This unique book is the prequel to Noble Courage where it explores the loves of Aspen's parents and the struggles of peasant life...
Before there were Thorne and Aspen, there were Vatric and Lyndsay...
Before Aspen had discovered the village of Cliffehaven, there was a small settlement camp called Little Harbour where death and poverty overshadowed all who lived there. But there were two who dared to escape the gloom and move on to promised paradise. Together, Vatric and Lyndsay embarked upon the journey that shaped their lives as they fought to stay just beyond the clutches of the greedy Earl St. Michael.
Before there was Noble Courage, there were The Tales of Elgolan!
Excerpt
Finding Love at Lynwood...
Vatric tried to brush the dust from him with his hands as he
smiled back at her. “Ye ready?” he asked.
“Aye, I’m ready,” she said in her soft quiet voice.
Vatric tossed his head in the direction he wanted to head and she
walked beside him.
“Where are we goin’,” she asked.
“’Tis a very special place. A place I found and I laid claim to just
yesterday.”
“Wha’ is it ye need my ’elp with?” she queried him.
“Yesterday I saw three dead people, me da was one of ’em. I see
how many of us are sick and ’ave no food. I want ta make everyone
better and that means bein’ able ta grow food. Nothin’ grows in the
camp because it is too dark, too many trees. We need a light place
ta grow enough food fer everyone. A place like this….” Vatric said
as they walked into the meadow, the sunshine was warm and the
breeze ruffled the grass making it whisper to them.
This sight did take Lyndsay’s breath away and she ran into the
middle of the clearing, the warmth taking the chill from her feet and
she spread her arms wide and spun circles, her face turned to the sun
and the sunbeams kissed her with it’s golden glow. It was the first
time Vatric had ever heard her really laugh as if nothing in the world
was wrong and it made his heart light. He ran out to where she was.
“Oh, Vatric! This place is wonderful!” she breathed, staring at
him with something foreign to him shining in her eyes.
Vatric took her hands in his. “This is how we save the camp. And
when the time is right, I would like to build us a home here and you
and I can raise a family together. I’d like to ask yer da for yer hand,
Lyndsay. I want to marry ye,” he said quite smoothly, his heart
hammering in his chest.
“I guess wishes do get granted,” she whispered to him, threw her
arms about his neck and he reciprocated with his arms about her
small waist lifting her off the ground and turning her in more circles.
Vatric could not remember being happier in his entire life. He set
her back on the grass and gazed into her pretty face. “I ’ave known
no more precious moment than this, Lyndsay. You ’ave made me
very happy today,” he said, his words came soft and sincere. He
wasn’t sure how it happened, but his lips touched hers and they both
experienced feelings that they had never felt before, their bodies
responding in ways that left them wanting more, and when they
broke apart once again the birds resumed their chirping and the
breeze came at them as they struggled to catch their breath.
“I’m not sure exactly what this feelin’ is, but I think I love you,
Lyndsay. I have loved ye for a long time,” Vatric revealed to her.
A grin spread over Lyndsay’s fair face. “I love ye too, Vatric. I just
didn’t wan’ ta ruin you bein’ a priest.”
Vatric laughed and it felt good to him. “I think Father Shepherd
knew all along and in ’is own way, he talked me out of it.”
“I will ’ave ta thank ’im fer that one,” she laughed as well.
Hand in hand, they walked through the meadow discussing the
plans for their home, where the crop would be planted, and he
showed her all the mushrooms around the perimeter in the shade of
the quaking trees.
“I would ’ave ta say that these are my favorite trees ever. I like the
way they shiver in the wind,” she remarked rubbing the trunk of
one of them and looking up into their heights.
“They call ’em Aspen trees. I like ’em too,” Vatric said.
It was a magical place for them for the sun melted away the
darkness of the camp and they could just be themselves in the
presence of each other. As they explored their surroundings, they
came upon some brambles that produced large dark red berries. So
dark, they were, that they were nearly purple in color. They found
a small random gathering of trees and with a closer look found they
produced apples. Fruit was a treat many in the camp had never
known, for many that still lived had been born there. Lyndsay was
one of them. Vatric spoiled her with the taste of fresh apple, he
himself vaguely remembering how they tasted. They picked as
many as they could, taking the ones that had fallen to the ground
first and using Lyndsay’s skirt as a way to carry them back to camp.
Vatric loaded her down with mushrooms also and once again taking
off his shirt, he filled it with as many of the berries as he could. Most
were shriveled and spent, but the ones that were still ripe were
glorious. Neither could believe how close they had always been to
good food, and it had never been found…until now. Vatric was the
one who would save them all!
Reluctantly, they arrived back at the camp, which was so cold
and glum in comparison to their meadow. Before they were within
earshot of anyone, Vatric said, “I will name the meadow Lynwood,
after you.”
A lump rose in Lyndsay’s throat making it difficult to speak.
“Thank ye, Vatric, I don’ know what ta say.”
“Jus’ tell me ye love me tomorrow,” he said with sentiment,
longing to kiss her again but daring not to and they continued to
Tralee, Ireland. September 1948.
An arrogant, and highly agitated, priest arrives home after 40 years.
Days later he's dead. Suicide? Or did his past catch up with him?
Ireland 1947. Seven weeks of relentless snow. Guard Eamon Foley is searching for a missing child.
At Toby Appleyard’s farm, he discovers the kitchen littered with dead cats. And the skeletal remains of a woman. Upstairs, Toby is dead in his bed.
