The Eagle Soars

By Karen Ward

After a disagreement with his controlling grandfather, Troy Summerlin sets out for Texas, to find his father who doesn't even know he exists. In Texas, he finds more than his father. He finds the only woman that has ever stirred his soul.
Reese RunningBear was left stranded by her boyfriend along a Texas highway, pregnant and alone, without a penny to her name. The miracle she needs is provided by Trevor Redeagle, Troy’s father.
The Eagle Soars documents the twists and turns of Troy and Reese’s journey to enduring love. From helping Troy’s father save his ranch from an unscrupulous land developer, to Reese’s abduction by her abusive former boyfriend, the trials they face serve to strengthen the bonds of love that bind them together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karen Ward
• Release date: Mar 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310265105

Karen Ward

Karen Ward is the pen name of Glenda Hays. Glenda grew up in Texas but traveled the United States as a healthcare consultant for many years. She has over twenty years in the healthcare industry and has spent many hours on airplanes reading the stories of her favorite Romance writers.A few years ago she found herself one of the millions of Americans on the unemployment rolls and after a few months began to put some of her own stories down on paper. She loves the challenge of writing and plans to spend every spare moment sharing her love of her heroes and heroines with the world.Glenda is divorced with two grown children and three grandchildren. She lives in a small town in the DFW Metroplex.

Book preview

THE EAGLE SOARS

Karen Ward

Copyright © 2011 Glenda Hays

Writing as Karen Ward

Distributed by Smashwords

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be used, transmitted, or reproduced in any manner, electronic or otherwise without prior written permission from the copyright holder except in cases where permitted by law.

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual places, events, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Edited by Cindy Moore Stouff

Cover images from COVERSBYRAMONA

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

About the Author

From the Author

CHAPTER 1

December 2003

Troy Summerlin shakes his head in disgust, his black hair barely brushing the collar of his heavy winter coat, as he slowly makes his way through the snowy streets of Boston. He feels like he's choking, so he jerks at the tie around his neck, before unbuttoning his collar. His insides are churning with anger. He cannot believe the unfeeling arrogance of his grandfather. He slams his fist against the steering wheel in frustration. He is so sick of all this snow, of the freezing cold. He is sick of working in his grandfather's law firm, of the snotty, super rich people the firm caters to, and he is sick of living in Boston, Massachusetts. He is thirty years old and absolutely hates his life.

It has never been easy for him. Being half Native American, he has suffered the indignity of discrimination his whole life, even though he technically is one of those super rich people he so despises. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back was when his grandfather tried to coerce him into marrying Deidra McIntire, the daughter of a prestigious client-to-be. Deidra is not the problem. In fact, she is a very attractive lady, blonde and petite, with a lot to offer some man; just not him. He will not be trapped into a marriage for any reason, but especially not to secure a client for his grandfather's firm!

When he marries, if he marries, and that's a big if, it will be for love. A love like his mother's for his father. Ellen Summerlin has never married, and when Troy questioned her about that fact, she told him about her deep, soul-stirring love for his father, and that she would rather be alone, than married to a man she does not love.

His mother's life was ruined by his grandfather, when he forbade her to marry Troy's father or even to contact him after Troy's birth. Troy absolutely refuses to allow the old man to ruin his life, too. Ellen met Troy's father, Trevor Redeagle, when she was on summer vacation from college with a group of friends at a dude ranch in Texas. She was barely twenty when she met the handsome cowboy, and she fell madly in love. His long black hair tied back with a leather thong and dark, almost black eyes, along with his sun darkened skin, sleek muscular body, and chiseled features stole her heart. Trevor was a wrangler on the ranch and they spent every spare minute together for over two months.

When word of the romance reached Ellen's father, Frederick Summerlin, he was furious and dragged Ellen back to Boston, never allowing her to contact the handsome Indian again. Troy was born eight months later, and his father still doesn't know he exists. Well, it is time Troy corrected that little oversight. He intends to go to Texas and find his father. He wants to learn about his Native American heritage, and meet the other half of his family, if there is one.

He pulls his car to a stop in the three car garage attached to his family's home. A cold shiver runs down his back as he purposefully strides into the Summerlin mansion in one of Boston's most prestigious neighborhoods. He hates this huge mansion. It has always felt like a mausoleum to him, and he has never felt welcome here, even though it is the only home he has ever known. The place is so cold and impersonal. His footsteps echo loudly on the marble floors, as he calls for his mother,

Mom, where are you?

In here, Troy. What's wrong? Are you all right? anxiously calls Ellen, from what was once known as the parlor, but is now a cozy den. A warm fire crackles in the fireplace. It is the one room in the one hundred room mansion about which Troy has fond memories. Entering through the ornate double doors, he finds his mother sitting in her usual wing-back chair by the fire, reading, her feet propped on a matching padded foot stool.

Well, the old man finally did it! He stepped over the line today. I walked out of the firm, and I am not going back. As far as I'm concerned, the old bastard can rot in hell. I absolutely refuse to get married to further his business interests! I don't need him, and I don't need his law firm. Thanks to grandmother's trusts, I have more money than I will ever be able to spend. I have decided to go to Texas and find my father. Why don't you pack your bags and come with me? pleads Troy.

Oh no, I can't do that. A shiver of sheer panic slides down Ellen's spine at the thought of seeing Trevor, again. She looks up at her handsome son, before continuing, It's too late for me, Troy, but you go. I think you should. Your father is a good man, and he deserves to see what a fine son he has. You look just like him with your dark hair and eyes, and you're built like him, tall and lean with well-developed muscles, she says wistfully. You have his temperament, too. He is so kind and gentle with a stubborn streak a mile wide. Just be sure to call me, and let me know you are all right; you know how I worry about you. She twists her hands together, nervously.

I will call you every night, Mom, I promise. You know I worry about you, too. That old man deserves to spend his last days alone for the way he has treated you all these years. I hope you'll change your mind and fly out later. Grandfather can't stop you anymore unless you let him. You don't need him or his money, either. I refuse to let him manipulate me ever again!

I know he can't stop me, Troy… but he's getting old, and he is my father, you know. she reasons.

Mom, you are still a young woman, don't let him ruin the rest of your life. Hasn't he caused you enough pain? I love you. I want you to be happy, argues Troy.

I love you, too, son, and knowing you are happy makes me happy. responds Ellen.

Troy spends the next several days sorting through all his belongings. He packs the things he wants to keep, and boxes the other things to be picked up by the Salvation Army. He'll have his mother call them after he is gone.

He then uses the internet to research the ranch where his mother met his father during that long ago summer, and makes a reservation at the Hill Country Dude Ranch and Resort. Finally, he is ready to hit the road in his brand new black, extended cab pickup. He decided to purchase the more practical vehicle in order to carry all of his things. He's headed for Texas, after all, and he has no intention of ever returning to Boston.

After saying his goodbyes to his Mother, he hits the road, excitement churning in his stomach. As he drives through the snowy countryside, his imagination conjures all types of scenarios he might face once he gets to Texas. What if his father is dead and he never gets to meet him? What if he's happily married, with a wife and a house full of children and grandchildren? Will he welcome him? Will Trevor Redeagle even believe he is his father?

A knot of apprehension settles heavily in his stomach. He's not sure he will be able to handle rejection from the man he has idolized his whole life. Only remembering what would await him, if he returns back to Boston, keeps him headed down the road to Texas.

He reaches the resort on the outskirts of Bandera, Texas, on a Sunday night. He is fascinated by the rolling hills and tree lined streets. He always thought Texas was primarily desert, flat and dry, but this part of Texas is made up of rolling hills, towering trees, and is full of lakes and rivers. He steps out of the truck into the warm December evening air, and is again amazed. A foot of snow was on the ground when he left Boston. He inhales a deep cleansing breath, and takes the first step into the rest of his life.

He walks into the main ranch house of the Hill Country Dude Ranch and Resort, approaching the reservation desk with a broad smile of anticipation on his face. A grey haired man, stooped with age, behind the desk, looks up with watery eyes. A startled look crosses his face, and he squints to get a better look at Troy, as he asks, May I help you?

Troy answers, Yes, I have a reservation, Troy Summerlin.

Yes, here we are. Welcome, Mr. Summerlin. I hope you enjoy your stay with us. Pausing, while Troy fills out the registration form, the old man then asks, Pardon me for saying, but you sure look familiar. Have we met before?

I don't think so. This is my first time in Texas. I am looking for someone though. Perhaps you can help me. I am trying to locate Trevor Redeagle, responds Troy.

Nodding his grey head, the old man replies, Trevor Redeagle, of course, you look just like him, when he was a young fellow. Trevor has his own place now, just a few miles down the highway. I'll draw you a map. You know, you look enough like him to be his son, comments the old man.

No kidding? I'm really looking forward to meeting him. Thanks for your help! Troy contemplates the old man's words, as he continues with his task.

After signing all of the necessary paperwork, getting the map to Trevor Redeagle's ranch, and the key to his deluxe cabin, Troy decides to wait until morning to look up his father. He enjoys a light supper in the resort's dining room, where he studies the Native American art on the walls. He can't wait to learn about his heritage and this looks like the perfect place.

After retiring to his cabin, he gives his Mother a call, Mom, I'm here at the Resort. Texas is a really interesting place, not at all what I expected.

I am so glad you arrived, safely.

Troy continues, Oh, you must be right about my looking like my father. The man at the reservation desk told me I look enough like Trevor Redeagle to be his son. He drew me a map to his place, and I'm going over first thing tomorrow.

Oh wow, Troy. It sure didn't take you long to find him, remarks Ellen. I hope everything goes well tomorrow. Just remember, Trevor doesn't know anything about you, or that you even exist. He will be shocked, and Troy, I probably should warn you, that I wasn't allowed to tell him I was leaving that day, or to contact him since. He may be bitter, if he thinks I just walked away from him, and never looked back.

Thanks for telling me, Mom. I'll try to explain everything to him. If he is as good a man as you say, he'll understand. The knot of apprehension in Troy's stomach painfully twists.

Disconnecting the call, he walks over to the window, and looks out into the warm Texas night. It is so peaceful here he can actually hear crickets singing, and the occasional cow lowing. The sky is alight with more stars than Troy has ever seen. A full moon shines down on a herd of horses grazing in a pasture next to the main house. His hand goes automatically to rub his stomach. That knot of apprehension seems to have taken up permanent residence there. He's excited, but he's scared, too. What is he going to find tomorrow?

CHAPTER 2

Reese RunningBear is tired and miserable. She is twenty-four years old, seven months pregnant, unmarried, and all alone. Her feet are swollen, her back hurts, she can't sleep, and it is getting more difficult every day just to get out of bed. Once again a wave of regret passes over her. The decisions she made to bring her to this point in her life weigh heavily on her mind. She longs for the simpler life back on the reservation in Montana where she grew up, before she was stupid enough to leave with a drifter like Sam Calhoun. Gram must be so hurt and that is her biggest regret of all.

Reese's parents were killed in a car accident, when she was a young child, and Gram took her into her home, clothed and fed her, gave her the love a small child needs. Gram was always there. She helped Reese with her school work, taught her about life, and dried all of her tears. Reese is so ashamed, because she left that day without even telling Gram goodbye. She wipes a tear off of her cheek, as she pictures Gram's sad face. Gram is the only family she has left in the world.

And now, if not for the job that Trevor Redeagle gave her as his housekeeper, she would be homeless on the streets. In fact, that is exactly where he found her four months ago, digging in a trash dumpster behind the local diner in Bandera, looking for food. Her so-called boyfriend, Sam Calhoun, dumped her as soon as he found out she was pregnant and refused to have an abortion. He left her standing on the side of the highway about five miles outside of Bandera. She still remembers her shock as she watched him drive away on that hot summer night last August.

Trevor's finding her, bringing her into his home, and offering her a job is a miracle, a miracle that she desperately needed that night. She thanks God every day for Trevor Redeagle. He is so kind, and without him she feels surely she would be dead by now.

She brushes the long, raven-black hair away from her face and absent-mindedly rubs the small of her back, as she looks out the front room window toward the highway. She notices a dust cloud billowing up in the distance indicating an approaching vehicle, and a shiver of worry makes its way down her spine. Who would be coming to visit this early on a Monday morning? She better let Trevor know company's coming. With the trouble they have been having on the ranch lately, she is nervous about being alone in the house with strangers.

She picks up her cell phone, places her hand protectively over her protruding stomach, and pushes the button that speed dials Trevor's number, Trevor, it looks like we have visitors coming down the drive. Are you expecting anyone?

No, Reese, I'm not. I'll come on back to the house. Stay inside until I get there, answers Trevor, his heart pounding. What now? Are these people ever going to leave him alone? He's already told them he won't sell.

Reese watches out the window as a new black extended cab pickup truck pulls up to the house. The man inside sits and stares at the house for a long time, as