The Gift: Nelson Estates Series, #1

By M.D. James

In this continuation of the "Muse Series", Ruthie is eleven and must deal with losing Cam, the boy she always thought was her twin brother, after his father sues for custody. Soon afterwards, her guardian, Aunt Sarah, is given a gift which opens the door to lies and deceptions that put everyone in danger.

This book is a novella, following in the style of classic V.C. Andrews novels which combine gothic horror with family saga, and continues where "In My Frozen Tears - Vol. 2" left off.

Books by M.D. James:
As the Snow Falls – Volume 1 (Book 1: Muse Series)
As the Snow Falls – Volume 2 (Book 2: Muse Series)
After the Tears Melt – Volume 1 (Book 3: Muse Series)
After the Tears Melt – Volume 2 (Book 4: Muse Series)
In My Frozen Dreams – Volume 1 (Book 5: Muse Series)
In My Frozen Dreams – Volume 2 (Book 6: Muse Series)
The Muse Saga (Complete Collection: Muse Series)
Hunger: A Vampire Novella
Ember (Forewedge Mountain Series)
Kaelin (Forewedge Mountain Series)
The Billionaire of Aspen Estates (Book 1: Concord Series)
The Footman of Aspen Estates (Book 2: Concord Series)
The Return to Aspen Estates (Book 3: Concord Series)
The Aspen Estates (Complete Collection: Concord Series)
The Gift (Book 1: Nelson Estate Series)
The Academy (Book 2: Nelson Estates Series)
The Summer (Book 3: Nelson Estates Series)
The Nelson Estates Series (Box Set)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Porterlance Books
• Release date: Jul 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497753020

Book preview

Chapter 1

It’s only going to be a little bit longer, Ruthie Uncle Zack told me as we sat quietly in the sterile hallway of the courthouse building waiting to hear the judge’s verdict.

It had been three years since Daddy died and I had found out that my twin brother, Cam, wasn’t actually my twin brother at all.  He was actually my Uncle.  Mommy and Daddy raised him as their own son because Nana Jane was suffering from mental problems and couldn’t take care of him.  They wanted Cam to have as normal of a life as possible. 

When I found out that Cam was really my Uncle, I kept the information to myself.  Our family already had too many secrets and too much heartache.  I wanted to protect Cam from any more. 

And, for a while, it wasn’t an issue.  Cam and I learned how to go on with our lives after Daddy passed away.  We made friends at school and even renamed Great-Grandpa’s mansion in honor of Daddy.  It was now Nelson Estates.  While being raised by our Aunt Sarah and Uncle Zack, neither of whom was really related to Daddy, wasn’t really the typical upbringing for young children, we were happy. 

Nana Jane, who was really Cam’s mother, lived with us as well.  I wasn’t even sure if she knew Cam was her son, because she always treated both of us like her Grandchildren.  She lived at Nelson Estates with us and no longer seemed to have any mental issues.  In fact, if I hadn’t seen her sick in the hospital myself, I never would’ve even believed she suffered from a split personality. 

Life was good, or at least as good as it could be without Mommy and Daddy.  That is, until six months ago, at least.  That’s when George, Cam’s real father, showed up demanding custody.

George was one of the doctors at the mental hospital where Nana Jane lived.  I know Aunt Sarah and Uncle Zack didn’t like talking about it in front of me or Cam, but I overheard them say that George could never win custody of Cam because he abused his role at the hospital when he and Nana made Cam.  I hoped they were right.

I didn’t expect him to have such good lawyers, my Aunt said to Uncle Zack as we waited to be called back into the courtroom.  She seemed nervous.  Our family had a lot of money and the best lawyers I was always told.  As my Aunt tightly squeezed my hand to calm herself, I was no longer so sure, though. 

Everything’s going to be fine, Uncle Zack reassured her before turning his focus to Nana Jane.  Are you okay, Mom?  You’re really quiet.

I’m fine.  Just nervous.  How could he do this? she asked, as if she and George held a special bond of love and respect. 

Even though I was always told that Cam and I were twins, for as long as I could remember, I took the role of older sister with him.  We were both eleven now, and Cam was becoming a little man.  He no longer confided his feelings to me as freely as he once did.  Since this whole ordeal started, he has been keeping more and more to himself.  I didn’t know if that was his way of preparing for the worst, but it left me feeling almost as though he had already been taken away.  I just wanted the judge to say that Cam was allowed to stay with us forever, so we could get back to our normal life. 

An hour later, one of our family’s attorneys notified us that the judge was ready to deliver his decision.  No matter what he says, it’s important that you stay calm and reserved, the attorney warned.

What do you mean, no matter what he says?  You told us the judge would definitely side with us, my Aunt asked in a harsh whisper.

Sarah...he’s just doing his job, Uncle Zack said to try to calm my aunt down.  He had always been the more level headed of the two.  I don’t think I can ever remember seeing my Uncle mad or angry.

I held onto my Nana’s hand as we re-entered the courtroom.  She held onto Cam with her other hand.  The attorney’s said we had to show family unity...whatever that meant.  Nana tried to stay calm as we took our seats, but I could feel her hands trembling. 

When the judge finally came out, he started with a speech...something about how custody hearings were never easy because he was responsible for a young person’s life.  The state’s position is to keep the child, whenever possible, with the mother, he continued.  That brought a smile to my Aunt’s and Nana’s faces.  However, this situation is anything but normal.

What does that mean? I heard my Aunt softly ask one of our attorneys. 

After giving it a great deal of thought, I believe Cameron Muse would be better off in the custody of his father, Dr. George Evans.  For a few seconds after the verdict was announced, the courtroom was dead silent.  I think everyone was holding their breath waiting to see if the judge was finished or not. 

The judge instructed Cam to go home with his father, but Cam ran from the courtroom instead. 

I’ll go get him, I volunteered as I wiped the tears from my face. 

I found Cam hiding in one of the small rooms outside the courtroom.  I’ll run away and hide! he threatened when he saw me.  I’m not going with him! 

Seeing the tears coming from Cam’s eyes only made me cry more, but I had to be strong for him.  It’s going to be okay, I tried to reassure him even though I