Red Rock

By Kimberley Patterson

Rachel Hunter, a high spirited teen, is struggling to take care of her ill mother. Her mother’s illness soon forces the family to sell everything, and move to a new town seeking a cure they can't afford. Along the way, they stumble onto a fortune and, in financial desperation, decide to keep it. Upon arrival in Red Rock, she quickly settles in to their new life, with Rachel's mother receiving the care she needs from the town doctor. Rachel even finds herself with two suitors, one that she is very likely falling in love with -- and one who annoys and irritates her at every turn. Though there is some guilt associated with the secret of their fortune, she is content -- until one night someone throws a rock through the Hunter family's window, threatening to take back what is theirs. Lies, deceit, and betrayal plague Rachel and her entire family as they struggle to keep their secret, and find out who is behind the devious plan. With every secret comes consequences, and Rachel will soon find out that not everything or everyone is what they seem to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimberley Patterson
• Release date: Aug 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476241265

Kimberley Patterson

Horses were one of my first loves, and writing soon followed. As a child, I spent hours writing poems, and short stories (about horses). My parents realized that I was horse-obsessed and decided to buy me one after taking riding lessons for two years. I think they hoped that all of the hard work, and hours spent mucking stalls would help me give up this expensive hobby. They were wrong. Writing is still a passion of mine, although now I primarily write fiction. My first novel, Red Rock, was published in 2010, and big surprise, there are horses in it. My second novel, The Three Month Plan was released August 2013.Other Loves: My family, yoga, skincare and makeup, sushi, and raising money for pediatric cancer. I have two rescue dogs and would have more if there weren’t zoning restrictions. I’m always trying something new, as I tend to get bored very easily. Thankfully, my love of driving around with the gas light on fuels some excitement. I love novels with happy endings, and am a hopeful romantic. My latest obsession is browsing Netflix, and I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order in under 30 seconds. Do I feel a wager coming on?

Book preview

Red Rock

By Kimberley Patterson

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Kimberley Martinez

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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.

Prologue

The sun beat down on the back of his neck as he wiped the sweat with his sleeve. He raised the reins and brought them down hard on the horses’ backsides, urging them to run faster. He glanced back and saw the riders hard on their trail and closing in fast. The carriage bounced on the rocks and slid in the dirt as they tried to escape. He held the reins in one hand, pulled his gun, and fired off a few shots, but missed.

Inside the carriage, his wife, Amanda, and her father Ted clung for dear life to the windows. Her father closed his eyes in prayer and desperately bargained with the Lord to save their lives. Amanda held a small bag in her lap, and a piece of paper on which she frantically wrote as legibly as she could. When she finished writing, she shoved the note in the bag and stuck her head slightly out the window of the carriage and yelled to her husband.

John! Hurry! They’re gaining on us! she screamed.

John whipped the horses again and turned them slightly toward a small incline at the bottom of which there were some trees and shrubs. They charged down the small hill and made it to the bottom of a dry riverbed. The horses slowed slightly as they sank into the sandy floor and the carriage became heavier and harder to move. The riders who chased them were not quite visible at the moment, but at that point John realized there was no escape.

The horses moved forward at a gallop and they made it about 100 feet before they came to a sharp turn in the riverbed bottom. John turned the horses hard and the wagon wheels sank deeper into the sand, causing it to tip slightly. The horses spooked at the change in weight and shifting wagon, and bolted. Amanda leaned out the window and threw the bag toward some bushes where it disappeared from sight. John tried to pull back on the horses, but there was no stopping them. The wagon leaned to the left and balanced on two wheels until it finally tipped over completely and fell hard on its side. It slid a few feet with the horses still pulling it, before it finally came to a stop. John was thrown about ten feet upon impact and knocked unconscious. Amanda and Ted remained inside the carriage, and though hurt, were still alive.

The dust that rose into the air began to settle as the riders grew closer. Amanda yelled for John, who didn’t answer her, and quickly tended to her father. He had a large bruise on his forehead but was coherent. She grabbed him by the arm, and they slowly made their way out of the carriage windows. They crawled over to where John lay. She tried to wake him and he opened his eyes slightly.

We have to go John, hurry! she yelled, as her father grabbed John’s arm and she tried to lift him by the other. They raised him to his feet and started to limp away slowly. The sounds of galloping hooves surrounded them.

A single rider in a brown hat appeared in front of them through the dust, blocking their escape. Amanda screamed, and they turned back the other way only to be confronted by two more men on horseback. Ted reached for his gun, but it was too late.

The man in the brown hat lifted his rifle and fired a shot directly into Ted’s back. He fell limply to the ground, landed face down, and didn’t move. Amanda rushed to her father and dropped to her knees.

She looked up at the man and shouted through the tears, Why are you doing this to us? If it’s the money you want, we will just give it to you!

I don’t need your permission to take it, the man sneered at her. Please, John said, holding his hand toward the man, We won’t give you any more trouble.

You won’t if you’re dead, the man said, as he motioned for the other rider behind them to dismount his horse.

John grabbed his wife in his arms, as they looked at the second man who was also armed with a rifle and on foot.

Turn around! the second man said.

Please! Please sir….please just let us live. We won’t tell anyone. And you can have everything, Amanda begged.

Turn around! the man said again, this time more forcefully. Hands behind your backs!

Amanda looked at John, and they slowly did what the man demanded.

The man in the brown hat walked up behind them and Amanda turned her head slightly to look at him.

Don’t you even think about looking at me, he said angrily as he rushed her. Amanda closed her eyes and cringed as the tears slid down her cheeks. Where is the money? he demanded.

She nervously looked at John. It’s…it’s in our luggage, she said. The man in the brown hat motioned to the other two men and they yanked open some of the trunks that had scattered across the ground and began to throw the items inside around. One of the men found a small burlap sack full of money and coins.

Here it is, Boss, he said, and tossed the bag over to the man in the brown hat. He grabbed it and smiled but after looking inside his smile quickly turned into a frown. He reached toward Amanda from behind her, grabbing a fistful of her hair and putting his other hand around her throat. Is this your idea of a joke? he hissed in her ear.

Amanda shook her head no. Where is the rest of it? he demanded.

You will never see it, John said quietly.

The man in the brown hat glanced over at John, who looked forward with his hands behind his back and narrowed his gaze. Anger welled within him as he realized what John had just said. He stood up, and walked behind John, raising his pistol to the back of John’s head.

And you, sir, will never see anything again, he said coldly, as he pulled the trigger and sent a bullet deep into John’s head. Blood spattered onto Amanda’s face. She raised both of her hands and covered her ears from the sound. She glanced at her husband laying face down in the sand and began to scream. The sound barely left her mouth as the man in the brown hat sent another bullet piercing into her. She fell forward and hit the sand as her life instantaneously seeped into the sand beneath her.

Look through everything, he commanded the other two men. The rest of it has to be here somewhere.

Yes sir, one of the other men said. They made their way to the carriage and rummaged through the luggage once more.

The man in the brown hat walked over to where the horses were and pulled out a knife. The two horses spooked and raised their heads at the sudden movement.

Easy, the man said, I’m not going to kill you. He patted a horse on the neck whose muscles tensed under his palm. He reached up and grabbed the bridle to hold the horse still. He cut away at the leather, un-harnessed both of the horses and sent them galloping off into the desert.

Boss, there’s nothing else, one of the men said, as he ran up behind the man in the brown hat, who grew angrier at those words and jammed his knife back into its sheath. He turned slowly toward the other men, and walked back to his horse, gritting his teeth, and tensing his jaw muscles.

Goddamn it! he yelled, as he kicked at the dirt and threw his hat on the ground. He pulled out his gun and fired one more shot into each of the dead bodies that lay on the ground. A golden pocket watch lay on the ground next to the man and he grabbed it. He reached for his hat, covered in dust and picked it up. He hit it against his pant leg to clean it off and put it on slowly. He walked to his horse and placed the burlap bag into the bag on the back of his saddle. He shoved his rifle back in its holster. He stuck his left foot into the stirrup and climbed onto his horses back. The other men did the same.

Let’s get the hell out of here, before anyone comes, he said angrily as he turned his horse and kicked him hard. His horse galloped away, and the man clenched his teeth. That was not the outcome he had predicted.

Chapter One

I wiped the dust from the corners of my eyes and my legs dangled off the back of our canvas covered wagon. The wheels jarred against the large rocks that lay scattered on the ground. I tucked part of my skirt beneath my leg so it wouldn’t catch on anything. A small, glistening bead of sweat rolled down my face and I wiped it away with my palm.

Lowering my hand, I wrinkled my nose, noticing how caked the dirt was. Using my fingernail, I tried to scrape some of it off and uncovered the calluses beneath. Taking my longest nail, I slowly ran it over the raised and hardened skin. I pulled my finger away sharply and folded my hands in my lap, somewhat ashamed. This wasn’t exactly lady like.

I had worked rather hard the last couple of weeks, because of the loss of one of our workers. We had only Jerome and Elsie and they worked in exchange for food and board. They were siblings, their skin black as the night.

Elsie wore her black, curly hair in a bun covered with a handkerchief. She was very slender with few curves. Her brother was the complete opposite, a rather large and stocky man. Elsie was the kindest woman I had ever met and was always very helpful when I asked her to be. She had become like part of our family and had made the trip with us. Jerome, on the other hand, stayed behind.

I leaned forward a little bit and reached my hand inside the pocket of my skirt, pulling out a gift my grandmother had given me when I was a little girl. I held the little wooden box in the palm of my hand and caressed the corners of the box with my fingertips, remembering when it became mine. I ran my fingertip along the edge to the top of the box, and over the flowers carved into it. I raised the lid and it emitted the odor of cedar into the air.

Glancing into the mirror that covered the inside of the lid, I frowned. How different I looked. I raised my hand and placed it on my cheek. The nearly 100-degree temperatures and dry heat had made my skin very dry, reddened from the sun and hot to the touch. It seemed like I had more freckles now than when we started our journey. My long brown hair lay in knots, hiding the golden strands that gleamed throughout it. I tried to separate some of the strands with my fingertips.

My brown eyes were bright, although surrounded by dirt, and I noticed how the two colors were somewhat similar and chuckled quietly to myself. My lips were raw and cracking from the heat and rough winds. A piece of hair fell across my face and I pushed it back, noticing a tear on the underside of the sleeve on my white blouse. I checked the other arm and my skirt, which was beige with small white flowers. The flowers weren’t as visible anymore and appeared yellowish in the light. What man would ever give me a second glance? I wondered. In all of my sixteen years, I don’t think I’ve ever looked like this.

Rachel! Get back inside this wagon, please, before you break something! Pa’s loud, stern voice interrupted my thoughts. I scooted back inside, receiving a splinter on the way back in on my right index finger.

Ouch! That’s the second one of these I’ve gotten today! I lifted my finger up toward my face noticing the small wooden trespasser lodged underneath my skin. I squeezed the tip of my finger, trying to urge it out and instead a little drop of blood came to the surface. I used my teeth to pull the wooden sliver from my finger and put it in my palm to examine it. I rested one hand on the wagon to keep from losing my balance.

Rachel, I mean it! You best get in here, child! he repeated.

I learned a long time ago that when Pa said to do something, he meant it. Even though he was up front and driving the wagon, I could hear him loud and clear.

Yes, sir, I said, and stuck the tip of my finger in my mouth and scooted back inside the wagon.

Pa was a good man, but he had a temper. He always had treated me fairly and taught me to fend for myself. He encouraged me to conduct myself like a lady, but a capable one at that. He taught me to ride horses, do yard work, shoot a rifle, and even build fences. Mama, on the other hand, protested something fierce. She always said a true lady would never even think of doing half of what Pa would let me do.

The years and Mama’s sickness had begun to take their toll on Pa. His hair, which was once sandy blond, now flecked with white and his blue eyes looked tired and sunken in. He had a very strong jaw line and wrinkles had started to form around his eyes and mouth. He was still handsome and most people said that I looked just like him.

Rachel! he hollered.

I’m here, Pa. I’m here, I said as I hurried in and sat down by Mama who sat up against the side of the wagon with a blanket draped over her frail shoulders while she slept.

Pa narrowed his eyes and his features hardened as they do when he’s upset or nervous. Don’t be thinkin’ you’re too old to take a switch to.

We had taken a different route that we thought was a shorter distance and had been in the middle of nowhere for about a day. I think this had Pa on edge. We still had one more day to go before we made it to the next town. Red Rock was about two days away.

Yes, sir. I diverted my eyes from his boring gaze.

I focused on Snip and Holly. They fared the long journey better than expected. At each little town along the route, we stopped and rechecked the wagon and made sure the two horses fared well.

You best be mindin’ what I say, Pa continued. We still have more than this trip ahead of us and I’m not just talking about crossin’ land. We need to find a house, or rent a room at a hotel until we can build a house.

I wanted to roll my eyes at the lecture that was coming, but, given his mood, I just nodded. I looked to Molly, our pack mule tied to the side of the wagon, who reluctantly followed along. A few times after a stop, I broke a branch from the nearest tree and smacked her on the rump. She would let out a loud bray to show her disgust before moving forward.

People spoke of gold in the nearby hills and we’ll find out how to stake a claim. With luck and work, we can open a store and sell general merchandise. In Red Rock, land is easy to get and build on. We never had much and I’m not sayin’ times’ll be easy, but with all of us helpin’ we can fare well.

My family never had much money. Just barely enough to get by, it seemed. I know, Pa, I said.

Sometimes I don’t think so, child. You daydream too much.

Pa was right of course. I hoped that someday I would marry a rich man and would never have to struggle again. Mama coughed again and woke me from my daydreaming.

Mama, I whispered as I grabbed the small rag that sat in a bowl beside her. I poured some water onto it from a water bag and rang it out. Small drops of water fell from it as I dabbed it lightly on Mama’s forehead and cheeks. She opened her eyes. Her green eyes looked tired.

Mornin’ Mama. How are you feelin’? I asked.

Better, dear. Better. She spoke softly with a weak, strained voice, but I just smiled. It was always nice to hear Mama’s beautiful voice, especially when she felt better.

Mama had gotten ill a few months back and the doctors in our town believed Mama had consumption, by the way she coughed up blood, and didn’t give her long to live. They couldn’t help her, but recommended a special doctor who practiced a new kind of medicine. The recommended doctor was a three-week trip away from where we lived. Mama refused, but Pa wouldn’t take no for an answer. He sold everything we had except for the horses, wagon, and clothing, and saved up some money to make the trip for Mama. It was barely enough to make the trip and pay for some of the essentials we needed.

Mama started to cough and shudder as the wagon bounced off a few larger rocks.

Easy Mama, I said, as I placed one hand on her shoulder. Just lay still for a while. She closed her eyes.

We’ve already travelled for two and a half weeks, Mama, it won’t be much longer, now. I covered her with the blanket and placed the rag back into the bowl.

I placed my hand back on Mama’s forehead and brushed her hair back from her beautiful face wishing that someday I would look just like her. Her blondish-brown hair bounced with every sputter she made. Her features were flawless, except for her porcelain skin, which hinted a shade of yellow from her sickness. I lifted my hand from her face and couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was. I was worried that this journey would be too much for her.

***

The man in the brown hat signaled for his men to dismount their horses once they reached their hideout—a small, dilapidated cabin. The men knew riders barely passed through the area. They secured their horses to the tie-rail and then went inside. One of the men, Trentin, surveyed the land before pulling the door closed behind them. A few other members of their gang were inside.

Welcome back, Boss. One of the men said.

Boss didn’t look happy and slammed his fist down on the wooden table and threw his hat across the room. The man fell silent and looked at the floor.

God dammit, he yelled. Where could they have put it?

Trentin spit a clump of brown tobacco juice on the floor, lowering himself into a chair. Boss, it had to have been with them.

We looked through everything, Boss seethed. It wasn’t there.

Jackson just shook his head and looked down. What if we head back out there in a few days if we don’t hear any news and recheck everything?

We don’t have time to wait. Boss paced a little in deep thought.

You think we’re gonna’ be in trouble over this? Jackson realized he made a mistake as soon as the words left his mouth.

Boss rushed him locking his grip tightly around Jackson’s throat, and narrowed his eyes inches from his face. The other men knocked a few chairs over scrambling to get out of the way. This gold was my responsibility. They stole it from me, under your watch.

Boss, I didn’t mean–

If anyone else is gonna’ pay, you can bet it’ll be you.

Jackson just nodded his head as the man tightened his grip. Trentin spit another stream of gritty brown tobacco juice onto the floor unaffected by Boss’ anger.

They don’t know it’s missing, yet. Now we just need to find it, Boss hissed through his gritted teeth.

I’ll head back to John’s homestead and look for anythin’ I can find. Trentin said, resting his hands on his knees.

Boss released his hold on Jackson’s throat pushing him backward into the table glaring at him. While Trentin does that, you go search the carriage again. He eyed the other men, The rest of you continue on with the plan.

The men nodded their heads. They surveyed locations where gold had been found and confiscate the claims through coercion, which typically consisted of kidnapping, torture and murder.

But Boss– Jackson whined.

Boss rushed angrily toward Jackson. Say you won’t do it. I’ll kill you right here.

Jackson wilted under his words. I’ll…I’ll go, Boss.

The other men up righted their chairs and resumed talking amongst each other.

Boss patted the side of Jackson’s face twice. Good man. Don’t disappoint me.

Chapter Two

What the hell? Whoa! Whoa! Pa shouted as the wagon came to an abrupt halt, sending me falling forward onto my hands. I quickly scrambled to the front to look out but only saw the horse’s ears swivel back and forth, listening. Snip let out a loud snort.

Elsie, get inside the wagon, Pa said. Elsie quickly crawled inside with me and Mama.

What’s wrong, Pa? I asked. A horrible stench filled the air.

There’s trouble up ahead, Miz Rachel, Elsie whispered.

What kind of trouble? I asked and placed my hand over my mouth.

Dunno yet, she whispered back.

You girls stay inside! Pa commanded, I’m gonna see what’s going on. He reached for his rifle and I heard it cock as he climbed off the seat.

I waited until he climbed down off the wagon and his footsteps crunched the dirt, before I crept up to the front of the wagon, and peeked out.

You best mind your Pa. You stay down here, Miz Rachel, Elsie said, pulling on my dress.

I gasped and my heart pounded fiercely. In front

Reviews for Red Rock

[virago77 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was an okay book. I hate to be overly critical, but there were several flaws that I just can't overlook. The writer has potential, but has to work on her story telling. Some parts were unnecessarily fleshed out while others were just left flat. And the way the story jumped from Rachel's point of view to third person was quite maddening. I also hated the use of the word "alright" rather than "all right" but that is just me being an old school grammar nut.

The story itself wasn't bad. It was very original, at least from my point of view as I haven't read a similar story before. The writer has talent and just needs to work on her story telling and brush up on grammar. I will definitely read more from her.

[viragoreads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was an okay book. I hate to be overly critical, but there were several flaws that I just can't overlook. The writer has potential, but has to work on her story telling. Some parts were unnecessarily fleshed out while others were just left flat. And the way the story jumped from Rachel's point of view to third person was quite maddening. I also hated the use of the word "alright" rather than "all right" but that is just me being an old school grammar nut.

The story itself wasn't bad. It was very original, at least from my point of view as I haven't read a similar story before. The writer has talent and just needs to work on her story telling and brush up on grammar. I will definitely read more from her.