Shyanne's Secret

By M.J. Conrad

1877 - Oregon Territory. Orphaned half-Piaute Cole Jackson came of age and applied to take over his parents' farmland. As he worked in the barn, spoiled Shyanne Bennett came to visit. She was beautiful: blonde, blue-eyed and very friendly. Her attention led to a mostly innocent night spent in the hay loft, but ended in accidental tragidy. Cole would do anything to keep her secrets. What he didn't know was that his promise would cost him his life. When a band of hooded riders lynched him, his double life began.

Shyanne Bennett truly loved Cole Jackson. She realized it after their night in the loft when she failed to get all she wanted from the half-blood. Her love was confirmed the night she ran throught the darkness, arriving at his farm in time to find a band of men had hung him. The rope in the tree was cut and a new grave lay along side Cole's parents plots. She lost her mind, knowing he died to keep her secret. Cole promised to take care of her but how could he now? Thus began the long road back, knowing she'd allowed the man she loved to be killed and she'd done nothing to stop it. Ravaged by guilt, Shyanne spent many nights wandering through the Oregon landscape to end up prostrate on the cold ground of Cole's grave, allowing the earth to drink her tears. He promised to take care of her. How could he, now that he was dead?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.J. Conrad
• Release date: Jul 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370964451

M.J. Conrad

M. J. Conrad is the owner of an answering service/Dr. exchange in the Antelope Valley in California. She enjoys writing, gardening, crocheting, and a lot of reading. She has done acquisitions reading for a publishing house, writes book reviews and is trying to break out of her usual genre with Shyanne's Secret, her first western historical. She'd been married to Steve, the love of her life, for over 30 years. M. J. Conrad also writes as Jena Galifany Jena Galifany is a veteran author, previously published through multiple publishing houses. Her ShadowsForge series, Three Times a Hero, Trials on Tour, Retaking America, and The Long Way Home have all received rave reviews. Three Times a Hero was a Reader's Choice #1 Best Seller the first month of its release. Jena has taken a break from completing the series to try her hand at something new in this historical love story and is excited to see how it is received. Other novels by Jena Galifany include Her Perfect Man, an historical paranormal romance, Love Lifted Me, a Christmas short story, and Day Labor, a contemporary romance with a twist. All of Jena's novels, previously published and new, will be released via self-publication. She makes her home in Southern California with her husband. She has three adult children, one granddaughter, and 2 granddogs.

Book preview

SHYANNE'S SECRET

M. J. Conrad / Jena' Galifany

Published by Jena Galifany/M.J. Conrad

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 by M. J. Conrad / Jena' Galifany

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 your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author and publisher.

Credits:

Cover Art: Jen Conrad & Patrick Kearney

Photography: M. J. Conrad

Produced in the United States of America

Dedication

My thanks to Native American actor Jay Tavare who kindly answered questions for me concerning my research into Native American history.

My love and devotion to Steve, my husband, who encourages me to take the time to write.

My unconditional love to my children and granddaughter.

My heart to Puppy Dog, who helped me write so many other books. She was sorely missed during the writing of this manuscript.

Table of Contents

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

Epilogue

About the Author

More Books by Jena Galifany/M.J. Conrad

Chapter One

Oregon Territory, 1877

Cole Jackson watched from the second story bedroom window as that man rode away.

Good riddance.

He raked his hair from his face, shoved his hands in his pockets, and watched until the drunk who'd forced Cole to call him Sir for the last four months rode out of sight. Now Aunt Rita would be happier. No more fights over the half-blood nephew she claimed as kin. No more defending Cole and his savage ways. He'd take care of her and be the son she'd never been able to have. She didn't need someone who hadn't done anything to make her happy in as long as Cole had known A.J.

Rita and Anson A.J. Baldwin took Cole in when his parents were murdered. The product of Rita's brother Seth, and the squaw he'd married against the family's wishes so he could qualify for a larger Oregon land grant, Cole was a tough kid who'd already learned that being a half-blood living in the community of the white man was equal to being a scapegoat for the sins of the world. It happened at the school he'd attended before his parents were killed by an unidentified group of prejudiced men. He finally dropped out of school to help work the farm. It didn't get any better once Cole became part of his aunt's childless family.

There was always some jerk that thought he was clever for picking on the Indian. Cole learned to shrug it off, adapt to the situation. If he fought back, he'd only get in trouble. He was good at fighting. He could better than hold his own. It didn't matter, though. If he lost, he lost. If he won, he lost. So why bother? Justice for a half-blood in 1870s Oregon was a myth.

Rita Baldwin had to defend her nephew constantly from the day the Baldwins took Cole in, and had him brought to California. Not wanting to lose her brother's property, Rita tried to convince A.J. to take over Seth's land grant, but he'd wanted no part of it. Cole was hostage to their homestead in California until he turned eighteen and could put in a claim for his father's land. After so much trouble caused by Cole's bloodlines and appearance, Rita's idea to move back to Heart, Oregon sounded real good.

Heartless, Cole called it. He knew it was no different here than in California. There were fewer people but everyone knew your business. In four short months, A.J. had had enough of the small-town life, losing money due to his drinking and gambling, and if Rita didn't want to go with him then he'd go back to California alone. Rita didn't want to go back to big town life where it was tough for Cole to fit in. Fewer people, fewer problems, she said.

Fewer saloons, fewer problems, Cole thought. A.J. gave her an ultimatum: city life with her husband or small-town life with that breed who'd never fit in anywhere. Cole smiled at her decision. I win. He eyed the collection of wooden figures his pa had carved for him: the wild mustangs fashioned to appear to be thundering across the open range. Freedom, he told them, and headed down stairs to check on Aunt Rita before he left for town.

He found Rita at the table, her hands wrapped around a cup of coffee. She stared at the wall of the one-room lower floor of the house Seth had built with his own hands. Cole placed one hand on her shoulder. Her dark hair was streaked with more silver than he could recall there being. She didn't look up. Cole gave her shoulder a light squeeze, his slender fingers, like his body, stronger than they appeared.

We'll be fine without him, he offered.

You will.

The comment was slow in coming, not what Cole expected to hear. He pulled out a chair and sat down to face her.

Cole placed his hand on hers. He never did anything for you. He drank and screamed and cussed you because of me. You're going to miss that?

Sometimes... Her words faltered. She looked Cole in the eyes. Sometimes, Cole, I think you were a mistake. A faint sigh escaped her lips. She let her gaze fall to her cup as Cole slowly stood. Sometimes.

Cole couldn't believe what he'd heard. A mistake? Just like that? A mistake. He shoved in the chair, slammed it against the table, and made Rita jump, spilling her coffee.

Don't worry, Rita. I won't be a burden much longer. I'm eighteen. When I get the land in my name, I'm on my own. It's my land now. I'm heading to town for supplies. He stopped at the door, but didn't turn around. Will you be here when I get back?

I wouldn't leave you.

You just did. Cole grabbed his jacket from the peg on the wall and slammed the door as he went out.

* * * *

There he is. Isn't he the sassiest thing on two legs? Shyanne Bennett nudged Linda Epson, who sat beside her in the wagon. Cole came down the road from his farm in a buckboard. She could see him across the field from where they sat waiting for Mr. Bennett to check the horse's hoof.

Linda looked up and grimaced. You've got to be kidding. Look at him. He doesn't even cut his hair. It's longer than yours. The breeze tossed Cole's black tresses around his shoulders as he drove the buckboard along the hard-packed road converging with the main road into town.

Dexter Heims interrupted the moment as he rode past. Ladies. He nodded, fingered the brim of his hat as he continued along without another word.

Linda smiled after him and nudged Shyanne. That's what you should ask your Daddy to get you for your birthday tomorrow. She turned and nodded toward Cole. Not that.

Shyanne rolled her eyes at the young man riding ahead of them toward town, then turned her attention across the grassy field. Cole reached the fork where his road met the main road and turned toward town. Shyanne couldn't wait to get her hands on that man. She ran her tongue over perfectly shaped lips as she watched him hook the reins under his thigh, pull a denim jacket on over his cotton shirt, and flip his thick hair from the collar. Even the fierce glare he wore was sinfully attractive in her eyes. The smooth lines of those long denim-encased legs, one boot propped up on the kick-board as the single horse pulled him briskly along, exuded defiance and attitude. She could watch him for hours, given the opportunity.

Who cares about hair? Look at the rest of him. Right down to his boots, he's all animal. Even his walk has attitude. Have you ever watched him walk? Shyanne glanced at her father and lowered her voice. One day, he's going to take Dexter Heims apart and I can't wait to see it.

He's an animal, all right. He should be in a cage. Linda smirked, and turned her attention to the lace trim on her cuff as Mr. Bennett jumped aboard.

That's that, Mr. Bennett announced. Let's get you something pretty for your birthday, Shyanne. He whipped the horse into motion, and the wagon lurched forward, nearly colliding with Cole's horse.

The animal loudly voiced his disapproval of the sudden intrusion. Cole stopped, and allowed the Bennett wagon to continue ahead of him.

Shyanne fussed with her skirts so she could chance a look back at Cole. Linda nudged her. If you want to stay out of trouble, you'd better get your eyes off that and onto someone like Dex.

Shy hid her disgust at the thought of Dex anywhere near her. It didn't matter what others thought of Cole. Shyanne fully intended to get to know that half-blood young man much better. Better than any other young man in town. She wanted him to be hers. He was her fantasy and she'd get what she wanted. She always did. When it came to Cole Jackson, he wasn't any different. Even if she had to keep it a secret, she'd have him for her own. She was sure he'd be grateful for her company.

Chapter Two

Cole pulled his wagon into the side street beside the mercantile, jumped down and went inside to make his purchases. The clerk and his son stacked the supplies on the end of the raised porch for Cole to load into the wagon himself. He wiped sweat from his brow with his shoulder after throwing several boxes into the wagon, pulled out an apple, and took a bite.

Sitting on the bench seat of the wagon, he ate as he thought about Rita's hurtful words. How long had she felt taking him in a mistake? She'd made him believe she really cared about him, cared about what happened to him. He'd found a security in the knowledge, security she'd ripped away from him with that one single word. Sometimes. Why didn't she leave him if she felt that way―even sometimes? Sometimes didn't make the blow any less painful. She could have slapped him in the face. It would have been less of a shock.

A shadow grew on the kickboard and drew Cole's attention from his meditation.

What's up, Chief? Dex grinned at Cole, displaying a row of perfect teeth. His platinum hair reflected the sunlight like a halo around his head. Three of his cronies surrounded him, each solemnly holding their hands behind their backs. Dex couldn't take a breath without their applauding his success.

Cole ignored them, his gaze caught across the main road by that blonde girl, Shyanne Bennett. He'd been watching her every chance he got for the last four months. It was the highlight of his trips to town when she was there. She sat across the street in a wagon with one of her friends while her father tended to some business or other. Shyanne made it easy to forget there was a horse's arse standing beside him trying to make his day worse than it had already started. He'd focus on the good, and ignore the bad. He'd become good at that throughout the years.

I'm talking to you, In-jun.

Cole concentrated on Shyanne. Dex turned, followed his line of sight and laughed.

You've got no chance with that one. She's way out of your reach.

Cole tossed the apple core into the street. His attention remained on the girl. At that moment, she turned and suddenly noticed him. She stopped talking, her gaze locked with his, and a smile curved her mouth. Cole would remember that smile for the rest of his life. It was one of the few moments in his existence when he felt acceptance. No one could take memories away from him so he held on to the special ones like a miser held on to his gold.

Dex kicked the foreleg of Cole's horse. The wagon lurched as the horse cried out. Cole leapt to the ground, his boots accenting his landing with a plume of dust. He stood face to face with the antagonist.

Dex grinned. Well, I finally got through to him. You can take your eyes off the girl. If anyone gets that one, it'll be me.

We'll see, Cole challenged, his glare drilling into Dex's eyes. They stood equal in height but Dex had quite a few pounds over Cole.

He can talk. I didn't think he spoke English.

The cronies laughed. Dex's grin melted to a smug frown. There's nothing to see.

Cole glanced past Dex at the girl. She stood on the raised sidewalk now, watching the exchange along with a few other people. Cole could toss this fool to the ground but it would only get him reprimanded by Sheriff Olsen. That would either impress Shyanne or she'd never speak to him because of it. Dexter Heims wasn't worth the trouble.

Right. Cole tried to step around Dex with the intent of loading the rest of his supplies. Dex grabbed a handful of Cole's jacket and shoved his back against the buckboard.

I didn't tell you to go yet. As the fool stepped back, his cronies fanned out beside him. Dex turned his back to Cole for a moment, taking something from one of the others.

Whatever. Cole hooked his thumbs in his back pockets, cocked his head in annoyance, his gaze on the building across the side street. A few others had gathered behind the idiots. Great. Cole smirked as he waited.

Dex turned back to Cole. You remember General Custer? That run-in they had up in Montana territory?

Cole glared at Dex. Last year. What about it?

Did it look like this? In a synchronized attack, all four of the boys pelted Cole with balls of mud. Cole didn't flinch as the globs thudded against the wagon and the stacked supplies, startling the horse and splattering him. He didn't take his glare from the grin on Dex's face.

Cole smiled sardonically. "If you had half a brain, you'd remember that the other blonde horse's