First of all, thanks again, everyone!  We are now over 400% funded, which is far beyond my expectations!  Before I get to tonight's story snippet, I want to go over my plan for shipping.

The project's funding duration ends on Saturday, at 12:00pm, at that time the project will be funded, and shortly after, I will send out a survey to get shipping addresses from everyone.  I will be putting the finishing touches on over the weekend, and I will be shipping everything out on Monday in the morning.  This, hopefully, means all of the books ordered in the United States will arrive in time for Halloween, however, I can only ship your copy after you have responded to the survey, so be sure to do that over the weekend!

That being said, I will be sending out all digital copies via email on Saturday afternoon, so you will definitely have your digital copy in time for the holiday.  (Note: if, for some reason, it is critical that you receive your hard copy in time for Halloween, and you are worried that you won't receive it in time, please send me a private message within the next couple of days with your address, and I will do my very best to make that happen.)

Now, on with the story!

Richard followed her inside to a sun-lit living room which had been halfway converted into an office. The short, plump woman swooped behind a broad wooden desk, retrieving a clipboard from the top drawer.
“Richard Moore,” she read from the top sheet, “The only reservation I’ve had in ten years. Most people have never heard of Mira Cove until they see the sign, and the rest know that there are always free sites.”
“Well, I wanted to let you know I was coming,” Richard explained.
“For two nights it will be twelve-fifty.”
“I only have a twenty.”
“That’s okay,” Mrs. Chateau answered, setting the clipboard down atop the desk, “I’ll have to go get change from my drawer.” She whisked through the dining room and disappeared into the house.

Knocking on the door, Richard scanned the building for some reassurance that this was the house of Isabel Chateau. Just as he was beginning to doubt himself, the door opened inward, and a tired, stern face with curly silver hair appeared from inside.

“Richard, is it?” she asked, plainly, staring hard into his eyes.

“That’s right. You’re Isabel, then?”

“Please call me Mrs. Chateau. Nobody calls me Isabel anymore.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry. It still says Isabel in the phone book. But, please. Mrs. Chateau.”

Before I get to the story snippet, I just want to send out my deep gratitude to everyone who has supported so far!  We have officially met (and surpassed) our funding goal!  Of course, you can still back the project until funding closes next Saturday (Oct. 22), so you still have time to order your copy if you haven't been able to so far!

Once the funding duration is complete, I will send a message to all of the project backers to collect mailing addresses, and I will be sending out the copies shortly thereafter!

Now, on with the story!

Just as he rounded the next bend, Richard spotted the sign he’d been searching for. “Mira Cove Campground” it read, with a faded arrow pointing left. Following it, Richard turned off the highway onto a narrow gravel road which pierced its winding path through the trees and down the steep hill toward the lake. A few turns into the trees, he passed a wooden gate with the words, “Mira Chateau”, nailed across in an arc of wrought-iron letters.Mira Chateau was a slight play on words with the surname of the campground owner, which happened to be Chateau. Richard had made reservations with Mrs. Chateau two weeks earlier and caught the wordplay.

You heard correctly!  Every night (starting tomorrow) I will be posting a small snippet from the story.  No, there won't be any spoilers, just enough to pique your interests and give you a taste of what the writing is like.

Enjoy!
Nash