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** A tad more from: Wolfkeeper's Woman The lone rider entered the homestead slowly. The cabin was not quite as the letter described it. The place just didn’t feel right. He expected it to be further developed. It lacked the orderliness that he expected from his brother. It left the rider wondering if maybe he made a wrong turn and this wasn’t the right place after all. “Maybe, I am at the wrong place,” he said aloud hoping it was true. “Hello! In the cabin, anyone home?” He saw the rifle barrel as it pushed through the gun hole of the window’s shutter. “I mean no harm," he called out. “Whats your'n business here?” A voice asked. “I am looking for my brother Frank and his wife.” The rider could hear people talking inside, but he couldn’t make out what they were saying. “You need to tell'm, Clet.” the female voice said. The man voice behind the door hushed his wife. “Pearl,?I ain’t telling him not'n. We’s squatters here till the paper work is done and this here'n man looking for'n his brother might ruin it for us. You want that, do you, huh? Do ya? Then hush'em up and let me handle this.” Turning back to the window he yelled back at the man outside. “Don’t know no. Frank. The widda’ Benton might know em’ shes lived around here for awhile. It’s to the east through them ‘der woods.” The rider realized he wasn’t going to get any answers here. He turned his horse toward the woods and headed east. Less than five minutes later, he entered another clearing. This one area before him had a two-story structure half log cabin and half-wooden plank house sat in the middle of the property. A shed, a small barn, and corral surrounded the home. The front of the house had flowers along the front porch. It was neat and tidy. Two children sat beneath a large oak tree growing between the home and barn. “Mama, mama. We gots company!” The young girl yelled. The man on the horse watched as a woman in her thirties walked on to the small porch. The boys stood as if they were guarding her. The thought brought a smile to his face. Tipping his hat, he said. “Are you Mrs. Benton?” “Yes.” “My name is John Clark and I’m looking for my brother and his wife.” John saw the reaction as the woman before him stiffened in response to his words. “Michael, take Mr. Clark’s horse and rub him down. Mr. Clark, you might as well come inside. You ain’t gonna like what I got to tell ya.”** **** John dismounted and started to walk his horse over toward the corral that’s when he saw it. A new grave covered in fresh flowers. He heart tightened in his chest. He quickly forced the bitter bile back down his throat by swallowing hard. The sour taste remained in back of his throat. He was too far away to read the name, but apprehension still filled his gut. The smaller boy watched as the man eyed the grave. “Injuns.” Was all he said. He said it as if that was all anyone needed to know. John’s eyes followed the boy as he ran back over to the girl sitting under the tree. Normally, he took his steps two at a time, but not today. He didn’t feel like bouncing anywhere. Feet filled with lead deliberately climbed the steps, landing solidly on each one. She was waiting for him. A slender hand held open the screen door for him to enter. The woman didn’t stop at the small parlor, but headed straight for the kitchen. the man followed her lead. “Coffee’s warm, would like you like some?” “YES, ma’am. I’d very much like a cup. Thank you.” Handing him the cup she asked. “Do you it take black?” “Blacks fine.” Becky indicated for him to sit as she sat down. “Well, John, I really hate to be the one to tell you but Frank’s dead. A little over two months ago. Injuns.” She stopped to let her words sink in and watched as he bowed his head. Here is a tender man just like his brother Frank. She thought. Her own wounds were still open and raw as tears formed. The warm salty tears flowed quietly down her cheeks. She felt John’s hand pat her hand in comfort. “I lost my Todd the same day. Call me, Becky, OK... Todd and I loved your brother and his family. “Family? I knew Cassie? But?” “OH, dear it ’s gonna be a long day. I guess you don’t know just how slow the mail is here. That’s if you ever get any mail.” Smiling she added. “My letter to my own ma telling her, I had a son, took so long to get to them, they came to visit when he was a little over a year old and the letter was waiting for them when they got home.” Shaking his head in agreement he understood the lack of communication. That is why he came, sometimes you just have to know about those you care about. Changing into a more serious tone Becky began to tell John the sad things he had a right to know. “They had a son about three months before they; the Indians came. They took Cassie and the boy with them...” Large teardrops filled her eyes and the remembered pain causing her words choke in her throat. I hope you enjoyed another peek at: Wolfkeeper's Woman NOW on Sale: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A31PMO0 Oh, by the way have you seen this person: Hope you all have fab weekend. Thanks for stopping by. Please share with a friend. **http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/palma/2012/07/best_friends.html ***http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1600&bih=775&tbm=isch&tbnid=GnA_ttYisyBBxM:&imgrefurl=http://thecabinpathevents.blogspot.com/&docid=zTh2oEpN0bohbM&imgurl=http: ****for sale http://markcorder.com/home/2011/03/homestead-in-the-shade/ *****for sale http://www.etsy.com/search/vintage?includes%5B0%5D=materials&q=tin+cup&vintage_rewrite=vintage+tin+cup&original_query=2
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Another Excerpt from: Wolfkeeper's Woman A lot has already. happened to Cassie and her son while traveling to Wolfkeeper's home Today's read starts at the arrival to The People's village. Dread of the unknown filled every pore of Cassie’s body. The grip around Wolfkeeper tightened. She could not count the number of tepees. The sounds of excitement filled the air as news of the group’s return spread. Dogs barking, people’s voices, and the expectation of children’s shouts reached her ears. The noise of the Peoples excitement grew louder around the returning warriors, Cassie’s panic grew with it. Could the man in front of her feel her trembling? Even though she didn’t know what to expect, she did not expect these many people. Indianvillage.com Terror edged its way up her spine. Three of the braves went in separate directions. Wolfkeeper and the brave with her son remained together. Making their way slowly through the camp. Many people greeted one or the other and sometimes both warriors. A slender woman approached them. Both men halted their mounts before her. ‟Welcome back, we are glad to see you and all those with you who have returned are safe and well.” The woman said smiling up at them. She was young but not a child, Cassie thought. She seemed nineteen or twenty years old. The Indian woman was pretty, she decided. Her pleasure and excitement over seeing them seemed genuine and more personal than the others. Cassie wondered if the man in front of her and the young woman were possible related maybe, even his wife. "Wife of my brother I accept your true words of welcome.” He responded. Cassie observed the woman whose voice sounded almost like music when she spoke. Wolfkeeper’s sister-in-law's greatest wish was to have a child. Three times she carried children, but none of them were ever born alive. The heartbreak was destroying her. Naturally, her husband Eyes-like-eagle also grieved over their losses. However, no longer, now this gift will restore joy to them. The Wolfkeeper continued. “She-who-weeps, you will no more weep.” His arm extended toward other warrior. “Give my gift to her.” ** Prancing Bear dismounted and handed the small bundle to the woman. Wolfkeeper spoke again.‟See your son, and be She-who-weeps-no-more.” Finally, Cassie’s brain clicked into gear. She started to try to climb down, but the man in front of her had gripped her arm that was around his waist and she could not move an inch. She started to scream for him to let her go to her son. Her breath stopped when a searing pain run up her arm. Wolfkeeper had her wrist in a bone crushing vice like grip. ‟PLEASE, Let me go, please.” she pleaded as tears poured down her face. ‟Silence and stay still.” He barked at her. The paralysis had already reached her shoulder. The pain was still growing. Cassie understood his intent and barely whispered yes. She had to make the extricating pain stop...... **pictureLee Bogle-Close To The Heart. Limited Edition Print (Paper) http://www.fine-art.com/art-99220/lee-bo... Thanks for sharing Cassie's ordeal...Although I'm sure there much more she'll have to accept that will tear at her heart.. You can find out today Wolfkeeper's Woman is on sale... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A31PMO0 If your enjoyed you visit please be sweet and send a tweet or hit any share button that strikes your fancy... Thanks, Lisa tenative cover..What do you think of it? Thanks for popping in. In preparation for my new release I have decided to share parts of it it on SampleSunday. Since this still is a work in process please leave a comment. It will enhance the finished product your personal free-back is very important to a writer and your comment just might enhance the finished product. Prologue: The storyteller stood before the small group of The People. They always gathered hear to the things he had to say and learn their history, and future storytellers would one day pass the tales down to their grandchildren. His hair turned gray years ago. Two feathers and an animal tail swung with the breeze near his right ear. No one knew his age. He did not even know himself. Unlike many others his age, this man still stood tall and straight. His skin was dark and weathered like a deer hide that had seen too many rains. The People respected their storyteller and gave him their rapt attention as the he finished his tale. "And...so then once the Hare out smarted the Fox, the Fox realized Hare won. Fox would be again hungry this night in his den." Everyone stirred at once, some laughing, some smiling, and some with hoots of excitement. "Tell us more, Storyteller." Someone in the crowd asked. "Yes, please, please do!" Another voice added. The old man weathered eyes looked though the crowds while he tried to determine the next tale to tell. The young brave Eagle, in the past heard only parts of the story he was about to request, and he wanted to know everything. "Storyteller, please tell us the story of Wolfkeeper's woman they called Ghostwoman," he said. "Ah, yes the Ghostwoman.” The Storyteller knew the tale extremely well. Parts of it he had never, nor would he ever, repeat. These parts remained locked deep in his heart, and they would stay there forever. But, he would tell it. Enough so those listening would learn what personal sacrifice and love can mean. "Some would say it was a very sad story, my son. Are you ready for tears? Others would say that it tells of the great love that a mother holds for her child. Then other might it's about a brave warrior that followed his heart.I will tell you of Wolfkeeper's Ghostwoman, and you can decide for yourself." A hush settled over his audience, the old man continued, "The day promised to be the most beautiful, so far that spring..." Chapter 1 April 1845 “I love spring. It's promising to be a beautiful day.” Cassie declared for her ears only as she stepped outside onto her porch. It was a promise that would soon be broken. Cassie leaned against the doorframe of her five-month-old split log cabin. Unconsciously, she wiped her hands on the sides of her apron trying to remove the last traces of flour that remained from the preparation of the biscuits, she just pulled from the oven. Her eyes squinted when the sun's glaring rays hit her face, instinctively her left hand rose to shield her light brown eyes. “Breakfast." Waving, her hand to get their attention. She was aware they were still too far away to know what she said. They both waved back picking up their pace. She knew they understand her. reakfast now waited inside for her husband and their neighbor. All that remained was to get their attention. She observed two figures moving at the bottom of the gully her husband Frank and neighbor Todd. They started to scramble up the slope toward the one room home. The two men had been up before dawn, fixing Frank Clark's pigpen, again. One of the little creatures was an escape artist. This was the third time it had broken out. Fortunately, it did not ramble too far away. The pigsty, now repaired with the animals secured, everyone hoped for the last time. The friends were ready for their well-earned breakfast. "Frank, your wife sure can cook. I can smell her biscuits and bacon from here. Wanna race?" "When we first got hitched all she did was burn water. Thanks to Mary Lou and your Becky, I am a well-fed, happy man... One, two, three, Go!" Cassie smiled when the two grown men started running. On seeing them scramble breathlessly up the hill apparently another contest had begun. At first, they ran neck and neck then suddenly, Todd fell. She started to laugh thinking he decided to be funny. When Todd didn't rise to continue the race, Cassie grew a little concerned if he had injured himself. She heard Frank shout something at her. Her husband now began to move faster up the hill toward their cabin. He collapsed not twenty feet from her, his arm reaching out in vain to warn her. Instantly, the sound of laughter died in her throat. She watched a red stain spread rapidly across the back of her husband's blue-checkered shirt. Three arrows protruded from his back as he lay unnaturally still. The noise became deafening. ........ ******************************* Let me repeat a big thank you for your time. Hope you enjoyed and return for more--next time. Please send a tweet to a friend about SampleSunday. Have a great Day, Lisa |
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