|
Category:
Inspirational
Type: Fiction
After the death of her entire family, her mother's last words were for her to find her long-lost Aunt. Jessica's trip will change her life. With her arrival unannounced, the stage she is riding is robbed and burned as she is left for dead. When she awakes she has no memory of who she is, but Grant Barclay tells her she is the nanny that he hired to take care of her children. So, she assumes her new idenity, trusting that the Lord will be with her. As her memory slowly returns, she knows she is not who they think she is and with her memory comes the knowledge of such a horrible truth, that she can't be with the one man she has come to love.
Book is being submitted to publishers at this point. I will keep you updated as to the progress. Anyone that may be interested should request more information from me at tr_romancewriter.yahoo.com
Excerpt
“I still can’t believe that you plan to show up unannounced at your Aunt’s home.” Elizabeth shifted her slender form in the seat and tilted her head.”
Jessica rested her head back against her seat. She immediately realized her mistake when the roll of the stage drove her head sideways against a rusty hinge. She was trying not to think about her Aunt’s reaction at her unexpected arrival. Taking a deep breath, she forced remote dignity into her voice. “I am sure she’ll be glad to see me.” Mama said so. Jessica’s words didn’t sound as convincing as she’d hoped. She turned her face away.
“Well, I’m sure you’re probably right, but I feel so lucky to have a job waiting for me.”
Jessica slid her hand into the pocket of her wrinkled dress and pulled the small Bible that she kept there even closer. It had been her mother’s and she treasured it above all things. Lord, you said that everything works together for good for those of us that trust in you. I am leaning on you because you are all I have. I hate feeling so alone.
***
Gun shots rang out from a distance. The stage pitched violently forward. The sound of the horse whip cracked through the air as the driver urged the horses forward. The gunshots grew closer. Who was shooting at them?
The stage rocked perilously from side to side as it began moving faster on the narrow road, nearly throwing Jessica to the floor. Elizabeth screamed in terror. Why couldn’t the driver gain control of the horses? Jessica grabbed hold of the window and pushed herself forward to look out of the small window, but the constant rocking of the stage made her efforts impossible. Dust flew into her eyes and she reached up to cover them as her hair snapped at her face. The stage seemed to get faster and faster with each passing second.
The blasts grew louder.. They seemed to be much closer to the stage now. Elizabeth shrieked as she was thrown dazed and confused from her seat. “What’s happening?” she yelled above the roar wagon wheels and gunfire as she struggled to pull herself back onto her seat. “Why can’t the driver control the horses?”
“I think the driver is either hurt or dead! The stage is out of control, so just hold on as tight as you can!” The stage pitched forward. Terror filled Jessica as the stage raced perilously down a steep hill. A scream tore from her throat as the stage lurched violently to the left, throwing her hard against the stage door, causing the hinges to give way. Her screams grew louder as she was catapulted from the coach and hit the ground. A sharp pain filled her chest as her body rolled for what seemed like an eternity down a steep embankment. Rocks tore into her side and she plunged farther down before coming to a brutal stop when her head struck a large boulder. The screaming pain in her body subsided and Jessica welcomed the engulfing darkness.
***
Jessica woke to a throbbing headache. She raised her hand to investigate, brushed against a huge bump above her temple and winced. She opened her eyes as a groan escaped her lips. It seemed as though a thousand tiny needles were piercing her legs and feet. Gingerly she stretched out her legs.
Slowly she began to focus on her surroundings. Where was she? A glimmer of sunlight caught her eye and she turned to look out the small window next to her bed. No curtains offered any protection from the rays of what appeared to be early dawn light.
Gently she pushed herself up. Pain spread throughout her entire body. She went limp against the mattress. Where was she? The harder she tried to remember, the more her head pounded like thundering hooves.
She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. Shadows and voices played in her mind, but they made no sense. Panic grew stronger within her with each passing second.
Once again her sore hands pushed at the mattress, finally managing to raise herself up enough so she could lay against the soft pillows at her back. Voices from outside the door caught her attention.
The door opened to reveal an older man with a weathered face and neatly trimmed beard. Her eyes quickly turned to the man standing behind him. He stood towering over her. His green eyes staring back at her. She couldn’t take her eyes off his. Who was he? The gravelly voice of the older man broke the spell that she was in.
"Well, well! You finally decided to wake up and join us! I’ve been mighty worried about you.” The older man ambled toward her. “I’m certainly glad to find you awake this morning.”
Jessica didn’t know what to say. He came to stand by the side of her bed. He reached out and pulled a straight-backed chair up and sat down.
“My name is Doc Waverly, but my friends just call me Doc.” He smiled at her, motioning toward the tall stranger at the foot of her bed. “This here is Grant Barclay, your employer.”
“He’s my what?” The sense of confusion grew stronger with ever word the man uttered. Nothing made any sense. Her thoughts seemed to be captured in a fog.
Doc leaned over and placed his calloused yet gentle hand on her forehead. "Thank goodness! Your fever has broken." He sighed. "You sure gave us all quite a scare. We weren't sure you were gonna make it for a while."
Unable to sit up in bed, Jessica just lay there, her eyes darted back and forth between them. Her throat was dry. “Where am I?” she croaked.
Jessica shook her head. "I’m hurting all over.” She fought to control the fear inside as she took a deep breath.
"You’re in Camerson Cove. You arrived a few days ago in pretty bad shape.”
Jessica watched as Grant walked to the side of her bed and stood behind the Doc. “I have to say I am mighty relieved that you seem to be doing better.” A smile crept across his face. “I hated that you were hurt on your way here to take care of my children.”
Jessica was stunned by his words. “Children?” She closed her eyes in an effort to control her racing pulse. Was it the fact that she was in a strange place or was it the way that Grant kept looking at her? How could she explain to them what she was feeling?
“Gentlemen, I don’t know what to say.” She paused in an attempt to gather her thoughts. “What I mean to say is; I can’t seem to remember why I am here.” Unsure of how to explain what was troubling her the most. She froze, mind and body benumbed. “You see…I don’t even remember my name.” she whispered.
|
