Return to Heaven's Gate: Oregon Valley - Matson Creek Series, #11

By Beverly Kovatch

Alexis life is changing rapidly. Her mother and stepfather sit her down and tell her that the father she believed was dead all these years is alive. All this time Mason Longbow has been living in a village on the other side of a cave.

Heaven's Gate has always been off limits to her and her brother. She never knew why until now. It had always just been a piece of land above thier cabin. 

Now they are telling her that they are leaving their home and heading to this village. She was not so excited about this move. She wasn't sure how you meet a father that you thought was dead. She was angry and sure that she could never trust anyone again, especially her mother.

While collecting wood for the campfire Alexis stumbles upon several Indian warriors. One voice seemed so familiar to her. She was not sure why until she heard him say that he had been searching years for his wife Rebecca and his daughter. Braxton stole them from him and he would seek revenge. She was sure now that this man was her real father. She wanted answers and this warrior had those answers. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beverly Kovatch
• Release date: Apr 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201505561

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

REBECCA WALKED IN SILENCE behind her husband and children. No matter how many times she traveled through this cave and no matter which direction it took her it always led her home. She was home in both worlds, but her children were with them this time. This was a world that Jaxson had never seen and Alexis would most likely not remember. She had been so small when they left.  At the very least they were not going to be familiar with this new way of life. The life here was going to challenge them, and in truth after all these years away from it, this life was going to challenge her too.

Her father was chief of the tribe and she was next in line. Braxton, of course, as her husband would take his place as the leader.  In this world they were going to, well that was just how it was done. Braxton had returned many times just to make sure that things would be in order for their return.

Her father had been ill, or so Braxton told her. It was that very fact that convinced her that they should return. The children should be able to see their grandfather before anything happens to him. If the truth be known she missed her father and looked forward to seeing him again.

There were things that Braxton had been hiding from her and she knew it. There was more to his wanting to return than her father being ill. Soon she would know just why they were returning home. Did she want to know the reason though she asked herself? She wasn’t sure if she did, but something was calling her home. Her visions had been sketchy, to say the least. She knew that if returning was not really about her father then maybe it had something to do with Mason. Their thoughts had always been tied together, but somehow over the years, the connection had faded. Was it something she had allowed to happen or was it something he did to let her move on to her life with Braxton? Would she ever really know?

Keep to the right, she told her children. Stay close to the wall or you will end up in the water. She smiled to herself remembering her first trip through the cave with Mason, and the lies that they told on just how they got all wet and muddy. She could hear his laughter and scolding as he pulled her out of the water and then fell in himself.

Just then she heard Alexis let out a moan. Rebecca knew exactly what Alexis had done. The same thing she had done. She shifted too much to the left and was now standing ankle-deep in the water. Standing was not the problem. The slippery moss could make you lose your balance quickly.

Great, just what I needed wet shoes. She moaned while Jaxson giggled.

It will be ok Alex. He said as he tried to help her up and back onto the ledge. It’s only water.

Yeah, only water. She said as aggravated as any teenage girl would be at ruining a good pair of shoes in mucky water. Just then the two of them slipped on the moss and both were now sitting in the creek.

How much farther is it? Jaxson asked his father as he stood up from the murky water acting as if not of it even fazed him in the least. Braxton was already agitated by Alexis, and now both of his children were sopping wet. He knew exactly what their fall into the water meant and it angered him.

This was going to slow them down for an entire night. Alexi’s attitude alone was making him irritable. He knew that as soon as they were out of the cave Rebecca would surely tell him that he needed to build a fire so that Alexis and Jaxson could dry their shoes and clothes.

Not much farther, Braxton replied angrily moving at a more rapid speed. There were things to do and the quicker they got to the reservation the better.

His brother’s departure had caused a split in the reservation and Takoda’s decision in the matter had not pleased some of the tribe, but that was the least of his concerns.

He had also been told that Chief Kawani and his tribe were causing some trouble with several of the local tribes. He should have taken care of him years ago when everything happened with Rebecca and Wanape. He regretted it now. It was going to be much harder to handle and might even end up in war, a war that Takoda was trying to avoid.

Takoda sought peace all the time. What Braxton did not understand was how after all these years Takoda could not realize that peace was never going to be found? There would always be a division among the tribes as long as there were people who wanted to be in control of all. Kawani was one of those people.

Kawani’s goal was to rule all of the local tribes. Bringing them all together might not be a bad idea, but putting Chief Kawani in charge would not be.

This was one time where being the son in law of Takoda was a complex thing. How does one bring the war to a peaceful tribe, and peace to a warring tribe? One would have to be a great negotiator to pull that off and Takoda was not that negotiator, and neither was Kawani.

I see the light ahead, I hear the falls. It is very close. Braxton turned back to make sure everyone was still behind him.

Great! Alexis replied in a sarcastic tone.

Move, Jaxson said as he pushed his way ahead of his sister almost pushing her back into the water.

Jaxson, stop Rebecca yelled just as she saw him slip and fall into the water.

Alexis started laughing but without thinking, she gave him her hand to pull him up. Instead, he pulled her in with him. Alexis screamed at the cold water hit her body full force.

You brat! she yelled at him.

This is enough, Braxton said angrily turning back to look at the two of them sitting in the muddy water. Get out of the water now both of you.

Braxton, it is fine. They are fine. It is a lesson that they will learn. They will now be wet for a while until we can build a fire and dry their clothes. I suggest we find a place to camp by the edge of the cave.

There it was the words he knew she would say to him. How could she be so calm about this nonsense? He had hoped to travel a ways before nightfall and now they were going to have to delay because of the children and their horseplay.

He moved forward and exited the cave. He would scout ahead and see if he could find a secluded place to start a fire. There was no getting around it.

Rebecca helped the children through the rest of the cave.

You need to understand children. This place where we are going is much different than the world that we have lived in.

You have told us this before mom. I think we understand.

No Alexis, you do not understand. You will, but right now you have to trust me and your father. We are trying to keep both of you safe.

Alexis shook her head. I don’t know why you felt that you had to bring us here. You could have just left us with Aunt Maggie or Aunt Tracey and gone on your own to see your father.

"Alexis, it has been a long time since you saw your grandfather. He wishes to see you both. I want you to see him, and get to know him while you can.  I also felt it was not fair for you to believe that your father was dead. You need to meet your real father.

I needed to see my father, and you need to see yours, so here we are. We will be here for a while and you need to know that you will have to adjust."

Rebecca realized that this was going to be the hardest on Alexis. She did not wish to be here. It was an inconvenience for her. As much as she wanted to meet her real father, she wanted her life back. She wanted her cell phone and her friends and leaving Abbie was the hardest. They were very close. This place was not her home, but she was going to have to make it her home.

I have found a place for us to camp tonight. We need wood for a fire. Jaxson, Alexis, gather the wood for your mother, but do not go far.

Jaxson hurried on his way excited that he was going to be camping out. He hoped that his father would take him hunting, or fishing.

Rebecca, keep them close to the camp. I am going to cover some ground and see if I can find where the tribe has settled. It looks as if they may have gone to the winter camp, but I need to be sure before we head off in the wrong direction.

Chapter Two

TAKODA SAT WITH THE tribal leader's knees crossed on the ground in his tepee before the blazing fire. War was imminent with Chief Kawani’s tribe. Braxton had promised him that he would return. He was the best and strongest leader that their tribe had going for them outside of Mason, but he needed them both. He could only hope that they would not war against