Destiny

By Mary T Bradford

Ahyoka is the daughter of a Cherokee White Chief and is betrothed to Wohali, a warrior in her village. On one of her many walks outside the camp boundaries, she comes across an abandoned cabin. Surprising herself, she feels contented there, enjoying the time she spends in her secret place.
Charles W Sexton is a cowboy who has tired of the cattle drives and the constant sleeping beneath the stars. Yet it is not until he stumbles upon a deserted house that he thinks about settling down.
Two people from different cultures, strangers that are both drawn to the same log cabin. When Charlie claims it as his, Ahyoka no longer has her sanctuary to run to. But destiny shapes the path which they will travel. Will the cabin bring them together as soulmates or pit them against each other as enemies.
Who can tell?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary T Bradford
• Release date: Jul 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310209406

Mary T Bradford

Hi fellow Readers, I am an Irish author and Mum to four. My first novel, My Husband's Sin (The Lacey Taylor Story) is published with, Tirgearr Publishing Ireland. Delighted to share too that Laceys story part 2 (is also a stand alone), Don't Call Me Mum, is published with Tirgearr.My first novella set in the American 1800, a western titled,The Runaway, is a coming of age story. My second western, a romance, again set in American 1800, Destiny, is available for you to enjoy. Novellas are great as short reads.My adult romance (erotic) One Nght in Barcelona, is with Tirgearr Publishing, as part of their, Hot City Night Series.My short stories have been published in both Irish and international anthologies. I have won, been short-listed and long-listed in many competitions including Fish, RTE/Penguin twice, and others. My story, The Handbag was translated into German.I have seen my plays performed and also in staged readings. When not writing or reading, I like to crochet, knit or cross-stitch.If you wish to connect with me please do, it is always nice to chat.

Book preview

DESTINY

By Mary T Bradford

Text copyright 2016 Mary T Bradford

Smashwords Edition

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.

This novella is a work of fiction. The fictional names, characters and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead are entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved

Destiny

Written under the auspices of the Writers of the West brand.

Writers of the West, (www.writersofthewest.com) are a group of talented individuals, who are really awesome writers. I am happy to be involved with such a wonderful bunch and encourage you, dear Reader to go and check out the other stories in this series.

Other Titles by Mary T Bradford

The Runaway (Western, 1800’s America)

My Husband’s Sin (Contemporary fiction)

One Night in Barcelona (Adult Romance)

A Baker’s Dozen (Collection of short stories)

Roll Up, Roll Up! (A horror, long short story)

DEDICATION

I enjoyed the challenge of writing yet another western style story. When it comes to dedicating a book, there are so many to thank that it can prove difficult to decide. But this one is for my Mother, Kitty Mackessy. A woman who taught me how to be involved and to give back within my community.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A huge shout out goes to Eamon O’ Cleirigh, my lovely editor from Clear-View Fiction Editing. http://clearviewfictionediting.com/

Also to Earl Chessher and Mary Ann Osness for my beautiful cover. I really, really love it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER ONE

The cabin stood silent and empty on the edge of the woods, many seasons having passed since it was lived in. Its roof sagged in the middle, the front door hanging on one rusted hinge. Dust and dirt carpeted the floors, whilst bark hung from the walls where forest animals had chewed. When Ahyoka first came across it, the scurrying of wildlife echoed through its rooms. Close to the babbling brook and almost hidden by trees, she was thrilled to have found it. She’d rushed inside, spread her arms, and twirled and danced in an empty room. Her sleek raven-black hair fanned out as she’d skipped and sang with joy.

Growing up, surrounded by many, she’d often longed for the beautiful stillness one only experiences when truly alone. Her position within the Cherokee tribe meant that she was seldom allowed anywhere without company. She, Ahyoka, the White Chief’s daughter, had her future laid out from birth, and being nine when her mother died made her father even more protective of his only daughter. So it was that she found herself always accompanied until, at eighteen, she’d found the courage to ask for time to herself.

That meeting with her father had seen her gesturing wildly, shaking inside as she’d argued her case. The chief sat and listened, and when she’d stopped speaking, breathless, she’d noticed her father smiling at her.

Oh, my daughter, you have your mother’s wild ways. All this waving and speaking with passion, it lifts my spirits so. If you want time to reflect alone then all you had to do was say so. Then he laughed out loud at Ahyoka’s startled expression.

But, Father, you never say yes without persuasion of some sort. I didn’t expect you to give in so easily. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged the old man.

The chief patted her back and eased her away from him. I must insist that you do not ramble too far from the camp when alone. There are many dangers outside the village and you are so precious, my daughter, and so like your beautiful mother. Promise me, you will obey me on this.

Ahyoka bowed her head, sorry to see the sadness in her father’s eyes. She knew he still missed her mother, as she did. I will not fail you, Father.

"I know this, my child. Your mother named you right – Ahyoka – she brought happiness, and I could not be happier with you."

With her father’s blessing, she delighted in planning her trips to the cabin. Having completed her chores with the other women of the village, she would parcel up meat and corn and slip away to her secret place. It was strange to be in a settler’s lodging. The cabin did not have the comfort and cosiness she enjoyed at home, but it spoke to her. At first the straight lines of the rooms were constricting and unsettling, but she picked flowers from outside: pretty blues, pinks, and soft yellows, placing bunches around her favourite room, from where she could see the river. The sound of running water soothed her, and she would sit and listen to it until the time came to return to her village.

Ahyoka did not fully understand the sense of comfort spending time in the cabin gave to her. The attraction was not the place itself – it was rundown and shabby. A deep tranquillity rested on her shoulders each time she visited, her spirit calming as she wandered through the rooms. On occasions she would sit and doze, many times having the sweetest of dreams; what the medicine man called visions – a glimpse into the future, and for her, this cabin was part of hers. She did not yet know why, but when under its roof, her heart always soared.

Obeying her father’s wishes, she always made sure to be home before dark. The cabin became her haven. She brought trinkets that were personal to her and placed them in her favoured room, hanging soft feathers by the window, beautiful ones she’d found scattered on the forest floor. The trees ran deep behind, filled with dangers that she could not fight on her own, so she never ventured further than the light. It was for the men to fight and protect. The women in her tribe tended the crops, raised their children, and helped the men make decisions.

To keep her possessions safe, she placed them in a timber box which she hid beneath a pile of leaves and twigs. It was a present to her from the holy man after her mother’s death. He’d told her it was to keep her memories in. Inside were things she held closest to her heart. Trinkets that would mean nothing to others: a necklace of bright beads, a soft leather pouch, pretty hair clips, and other mementos of her life growing up, all carefully wrapped in soft rabbit fur and placed with love inside the box. They were her world – her connection to her mother.

This cabin was special. It spoke to her in her dreams, and happiness filled her when standing by the window looking down to the river. She was at peace here, caressing the dangling feathers, loving their softness on her fingers.

The clouds grew darker and she thought it best to go home. She would come back in a few days when time allowed. Stepping onto the pathway back to her village, she hummed, happy in her heart. She glanced back over her shoulder and smiled at the cabin, standing silent, awaiting her return. It had a glow to it. Her presence had brought it to life.

CHAPTER TWO

Charlie journeyed alone. The cowboy needed to find somewhere to lay his head for the night, weary from several days in the saddle. Unfamiliar with these parts, though, he wasn’t sure of what dangers surrounded him. Chestnut, his horse, snorted and shook his head. The animal was tired, too. They’d been together many years and Charlie swore the horse could read his mind.

Just another bit, old boy, and we’ll pull up. I promise.

Charlie knew he was in Indian country, and that not all natives were welcoming.