The Run (The Running Suspense Collection #1)

By Diane Strong

The Run: (Approx. 34 pages/10,000 word short)

Cora is a runner and mother of two whose husband is working out of town on business. Always a protective mother, Cora has never left her children alone. That is until a well-intentioned friend encourages her to. This is a story that will leave you questioning your parenting skills and wanting to read more great running adventures by Diane Strong.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diane Strong
• Release date: Jul 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476040110

Diane Strong

Diane Strong lives in Kentucky with her husband and their two children. She received a liberal arts degree at Itasca Community College, a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Equine Studies from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana and a Master’s degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Kentucky. She writes a small column for the Georgetown News Graphic and homeschools her children. In her spare time she competes in road races, triathlons and adventure races. She is the founder of the Georgetown Run Club and Intellectual Society. She loves what she does.

Book preview

The Run: (This is a 10,000 word short story/ approx. 34 pages) (This is a stand-alone story)

Cora is a runner and mother of two whose husband is working out of town on business. Always a protective mother, Cora has never left her children alone. That is until a well-intentioned friend encourages her to. This is a story that will leave you questioning your parenting skills and wanting to read more great running adventures by Diane Strong.

The Run

Shoe

Prologue

Bar

Cora Franklin fans her heart shaped face with a menu from The Pub as she scans the long table with her deep brown eyes where her fellow run club members are seated. Adrenaline from their shared run still flows freely though her curvy, yet toned body.

She struggles to listen to the multiple conversations as her eyes flow from one runner to the next. The sound bombards her ears, teasing her with snippets of topics – the upcoming Olympic marathon, a race this past weekend, injury tips.

On the far end of the long table, Cora takes a quick sip off the top of her Michelob Ultra, listening as a new runner tells about her position in security at the airport. The new runner appears to be smart and funny; she’ll be a great addition to the Simpsonville Run Club. Cora loves meeting new people and hearing their stories. As a stay-at-home mom, the run club provides her with much needed adult time.

It sounds like you really enjoy your job, Kim. You must be very proud, climbing your way up in seniority like that. And to be the head of security as a woman? That’s just awesome. Cora babbles on as blood still rushes through her body. Kim is very lean and this makes Cora a little jealous and intimidated at the same time.

I am very proud, but I also feel guilty leaving my kids every day. It must be nice to be able to stay at home with your kids. Kim glances down at her hands and fingers her wedding ring.

It’s great. I mean, it’s hard sometimes but I wouldn’t trade it for my old job…ever. Of course, my old job wasn’t going anywhere. I was just a peon doing something I hated. Cora pulls a loose strand of her curly black hair behind her delicate ear.

So what does your husband do then? Kim asks.

He’s a contractor. He’s in Nashville right now on a big job. It’s coming to a close soon though. Cora’s heart skips a beat when she remembers that her husband is gone. She hates leaving the kids with anyone other than him on Tuesday nights.

You must feel like a single mother right now, huh? I can’t imagine trying to do it alone. My kids would probably drive me crazy. Kim smiles at the thought.

"Yeah, it sucks. I can’t go for my usual run in the morning. I have to get a babysitter or go to the gym and