A Friendship's Love

By Melanie Corona

Friendship’s Love

Filled with the dreams of youth, and surrounded by the love of her family and friends, Payton Martin’s world was simple. When someone closest to her is cruelly betrayed and unjustly sent away, life afterwards proves never to be the same for everyone involved, beginning a series of events beyond her control. Somehow, through the years that follow, Payton manages to deal with the heartache of loss and rejection, all while balancing her new situation, and becoming her own woman.
Finally settled into a life that she could only once imagine, Payton is content; especially when the promise of love is presented by someone she admires and trusts. Nothing ever goes to plan, though. Once again she is faced with surviving circumstances, and choices others make on her behalf. This time, they ultimately take her across the ocean, to settle in a harsh new land.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melanie Corona
• Release date: Sep 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301047420

Melanie Corona

Melanie Corona was born in Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia, and raised in Alice Springs (the very centre of the country). She has always loved reading and telling "tall tales" and wrote poetry all the time. Her greatest influence was her grandpa Majid who kept all the grandchildren entertained all the time with his stories, music and passion for writing. Melanie didn't tell anyone she wrote when she started because she was to shy, and now, has no idea why she was like that. She has stories to tell and wants to share them with whoever will read them. “I am not, and never will profess to be an awesome writer, but I will try to entertain, while bringing to life the history of my country, one page at a time.”

Book preview

A Friendship’s Love

Settler Series Book One

Melanie Corona

Copyright © 2013 Melanie Corona

Smashwords Edition

Table of Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Acknowledgements

About the Book

PART ONE

My life

A Broken Boy

Intimate Conversations

Giving a Gift

Farewells

Torn away

Hasty Departures

PART TWO

The Road behind Me

I Didn’t Know

Told to leave

The Letter

A Pirate Ship

Clear to Sail

PART THREE

Sunsets Over the Ocean

Coming Home

Reconnecting

Disappointment

Night Time

I’m Sorry

William

My Decision

A Declaration of Love

You’re Free

A Friendships Love, Epilogue

About the Author

A Love of Conviction Excerpt

Links to Melanie Corona

Connect with Melanie on Substance B

Dedication

This book is lovingly dedicated to my family. My wonderful husband Dean, for without his support this whole writing journey would not be a reality. My five children Jackson, Charna, Kealin, Tyren and Baydan, you kiddo’s are more than any mother could ask for, and I thank you for sharing me.

Acknowledgements

A Special thanks to all my readers from wattpad, especially those that have supported me from the start.

Melissa Watkins

Caz Prickett

Jo Laws

Crystal Miles Gauthier

VJ Dunravan

Alorasilverleaf

I want to thank Mirjam Koning. All my covers on wattpad are designed by her, and she gave me my look I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have suffered through to create my brand.

To Melissa Ohstrom for her support, and print cover design. She kept the vision alive when I felt there was none.

Thank you to those who have helped edit my crazy thoughts

Caz Prickett

Dawnmarie Stevens

Mary-Nancy Eagle Eye Editing

A big thanks to those who have helped inspire me, push me, and support me.

Robyn Hatchard

Libby Shorthouse

Monica Boots

Terrie McClay

Amanda Sloan

Beryl Stevens

Nerreman Nerreman

Nicole Hargraves

Lorreta McCarthy

Eileen Gormley (for taking apart my chapter and making me want to make it better)

And Finally, my mum, dad and two sisters.

Thank you to Jessica Truscott for her beautiful image, which adorns the front cover, she brought Payton alive.

A Friendship’s Love

Filled with the dreams of youth, and surrounded by the love of her family and friends, Payton Martin’s world was simple. When someone closest to her is cruelly betrayed and unjustly sent away, life afterwards proves never to be the same for everyone involved, beginning a series of events beyond her control. Somehow, through the years that follow, Payton manages to deal with the heartache of loss and rejection, all while balancing her new situation, and becoming her own woman.

Finally settled into a life that she could only once imagine, Payton is content; especially when the promise of love is presented by someone she admires and trusts. Nothing ever goes to plan, though. Once again she is faced with surviving circumstances, and choices others make on her behalf. This time, they ultimately take her across the ocean, to settle in a harsh new land.

PART ONE

My life

England 1820

Nash surprised me when he appeared at the crest of the hill in the middle of the path that I was walking home on. He was waving his arms above his head and calling for me to hurry. This could only mean that something was wrong. It surely couldn’t be because he wanted to walk me home, as he’d stopped willingly escorting me anywhere over a year ago.

Despite my brother’s motives for wanting me to hurry, I only slightly picked up my pace, my tired legs protesting anything quicker. I was too worn out. Helping Mama for the past few weeks with some of the chores she was in charge of at the Manor was taking its toll on my own small body. My leisurely stroll back to our cottage was something I always looked forward to. It’s the only solace I had, especially of late. On days such as today, when the air was warm and the breeze was just right, I normally took every advantage of my surroundings. Trust Nash to find a reason to make me hurry, although I wasn’t in a mind to do so.

I lightly touched the roughened surfaces of the low stone wall which lined the road beside me as I walked, longing to be able to sit down. Looking up, I focused on the fallen log I usually rested on. The rotting limb was my true motivation to want to walk faster. It was the perfect place to watch the sun sink down over the roof tops of the village beyond my family’s cottage, but Nash appearing at the crest, yet again, made me realize that I wasn’t going to be able to do that tonight.

Payton, come quickly! Hurry, I need you! At his insistent tone, my mind went to Mama, and I scolded myself for not thinking of her before. Was the babe giving her a hard time again? After all, she did leave early, claiming she needed to rest. I didn’t think anything else of it, until now. Mama’s leaving early meant that I could visit with Ashleigh. Tired or not, I hadn’t seen her in a few days, and was happy to listen to her talk about her day. I should have gone home, too. Mama had me worried, at times, lately. With this thought, I had no choice, but to quicken my stride.

Reaching the top of the incline, I gasped when I spotted Nash bent over a lifeless form on the ground. Rushing to him, and looking down over his shoulder, I saw that the person lying helplessly at my brother’s feet was Charlie. I knelt down as Nash stood up, and with shaking hands I took Charlie’s in mine.

Charlie and Nash had become fast, close friends four years ago when Charlie moved into the village. I don’t know how they met, but since then, they were always together, along with William, Ashleigh’s brother, when he was home at the Manor.

I hadn’t seen Charlie much lately; not since he started working at the stables with my brother. Over the years, he had spent a lot of time with our family, so I knew him as well as one could know a person you ate your every meal with. He was a pleasant young man, not quite shy, but only speaking to me when he needed to. With his hand secured in mine, I looked over our friend in disbelief.

Payt, stay here with Charlie. I can’t carry him anymore. He passed out again right before we reached the top here. I need to get Papa. I’ve already been waiting too long for someone to come by. I couldn’t just leave him.

Alright, go! Hurry, he doesn’t look too good. I said under my breath to my brother’s back, as Nash started to race down the hill to our little cottage.

I looked over Charlie’s face while retrieving my linen hankie from my skirt pocket. A fresh trickle of blood from a split in his lip was making its way down his cheek. So I dabbed the clean cloth to the corner of his mouth to stop the flow. Above his right eye, there was a deep cut through his brow and his face was swelling on that side. Scanning the rest of his body, I noticed that there were welts along his arms, too. I took his hand back in mine, intending to hold it till Papa and Nash came back. There wasn’t much else I could do for him here by the side of the road. I could hear Nash’s calls for Papa travel through the still, late afternoon air to where we were. Blinking back my tears, I cleared away a damp, dark lock that had stuck to Charlie’s cheek, and whispered in his ear. It’s alright now. Papa’s coming and we’ll fix you up again.

Being so engrossed in Charlie’s condition, I barely heard the horse approaching. Turning my head just in time to see Lord Townshend dismount, I let go a pent up sigh of relief as he made his way over to me.

What’s happened here, Payton? he asked, bending down next to me.

I’m not sure, my Lord. Nash just went to get Papa, and we’ll take him down to our place. He nodded his head as he looked over Charlie’s condition much the same way I had before he arrived.

Why don’t you run on ahead and help your mother prepare a bed for him. I’ll wait here for your father and Nash. I nodded, and stood up. I wanted to stay with Charlie, but Lord Townshend wasn’t someone to argue with. Weariness long forgotten, I ran down to our cottage, passing Papa and Nash on the way.

Papa was the property steward for the Townshend Manor. This meant that he could have the cottage close to the main house for his family. We have lived here ever since Mama and Papa were first married. It was home. From the doorway of the cottage, I watched Papa and Lord Townshend work together to bring Charlie down the hill. Mama, as always, had perked up without a word of complaint of her condition when she found out Charlie needed attending. I could hear her rummaging through her medical supplies, and then, her booted feet as they marched to and fro across the wooden floors. Our little home will see no comfort tonight, I thought, and Mama will get no rest. It was always that way when Charlie came to us like this. He had never been quite this bad before, though.

My Papa was to be leaving soon with Lord Townshend. I wasn’t sure where they were going yet. All I knew was, lately, Papa had been busy preparing for ‘the trip’. Lord Townshend owned a few ships. He used them to transport whatever he was asked to different places across the sea. Lord Townshend never actually went on many trips himself, but he was going this time, and he was taking my Papa with him. They were leaving soon, and were due back around the time Mama was to have the baby. By the time Papa and Lord Townshend finally made their way to our door, I found myself wondering how we would handle things while they were gone.

Pushing the front door as wide as it could go, Papa and Lord Townshend carried Charlie to the back of the house to my room. The room used to be both mine and Nash’s, until he said he was getting too old to share with a girl. He moved to the floor by the hearth, and then began sleeping in a place at the back of the stables with Charlie.

Not for the first time, I wondered what made Charlie keep returning home. His mother, I suspected. There was only one place Charlie ever came back from hurt and that was his parent’s house.

Payton, fetch me that water, Mama called out from the bedroom door, pointing to a pail she had placed near the kitchen stove. I knew how this would go, and I should have thought of it before. So, I quickly did as I was asked, and hovered outside my room in case she needed me again.

Suddenly, Nash came barging out of my room, clipping my shoulder with his and mumbling under his breath as he passed me, heading right for the front door. He was followed closely by Papa and then Lord Townshend. Mama’s voice could be heard over the ruckus of the front door banging open and closed, and men shouting, trying to soothe Charlie who was now awake and moaning in pain. Not sure what to do about Nash or Charlie (as Mama never let me help clean him up), I shuffled past the small kitchen table at the end of the long front room, which served as the main living area as well as kitchen to the stove where supper was half prepared, and waited until someone called for me.

When Papa came back through the door, sometime later, he glanced at me, then came over and placed a kiss on my head. I didn’t have the same temperament as Nash did. I knew what needed to be done when all else seemed to fall apart, which was a lot lately, or so it seemed. Papa said it was essential to be together in the evenings, and there has hardly a time when we missed a meal as a family. He seemed pleased that I had used my time wisely. Even from behind his look of concern, I could tell.

Lately, with Mama feeling sick, she would bring home a portion of what she helped prepare at the Manor during the day with Marian, the Townshend’s cook. Papa would help her carry the heavy pot, and we would simply reheat its contents. In the past, I didn’t understand why we simply couldn’t eat with the others at the Manor. But at times like this, I was thankful we had our own space, away from our daily routine. Mama started doing this because Marian insisted when I let it slip that I was fixing supper every night. Marian was like a mother to Mama and a grandma to me, and pressed Mama to tell her why I was helping at the Manor and cooking meals.

Mama was trying to keep quiet about the baby, since Lady Townshend had enough to deal with at the moment, after having to let staff go and both Papa and Lord Townshend leaving on their trip. There weren’t many servants left at the Manor, now. Lord and Lady Townshend didn’t want to be fussed over too much, anyway, so the skeleton staff they had to begin with was thinned down to those whom they felt they truly needed. So, Mama felt bad that she had fallen pregnant and become ill right when Lady Townshend needed her most. Ashleigh, my best friend, and Lord and Lady Townshend’s daughter, knew why I was helping Mama more, but she kept quiet about it, only complaining to me because we couldn’t play as much anymore.

I’ll have some of that, Payton. There’s not much I can do for now, and your Mama might still be a while, Papa said, nodding toward our waiting supper. So, I served him something to eat while he sat at the table and stared at my bedroom door.

Is he going to be alright? I asked as I placed a bowl of warm stew in front of him. Nash decided that now was a good time to come crashing in through the front door. So, I calmly went back to the stove and served him a portion of supper, too. I heard him roughly pull out a chair next to Papa, where he always sat and waited for his meal.

Feel alright now, Son? Papa asked Nash. He didn’t reply. In fact, he turned his head away from Papa to stare at the wall. They were so alike, I thought. I knew what was going through Nash’s mind. If Nash had it his way, he would be at Charlie’s parent’s house demanding a showdown with Charlie’s pa. Even though he was tall now and filling out quite well, he was still only fourteen and no match for Charlie’s sturdy, angry father.

We all turned to the bedroom door as Mama walked through it, closing it softly behind her. She did indeed look tired, and I hurriedly served her something, as well. There would be no conversation tonight. There never was on nights like this, even if Charlie was well enough to sit with us. We just never spoke of it. I sighed as I sat down, and we all quietly ate our supper with all our thoughts on the boy in the next room.

A Broken Boy

"Stay still Charlie. If you move around, your cuts will reopen," I scolded, half-heartedly. Still in the depths of sleep, I was sure Charlie couldn’t hear me, anyway. It wasn’t quite the fever that had Charlie moving around all night; it was more like sleep talk or an awful dream. He had been mumbling and tossing his head from side to side on and off until a few hours ago. Nursing Charlie this time was different. He kept passing out and that worried us all. His Papa took out his anger on him at least twice a year, but this was definitely the worst by far. Besides his head injuries and welts on his arms, he had whip marks behind his legs and on his back. Luckily those didn’t penetrate the skin. I wasn’t exactly sure what was used on him, but it was used a lot. Even so, they all looked angry. The criss-cross patterns glowed bright red against the rest of his skin, and the pain mustn’t have been easy to bear. Charlie never talks of what happens exactly, certainly not to me anyway. The evidence left on his body was enough to tell me his story. I hated his Papa for doing this to him. Charlie would only allow us to help him heal, and then continue on as though it never happened, which I thought was quite sad.

Mama always said when I slept it was like a log, I finally came awake completely to the feel of something being rubbed over my mouth. I must have been drooling a little. I knew I sometimes did that, especially when I was tired. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking away the morning light, which broke through the shutters in the single window of my room. I had fallen asleep on a stool next to the bed, and my head had been resting comfortably on the side of the mattress.

Your Pa put me in your bed. I’m sorry, Charlie whispered while he carefully returned his hand to his side again, releasing the corner of the sheet, which is what I assumed he used to wipe my mouth with. His eyes were fixed on my face. They were dark right now, and they seemed…distant. Not that I have ever actually noticed Charlie’s eyes this close before, but right now, as I looked into their depths, I realized that what I was seeing was more like heartbreak.

Yes, but that’s alright. You know it is. Don’t move again, I said, getting up to go over to the dresser. I set out to pour some water for him. Returning to the side of the bed, I sat back on the stool and helped raise Charlie take a drink. Some of the liquid ran down the sides of his chin, and I wiped it with the edge of my apron. He attempted to smile at me, but winced as his cracked lip pulled with the effort.

Normally, he paused, realizing that talking was going to hurt a bit. He lightly touched his mouth where a crust of blood was finally forming, and frowned. Your mama does all this for me, he finished, resting his head gently back down onto my feather pillow.

Yes I know, but the baby makes her feel tired a lot, I said. I will take care of you.

She’s not due for a while, yet. Nash told me.

Yeah, I said. It felt as if the tone of his voice held a suggestion that he didn’t want my help.

You don’t want me to help you? I know what I’m doing, you know, I said, a little annoyed at the thought.

No, I just don’t want to be any trouble to you, he said quickly.

Letting out a breath, I returned the cup to the dresser and started to leave for some food. He must be a little hungry, I thought, and I did just announce that I could take care of him. I turned at the door and asked, Why Charlie, why did you go home?

Mama died. She’d been sick for a while, he said flatly. I couldn’t help the tears that started to pool in my eyes. I had only seen Charlie’s mama on a few occasions when I was in the village. She seemed as though she was nice. She always smiled at either Mama or me. I had often thought it was she who Charlie got his quiet nature from.

Your mama died? I could barely get the words out. The thought of losing my own loved ones running through my mind made me ache at the loss Charlie had endured the night before.

That’s what I said, he mumbled, looking up towards the roof of the cottage.

I’m sorry, Charlie. I really am. Now I was crying. A beating and losing his mama! Oh, how my young heart ached for him. Rolling his eyes and looking straight at me with an outstretched hand, he said, Come here.

No, Charlie. It’s me who should comfort you not the other way around.

You did plenty, he retorted. Dropping his hand and turning his head, I’ve already cried Payt. I’m alright.

What are you going to do? You can’t go back to your Papa. I won’t let you! Nash won’t either. I sounded angry and I didn’t mean to, but I felt it. Relenting, needing to be nearer to him, I wiped my tears away and walked the few steps to stand beside the bed, again.

I’m going to keep working at the stables with Nash. I’ll just keep sleeping there, especially now that I no longer need to check on my Ma.

Well, you get better first, and then you can go back to work. You can still come here, too.

Yeah, that sounds good. With a slight hesitation in his voice, Charlie asked, Could you get your Pa or Ma please, Payt?

Didn’t I just tell you, I could look after you? I said, sticking my hands on my hips trying to appear as though I had some authority.

I don’t want your help, not with what I need to do, Payt. Aren’t you meant to be a lady? Charlie replied, teasingly. He was politely trying to help make me feel better about his situation.

Oh! I said, looking around, embarrassed by my late understanding. Alright, I’ll go get Mama, and then, come back with some food. I gathered my composure and quickly left, blushing all the way to my toes as I did.

Ashleigh was to be a Lady when she grew up. She wouldn’t be Lady Townshend though, not like her mother. Her brother’s wife will be the new Lady Townshend, at least when he grows up and gets married. Ash wants to get married, too, someday, and then she will be the Lady of a beautiful home somewhere. I am going with her when she leaves; It has always been our intention to stay together, always part of our plan.

We often practised being Ladies at tea parties we held under our tree. The old tree was a tall one that sat not far from a shallow edge of the river that ran behind the Manor. Ash always taught me what to do, how to hold my cup, how to eat my cake and how to pronounce my words properly. Sometimes during our tea time, she would help me with my reading and writing, too.

Our brothers and Charlie constructed a swing large enough to seat us both. We would sit on that swing to talk and do whatever else we fancied. Some of the bigger branches went up high and then the leaves hung down not far from around the