title: Babe in the Woods: Building a Life One Log at a Time
author:  Yvonne Wakefield 
description: Yvonne Wakefield is a Fulbright Memorial scholar, an artist and author who holds a doctorate in Human Organizational Systems, which has little to do with log cabin building. Her first book, Suitcase Filled with Nails: Lessons Learned from Teaching Art in Kuwait (Booktrope Editions, April 2013) chronicles the six years she taught fine art to Muslim women. Like building a log cabin she had no experience in the Middle East but wanted to experience teaching there and was determined to do it. Learn more about her at http://www.yvonnepepinwakefield.com and on her blog http://www.babeandthewoods.com.
zlib_text: # ![Babe On Board](Images/image00038.jpeg)
  
  ## ![by JA Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson](Images/image00039.jpeg)
  
  # ![Contents](Images/image00040.jpeg)
  
  Babe On Board
  
  Excerpt from FLEE, by J.A. Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson
  
  Also by the Authors
  
  # ![Babe On Board](Images/image00038.jpeg)
  
  I walked into my neighborhood bar, a fierce winter wind following me inside.
  It wasn't my favorite watering hole, but it was within walking distance of my
  place, and I was so cold my balls were making clinking noises every step I
  took.
  
  I stood at the entryway and paused, taking the place in. It was darkish,
  grimy, still smelling of cigarettes even though Chicago had banned smoking
  indoors years ago. The after-work crowd had dwindled down to the diehards--
  those without families to go home to.
  
  I didn't have a family of my own to go home to. I wasn't looking to find one,
  either. They were expensive, messy, and needy. My presence at the bar was
  twofold. First, I needed a drink. Second, I hoped to get a l