Hell and Determination

By Kathleen Davies

Powerful, thrilling, emotional. Love and strength.

Hell with a capital H. Determination with a capital D.

Deprived of childhood affection, determinined to overpower her Pa's proclomation in any way she could.

Jo rebelled turning her back on resposibility, breaking the marriage deal. Hoping to rebuild her life.

Brandon had other plans.

Finding comfort in her short lived freedom, her cowardly return to discover the force of abuse no woman should ever endure.

Would friendship overcome the misery, could she ever be free?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathleen Davies
• Release date: Jul 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386048305

Kathleen Davies

Born in the village of Standish, Wigan Lancashire, raised 3 sons. Worked as a carer for many years. Now I have the opportunity to achieve my dream of becoming a published author. Thank you all. Kath

Book preview

Hell and Determination

Kathleen Davies

Published by Kathleen Davies, 2017.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

HELL AND DETERMINATION

First edition. July 11, 2017.

Copyright © 2017 Kathleen Davies.

ISBN: 978-1386048305

Written by Kathleen Davies.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Hell and Determination

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

PROLOGUE

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

To my partner Alan for his help and patience during the many hours I have spent on my computer, love you.

To my three sons of whom I’m so proud: Tony, Terry and Danny.

To my daughter-in-laws for all the love they show.

To Lorraine and David thanks for your valued friendship.

And most of all to our Grandchildren who are a joy to be around.

To the many friends who support me, may I write much more?

Bless you all Kath xxx

PROLOGUE

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Fierce and courageous the rapids surged down the snow-covered mountains; nothing could prevent them reaching their destination.

One day... Jo sighed, tossing her long auburn strands over her shoulder.

One day she would find the courage to tell her Pa what she thought of him and these God-forbidden mountains.

Jake Broughton had come to live in the valley twenty years previous, proud and determined to set up home for his young bride.

After eighteen months of hard labour, he placed the final floorboard.

The fine lines of satisfaction formed around his eyes as he placed his arm around his wife's shoulder.

Are you glad we didn’t settle in town? he was saying, turning his wife to view the river that flowed along the valley. All this my darling, I offer to you.

Anna glimpsed at her husband in cogitation – curious expression lighting up the sapphire in her twinkling eyes. Could this possibly be the same man she had?

Married?

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No. This must be a moment of self-esteem – Jake had never been sentimental.

She smiled, turning to view the endless acres of lavender and daisy-covered uplands, and the green pastures that surrounded them. Anna sensed her husband’s scrutiny as she shielded her eyes from the sun's powerful rays, observing the mountains so grand did they appear protecting their new home.

He had been right. The town was no place for a man like Jake. Now, with only twenty miles to travel to the timber yard where he worked for the logging company, they could start the family they had so eagerly planned.

Placing her arm around his waist she gave a gentle squeeze. Well, what are you waiting for Jake Broughton? If it’s a family, you desire you had better get the bed down and make the place appear lived in!

Anna carried the casserole from the oven where it had been slowly cooking all day, placing it in the centre of the table; just to give the table that special touch she arranged a display of lavender and wild orchids.

Since her return from town, her usual calm composure had been replaced with an overpowering sense of self-esteem. Fifteen months she had waited for this day, twice there had been false alarms. This time she was pregnant, no doubt about it the doc had informed her.

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Her heart skipped a beat as the truck could be heard coming down the mountain track. Straightening her skirt

and placing the brush through her auburn curls, she

glanced in the mirror.

Lately, Jake had been concerned. The isolation had slowly taken its toll. He had expected it and offered to buy her a dog for company.

Before he had time to remove the keys from the ignition she was in his arms. He was more than eager to share her excitement.

After Jolene was born Jake’s fears for Anna’s welfare had resolved. She was once more the vibrant creature he had married.

Eleven months later Giles came along. As time passed, Jake noticed how different in character he was to Jo. She appeared vigorous, strong-willed and a rare beauty. Giles was a hefty child, so diverse in nature.

Then the third came along, Lydia, and Jake was destroyed by the bitter blow fate had dealt him.

Anna’s labour had been complicated and he had stood by powerless to help. The snow had come with a vengeance that winter, the pass blocked with drifts three foot and more.

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In desperation he had tried to clear the pass, the only alternative was to send Jo through the pine-covered forest where the snow had not managed to cover, it was a large task for a child, yet someone had to alert the midwife.

Jake had placed his faith in Jo, and she had let him down. No amount of prayers or tears could help Anna slipping in the wild beyond.

He became obnoxious, unable to control his feelings – as always, directed towards Jo. She was the eldest and made to share the consequences.

CHAPTER ONE

EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER

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Jo had grown accustomed to her Pa’s ways. Time had been no healer. To labour under afflictions was endured day in day out for as long as she could recall. This time, however, he was going too far, but what could be done about the situation she had no idea. She arose from the creaking wooden bridge, wiping the perspiration from her brow, the midday sun almost unbearable.

Her skirt draping like a damp rag to her thighs, ‘feeling uncomfortable with the heat’ was an understatement. She strolled along the mountain pass to her favourite spot on the curve of the river. Her long auburn strands had become wet ringlets.

The temptation of the river proved too much. Carefully she removed her sandals allowing the ice-cold water to send shivers along her spine.

Her balance suddenly giving way on the slithery moss-covered rocks, she plunged sideways. The freezing current taking her breath away, she tried to adjust her body to an upright position.

Securing her feet on the steady base she slid the ringing skirt over her body, her white flesh exposed to

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the radiance of the sun, upright and slender, and her breast full of the firmness of youth, her waist so dainty.

The curve of her hips exposed the dark triangle as her briefs were thrown to the safety of the banking, divulging a woman of natural beauty.

Holding her breath, she plunged deeper into the freezing river, feeling intoxicated as she alone braved this raging current.

Suddenly aware of her depth she steered herself closer to the banking.

Brandon Gibbs felt his passion rising as he watched Jo as naked as the day, she was born resplendent in every move she made. The roaring of the falls deafened the sound of him stalking amongst the ferns. Crouching behind the bark of the old oak, he wiped his hand across the beads of sweat that trickled down his face, his mouth feeling dry and salty as he continued to watch.

Below the surface of the water, she swam, her white breast revealing the hard-cool nipples as she straightened, carefully guiding her body from the flowing ravine.

He cursed, trying hard to control the raging desire that divulged such a harrowing effect. Discretion overcame his anxiety. Soon she would become his wife. Her Pa had consented.

Jo was aware of his intentions. Even though she wasn’t in agreement it only added to his excitement.

Brandon Gibbs was a malefactor hard-case mercenary guy, fifteen years Jo’s senior.

Her Pa had been employed by him before he retired from the logging company; he had treated Jake with respect giving him many a helping hand when the time arose.

Now he had come to claim what he rightfully deserved. Youth was no longer on his side and where else could he possibly find such beauty? Just like Jake, the mountains were his life.

He and Ben had taken over the logging company when their Pa passed away.  It was twenty miles south of Fort Ridge, twenty miles from civilisation, away from the gossips and accusing eyes.

The townsfolk never let him live it down even after he’d served his time. His Ma had died of heart failure, though the assault on her lover had been the main cause, according to the gossips. He felt no remorse for what happened that day; he had meant to kill the guy. By God had he! As far as he was concerned, they deserved everything they got.

She was a woman of loose morals, always complaining she needed a man to care for them when he was aware it was only her body they craved.

He had been the eldest, tipping up his hard earned

cash. That wasn't good enough. Jesus Christ ... he

groaned. No woman of his would ever turn out like her; he would make darn sure of that.

He made haste, but not before glancing back once more to drool at the tiny beads of water that trickled down her neck over the firm swells of the breast to the glorious hardened tip.

Her long auburn hair forced back from her brow and her eyes shining like sapphires, this was one time he didn’t want to be caught deriving pleasure from her body.

Jo dawdled back to the cabin where her Pa would be waiting for his evening meal; the song sparrow calling to his