tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2575697992311664692024-03-13T13:47:06.621-07:00Peggy L Henderson
Best-selling author of Western Historical and Time Travel Romance...Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.comBlogger258125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-21175168264374589242021-06-15T02:04:00.006-07:002021-06-15T02:10:23.539-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vrt4ZMKyB0/YMhs9HKPm-I/AAAAAAAAD8k/VorqPUVl32AJELCZVHvvIf54GjOJ3YpoACLcBGAsYHQ/s2538/website%2Bheader%2B2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="2538" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vrt4ZMKyB0/YMhs9HKPm-I/AAAAAAAAD8k/VorqPUVl32AJELCZVHvvIf54GjOJ3YpoACLcBGAsYHQ/w580-h216/website%2Bheader%2B2.png" width="580" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b> New Website coming soon!</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm excited to announce that I'm working on a new website, and it should be ready in a few short weeks. I'm hoping to have it up and running by July 1st of 2021.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've relied on my blog for years to serve as my home on the web, but as you can see, it's been sorely neglected. Between writing and taking care of my hobby farm (vegetable garden, ponies, chickens and turkeys), maintaining a blog and keeping the book pages current has been difficult. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The new site will be current with all my books - new and old, links, and current news. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Once the new site is live, this blog page will be retired. The website address (peggylhenderson.com) will not change, but instead to bringing you here to this site, it will take you directly to directly to the new site. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I hope to see you there soon!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-42535356127180140842019-08-15T07:21:00.001-07:002019-08-15T07:45:46.056-07:00It's Release Day for The Eagle (Book 2 in the Wild Mountain Hearts Series)No matter how many books I've published (and it's over 40 at this point), release day is always heart-pounding and nerve-wracking. So many things can go wrong with vendors not cooperating, and I always have this crazy fear that I submitted the wrong file and then readers will get an incomplete book, or a first draft. I meticulously check and check again to make sure that I only have access to the correct file when it comes time to submitting it to Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Apple, etc, but the anxiety kicks in and the fear is real.<br />
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So far so good today! <b><i>The Eagle</i></b> has been on pre-order for two weeks, and today it is finally live!<br />
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I hope you enjoy the story of Tallan Moran, one of the Pathfinders we met in the series prologue (<b><i>The Pathfinders</i></b>).<br />
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I had a lot of fun revisiting characters from the <b><i>Yellowstone, Teton, and Wilderness Brides Series</i></b>, and I hope you will recognize some familiar names! Enjoy!<br />
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If you haven't read THE PATHFINDERS (the novella-length prologue to the Wild Mountain Hearts Series) grab your copy <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://books2read.com/Pathfinders">HERE</a>:</span></div>
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<br />Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-2363004876630332432019-08-06T09:31:00.000-07:002019-08-06T09:31:46.087-07:00Wild Mountain Hearts Series and First Chapter in The Eagle<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two years ago, the idea for a spin-off series to the <b><i>Teton Romance Series</i></b> came to me when a reader asked if I could write a short story about Alex Walker's encounter with the grizzly bear when he first came to the wilderness, and how he met Daniel Osborne (from the <b><i>Yellowstone Romance Series</i></b>) as a result. I mentioned that encounter very briefly in <b><i>Teton Sunrise</i></b>, and readers were curious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first, I was going to simply write that short story, but as I sat and thought about it, an entire new series came to mind, and the <b><i>Wild Mountain Hearts Series</i></b> was "born."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I planned (and loosely plotted the series, which I see as having six books currently, with the chance of a few more if readers enjoy it), I realized that there would be a lot of repetition to the back stories of the characters in each book, and I didn't want to have to rehash those with each story. So, I decided to do something I haven't tried before, and wrote an entire story that serves as a prequel or prologue for the entire series. This prologue is novella length (the rest of the books will be full novels), and introduces the main characters in the series. It leaves out enough mystery to each character's background that I will explore in their own stories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tallan, Theo, Todd, Keaton, and Connor (along with Alex from Teton Sunrise, Harley Buchanan from Wilderness Brides, and a few other familiar names who already have their stories, or will get their stories in different series), are the Pathfinders, and the <b><i>Wild Mountain Hearts Series</i></b> tells their stories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because the <b><i>Wild Mountain Hearts Series</i></b> had been on the back-burner in my head for a few years, I knew many of the characters already, and I had fun giving a few of them cameos in books I was currently writing. Two characters, Theo Carrington and Todd Baronette, make appearances in <b><i>Yellowstone Reflections (Yellowstone Romance Series)</i></b>, and Keaton Barlow has a cameo in <b><i>Josie's Valor (Wilderness Brides Series)</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a lot of fun writing interwoven storylines in four different series! Readers won't miss anything if they don't read them all, but once they do, the four series become one huge world of storylines that cross over. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My readers have been asking for a timeline for all four series, so they can be read as one huge series. I have to update the file each time a new book gets published. The most current timeline can be downloaded <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ci04neimnr">HERE</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Pathfinders</i></b> was published May 1, 2019, and due to life getting in the way, I was slow to work on the next book, The Eagle. This book is now finished, and will release on August 15, 2019. It is on pre-order at Amazon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Get <a href="http://books2read.com/Pathfinders">THE PATHFINDERS</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pre-Order <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VZY6GKN">THE EAGLE</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the first chapter in the <b><i>THE EAGLE (Wild Mountain Hearts, Book 2)</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Somewhere in the Jackson Valley, Summer 1829<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br /> <br /><br />“How much farther is it to get to the rendezvous point, do you suppose?”<br /><br />Tallan Moran glanced over his shoulder. He was met with a wide grin from his brother, Connor, who rode several horse-lengths behind him. <br /><br />“Couple more days at most. Are you eager for some company other than mine?”<br /><br />Tallan scowled. “No, but I’d sure feel a lot safer in a larger brigade. We’re traveling straight through Blackfoot country, and if they get wind that there are only two of us, they’ll come calling thinking it’ll be easy pickin’s.”<br /><br />Connor shrugged, even though he had to know that Tallan made a good point. Tallan straightened in the saddle. It was already bad enough that they hadn’t met up with Josiah Butler and his men who should be camped somewhere nearby.<br /><br /> He scanned the clearing ahead with narrowed eyes. The danger of an ambush was always real, and this area had plenty of dense willows and other shrubs where someone could lie in wait to surprise a couple of unsuspecting trappers. <br /><br />His horse splashed through the marshy grass, making enough noise to send a flock of ducks out of their hiding place along the bend in the wide Snake River. Their wings flapped against the water as they took to the air. Tallan’s pack mule shied, jumping sideways into deeper water. The unexpected yank from the lead rope nearly unseated Tallan. He cursed under his breath and tugged on the line to bring the animal under control again.<br /><br />“Watch it, or a year’s worth of work will get swept downriver,” Connor called from behind. He drove his horse forward to push the pack mule between his horse and Tallan’s while keeping control of his own pack animal. <br /><br />“Damn mules,” Tallan muttered. “Time to trade them in for some dependable horses.”<br /><br />Connor laughed. “Horses are even less dependable. Besides, we don’t have to worry about mules getting stolen by Indians all the time.”<br /><br />His brother was right. For the most part, they got along with the native tribes, trading for goods and even wintering with them. The Crow prided themselves on being master horse thieves, and it was often a game to them. The only tribe the trappers and even other tribes really worried about was the Blackfoot. War was their culture, and no one was safe. <br /><br />Tallan guided his mount out of the water and onto drier land. They were making too much noise here in the marsh, but riding through the willows wasn’t any safer. He focused his eyes more closely on the dense vegetation. It was easy to let his eyes wander to take in the spectacular scenery that stretched out before them.<br /><br />The Snake River made a wide bend here, almost in a U-shape, as it meandered through the expansive valley. Off in the distance, the magnificent mountain range of Le Trois Tetons could take a man’s breath away. The snow-capped, jagged peaks rose dramatically from the valley floor as if someone were lifting them up. <br /><br />No matter how many times Tallan saw this view, it never ceased to amaze him. It was good to finally be back, almost as if he was coming home. He hadn’t been in these parts in several years, yet even as his eyes feasted on the grandeur of this landscape, something didn’t feel right. <br /><br />Tallan’s gut had rarely steered him wrong in the last six, nearly seven years, since he and his brother had left civilization behind to carve out their lives in the wild mountains west of the Missouri. His fingers itched to reach for his pistol in his belt, but he had his hands full at the moment leading the cantankerous mule and holding on to the reins of his mount. <br /><br />An eagle screeched as it soared high above the river, circling in search of fish or some other unsuspecting critter. A large flock of pelicans bobbed on the water further upstream, their white-feathered bodies standing out in sharp contrast to the deep blue of the river.<br /><br />“We should meet up with Butler and his men before nightfall, Tallan, then you can rest easy.” <br /><br />Tallan acknowledged his brother’s words with a curt nod of his head, not taking the bait of the light taunt, while still keeping his eyes and ears focused on anything that might be lurking in the bushes. The willows were dense and nearly impenetrable along this stretch of the river, but they had to navigate their way through to get to the clearing ahead. <br /><br />He allowed his horse to pick its way through the brush, tugging the mule along behind him. Connor brought up the rear and was, no doubt, alert to any noise behind them while Tallan listened for anything out of the ordinary up ahead. <br /><br />They’d gone no more than half a mile when he abruptly brought his horse to a halt. Connor knew better than to ask what had alerted his brother. Tallan cocked his head to the side to listen. All was quiet except for the eagle’s screech echoing overhead. His hand holding the reins inched slowly toward his rifle hanging from his saddle. Perhaps it would be better to unsheathe his knife. If he needed a weapon, the knife would be quiet. <br /><br />Had he heard a noise, or was it simply his imagination from having tightly strung nerves and muscles? Tallan held his breath. He couldn’t have been mistaken. <br /><br />There! The sound he’d heard came again. Cougar? Or was it the warning call of a Blackfoot warrior lying in wait? For all he knew, he and Connor could be sitting ducks in all this vegetation. <br /><br />Behind him, Connor’s saddle creaked. His brother had clearly heard the noise, too and was dismounting his horse. Tallan wound his mule’s lead rope around his saddle horn, then did the same. He reached for his knife and crouched behind his horse. A quick glance at Connor revealed that his brother had drawn his tomahawk and was tense and ready to fight.<br /><br />Tallan motioned with his chin that he planned to move ahead to see where the noise was coming from. Connor nodded in understanding, scanning the brush in the opposite direction. <br /><br />Tallan moved forward, crouching low and taking each step carefully to avoid stepping on any noise-making twigs. His knife was in one hand, while his other was poised and ready to pull his pistol from his belt. He froze when the strange noise came again, this time from just a short distance to his right. <br /><br />He narrowed his eyes, focusing on anything that might be concealed between the dense willows. Nothing. No Indian could conceal himself that well. A cougar would have attacked already. What was making that noise that sounded like soft cries?<br /><br />Tallan took another step forward. He moved aside some willow branches and ducked closer to the ground. For the second time in less than a minute, he froze. This time, his eyes widened. A foot. A small, bare foot stuck out from under a wall of branches and foliage. <br /><br />“Hell,” he mumbled then moved forward and knelt on the ground. <br /><br />He pushed aside the branches, revealing what he’d already suspected, but his mind had rejected as impossible. A child. A small child curled up on the damp ground, shivering and sobbing quietly. Tallan sheathed his knife and pushed the vegetation further out of the way.<br /><br />The light-haired boy raised his head then flinched and cowered by curling up into a tight ball.<br /><br />“I ain’t gonna hurt you.” <br /><br />Tallan squeezed through the foliage of the willow bush. He’d chosen to speak English rather than Crow or Blackfoot, but had the boy understood? He had light hair and skin. He wasn’t an Indian, but what was a fair-skinned child doing here, clearly lost, in the middle of the wilderness? He had to have white parents. <br /><br />“Are you hurt, boy?”<br /><br />He couldn’t be more than four or five years old, certainly old enough to understand and give an answer. The boy continued to cower and didn’t look up again. He stiffened and grabbed hold of a branch when Tallan put his hand on the child’s arm to coax him to come out from under the foliage. He whimpered as if he were in mortal danger.<br /><br />Tallan hesitated. Two things were clear as rain. He couldn’t stay here much longer. He and Connor had someplace to be before dark. Second, he wasn’t going to leave this child behind, no matter how much the boy protested. Something clearly had him scared for his life. By the looks of his tattered clothes and bare feet, he’d been on his own for some time. Someone must be looking for him. <br /><br />Tallan cursed again. What if this boy’s folks had been killed, and that’s why he was so scared? <br /><br />“You’ve got nothing to be afraid of. I’m here to help you.” <br /><br />Tallan reached for the boy. He extracted his fingers from their grip on the branch, then brought his arm around the slight waist to pull him out from under the shrubbery. The little thing struggled, and his whimpering increased, but in the end, he didn’t put up much of a fight. Tallan held the frail body close to his chest as he freed himself from the branches and foliage, and then straightened.<br /><br />“It’s gonna be all right. No one’s gonna hurt you,” he murmured. <br /><br />The boy trembled in his arms. Tallan stared down at him. What was he going to do with a little child in tow? The sensible thing, of course, was to take him along, and get some answers out of him. <br /><br />Maybe he and Connor could locate the boy’s parents, or at least find out what had happened to them. The thought gave him pause, and he frowned. How likely was it that a white man and woman were nearby? Plenty of trappers took Indian wives, but there was only one man that came to mind who had a white wife and lived in these mountains. Their cabin was a week’s ride away to the north. Much too far for the likelihood that this boy belonged to them.<br /><br />“Tallan?”<br /><br />Connor’s quiet voice drifted through the shrubbery. Tallan retraced his steps, ducking under low branches and pushing his way back to where he’d left his horse and his brother. <br /><br />“Did you find out what was making that noise?” Connor had barely finished the question when his stunned look landed on the boy in Tallan’s arms. <br /><br />“Yeah, I did.” Tallan glanced at the child, whose eyes were squeezed shut as if he was expecting the worst at any moment. <br /><br />Connor cursed. He raked his fingers through his hair. “Where did he come from?”<br /><br />“Good question. He hasn’t said a word, but hopefully he’ll start talking soon.”<br /><br />Tallan turned to his horse. He lifted the boy into the saddle, then swung up behind him. <br /><br />“What are you going to do with him?”<br /><br />Connor’s dumbfounded question brought a smile to Tallan’s face. He shrugged while looking down at his brother.<br /><br />“Mount up. I still haven’t figured that out, yet. Look for his folks, I suppose.”<br /><br />Tallan nudged his gelding in the side. No sense wasting any more time. Once they were out of the willows, he could figure out what to do next. He’d be on the lookout for any sign of this boy’s people while heading in the direction where he and Connor were supposed to meet up with Josiah and his men. <br /><br />In two days, they wanted to be at the summer rendezvous, where they needed to sell a year’s cache of beaver plews and trade for much-needed supplies. Tallan glanced down at the little body nestled in front of him in the saddle. The boy didn’t make a sound and leaned back against Tallan’s chest for support. How was he going to make the kid talk? Maybe he hadn’t understood when he’d spoken English. He’d have to test out some of the Indian languages he knew. <br /><br />Ten minutes later, Tallan’s horse crashed through the last of the thick willows. He’d barely moved onto the open sage and grassland, followed closely by his pack mule and Connor, when the hair at the back of his neck stood erect, and a sinking feeling moved into his gut. <br /><br />With instinct born of a half-dozen years spent relying on it to keep him alive, Tallan ripped his rifle from his saddle scabbard at the same moment a shrill war whoop pierced the air. He spun his horse around, stuffed the reins between his teeth to free his other hand, raised his rifle, aimed, and fired. <br /><br />The Indian charging him with a war club fell from his horse. He scrambled to his feet, clutching at his injured arm. Another warrior followed, but Connor met the charge with his own ax raised. With a swift blow to the side of the neck, he unseated the rider. Several more Indians whooped and hollered, but at the sight of their defeated comrades, ended their charge and came to an abrupt halt. <br /><br />Tallan ripped his loaded pistol from his belt and aimed in case the warriors charged. He hesitated. Neither he nor Connor had aimed to kill. The six remaining braves hadn’t come any closer. They were clearly unsure what to do after seeing two of their number defeated so easily. <br /><br />“Next time, we’ll shoot to kill,” Connor yelled in the language of the Blackfoot. One of the warriors raised his war club in the air, let out a shrill yell, then yanked his horse around to gallop in the opposite direction. The rest of the braves followed. <br /><br />Tallan expelled a relieved breath. He lowered his pistol but didn’t stuff it back into his belt. Not yet. Connor came up beside him, his weapon drawn and ready to fire. The two braves scrambled to their horses and took off after their tribe mates. <br /><br />Tallan sucked in a quick breath. “Young braves, out for glory and counting coup.”<br /><br />Connor laughed. “They didn’t count on having the tables turned on them.”<br /><br />Despite his racing heart, Tallan grinned, which turned into a frown. He glanced at the boy sitting in front of him. His little body shivered so hard, he would probably fall from the horse if Tallan didn’t keep his arm wrapped around him.<br /><br />Connor scoffed, staring after the retreating war party. “They only attack when they know they’ve got the upper hand and the element of surprise.” <br /><br />A Blackfoot’s desire to count coup had saved their hides more than once over the years. The practice by the Indians of touching an enemy rather than killing him, and then getting away without being killed themselves, was highly revered as a great act of bravery. <br /><br />The Blackfoot didn’t like to engage in skirmishes unless they were convinced of a victory without casualties on their side, so when they did lose one of their own, they were usually quick to retreat. <br /><br />“You don’t suppose they were after the boy?” Connor glanced from the child to meet Tallan’s gaze. <br /><br />Tallan shook his head. “They wouldn’t have retreated, at least not that quickly.” <br /><br />By the boy’s fearful reaction, it was obvious he didn’t belong to those Blackfoot. <br /><br />Connor glanced at the jagged mountains looming in the distance. “Let’s find Josiah and the others before we run completely out of daylight.” <br /><br />He nudged his horse forward. Tallan’s eyes lingered on the sight before them. The sun was beginning to dip behind the mountains, creating a golden glow on the tips of the Tetons. The sunset created colors that were magnificent in their array of reds and yellows, shimmering like spun gold. <br /><br />What was he going to do about this child? There was a good chance that the boy’s folks were dead, possibly from an Indian attack, and he had somehow survived. Maybe Josiah and the others would have some answers, or perhaps he’d find out more when they arrived at the rendezvous. <br /><br /> It was getting too dark to look for sign, and the possibility that the Blackfoot might return presented a danger that he’d rather avoid. At least for now, he was stuck with the boy, but what was he going to do with him tomorrow? </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">© Peggy L Henderson 2019</span></div>
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<br />Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-47432253539718002582019-07-08T09:32:00.000-07:002019-07-08T09:32:13.365-07:00It's been a long time...I've been absent from this site for way too long. Too many things pulling me in all directions. I'm going to try and do my best to post again at least once a week. The posts might be about my writing process, background and behind-the-scenes information about my books, and my crazy life in Yellowstone National Park.<br />
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I'll start off by recapping the last couple of years that have really changed my entire life. If you follow me on Facebook, you'll know that my husband and I now live full-time in Yellowstone National Park. Yes! IN THE PARK! What a dream come true that was!<br />
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It all started two years ago when, on a whim, my husband answered an ad for a historical prervation craftsman position with Yellowstone's concessioner. When he was offered this seasonal position, we scambled to get my father-in-law's RV ready to live in for the next five months, and off we went on the adventure of a lifetime! Five months in Yellowstone! It couldn't get any better than that, right?<br />
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Well, it got better. At the end of the season, he was asked to return the following year. Of course we said yes. A month after we returned home, he got a call asking if he would consider a permanent, year-round position in Yellowstone. Um.... let me think about that for a while..... YES!<br />
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So, we packed up our house, downsized to bare minimum, and made the move into a tiny one-bedroom company-provided apartment. It was the best decision we ever made. We did know that this move was going to be permanent for us regardless, and knew we would be looking for a house after about a year.<br />
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Witnessing and experiencing all the seasons of Yellowstone has been spectacular. Winter in the remote interior is not for the faint of heart. Winter is long, cold, and lonely, and the only transportation is via snowcoach or snowmobile. I learned to snowshoe and cross-country ski this past winter, and look forward to more. For now, though, I'm glad that summer is finally making an appearance, although slowly. Before we know it, winter will be upon us again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBBgKZ-xa98/XSNr37q4BtI/AAAAAAAADhU/dNDEB6qGH9Yj-q0o3Zal2kvYfdDCYVAygCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2019-02-11%2B12.08.48%2BHDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBBgKZ-xa98/XSNr37q4BtI/AAAAAAAADhU/dNDEB6qGH9Yj-q0o3Zal2kvYfdDCYVAygCPcBGAYYCw/s400/2019-02-11%2B12.08.48%2BHDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Falls winter</td></tr>
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Three weeks ago, we moved into our new home a short distance from Yellowstone, but due to the remoteness of the job, Mr. H still maintains his housing in the park. For now, I divide my time between our new home and the apartment. Life just doesn't get any better than this! Well, maybe once I add a few more cats and dogs to my family (I've missed being surrounded by pets more than I can say)<br />
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On the writing front, I've published the last full-length book in the Yellowstone Romance Series last December, added books in most of my other series, and started a new series - Wild Mountain Hearts, which is another spin-off of the Yellowstone and Teton Series.<br />
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I'm going to get this blog site updated over the next few weeks until I can put together an actual website, something I've put off doing as well.<br />
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Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on all things book related, including Aimee's Journal entries and a new feature that's been hugely popular with the fans in my Facebook group - Campfire Chats with the Characters. I am aiming to make this part of this blog as well as in my newsletters.<br />
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Until next time!<br />
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~Peggy<br />
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<br />Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-65956566022574589672017-07-15T11:09:00.000-07:002017-07-15T11:41:20.164-07:00First Chapter of Timeless Hero<span style="font-size: large;">Book #12 in the Timeless Hearts Western Time Travel Series is now available!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want to apologize to all the readers of this series who were waiting for the book. I missed my deadline because of some very unforeseen circumstances, the biggest of those being an unexpected move. My husband took a job working in Yellowstone National Park, and we had to pack up and move within a ten-day span. If you know me through my other books, you know that living in Yellowstone is a dream come true for me! However, everything under the sun went wrong in other areas of my life during that short time we had to pack and leave, and I couldn't get the book finished in time ..... But! It's finally done, and Amazon should publish it within the next few days!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the first chapter! (And don't you just love this cover?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I thought I made it clear to you not to show your face around here anymore. What’s it gonna take to get rid of you for good, boy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dark eyes devoid of emotion glowered like the predatory stare of a wolf hovering over a kill. Vin Kincaid stood his ground, his eyes unflinching as he glared back. A slow grin spread over his face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Just stopped for a visit to wish you farewell, <i>Uncle</i> Jack.” He intoned the word “uncle” with disgust. “Can’t wait to see you leave and make the poor folks’ lives in Montana miserable, like you made the lives of everyone here in Texas a living hell.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The older man’s brows rose, then he laughed. He held his hand over his heart. The fingers in Vin’s left hand twitched, but he kept it well away from the holster at his side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> “I’m touched that your first stop after they let you out of prison would be a visit to me.” Jack’s eyes darted to the six-shooter resting against Vin’s thigh while his voice dripped with false sweetness. “But you shouldn’t have bothered, after all the trouble you’ve caused me.” His glare intensified along with his tone. “You try anything, and I’ve got ten men ready to take you out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin smirked. “I haven’t sunk as low as you, and I never will. Killing you would only be a waste of a good bullet.” He gritted his teeth, staring at the cold, calculating eyes of his uncle. Jack’s icy glare didn’t hold even a flicker of similarity to Vin’s father. “Someday, you’ll get what’s comin’ to you. Too bad I probably won’t be around to see it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jack moved across the room. He turned his back to Vin, and laid a hand on the shoulder of a youth who stood near the door. The kid’s face was impassive and hardened, as if he’d witnessed too much in his young life already. Vin scoffed. If Jack had anything to say about it, the boy probably had seen and done much more than he should have at his age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Your cousin is a prime example of what I’ve been trying to teach you, Son.” Jack’s voice lost some of the cold edge when he directed his words to his only child. “Weak people without gumption get squashed. If you’re cowardly, you get crushed like a cockroach by someone who’s stronger and not afraid. The same goes for showing emotion. It’s a sign of weakness.” He spun back around to face Vin. “Letting matters of the heart rule your head makes you feeble. It’s what happened to my dear brother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin’s hand clenched at his side. Every inch of him fought to remain rooted to the spot rather than rushing up to Jack and smashing his fist into the man’s face. Jack laughed again, a triumphant laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“My father was a decent man. He didn’t have a black heart like you.” Vin stared into the man’s soulless eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jack took several steps away from the youth and closed the distance across the room to face Vin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Your father was a coward, Vincent,” he scoffed. “I tried to take you under my wing. I thought I could make something out of you, turn you into someone with a spine, unlike your father. Jonathan never had the backbone to run a successful cattle business. He disgraced the family name when he married that waif of a woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“That . . . waif was my mother,” Vin hissed. “My father didn’t want any part of the Kincaid business. There are more important things than money and power. No matter what you think, people ain’t just disposable. Maybe if you’d paid more attention to your wife, she’d still be alive today.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin smiled at the twitch in Jack’s eyes. A brief, pained expression filled his features, but it quickly vanished. The older man ran his fingers through his mustache. His white teeth gleamed with his sneer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Jonathan was always weak, and clearly his blood got passed down to you. Despite his bringing shame to the Kincaid name, I gave you a place on this ranch after your folks’ unfortunate deaths. Without me, you would have starved on the streets. I gave you a roof over your head and a job.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jack’s eyes narrowed, his stare becoming even colder. “Too bad I couldn’t teach you how to make something of yourself. All the things I did for you, and you chose to stoop to the level of becoming a petty thief and embarrassing me.” His voice rose in anger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin held his ground. He wasn’t going to cower in front of the man he hated. Jack had made it perfectly clear over the years that, even though Vin shared the Kincaid name, he certainly wasn’t considered family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Do you really think I’ll take you back after you’ve made me the laughingstock in the county with your shenanigans a year ago? I wish that judge had locked you up for good,” Jack continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin laughed. “I already told you. I have no desire to come back and work for you.” His voice lowered to a menacing growl. “Since you think I’m such a disgrace to the Kincaid name, it don’t matter to me how embarrassed you get by what I do. I was only getting started when I stole that whiskey.” His smile widened. “Next time, I won’t get caught by the law.” Heck, he wouldn’t have gotten caught the first time, either, if he hadn’t tried to help that strange woman, Miss Amber, find her way back home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The thought of murder gleamed in Jack’s eyes just as sure as if he’d spoken the words. Vin didn’t move. Jack wasn’t going to kill him, at least not in his own house. It wasn’t his style to get his hands dirty. He’d let one of his men do the deed for him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin leaned toward Jack, his voice low so only he could hear. “One day, I’ll prove that you killed my folks, and when I do, not even your money is going to save you. I hope I never have to see you again, unless it’s at your funeral.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He spun on his heels and headed for the door. He paused when his eyes fell on the youth still standing there as if guarding the exit. Vin’s jaw muscles tightened. He tore his eyes away and stomped from the study, his spurs jingling and the long duster he wore rustling behind him. He headed down the hall of the house and out the front door into the sunshine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Anger pierced every inch of him. Never before had he wanted to hurt someone as badly as he wanted to hurt Jack Kincaid. The man didn’t have a shred of decency in him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin squinted into the sunlight. His father had died at the hands of that man because he’d chosen to lead a decent and modest life, and not let greed rule him. Vin had barely been ten years old when his parents had been killed, shot in their own home. Robbers, according to Jack and the law. They’d never been caught. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Orphaned and alone, Vin had tried to fit into the Kincaid cattle empire, but like his father, it wasn’t for him. He’d tried to please his uncle, but hard work was clearly not good enough. Vin refused to stoop to killing people in his uncle’s name. Blood, whether the kind he spilled or the kind that bound them as family, was of no importance to the ruthless man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It didn’t matter that he’d busted his back, working from sun-up to sundown on the ranch every single day since he’d come to live there. Jack’s reason for taking him into the household was merely to pretend in front of the community that he was a man with a good heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In reality, Jack had never accepted him as a nephew. He’d been treated worse than a hired hand. They, at least, earned wages, while Jack had told him that offering him a roof over his head and meals was payment enough. In order to get on the payroll, he’d have to stoop to a different level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From the time he’d come to the ranch as a ten-year old scared kid, Vin had slept in the bunkhouse. He’d learned to grow up fast among the cowhands. Jack’s hired men were required to show their loyalty in ways other than working hard. Jack ruled without mercy over his cattle business, and anyone getting in the way of what he wanted - whether it was more cattle, more land, or more water rights - was dealt with by his men. Money and power were always more important than family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin untied his horse from the hitching rail and swung into the saddle. The leather creaked as he adjusted his seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Vin.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin sat up straighter and stopped his horse at the sound of his name as he reined his mount away from the grand Kincaid home. He glanced over his shoulder before turning fully in the saddle to look at his young cousin. He guided his horse back to the house, but didn’t dismount.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Wish you were coming to Montana with us,” the youth said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin smirked. He leaned forward in the saddle, casually draping his arm over the saddle horn. With his chin, he nudged toward the house. “You heard your daddy in there. I’m clearly not fit to walk on the same dirt as him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“He’s only looking out for the family business.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin laughed. His cousin was still wet behind the ears, even if he tried to act tough and could shoot better than the average man. “You’d better be careful. Your papa only cares about one thing in this world, and that’s his cattle and his money. He couldn’t care less about family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Where will you go?” The youth stepped off the porch and stared up at him. While he still looked like a boy, the softness had left his eyes. Vin’s gaze drifted to the gun belt at the boy’s waist. Clearly, in the year Vin had been in jail, the boy had been initiated fully into the family business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I’m definitely not heading to Montana with this outfit, that’s for sure. Your father couldn’t be happier to finally be rid of me. I’ve been nothing but a burden and a disgrace to him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The boy frowned. His mouth opened slightly as if he wanted to say something, but he closed it again and simply nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin leaned over his horse and extended his hand, staring the boy in the eye. “Take care of yourself, and be careful. Jack might be your father, but I’m warning you now. If you cross him, it won’t matter to him that you’re his own son. If you’ve got a lick of sense in you, you’ll get out while you still can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin’s young cousin stood with an impassive look on his face. He shook Vin’s hand, then headed back into the house. Vin stared after him for a few seconds, then reined his horse in the opposite direction and rode from the ranch. He let his horse choose the direction. He had no home, no family, and no destination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">* * * * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Several days later, he passed a couple of small farms on the outskirts of a little town called Heartsbridge. Vin shook his head and smirked. What had led him to come back to this place? It’s where his troubles with the law had started about a year ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When Jack had accused a few young men of rustling some of his cattle, Vin had refused to rough them up, so Jack had told him he no longer had a job there, and to pack his things and get off the ranch. It had turned out the cattle had simply wandered off, and these youths had found them and had been herding them back to the ranch. They’d been found dead a few days later, and Jack had justified their deaths by insisting they had stolen the cattle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Drifting from one town to the next after leaving the Diamond K, Vin had resorted to petty theft to get back at his uncle, not out of necessity. Stealing a whiskey shipment from the saloon owner in Heartsbridge had ultimately been the reason for his jail sentence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin smiled, staring into the flames of his campfire. He held a cup of coffee in his hands. It had been worth it. The Kincaid name had been admired as one of the great cattle empires in this part of Texas. Jack was like royalty, or at least he saw himself as such. Although he dealt in underhanded ways with folks, Jack was always one step above the law. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tainting the family name by letting folks know there was a Kincaid relative stirring up trouble with the law, had given Vin a small measure of satisfaction against the man who’d never been able to treat him as family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin’s father had been an embarrassment because he’d married a poor woman from the hill country, but since Jonathan had been shunned from the<span style="color: red;"> </span>family, Jack had simply disregarded any conversations associated with his brother.<span style="color: red;"> </span>Committing minor crimes and becoming a nuisance in the towns he frequented allowed Vin to make the Kincaid name a topic of local gossip and shame. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin sipped the last of his coffee as the flames flickered low in his campfire. He moved to his bedroll. Time to catch some sleep. Perhaps he’d visit that crazy woman at the boarding house in Heartsbridge in the morning, the one who’d wanted to send him to a future time a year ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He shook his head and chuckled. What a crazy notion. He settled into his blanket. What if it had been true? Perhaps disappearing into some future time was just the thing he needed. Things couldn’t be that much different there than they were now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The woman who said she’d come from the future, Miss Amber, had worn britches. Vin smiled. There had been something appealing about her. He could certainly deal with women wearing britches. He had no home here. It would be the ultimate fresh start with a clean slate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">An owl hooted in the darkness. Vin pulled his hat over his head and closed his eyes. His horse snorted a short distance away, then moved around, trampling the leaves under its hooves. The gelding snorted again at the same time a twig snapped from the opposite direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Vin eased his hand to his gun. Before he had a chance to react, pain seared through his gut as the sharp blade of a knife ripped into him. He fumbled for the gun as his attacker drove the knife into him a second time. Vin raised the weapon and fired at the silhouette hovering over him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A yell pierced the stillness of the night. Vin slumped back against his saddle, his hand clutching at his stomach as something hot and sticky filled his hands. He fought for air to fill his lungs, and each breath became pure agony. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Seconds ticked by, or was it minutes, or hours? No further attack came. He wouldn’t have been able to fight his attacker off a second time. He’d already dropped his gun and had no strength to reach for it. The sky turned from black to gray, and Vin continued to lie on the ground in his camp, drifting in and out of consciousness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Vin Kincaid?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The faint voice barely registered in his mind. It sounded far away, as if it had come from a deep tunnel. Vin forced his eyes open. The image of a man swam in and out of focus. He looked vaguely familiar. No doubt he’d seen him before, but it was impossible to tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“He’s going to bleed to death,” the man said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“We need to take him to the doc in town, Chris.” The soft voice of a woman was like music to Vin’s ears. He opened his mouth, but no words came. His mother had a soft voice like that. She was dead. Did that mean he was dead, too? The man’s voice interrupted his dream about his mother, whose face he no longer remembered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I don’t think the doc in Heartsbridge is going to be able to save him, Francine. No one in this time can, not with those wounds.” There was a slight pause. “Do you remember what happened with Vin last year when Scott and Amber were here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“You mean . . . he was supposed to time travel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“We need to get him to Cissie Durham.<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Purchase on <a href="http://amzn.to/2voUiM6">AMAZON</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;">© Peggy L Henderson 2017</span></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-72971055656538227482017-05-14T18:42:00.000-07:002017-05-14T18:42:55.171-07:00First book in a new Contemporary Western Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm excited to announce that my first venture into contemporary romance is almost here! I've joined up with four other western romance authors - Shirleen Davies, Kay P. Dawson, Amelia Adams, and Kate Cambridge - to bring you the Burnt River Contemporary Western Series!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I get to lead off the series with the first book, which is titled Shane's Burden. It goes live on May 18, 2017!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The stories center around citizens of the town of Burnt River, Montana (a fictional town near Deer Lodge, Montana), many of whom were friends in high school. It's now a decade after high school, and they've come together for the memorial of a beloved high school teacher, who influenced or made some kind of impact in their lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each author is currently committed to writing three books each. The first set of five books will be published at two-week intervals, and then it goes to every three weeks, until we have a total of 15 books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To introduce you to the series, here is the prologue to Shane's Burden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Burnt River, Montana . . . February 2006<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane
Taggart stuffed his books in his tattered backpack, then slammed his locker
shut. He tossed the pack over his shoulder and lumbered down the hall, ignoring
the kids he passed. His focus was on the door that led out of the building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Someone
bumped into him, nearly knocking the heavy backpack from his shoulders. Shane
yelled out an expletive and raised his middle finger at Landon Clark, who ran
up the hall as if he hadn’t even noticed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Stupid punk. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Hey, are
you going skiing this weekend, Shane?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane
glanced over his shoulder. Three of his football teammates stood huddled by one
of their lockers. Jerry, the one who’d called out the question, waved him over.
The other two stood with their heads together, mumbling something while looking
directly at him. As if it wasn’t obvious enough they were talking about him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane shook
his head. He didn’t bother going over to them. “Got stuff to do at home,” he
called, then turned and continued on his way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">He’d
probably be the first to the truck, but Mason had the keys. No doubt they’d
both have to wait for Raine, who liked to hang out after school and chit-chat
with her girlfriends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A classroom
door swung open and he barely missed getting smacked in the face by it. In his
effort to side-step out of the way, he almost collided with the short, chubby
blonde carrying a stack of books. Her mouth formed an “O” and her eyes opened
even wider than they looked behind her dark-rimmed glasses. Those glasses
really looked ridiculous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Watch out,”
Shane grumbled, giving her his best scowly-faced look to make it clear he was
annoyed. All he wanted was to get out of the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The girl
mumbled something. It sounded like “sorry” but she dropped her head to avoid
further eye contact, and with dozens of other kids heading down the hall, too,
the noise around him drowned out what she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane
smirked, then moved around her. She was in several of his classes, although she
was only a freshman, like his sister. Allison Kravitz or Cramer, or something
like that, one of those over-achievers who went to school because it was fun. A
boy and another girl flanked her, all of them carrying stacks of books. The
nerds club must be holding a meeting after school. They clearly had no other
social life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">He skirted
around the trio without a further glance, but had barely taken three steps when
someone threw their arm around his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Hey,
Shane.” Boone Macklin fell in step beside him, a wide grin on his face. “What
did you do this time?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane
scrunched his forehead at his friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Mr. Weiker
wants to see you,” Boone clarified. “I just passed him upstairs. He said if I
saw you before you left, to tell you to come to his classroom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane
shrugged. “So, tell him you didn’t see me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Boone
laughed. “You might as well get it over with, or he’ll catch you tomorrow. And
he’ll know we were lying to him. He always knows. I swear that man can read
minds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane cursed
under his breath. The last thing he needed at the moment was a lecture from his
biology teacher, getting grilled about why he hadn’t turned in his last
assignments. He already had a good idea what grade he’d gotten on today’s test.
He couldn’t care less about oxidation-reduction reactions and metabolism. His
twin brother, Mason, wanted to be a veterinarian, so biology was something he
enjoyed and was good at. Shane would be running a horse ranch, and that didn’t
require knowledge of all that stupid science stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fine, I’ll get it over with,” Shane grumbled.
“Can you tell Raine and Mason where I am? I shouldn’t be too long. They’ll be
waiting by our truck.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Mr.
Weiker’s cool, but good luck, anyway.” Boone slapped his back in a good-natured
gesture before he continued on his way to freedom from school for another day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane turned
around. He sped up to reach the stairwell leading to the second story and took
the steps two at a time. He passed the chubby girl with all the books, but he
didn’t acknowledge her this time, either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">He entered
Mr. Weiker’s classroom, scrunching his nose at the disgusting smell of
formaldehyde that always lingered in the air in this room. Glass jars lined the
counter, filled with all sorts of gross things, from pig hearts, to a preserved
cat, worms, a fetal pig, and other body parts he couldn’t even name. The lab
tables were clean and cleared of any test tubes, beakers, or dissecting kits,
for once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mike Weiker
sat at his desk at the front of the room. He looked up over his wire-rimmed
glasses when Shane entered. He smiled and stood from his seat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Shane
Taggart, just the man I want to see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane rolled
his eyes. Weiker acted as if he was surprised at the visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Boone
Macklin told me you wanted to see me.” He didn’t have time to play these games
adults liked to play. Weiker was just a teacher, and there was no reason why he
should be asking to see him after school when he clearly wasn’t serving
detention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“My brother
and sister are waiting for me out in the car, and I’m sure it’s pretty cold out
there.” Shane looked out the window to make his point. Snow flurries drifted
through the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“I won’t
keep you long, Shane. I just wanted a private word with you. I know you’ve been
having a rough time lately.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane
stared. No lecture about his failing grades? No doubt it was coming any second.
Weiker held out his hand, indicating for Shane to sit in the chair next to him.
With another smirk and a sigh, Shane dropped his backpack to the ground and
slumped into the chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“With the
death of your father last month, I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling.
How is your mother doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane’s mind
went blank. Mr. Weiker’s words brought back memories of that awful day six
weeks ago. His father had just finished lunch on a Saturday afternoon. He’d
complained that he wasn’t feeling well, but he’d gone to the barns anyway to
check on one of the mares that looked to be the first one of the year to drop a
foal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane had
followed him. On the way down the path, his father had let out a moan, clutched
at his chest, then dropped to the snow-packed ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane
blinked, closing his eyes momentarily. When would the images that haunted him
go away? He’d landed on his knees beside his father, then run back to the
house, screaming for his mother, for Mason, for anyone within hearing distance.
Mason hadn’t been home, but at his part-time job at the vet clinic in town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">His mother
had rushed out of the house to his father, while Shane had called 9-1-1. The
ambulance had arrived too late. While the EMTs tried everything, Shane’s father
had been pronounced dead at the hospital. Massive heart attack. He’d never even
had any symptoms of heart trouble. None that Shane had been aware of, anyway.
Alex Taggart had always proclaimed he was healthy as a horse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Any time
you want to talk, my door is always open.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane stared
blankly at Mr. Weiker, who looked at him with sincerity in his eyes. At the
moment, he wasn’t a teacher, but someone who’d seen through the anguish and the
things Shane kept bottled up inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“My mother’s
doing all right. She’s trying to keep the ranch going . . . keep my father’s
dreams alive,” he mumbled. “I’m trying to help as much as I can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mr. Weiker
nodded. “I’m sure she appreciates it.” He paused, then said, almost
reluctantly, “But I’m sure she doesn’t want you to neglect your studies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Finally, they
were coming around to the real reason for the talk. Shane was ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“I’m going
to run my family’s ranch someday. I don’t need all this stupid school stuff.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mr. Weiker
shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not.” He chuckled. “I don’t remember most of the
subjects I was forced to learn in high school, either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane stared
up at him. The teacher smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“I liked the
life sciences, and that’s what I concentrated on. I think your brother, Mason,
is heading in that direction, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“He wants to
be a veterinarian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Good
profession. Lots of schooling and dedication.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“My father
encouraged it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“I bet your
father also encouraged hard work and perseverance in you, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Shane
nodded. He gnashed his teeth. He wasn’t going to start bawling like a little
kid in front of Mr. Weiker. The teacher reclined in his chair and casually
crossed his legs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“School
isn’t about liking all the subjects you take, Shane. It’s about getting ready
for life. It’s tough out there. You have to learn how to become disciplined.
How to start a task and finish it. That’s what school is really all about. Even
on the ranch, I’m sure there are chores you like more than others, but you do
them all because they need to get done. Am I right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Again, Shane
nodded. This was not the conversation he’d envisioned. His father had often
said similar things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“School’s
about building character, about finishing that task because you have an
obligation to yourself<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- and not to
anyone else - to finish it, regardless of how tedious or difficult it might
be.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mr. Weiker
paused. Shane waited. He glanced out the window at the snow that kept falling
steadily. He shifted in his chair, making it squeak. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“You’re a
bright kid, Shane. I’d hate to see you fail.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“I’ll keep
it in mind.” Shane stood and grabbed his backpack. “If there’s nothing else, I
really need to be going.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“Thanks for
stopping by. I just want you to ask yourself this one question.” Mr. Weiker
waited until Shane looked up. “Do you just quit and toss in the towel, or do
you continue despite adversity and insurmountable odds?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll think about it,” Shane said, because
it’s what the teacher wanted to hear. Mr. Weiker nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“I meant
what I said, Shane. My door is always open.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mr. Weiker
held out his hand. Shane stared at it for a moment, then shook it. There was
something weird about a teacher offering to shake hands. He pulled his hand
free after a quick squeeze. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shane turned and walked out of the classroom,
closing the door behind him with a loud click.<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">© Peggy L Henderson 2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">No parts of this excerpt may be copied or reproduced in any form without permission</span></div>
Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-81400915103282472902017-04-15T08:47:00.000-07:002017-04-15T08:52:12.669-07:00First Chapter of Timeless Bond<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wow! The Timeless Hearts Series is moving right along! As you may know, I've teamed up with three other authors for this series, with each author writing a minimum of three books. The series as a whole revolves around the fictional town of Heartsbridge, Texas, and two women with magical watches that send people through time to meet their heart's true match. Each book in the series is a standalone, but some authors (including me) have created their own mini-series within the series with their characters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tomorrow we release Book 7, <i>Timeless Hero</i>, and I've just completed my second contribution to the series, <i>Timeless Bond</i>, which comes out on April 30th! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The series is currently only available on Amazon, but once each book's 90-day exclusive obligation is over, it is my understanding that each author will publish their books wide. (Barnes&Noble, iBooks, etc) That means the first book should be rolling out at other retailers around the middle of May. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, I've got the first chapter to Timeless Bond for you. Enjoy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"She gave up on herself, but
he’s not going to give up on her."</b></span></i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iiTDPBUauI/WPI_as4wEnI/AAAAAAAADJY/65QQKcPKt8cau0JvJ0a1vZiP3IdkfeRsACLcB/s1600/TimelessBond_Nook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iiTDPBUauI/WPI_as4wEnI/AAAAAAAADJY/65QQKcPKt8cau0JvJ0a1vZiP3IdkfeRsACLcB/s400/TimelessBond_Nook.jpg" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I’m going to do this, and no
one is going to stop me or talk me out of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber Milligan paced the
slick faux-wood floor in the living room of her tiny apartment, holding her
cell phone to her head. She could almost glide across the floor in her fuzzy
socks. Her other hand trembled as she stuck the end of a cigarette in her mouth
and took a long drag. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Have you completely lost
your mind, Amber?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Her cousin, Ashley, screeched
in a raised voice through the speaker of the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I’ve had enough. There’s
nothing anyone can do for me. I’m not exactly sure yet when and how, but I
thought you should know, since you’re family. I was hoping I could count on you
to help me figure it out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber exhaled, then took
another quick drag before squashing the cigarette butt next to the half-eaten
sandwich on the plate that sat on the coffee table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Are you smoking something?
Don’t lie to me that you’re not. I can hear it in the way you’re breathing.
I’ve warned you before, those things will kill you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber laughed. “Like it’s
going to make a difference in the end.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On the other end of the line,
Ashley huffed. “You’re right about one thing, Amber. I’m family, not to mention
your best friend, and that is exactly why you are out of your mind if you think
I’m going to support you in this cockamamy idea. I understand things are rough,
but there’s got to be a different solution.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber stared up at the
ceiling, her eyes stinging from the second-hand smoke that hovered in the air.
She blinked away the burning feeling and sniffled. Why couldn’t anyone
understand? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Maybe it had been a stupid
idea to confide in her cousin what she’d planned to do. It was probably better
if no one knew. Truth be told, though, she was scared, and she’d wanted to tell
someone. Clearly, telling Ashley had been a mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Amber, don’t do anything
impulsive. Do you want me to come to Texas? We can talk and have girls’ night,
like we used to.” A slight laugh came from the phone. “If you want, I’ll invite
my friend, Morgan, too. I know you and she got along really well before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber nodded. She hugged her
arm around her waist and continued pacing the room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Amber?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Sorry. Yeah, I heard you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She reached for her pack of
cigarettes on the table, glanced at it, then tossed it aside. Maybe later she’d
smoke the entire pack. Right now, she’d only get another scolding from Ashley
about the dangers of smoking. She squeezed her eyes shut and laughed silently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What happened with that guy
you were seeing, Chris?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber opened her eyes at the
unexpected question. She clenched the phone in her hand, pressing it against
her ear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“It didn’t work out.” No need
to go into detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“You said you really liked
him.” Clearly, Ashley was trying to change the subject and divert her away from
the reason for the phone call. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber ran her hand under her
nose. “Yeah, well, some things just aren’t meant to be. Especially not for me.
I certainly can’t have a long-term relationship with a guy, now can I?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Did you tell him?”
Obviously, Ashley was ignoring the last remark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber paused. “No, I never
told anyone, other than you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">After a slight pause, Ashley
continued in her enthusiastic voice, “Well, if you really like this guy, maybe
you should tell him. Maybe you two could get back together.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber shook her head. She
held her free hand up in front of her face, rotating it to study her trembling
fingers without really seeing them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“It’s really not fair to him,
is it? Even if he does know. Either way, it’s too late for that. He’s moved
on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“How do you know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber shook her head. Ashley
was always so optimistic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“The last time I saw him was
a few weeks ago. He showed up out of the blue to tell me he’d moved on, that
he’d met someone and he was going to a better place.” She laughed, a dry,
sarcastic laugh. “Sounds like what I want to do, too.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Despite all her efforts, the
tears began to fall. She squeezed her trembling lips together, as well as her
eyes. “I wish I had been honest with him, of all people. He really was a good
guy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Amber, you need someone like
that in your life. It can make a world of difference.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber scoffed. “Not in my
case. Besides, I messed up too many times. It’s too late for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Stop talking like that.”
Ashley’s voice rose. She was getting agitated. Good thing she was hundreds of
miles away in California. “It’s never too late. What exactly happened between
you two?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber shrugged. It really
wasn’t important. Her only regret was that she hadn’t been honest with Chris. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I didn’t talk to him at all
after we broke up.” She laughed softly. “Actually, I’m the one who broke it
off. To this day, I’m surprised he didn’t break up with me first. I was
horrible to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She cleared her throat, which
had developed a painful lump, making talking difficult. She swallowed before
she continued. “When I told him I didn’t want to be together anymore, I asked
him to come and pick me up from a party later that day. On the way there, he
was in an accident. His friend, who was driving, got killed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A soft gasp came from the
speaker. Amber didn’t wait for a comment from Ashley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Chris pretty much fell off
everyone’s radar after that. He was in the hospital for a while, then in rehab,
and he refused to see anyone, especially me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then he showed up out of the blue a couple of weeks ago, saying he
forgave me for everything, and to have a good life. He disappeared after that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“And now you’re trying to
find him? Why would you do that unless you think you want to get back together
with him?” The hopeful tone in Ashley’s voice was unmistakable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber laughed. “No. You’re
the one who brought him up, remember?” She ran her hand through her hair,
pushing the strands out of her face. She’d recently gone from having black hair
to dying it a coppery color, and she’d cut half the length off. No use having
all that hair, anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I want to disappear, like
Chris. He sounded weird, like he knew he’d never be coming back. He was happy
and upbeat, not like the angry guy he was weeks after the accident.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber heaved a sigh, then
stared up at the ceiling again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“How’s your friend, Morgan?
She had a baby a few years ago, didn’t she?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There was a silent pause on
the other end. Amber held her breath. Would Ashley go along with her and change
the subject, or would she insist on talking her out of her plans?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Morgan is doing great. Her
son, Logan, is almost three years old now. She’s happily married and living on
a horse ranch in Montana. Can you believe it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber sighed. “Chris is
originally from Montana, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ashley giggled, which sounded
more like a cover-up for thinking she’d said the wrong thing. Ashley was
clearly under the impression that she hadn’t gotten over the break-up. While
Chris had been a great guy, and she’d messed up big-time, it was better that
they’d gone their separate ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It wouldn’t have been fair to
him if they had stayed together. She should have never gotten involved with him
in the first place. There was only one thing she regretted where he was
concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Those Montana cowboys sure
are the best.” Ashley’s cheerful voice blared through the phone. “One of these
days, I’m going to find myself one like that.” She laughed. “Although, Gabe was
a bit strange at first. He kept joking with Morgan that he was from the
nineteenth century.” She giggled. “More than likely his brain cooked a little
too long in the desert heat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber’s eyes opened. Her
forehead scrunched. “The nineteenth century? Sure does sound crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he think he time traveled?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She frowned. Chris had said
something rather odd to her the day he’d told her he’d forgiven her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Chris said something weird
to me, too, that he was going to a different time and place. It must be a
Montana thing to say when they want to be left alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ashley sighed dramatically.
“Gabe was the real deal. A genuine cowboy in every way… well, except that he
was nuts and talked about time travel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“And Morgan trusted him?”
Maybe he’d seemed safer than her previous relationships. Ashley had told her
years ago that Morgan had been in an abusive relationship with her son’s
father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“She trusted him enough to
marry him. She really likes that he’s old-fashioned in the way he acts and
thinks. Truthfully, it’s really very appealing. Not like some of the guys I’ve
gone out with over the years. It turned out that he owns a huge ranch in
Montana. They’re both madly in love with each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Well, I guess fairy tales
are real, then,” Amber mumbled. “As long as he doesn’t decide to time travel
again and go back to where he came from.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ashley laughed, obviously recognizing
the sarcasm. “If he does, I’ve already told him and Morgan that he needs to
send one of his friends my way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There was a long pause, then
she said, “Amber, I’m going to book a flight out to Texas. We need to talk
face-to-face. I don’t like talking on the phone like this. You’re really
scaring me with what you said earlier. Promise me you won’t do anything
impulsive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber scrunched her face. Why
had she even opened her big mouth at all? She should have simply carried out
her plans quietly, without dragging anyone with her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I’d like to see you, too,
Ashley. Then I can explain everything better, and I hope you’ll be my friend
and support me. In the meantime, I’m going to see if I can find out where Chris
went. I think it’s important for him to know the truth.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Okay.” Ashley sounded
hesitant. “I’m running late for work, but I will call you later when my shift
ends, all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“All right?” Ashley repeated,
a bit more forcefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Yes, all right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Hang in there. It’s going to
all work out, you’ll see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber ended the call. She
fell back against the couch and raised her eyes to the ceiling, staring into
nothing. She ran her hand under her eyes and blinked away the new threat of
tears. She couldn’t go on like this. Each day was worse than the one before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just came from a little
town in the middle of nowhere called Heartsbridge. I need to get back there,
but first, I wanted to tell you I’ve moved on. No hard feelings. We all make
mistakes, but it’s time to forget about the past and move forward. I’ve made a
choice for a positive change in my life, and I hope you will, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Chris’s words echoed in her
mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“If only you knew, Chris. I
can’t move forward. I’m glad you did, though, and found happiness.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber clutched her phone in
her hand, then raised it to look at the screen. She wasn’t going to wait for
Ashley. It would be several days at the earliest before her cousin would even
get here. Besides, she’d only try to talk her out of her plans. She’d already
made up her mind, and no one and nothing was going to change it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was time to carry out her
plans, no matter how scary it sounded. She wasn’t going to waste away in this
college town with nothing to do while she waited. In the end, it really
wouldn’t matter, but there was some unfinished business to take care of first. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amber tapped the button on
her GPS app, and typed in the word Heartsbridge.<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;">© Peggy L Henderson 2017</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;">This text may not be copied or shared without permission</span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;">If you missed my first book in the series, Timeless Healing, you can get it on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XFBQ3HP">AMAZON</a></span></div>
<div style="color: #7f8c8d; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-74233999394510908892017-04-07T11:20:00.002-07:002017-04-07T11:20:51.119-07:00Spring into Romance!<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1NXvXRf2uS8/WOfYZKWQXwI/AAAAAAAADJI/HPIv-0k4gVgxirFVcx8W1FKhWWE-9QV5QCLcB/s1600/spring-romance-promo-banner-2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1NXvXRf2uS8/WOfYZKWQXwI/AAAAAAAADJI/HPIv-0k4gVgxirFVcx8W1FKhWWE-9QV5QCLcB/s640/spring-romance-promo-banner-2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Spring into Romance with these FREE or $0.99 books from twelve romance authors of various genres!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">1) Marilyn Vix</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Time Travel Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Everything For Love (Time Rogues Series #1) ($0.99)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT57_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Love-Time-Rogues-Book-ebook/dp/B01N245C65" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Love-Time-Rogues-Book-ebook/dp/B01N245C65</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">2) Jana Janeway</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Mengliad (The Mengliad Series Book 1) ($0.99)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT58_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KRP3NY" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KRP3NY</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">3) Helen Christian</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">The Late Shift</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Collection of PNR stories from Multiple Authors</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">(FREE) with newsletter sign-up</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT59_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/0xUTl" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.instafreebie.com/free/0xUTl</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">4) Jessa Chase</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">My Heart, My Home (FREE)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT60_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXXVQKM" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXXVQKM</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">5) Cindy Baker</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">We Can Laugh Together Too ($0.99)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT61_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DSRCNZC" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DSRCNZC</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">6) D. N. Hoxa</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Heartbeat (Morta Fox Book 1) ($0.99)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT62_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Morta-Fox-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01M9C6PLC" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Morta-Fox-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01M9C6PLC</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">7) Jessie G. Talbot</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">The Kid’s Table ($0.99)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT63_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBL4BFX" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBL4BFX</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">8) Lee Sutherland</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Undead Love ($0.99)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT64_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JXTCM72" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JXTCM72</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">9) E.C. Sheedy</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">California Man ($0.99)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT65_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006JR6G56" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006JR6G56</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">10) Naomi Stone</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Romantic Modern Fairy Tale Short</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Three Wishes (FREE)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT66_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instafreebie.com/free/RDvvJ" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.instafreebie.com/free/RDvvJ</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">11) Rica Grayson</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Trouble Next Door ($0.99)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT67_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWMVY35" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWMVY35</a></span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">12) Peggy L Henderson</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Genre: Time Travel Romance</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;">Yellowstone Heart Song (FREE)</span><br style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;" /><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT68_com_zimbra_url" role="link" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-family: monospace; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006SS09A4" style="color: #005a95; cursor: pointer; font-size: 1.18rem; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006SS09A4</a></span>Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-72209215295320241752017-02-27T09:34:00.000-08:002017-03-06T08:01:08.310-08:00First Chapter in Timeless Healing<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkMRsm0f3Sk/WLRiGrGL2HI/AAAAAAAADHU/QBR9rLHASPQCaZSQSxJM72Xkl48jSIIxwCLcB/s1600/TimelessHealing_Nook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkMRsm0f3Sk/WLRiGrGL2HI/AAAAAAAADHU/QBR9rLHASPQCaZSQSxJM72Xkl48jSIIxwCLcB/s400/TimelessHealing_Nook.jpg" width="266" /></a>I've joined up with four other western romance authors to bring you a new series of western <em><strong>TIMELESS HEARTS</strong></em>, and there are 12 books currently planned (3 from each author). The series starts with a prequel that sets up the time travel premise, and is <strong><em>FREE</em></strong> to download on Amazon! The first book released on Feb 12, 2017, and a new book will be released every week for then next three weeks, and then every two weeks after that. My first book in the series, <em><strong>TIMELESS HEALING</strong></em>, comes out on March 5th, and today I'm sharing the entire Chapter One.</div>
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<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Hearts/e/B01N5YFIL9/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1488216292&sr=1-2-ent">Click here</a> to go to the Timeless Hearts page on AMAZON to get the free prequel and check out the other books that are out so far in the series. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Timeless Healing - Chapter One</span></div>
<div style="color: #7f8c8d; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">His hands gripped the steering
wheel as if his life depended on it, and he stared straight ahead down the long
stretch of the two-lane highway that disappeared into the far horizon. Chris
Hawley shifted his tired gaze to the rearview mirror. The road was as empty
behind him as it was up ahead. The last car had passed him a good ten minutes
ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">His old truck got him from one
place to the next, but it wasn’t the most comfortable ride. The shocks were
worn out, turning every bump in the road into a reminder of why he was driving
through the middle of nowhere in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris moved to adjust his
position on the bucket seat. The motion brought a dull ache to his knee, and
his foot pressed down on the accelerator to alleviate the discomfort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The V-8 engine roared to life and
the old truck surged forward. Chris pulled his knee up to take his foot
completely off the gas, then slammed on the brake. He swerved into the opposite
lane. His upper body jerked as he overcompensated to straighten the vehicle
back into his lane, which made the seatbelt cut into his collarbone. Chris
hissed a curse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">He leaned forward, squeezing his
eyes shut for a moment, then looking out the windshield to focus on the road
ahead. He tapped the gas and the vehicle answered immediately. His fingers once
again wrapped tightly around the steering wheel until his knuckles turned
white. The dull throbbing in his knee increased. Not much longer and the pain
would become unbearable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">A sign sped past him that read:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Heartsbridge
5 miles</span></i><span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Population 8000<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">That wasn’t the name of the town
he’d been given when he’d been told he’d find a man who went by the name of
Doctor Feelgood. Chris’s eyes dropped to the passenger seat. He released one
hand from the steering wheel and reached for his phone, which luckily hadn’t
launched off the seat a minute ago. Blinking to focus his eyes, he tapped the
screen to find his GPS app. Before he’d left his apartment early this morning,
he’d typed in the location. It looked to be at least another forty miles up ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris cursed again, tossing his
phone back onto the seat. After a quick glance out the windshield, he leaned
forward to reach for the knob that opened the glove compartment. The stupid
thing liked to get stuck. He pounded on it with the side of his fist until it
finally budged. The compartment door sprang open, and several pieces of paper,
probably the truck’s registration among others, fluttered to the floor. An
orange prescription bottle rolled out and dropped to the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Damn.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">He leaned down as far as his
seatbelt allowed, trying to reach the bottle. His fingers nudged it, and the
blasted thing rolled under the passenger seat. Now he’d have to pull over to
retrieve it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">He straightened, looking out the
windshield. His heart leapt in his chest as a car came directly at him. The
driver honked, and Chris swerved for the second time in less than a few
minutes. He gritted his teeth as his heart continued to hammer against his
ribcage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">He laughed and eased off the gas,
then leaned his head back against the headrest as he inhaled a deep breath.
He’d often thought of finding a way out, but this wasn’t the way to go. Not in
his truck, and not by putting someone else’s life in danger in the process.
With his dumb luck, he might survive a second car crash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The first buildings of the town
of Heartsbridge moved by, and Chris slowed the truck even more. The last thing
he needed was to get pulled over by a cop for speeding. He had a court date
next week. He didn’t need to add a second one to his itinerary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Why he even had to show up in
court and give a statement was beyond his comprehension. It had been nearly six
months since the accident. He’d been questioned ad nauseum by the cops while he
lay broken in a hospital bed, and again during his months of rehab while he
learned to use his leg again. Stupid bureaucracy. Why couldn’t they just leave
him alone so he could forget?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris punched his fist against
the steering wheel and clenched his jaw until his teeth hurt. He turned the
wheel hard enough to where the tires squealed, and pulled into a parking spot
in front of a building with a large sign that read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heartsbridge Diner</i>. The place didn’t look busy judging by the lone
car a couple of spots over. He had no plans of going inside anyway. He needed
to get his prescription bottle and then get back on the highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">After unbuckling his seatbelt, he
leaned over the center console and fished for the bottle that was somewhere
under the passenger seat. Several failed attempts later, he sat up and opened
the car door. His knee throbbed and so did his shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Pushing the squeaky truck door
fully open, he stepped out, grabbing hold of the door as a surge of dizziness
rushed through his head. He’d definitely been in the truck too long. Stretching
his legs for a minute might do him some good. He glanced at the gas gauge.
Probably wouldn’t hurt to fill up on the way out of town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris looked around. There was a
post office next door to the diner, and a few shops along the street. Several
cars rolled up and down the main thoroughfare. Testing his equilibrium, he let
go of the door and moved around the back of the truck to the other side.
Movement out of the corner of his eye made him look up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">A woman walked up the street
toward the diner, wearing jeans and a plain-looking pink blouse. Her auburn
hair was tied back in a ponytail, and swung down her back like a pendulum with
each step she took. She seemed to be moving faster while staring straight at
him. Chris stared back, then shook his head and opened the truck’s passenger
door. He didn’t need to draw anyone’s attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The dull pain was back in his
knee as he bent to reach his hand under the car seat, groping for the bottle
that contained what he needed to find relief. Finally, his fingers wrapped
around the little container. By the sound it made, there were only a couple
pills left, which was the reason he was making this long drive in the first
place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Finding someone who’d prescribe
him more of the medication he needed to dull the pain in his leg was getting
harder and harder. His doctors didn’t understand that he needed the pills, and
had refused to refill his prescription months ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">His hand trembled slightly while
he opened the bottle and dumped the contents into his palm. He stared at the
two round, yellow pills. The doctor before last had given him the pale-green
ones, which were stronger than these. That’s why he’d run out so fast. He’d
needed to take twice as many to have an effect on the pain. He seemed to be
getting worse, not better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">His head throbbed as he threw the
pills into his mouth. He tilted his head back to make them drop down his
throat, and swallowed. If he sat in his truck for a few minutes and let the
meds take effect, he could be on his way and have a full bottle again in a few
hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Excuse me, you look like you
could use a glass of water, or maybe some coffee.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris turned his head to the
sound of the voice. The redhead who’d stared at him a minute ago approached.
She looked at him with uncertainty in her eyes, despite the smile on her face.
Her hand clutched something around her neck, tied by a blue ribbon. She stopped
in front of his truck and waited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“I’m good,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">He stepped away from the truck
and slammed the door shut hard enough to make the window rattle. Another wave
of dizziness hit him, and he swayed slightly as he moved around the back of the
truck to get to the driver’s side. The woman was already standing by the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“You really look like you could
use a cup of coffee. You look a bit tired.” She plastered on that smile again.
There was a definite note of uncertainty in her voice, and it showed in her
eyes, too. She tilted her head slightly, and frowned, as if she’d rather not be
talking to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris blinked to clear some of
the fog from his brain. It didn’t help. He’d been up since before the crack of
dawn. Maybe a cup of coffee wouldn’t be such a bad idea, after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“It’s on the house,” the redhead
coaxed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“On the house?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">She held out her hand. “I’m Moira
Lockhart. I own the diner here. I was just coming back from running a quick
errand, and –” She broke off her thought and dropped her gaze downward to the
thing around her neck she kept concealed in her hand. Her eyes abruptly lifted
to his face again. “And I noticed you standing there, looking tired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris wrapped his fingers around
her smaller hand and shook it. “Chris Hawley. How would you know if I look
tired or not from all the way over there?” He nudged his chin in the direction
from which she’d come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Moira Lockhart slipped her hand
from his and waved it in front of her face in a dismissive gesture. She
laughed. “When you run a diner, you see plenty of people every day. Many come
in after miles and hours on the road, looking for that cup of coffee to wake
them up again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris glanced at the empty
parking spots. Good thing he’d apparently missed rush hour. He nodded at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“All right. Maybe a quick cup of
coffee’ll perk me up again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Moira smiled. She let go of the
pendant around her neck. It wasn’t a pendant, however, but an antique-looking
watch. The hands whirred rapidly around the clock-face. The thing was obviously
defective, or maybe the batteries were about to go bad. Not that he cared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When the woman made no move to
head toward the front door of the diner, Chris raised his brows. Their eyes
met. She still wore that look of uncertainty, as if she was trying to reach
some kind of conclusion about him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“I don’t need that cup of
coffee,” he said to help her out if she’d changed her mind about offering him
some. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">She blinked and shook her head.
“No,” she said quickly. She held her hand out in the direction of the diner.
“No, come on in. I wasn’t sure you were the kind of person I should be –” She
broke off again, not finishing her thought. She laughed again. “Never mind.
This is how it’s supposed to be, and who am I to say otherwise, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris stared at her. “Right,” he
answered slowly, letting the word trickle from his lips. This woman clearly
needed more customers. Her lack of business must have made her a bit wacky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">He limped after her, stepping
into the empty diner, despite a little voice nagging in his head that he
shouldn’t. He had somewhere else to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Take any seat in the house,” Moira
called, much more cheerful than she’d sounded outside. She moved around the
counter and poured a cup of coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris limped up to the counter,
and took a seat in front of her. Moira set the cup down for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“What happened to your leg, if
you don’t mind me asking?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris clenched his jaw. He stared
at the wisps of steam that rose from the cup and curled in a spiral fashion
into the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Car accident,” he mumbled.
Memories flashed before his eyes that he’d rather not see, but they surfaced
every time someone asked him about his leg, or why he favored his right arm and
had a slight bulge in his collarbone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“When did it happen?” Moira
poured herself a cup of coffee and looked at him with wide, expectant eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Six months ago. I got out of
rehab for my blown knee and collarbone just recently.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Must still hurt pretty bad,
huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">He stared at her. Why was she
asking all these questions, and why was he even answering a complete stranger?
The shrinks had already forced him to talk and relive that night over and over.
Why couldn’t they let him forget? He ran a trembling hand over his face and
through his hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Yeah, it hurts.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">More than anyone will ever understand.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">His voice was nothing more than a
rasping sound. Bitterness consumed him, followed by agonizing heartache. No
matter how many pills he’d swallowed, the pain – both physical and mental –
from the night of the accident, hadn’t gone away. He’d never told anyone the
reason why he and Eric were in that car in the first place. Everyone simply
assumed they’d been two stupid college kids, out drinking and driving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Moira’s hand reached out and
covered his. Chris flinched and pulled back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“I saw you take those pills,
Chris. I really don’t think you should be driving right now. I’ve got a
comfortable couch in the back room. You can lie down and sleep for a while.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris blinked at the dizziness
that was growing more pronounced. The pills must be starting to work. He
usually didn’t take more than one, unless he was at home, but for some reason,
finishing off the bottle had seemed like the thing to do. He’d be getting a new
bottle shortly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“I’ve got somewhere to be.” He
waved her off, and stood from his chair. His hand reached out to grab for the
edge of the counter when his head spun more than before. He really shouldn’t
have taken both pills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“I insist,” the woman said more
forcefully. “Or I’ll call the sheriff and tell him you’re driving under the
influence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">She didn’t waver when he stared
at her. He didn’t need trouble with cops. An hour’s rest couldn’t hurt. He’d
still get to where he needed to be to collect his prescription. No doubt he’d
be spending the night in a motel room anyway. It would be too far to drive
home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Maybe just for an hour,” he
conceded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Moira nodded, her satisfied smile
back. Chris’s eyes were once again drawn to the timepiece around her neck.
Those stupid clock hands hadn’t stopped moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Doesn’t that watch bother you?”
he asked when he moved around the counter and followed Moira down the corridor
past the diner’s kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“No.” She glanced over her
shoulder, still smiling. “It doesn’t always do that. Today must be your lucky
day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">She opened the door to a small
office. The couch sitting against the far wall beckoned. Chris stepped into the
room and headed for it. He let himself drop onto the soft cushions, then looked
up at Moira, who’d stopped under the doorframe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Thanks for letting me crash for
a while.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">She nodded. “No problem. Get some
rest, and when you wake up, I’m sure things will look a whole lot different
than they do right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;">Chris leaned back and closed his eyes. If only that were true.</span><!--EndFragment-->
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<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;">Purchase the book on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XFBQ3HP">AMAZON</a></span></div>
<div style="color: #7f8c8d; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #7f8c8d; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;">© Peggy L Henderson 2017</span></div>
<div style="color: #7f8c8d; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #3a3e44; font-size: 12pt;">This text may not be copied or shared without permission</span></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-84433871750181807552017-01-19T01:00:00.000-08:002017-01-19T01:00:00.182-08:00New Release in the Blemished Brides Series<table align="center" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_4128776033108656408mlContentTable" id="m_4128776033108656408ml-block-40967411" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; min-width: 640px; width: 640px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">I'm excited to bring you the fourth book in the Blemished Brides Western Historical Series, <em><strong>IN HIS KISS</strong></em><em>!</em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Release Date; January 17, 2017</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Available at:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2jz17Iw">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2jFXD4j">Barnes&Noble</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://apple.co/2jz73Bl">iBooks</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2iIJEJA">Kobo</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>About the book:</strong></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
Eleanor Benton has lived most of her life under the protective watch of her widowed father. A tragic, life-altering event robbed her of the person she could have been. When she is brought to stay with her relatives on a horse ranch in Montana, she meets a man who reaches out to her in ways no one else has ever done.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
Lance Taggart prefers being a drifter and doesn’t believe in putting down roots. Together with his canine companion, he finds solace in keeping his distance from those who cannot see past his mixed-blood heritage. When his boss' quiet, auburn-haired niece arrives at the ranch, his priorities are about to change.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
Facing the daily misunderstandings and harsh realities of an often cruel, close-minded society, Lance and Ellie fight to overcome what others perceive as barriers. Will their love be strong enough to withstand the truth that links their pasts in a way they never imagined?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
***This book contains some mild language, mild violence, and kissing. Heat level 2 on a scale of 0-5. PG</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<strong>Other Book in the Blemished Brides Historical Romance Series </strong>(each book is a standalone and do not need to be read in order, although characters from earlier books make appearances in the later books)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
In His Eyes</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
In His Touch</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
In His Arms</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
In His Kiss</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<strong>Other books with crossover characters with in In His Kiss</strong>:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em><strong>Ain't No Angel</strong></em> (Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Book 2)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em><strong>Emma: Bride of Kentucky</strong> </em>(American Mail Order Brides, Book 15)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
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What others are saying about the book: </h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Essentially the novel is a beautiful and delightful love story of two people who have always felt alone in the world finding somewhere to belong, or should I say someone with whom to belong … Readers are advised to keep tissues handy!</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>A heartwarming addition to this wonderful series.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Loved the strength of the characters and the details of the writing to make you feel all of the emotions.</em></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><em>I would love to hear what you think after you've read the book! Please send me an email and let me know! A review at the retailer of your choice would also be greatly appreciated!</em></strong></span></div>
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The Writing Assistant is exhausted after final proofing!</div>
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A short Excerpt: </h2>
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<em>Ellie pushed the curtain aside. Her hand reached for the white wooden trim around the window as her eyes followed the horse circling around the pen, and the man standing in the center. She’d seen soldiers try to catch unruly horses with lassos before, but this man was clearly not trying to rope the horse. He was making the animal move away from him. Her forehead scrunched in puzzlement.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Fascinated, she leaned against the window frame. She pushed wisps of her hair away from her cheek that had come loose of the pins that kept the long strands out of her face. The ends of her scarf tickled the underside of her jaw, and she ran a finger underneath the material to loosen it. Perspiration dampened her skin, so she unwrapped it completely from her neck. The breeze cooled the moist skin along her throat.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Her eyes returned to the scene outside. Watching the horse moving around the pen had a soothing effect on her jumbled insides. The wrangler remained in the center of the pen, only stepping forward when the horse slowed. He barely moved when he raised his arm and pivoted his body. As if on cue, the horse suddenly turned toward the man and took off in the other direction.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Mesmerized, Ellie stood rooted to the spot. The man sent the horse forward with only the slightest shifts of his body, so subtle that not many people would have noticed. When the animal lowered its head, the man stood still and, judging by the way his hat tilted forward, he’d also lowered his gaze. As if it had been given an invisible signal, the horse stopped and walked toward the man, coming to a halt directly in front of him. The man touched his palm to the horse’s forehead, then walked away. The horse followed close behind him, even though there was no rope attached to its head or neck.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>He was talking to that horse. Communicating without words.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Ellie’s heart fluttered as her limbs tingled with an inexplicable sensation of excitement.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Uncle John and the shorter man met the wrangler at the fence. The two men nodded vigorously, clearly pleased about something. The wrangler patted the horse’s neck, then ducked between two of the fence planks and stepped out of the pen. He removed his hat from his head, revealing a mop of trimmed, raven black hair. Standing next to Uncle John and the other man, it became apparent even from a distance that his skin was a shade darker.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Ellie’s heart picked up its pace a second time. A slight gasp escaped her mouth. Was he Indian? She shook her head. His hair was short. No Indian she’d ever encountered wore his hair short. From what she knew about them, it was an insult for a man to cut his hair. Perhaps his skin was merely darker from hours spent in the sun and, combined with his dark hair, gave him the appearance of an Indian. It was too far to see to know for sure.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<em>Ellie inhaled a deep breath to calm the sudden unease that flowed through her body. She was about to step away from the window when the wrangler lifted his hat back to his head. Before he put it on, he looked toward the house. His head raised to the upper story. Ellie stumbled backward. Before she’d moved away from the window and out of sight, the man had stared directly at her.</em></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-22530783764778196392016-11-18T14:34:00.000-08:002017-01-06T17:49:19.459-08:00New Monthly Feature in my Newsletter<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hey friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been really scarce on my blog, and I apologize. Too many things happening all at once. In September, I was on the road for three weeks, camping at many national parks along the west coast, and coming home to catch up on writing. I didn't even announce my latest release, <b>RETURN TO YELLOWSTONE</b>, which is a sequel novella to Yellowstone Heart Song, and came out last month. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glvyX_S_tKU/WC9_DNPcGfI/AAAAAAAADCc/VBmbYeYYLHQU51VhUMewsJrkoidwBuRJQCLcB/s1600/ReturnToYellowstone_DigitalCover_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glvyX_S_tKU/WC9_DNPcGfI/AAAAAAAADCc/VBmbYeYYLHQU51VhUMewsJrkoidwBuRJQCLcB/s400/ReturnToYellowstone_DigitalCover_0.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven't picked it up, here are the links to the various retailers:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://amzn.to/2d36f3N">Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1161896733">iBooks</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://bit.ly/2dSbuC4">B&N</a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DIVey_J70G8/WC-BgIUWs2I/AAAAAAAADCo/Yl0u3QtN8jUbBx0JSP6CzwiwHxSfyBn_wCLcB/s1600/15000859_1163435217066394_5071754826926347442_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DIVey_J70G8/WC-BgIUWs2I/AAAAAAAADCo/Yl0u3QtN8jUbBx0JSP6CzwiwHxSfyBn_wCLcB/s320/15000859_1163435217066394_5071754826926347442_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "arial";">On to today's announcement: I'm bringing a monthly feature to my newsletter called "Aimee's Journal Entries." Once a month, I will send out my newsletter with a specially-selected journal entry. Many fans have told me that they wanted to keep tabs on the characters, and would I please write more books in the Yellowstone Series. I plan to finish off the main series arc with YELLOWSTONE LEGENDS, which will be out sometime in 2017, and I won't rule out some shorter stories to accompany the series, but by bringing you some journal entries, it would let you stay connected with the Yellowstone characters in a small way. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "arial";">Don't forget, too, that the Teton Romance Trilogy, and also my newest series, Wilderness Brides, are all interconnected with the Yellowstone Series in a small way. I try as much as I can to bring characters from all the series together in a small way. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "arial";">Sign up for my newsletter <a href="http://www.subscribepage.com/j3x0h0">here. </a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "arial";">The first installment of Aimee's Journal Entries goes out on Monday, November 20, 2016. They will only be available through the newsletter for now. </span></div>
<br />
<br />Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-7473895162479164172016-09-02T00:02:00.000-07:002016-09-02T00:02:30.263-07:00New Release in the Wilderness Brides Series<span style="font-size: large;">It's here! </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anna's Heart</b> (Book 2 Wilderness Brides) is now available!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhQz-MDro0g/V8NFyrYOobI/AAAAAAAAC_k/FH3dCO1Ank0LJ9-XWWlHMCOGCcgEJ-RVQCPcB/s1600/AnnaHeart_100thattempt_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhQz-MDro0g/V8NFyrYOobI/AAAAAAAAC_k/FH3dCO1Ank0LJ9-XWWlHMCOGCcgEJ-RVQCPcB/s400/AnnaHeart_100thattempt_0.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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<a href="" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a href="" name="OLE_LINK1"></a><a href="" name="OLE_LINK4"></a><a href="" name="OLE_LINK3"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">When regret of one decision from your past alters the direction
of your life… </span></i></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial;">After
a long winter in the remote Teton Mountains, Anna Porter is convinced that
she’s not cut out for wilderness living. Her heart yearns for a place where
she’ll feel at home, and she’s ready to continue the journey she started a year
ago along the Oregon Trail. Without an escort, she may be forced to marry a
stranger out of necessity . . . until the least likely man agrees to accompany
her.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial;">Ethan
Wilder has spent the last twelve years living with guilt and painful memories.
Determined to prevent anyone from getting through his angry exterior, he
remains distant and callous, even with those closest to him. When a series of
mishaps brings him in close contact with the quiet woman who has spent the
winter on his homestead, he believes the only way to get her out of his
thoughts is to take her as far away as possible.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #3e003f; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial;">The
best laid plans don't always work out as expected, as Ethan and Anna soon
discover. Traveling to a new land brings two hurt and lonely people together in
the most unexpected way. If Anna can chisel through the granite wall Ethan has
built around his heart, home might be closer than she ever imagined.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial;">***</span> </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial;">Content: mild language, mild violence,
intimacy (non-descriptive) between married adults. Heat rating: 2-3 out of 5,
PG13<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><u><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial;">WILDERNESS BRIDES</span></u></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Cora’s Pride<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Anna’s Heart<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Caroline’s Passion
(coming soon)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">RELATED SERIES (cross
over characters and story lines with Wilderness Brides)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><u><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">YELLOWSTONE ROMANCE
SERIES <o:p></o:p></span></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Heart Song<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Christmas
(novella)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Redemption<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Homecoming
(novella)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Season of
Giving (short story)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Awakening<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Dawn<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Deception<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Promise
(novella)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Origins<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Yellowstone Legacy<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><u><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">TETON ROMANCE
TRILOGY<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Teton Sunrise<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Teton Splendor<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Teton Sunset<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">Teton Season of Joy (novella)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">AMAZON: </span></span></span><a href="http://amzn.to/2cfzxKM"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://amzn.to/2cfzxKM</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">iBOOKS: </span></span></span><a href="http://apple.co/2bXO4vp"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">http://apple.co/2bXO4vp</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #929a9e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">NOOK: </span></span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/2c7puYW"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">http://bit.ly/2c7puYW</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #929a9e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial;">KOBO: </span></span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/2c3DXqq"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">http://bit.ly/2c3DXqq</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #929a9e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-68638132033054498612016-08-28T13:20:00.001-07:002016-08-28T13:45:42.000-07:00Anna's Heart Preview<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhQz-MDro0g/V8NFyrYOobI/AAAAAAAAC_c/8UvojDfFS3kl5eF2sf0Ji4gUL1fpowBNACLcB/s1600/AnnaHeart_100thattempt_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhQz-MDro0g/V8NFyrYOobI/AAAAAAAAC_c/8UvojDfFS3kl5eF2sf0Ji4gUL1fpowBNACLcB/s400/AnnaHeart_100thattempt_0.jpg" width="258" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Coming September 2, 2016.....</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Anna's Heart </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>(Wilderness Brides, Book 2)</b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">here is a preview...the entire Chapter One</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter One</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Harley’s Hole (near the Teton Valley), May 1853<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“He’s back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The door
screeched on its hinges as Patrick Hudson stormed into the cabin. Several
pheasants, tied by their legs on a strip of rawhide, were slung over his
shoulder. The boy dropped them on the table in the center of the room with a
thud. He glanced around, clearly looking to see if someone had heard his loud
announcement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna Porter
straightened and swiped the back of her hand across her damp forehead. She
faced the boy. Her eyes narrowed, glaring at Patrick. When his gaze met hers,
he stopped in his tracks. The smile on his face turned into an open-mouthed
gape. He looked from her to the dirty rag in her hand, his eyes filling with
growing trepidation. Water dripped from the rag onto the wooden floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Patrick
gulped visibly. He shot a quick glance over his shoulder at the floorboards,
then offered a tentative smile. His youthful eyes turned apologetic at the same
time that they showed fear of reprimand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna dropped
the rag into the bucket at her feet. The brown water sloshed over the sides,
leaving small puddles on the already-wet floor. She expelled air from her lungs
through her mouth and her shoulders slumped, glancing from Patrick to the floor
to the muddy footprints the boy had left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I’m so
sorry,” Patrick stammered. “I didn’t know you were washing floors. I thought
Caroline was here. I wanted to tell her Trevor just returned, and he brought
news of visitors that’ll be arriving soon.” He spoke fast, his words slurring
together in his haste to expel his apology. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna held
one hand to her hip while pushing the kerchief that covered her hair further
back on her head. She stretched her sore back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Visitors?”
Her forehead scrunched. “Lucas Walker left a few days ago, and now there will
be more visitors?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Yes’m.”
Patrick nodded enthusiastically. Like almost everyone else, spring fever had
clearly gripped the boy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
unexpected visit from one of the closest neighbors to Harley’s Hole had been a
sure sign that spring was here to stay in these remote mountains. Snow still
covered the tall peaks of the Teton Mountains to the east, but the meadows in
the valley were already green and starting to burst with a multitude of colors
as wildflowers emerged among the grasses. Although it was already May, spring
came later in these mountains than Anna was accustomed to in Ohio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Sometimes
we get snow well into June,” Harley Buchanan, the old trapper for whom this
small valley had been christened, had told her one morning several weeks ago
when she’d let slip that she was longing for some warmer weather after the long
winter months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna sighed.
She shot another glance at the mud on her clean floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Caroline is
down by the creek with Cora, doing laundry.” Her lips softened in a faint smile.
She couldn’t be mad at the boy for tracking dirt into the cabin, even though
now she had to start all over with scrubbing the affected floorboards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She
shrugged. What good was it to try and maintain cleanliness inside this cabin?
Her efforts to keep some semblance of order and neatness in this wilderness
seemed futile. The men who lived here had no appreciation for a tidy home and
were as wild as their surroundings. Old Harley was the only man who respected
her attempts. He’d scold the three brothers he considered his sons whenever
they walked in with muddy boots, which had been quite frequently lately with
the spring thaw and rains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At least she
didn’t have to live in the same dwelling as the men. The cabin she shared with
Caroline and Josie Hudson was kept neat and clean to her liking, and the men
weren’t allowed to set foot through the door. In order to keep her hands and
mind busy over the long months of winter and spring, keeping the men’s cabin
orderly had become her personal crusade. Not that any of them who occupied it
showed even the slightest amount of gratitude, aside from Harley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I can clean
up, Anna.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna raised
her eyes to Patrick’s contrite voice. She shook her head. How could she be
angry with the boy, who showed more remorse than three grown men would have
done?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s all right, Patrick. I know the ground is
muddy outside after the rains. Next time, remember not to barge in, and at
least take your boots off first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Yes’m.” The
boy hung his head, then raised his chin to look at her with a smile. “I can
fetch more water.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“That would
be nice. There’s another bucket just outside the door. I could use some clean
rinse water.” She eyed the pail at her feet. The water was so brown and dirty,
the cloth she’d used for scrubbing the floor had all but disappeared from view.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Patrick
nodded, then headed for the door. Anna stared after him. She gave a quick laugh
with a shake of her head, then reached into the bucket to fish out the
rag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wrung the excess water from it,
then dropped it to the ground and used her old broom handle to push the rag
around the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I might as well wait for Patrick to return
from the creek.” Anna brushed some hair that had come loose from her braid out
of her face, tucking it under the kerchief. She glanced around the simple
cabin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The main
room served as both the dining area and the kitchen. The stone hearth and
fireplace used up much of the wall opposite the door, and Harley’s bunk, piled
high with various animal furs, stood against the wall to the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anna’s lips twitched in a slight smile. The
old trapper preferred beaver pelts and buffalo hides to wool blankets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rest of
the beds in the cabin weren’t any different. Two small rooms had been added on
six months ago before winter had settled into the valley, in order to
accommodate the three other men who inhabited this cabin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The twins,
Travis and Trevor Wilder, were only eighteen years old. They might be
fully-grown men in stature, but they certainly acted no better than adolescent
boys most of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
certainly nothing like their older brother, Ethan. Anna’s eyes drifted to the
other room, partitioned off by a curtain she and Caroline had sewn months ago
using old pieces of cloth to give the area some privacy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While she
kept the main part of the cabin clean, and even Travis’ and Trevor’s sleeping
area, Anna dared not move past that curtain that led to Ethan’s personal space.
She’d made the mistake of crossing past that curtain only once with the intent
to air out the bunk and perhaps collect some laundry. Ethan had walked into the
cabin at that moment, glared at her with a dark scowl his brothers always
teased him about, and had told her in no uncertain terms to mind her own
business and to stay away from his belongings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As wild as
the Wilder men could be, none of them were as intimidating as the oldest of the
four brothers. Nathaniel, the second-oldest and husband to her best friend, had
been likable from the moment she’d met him. Even the twins could be forgiven
for their uncivilized antics, but Ethan Wilder was simply callous and rude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna had
stammered a quick apology that day and left the cabin in a hurry, Ethan’s stare
following her all the way to the smaller cabin she shared with Caroline and
Josie. Anger had overtaken the embarrassment she’d felt at the time. Ethan
Wilder was an oaf, reacting with anger or a sullen demeanor rather than holding
a civil conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna had
avoided him even more since that unpleasant encounter. During the long winter
months, she’d tried to make the best of her situation. She didn’t want to be
here in this remote valley, so far removed from civilized society, and as soon
as the weather turned warm enough, she’d finally bring up the subject of
leaving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As painful
as it was to think about leaving her friend, Cora Hudson Wilder, and the other
girls she’d considered her sisters, there was nothing for her in the
wilderness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not a life she
wanted, and more often than not over the last six months, she’d felt more like
an outsider than part of a family. The other Hudson sisters had adapted well to
living in the valley and got along with the Wilder men, but something was amiss
as far as Anna was concerned. Even quiet and shy Josie had taken well to life
in the woods, dressing in britches and going off hunting with Harley. Why had
it been so difficult to make a home here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last spring,
Anna had been full of hope at a new life in Oregon. It seemed like a lifetime
ago. When Cora had told her she was planning to sell her farm in Ohio and move
her three sisters and little brother to Oregon, Anna had gladly joined them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea of traveling cross-country by wagon
into the unknown had seemed worrisome at the time, but it hadn’t been as
terrifying as staying in Ohio with no family. She’d gladly left her painful
memories and shattered dreams behind. Making a brand new start in Oregon had
seemed like the right thing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Things
hadn’t quite worked out the way they’d all planned, and the journey along the
Oregon Trail had proven far from easy. When Cora had met Nathaniel Wilder,
she’d had no choice but to put her trust in him to get them out of danger.
There had been no other recourse for Anna but to go along, with the understanding
that they would continue on their journey to Oregon come spring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Cora
and Nathaniel had announced that they had gotten married, Anna couldn’t have
been happier for her friend. Cora had suffered enough loss and hardship of her
own, and deserved a good man. Nathaniel adored her. That had been obvious even
from their tumultuous first encounter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now that
spring had fully arrived, it might be time to approach Cora and Nathaniel about
taking her to Fort Hall, just as Nathaniel had promised to do when he’d brought
them to Harley’s Hole. He’d said he’d take her all the way to Oregon, but perhaps
he could find her passage with someone on a wagon train heading west. All she
needed was for him to get her to the trading outpost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Best to
bring it up later today,” she muttered. There was no reason to delay her
decision any longer. If Nathaniel was agreeable to take her, she’d make
preparations to leave, and they could be at Fort Hall within a month. That
might be around the time the first wagon trains heading west would arrive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna bent
and reached for the dirty rag on the ground. She dipped it in the equally dirty
water, and wrung it out. She’d wiped up most of the mud Patrick had brought
into the cabin, but another good scrubbing with some clean water wouldn’t hurt.
She hung the rag on her pole which she then propped against the wall, and eyed
the pheasants. When Patrick returned from the creek, he could de-feather the
birds and she’d start on supper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna grabbed
hold of the rope and lifted the bucket. Brown brew sloshed out the sides. She
opened the cabin door and took a step outside, squinting into the bright
sunlight that entered the room. Her arms trembled from the effort of holding up
the heavy bucket and, taking hold of the bottom with one hand, she swung her
arms back and tossed the dirty contents as far as possible into the yard. A
stream of loud curse words followed instantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What in the
blazes has gotten into you, woman?” a man roared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna’s heart
sank to the pit of her stomach. She stumbled backward. A dark, imposing outline
followed. Anna dropped the bucket and her hand flew to her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh my
goodness, I’m so sorry,” she stammered. Her eyes widened, staring up at Ethan
Wilder. He swiped a hand across his wet face while glaring at her. He looked
ready to murder someone. Muddy water dripped from his face to the ground. His
shirt and britches were soaked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“What the
hell do you think you’re doing?” He advanced on her some more, his tone more
furious than a second ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I . . . I
didn’t see you.” Anna clutched at the high collar of her dress in case Ethan
reached out to strangle her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Can’t you
pay better attention to what you’re doing, woman? I ain’t that small not to be
seen walking up to the door.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He did have
a point. Ethan Wilder wasn’t a small man. He wasn’t overly large, either, but
at this moment, he may as well have been a giant, the way he towered over her
in his rage. His dark scowl increased as the seconds ticked by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Next time,
look before you do something as witless as tossing a bucket of water at a man,”
he growled. The cords along his neck were strung tighter than a drum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna’s spine
stiffened. Her mouth pulled in a thin line and she squared her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I told you
I was sorry, Mr. Wilder,” she said in a firm voice, emphasizing the mister. “It
was an honest mistake, and I truly apologize for tossing the water out the door
at the exact moment you decided to waltz into the cabin.” Her voice rose with
each word. She’d just about had it with his rude behavior. It wasn’t as if
she’d thrown the water at him on purpose, but he sure deserved it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Can’t you
ever say anything nice rather than throwing insults at a person?” she
continued. “I’d be more than happy to wash your soiled clothes to make amends
for what I did. I doubt you would have apologized for tracking mud into the
cabin that I just spent hours cleaning.” To make her point, she directed her
eyes to his dirty boots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna’s heart
pounded so loud, her ears rang. If Ethan said anything else, she didn’t hear
it. Abruptly, he turned on his heels and strode off toward the horse corrals
and barn. On weak and shaky legs, Anna leaned against the cabin door. She
swiped a trembling hand across her face and sucked in several breaths of air to
calm her nerves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Renewed
anger surged through her. How dare he speak to her in such a rude manner? She’d
made an honest mistake. Granted, getting doused with dirty water couldn’t have
been a pleasant experience, but he didn’t have to continue acting in such a
hard-headed fashion, especially since she’d apologized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna shook
her head. Her limbs were still shaky as she made her way from the main cabin to
the one she’d called home since last autumn. She scoffed. Home? Nothing
could be further from the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> She fumbled with the latch on the cabin door and
stumbled into the dark interior. Tears blurred her vision. She didn’t bother to
light a lantern, and sank onto her bunk. For all the beauty to be found in this
wilderness valley, there was no feeling of home here. An overwhelming sense of
loneliness gripped her and she curled into a ball, allowing her emotions to get
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(copyright 2016</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peggy L Henderson</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">No part of this excerpt may be
reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including
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<!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment-->Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-49676657108480297352016-07-12T01:00:00.000-07:002016-07-12T01:00:01.900-07:00Release Day for Yellowstone Legacy!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's Release Day! Yellowstone Legacy, Book 7 in the Yellowstone Romance Series, is now available!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg2ldDj20ak/V4SKy7IlRAI/AAAAAAAAC9s/i75fPiD9sXACAnKMfR3ALb4jATRyXUMrgCLcB/s1600/YL%2Bfinal%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg2ldDj20ak/V4SKy7IlRAI/AAAAAAAAC9s/i75fPiD9sXACAnKMfR3ALb4jATRyXUMrgCLcB/s400/YL%2Bfinal%2Bcover.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">“What we think we know
may be completely different…”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Nurse
Michaela Stephens has led a quiet, ordinary life, limited by restrictions and
fear of making mistakes. When she is accused of wrongdoing on the job, escaping
to the wilds of Montana seems like the best way to overcome her insecurities.
What she thought she left behind is about to come back to haunt her in ways she
never expected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">As
a descendant of the guardians of ancient Yellowstone, Matunaaga has waited a
long time to discover his destiny. Content and secure in his life, he is guided
by a sense of duty and obligation to help ensure the future preservation of the
sacred mountains. He’s ready to do just about anything to fulfill his role,
except the one thing his vision requires of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">When
Mat is thrust into the world he gladly left behind as a boy, the woman from his
vision is the only one who can help him find his way. Michaela must learn to
set aside her fears, while Mat seeks to convince her of the truth she tries to
deny. With forces at work to tear them apart, trust and love may be the key to
survival as Mat and Michaela seek to protect the future generations guarding
Yellowstone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">***Content
warning: This book contains mild language, mild violence, and intimacy between
consenting adults. Heat rating 3 out of 5, PG13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">***While
Yellowstone Legacy is a complete romance between the two central characters in
this novel, certain events that happened prior to this story come into play in
Yellowstone Legacy. For better enjoyment and understanding of this story, it is
recommended that you are familiar with at least the following titles:
Yellowstone Heart Song, Yellowstone Deception, and Yellowstone Origins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Amazon
US: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yellowstone-Legacy-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B01I98PV4Y?ie=UTF8&qid=1468244654&ref_=la_B006T2R5UG_1_26&refinements=p_82%3AB006T2R5UG&s=books&sr=1-26">https://www.amazon.com/Yellowstone-Legacy-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B01I98PV4Y</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Amazon
UK: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01I98PV4Y">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01I98PV4Y</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Amazon
CA: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01I98PV4">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01I98PV4</a>Y<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Amazon
AU: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01I98PV4Y">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01I98PV4Y</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">BN (NOOK):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #929a9e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><a href="http://bit.ly/29sTI56">http://bit.ly/29sTI56</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">iBooks:
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1133046023">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1133046023</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt;">Kobo:
<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/yellowstone-legacy">https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/yellowstone-legacy</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-30805101980946708052016-07-10T00:27:00.003-07:002016-07-10T08:07:51.655-07:00Yellowstone Legacy in Pictures<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's almost here! <i><b>Yellowstone Legacy</b></i>, Book 7 in the <b><i>Yellowstone Romance Series </i></b>is set to go live on July 12th! I'm really excited about this book for several reasons. I thought Origins was difficult to write last year. (I wrote a blog post about it. You can read it <a href="http://peggylhenderson.blogspot.com/2015/08/conquering-mount-washburnand-new-era-in.html">here</a>) I never expected to struggle that much with another book ever again. Boy, was I wrong! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I struggled for over seven months to get Legacy written. Some of it was trying to get the story to come together exactly the way I had envisioned it, but a lot of the delays had to do with very personal reasons that I may someday have the courage to talk about, but not today. I even set the book aside for a while to write something "light." That was Cora's Pride (Book 1 in the Wilderness Brides Series), a book that was the start of a new series that's been in my head. It took me about a month to write that book, and I wanted to dive right in and write the second book, but I had to get Legacy done first. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've had a lot of readers ask me to include photos of the places I write about in my books. That's not really possible to do in a romance novel, so I've tried to post as many images as I can on my Facebook page and in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/791222314229523/">fan group</a> there. I've also created a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/PeggyLHenderson/yellowstone-romance-series-in-pictures/">Pinterest board</a> with images specifically from locations in the Yellowstone books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the latest book, <b><i>Yellowstone Legacy</i></b>, I've compiled some images of the places my characters see and experience, that I would like to share in this post. While some of the images I'm going to post are mine, I've also used photos I couldn't possibly take myself from the Yellowstone website photo archives (public domain images), and quite a few are from photographs taken by a company called <a href="http://www.trailguidesyellowstone.com/">Trail Guides Yellowstone</a>. They offer guided backpacking trips to various awesome locations in the Yellowstone backcountry. Their images are copyrighted, but they were gracious enough to allow me to post some of the photos from their website in this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I'll stop talking now, and let the pictures speak for themselves (with captions):</span><br />
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This first image is an overview of the Buffalo Plateau with the Yellowstone River, on the Helloraring Creek Trail leading to the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (image used with permission)<br />
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On the way to Hellroaring Creek on the hike to get to the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (image used with permission)</div>
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More images of the terrain my characters navigated in Yellowstone Legacy (images used with permission)</div>
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Hellroaring Creek (image used with permission)</div>
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Hellroaring Creek as it flows into the Yellowstone River (image used with permission)</div>
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The Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (image used with permission)</div>
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Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (image used with permission</div>
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Yellowstone River suspension bridge (image used with permission)</div>
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Bridge over Hellroaring Creek (image used with permission)</div>
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Hellroaring Creek Trail (one of my pictures because yes, I do actually hike most of the trails I talk about in the books :D Husband and sons ahead of me on the trail )</div>
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Another of my personal photos along the Hellroaring Creek Trail. This is after crossing the Yellowstone River Suspension Bridge before coming out onto the Buffalo Plateau and heading toward Hellroaring Creek</div>
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Taking a break, overlooking Hellroaring Creek (which isn't in the picture)</div>
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Along Hellroaring Creek, which was more like a raging river when we made this hike. I did a blog post about this particular trail, about my experience the first time I hiked this trail. Well, I've come a long way since that first experience, which you can read about <a href="http://peggylhenderson.blogspot.com/2012/04/yellowstone-trail-hellroaring-creek.html">here</a></div>
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Yellowstone River in the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (image used with permission)</div>
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Yellow-bellied marmot</div>
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Wolf and two bears (mama bear and baby bear)</div>
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Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs</div>
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Fort Yellowstone at Mammoth Hot Springs, Residential Area</div>
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Albright Visitor Center, Mammoth Hot Springs</div>
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Fort Yellowstone/Mammoth Hot Springs are (image from 1977)</div>
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Mammoth Hot Springs and Fort Yellowstone (image from 1977)<br />
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Mammoth Hot Springs (image from 1977)<br />
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Wildflowers on the trail up Mount Washburn (2015)</div>
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View from near the top of Mount Washburn (2015) Those white dots on the side of the hill on the right are Bighorn Sheep</div>
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View from the top of Mount Washburn as clouds are rolling in (this was July 2015, and it snowed that day. We just made it down the mountain before the weather got bad)</div>
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Another view from the top of Mount Washburn, looking to the south. You can sort of see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the brightest area in the picture is where Yellowstone Lake would be. </div>
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And finally, I'm tossing in this image, because I think it's just a really neat photo (from the Yellowstone website), and although my characters in Legacy don't make a stop at the falls, they are definitely mentioned plenty of times in many of the other books. This shows the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River on the left, and then the river makes a slight bend, and plunges down the Lower Falls on the right, to continue on its course northward (yes, the Yellowstone is a north-flowing river) through the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The parking lot in the center is the Uncle Tom's Trail Parking lot. </div>
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So, I'm looking forward to book launch in three days (July 12, 2016) on the book that took so long to write. I hope it lives up to reader expectations! I plan on working on a few books in a couple of other series before I tackle the next book in the Yellowstone Series. </div>
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meme created by one of my beta readers!</div>
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<br />Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-15517128454538552852016-06-27T00:30:00.000-07:002016-06-27T00:30:08.771-07:00Yellowstone Legacy - It's almost here!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Coming Soon! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Book 7 in the highly anticipated <b><i>Yellowstone Romance Series</i></b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's taken a little longer than anticipated to get to the finish line with <b><i>YELLOWSTONE LEGACY</i></b>, but it's almost here, and I thank you all for waiting so patiently for this book. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As this series comes to a close (I have a Book 8 planned, and possibly some more novellas), hopefully all - or most - questions about the Osborne Family and the Sky People and their connection to Yellowstone and each other will be answered, as we continue the journey with them through time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have any questions that you're dying to get answers to, please ask in comments or you can <a href="mailto:peggy@peggylhenderson.com">email</a> me privately. Hopefully, I will have covered most everything by Book 8. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">July 12, 2016</span></b></div>
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To get the latest updates and teasers on all my books, join my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/791222314229523/">Facebook group</a></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-66660965510957723372016-05-23T01:00:00.000-07:002016-05-23T01:00:00.171-07:00Author Interview and Giveaway - Chad Strong<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ryjfk0HsPco/V0H-oSZeXgI/AAAAAAAAC5k/5AF2T1NwrSQFH8vi5lt2ovexcNkDXcsWgCLcB/s1600/Chad%2BStrong%2BPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ryjfk0HsPco/V0H-oSZeXgI/AAAAAAAAC5k/5AF2T1NwrSQFH8vi5lt2ovexcNkDXcsWgCLcB/s320/Chad%2BStrong%2BPhoto.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><o:p><b> I'm so pleased to introduce my guest author this week - Chad Strong. We first "met" in an online forum many years ago, and he's not only an all-around nice guy, but we both have stories in the Short-Story Anthology Rawhide N' Roses. </b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><o:p><b>He's also recently ventured into the self-publishing world, and re-released his award-winning book, High Stakes. </b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><o:p><b><br /></b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><o:p><b>Don't forget to comment at the end for a chance at an ebook copy of his book!</b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p><b>Thanks for finally being a guest on my blog, Chad. </b></o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Please
introduce yourself. Tell us a little about the person behind the pen.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Hi, Peggy! Thank
you for having me on your blog! I think the last project we both contributed to
was “Rawhide’n Roses – a Western Anthology”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">A little about the
person behind the pen … I’m Canadian, born and raised in western Canada, though
I currently live east of center. I’ve spent most of my life with horses. When I
didn’t have a book in my hands, there’d be reins – or a manure fork – instead.
I’ve always been fascinated with the era of the Old West, feeling like I was
born a century or more too late. I still love the old western movies with John
Wayne and the newer ones, from Dances with Wolves to Young Guns, etc., and
can’t wait to see the more current ones I haven’t got to yet! I enjoy short
stories as well as novels, and my favorite western author is Matt Braun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Why
did you decide to write a western historical romance? What is the appeal?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">It was sort of
an accident. I hadn’t set out to write a romance per se. I’d set out to write a
western/historical with a romance in it. But as the story took shape, the
romance part started becoming more and more essential to the plot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">How much research goes into your books,
and how do you tackle that?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">I do a lot of
research. I love learning and I love history and I want to get it right if I
use it in a story. Like most writers, I read a lot of books – from the library,
to treasures found at second hand book stores, to articles on the internet.
(Though I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21<sup>st</sup>
century). The discovery of so much fascinating stuff can be addictive, so many
side trails to explore! It takes an effort of will to narrow my focus to the
bits that actually belong in a particular story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">What
is the best comment you ever received from a reader? </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">The best comment
about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">High Stakes</i> came from a fellow
who’s a self-proclaimed non-reader (he usually prefers to wait for the movie
version) who said he couldn’t put it down and he missed it when it was all
over. Some months later I heard from him again, and he told me he was reading
it again. Wow – that blew me away!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Tell
us a little about your writing style? Do you plan and plot your stories, or do
you just plow through them?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Mostly plowing. Generally,
I have some idea of where I want to go with a story. I’ll jot down notes about
characters or images or feelings or scenes, and just start writing. The first
draft grows rather organically, and after that, during the rewrites, is when I
start looking for the logical plot and discovering themes and linking and
rearranging things to hopefully come to a meaningful whole when it’s done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Can
you tell us a little about your current work, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">High Stakes</i>? Is there a story behind the story?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">High Stakes</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> is my first novel, and it grew out of my
love of home - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and western/historical
stories. After multiple rejections over a number of years, it was first
published as an ebook by Musa Publishing in 2012. Musa went out of business in
spring of 2015, so the book was no longer available to the public. I decided to
self-publish to get it back out there, so the better part of the past year has
been an enormous learning curve as I tackled reformatting and social media,
etc, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not being the least bit
tech-savvy, I ran into a lot of barbed wire. I’d expected to just ride from
here to there and get it done, but rode into a lot of box canyons and had get
back out and take the long way around. I’m very grateful to the folks who
stepped up and helped me when I was clueless about what to do and how to do it.
I feel like a quasi Dr. McCoy: “Damn it, Jim – I’m a horseman, not a computer
tech!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">What
sets your heroine, Mary Andrews, apart from all the other women in your hero’s,
Curt Prescott’s, life? Why is she perfect for him?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Mary is perfect for Curt because she
challenges him in ways he could never foresee. Mary is who she is, and expects,
naïvely or otherwise, the same honest presentation of themselves from others.
Curt grew up on the streets and learned the hard way that not everyone can be
trusted. Now, he’s an adult, and a professional gambler. Characteristically, he
tends to present himself in whatever manner will give him the upper hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Have
you ever had writer’s block? How do you deal with it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">At those times where I just can't seem to
get what I need out onto the page, I find it helpful to do something physical,
like take a walk, or work on something completely different, something to
switch gears and allow my mind to let go of whatever it's stuck on. Usually, I
can then bring a fresh perspective back to the work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-xrCnUvTzM/V0H-5gyTrRI/AAAAAAAAC5o/nSfQAfNzm2k7erYAgA3B8GbBnOX6s0i4wCLcB/s1600/High%2BStakes%2BEBook%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-xrCnUvTzM/V0H-5gyTrRI/AAAAAAAAC5o/nSfQAfNzm2k7erYAgA3B8GbBnOX6s0i4wCLcB/s640/High%2BStakes%2BEBook%2BCover.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Here’s
the back jacket blurb and an excerpt from “High Stakes”:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Young
gambler Curt Prescott plays better poker than men twice his age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His skill raised him from a life of
degradation on the streets to a comfortable living with his girl, saloon
songstress, Del, in Victoria, BC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">In
the spring of 1877, a new preacher, his wife, and daughter, Mary, arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The preacher hopes to save the souls of
Victoria’s “misguided”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife forms a
committee to eradicate them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curt must
fight back with everything he has – including a plan to seduce Mary and shame
the family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a notorious criminal, and Del’s jealous
rages, threaten them all, Curt’s battle for his lifestyle becomes one of right
and wrong, life and death, and love lost and found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chock-full of western grit, romantic allure,
and courage of the heart, High Stakes is an adventure for men and women alike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">And the excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Mary
grasped Curt's arm. "This is wonderful. I'm having such a good time."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">“I’m
glad.” He took the hand that grasped his sleeve and knitted their fingers
together. Mary smiled and squeezed his hand. He felt that tingling sensation
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">They
walked another half-mile to a place where the banks were less steep and the
trees fell away for a small grassy meadow. The sun was high in the western sky
and warmed them the instant they stepped into the open. The meadow was still
surrounded by dense forest, still very private.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">“Shall
we sit awhile?” Curt asked her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">She
nodded and they sank down onto the thick, soft grass, facing the creek. Mary
drew a deep breath of the sweet spring air and hugged her up drawn knees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">“Feeling
better?” he asked, leaning on his left hand and propping his right elbow on his
right knee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">“Yes,
much.” She smiled at him. “I feel as free as a bird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">“I’m
glad.” He beckoned her eyes with his. “I’m enjoying myself too, Mary. I really
enjoy being with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">She
blushed, and bit on her lower lip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">He
chuckled softly. “I wish you didn’t embarrass so easily. It makes it hard for
me to tell you how pretty you look sitting there, with the sun shining in your
hair.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">The
intensity of his stare drew her eyes to his and locked them there. He lifted
his hand and touched her hair. She stiffened, and held herself frozen. He
leaned over the inches between them and placed a soft kiss on her temple. He
heard her sharp intake of breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">“Are
you afraid of me, Mary?” he asked, his breath fanning her ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">“N-no.
That’s silly.” She hugged her knees tighter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">He
dipped his head and placed another kiss on her cheek. Her eyes ran away from
his. “Mary. Mary, look at me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">She
bit on her lip again, then released it as she met his eyes once again. Holding
her captive with only his gaze, he pressed a brief, warm kiss to her lips. She
stiffened again, holding her breath, and did not exhale even after he’d drawn
away. He cupped her cheek with his palm to keep her face toward him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">“That
was nice,” he said softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">She
shivered, at last breathing out, and he sensed that one more kiss would send
her running from him. He sat back but held her hand firmly in his. He could
feel her anxiety in her rigid fingers. Gently, he stroked them, until at last
she relaxed and met his eyes once again. There was uncertainty in them, a
little fear, too, but there was also a small spark of awakened desire. He
believed she was as close to wanting a man as she’d ever come. In time, she
would want him beyond all reason, and she would surrender to him. And the spark
he saw made him wonder if there was more passion hidden beneath her shy, quiet
exterior than he had so far given her credit for. He was definitely going to
find out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">What
else do you have in store for your readers?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">I’ve
recently released a couple of western short stories in ebook format on Kindle,
Kobo, Nook, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">My
next novel is actually a young adult fantasy. I enjoy reading multiple genres –
mostly western and fantasy – so I guess it’s no surprise I enjoy writing across
different genres as well. I’ve had a few short stories from each category
published, and have plans for some western/fantasy combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Does anyone have any questions or
comments for me? I’ll be sending a free Kindle ebook copy of High Stakes to one
reader who comments. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Happy Trails and Happy Reading!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Chad Strong<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I enjoy hearing from my readers. You can contact me, and learn more
about High Stakes and other stories through:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Website: <a href="http://www.chadstrongswriting.weebly.com/">www.chadstrongswriting.weebly.com</a></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Amazon: <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/chadstrong">www.amazon.com/author/chadstrong</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Facebook: <u><a href="http://www.facebook.com/Chad.Strong.Writing">www.facebook.com/Chad.Strong.Writing</a><o:p></o:p></u></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Twitter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/chadstrong5">www.twitter.com/chadstrong5</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">See the Book
Trailer on YouTube:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj-h47LCDhw">www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj-h47LCDhw</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">High Stakes is
available in Kindle and paperback from Amazon at:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1WJDzLi">http://amzn.to/1WJDzLi</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">From Kobo:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://bit.ly/1sl2n2A">http://bit.ly/1sl2n2A</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">From B&N: <a href="http://bit.ly/1Ox8gia">http://bit.ly/1Ox8gia</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">And many other
ebook retailers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-32888533108611287962016-05-11T16:31:00.000-07:002016-05-12T19:25:48.820-07:00An Author's Point of View of Her Character: Aimee Donovan<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr550CYimfA/VLGm_-sMwBI/AAAAAAAAC40/dtirlteDW0st3K21ELzu_dln-CsPUs_qgCKgB/s1600/Yellowstone-Heart-Song-Yellowstone-Romance-Series-Book-1-Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr550CYimfA/VLGm_-sMwBI/AAAAAAAAC40/dtirlteDW0st3K21ELzu_dln-CsPUs_qgCKgB/s400/Yellowstone-Heart-Song-Yellowstone-Romance-Series-Book-1-Kindle.jpg" width="258" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As an author, it is par for the course that I will receive
negative reviews. I do not expect everyone to share the same
opinions or tastes. Even the best authors in history cannot please everyone. We
are supposed to take negative reviews with a grain of salt and remind ourselves
that our skin is thicker than the average human (it isn’t, but that’s all part
of putting our work on display for the public). Never, ever, should we authors
respond to reviews. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While negative reviews are sometimes (ok, always)
unpleasant to swallow, they can also offer great learning opportunities for an
author. After all, a few bad reviews early on when Heart Song was first published made me realize there was something wrong with the book, and I was able to go back and fix those errors, and I have those negative reviews to thank for it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do wish sometimes that I could have the chance to talk to reviewers to get more clarity on what they meant. Typically, bad book reviews, for whatever reason, are written in anger and made to sound as if the book's author intentionally wrote something to personally upset the reader. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been genuinely surprised by some of the negative
reviews for Yellowstone Heart Song, not that the book receives negative reviews, but specifically the criticism of my
heroine, Aimee Donovan. I assumed people who read the book might understand
about wilderness survival and backpacking, or if not, at least think about it a
little and put themselves into her shoes under the conditions and situations in
which she found herself. In my mind, she is an independent, strong-willed, and
smart young woman. She survived in a time and in situations that most of us
probably never could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One thing I’ve learned in my four years of writing and
publishing is that readers will take away from a story what comes from their
personal experiences, and that they will perceive characters and plots based on
their own lives and expectations, rather than putting themselves completely in
the character’s world. (For instance, if someone has no experience with hiking
or camping, or interacting with a different culture, relating to what these characters undergo may
not be possible. I get that.). Part of the enjoyment of reading can be escaping
to lands and adventures that we would otherwise never be able to experience.
However, it can be overreaching for us to assume a character SHOULD act or
behave in a certain way if we have not walked in their shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My stories are completely fictional, however I try to base
most of the interactions on reality. I do an enormous amount of research, and
work very hard to try to allow my readers to immerse themselves in the setting.
Obviously, time travel is not something any of us have experienced (if you
have, please meet me last Tuesday at the coffee shop by my house…I want to
interview you!), but the relationships that develop and the way people interact
with each other and their surroundings is timeless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The purpose of this blog post is to give my perspective
of Aimee Donovan, as the creator of this character. If a reader does not like her, for whatever reason, that is, of course, their right. We all gravitate toward certain personalities, and clash with others. This blog entry is my attempt to better
explain Aimee Donovan as I see her, and how her character
developed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She is based on someone I've always admired, fits that person's physical description (petite little blonde), and also her independent, determined, and can-do-it nature and attitude. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As a character, Aimee is not an unrealistic, super-hero, ninja warrior princess. She
is someone I (and hopefully many of you) would love to be. The man in her life
doesn’t define who she is, but shows that, in a relationship, sometimes we all
need a little help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CAUTION: THIS POST
CONTAINS SPOILERS</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In several reviews, Aimee has been accused of being immature
and even TSTL - “Too Stupid To Live”…a bit over the top for a criticism, no
matter the circumstance, don’t you think? Right away, this makes me think
whomever wrote this review cannot be someone who is typical of my reading
audience. From those reviews, I’m also understanding that the reader who feels
this way about her probably has never been out in the wilderness, gone
backpacking, had wildlife encounters or “roughed it” out there (And most
definitely, none of them have ever lived in another time ;-) ).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While I can’t say that I’ve ever time traveled, I do know
what it’s like living in another country and having to adjust to another
culture, so that’s where I drew my experience and Aimee’s actions and behaviors
after landing in another time. I moved to the US from Germany, knowing very
little of the language, and certainly none of the American culture. It took me
months, if not years, to adjust to different cultural norms. During that time,
I didn’t instantly behave and talk as an American. It was a slow process to
learn the differences. So, while I learned and assimilated, I made several cultural mistakes
along the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The same is true for Aimee when she ended up in the 19th
century wilderness. Although she was an experienced backpacker and could adjust to her surroundings fairly quickly, she had
absolutely no experience with Native American encounters or people of the nineteenth century, so those were not
things she would really consider. She couldn’t simply go from her twenty-first
century mindset to that of a nineteenth century woman. She’s never lived in
that time. The adjustment had to take place over weeks and months, not
instantly. I’d also like to mention that one of the things that drew the hero,
Daniel, to her – even if it made him angry at times initially because he was
still trying to figure her out – was her different behavior that set her apart
from other women. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Aimee arrived in the nineteenth century, she did not
know that she would be time traveling. She had been told that she would be, but
she didn’t believe the man who told her he could send her to a different time.
(If she had, I think I would be getting comments that her believing a complete
stranger who said he could send her to the past would be utterly unrealistic).
She went along with an old man’s ramblings, and was completely taken off guard
and by surprise when she, in fact, did end up in the past. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stranded in the wilderness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ALL ALONE. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I, for one, would have freaked out! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aimee kept her wits about her, and immediately formulated a
plan on what to do. I believe this shows strength of character, not immaturity.
Survival experts say there are many things that challenge a person in the
wilderness, and being stranded alone can crush the spirit of even the most
seasoned adventurers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the next three days, she managed to navigate through the
wilderness and build fire and shelter and keep herself alive. My guess is that
most of us would not have managed that, or kept a level head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyone who has gone hiking in bear country knows how easy it
is to stumble across a bear without even realizing it. I’ve encountered bears
on three separate occasions, twice without knowing initially that they were
there and how absolutely lucky I was that nothing happened. The encounters were
extremely close. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve also walked up on animal carcasses during hikes, and
not realized it until I was close enough to see those carcasses. Luckily for me, again, there were
no bears guarding them! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aimee smelled the carcass before she saw it, and she
instantly realized what it meant and the danger she was in. She did not knowingly enrage a bear. When the
bear came charging out of the woods, she did exactly what she was supposed to
do. She did not go over the cliff on purpose. There was nowhere else for her to
go, and ultimately, it saved her life. Had she tried to run, the bear would have killed her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Aimee was swimming in the Madison/Firehole River, some
have complained about her needing to be “rescued” by Daniel. I have had the
fortune of being able to have gone swimming in that same river, in that same
location, and I am still alive to tell about it. :-D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Daniel assumed (because of
the time he lived in and his mindset about women) she needed to be rescued,
when in fact, she was having fun in the water. That was the humor of that
scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next time Aimee needed to be rescued was when she went
off exploring on her own. As the author, I was trying to portray her as a
confident and independent young woman who had no problem hiking on her own and
navigating her way to a location she wanted to see. Was it the smartest thing
to do? Probably not. Had she done it before in her own time, giving her the
confidence to do it? Probably so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She saw the Indians before they saw her. We
will never know what would have happened if Daniel hadn’t arrived just then, but there is no indication in the text that the Indians saw her. The instant she saw them, she took measures to hide. Nothing probably would have happened, and the Indians would have gone about their merry way without
noticing her. Daniel went after her again because of his assumption and mindset
about women based on the time he lived in, that women were helpless and needed
protecting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You see, even though Aimee was from the 21<sup>st</sup> century and
had the values and understanding of that time, it would be foolish to assume
that Daniel would change his behaviors and treat her the same way a 21<sup>st</sup>
century man would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aimee realized her mistake, she conceded that she wouldn’t
do it again, and she learned a lesson that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Aimee disobeyed Daniel telling her to stay away from
Elk Runner, who was injured from an arrow – her nursing instincts had kicked in
and she was trying to help someone. If she had obeyed Daniel and stayed away,
Elk Runner would have died. She knew that her medical knowledge from the future
was the only hope he had. Should she have stood idly by, and listened to Daniel
and done nothing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A side note here about Aimee being criticized for never
listening to Daniel: Aimee just ended a relationship with her fiancé because he
was overbearing and controlling. It was a realistic reaction for her to be a bit reluctant to start
taking orders from men again, and she mentioned this several times throughout
the book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Later, Aimee selflessly jumped into a river to save a child
from drowning. There was no one else nearby who could have helped her or the
child, and she knew he would die if she didn’t do something and act. She chose
to take the chance and try and save the child, putting her own life at risk. She wasn’t expecting Daniel to
come along and then save her. She simply did what was in her nature as a
medical caregiver. A woman from the 19<sup>th</sup> century most likely would
not have done this. I think even many people (men or women) today would
hesitate. She actually did try and communicate to the other children who were
present to run back to the cabin to get help, but she knew it would be too
late, so she acted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I believe another incident that negative reviews have referred
to is when she was kidnapped by the French trappers. Because she was angry and
frustrated with Daniel, she decided to go for a swim. Let’s be honest, ladies,
have you ever done something or wanted to do something out of anger or
frustration? We have never acted in an immature manner when angry or upset at
our men, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we can all say that we’ve done that.
We don’t have to be proud of it, but this is a realistic characteristic to
expect. Even from our romance novel heroine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, going to the river with the intent to go swimming
certainly didn’t cause her to be kidnapped by the trappers. They would have
come after her even if she’d sat in front of the cabin, drawing figures in the
dirt. Was it her fault that they came to kidnap her? Again, she remained
composed during the entire ordeal, even with the threat of being raped, and
tried to formulate an escape plan. And when Daniel came to “rescue” her (I
would certainly hope ANYONE would attempt to rescue me in that situation!), she
had a quick mind and was able to help Daniel in her rescue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the Crow warrior cornered her in her own cabin, Daniel
had to barter with him. I would hardly think that encounter was Aimee’s fault
or of her own doing. I realize that the people who find Aimee weak in these
scenes probably prefer that the heroines in all stories are always able to get
themselves out of dangerous or precarious situations, without the help of a
man; but to me, that isn’t very realistic. I’m not saying women can’t be
independent and self-sufficient, because they most certainly can. But this is a
romance novel. It’s ok to have your hero be a hero! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Daniel tells Aimee to stay put in the cabin because he
knows the trappers are going to show up, some readers may have balked at her
response. Agreed, she was reluctant about it because she couldn’t understand
why Daniel would lock her away when company arrived. After all, he hadn’t locked
her away before, and, he didn’t explain why he wanted her to stay inside the
cabin, so she didn’t know what was going on. The scene was written from
Daniel’s point of view, and while the reader has knowledge of why he wanted to
hide Aimee away, she certainly didn’t know the reason. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope I have given some clarity to why I disagree with those who
find Aimee immature or TSTL (what an awful thing to say about someone…even a
fictional someone!) Thankfully, I’ve had more positive responses to her than
negative, and most of my readers have told me how much they love her and her
strength. I would never change her personality, or the way she responded to the
events she encountered, because that would be a completely different story,
indeed! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to all who have read, and enjoyed my stories.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-46863726979267009402016-03-17T09:27:00.001-07:002016-03-17T09:27:31.273-07:00Release Day!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today is the official Release Day for <b><i>CORA'S PRIDE (Wilderness Brides, Book 1)</i></b>, although some fans found it early on Amazon yesterday!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tjByt3OQgI/VuravYIWvzI/AAAAAAAAC2E/_6L4u-glGhQYfRnbKrW1anlh5Wh1ksjeQ/s1600/Wilderness_Book1_Awardwinning_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tjByt3OQgI/VuravYIWvzI/AAAAAAAAC2E/_6L4u-glGhQYfRnbKrW1anlh5Wh1ksjeQ/s400/Wilderness_Book1_Awardwinning_0.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cora Miller is fiercely independent and stubborn to a fault. Betrayed more than once by men she thought she could trust, she’s learned to rely only on herself. As the oldest of four siblings, she feels responsible for leading her family safely on the Oregon Trail for a new start.</span><div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #454545; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nathaniel Wilder is no stranger to the
hardships and dangers of the wilderness. </span>Raised with his brothers by a
trapper in the remote mountains, he left behind the mistakes he’s made in the
past. </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #454545; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He’s been called reckless
and irresponsible, but won’t hesitate to help someone in need. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;"><span style="color: #454545; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A foolhardy mishap puts Nathaniel in the
direct path of a stubborn, yet beautiful woman with fire in her eyes. Despite
her refusal of help, he is determined to prove she can depend on him. When her
pride puts her and her family in peril, Cora accepts that she can’t do it on
her own. If misgivings can turn to trust, or even love, both Cora and Nathaniel
could come out stronger in the end. </span></span></span><span style="color: #454545; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">iBooks: <span style="color: #929a9e;"><a href="http://apple.co/1S4T13i">http://apple.co/1S4T13i</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B&N: <span style="color: #929a9e;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1pq44ud">http://bit.ly/1pq44ud</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kobo: <a href="http://bit.ly/1U8XFRB">http://bit.ly/1U8XFRB</a></span><span style="color: #929a9e; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-79244951207293997232016-03-13T12:37:00.000-07:002016-03-14T20:42:23.781-07:00First Book in a New Series Coming March 17, 2016<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm very excited to announce that in-between writing <i>YELLOWSTONE LEGACY</i> (Book 7 in the Yellowstone Romance Series), I've also been working on a new series. The idea just came to me one day, and I had to run with it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSnFbdGBE8E/VuXAGeekWII/AAAAAAAAC1k/PguPcsPzZFMTdUZwk8IHlr8t1gnDFJqSA/s1600/12814586_980516005358317_1317417162926072048_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSnFbdGBE8E/VuXAGeekWII/AAAAAAAAC1k/PguPcsPzZFMTdUZwk8IHlr8t1gnDFJqSA/s640/12814586_980516005358317_1317417162926072048_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, today, I'm happy to announce that Book 1 in the new <i><b>WILDERNESS BRIDES SERIES,</b></i> titled <b><i>CORA'S PRIDE</i></b>, will be available at all major e-book outlets on March 17, 2016!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To get you started, I'm posting the first two chapters in their entirety....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Fort Laramie August 1852<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“He left.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora Miller
straightened after dipping a rag in the pail of water at her feet. She wrung
out the excess and held the cool cloth to her face. Despite the early morning
chill in the air, her cheeks were flushed. Strands of her hair that had come
loose from her braid whipped around her head and her skirts fluttered at her
ankles with the relentless breeze. She glanced around camp, then faced Anna.
Her hand wrapped tightly around the cloth as anger welled up in her,
envisioning Ted’s throat between her fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you mean, he left?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna Porter
pulled her shawl around her shoulders and stared at Cora as if she’d spoken a
foreign language. “How can he just leave?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That low-down, good-for-nothing scoundrel up
and left,” Cora repeated. “I was tending the fire to fix breakfast when he
saddled his horse and told me he was leaving.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Well,
when’s he coming back? The wagon train is set to head out tomorrow,” Anna
sputtered. Her eyes widened in disbelief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora didn’t
hold back her bitter laugh. It was better than crumbling to the ground and
crying. “Apparently the fellas he met while gambling at the fort last night
filled his head with nonsense about gold and California. He’s joined them to go
mining.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“But, what
about heading to Oregon?” Anna shook her head, confusion in her eyes. “How can
you be so calm about this? He’s your husband. What are we going to do now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora laughed
again to cover the turmoil inside her. For the sake of her sisters and brother,
and Anna, she had to remain calm. She was the oldest among her siblings, and
they all depended on her. It wouldn’t do to let them see her fears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
should have seen right through him back in Independence. He’s nothing but a
cheat and a liar, and I’m glad to be rid of him.” She straightened her back,
and held her hand to her hip. “Do you know what he told me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna’s head
moved slowly from side to side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“He said our
marriage wasn’t legal. The preacher he had marry us in Independence wasn’t
really a preacher. The certificate is useless.” Cora lowered her head. “That
low-down, lying, good-for-nothing . . . chiseler used me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">She cleared
her throat in response to the crack in her voice. A chill raced down her spine.
She’d put her trust in a man who’d been no more than a stranger. He’d taken
complete advantage of her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna’s eyes
widened even more. She shot a hasty glance all around, no doubt to see if
anyone had overheard. The Schmidt’s wagon next to them was quiet. Normally,
their three children would be running around by now, but apparently they were
taking advantage of their last day of rest before the wagon train headed across
the Platte to continue their journey west. Marybeth Schmidt had gone to the
river to do some early-morning laundry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Panic seeped
into Anna’s eyes. “How are we going to get to Oregon without your husband?
We’ll have to turn back.” Her lips trembled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora grabbed
her friend’s arms and shook her. “We’re going to go on as before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Her dreams
of making a better life for her siblings were not going to end this way,
stranded in the middle of nowhere. They’d all worked their farm without the
help of a man before. They could get to Oregon without a man, too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna laughed
bitterly. “You have two sisters and a little brother, Cora, as well as me tagging
along. How do you propose we all get to Oregon now? Not to mention, I’m not
your sister like you told everyone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m going to talk to Mr. Brown. He’s gonna
have to let us continue on with the train. He can’t simply leave us here at
Fort Laramie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora gritted
her teeth. Truth be told, the wagon master would most likely do just that. He’d
been reluctant already, ‘letting all these women without husbands join the
train’, as he’d put it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Ted had been her
answer to get on the wagon train in Independence. He’d been handsome and
charming, and he’d proposed marriage to her two days before the train set off
for the Oregon Territory. Cora had agreed to the hasty wedding because there
had been no other recourse. The wagon master had been adamant that no unmarried
women were allowed on the train. Ted had been able to talk him into letting her
sisters come along, since he’d taken over as the head of the family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“For as long as I
live, I will never trust another man,” she said between clenched teeth. She
would have never married Ted if she hadn’t needed him to get to Oregon. Anna
had lived with Cora's family since her parents had died years ago, and she was
practically a sister. It wasn’t much of a lie when she'd told everyone Anna was
part of her family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Do the
other girls know? And Patrick?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora shook
her head. “I haven’t told them, yet. I was going to go talk to Mr. Brown
first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“What will
we do if he says he won’t take us along?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna liked
to worry, but it made her the sensible one among them. Cora patted her friend’s
hand and smiled to conceal her own apprehension. “You leave it to me. You know
I’m not one to fret. It only takes time away from getting things done. One way
or another, we’re going on to Oregon.” She paused, then added with a determined
raise of her chin. “Without husbands.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">“That wagon
master will try and marry us off to anyone who will take a wife. He’s already
suggested it several times. He says it’s wrong for unwed women of age to be on
this train. You and I are of age, and Caroline and Josie are close enough that
he could very easily insist that they get married, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna wrung
her hands in front of her. No doubt, the thought that she would have to marry a
stranger didn’t appeal to her, either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora
scoffed. “After my experience with Pa, and now Ted, you can rest assured that I
have no plans to get married again any time soon and be at the mercy of some
man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna smiled.
“I admire your courage, Cora, but we may not have any other recourse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora pressed
her lips together. She drew in a long breath. “If you’ll finish fixing
breakfast, and have everyone help get the wash to the creek, I’m going to find
Mr. Brown.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With those
words, she swept her unruly strands of hair out of her face and pushed aside
her apprehension at meeting with the wagon master, then set out to find him. He
sat, sipping coffee at the other end of camp. His booted foot was propped on a
crate, his arm casually draped over his knee. He stopped talking with Mr.
Melvin when she approached. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“May I have
a word with you, Mr. Brown?” Cora raised her chin, clasping her hands in front
of her to conceal their slight tremble. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she
wasn’t going to show this man that she was nervous about this meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A slow smile
spread across the wagon master’s lips. He raised his coffee cup to his mouth
and took a leisurely drink. He glanced at Mr. Melvin before looking her in the
eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“What can I
do for you, Mrs. Miller?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora gritted
her teeth. According to what Ted had told her an hour ago, she was as much Mrs.
Miller as the wagon master in front of her. She’d use her maiden name again,
once they were in Oregon. For now, it would do more harm than good to admit the
marriage had been a sham. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Ted decided
to go ahead of us to Oregon,” she said quickly. “I assume that won’t present
any problems tomorrow morning. My sisters and I are quite capable of driving
our team.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Mr. Brown
raised his brows. He swallowed some more coffee, then stood straight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Your
husband left, you mean?” It was more of a statement than a question. He
laughed, first slowly, which quickly became louder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“I don’t
understand the humor in this,” Cora huffed, glaring at the wagon master. He was
not going to intimidate her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Brown removed his hat and ran a hand
through his hair. “You know the rules, Mrs. Miller. No unwed women in my outfit.”
He scratched the back of his neck. “If a few of your sisters, at least the
older ones, can find a husband by morning, I don’t see why you can’t continue
on. I hear that Andrew Harper is looking for a wife to tend to his brood, since
his woman drowned last week. There are a few unwed men on this train, too, that
wouldn’t mind hitching up with one of your sisters. You all are a sightly group
of ladies.” He stepped closer, his eyes raking over her, openly appraising
her. “You’re far too pretty to be traveling without a husband. I told you that
in Independence, and I can’t be looking out for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora raised
her chin. She fought the impulse to move back to put some distance between
herself and this man, but she stood her ground. If she didn’t stand up to him, how
could she hope to fend off the single men in their wagon company? She pushed
aside bitter memories of her home in Ohio, and part of the reason she’d chosen
to head to Oregon. She glared at the man in front of her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“And I told
you in Independence that I can take care of myself and my family. We’re quite
capable of handling our rig. My siblings and I tended a farm on our own in Ohio,
without a man’s help. I have no intention of marrying my sisters off simply for
the sake of having a husband on this journey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Seems to me
that’s what you done already by weddin’ up with Ted Miller. I guess you didn’t
please him enough for him to stick around.” He leaned forward to whisper in her
ear. “Maybe if you’d spend some time with me, I’ll re-consider letting you come
along.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora’s hand
tightened into a fist. Her fingers itched to slap the leer from the man’s
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stepped away from him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“How dare
you even suggest such a thing,” she hissed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He shook his
head and gave a careless shrug of his shoulder. “Then I’m afraid you’ll have to
stay here, and go back to Independence with the next group heading east.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Mr. Brown
handed his coffee mug to Mr. Melvin, who stood by with wide eyes, then tipped
his hat to her and strode off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora stared
after him. “The nerve of that man,” she grumbled. Some choice swear words came
to mind for men like him, but she held them in. Without a glance at Mr. Melvin,
she stomped back to camp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">You can do this on your own, Cora. You relied on
yourself back home, and you can do it here, too. </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Patrick, the
youngest of her siblings at eight years old, and the only boy, crawled out from
under the wagon, rubbing at his eyes. He yawned, and stretched his hands in the
air. Bacon sizzled in the frying pan over the fire while Anna whisked together
a batter of biscuit dough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Gather your
dirty clothes after you tend to the mules and the horse, Patrick.” Cora poured
a cup of coffee. She usually didn’t drink the bitter brew, but she wasn’t going
to let it go to waste. She’d been up early to get the kettle heated for Ted, as
she had every morning since they'd begun their journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Patrick
returned moments later with a puzzled look on his face. “One of our horses is
missing,” he announced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora glanced
at her brother. Her heart thumped against her ribs. What if Ted had taken their
other saddle horse as well? She wouldn’t put it past him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“What about
Gray?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“He’s there
with the mules.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora
breathed a sigh of relief. Ted had taken what little money he’d brought to the
marriage, and had even been bold enough to ask her for some of her funds.
Luckily, he’d never found her hiding place where she kept her family’s life
savings. It was all they had now, and would have to see them through to their
new start in Oregon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He couldn’t
have taken any of their provisions from the wagon. Josie and Caroline slept in
there. She made a mental note that, before packing up for
the journey tomorrow, she would check for any missing items, just to be sure. And,
it was high time she practiced shooting her rifle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Once your sisters are back from washing at
the river and we sit down for breakfast, I have something to tell you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora met Anna’s
curious stare before smiling at her brother. No doubt she was full of questions
about her meeting with Mr. Brown, but she kept her thoughts to herself for now.
She’d have to tell her siblings the truth, that they were now on their own, but
in a way that wouldn’t frighten them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna served
up biscuits and bacon when Josie and Caroline returned to camp. They all
gathered around the fire, using various trunks or an overturned pail to sit on.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Did Ted
already eat?” Josie asked. She glanced from one person to the next. At sixteen,
she was the youngest of the girls, and had the most reasons to be mistrustful
of men. Cora glanced at her sister and her chest tightened painfully. Growing
up, Josie had never failed to see the good in everything, but that had been
before . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora
swallowed her biscuit and washed it down with the last of her coffee. What had
happened to Josie was one of the reasons they were leaving their old life
behind. She looked at Josie, then at Caroline, before settling her eyes on
Anna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“We have a
lot of work to do today. All the washing needs to get finished, and we have to
repack the wagon. I’m going to see if I can trade a few things at the fort. We
have to be ready first thing in the morning when Mr. Brown plans to head out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Caroline sighed.
“It was nice to have a few days of rest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora smiled
at her sister. “Yes, and now we have to keep moving, or we’ll never get to
Oregon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">She inhaled
a deep breath. Good thing they’d had a few days to relax as they camped by the
fort. Things were going to get a lot harder from now on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna’s
forehead wrinkled. “Did you have something to tell us, Cora?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora frowned
at her friend for forcing the subject she had been putting off. She was right,
though. There was no sense delaying what she had to tell her siblings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“I have some
bad news,” she started. All eyes were instantly on her. “Ted decided he no
longer wanted us as his family, so he rode off early this morning to head for
California.” She raised her hand at the collective gasp from her sisters. Patrick’s
eyes widened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“We’re not
going to let that stop us from going on to Oregon, however.” She smiled to ease
everyone’s fears. “We have each other, and we’ve done just fine since leaving
Independence. Without Ted, everyone has to pull some extra weight, but it’s not
going to change anything else.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The girls
murmured and Anna stepped up to her. “Mr. Brown is letting us continue with the
train?” she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora
suppressed a scoff. “Not without husbands.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna stared
at her, wide-eyed. “We’re going to have to find husbands?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora glanced
at Josie, whose eyes glistened with tears. Her chest tightened. With a
determined lift of her chin, her gaze returned to Anna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“No. We’re
going to follow the wagon train. There’s nothing Mr. Brown can do to stop us. Come
hell or high water, we’re getting to Oregon, and we’ll do it without being at
the mercy of that buffoon, or any other man.”<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Chapter Two<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Droplets of
frigid water from the mountain stream splashed his face every time his feet hit
the ground. Nathaniel Wilder didn’t stop to enjoy the refreshing reprieve. Rays
of the early afternoon sun beat hot against his back, making the sweat trickle
uncomfortably along his skin. He ran through the water, sending up more spray.
The water only came up to his ankles, but the rocky bottom slowed him down
considerably. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He glanced
over his shoulder while continuing his course through the stream. This was his
best chance to lose his pursuers. Other than the loud splashes he created, all
was quiet behind him. No galloping horses or shrill war whoops followed him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
grinned and lengthened his strides. It would be a cold day in hell before a
band of Crow was going to get the better of him, even if he was on foot and
without his rifle. He squinted against the bright shimmers of the sun as it
reflected off the water in front of him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He kept to
the middle of the creek, following its course downstream until it forked, the
two channels creating an island as the water flowed around a rocky embankment.
Several dead trees had washed up on the berm, remnants from the spring snowmelt
when the water flowed stronger and deeper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
stopped to catch his breath. After a quick glance in both directions of the
fork, he stumbled for the bank to his right. He kicked a rock loose from its
resting place in the dirt and touched the heel of his moccasin into the damp
earth. Wheeling around in the water, he changed direction to continue
downstream, following the fork to the left. His false tracks might fool his
pursuers long enough to put greater distance between him and them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">While he
didn’t relish being hunted like some animal, his heart beat faster with the
thrill of the chase. Outwitting an opponent was a favorite game among his
brothers and their friends, and this pursuit certainly broke up the monotony
of his journey so far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He scrambled
from the water under some willow branches hanging over the edge, taking care
not to bend any of the twigs. Following the creek close to shore, he entered
the water again another mile downstream, crossed, and finally headed toward the
dense woods ahead. With any luck, the Crow would search in the wrong direction
long enough for him to get away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">His lungs
burned by the time he slowed his pace. Sweat ran down his face and he swiped a
hasty hand over his eyes. He stood, staring off into the distance, and
listened. Other than the soft breeze swishing through the canopies of the trees
and various birds chirping overhead among the branches, all was quiet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Six Crow on
horseback would make at least some noise, unless they had abandoned their
horses to pursue him on foot, which was highly unlikely. They knew he was
without a rifle, and would feel fairly confident in their pursuit. Hopefully,
it would work to his advantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel’s
grin returned. All he had to do now was backtrack and find his horse and pack
animal, then he could be on his way home. If his brothers or old Harley ever
found out that he’d been careless enough to let a band of Crow steal his
animals, he’d never hear the end of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He’d already
stolen his horses back from the Crow once after a careless night camping out in
the open. He’d foolishly mocked the Indians for his success, and they'd taken
after him again. If it hadn't been for his saddle horse stumbling and tossing
him to the ground, he wouldn’t be in this predicament right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Returning
home from Fort Hall with wounded pride was one thing, but he couldn’t come back
without the provisions for which he’d traded. An entire season of hunting and
trapping was not going to go to waste. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
pushed away from the tree he rested against, and set out for the sunny clearing
ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he traveled a few miles west
of the creek, then headed east again, maybe he’d find his horses before the
Crow did. He cursed his dumb luck for the hundredth time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">His older
brother, Ethan, would love nothing better than to call him irresponsible and
reckless if he returned without their winter supplies. His younger brothers,
Trevor and Travis would gloat while silently wishing they could have been with him
to give the Crow a good run for their money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Old man Harley would take him aside and tell him that a man always
learned the most valuable lessons the hard way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
picked up the pace. He wasn’t irresponsible like his brother seemed to think.
Reckless perhaps, but it had always gotten him out of harried situations
before. Unlike Ethan, he wasn’t averse to taking chances when necessary. It
wouldn’t be any different this time. If he didn’t find his horses, no doubt the
Crow would, and then he’d simply have to steal them back a second time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The sun was
slowly creeping toward the western horizon by the time he changed course and
made his way further east. He’d climbed the rise of a gently sloping hill
blooming with yellow flowers when he stopped and sniffed the air. The scent of
wood smoke was unmistakable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
slowly scanned the valley below. Had the Crow made camp somewhere? He shook his
head at the unlikely notion. Stands of spruce and cottonwoods obscured his
vision, but there was a definite thin wisp of smoke rising from beyond the
trees. Who’d made a campfire in the middle of the day? Other than Crow, and
perhaps some Shoshone, there weren’t any other Indians in this area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He hurried
down the slope into the valley and cut through the tall grasses at a fast run.
Losing his pursuers should be his main focus, but he couldn’t leave without
finding out if there were other dangers nearby. By the time he reached the
woods, the smell of smoke grew stronger, and faint women’s laughter reached his
ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A Crow or
Shoshone woman would never make this much noise unless she were secure in a
large camp. Nathaniel frowned. He moved quietly through the trees until the
light-colored canvas of a wagon cover stood out against the landscape. He
stepped lightly through the underbrush, keeping to the trees so he wouldn’t be
seen. He tilted his head to the side to listen for any surprise movement, while
his eyes scanned the small clearing. One hand remained close to his hip, near
the hilt of the knife strapped to his belt. At least he wasn’t completely
without a weapon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Clearly,
there were no other wagons, and the one that was stopped here had a broken
wheel. What was a lone emigrant wagon doing in this area? The last wagon train
he’d seen roll through had pulled into Fort Hall nearly a week ago as he was
leaving the outpost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The sound of
women’s laughter and talking grew louder. The small figure of a young boy
darted between a group of four mules that were picketed between two trees.
Nathaniel’s eyes fell to the lone horse tethered a short distance away from the
mules. He glanced over his shoulders. If those Crow were anywhere near here,
they’d smell the smoke, too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
studied the camp, his eyes taking in everything. It appeared as if these people
had been camped here for at least a night. Trunks had been unloaded from the
wagon, and several dresses and women’s unmentionables fluttered in the breeze
from a line strung between a couple of saplings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The fire was
beyond his line of sight on the other side of the wagon. Two women were
talking, but he was too far away to make out what they were saying. He glanced
at the saddle horse again. Were there others? There were no men in camp, that
much was certain. Perhaps he - or they - had left the camp to go hunting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Regardless
of where the men of this camp were, it didn’t matter. Nathaniel was wasting
time. His Crow pursuers could be close. He moved through the trees and entered
the clearing, making a wide arc around the wagon so that he’d be seen. The
young boy spotted him first. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Hey,
mister,” he yelled. Nathaniel faced him and smiled. The women’s chatter quieted
instantly, and someone even gasped. Nathaniel suppressed his own surprised
reaction when he strode toward the camp, spotting four women sitting around the
fire. He blinked, then frowned. Who in their right mind had left these women
unattended in the middle of nowhere? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Before he
could contemplate his question, two of the women, who looked to be just girls,
darted for the wagon and disappeared inside. A third stood, staring at him from
her place by the fire, while the fourth jumped up and moved quickly toward him,
pointing a rifle at his chest. Nathaniel stopped and slowly lifted his hands
away from his sides. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“I ain’t
armed,” he called. “And I don’t mean any harm.” He plastered his best smile on
his face. The woman holding the rifle straightened and raised her chin. Her
gaze didn’t waver from his. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“That’s
close enough,” she warned and raised her weapon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
stopped. His jaw muscles twitched. That female might just be crazy enough to
take a shot at him. He rubbed at the back of his neck while his gaze darted to
the horse tied to the tree. He cocked his head to the side to listen for any
sign of his pursuers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He eyed the
woman again. She stood tall and proud, glaring at him suspiciously. The slight
trembling of the rifle in her hands gave away her fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damn, she was pretty, even from a distance of
twenty paces. She would no doubt be even prettier if she didn’t look like she
was thinking of putting a bullet into him. Where were the menfolk?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Looks like
you ladies could use some help.” Nathaniel pointed at the broken wagon wheel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“We’ve got
it handled,” the pretty woman retorted, her voice firm and as cold as her eyes.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
took a slow step closer, his eyes locked on the girl. She instantly stiffened
and adjusted the rifle to point toward his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“What’s a
man doing out here without a horse?” Her question was laced with mistrust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“What are a
bunch of women doing out here without men?” Nathaniel countered. Her reaction
was instant. The distinct sound of the rifle’s hammer being cocked resonated in
his ears. He’d obviously asked the wrong question. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Go and be
on your way, mister,” the woman called out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Her eyes
blazed daggers at him, as if the rifle she had pointing at his head wasn’t
enough. Her hair fluttered in the breeze. Strands had come loose from the
single braid that hung down her back. The rest of it was concealed under a
scarf she’d tied around her head. All it did was frame her pretty face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
cursed silently. He was wasting time if he didn’t want that band of Crow to
come swooping into this camp. The woman and her rifle would be useless against
a half dozen warriors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Didn’t mean
no disrespect, ma’am. It’s unusual to see a lone wagon out here. Just wondering
where you’re heading.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">She seemed
to hesitate before answering. “Fort Bridger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel’s
brows rose. He leaned forward slightly, as if he hadn’t heard correctly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fort Bridger?” he repeated, then frowned.
“Where’d you come from?” Telling her that she was lost was probably not the
smart thing to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“We came
from Fort Laramie. We’re trying to catch up with our wagon company.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel’s
brows rose. “Left you here alone, did they? With a broken wagon wheel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“I said we
can manage just fine on our own.” The slight hitch in her voice was
unmistakable. He’d eat one of his moccasins if he wasn't correct in the
assumption that these women and the boy were out here alone, defenseless. Something
close to anger brewed under his skin. Memories he’d buried long ago pushed to
the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure you can, ma’am, but I hate to be the
bringer of bad news. Fort Bridger is about 100 miles southeast of here. You
must have taken a wrong turn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Her eyes
widened and a fleeting moment of panic flashed across her face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“At this
point, you’d be better off heading to Fort Hall. It’s about a week’s travel
away.” He turned slightly, pointing to the west. “That way.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The other
woman who’d stood silently by the fire stepped up to the one with the rifle.
She leaned forward and whispered something. The girl pointing the gun at him
shook her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“We can’t
trust a complete stranger,” she said, loud enough for Nathaniel to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“He’s
offered to help, Cora. And he seems to know where we are,” the other one said
adamantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
flashed a smile when she stared in his direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Why can’t
he stay and help?” the boy chimed in, appearing from around the other side of
the wagon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
nodded in silent agreement, although staying in this camp was the last thing on
his mind at the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Looks to me
like you could use my help,” he offered again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“He doesn’t
even have a gun, Cora. We need help fixing the wagon.” The more sensible woman
placed her hand on top of the rifle, and smiled at her companion. Cora’s lips
tightened in disapproval. Slowly, she lowered her weapon, then eased her finger
off the hammer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Fine, you
can stay and help fix the wagon in exchange for a meal,” she conceded. “But you
can’t go with us, and I’ll be keeping an eye on you.” Judging from the
suspicious look on her face, she’d made her offer begrudgingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel’s
smile widened. “Much obliged, ma’am.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He lowered
his hands and strode toward the wagon. He chuckled softly. Damned if he hadn’t
escaped a snake pit just to fall into a hornet’s nest. The woman standing next
to Cora came up to him. She squared her shoulders and held out her hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Anna
Porter,” she said with a hesitant smile, her eyes shooting to the woman with
the rifle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora simply
glared at him suspiciously. Nathaniel grinned and shook Anna Porter’s hand,
then stuck his hand out to the hostile one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Nathaniel
Wilder. Pleasure to meet you all.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cora
whatever-her-last-name was didn’t shake his hand, but turned away from him and
moved toward the wagon, pushing the young boy in front of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Is she
always this friendly?” Nathaniel stared after her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Miss Porter
eyed him with a slight disapproving look. “Her name is Cora Miller, and the
girls in the wagon are her sisters, Caroline and Josephine. The boy is
Patrick.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
studied Anna Porter. Her features were soft and delicate, matching her quiet
demeanor. She clutched at the scarf covering her own head and pushed some
strands of her dark hair out of her face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“Where are
your men?” Nathaniel couldn’t hold back the question. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Anna’s lips
tightened. She seemed to hesitate with an answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s none of your concern, mister.” Cora
had spun around to stare at him again. “Now if you’re really here to help, I
suggest you get to work. The quicker the wagon wheel gets fixed, the faster we
can be on our way. You can eat supper with us for your trouble, but we’ll part
ways right after.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
held her stare in silence, meeting the challenge in her eyes. He’d much rather
tell her what a foolhardy woman she was for thinking she could get through this
wilderness on her own. Hell, they were already lost, and would have gotten even
more lost, had he not come along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He glanced
over his shoulder toward the trees. He was running out of time. The Crow were
not going to simply give up when they realized he had tricked them. He eyed the
horse again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">“I’ll go
take a look at that broken wheel,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With a quick
nod to Anna Porter, he moved to the wagon. Nathaniel passed Cora, and offered
her his best smile. She didn’t return it. Her face remained as icy as before.
Once she lowered her weapon fully and turned her attention to the other woman,
he knelt to inspect the broken wheel. It would take at least a few hours to
fix. Time he didn’t have at the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">What if he’d
led his pursuers straight to this camp? If the Crow had found his trail, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>these women were defenseless. He glanced
toward Cora. That woman seemed too disagreeable for a sensible conversation. Better
to act now and explain later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He
straightened and moved around the wagon to the horse. Giving the animal a pat
on the neck, he glanced over his shoulder, then slowly untied the reins from
the tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He eyed the
women again and shook his head. They were foolish if they thought they’d get to
Fort Hall alive. Anna busied herself with the fire, while Cora spoke to the two
girls inside the wagon. No one paid him any mind when he swung up onto the
horse’s bare back and kicked it into a run. With any luck, he’d put some
distance between himself and that wagon before the Crow found his trail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The boy
yelled at the same moment a shot reverberated through the air. Nathaniel cursed
and kicked the horse into a faster run, steering it into the trees. Damn stupid
fool of a woman! A gunshot could be heard for miles. At least she wasn’t a very
good shot. He urged the horse forward. Hopefully her next shot wouldn’t find
its mark, either. It never came. Her yell grew faint as he put some distance
between the wagon and himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Backtracking
the way he’d come, there was no sign of his Crow pursuers. If they had given up
the chase, they must have found his horses and supplies. Perhaps they didn’t
think he was worth pursuing anymore. By the time he came to the creek where
he’d laid the false trail, it became apparent that the warriors had followed
it. Thankfully, it would have led them in the opposite direction from where the
women were camped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Nathaniel
dismounted and allowed the horse to drink. He stepped into the water and
splashed some of the cold liquid on his face. He straightened to stare off at
the mountains. Uncertainty gripped him. He had a horse to ride, but his
supplies were lost. He shook his head. He couldn’t return home until he found
his own horses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Then there was the matter of the women who were lost
in the wilderness. He’d succeeded in keeping the Crow away from their camp, but
for how long? Nathaniel gathered up the reins and was about to swing onto the
horse’s back, when twigs snapped behind him and hooves clacked against the
rocky riverbank.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">(copyright, Peggy L Henderson 2016)</span></div>
Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-24447987496650323642016-03-01T09:20:00.001-08:002016-03-01T09:20:18.858-08:00Happy 144th Birthday, Yellowstone National Park!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In honor of Yellowstone National Park's birthday today, I am reposting this from a few years ago. At the end of the post is today's Teaser Tuesday for Yellowstone Legacy. </span></span></i></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Act of Dedication March 1, 1872<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial";">AN ACT to set apart a certain tract of land lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River as a public park. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the tract of land in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming …. is hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people; and all persons who shall locate, or settle upon, or occupy the same or any part thereof, except as hereinafter provided, shall be considered trespassers and removed there from…</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Approved March 1, 1872.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjt7-M_mqGY/UxExxRpgsPI/AAAAAAAAByo/6Dha988EITA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjt7-M_mqGY/UxExxRpgsPI/AAAAAAAAByo/6Dha988EITA/s1600/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love Yellowstone - it’s beauty, diversity, and history. There is just no place like it on earth. It’s what inspired me to write the <i><b>Yellowstone Romance Series</b></i>. Book 3, <b><i>Yellowstone Awakening</i></b>, is my fictional account of events that would have prevented the national park from becoming a reality. I spent hours reading the congressional transcripts of the debates about the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While my story is fictional, the names of the prominent men who had a hand in the creation of the park, as well as the senators who are mentioned in the story, and their opinions (not taken verbatim) are historically accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At the end of this post, I have an excerpt from the audiobook of <i><b>Yellowstone Awakening</b></i>. Listen in on a snippet of the congressional hearings (I promise, it's much more entertaining than reading the actual transcripts), as they happened in my story. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-49Pj75atNOo/UxEyZ5L1dZI/AAAAAAAABy4/gCK4XYONv-8/s1600/YellowstoneNathanielLangford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-49Pj75atNOo/UxEyZ5L1dZI/AAAAAAAABy4/gCK4XYONv-8/s1600/YellowstoneNathanielLangford.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nathaniel Langford</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you’ve ever been to Yellowstone, and sat at one of the Ranger campfire programs at Madison Junction, the ranger will almost always point behind him or her, to a tall mountain across the valley. The mountain is named National Park Mountain, and legend has it that this is where the national park idea was born. It is said that Henry Washburn, Nathaniel Langford, and Cornelius Hedges camped in the valley just beneath the mountain during their expedition through the area in 1870, and came up with the grand idea of preserving the wonders they saw – the geysers, hot springs, canyons, rivers and lakes – for everyone to enjoy for generations to come. They wanted the area set aside as a nation’s park.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whether this conversation actually occurred, and in that precise location, is up for debate, but it makes for a nice campfire story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what did lead to the birth of the national park idea?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lewis and Clark, during their expedition in 1805, missed the area that is now the park. In 1806, John Colter, who was part of the expedition, set out with a group of fur trappers, and some historical accounts say he is the first white man to have seen the area and its geysers. He described a place of “hell and brimstone” that most people dismissed as delirium. Those who heard of his tales called this imaginary place “Colter’s Hell.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Over the years, more fur trappers entered the Rocky Mountains, and more and more reports found their way back to civilization of a place with boiling mud, steaming rivers, and petrified trees. These fantastical stories were believed to be just that – men’s tall tales who had been in the wilderness too long. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 1856, mountain man Jim Bridger reported observing boiling springs, spouting water, and a mountain of glass and yellow rock. But since Bridger had a reputation as a “spinner of yarn,” his reports were also ignored. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first detailed exploration of the Yellowstone area came in 1869, when three privately funded explorers trekked through what is now the park. The members of the Folsom party kept detailed records and journals, and based on their information, a group of Montana residents organized the Washburn/Langford/Doane Expedition of 1870. Henry Washburn was surveyor-general of Montana at the time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The group included Nathaniel Langford, who later would be known as “National Park Langford.” They spent a month exploring the region, collecting specimens, and naming sites of interest (Old Faithful, anyone?) Another member of the group, lawyer Cornelius Hedges, proposed that the region should be set aside and protected as a national park. Other prominent men also made similar suggestions that “Congress pass a bill reserving the Great Geyser Basin as a public park forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv7h-D-DNAI/UxEzX48PGWI/AAAAAAAABzE/hWMYS_lyrwU/s1600/Hayden+expediton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv7h-D-DNAI/UxEzX48PGWI/AAAAAAAABzE/hWMYS_lyrwU/s1600/Hayden+expediton.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hayden Expedition</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 1871, Dr. Ferdinand Hayden, a geologist, organized the first government-sponsored exploration of the region. The Hayden Geological Survey of 1871 included numerous scientists, as well as photographer William Henry Jackson, and artist Thomas Moran. Together, they compiled a comprehensive report on Yellowstone, which helped convince Congress to withdraw the region from public auction. The Act of Dedication Law was signed by the President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1<sup>st</sup>, 1872.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Teaser Tuesday - Yellowstone Legacy</span></center>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Do you know who the man and his wife are?” Mat
asked after many moments of silence. When a strong gust of wind blew off the
surrounding mountains, he added more wood to the fire and pulled the buffalo
robe around his shoulder. He looked at
his mentor. He refrained from asking about the young woman he couldn’t get out
of his mind. “Surely you wouldn’t give your vessel to someone to travel to
another time if they aren’t important.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Naatosi nodded. “They are important.” He
glanced intently at Mat. “Mukua will want to harm the child,” he said, almost
to himself. His next words held a sudden urgency. “Your vision has confirmed
the path you must take, Matunaaga, just as I had hoped it would.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“I don’t understand.” Mat shook his head. “Are
you telling me that my path will take me to the future?” He dreaded to hear the
answer. He wasn’t going to the future. His life was here. The woman’s pretty
face, with her soft eyes, and soft voice, remained firmly at the forefront of
his thoughts, but she was not someone he would ever meet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“My life is here,” he said to rid himself of
her image.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“My brother, Naatoyita and I, have always known
that your destiny is entwined with that of your friend and brother in spirit,
Cameahwait. He has embraced his destiny after his meeting with Naatoyita. It is
now time that you embrace yours.” Naatosi smiled at him. “The man in your
vision is called Zachariah Osborne.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Mat stared at the old man. Osborne? That was
the name Cam had chosen to take – his father’s name. How was the man from his
vision related to Cam?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Go and seek out your brother.” Naatosi patted
his arm before Mat could voice his question. “The two of you have much to talk
about, and it might become clearer where your path will lead you once you see
him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Stop talking in riddles.” Mat stood,
frustration making his muscles tense. “I have done all you’ve asked of me over
the past year. You’ve taught me about my family, and who I am. And now you’re
simply telling me to go back to my brother, after I’ve received a vision that
leaves me with more questions than answers?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“I have much on which to reflect, and I must
speak to Naatoyita. We must be prepared for what Mukua will do.” He leaned in
closer, his wizened old eyes fixed on Mat’s. “The Osborne legacy must continue
in the future. Without the child, the line will end. He is an Osborne, and must be raised as an
Osborne.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-58587710387451483032016-02-23T14:56:00.001-08:002016-02-23T14:56:34.690-08:00Teaser Tuesdays are back! First look at YELLOWSTONE LEGACY<span style="font-size: large;"> 2016 ended with a bang for me... I had three book releases plus a short story that went into an anthology toward the end of the year. Two of those book releases came in December. To say I was a bit brain dead by the end of the year is putting it mildly. I took most of December off from writing, and a bit of that hang-over spilled into 2016. So, it's been a slow start for me this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fans are chomping at the bit for Mat's story in the continuing saga of the <b><i>Yellowstone Romance Series</i></b>. Many people in my Facebook fan group have already guessed as to who Mat is. I think I dropped enough subtle hints in <b>Yellowstone Origins</b> to make it easy to figure out. But, if you haven't, you will find out in <b>Yellowstone Legacy</b>, the seventh book in the Yellowstone Series. The story pretty much takes off where Origins ended, with Mat's vision in the epilogue. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In order to give my brain a rest from writing Legacy (lots of stuff to cover, plus a major twist that - hopefully - no one has seen coming), I'm also working on a fourth book in the Blemished Brides Series, and if that's not enough, I had a spurt of the moment idea for a brand new western romance series. So, I delved into the first book in that series. (More on that at a later date. If you are a member of my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/791222314229523/?ref=bookmarks">Facebook fan group</a>, I've shared the cover and some excerpts there already) I hope to have this one done soon. Yellowstone Legacy, unfortunately, is taking a bit longer to write. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But for today, I would like to reveal the cover for <b>Yellowstone Legacy</b>, as well as share a quick teaser.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8ABRr0c4QY/VszjDDbsMoI/AAAAAAAAC00/SCDqj_-TvIk/s1600/Book%2B7-%2BYS%2BLegacy_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8ABRr0c4QY/VszjDDbsMoI/AAAAAAAAC00/SCDqj_-TvIk/s640/Book%2B7-%2BYS%2BLegacy_0.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sometime in the hours before dawn, the restlessness inside him swelled to where he couldn’t remain lying quiet any longer. He left his sleeping blankets, and headed toward the river, guided by the sounds of the water and the reflection of the half-moon that hung in the sky.<br />Images of his life as a boy, living in the future, mingled with the scene he’d witnessed in his vision. The angry shouts of his foster mother and father whenever they fought sounded like distant echoes in his head. The tender smiles of the woman from his vision pushed aside the unpleasant memories. Her soft eyes left him craving to see her. <br />Mat clutched the pouch around his neck. He must have walked many miles when the first rays of dawn broke through the darkness of night. The roar of the mighty falls of the Yellowstone mixed with the loud chorus of frogs. Loons called from the water, and wings flapped somewhere on the river. An eerie mist rose from the water to hover over the grasses low to the ground.<br />He pulled the pouch over his head. Mat’s hands trembled when he opened it. Carefully, he shook the snakehead-shaped vessel into his open palm.</i></span>Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-74967571859184045812016-02-19T00:44:00.001-08:002016-02-19T00:44:28.419-08:00An Interview with Daniel Osborne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRriFU6sCB0/VsbU8pxS94I/AAAAAAAACzk/S9M8bxQEN_Y/s1600/yhs12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRriFU6sCB0/VsbU8pxS94I/AAAAAAAACzk/S9M8bxQEN_Y/s400/yhs12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, this page has been really quiet. There's been so much to juggle lately - personal life, books to write, etc. I've been thinking about things of interest to post about, so if anyone has any suggestions on what they'd like to see, leave a comment. </span><div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7ZUVV5Y1Rs/VsbVREgW9gI/AAAAAAAACzo/QSThrULDR-w/s1600/12096047_115550975468020_8047407405754905737_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7ZUVV5Y1Rs/VsbVREgW9gI/AAAAAAAACzo/QSThrULDR-w/s320/12096047_115550975468020_8047407405754905737_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, for my first post in a while, I thought it would be fun to bring in <b>Daniel Osborne</b> from the Yellowstone Romance Series for a quick character interview. If you know Daniel from Yellowstone Heart Song, you know that he is a man of few words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you also know that he has his own <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010393542611&fref=ts">Facebook page</a>? Yup! I'm sure he wouldn't mind a few more friends. But let's get to the interview:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is your full name? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff2600;"><span style="font-size: large;">Daniel Osborne</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a nickname? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">White Wolf, papa, slimeball</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is one word best describes you? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff2600;"><span style="font-size: large;">Protective</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Describe what you are wearing now to our readers. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff2600;"><span style="font-size: large;">Buckskin pants, moccasins, cotton shirt</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What makes you laugh out loud?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not much. I am very reserved in my emotions</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is your favorite dessert?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Molasses cookies, Chocolate cake</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is your favorite drink?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I tasted root beer once…that was very good. Otherwise, cold water</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is your greatest fear?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That harm would come to my wife or family</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is your favorite color?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sky blue…the color of my wife’s eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do you wear when you go to sleep?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is the perfect romantic date? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Taking my wife into the wilderness, near a quiet stream, to have a simple picnic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am not ticklish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's your favorite smell? What does it remind you of?</span></div>
<div style="color: #ff2600; font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The smell of baking pies and cookies. It reminds me of my wonderful wife and our family gatherings during special events.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you look at a woman what catches your interest?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her strong, feisty character. Her ability to challenge me when she knows I am out of line. Her blonde hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have somebody in your life now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes. My beautiful wife, Aimee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is one word best describes her?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gediki…wildcat</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr550CYimfA/VLGm_-sMwBI/AAAAAAAACKQ/CnEUygAD-hk/s1600/Yellowstone-Heart-Song-Yellowstone-Romance-Series-Book-1-Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr550CYimfA/VLGm_-sMwBI/AAAAAAAACKQ/CnEUygAD-hk/s400/Yellowstone-Heart-Song-Yellowstone-Romance-Series-Book-1-Kindle.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-34135228101168976712015-12-14T00:30:00.000-08:002015-12-14T09:53:41.019-08:00Christmas Surprise!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a Christmas Surprise for my readers! If you're a fan of the Yellowstone Series and the Teton Trilogy - the Walkers, Osbornes, and Russells got together for Christmas! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wasn't going to write a Christmas story this year, because I simply didn't think I'd have time. I had worked all summer on <b><i>Yellowstone Origins</i></b>, then had to get <b><i>Emma, Bride of Kentucky</i></b> done before its deadline, and by then, it was already well into November.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My editor told me that I needed to take a break, and not even start a new book this year. I sort of agreed with her...for about a week. I had mentioned that I really wanted to write a Christmas novella that I had thought of last year, but I ran out of time then, too. A few days after she declared I needed to go on a break, she contacted me and said "you know, if you want to write that Christmas story, maybe you should do it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I hit the keyboard, and, voila! the story that I wanted to write a year ago finally came to life. I loved bringing together the Walkers with the Osbornes and the Russells. The thought of, "what would happen if Lucas Walker ever got together with Chase Russell on an adventure," was too good to pass up. The possibilities were endless with those two!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The end result is a novella that was about 8,000 words longer than I had first anticipated (coming in at around 29,000 words), so that's good news for my readers. It was so much fun to write, and I hope you will love it, too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, here it is .... <b><i>Teton Season of Joy (A Yellowstone and Teton Romance Series Crossover Christmas Novella!)</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7i11gvMub8/Vm4Q4Jew-HI/AAAAAAAACv8/Rti9YEj7NaQ/s1600/TSOJ_0_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7i11gvMub8/Vm4Q4Jew-HI/AAAAAAAACv8/Rti9YEj7NaQ/s400/TSOJ_0_0.jpg" width="258" /></a></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blurb:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Lucas Walker's life couldn't be more different from a few years
ago. Now married and expecting his first child, he wants nothing more than
to provide a good home for his family. With Christmas coming, he sets off
to find the perfect surprise for his wife.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">As Tori Walker approaches the time for her baby to be born, she
is comforted by the expert care that surrounds her. However, winter in the
mountains can turn deadly at the blink of an eye. When her prankster husband
fails to return from a short hunting trip, she doesn't know whether to be angry
or worried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Christmas is a time to reminisce and enjoy family time. Young or
old, all who gather in the Walker home this holiday can share memories of
falling in love, being saved from near death, and not being able to imagine
life without each other. When Lucas and his companion are feared lost in the
wilderness, this holiday season may well be remembered as the season of
mishaps, rather than a season of joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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AMAZON: <a href="http://amzn.to/1OU6HfI">http://amzn.to/1OU6HfI</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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iBooks: <a href="http://apple.co/1Qx405E">http://apple.co/1Qx405E</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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B&N: <a href="http://bit.ly/1HWBHwp">http://bit.ly/1HWBHwp</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257569799231166469.post-8301206938386329002015-12-07T01:00:00.000-08:002015-12-07T06:33:11.692-08:00Author Spotlight _ Lorrie Farrely<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5dZrqWh16g/VmUuQu3Sq0I/AAAAAAAACvM/l4quQeB2szI/s1600/Lorrie.Farrelly1%25400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5dZrqWh16g/VmUuQu3Sq0I/AAAAAAAACvM/l4quQeB2szI/s320/Lorrie.Farrelly1%25400.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the spirit of a wonderful, old-fashioned Victorian
Christmas, I'd love to share two exciting, emotional, historical romances – one
set Back East, one set Out West – with readers. The first is one of 50 novels
in the unprecedented, 45-author series AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES. I'm
delighted to be in the company of some of today's most talented and beloved
authors, including Peggy L. Henderson, Kirsten Lynn, Susan Horsnell, Jacquie
Rogers, Patricia Carroll, and many more, in creating these heartfelt and engaging
novels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_63I6PqhAw/VmUqO0GjVZI/AAAAAAAACuo/EBvDxhnUlIw/s1600/LF1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_63I6PqhAw/VmUqO0GjVZI/AAAAAAAACuo/EBvDxhnUlIw/s400/LF1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>My book, <b>MOLLIE: BRIDE OF GEORGIA</b>, is fourth in
the series. (By the way, the lovely young woman on the cover portraying Mollie
is Jennie Gregg Farrelly (1883-1954), my husband's grandmother. I hope she'd be
tickled to find herself on the cover of a 21st century novel!) Set in November
and December of 1890, MOLLIE is a story of courage and hope as a young woman,
answering an advertisement for a mail-order bride, confronts an unknown and
very challenging future.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Years of brutal warfare have left the South with far more
women than men. What, Mollie Winters worries, could be so wrong with Dr.
Nicholas Avinger that he was forced to advertise for a wife?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Despite her misgivings, Mollie takes a desperate leap of
faith. Arriving in Atlanta with little more than a few pieces of clothing, two
pairs of shoes, and the manuscript of her wildly melodramatic, romantic
adventure novel, she prepares to start a new life with the attractive but
irascible Dr. Avinger.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A haunted man who prefers animals to people, Nick Avinger
has driven away more than one assistant, as well as his latest fiancée. Mollie
Winters might just fill both bills, if only he didn’t want her so much. And if
only he didn’t fear how much he would hurt her.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Years of brutal warfare have left the South with far more
women than men. What, Mollie Winters worries, could be so wrong with Dr.
Nicholas Avinger that he was forced to advertise for a wife?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Despite her misgivings, Mollie takes a desperate leap of
faith. Arriving in Atlanta with little more than a few pieces of clothing, two
pairs of shoes, and the manuscript of her wildly melodramatic, romantic
adventure novel, she prepares to start a new life with the attractive but
irascible Dr. Avinger.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A haunted man who prefers animals to people, Nick Avinger
has driven away more than one assistant, as well as his latest fiancée. Mollie
Winters might just fill both bills, if only he didn’t want her so much. And if
only he didn’t fear how much he would hurt her.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Will the Christmas Season bring hope to Mollie and Nick,
or will the trauma of the past prove too overwhelming?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=257569799231166469" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=257569799231166469" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=257569799231166469" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=257569799231166469" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=257569799231166469" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3HCbihR7LYQ/VmUr7mPJ8wI/AAAAAAAACvA/A-5NdojVkp8/s1600/LF2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3HCbihR7LYQ/VmUr7mPJ8wI/AAAAAAAACvA/A-5NdojVkp8/s400/LF2.png" width="265" /></span></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's an excerpt from <b><i>MOLLIE: BRIDE OF GEORGIA</i></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mollie woke to Nick’s muffled groans and growls. The room
was dark but for the faint glow of the fireplace embers, and she turned
worriedly toward her husband. His face was bathed with sweat, and suddenly he
writhed, kicking wildly at the covers. Frightened that he was in the throes of
a nightmare, or worse, suddenly taken ill, she reached out to calm him, trying
gently to stroke his face. His eyes flew open, and he stared at her with the
ferocity of a cornered animal. His eyes were feral, but opaque, blind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Get away, damn you!” he shouted, and Mollie gasped,
shrinking back. Nick’s hand shot out and his fingers wrapped around her throat
like an iron vise, tightening painfully. Abruptly, he shoved her backwards,
slamming her shoulder against the brass bars of the headboard. He released his
grip, and in one wild scramble, bolted from the bed. He whirled back to face
her, his hands balled into fists and his chest heaving. His eyes were
unfocused, staring past Mollie with crazed fury at something only he could see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trembling, horrified, she gasped for air, broken sobs
choking her bruised throat. “Nick!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her cry emerged as a strangled rasp. She swallowed, tried
again, desperately, “Nick! Wake up! For God’s sake, wake up!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">© 2015 by Lorrie Farrelly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iClrQgkJfLw/VmUqawiNfUI/AAAAAAAACuw/Pku02-gsrUg/s1600/LF4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iClrQgkJfLw/VmUqawiNfUI/AAAAAAAACuw/Pku02-gsrUg/s400/LF4.png" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also celebrating the Christmas Season is the tender Western
historical short romance <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">CHRISTMAS TREASURE</i></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ex-Union Army Captain Will Blackburn has tried to put the
loss of his Georgia home and the fierce alienation of his family behind him.
His fresh start on a Nevada cattle ranch has given him renewed purpose, but
making peace with the trauma of war is not so easily done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Will receives word that the only family member who
never turned against him, his beloved younger sister Mattie, has died, he must
deal not only with his past, but also with a starchy, stubborn young woman who
has traveled more than two thousand miles to fulfill Mattie’s last wish: that
her cherished CHRISTMAS TREASURE be hand-delivered to her brother. But will
that unexpected gift bring Will peace or even greater pain?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>CHRISTMAS TREASURE</i></b> and <b><i>MOLLIE: BRIDE OF
GEORGIA</i></b>, as well as all my novels and short stories, including multiple
award winners <b><i>TERMS OF SURRENDER </i></b>and <b><i>TIMELAPSE</i></b>, are
available at:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lorrie-Farrelly/e/B008P3LJ0O"><span style="color: #0000e9;">AMAZON</span></a>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lorrie+farrelly&sprefix=Lorrie+farre%2Caps%2C166"><span style="color: #0000e9;">AMAZON UK: </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_6/376-0870597-0873861?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lorrie+farrelly&sprefix=Lorrie%2Caps%2C149"><span style="color: #0000e9;">AMAZON AUSTRALIA</span></a>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Find more of Lorrie’s books here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LorrieFarrellyAuthor"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://www.facebook.com/LorrieFarrellyAuthor</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">eNovel Authors at Work: <a href="http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/153-2/"><span style="color: #103cc0;">http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/153-2/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4351229.Lorrie_Farrelly"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4351229.Lorrie_Farrelly</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">Website: <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/yourbestreads"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://sites.google.com/site/yourbestreads</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/@lorriewrites"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://twitter.com/@lorriewrites</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+LorrieFarrelly/posts/p/pub"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://plus.google.com/u/0/+LorrieFarrelly/posts/p/pub</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wish everyone the comfort and joy that is so much the
spirit of the Christmas Season. Happy holidays!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Peggy Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426143060524588300noreply@blogger.com4