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Dana Taylor Author
Lulu.com
Category:
Historical Fiction
Type: Fiction
Price: $1.99 (eBook)
Free land! The Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 inspires romance and adventure in this multi-cultural tale.
Free land! On April 22, 1889 thousands of hearty souls gathered at the Arkansas border. They dashed into the Unassigned Lands to claim their portion of the American dream and followed their hearts to a place called Oklahoma.
Rosa—The daughter of nobility, she lost her family to violence in Mexico. Does she have the courage to make a new life in a strange country?
Steven—The charismatic leader, fighting injustice of the downtrodden. Could Oklahoma be the New Promised Land?
Ricardo—The California horseman, alone after tragedy and misfortune wiped out his hopes. Could the Land Run offer a fresh, new start?
As newcomers struggle to settle a new territory, fortunes are made, friendships are forged. Love is tested. Will Rosa yield her proud heart to find real happiness?
Excerpt
The next day they went about their morning ablutions. Rosa washed in the cold stream as best she could, tied her hair back with a bit of leather string. She fixed a cornmeal mush with jerky and they sipped coffee as the sun rose slowly in the East.
As she rinsed their dishes in a bowl of river water he said, “I will show you my treasure, if you will show me yours.”
Just when she’d relaxed in the mundane routine of the day, he said something provocative. She straightened up slowly, turned and faced him, ready to do battle. If he meant to steal her mama’s jewels at this point, she was ready to fight. If he was speaking of something else, she was still ready to fight.
The expression on her face made him laugh. “You do not trust me. I am wounded. I will show you my treasure first.” With that he removed the blanket that covered a magnificent silver-studded saddle. It gleamed in the morning light, the precious metal sparkling against the rich, soft leather. Rosa caught her breath and walked very slowly toward it.
“Oh, it is beautiful.” She reached out a hand to gently touch it. “Just like the caballeros in the grand parades in Mexico.”
He knelt beside her. “It has been in my family for one hundred years. I had it restored in Denver and picked it up on my way back. It is a reminder of who I am, the Montoya silver saddle.”
She nodded in understanding and reached into her bodice, pulling out the pouch. “These are all I have left of Mama and Papa, my life before it all ended in one day. I have never shown them to anyone, even Marva.”
She sat back on the ground and poured the jewelry onto her wide spread skirt. Wistful memories reflected in her chocolate eyes. The stones shimmered. He touched the exquisite pieces saying, “Magnifico. Worthy of nobility. I know these have greater worth to you than any price you could receive from a jeweler.” He gently returned each gem to her purse and pressed it into her small hand. “I am honored that you have shared their beauty with me. You must find a better way to guard these when you return to your little dress shop.”
They stared at each other a moment. Two strangers now bound by shared secrets and distant sorrows.
Rosa broke eye contact as her face flushed. “Really, Señor Montoya, it is not necessary for you to return with me to Winding Creek. I am well armed and able to make the journey alone.”
The vulnerable girl of a moment ago transformed into an ice Princess. Ricardo merely lifted an eyebrow. “I told you I would return you safely to your home and I will.”
“I am not your concern.”
“The longer we stand here arguing, the later we will make our destination.” He hefted the silver saddle onto the mule and covered it with a tarp.
“You are a most stubborn man.”
“Si, little sister. I am also a man who expects to be obeyed. Be sure to wear your hat, you would not want to sunburn your pretty skin. Your horse is ready.”
With an irritated sigh, she mounted her saddle, headed her horse toward the road and muttered, “Dominating, irritating man. I just hope you don’t slow me down.”
He chuckled as he mounted Noche, “Princess, you remind me of a filly I once owned in California. Strong in spirit, brave of heart.”
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