Dust Trails at Midnight
by Clark Dobbs
While on a desperately needed get away, Rick and Rachel Davis’ act of kindness exposes an ancient Chaco Canyon secret, one closely guarded by the Anasazi for centuries. Their desire for a restful period of reflection and healing, after their youngest son’s murder, is soon turned into a series of nonstop, nerve-racking time-jumping exploits.
Rachel has always wished Rick were her children’s biological father. When Rick’s belief in time travel is affirmed by an object he planted decades earlier, he seizes the opportunity to travel back in time, attempting to make Rachel’s dream a reality. When that plan unravels , at the hands of his younger self, he has no choice but to time jump multiple times to thwart the murder of their son.
Already in a fragile state from her son’s death, Rachel’s emotional and physical fate, as well as that of their grandson, becomes uncertain, when a time jumping accident leaves them alone and vulnerable in the isolated New Mexico desert.
Rick’s naivety about time travel, coupled with his emotionally charged actions inadvertently trigger a series of unforeseen consequences, leading to a nationwide manhunt that spans nearly thirty years. But more importantly, they trigger Rachel’s feelings of abandonment and betrayal, leaving her to wonder if he will ever return.
Hi, I am a writer of fiction books of several genres. I reside in Starkville, Mississippi and currently attend Mississippi State University where I am working on advanced degrees in Food Science, focusing on using food technology to eliminate hunger and food insecurity. Each book purchased helps fund my work towards a more sustainable food future for all of mankind.
Born in the fall of 1966 in Memphis, TN, Clark grew up in the shadow of the Martin Luther King Jr's assassination. When Clark was six, his father moved the family from Midtown Memphis to the southern suburb of Whitehaven, where they lived less than a mile from the Mississippi state line. The family rented a 35 acre farm on Malone Road, just a mile south of Jerry Lee Lewis' estate. The family maintained a residence in Whitehaven, which allowed Clark and his siblings to attend Whitehaven High School. But they rented the farm for the next ten years, raising every possible farm animal you could think of. Upon high school graduation, Clark attended Mississippi State University, where he studied agriculture and poultry science. Upon graduation, Calrk took a job in Russellville, AL where he met the love of his life, Paula. Clark spent the next thirty years working in the protein industry before eventually deciding to return to graduate school to pursue his PhD in Food Science. He and Paula spent their free time writing and spending time with their kids and their families.
These are twenty stories from five different cities in the deep south. I give my beautiful wife, Paula all the credit for inspiring me to write these and I also give her credit for coming up with the title to the book.
The ride-share industry has transformed America. These apps introduced unprecedented convenience and reliability through seamless booking, GPS tracking, and cashless payments, democratizing private transportation. Accessibility makes it easier for millions to get around, reducing reliance on personal cars for some and offering crucial alternatives for others. It has also shifted social norms; normalizing rids with strangers and building trust through driver ratings.
Beyond individual mobility, ride-share sparked the gig economy, providing flexible earning opportunities for millions. This model, however, has ignited debates about worker classification and labor rights, challenging traditional employment. Who knows if a book like this one will be possible in a few years, when all the drivers have been replaced with autonomous, self-driving vehicles.