Once There Was a Tree: Everyday Goddesses, #2

By Faith O'Shea

Tree roots, dragon claws, earth and fire…

 

Gwenhwyfar Cronun is no longer the kick-ass warrior she used to be. All those skills evaporated the minute she was medevacked out of the Middle East. By the time she touched down in Eden, she'd not only lost her career, and an arm, she'd lost the man who'd encouraged her to be the best that she could be. She's reverted back to ordinary and she refuses to saddle him with weakness.

Ioan Sayer is ex-army. He's retired from service to chase a dream and a woman who's been haunting his nights since the day he'd loaded her aboard medical transport. When he shows up in Eden, he finds the odds of gaining ground questionable, but he's never retreated before and this is the most important battle of his life. He'll do whatever it takes to bring her back to the land of the living.

When Ioan shows up, armed with love and a purpose, Gwen finds herself facing the fiercest adversary of her life. She knows he won't let her wave a white flag in surrender even though she's lost the will to fight. He's trying to convince her she's still a fire-breathing dragon with courage and heart but the age-old demons say otherwise. If she can fund the strength to follow her captain into hell one last time and lay siege, she just might have a future. 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faith O'Shea
• Release date: Jun 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734733624

Book preview

Once There Was A Tree

Tree roots, dragon claws, earth and fire…

Gwenhwyfar Cronun is no longer the kick-ass warrior she used to be. All those skills evaporated the minute she was medevacked out of the Middle East. By the time she touched down in Eden, she’d not only lost her career, and an arm, she’d lost the man who’d encouraged her to be the best that she could be. She’s reverted back to ordinary and she refuses to saddle him with weakness.

Ioan Sayer is ex-army. He’s retired from service to chase a dream and a woman who’s been haunting his nights since the day he’d loaded her aboard medical transport. When he shows up in Eden, he finds the odds of gaining ground questionable, but he’s never retreated before and this is the most important battle of his life. He’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back to the land of the living.

When Ioan shows up, armed with love and a purpose, Gwen finds herself facing the fiercest adversary of her life. She knows he won’t let her wave a white flag in surrender even though she’s lost the will to fight. He’s trying to convince her she’s still a fire-breathing dragon with courage and heart but the age-old demons say otherwise. If she can fund the strength to follow her captain into hell one last time and lay siege, she just might have a future.

Once There Was A Tree

Everyday Goddesses Book 2

Faith O’Shea

Acknowledgments

To Sebastian Unger, journalist, author, filmmaker whose documentary Restropo, gave me a soldier’s eye view of the war in Afghanistan. Many of Gwen’s experiences were forged by the sights, smells, and sounds, recorded in the film. It gave me a new perspective of who serves, why they serve and where they serve. What I learned? They fight, not so much against the enemy, but to keep their fellow soldiers alive.

My editor, Amy from Blue Otter Editing is one of them. We’ve become friends in the process and she is always there with advice and praise. I don’t know what I would do without her.

My beta reader, Loyce Monteiro is another. Our friendship goes back years and she is one of my biggest cheerleaders.

Joan Frantschuk, from Woven Red, who formats my books. She keeps me up to date on all things literary and I am so glad I found her. As the saying goes, the teacher will come, when the student is ready.

Jaycee DeLorenzo form Sweet ̍N Spicy Designs has done it again. I want to thank her for her patience working with me on my covers.

And of course, I’d like to say thanks to my family. Jeff, Kait, Juan, Justin, Kathryn, Jaiden, Jakob, Jon-Christopher, Dominic and Liam. And my dogs Cooper and Molly and even Isis the cat, Egyptian goddess that she is. They surround me with the kind of love necessary for creating novels that touch the heart.

And to all who read my books, I thank you for taking time out of your life, to journey with me.

Copyright 2020 Sue Campbell/Faith O’Shea

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in all form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known of hereinafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in an information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author, Sue Campbell writing as Faith O’Shea at [e-mail]

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Design by Jaycee DeLorenzo at Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs

Formatted by Woven Red Author Services, www.wovenRed.ca

Once There was a Tree/Sue Campbell writing as Faith O’Shea- 1st edition

Copyright eBook: 978-1-7347336-2-4

Copyright Print: 978-1-7347336-3-1

CHAPTER ONE

Gwenhwyfar Cronun sat in a corner at Magic Bean Café, fingering the silver chain around her neck, scanning the interior as if she’d never been there before. Of course, she had, on numerous occasions, either dropping off her niece, Willow, or picking her up, but she’d never really seen it before. The place was amazing, filled with customers, some seated at the booths, enjoying their Saturday morning coffees, muffins, or breakfast sandwiches, others standing in line that reached to the door, people fiddling with their phones or chatting to the people beside them as they waited patiently to order. There were smiles, coming in and going out. Her sister-in-law and best friend owned it, and Rhea, being Rhea had created a vibe that welcomed everyone.

Even though she wasn’t willing to mix with the company who’d come to call, being here was a nice distraction. She’d gotten another text from Ioan a couple of days ago. She hadn’t opened it yet, but the prickle of curiosity was wearing her down. All she wanted was for him to cease and desist, as she’d asked, but he was still ignoring the walking orders. He gave her just enough time between calls to lock him away, in part of her memory bank, the one marked Yo-An, before he wheedled his way back in. The man was a stubborn mule and he wasn’t helping his cause by staying in touch.

Shaking out thoughts of him, yet again, she focused on the Leehy family from her perch on the stool at the window bar. Aisin, the hunky investor for Magic Bean, had brought his whole clan, parents, siblings, niece, and nephews in an attempt to woo Rhea back. He’d only come into town a few weeks ago but in that short amount of time, he’d irrevocably changed Rhea’s life for the better. Even better than his initial anonymous investment in this place close to two years ago when he’d awarded her a small business grant. She’d worked hard to make it a success, but hard work was something Rhea was used to. It was nice knowing those days might be behind her even if it meant she’d lose the last tenuous hold on what had become her family.

Aisin had invited Gwen to join them, but she hadn’t wanted to invade their space. Instead, she’d taken a seat away from the activity, yet close enough that she could watch the interaction. It wasn’t that she didn’t like him; she did. She just wasn’t sure she could spread her love out far enough to include another dozen people. She’d pretty much shut down her heart when a rocket had zeroed in on her army jeep. Her life had also been permanently changed, but unlike Rhea, it hadn’t been for the better. There were scars in more places than were visible.

She knew she was sulking, isolating herself yet again, but she didn’t care. She’d withdrawn from the world when she’d gotten back from the hospital in Germany, had liked her solitary existence and she couldn’t wait to get back to it. She’d miss Willow, that was a given, but she’d been fine before she’d begun to watch the four-year-old during the day, and she’d be fine again when her nannying days were over. Or so she was trying to convince herself. There was a tiny voice inside her head that reminded her there’d been a purposefulness to her days, and pockets of joy while hanging out with her niece. Willow had worked miracles with her smile and precociousness and from where she sat, Rhea’s future was looking good, while hers was looking a little dim.

But how could she find fault with Rhea for finding love again? That woman had a smile that could light up a room and she’d never let hardship change her. She deserved the best and Aisin was a good man.

She’d had one of those once but he wasn’t hers anymore. She’d broken off the relationship as soon as he’d put her on that helicopter. There wasn’t much about the incident that wasn’t a blur and yet she could still hear the rocket sizzling toward them, could feel the blast as it propelled the jeep into the air, see the blood and gore that rained down on them after it hit. Her voice an echo in her head screaming at him to leave her and save the others. He hadn’t listened. Now she was living with a load of guilt too heavy a burden to bear some days and a restlessness she didn’t know how to deal with. An even bigger problem? She missed him almost as much as she missed the damn army and her arm put together. He’d been trying to contact her for months, and she’d kept ignoring him. She couldn’t bear to hear his raw, deep voice. It sent chills down her spine and ravaged an already shattered heart. He needed to get on with his career, a career that could no longer include her. She clung to the tree-of-life medallion he’d given her, the only thing she’d kept to remember him by. It was a symbol of strength and immortality and it was supposed to represent their love, a love she’d selflessly cast aside. She refused to tie him to weakness.

Rhea must have noticed her sitting alone. She was the mother hen of their close-knit group of friends and had come over to take a seat next to her.

What are you doing over here?

I didn’t want to intrude.

Rhea wore a pinched expression. Are you crazy? You’re part of my family. Willow’s favorite aunt and my best friend. Please come over and join us.

Gwen’s mood was somber, as usual. It didn’t take much anymore, merely memories of a time and place she wanted to forget. And thoughts of Ioan Sayer could sink her. She’d torn him out of her heart, and the hole would last a lifetime. It had been hard enough learning to live without a limb. Learning to live without him was proving to be just as hard and twice as painful.

Now, watching Aisin, Willow, and Rhea, she was feeling the loss down to her soul. Shrugging, not wanting Rhea to know the exact cause of her loneliness, she said, You know I’m not great with small talk.

You don’t have to talk at all.

She knew that wasn’t true even though the conversation had been heated and flowing since the family had gotten here. There’d be questions. How did she lose her arm? What was she doing now? Would she be able to return to her unit? She didn’t want to get into it. The nightmares were enough of a reminder, she didn’t need to relive it during the daylight hours.

Pushing the maudlin thoughts away before she dragged the whole place down, she nodded in the direction of the tables.

What’s going on?

The call from Aisin early this morning asking her to bring Willow to the café had come out of the blue. He’d explained the why behind it, but she’d sensed he had more up his sleeve than just an introduction to his family.

Rhea glanced back, a smile taking over her face. I think Aisin asked me to marry him.

She chortled. You think? I gave the man credit for the ability to speak. Was I wrong?

Rhea shook her head. I’m still a bit thrown off by this. He did. Ask me to marry him.

I guess congratulations are in order. And just sayin’, he’d better forgive that loan.

Rhea’s eyes widened. He gave that as a reason why I should agree.

Gwen silently put another notch in his belt before countering, We both know you wouldn’t do that.

I think he knows, too. It was his way of getting to it. The proposal.

He didn’t do the bended-knee thing.

He said he was going to get to that in a more private setting.

Did you give him an answer?

She frowned. I accepted but…it’s still too early, don’t you think? I just met him.

There was uncertainty and she knew why.

You knew Artie for years and look how that worked out. I say go for it.

Artie was Gwen’s brother and had been Rhea’s husband before he gotten blown to bits in Afghanistan. They’d buried only the fragments of the man who’d been returned to them but he’d already become shards of his former self somewhere along the way. He was no longer the boy who’d offered protection while their mother was out doing her thing, their father long gone by then. Artie’s anger had rumbled beneath the surface for years and with each service tour, he’d become a spitting volcano. She often wondered if he’d put himself in harm’s way on purpose, knowing the kind of man he’d become. He’d been the last link to family, even though her mother was alive and unwell in Florida. She’d been estranged from Pearl Cronun for years and she’d wiped her completely out of her life when the woman hadn’t even shown up for her son’s funeral. It had left Rhea and Willow the only two currently taking up residence in her heart. They’d been the ones who’d pulled her out of her self-imposed cave and breathed life into her. Her circle of friends was on the periphery, trying their best to make her feel comfortable in her skin but she hadn’t found the way to heal her soul yet. She wondered if she ever would.

She felt a squeeze on her hand, heard Rhea’s gentle voice. Where are you?

Thinking about how much I owe you.

Right back at you. Biting her lip, Rhea added, And I’m not jumping into anything.

Gwen glanced over to see Aisin holding Willow on his lap as the little girl ate her muffin and thought Rhea should do just that. The kid had insisted on wearing one of her tiered tulle skirts and her jean jacket. She looked like a pint-sized movie star with her sunglasses over her head. Aisin seemed to take her impish personality all in stride.

It’s important Lolo have a good male role model. You turned out better than I because of it. In my humble opinion, she needs him in her life.

Kids knew the good from the bad. Willow had taken to him like a duck to water and glowed when in his presence.

She extricated her hand from Rhea’s to take a sip of her coffee. Having only one arm, one hand meant she couldn’t do two things at once.

She chuckled, adding, Any man who could create a fairy garden for her is okay in my book. He reminds me of your dad. Some of my favorite times were sitting outside watching the butterflies and bees in that garden he planted. And the sundaes he’d make for Sunday afternoon snacks.

Rhea laughed. The bees enjoyed it, as well. They’d abandon the nectar of the flowers to swarm around us. Dad would just sit there and let them land, telling us they wouldn’t hurt us.

Gwen couldn’t contain the wistfulness in her voice. I always wished he was my father, too.

She had only one picture of her own father and it was packed away with her army gear. She’d taken it with her on every tour, in every far-away location. She often thought to get in touch with him, but she had no idea where he was or what he was doing. He’d never reached out, so maybe he didn’t even want to know her again. Thank God for the Snows’. She’d been friends with Rhea since middle school and the Snow house had become her own over time. She’d been lucky she’d been welcomed in. They’d given her a fresh perspective about family and what it could mean if you found yourself in a good one.

I think Aisin fits your dad’s mold.

I think you might be right. He’s close to his own. You can see it in the way they look at each other.

Gwen glanced over, took in the exuberance, the caring.

Love definitely exists there.

Rhea put a hand on her shoulder. You’ll be part of our family just like always.

She gave a sad smile. Won’t be the same, Rhea. My money’s on him taking over with Willow, paying for a good preschool for her, being there while you’re busy with this place.

It meant she’d have no reason to get up in the morning. She’d never admit it to Rhea, could barely admit it to herself, but Willow had been her saving grace.

Rhea patted her knee. We can work it out to everyone’s benefit. He’d never push you away.

She smirked. I know. He’s already treating me like family, pushing all the right buttons, interfering in my life with his cunning ways.

He’d given her several very good reasons to get a prosthetic arm, made her think about getting off the poor, poor, pitiful me wagon. He’d done his job so well she’d gone so far as to make an appointment at the local VA hospital. It was still weeks away, giving her the time to change her mind but she’d be better off thinking about what to do with her life, now that her career was over. Since the attack, her compass had been off, but having two arms would have to be a step in the right direction.

Why don’t you get back to them? I’m good here.

There’s something I need to tell you before I do.

The expression on Rhea’s face showed concern and she instantly tensed. She all but disassembled when Rhea said, Ioan—

She grabbed hold of Rhea’s arm. No.

He’s here. In Eden.

Gwen instantly straightened. Her shoulders bunched to her ears.

How—

As if Rhea had timed it perfectly, giving her just enough warning, Gwen noticed the man approaching the doorway. You couldn’t miss him. He was six feet five of solid muscle. Shrapnel scars were etched on his face, his hair was shaved close to the scalp and he looked so good she wanted to fling herself into his arms. But she couldn’t. He was off-limits. She didn’t deserve him anymore. Maybe she never had.

As he entered the café, he stilled at seeing her and her name on his lips caused no shortage of rumblings.

She couldn’t let it sway her from her decision.

She jumped off the stool and stood her ground as he approached.

What the hell was he doing here? How had he gotten a furlough? Syria was a mess right now and only promised to get worse.

Keeping her voice down, her tone lethal, she said, You shouldn’t have come so you can take your sorry ass back to Syria or wherever else they’ve decided to ship you.

She scooted by him, his body heat all but reaching out and suffocating her. She kept moving toward the exit, not wanting to break down in front of him. She’d been on the verge before he’d even shown up. It would be another form of weakness that she refused to let him see.

He grabbed for her, but he got the empty sleeve of her jacket. He hesitated a moment, as if he’d forgotten the reality of her situation, which made it easy for her to escape. As she pushed through the door, she could hear his footsteps behind her and quickened her pace.

Gwyn.

That one-word command should have stopped her in her tracks. He’d been her captain and she’d followed him into hell. It was instinctual and learned behavior. But she wasn’t in the army anymore and he held no sway over her movements.

Go away.

He caught up just as she got to her car, and he twirled her around to face him.

No. Why didn’t you answer any of my fucking calls?

There was no good reason to. Why couldn’t you have gotten the message. I didn’t want to talk to you. I sure as hell don’t want to see you.

He’d pinned her to the car, his arms bracketed around her body. She could smell his after shave, feel the ripple of his muscles, his breath warm on her face. It transported her back to another time, when she could have given in to the pleasure swirling in all the right places. But not today. Not ever. She knew trying to push him away was useless, especially with one arm so she stood, holding her breath, waiting for him to release her. She knew he had no plans to do that when he said, I’m moving to Eden so unless you have plans to leave, you won’t have a choice.

She felt her knees threaten to buckle and tears she’d never shed, burned at the back of her throat.

CHAPTER TWO

Ioan Sayer could feel Gwen trembling, so he didn’t move a muscle, but readied himself to catch her if she fell. He was no longer holding a soldier, a woman who fought ruthlessly beside him, but a hollowed-out version of herself. She’d lost weight, her face had thinned, giving stark definition to her cheekbones, and her ribs were pronounced. Rhea had told him as much the night she’d tracked him down in Syria, but he didn’t believe it. Had to see it for himself. Gwen had given up. Not only on him and what they’d had together but herself. There was no way in hell he was going to let her get away with it. If he’d any regrets about handing in his resignation, they’d evaporated on seeing her. He’d had to make a choice and Gwen had come out ahead of his command. By a mile. But seeing her like this—her lips quivering, her shoulders hunched, shrunken into herself—was unnerving.

Did you hear me? I’m moving here.

She’d paled; her eyes held his. They were pleading with him.

You can’t. You can’t just throw away your career. You were on your way up to major. I know how much you wanted that.

She’d known his every thought, every dream. He’d told her he was a lifer and wouldn’t stop until he made general but he’d spent the last year missing her like she was a lost limb, severe phantom pain when he’d search for her to find her missing. He’d thought his career was everything, that it made him who he was but he’d found without her, he had nothing. He’d saved her once for him. This time he was going to save her for her. And if she didn’t like it, fuck her.

I won’t let you throw away your life.

The venom was gone and in its place was an underwhelming sigh. It’s my life.

He sputtered out, And this is how you want to live it?

People were beginning to stare. Not only had their voices risen, but he looked to be cornering her. He turned on a dime, standing with his back against the door to prevent her from fleeing, his arms crossed over his chest. He couldn’t give in to the impulse to touch her in some way.

He was glad to see his question brought some of her fight back. Her chin jutted at an angle; her eyes flashed in warning.

Yes. It is. Now will you go away?

She pushed at his shoulder, trying to get him to move, but he wasn’t going anywhere. Not yet.

You haven’t gotten therapy, like the doctor told you to, have you?

Talking was the only way through the morass and he was sure the doctor had told her to find someone. It was their first piece of advice. She hadn’t listened.

With her hand on her hip, her body seemed to vibrate with irritation. She tossed him a grenade.

What for? So, I can whine about my arm being gone? Not my style.

Baring his teeth, he seethed, I didn’t think quitting was your style either.

Her head jerked as if he’d slapped her.

He’d thought about slapping her silly. Make her come to her senses. But he wasn’t that kind of man. What he wanted to do instead was kiss her until they were both breathless but he was keeping strict control over his emotions.

She gave him a fuck you sneer. Don’t worry. I haven’t cried about what I lost.

His motto had always been If you don’t fight for what you want, don’t cry for what you lose. She knew it well. He’d said it often enough. But she was on the verge. He could feel it, sense it.

If she broke down, he’d be able to hold her, something he wanted with every cell in his being, but it would also end up stripping her of her dignity. It was something he refused to do.

I’m worried about a lot of things, but not that.

She was regaining her confidence for which he was grateful. He was able to relax enough to tell her his plans.

I came here first, to see you. I’ve settled into the hotel for now but I’ve got to go to DC, talk to General Devaney. I’ll probably be there a week and then I’m coming back. For good. I need you to promise me you’ll call someone to talk to. It’s the best psychological therapy there is.

And you know this how?

Because we all need to talk to someone who understands what time in combat does to a person.

She arched an eyebrow. You’ve been in therapy?

His tone was brusque and to the point. No. I had you.

When she’d left his unit, he’d had no one. Just another reason why he couldn’t, no wouldn’t, live without her.

Her irritation was shape-shifting again. She was finally beginning to believe he was not leaving and she warned him off. I’m not the same person I was.

Bullshit. You have a spine like steel, you’re fearless, and you’re one of the best soldiers I’ve had the honor of serving with. He poked her chest, felt her breastbone and barked in concern, It’s still in there.

Those days are over.

The sneer was comforting and familiar.

Really? You mean you’re only willing to fight to save others? Not yourself?

Her eyes flashed up to meet his. My God, you sound like Aisin.

Aisin? He’d have to thank the man for putting his two cents in. He’d liked him before, but now he owed him. It might be time to mention his plans. For both of them.

I’ve been looking at some commercial spaces. We have to change specialties now that we’re out. I plan on talking to the general about a training center, opening one up somewhere around Eden.

Her eyes widened. You’ve been talking to Rhea.

He treaded carefully. She mentioned it. I thought it would suit.

He wasn’t going to tell her that Rhea had reached out while he was in Syria. Gwen needed an ally and he had a feeling she’d be pissed enough about it to cut off her nose to spite her face.

She pointed her finger in his face and said, You might have been able to order me around before, but in case you haven’t noticed, I no longer wear the uniform.

Neither do I but it doesn’t mean I’ll give up my bossy ways.

He’d been giving commands most of his adult life and he wasn’t sure he could stop now but she was right. He’d have to soften his approach.

Let’s find some neutral territory. You call a therapist, and I’ll let you pick up Shadow when he gets here.

Her eyes sparked for the first time since he’d cornered her.

Shadow’s coming?

He was the German shepherd mix she’d found on a street in Afghanistan, next to his brother’s lifeless body. She’d fallen in love immediately but Ioan had told her if she wanted him, she’d have to take care of him and she had, without hesitation. She’d had Rhea send her food to feed him, and she’d received packages with chews, treats, and blankets from another couple of friends. Shadow had become an amazing asset and should have outranked her, would have if he’d been commissioned by the army. His sense of smell was invaluable in their search for IEDs. She had to have wondered what had happened to him when she left, but she’d never returned one of his calls to ask him. He knew she could be hard-headed but her expression told him her heart was still alive and beating.

Yeah. I got the okay which took a lot of red tape wrangling. It’s one of the reasons it took me so long to get here. Do we have a deal?

Her eyes met his. They were the same dark brown fathomless eyes that had spoken to him in a thousand different emotions.

Who handled him after I left?

I did. He was a bit contrary when it came to respecting another officer.

He wouldn’t have let anyone else handle the canine, anyway. He needed the connection to Gwen and Shadow helped him keep that tenuous hold. Shadow needed it, too. He’d whined for a week following her exit and had waited more patiently to be reunited than Ioan had.

As if it had taken her a few minutes to process the new information, one of her amazing grins finally burst free. When is he coming?

He should be here by next Wednesday. I was hoping you could keep him until I get back, until I find a place to live.

He held his breath as she pulled her lips in, thinking. This was his wild card and if it didn’t work, he didn’t know what he’d do.

Fuck you Sayer. You know I can’t turn that down.

He exhaled. Then you’ll do it?

For Shadow, anything.

He didn’t like the fact that she was willing to get help in order to keep the German shepherd mix and not for herself or for him, but he’d live with it.

I want a name and number before I give the okay to release him to your care.

She narrowed her eyes at him. You don’t trust me?

He fingered the hair that had fallen and was covering part of her face behind her ear, let his thumb linger there.

With my life. On the battlefield. But here, now? Sorry, not so much.

She swallowed hard but said nothing.

Do you have one or do I have to look around before I leave?

He wasn’t going to leave this to chance. She’d need someone who understood what she’d been through.

I have one.

Credentials?

She was a Marine. She’ll know.

He gave her half a smile. I would have preferred army, but I guess a Marine will do. Do you have her contact?

It’s in my phone.

She’d at least taken that step, must have considered it if she’d kept the number.

Then take it out and use it.

I am not—

He was not going to allow her any excuses. If she had any chance of healing, she was going to have to suck it up and call. He knew how hard it was for someone like her to ask for help, so he’d use whatever leverage he had to force the issue.

He simply said, Shadow. Yes or no?

Two years ago, she would have had her arms across her chest mimicking