed-up with the music business and is looking forward to the end of their two-week state fair tour forced onto him by his ruthless manager. His band, The Brothers King, should be headlining instead of opening. He’s weary of carrying his 31-year-old, irresponsible brother Chuck, who refuses to grow up past a teenage-mentality, which his groupies are too willingly feed. New management has driven Joe and TBK down, but his need for control might be consumed by his darkness.
Take the journey with Libby across the United States, as she crosses into Joe’s crazy world of music and madness, and see who comes out the other side.
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ISBN-13:978-0-9915432-0-5 (Kindle ebook)
978-0-9915432-1-2 (Paperback)
WHIRLWIND LOVE: LIBBY’S JOURNEY
Copyright © 2014 DiDi Hendley
All Rights Reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover design, book design and production by DiDi Hendley. Unless otherwise noted, images/art are by the author. Image of canyon wall used by permission from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.16385.
Libby’s Journey ... Joe’s World
Fate takes us in directions that we cannot know--
and if we knew, would we then go?
Looking back, her life’s been a whirlwind--
spinning uncontrollably, never on a wish or whim.
In search of a dream, he became her world.
Through the days, the journey and the love unfurled.
But when the road draws to its end--
will the lessons and the love they shared transcend?
* * *
Preface
I never intended to become an author or a storyteller. On February 17, 2010, I downloaded a Christian Kane CD and listened to it as I went to sleep that night. The story of Libby and Joe began that night in a dream, which haunted me during waking and sleeping hours for thirty days. A little voice whispered in my ear one day, “Maybe if you write it down...it’ll shut up!” I documented the core story in a week in spare time and 100 pages.
The voice lied. I’m currently 26,000 words into the second story, Whirlwind Love: Lead the Wind, and 3,000 words into the third, Whirlwind Love: Windward.
As I finalized Libby’s Journey, I decided to write a novella that continues this story between the first and second books, entitled Whirlwind Love: Chuck’s Song. I’m also continuing to study screen-writing with the intention to produce Whirlwind Love; Joe’s World, which coincides with Libby’s Journey, but tells the story from Joe’s point-of-view.
* * *
Other than the South Carolina coast and the Grand Canyon, all other locations were chosen by “browser darts” - I brought up a map on a web browser, closed my eyes, and moved the mouse. The nearest town was the next stop. Some were a bit more selective, such as Broken Bow, which was chosen because of the body of water, and some because of the timing of their state fair or because they were on the way to the next stop.
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Libby’s passion for journaling defined the chapter headings and the Cadence (aka pace or chapters) for her trip.
It was fun for beta readers to post on the Whirlwind Love Facebook page or on Twitter #WhirlwindLove where they were reading at any given time (i.e., “I’m in Alabama, #WhirlwindLove” or “Just left Lubbock! Wish I was there! #WhirlwindLove”. Please--join in the journey, too!
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The character, Louis Lovrette, and the western movie were included in homage to my Dad, who loved westerns and read every Louis L’Amour written.
The song, Heart Code, is my (oh so unworthy-but it was a noble effort) homage to Christian Kane’s House Rules. Remember, it’s all in fun.
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Dedication
First and foremost I dedicate this to Mom--for your unending love and support. It’s been an adventure from the start, and I think it’s my job to keep the momentum. P.S., I love you more.
To Sherrie, because of you--and only you--this work is out of my computer and in the world today. Thanks for reading in the car--and I’m sorry for making you do it. (Okay, not really.)
To my little bird, Christian, your “Kane Acoustic Live in London” CD blessed me with the dream that became the story of Libby, Joe and Chuck. Words to express my gratitude for all that continues to follow are inadequate. You and Steve changed the course of my life with your music, and I pray someday the path those songs guided me down eventually lead to that rainbow that so inspired Libby...someday. Thank you--please...don’t ever stop.
Last, and absolutely most, I thank God for every breath, every blessing, every day, and every inspiration. I couldn’t do this without His grace and guidance.
* * *
Whirlwind Love: Libby’s Journey is a work of fiction. All characters, dialogue, and scenes yield from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. In all other respects, any resemblance to persons living or not is entirely coincidental.
* * *
...Then one day, the song of a little bird filled my room. The gentle tapping on the window drew me to his melody. I sat beside the sill, admiring his brilliant feathers, glowing in the sunshine. Continuing his song, he beckoned me out. Dancing and fluttering, he called my name. Without hesitation, my hand reached for the door. The warmth of the sun filled my room. The breeze welcomed me home. As I crossed the threshold, the darkness melted from the joy that surrounded me.
...I allowed the light to again fill my soul. It occurred to me that the joy within should not be contained; happiness cannot be stolen, without permission; and living a life of laughter is the greatest gift to one’s self.
Excerpts from The Lion (Redux) by DiDi Hendley
http://www.beamsbydidi.blogspot.com/2010/04/lion-redux.html
Cast of Characters
Libby Morgan – A young woman with a tragic past who is experiencing life on her terms for the first time, as she follows a dream.
Joe King – A man who is challenged by living under the whims, responsibilities and terms of others, is living for the day he’s free-and he’ll angrily carry the weight of the world until he is.
Chuck King – Joe’s brother/TBK band member
Rick King - Joe’s younger brother
Luke and Gladys Reid – Alabama couple
Megan Morgan – Libby’s niece, a/k/a “Muggs”
Tom Morgan – Libby’s father
Magg
ie Morgan – Libby’s mother
Tommy Morgan – Libby’s brother
Tara Morgan – Tommy’s wife
Scott Walker – Libby’s HS boyfriend, local sheriff’s deputy
Marshall Kingston – Father of Joe, Chuck and Rick
Lee Kingston – Mother of Joe, Chuck and Rick
Buck – Man in bar
Sue – Buck’s wife/Texas Diner Waitress
Laura and Jimmy Scott – Laura is Libby’s best friend from high school. Laura married Jimmy Scott and moved to Las Cruces, NM.
Marty Frost – TBK’s former Manager
Michael – The Pack band member
Bret Puckett - The Pack band member
Kevin “Rocky” Lewis - TBK-drums
Frankie Leighton – TBK-bass
Cody Steele - TBK-guitar
Gordon Fisher – Promoter for sing-off in Albuquerque
Shay Jameson - Emcee
Davis Wade - Movie director
Louie Lovrette – Writer/screenplay
Grace Bollin – Maggie’s best friend, owns travel agency
Buddy – Jackson Mississippi RV-site owner
Brandon Harrison – 17 year-old actor
Don Soza – Manager, Santa Fe Brewing Company
Hollie Hayes – Hitchhiker
Sheriff Amos Dodd – Charleston County Sheriff
Billy “Bull” Boulware – Joe’s high school buddy
Flyin’ so High
(aka Libby’s Song/the Rainbow Song) by DiDi Hendley
Rainbows and moonbeams
Take me to dreams
down roads that never end...
Takin’ me to places
I’ve longed to see
where I can disappear.
‘Cause I want to be
so far from here,
Where sunny days shed no tears.
This whisp’rin’ wind
that calls my name
tells me ‘just come on in.
Fire in my soul
Fly away
color me gold.
Sweet melody,
take my heart
everywhere it wants to go.
Floatin’ so high
To touch the sky.
Where clouds won’t let me fall.
This road I’ve traveled
hard, heavy and battled
can’t hold my feet no more.
Floatin’ in the sky,
I’m flyin’ so high.
Flyin’ so high.
Fire in my soul
Fly away
I can see my gold.
Sweet melody,
in my heart
The time has come I know.
To fly so high
I touch the sky.
where clouds won’t let me fall.
The journey’s done
I’m finally home
Watch me fly so high.
Floatin’ in the sky,
I’m flyin’ so high.
I’m Flyin’ so high
Flyin’ so high.
Cadence
Preface
Dedication
Cast of Characters
Cadence
Prologue
South Carolina, Day 1 - Tuesday
Alabama, Day 1 - Tuesday - continued
Jackson, Mississippi, Day 1 - Tuesday - continued
Between Ft. Worth-Dallas, Texas, Day 2 - Wednesday
Lubbock, Texas, Day 3 - Thursday
Las Cruces, New Mexico, Day 4 - Friday
Albuquerque, New Mexico, Day 5 - Saturday
Shoshone Point, South Rim-Grand Canyon, Arizona, Day 6 - Sunday
Santa Fe, New Mexico, Day 7 - Monday
South Fork/Walsenburg, Colorado, Day 8 - Tuesday
Pueblo, Colorado, Day 8 - continued
Pueblo, Colorado, Day 9 - Wednesday
Rebel Ranch, Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Day 9 - Wednesday
Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Day 10 – Thursday
Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Day 11 - Friday
Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Day 12 - Saturday
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Day 13 - Sunday
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Day 14 - Monday
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Day 15 - Tuesday
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Day 16 - Wednesday
Lead, South Dakota, Day 17 - Thursday
Lead, South Dakota, Day 18 - Friday
Lead, South Dakota, Day 19 - Saturday
Lead, South Dakota, Days 20 – 28- Sunday-Monday
Lead, South Dakota, Day 29 – Tuesday
Lead, South Dakota, Day 30 – Wednesday
Lead, South Dakota, Day 31 - Thursday
Lead, South Dakota, Day 32 – Friday
Lead, South Dakota, Days 33-37 – Saturday-Wednesday
Lead, South Dakota, Day 38 – Thursday
Nashville, Tennessee, Day 39 – Friday
Johns Island, South Carolina, Day 40 – Saturday
Johns Island, South Carolina, Day 41 - Sunday
Johns Island, South Carolina, Day 43 - Tuesday
Charleston, South Carolina, Day 44 - Wednesday
Island off the coast of South Carolina, Day 59 Thursday
Island off the coast of South Carolina, Day 60 - Friday
Island off the coast of South Carolina, Day 61 - Saturday
Charleston, South Carolina - Day 62 - Sunday
Island off the coast of South Carolina, Day 68 - Saturday
Island off the coast of South Carolina, Day 69- Sunday
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Swift, heavy clouds moved along the northeastern horizon beyond the Atlantic, as angry waves crashed against the beach. Momentary flashes within the clouds announced the intimidating squall that loomed off the coast. The fleeting sun cast a dark glow on the burnt skin of a man dressed in a dirty, white, cotton, buttoned-downed shirt with dirty, white pants. A curly tuft of his brown shoulder-length hair drifted across his face. Behind mirrored shades, his bloodshot, blue eyes followed a heron casually swooping along the collapsing waves.
Gotta go, he thought, struggling to focus his bleary eyes on the bird. “Soon,” he sighed as his shoulders dropped a little lower. His graveled voice was far from the smooth southern drawl he normally sported. He sarcastically snickered at the sound that seeped from his throat. Bet nobody’d pay to hear me sing now, he thought.
Screams and laughter of children challenged by the dramatic waves echoed across the beach. A woman in a billowing white frock clung desperately to her floppy hat as she strolled past Joe to corral the gleeful children.
His gaze was fixed on the ocean as he shifted the black acoustic guitar in his sandy lap. With the shift of his foot, his last swig of whiskey toppled in a slow-motion splash over the other empty bottles twitching in the surf. A blast of wind created a whirlwind of sand, twirling it across the beach and up beside him before scattering in his break. Another wave crashed on the beach—ever closer.
Up the beach, two tiki torches wrapped in blackened roses shuttered against the whip of the wind. A final gust sent the withered blossoms scattering in the sand. Beyond the tikis, the marsh welcomed the melting sun, offering a dreamy escape from the impending storm.
Just another day at the beach, fading away—another fond memory for those scurrying to safety…but not for everyone.
* * *
South Carolina, Day 1 - Tuesday
Nothing but road—as far as the horizon: nothing but dashed lines and asphalt in her path. It was a freedom Libby Morgan never knew: no schedule, no agenda, nobody to care for, nobody’s rules--just her every whim for discovery and exploration. A semi shifted gears and sped past the RV, causing Libby to note the sunrise twinkling in the
RV’s side mirrors. The Georgia state line appeared in her windshield and Libby smiled. The road to freedom beckoned her.
The road behind was rocky, and this was just the break to gain perspective on what she needed—what she wanted. Her beloved niece, Megan, would always be her first priority. But Libby’s decision that, at 29, it was finally time to begin a life of her choosing.
“Megan is such a beautiful, vivacious woman now. She’s beginning her own journey into a new life,” Libby spoke the words to no one but herself. “And it’s high time I do the same!” She again checked her mirror and pressed the gas pedal to pass an old, beat-up Chevy pickup with one burning tail light.
As the rising sun flashed brightly in the mirrors, Libby reached for her shades, hiding her coal-black eyes from the world. She smoothed a defiant wisp of dark-auburn hair, uselessly suggesting compliance with the big bun atop her head. Libby Morgan was often defined as a stunning woman by both friends and acquaintances. Her 5’7” frame was wholesomely defined by years of running and playing on the beautiful beaches around Charleston, South Carolina with her niece. Unlike most redheads, her mother’s Native America ancestors put a solid tan where others’ tended to freckle. Poor Tommy took after Dad, with speckled freckles all over. Thanks to Aunt Libby’s early efforts and influence, Megan sported Driftwood Cove’s all-natural, flavor-of-the-month sun lotion since diaper-hood and maintained beautiful, freckle-free, albeit paler skin than her aunt.
Flipping down the visor, Libby smiled at the photographs of: her beautiful teen-aged niece with huge blue eyes and bright red hair smiling at her camera lens; another of Megan in a baseball cap with her chin resting on a tennis racket, and another photograph of the two posing under a volleyball net in bathing suits with a volleyball tucked under Libby’s arm. She picked up a remote in the passenger’s cup holder and pushed buttons. She glanced into a video camera mounted beside the windshield.
* * *
“It’s Day 1 on my Freedom Trip. I go in search of BALLOONS flying over the Grand Canyon! Geez, Megan, I really wish you could be with me on this trip to the Freedom Festival. I’ve only been gone a couple hours, and I miss you so bad!” Libby’s voice was unnaturally high-pitched, recording her excitement for her adventure.
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