River of Roses

By Stacey Williams-Waddington

‘Here she was, waiting as patiently as she could for Smokey and the men to take her home.
“Oh thank heavens! They’re here,” she said excitedly, watching the dust billow in the horizon.
Little did Damaris realise just how much her world was going to be tipped upside down.’

A captivating new story which embodies fiction writing at its best. An easy read with vivid imagery and enticing
characters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9780987556813

Book preview

Epilogue

CHAPTER ONE

You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies.

Psalms 61:3

Damaris looked down the rolling plains that lay before her, happy to be home at last. She was thrilled to have caught up with everybody but was devastated to find out that they had to leave so soon after the ‘Cloudras’. It seemed as if time was cut so short. She straightened as she heard the screen door slam from behind her.

Damaris, can I talk to you, please? Corby said. He loved her the first day he had laid eyes on her and was even more in-love with her when he saw her again. He feared for her life and wished she had waited until it was safer for her to return but he knew her all too well. When she made up her mind about something, that was it. She turned slowly and let out a sigh.

Yes, that’s fine, she said as they walked together off the verandah and down towards one of the yards.

Damaris swallowed the hard lump in her throat as she turned and stared into Corby’s deep, brown eyes. She felt as though she had known him all her life and yet she hadn’t. She knew why they all had to leave so soon. Jimmie had already mentioned that they were on track with the ‘Cloudra’ since they killed Corby’s father. She understood that they had an important job to do. Jimmie was a dear friend and was like a brother to her.

Corby towered a little over Damaris, he stood six foot tall and he allowed his long black hair to rest down his back most of the time. Suddenly, Damaris became self-conscious, she found him gazing deeply into her eyes. Corby cleared the lump in his throat as he rested his arms across his board chest.

I guess being partly Indian gave him every reason to be proud of his heritage, Damaris thought. She turned from him, afraid for him, the men and Smokey who were like her family. The only family she had left. He sensed her discomfort and slowly cupped his firm but gentle hands around her innocent face. She allowed the few tears to slip down her cheeks and splash onto his dark, skinned hand.

Da, Lorra is arriving around 12 noon out the front of the Sheriff’s office. The Sheriff, McCall, will be of assistance should you need him. His wife would have been here but, she had family matters to attend away from here. We haven’t met his wife yet but I’m sure we will soon. Lorra is a great person and is as good as Lucas when it comes to aim. We’ll be back before you know it. Damaris lowered her head not wanting to believe what he was saying. It was all too soon. She wanted to spend more time with him. All she could ever do while she was away was think about him.

"Do you all have to go?" she said hoarsely, trying to wipe another escaped tear. He pulled her closer to him as she clung tightly fearing for his life. He pulled her apart and stared into her haunted, emerald eyes.

God is with you Damaris. He’s with you as with us. Protecting and guiding, he whispered. He wanted to say so much more but couldn’t. He wrapped his arms around her shaken body. God I pray, please protect her while we’re gone, please.

Corby! Best to be leaving now, Jimmie yelled letting the screen door slam. Damaris looked into Corby’s face and put on a brave smile.

Corby. Be careful and take good care of Smokey. You all come back safely, Damaris said. She took a deep breath before they returned to the front of the house where they met the others. Lucas and Don gave Damaris a hug and she smiled patting them on the back. Sam tipped his hat and smiled as Damaris blinked. All that was left was Smokey and Jimmie.

Take care Da and we’ll be back soon, Jimmie said giving her a big bear hug. Gonna be just fine. Now you stay safe and listen to Lorra. Don’t be so stubborn you hear, he grinned. Damaris nodded, smiling. They were all ready to leave except Smokey who now stood in front of her.

This isn’t good-bye my dear friend. Love you lots and see you soon, she said embracing her.

I love you too dear friend. All of youse, Damaris said as she fought against her tears. Now go and take care of yourselves. I’ll be waiting for your return, she said. She stood back from them and folded her arms around her slim waist.

YEEHA! they shouted. She watched them galloped off towards the west as Damaris was left shattered before a billow of dust.

God protect them, she whispered as she looked up into the sky, Please protect me too.

CHAPTER TWO

3 MONTHS LATER

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. Romans 5:5

The fresh, cool, morning air blew gently across the paddocks as the birds chirped and nestled in nearby trees. Inside the house, the rays of the sun shone gently through the kitchen window.

Have you heard of anything from the men or Smokey? Lorra asked as she put the jug of water on the belly stove. Damaris had not known Lorra for long, only since the day the men and Smokey left but she liked her very much. She not only felt safe having someone else around, she was great company and a good help around the yards. She had the cutest, curly, blonde hair and it sat perfectly around her ears and off her neck. Damaris nervously pinned the sides of her hair allowing the rest of the dark curls flow down her back.

Not since the last telegram, er, about a month ago. That’s why I am going into town, today, Damaris said trying to sit her hat right.

Isn’t it still a bit cool out there? Lorra said turning from the window.

Not really. The storm has definitely passed and I am sick and tired of being couped up here because of the ‘Cloudras’, she said firmly. She picked up her purse which held only a few pounds and headed for the door.

Da… Lorra said after her.

Yes, Damaris turned.

Be careful, she whispered hoping she hadn’t stepped on her toes.

Be careful? If anything was going to happen, surely it would have happened by now. Anyway, on a different note, you need to be careful, Damaris said shaking a finger at her with a mischievous grin.

I’m fine because the Sheriff has sent Tex out here, Lorra said quite proudly. Damaris met Tex upon one of her visits in the town with the Sheriff. He was definitely one of a kind. Tall, blonde hair and that moustache, oh how Damaris hated moustaches. This one wasn’t any kind either. It curled up on each side long enough to comb! She chuckled at the thought of it. How she would love to get her hands on it with a pair of scissors!

Wouldn’t be anything going on between you fine people? Damaris said eyeing her with glee.

Nothing going on at all. Just…just good friends. Besides, we used to work together and now we’re working together again. What does one expect? Lorra said arms raised in the air.

"True Lorra, what does one expect? If you