Forever Choices: Oregon Valley - Matson Creek Series, #10

By Beverly Kovatch

Maggie must make a decision. She has three men in her life and one of them will soon be revealed to be the father of her baby. Her choice this time must be a Forever Choice so she wants to get it right.

Bronson her childhood friend returned for a reunion or was it planned? He came to her with a money making scheme to change her life. One drunken night that she can't remember put him back into her life in a way that she wasn't counting on.

Parker a man who was assigned by her father in law Red Hawk after the death of her husband Daniel to teach her children the ways of the Indian while preparing her son Matson to be the next chief. He stayed with her until the death of their son David. He left knowing that she was in love with another man. When he returned he told her of his love, but was it love or loneliness that brought the two of them together that night?

Roy was an arrogant wealthy playboy most of his adult life, She was introduced to him before her sudden marriage to Daniel by her best friend Rebecca. Sparks were always flying between the two of them and the passion they shared was like fireworks shooting out into the clear night sky. Was he able to change though? Could he change from his greedy selfish ways and become the father figure for her children? Three choices and she had to make sure she was right this time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beverly Kovatch
• Release date: Nov 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393882640

Beverly Kovatch

This Author is about as unknown as one can become. She sometimes lives in the past, sometimes in the future, sometimes right in the middle of the present. Her mind wanders from what was to what is to what could be. That is the power of the written and spoken word. There are so many opportunities for so many people, and she wonders why no one seems to seek them out. She lives on a farm in what was once a vast farmland area. A few people still believe in farming, but each year, there seem to be fewer and fewer of them. This past year, it appears that the moral background of the world is rapidly disappearing. It takes hard work to be a farmer nowadays. It is a lot easier to sit back and watch others do it. People have taken this place we call home for granted. The pandemic threw us all for a loop, but it also made some realize that unless we fight for what we believe in, our country, the one we all grew up in, could be lost. It took hard work and determination for us to be where we are, and all of it started with a small dream. You see, everything in life begins with a dream. This Author once dreamt she could one day write a book that others might enjoy reading, and here she is. She has written not one book but more than twenty books. Some people dream of owning just a small piece of land, owning their own little business, raising their families in a free land, a place where we are allowed to say what we feel in our hearts, fight for what we believe in, worship at the church of our choice. These past few years have taught this Author that there is power in our words. Once our words are silenced, we have given up one of our most treasured rights. It is my hope, my dream, that the power that you, my readers, have within you will never be silenced. The dreams you hold inside will always be fulfilled, and that you will always and forever … Keep on Dreaming!

Book preview

Chapter One

Maggie woke with a startle. What a dream she thought. Time was coming when she knew that she was going to have to make that decision. It was definitely not one she wanted to make, and it was one that she wasn’t going to make right at this moment either.  Bronson had been pushing more and more toward marriage reassuring her that the baby was definitely his. That he was the right choice for her life. She just wasn’t sure. There was something lurking in the back of her head that said all of this was just a dream, no more of a nightmare.

When Mac said something about the blood work being crazy it made her think. Would Roy do something like this? One thing was for sure she knew at least the baby didn’t belong to Parker. He would be heaving a sigh of relief once she did make the reveal. Having two tests, and each one claiming that the baby belonged to a different father, well that was too déjà vu. It brought her back to the strange circumstances regarding the twins, and Roy and Daniel.

She walked downstairs and poured a cup coffee. The campers had all gone home for the winter. It was cold outside in fact the snow was coming down in an almost blizzard like condition.

She glanced out the back door and saw Roy heading towards the house. His lamb’s wool coat pulled tightly around his neck while the rushing wind forced his hand to grasp tightly to the black Stetson on his head.

She opened the back door handed him a cup of coffee as he brushed the snow off.

It’s cold out here. Have you seen Parker yet? He has both the kids and their chores haven’t even begun yet.

I haven’t heard anything but with the snow coming down the way it is it could take a while to track through the back hills. Have you tried calling them?

The storm must have the system down I have no bars on my phone at all.

I was just going to build the fire up it’s a little bit chilly in here. She said.

I’ll take care of that Maggie. You shouldn’t be lifting all that heavy wood anyway.

Great, thanks for that. It is getting harder and harder every day. I’ll make us some breakfast. Would you like some bacon and eggs?

That sounds wonderful.

So have you spoken to Mac lately? All this stuff with his ex-wife has to be really bringing him down.

Preston and I are working on it. She wants to bring this to court and it may not go in his favor. We’re trying to figure something out, but it’s not going to be easy.

Can’t you get his daughters to testify in his behalf? I mean he had no idea they were going to seek him out it’s not really his fault.

She has held this stuff over his head for a long time Maggie. I’m not sure if she’s looking for money or just some way to destroy his reputation as revenge.

Has he said anything to Cheyenne yet?

That’s another whole situation.

What do you mean by that? I thought everything was fine between him and Cheyenne.

Well the weddings on hold for now anyway. She knows about it but, Mac doesn’t want to bring her into this mess. Then he has to deal with her parents. He’s not sure that they want him as a son-in-law. He figures with this whole mess who would.

ROY HAD THE FIRE BLAZING now and the living room was getting toasty warm.

Do you need a refill? On the coffee I mean? She said as she peeked into the living room.

Yeah that last cup hit the spot. You’re not burning the bacon are you? he said hearing the sizzling going on in the kitchen,

Oh crap, will I ever be able to cook and not burn something?

You cook just fine Maggie. He laughed.

Just then Parker, Mollie, and Mattie stormed through the kitchen door stomping their feet along the way.

Mom, it’s like a blizzard out there. We barely made it here. The Jeep didn’t want to start this morning.

You’re tracking snow all over the kitchen. Go take your boots off now. Breakfast should be ready in just a few minutes.

What a way to start the day Parker declared.

Yeah, there’s no school for the kids either today replied Maggie not in this kind of weather anyway.

That’s okay; Roy and I have lots of work for them to do today. Parker replied as both Mollie and Matson whined.

It’s too cold. We wanted to stay in and watch TV. Mollie pleaded with him.

Not gonna happen. Now sit down and eat your breakfast. Maggie chimed in.

Oh mom they said simultaneously.

Roy came in from the living room. Man that food smells good. Can I have some extra bacon on my plate?

Absolutely she replied. Maggie turned to grab a few more pieces to put on his plate.

Everybody sit down at the table okay.

They were all seated at the table eating when they heard the footsteps come up the side porch stairs. Suddenly the door opened letting the cold frosty air along with the blowing snow storm its way into the kitchen.

We have a slight problem Henry said as he stomped the snow off his boots onto the rug.

Don’t we always have a problem? Parker joked.

Dolly doesn’t seem to be doing real well this morning. Henry replied.

No, not Dolly, Mollie said as she got up from the table, grabbed her coat and ran out the door.

Do we need the vet? Maggie said.

I just think she’s gonna have her colt earlier than we expected. Henry replied. Since Mollie’s in charge I figured she needed to be with her.

Good thinking Henry. She needs a little responsibility after all this whole thing is a mess she made anyway.

Matson finished his last bite grabbed his coat and headed towards the door. I’m going to help my sister. She’s going to need me.

Good idea Mattie.

Mollie ran into the barn leaving the door open behind her. Dolly don’t you dare do this to me she yelled as she opened the gate to the stall and sat on the hay by Dolly’s head.

Matson came into the barn and closed the door behind them. Is she okay? he asked.

I’m not sure. I think she’s going into labor too soon. Is dad coming out here?

I’m sure he’ll be out here shortly.

Can you bring me a blanket from over there so that I can lay it on Dolly?

Matson pulled the wool blanket off the railing and handed it to his sister. She looks like she’s doing just fine. He said trying to reassure his sister.

This is my entire fault; I should have never let Storm in the corral with her.

It was just an accident Mollie.

If she dies from this, mom will be so mad at me. Dolly is her pride and joy.

Horses come and go Mollie. Mom understands that.

Dolly is her favorite. She has always been her favorite.

I think you’re wrong there Mollie. Storm is really her favorite. Storm reminds her of the horse she had when she was your age. Why do you think she named the Black stallion Storm?

How’s it going in here guys? Roy asked as he and Parker walked through the barn door.

I’m really scared. I’m not sure Dolly can do this. She’s really old.

Parker shook his head you’re right Mollie, she is old, but she’s a strong mare and she is gonna be just fine.

Maggie headed upstairs to get dressed. She pulled out her flannel underwear, and pulled out her stretchy jeans. Her expanding belly made her frustrated. Nothing fit her right anymore.

I need some bigger shirts. She said as she went through her closet looking for something extremely large to wear. Way in the back of the closet was one of Roy’s old shirts. This is really depressing. She said as she pulled the shirt from the coat hanger and tossed it over her shoulder. She pulled her arms through it and buttoned up the front. It fit perfect and that was really sad. Now to find a coat big enough to go around me she said as she struggled bending over her belly to pull her boots onto her feet.

Dolly’s going to need me she said to herself as she tossed on her coat and walked out the side door.

What are you doing out here? Roy asked her as he closed the barn door behind her.

What do you think I’m doing out here. She replied. Dolly is going to need me and I’m not going to let her down.

You are crazy woman.

Then call me crazy. Maggie said as she got down on the ground next to Dolly.

I’m so sorry mom. Mollie said.

It’s gonna be just fine Mollie.

One of the first things that you are going to do is stroke her head, and then you will tell her what a good girl she is. It’s not like you haven’t seen a colt be born before Mollie. This is no different.

Mom it is different, this one’s going to be my colt.

Maggie wanted to laugh but she was still trying to teach her daughter a lesson. She remembered when she got her first colt. He was the most beautiful Black stallion she had ever seen. He belonged to her. She stayed in the stable with him for at least a week until her mother started screaming about her smelling like a horse. She knew by making Mollie take responsibility the new colt would