Emmitt's Bottom is a saga of an incredible romance involving a young Adonis-like country boy and a heralded, world-renowned actress. Both cherishing a noble white stag, Carissa and Lance must valiantly fight to save its life. Set in the early 1960's, Emmitt's Bottom is an epic drama of devotion, love and compassion.
Emmitt's Bottom is a saga of an incredible romance involving a young Adonis-like country boy and a heralded, world-renowned actress. Both cherishing a noble white stag, Carissa and Lance must valiantly fight to save its life. Set in the early 1960's, Emmitt's Bottom is an epic drama of devotion, love and compassion.
âReady yet Missy?â asked Vernon Moore. âNot meaning to rush, but if weâre to make Houston and your flight on time, we best get moving.â
 âI am indeed ready,â replied an immaculate Carissa Lane, smiling to her chauffeur and emerging from a motel suite. âHow about making yourself useful and take my bags out to the limo? There are just two; Iâm taking it easy on you this trip.  Only going to be in L.A. three days, then Iâm coming right back so I can pester you some more.â
 âOh, Iâll consider it,â smiled Vernon, gathering Carissaâs luggage. âWouldnât do this for just anybody, but for you Iâm willing to make an exception.  Gonna miss you lady, even if it is just a few days. I noticed you didnât have much packedâ.
âDonât need much if you donât use much,â she said, âEspecially when Iâm returning so
soon.â
 Sliding bags into the rear of the big limousine, her chauffeur cheerfully moved to the side of its shining, black frame.  Opening a door for Carissa, he announced they could be on their way if she would just please hurry.  âEven if she was a bit sassy,â teased Vernon, he still found her refreshing.  Â
 Tucking her head, in an effort not to disturb recently styled hair, Carissa entered and seated herself comfortably. Enjoying elegant luxury and spacious legroom, she was provided relaxing contentment.  Placing trust in Vernon, Carissa cheerfully allowed her chauffeur to begin their journey to Houston.
 âBelieve weâre in for rain this morning,â he commented, glancing skyward through a huge windshield.  Activating ignition, wipers and pressing the gas pedal, a sleek vehicle rolled quietly into action. Â
Carissa, peering through windows, saw clearly the reason for Vernonâs statement. Very light at the onset, windblown rain steadily increased, meandering aimlessly across the windshield. âI realize it makes highways more dangerous, but I love traveling when itâs raining. Thereâs something special about being tucked inside a nice, warm car, against the wet and cold, with miles rolling behind you. Â Itâs even more so when one has a nice, friendly chauffeur escorting her,â she smiles.
âDonât push your luck, lady,â retaliates Vernon. Â âFriendly chauffeur would have done just fine; nice chauffeur may be taking it too far. Â Iâm in a grumpy mood this morning.â
âOh, I know better Vernon Moore. Â Weâve known each other a long time, and I can honestly say Iâve never seen you in a grumpy mood.â
âWell, I might be someday,â he laughs.Â
Noticing a soft canopy of embellished, autumn leaves, Carissa admired gorgeous beauty in the merging hills of East Texas. Â Arriving during late March, she had been here several months. The countryside had seemed under siege with dogwood and other blossoms. Â Pretty azalea flowers, yellow jasmine and roses, flocked yards in the nearby town of Warrington. Â The coming of late September and its changing landscape had not diminished the landâs beauty in any manner. Evergreen pines, retaining natural color, stood as graceful ambassadors to many types of stately, mature hardwoods. Â Carissa found this area held a special appeal. Â It was refreshingly abundant with hospitality. Â Though not considered Dixie, the land and its people reached out vividly with southern charm and character.
An actress on location, she was employed with Magnum Productions, Inc. of Los Angeles, California.  The company had been filming in Texas almost a year.  Work proved continuous, ongoing and even rigorous at times without breaks.  Relieved to have a breather, she looked forward to a few days in L.A. and spoils of a modern city.   Â
 Carissa, as one might imagine, was extremely attractive.  She was also a star of the silver screen and had been since her teens.  Striking, auburn hair flowed to the base of a long, smooth neck, framing a beautiful face.  Accenting this were dark, flashing brown eyes, lips so full one might think they were pouting, and a figure appearing as if she had been molded into her clothing.  A red dress, sexily fitting her form, ensured few men would fail to notice her.  Now in her mid-twenties, with several outstanding movies completed, Carissa Lane was known and recognized throughout the world.
Having acted on movie sets in many beautiful places, Carissa actually enjoyed being on location. She often grew bored with repetitious Hollywood scenes.  At present however, the actress was anxious to return home.  There were expiring contracts to be renewed and recent outstanding offers  pleasingly lucrative.  Quietly thinking to herself and occasionally conversing with Vernon, they steadily traveled toward Houston. Â
Enjoying the passing countryside, Carissa considered work accomplished thus far. Â Filming had proceeded well, they were at least a month ahead of schedule and she felt the movie, when completed, would be a huge box office hit. Â Feeling successful and smiling contently, Carissa silently thanked God for her good fortune and accomplishments. Â Experiencing such contentment, little did she realize less than a mile ahead, walked someone who would have a profound effect on her life.
           Vernon and Carissa saw the rain-soaked figure at precisely the same moment. With arm held out and protruding thumb clearly visible, he was hoping for a lift through chilling rain. Rolling past, Carissa noticed the young man, even though drenched, was impressively handsome.  Upon seeing his attractive face, she could not believe the initial impact. Determined to confirm what she actually saw; the actress began pleading with Vernon to offer a ride.  She could not fathom anyone having to walk in this weather and also desired a much closer look at the individual.     Â
Vernon, fully aware of the rainâs intensity, cautiously began pressing brakes.  Having noticed a stalled pickup alongside the highway, he reasoned the fellow to be having motor trouble. Looking back through a rear window, he and Carissa could see the lonely figure continuing his walk.  Thinking a potential ride had passed him by, they watched as he pulled up a jacket collar and slipped cold hands into pockets of his jeans.
Seeing bright, red flare of brake lights and what they offered, the young man began running toward the limo. Â Vernon, pulling safely off the highway, pressed an electric button unlocking a door. Â Reaching their vehicle, the potential passenger hesitated upon seeing lushness of their limousine.
Opening a door while looking to Vernon, the young man stood saturated. âSir, I appreciate your stopping, but Iâm far too soaked to get in this fine vehicle,â he said.  Carissa, her attention riveted, noticed wet, black curls, literally pasted to his forehead.
 Rain streaming down the gentlemanâs face, Vernon instantly appreciated his courtesy. The reliable chauffeur was always cautious and never picked up strangers, especially with someone important aboard.  He would not be doing so now were it not for foul weather and mostly Carissaâs determined pleading.  Normally, two security guards would be accompanying them, but due to a severe stomach virus, none were available.  Factoring in thoughtfulness displayed by their potential passenger, Vernon felt more at ease.Â
 âAw, never mind, if it gets wet, it will dry,â he assured. âCome on, get inside out of this weather, everything will be okay.â
âSir, I hope you realize how grateful I am for your stopping, I really am,â said the young passenger, still very cautious about seating himself. Giving a slight smile and only glancing at Carissa seated in back, he continued.  âWhen I saw what you were driving, I didnât feel I had a prayer for a ride.  Sorry about getting your seat wet.â
âHow far you going?â asked Vernon, pulling back on the highway.
âOnly need to go a few more miles,â he answered.  âWhen we come to it, Iâll point out a dirt road teeing into the highway and will get out at that point.  We live down the way a short distance.  Guess you noticed our old pickup setting alongside the highway.  The generatorâs giving us trouble and needs replacing, been trying to hold off buying another until my mom sold her broilers. Thank goodness, she has just done that.  Several other ways we could have used the money, but I know where some of itâs going.â
âYeah, I know what you mean,â said Vernon. Â âItâs always something with vehicles. Â You folks involved in the heating business, are you?â
âNoâŚ.no, sir,â answered their passenger.  âWeâve never been involved in any type of heating business.â  Studying Vernon, he respectfully questions, âOut of curiosity, whyâŚ.why do you ask?â
âIâm sorry; didnât mean to pry,â replied Vernon. Â âThought I understood you to say something about your mom selling boilers?â
âNo sir,â he responds smiling, rain yet clinging to his face.  âBroilersâŚ.chickensâŚ.we raise chickens for a living and sell them on the commercial market.â
âOhâŚ.oh, now I understand,â says Vernon.  Â
âMostly my mother, younger brother Riley and I are involved,â he stated.  âAn older sister Amanda, helps on occasion, but sheâs married now and lives in Houston.  We have a small farm.  Itâs not much, but all we had when my dad passed away. Mother is very good at managing money; we make out alright.â
âSorry to hear about losing your dad,â responded Vernon. Â âI know it must have created a hardship. Â Lost mine when I was ten, I know the feeling.â
âYes sir, we sure do miss him. Â It did create some challenges, but weâve adjusted fairly well.â
âThatâs a good, positive approach,â states Vernon.
 âAgain, let me say I really do appreciate this ride.  Feels good to be out of that cold rain,â assured the young man.
 Carissa, having not said anything, was listening to their conversation while wrestling a small throw blanket from a storage compartment.  Having retrieved it, she offered the soft cloth as a towel for drying hair.
 Wiping rain from his eyes and hearing her feminine voice, their passenger reached back gladly accepting Carissaâs offer.  Putting the small blanket to use, he proceeded with drying.  Having completed the effort, he turned smiling, looking toward the rear seat.  Intending to offer thanks, his mouth fell agape and eyes opened wide realizing he was staring into the face of Carissa Lane, one of the worldâs most recognizable and well-known actresses.
âOh dear Lord, what is happening here?â he exclaimed.  âAreâŚ.. are youâŚâŚare you who I think you are?â
âWell, it all depends,â smiled Carissa, continuing to admire his good looks. Â âWho do you think I am?â
 Hearing her voice, he knew beyond any doubt she was the famous actress.  Realizing assistance received was coming from Carissa Lane and her chauffeur; he sat speechless.  Word had it a movie was being filmed in the area, but being very busy, not a lot of heed had been given to what he thought most likely a rumor.  Convinced now it was anything but, the young man could not believe where fate had placed him.
âYou are as beautiful in person as on the screen. Â I cannot believe Iâm riding in the same car with you. Â This is just unreal. Â You Sir, must be her chauffeur. Â Please excuse my lack of manners. Iâm Lance Devins,â he said, smiling to Vernon while extending his hand. Â Looking back at Carissa through soft, blue eyes; curly hair, black as midnight framed his face. Â Shining with remaining dampness, it further accented Adonis-like features.
âVernon Moore, and Iâm pleased to meet you,â said the driver, accepting and returning Lanceâs handshake.  âFrom what I hear, you already know her name, and you are correct sonâŚ.this beautiful lady to whom you speak is none other than Miss Carissa Lane, star of stage and screen.â
âOh, gracious Vernon, I appreciate the introduction, but you donât have to say it like that,â smiled Carissa, leaning forward offering her hand. Â âYouâre apt to scare the poor boy to death with that much emphasis. Â I am Carissa, and Iâm just a working actress trying to make a living like everyone else. Â Itâs indeed a pleasure to meet you Mr. Devins. Â Have you lived around here very long?â
âFor twenty years Iâve lived in Warrington and Tinden County.  All my life they have been my home.  Now here I am with the most beautiful lady in the world talking to me.  This ainât really happening!â exclaims Lance, âIt canât be.âÂ
âDonât mean to interrupt, but we are probably near the road you mentioned,â stated Vernon, smiling at Lanceâs enthusiastic response. Â âWeâve traveled a few miles .â
âGood gosh!â he exclaimed, turning his attention back to the highway before them. Â âI have been so taken finding myself in your company, I almost forgot. Â Thatâs it up ahead; you can see it just before the highway starts up the next hill.â
Again, beginning his braking early, allowing for conditions of wet pavement, Carissaâs chauffeur slowed the big limo.  Coasting to the entrance of an intersecting road, he brought the vehicle to a complete stop.  Noticing rain had not slackened, Vernon thought Lance was surely in for a wet walk.  Realizing the young man was not only going to be soaked, but also cold and muddy, he watched as rain flowed down pleated ruts of a dirt road.       Â
âThank you both so very much, I really do appreciate the ride,â Lance stated, preparing to exit the vehicle.  âI donât know that I can truly express my gratitude for both the lift and this fascinating experience.  Iâve enjoyed meeting you Mr. Moore.âÂ
  Again turning towards the rear seat and smiling to Carissa, their young passenger exclaims; âMiss Lane, you cannot imagine how truly beautiful you really are!  It has been an absolute joy meeting you; I can hardly believe that Iâve touched hands with Carissa Lane.  You are an exciting actress.  I have long admired your talent and work.  Please accept my wishes for continued success in your career.â
 âI appreciate your encouragement, it is very thoughtful,â accepted Carissa.  âHow far down this dirt road do you live?â
âProbably a couple of miles,â Lance answered, revealing a shy, bashful smile.  âTo be truthful, many times as Iâve traveled this old road, I canât remember ever checking the distance.  We just come up and go down it âcause itâs the only road we have.â   Â
âWell, have you noticed Mr. Lance Devins, it is absolutely pouring out there?â teased Carissa.  âDo you often swim in weather this chilly?â She could feel herself becoming steadily captivated with Lanceâs soft manner and prolific features.  Even though having just met the young man, he exuded an unmistakable aura.  She had first noticed his obvious good looks.  Now that he was closer, they were not diminished â if anything, more pronounced. Carissa could not believe the overwhelming feeling engulfing her.  Turning to Vernon and thinking perhaps she was the one who needed to step out in the cold rain, Carissa suggested they drive the young man home.
âYouâre right Missy, it would be a long, cold walk,â agreed Vernon. Â âWhat is this road like down towards your house? Â I mean, is it real muddy and slick?â
âBoth,â Lance replied.  âMuch as I appreciate what youâre considering, I canât allow you to drive down there in this fine vehicle. Youâve already done a lot for me; canât risk you getting stuck or possibly damaging your limo.â
âReally donât think you have much choice Mr. Devins,â commented Carissa. Â âIâm surprised weâre not already headed down it Vernon.â
âAlright by me Missy, if it suits you,â declared Vernon, teasing. âJust looking at him, he really doesnât appear to be that good of a swimmer.â
âOh man, please donât do this,â pleaded Lance, bracing his feet to the floorboard and pushing back against the seat. Â âI donât want you to get stuck or have any kind of delay. Â It would be better for me to walk than take a risk like this.â
Driving a short distance, listening as .tires splattered through rain and mud, Vernon realized the drive would be no challenge. Weight of the heavy limo and wide tires kept the vehicle steady and on course.  Vigilant and watching the road, he was about to comment how well the drive was progressing when suddenly a large, white animal bounded across before them. The vehicle made a quick, fishtailing movement due to mud and Vernonâs attempt to avoid a collision with what he recognized as a deer.  The animal was beautiful, sleek and totally white in color.
âGood gracious, what was that?â exclaimed Carissa, upon seeing the leaping creature.
âIt resembled a deer, a wild deer, Iâm sure. Never have I seen one thatâs snow white in color,â proclaimed Vernon, having brought the limo to a full stop.
âThat was a deer,â said Lance. Â âHe is a beautiful animal with a perfect white coat. Â For several years he has lived in this area; it is his domain. Â People call him Nod. Â You have just seen what many hope to witness, but never have. Â Some consider him a myth, but as you have just seen, he does exist and is very real. Â The countryside around here is often called âNodâs Kingdomâ. Â This must be a good omen. Â Maybe we wonât get stuck after all.â
With all laughing about Lanceâs prediction of good luck, they pressed further along the country road. Soon they found themselves pulling up before a frame house in need of paint.  Protruding from a rusty, tin roof, a metal stovepipe emitted white smoke.  Curling upwards exposed to the wind, it is quickly ushered away.  Chickens scattered across a rain-soaked yard in head-bobbing fashion at the sound of the limoâs motor.  Two sleepy cats lying on the front porch, lifted curious heads.  Gazing soulfully at the vehicle, they consider rain too much to brave for the sake of investigation, and soon resume their sleepy positions.
Lanceâs mother, upon hearing the approaching vehicle, stepped out on the porch.  Smiling and clad in a pretty dress, patterned from decorative feed sacks, she appeared warm and friendly.  Studying the fancy limousine, she wondered why it had stopped in her yard. Pleasant as the lady seemed, years of hard work and farm life were evident.
âThat has to be your mother,â declared Carissa. Â âEven from this distance, I can see the resemblance.â
âYes, she is my mother. Â Mom works long hours each day, as we all do, trying to make a living. Â She is always first up in the morning and last in bed at night.â
Stepping from the limo, Lance leaned back inside thanking Vernon and Carissa. Extending his hand to Carissa, he says, âMiss Lane, I donât know how anyone can be as beautiful as you. Â I wish it were not raining so heavily; Iâd love for Mom to meet you, but I canât ask yâall out in this weather. Â She is absolutely not going to believe who brought me home. Â Best of luck as you both journey on, may Godspeed.â
Not immediately releasing his hand as Lance attempted to depart, Carissa gave it a noticeable squeeze. Â At first Lance thought it was his imagination but feeling another and noticing the look in her eyes, he knew it was not. Â His spirit soared, realizing both were intentional.Â
âYou seem to be a sweet, caring, young man. I can assure you Iâve enjoyed this very much. Hope we see each other again, and I hope itâs soon,â she concluded, with a warm smile.
Pulling away from Lanceâs house and starting back to the main highway, Vernon contemplated about the fine, young man they had just encountered. Â Lance was wholesome and overflowing with character.Â
âBoy, I have never in all my life,â Vernon heard Carissa comment. Â âI must say, that is one more good-looking young man.â
âThis might cause us to miss your flight Missy,â said her chauffeur. Â âHopefully not, but there is the possibility.â
âOh, no matter, Â Iâll catch a later flight if necessary. Â Iâm willing to miss my flight any day for what Iâve just shared.â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
 Glancing in his rearview mirror, he saw Carissa turned and looking anxiously back down the road toward Lancesâ home.  Vernon thought he had noticed her revealing signs of being smitten in the young manâs presence.  He soon realized it was not his imagination.  Never had he seen Carissa acting in this manner.  Coming to the paved highway and continuing towards Houston, another thought crosses his mind: If Carissa sees Lance againâŚ..and thinking she most likely wouldâŚ..it might soon be difficult to tell exactly whoâs the star and whoâs the fan.
Emmittâs Bottom is a love story that can transcend time. The authors use of prose was beautiful in its simplicity and intensity.
The story centers around a famous actress who experiences love at first sight for a mysterious stranger who turns out to be handsome farmer Lance.
The chemistry was immediate and the tenderness heartwarming. The story begs the question- can opposites really attract? When the realities of life a get in the way and the pressures of expectations become unbearable- who else can you turn to besides those you love.
The use of the stag was symbolic in so many ways. I interpreted it to show the stages of life- even though we may be mighty in our actions we must all be humbled with our endings. One can also argue the symbolism refers to the relationship between Carissa and lance- from the birth of their attraction, to the highs and lows to its eventual subsiding into something raw and imperfect.
Lance was such an interesting and complex character. His emotional journey spoke to me more deeply than that of Carissa and I felt his struggles and his eventual peace. When his reputation was called into question, his mental fortitude never wavered as he battled with pride and determination.
The thing I liked most about this novel has to be that itâs much more than a love story. It speaks about life, about struggles, hope, determination, resentment, dreams and finally a desire for life. Many times we get swept up in the glamor of love but not the struggle that leads to that point. The author did not shy away from the harsh times but rather spoke of it with grace and a intensity that had me hooked.
I do think that perhaps a gentle edit may benefit the story more and that the dialogue could use some refreshing. Other than that itâs a sound novel with great potential.
Thank you to Reedsy Discovery and the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review