Carly's Courage: Heartsgate Healing, #2

By Kay P. Dawson

Carly Griffen has nothing, and no one, holding her in Heartsgate.  So, when the purple-haired matchmaker from the weekly book club offers her the chance to grant her wish, she takes it, landing over a century in the past on the Oregon Trail.  

 

Hunter McQuaid promised his brother he would take care of his niece, so he's taking her to safety by heading west to Oregon.  But, along the way, he realizes there's more to raising a child than he'd expected.  Not to mention the risk with life on the trail and the worry if something were to happen to him along the way.

 

When Carly lands on the trail, she knows as soon as they meet, Hunter was who she was sent back to find.  But she soon learns that just because her heart knows, it doesn't mean it's going to come easy.

 

Can two people, from different times, find a way to get through the trials of life on the trail and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart?
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kay P. Dawson
• Release date: May 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201018504

Book preview

Chapter 1

G ordon, stop crawling all over Dr. Lachele!

Carly clapped her hands to get her dog’s attention, but the large German shepherd was too busy slathering kisses all over the woman’s face who sat on the couch across from her.

I’m so sorry. Honestly, he just gets so excited to see people and acts like he’s starving for attention all the time. You’d think I completely ignore him the way he carries on when people come over.

She’d rescued the dog from the local shelter a few weeks ago, and while he was a bit of a handful sometimes, Carly knew she could never live without him now. He’d become a trusted friend, and that was something she never took lightly.

Oh, it’s perfectly fine. I have a way with animals. For some reason, they just seem to be drawn to me like a magnet. The flamboyant woman chuckled to herself as she looked down and wiped at the front of her brightly colored blouse. Kind of like their fur to my clothing.

The dog finally settled down and sprawled himself out, letting his head rest on the visitor’s lap. Dr. Lachele patted him gently and smiled over at Carly. I don’t remember him being here the last time I was over. Did you get him as a companion, or is there still some concern for your safety with that ex-boyfriend of Jenna’s?

Carly’s best friend, Jenna, had recently taken Dr. Lachele up on her offer for a new beginning in another time, away from the ex-boyfriend who had been stalking her relentlessly.

The purple-haired matchmaker had surprised everyone with her ability to perform her magic at their weekly book club meetings in the small town of Heartsgate. The first few times it had happened, everyone had been in shock, but now that they’d seen the proof, no one had any doubts.

Besides, Jenna had come back briefly and had told Carly all about what had happened after she’d been whisked back to a time where she traveled the Oregon Trail. And Carly had witnessed the true love her friend had found by doing it.

But, Carly and their other friend, Devyn, had been left to deal with the jealous and furious ex that Jenna had been running from. Both girls had taken a restraining order out on him after he’d harassed them mercilessly in the weeks after Jenna left, but thankfully, Carly hadn’t seen him in a while.

Getting Gordon did give her a sense of security, and she would be lying if she said it wasn’t one of the reasons she’d considered adopting him.

Well, I was feeling a bit lonely with Jenna leaving, and Devyn has found a brother she didn’t know she had, so she’s been busy reconnecting with him. I thought having a companion would be a good idea, and there was the extra bonus of getting a large dog as a bit of a deterrent if someone did try to bother me. She laughed and shook her head at the stretched-out body on the couch next to Dr. Lachele. The dog was snoring loudly, completely unbothered that they were talking.

However, seeing how he actually is makes me wonder if he’d ever have any kind of protection skills at all. He’d more than likely cause someone to drown from the slobber as he licked them.

Oh, you’d be surprised at the fierce loyalty an animal can show if a loved one is threatened. Even the gentle ones you don’t suspect. Dr. Lachele leaned forward and rested her arms on her legs, causing Gordon’s ears to twitch at the sound of the many bracelets clinking together.

Now, dear, I’m sure that you didn’t call me here to talk about your new dog. I believe I know what you’re thinking about, but I’m going to let you tell me yourself.

Carly’s heart raced as she tried to put into words all the thoughts that had been racing through her mind the past couple of weeks. But when her eyes met Dr. Lachele’s, she knew if anyone could help her, it was this woman sitting in front of her.

I just feel so…lost. Unsure. Alone. I want more but I’m scared it’s just not out there for me. She quickly shook her head, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear. It was hard to explain how she was feeling when she wasn’t even sure herself. All my life, I’ve been the one who was level-headed. The one who knew how to figure things out. But, I’ve also been the one who is afraid to do anything that is out of my comfort zone. You know that Jenna, Devyn and I grew up in the system in New York, and I had to learn how to adapt to what life had given me. When we moved to Heartsgate, I wanted so badly to start fresh and be the person I wished I could be. Someone who was daring and not afraid to just take that leap of faith now and then.

Dr. Lachele was nodding, her smile warm as she listened to her speak. Carly, I’ve only known you for a short time, but I’ve seen you show a whole lot of courage. And there’s nothing wrong with being level-headed. You’ve done what you had to do to survive. Strong perfume tickled Carly’s nose as the woman leaned forward. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun in your life too.

I know. And I’ve tried. I’ve gone on a few dates in the past few weeks but everyone I’ve met are just so… She shrugged as she tried to think of the right way to explain them.

Horribly dull and boring or so arrogant and cocky you couldn’t imagine spending another minute of your life around them?

Carly chuckled. That’s one way of explaining it. The men here just don’t give me that spark, you know what I mean?

Dr. Lachele laughed and clapped her hands together. Oh, do I ever. There’s simply nothing in the world more dreadful than not finding that person who gives you that feeling of your entire body being shocked with a high-powered Taser.

Carly’s mouth dropped open as she listened to the strange comparison being given. Well, I’ve never been Tasered, but I guess maybe it might be like that. Except, hopefully a little less painful.

My dear, when you find that person, trust me, you’ll be lit up and sometimes it might even hurt a little bit. But, it does something to your insides that really can’t be explained.

When I saw how Jenna was with Adam, it just got me thinking. I’m alone here, except for Devyn. And now that she’s found a brother, I guess I’m feeling like I need to take my turn to find something…or someone, for me. I want someone to look at me with love the way Adam did with Jenna.

Her last sentence was barely above a whisper, but Dr. Lachele heard her, reaching out to pat her hand.

All you need to do is say the words, Carly.

I’m afraid to. What if the man I’m searching for isn’t there when I get there? What if it’s a mistake? Or I’m not strong enough to survive living in another time?

Well, Carly, I can’t promise you that things will be easy. But your heart will lead you where it needs to go, I truly do believe that. And I won’t just leave you there. If you need me, I’m able to find you. Her purple hair shifted slightly as she tilted her head and watched Carly intently. I get the feeling you’re more afraid of what you will find if you do go.

Carly averted her gaze toward Gordon, suddenly embarrassed at how much Dr. Lachele was able to figure out.

I’ve never had anyone love me before. Except for my friends.

She’d never spoken the words out loud, but now that she did, she realized how true they were.

She was afraid of having someone love her. Everyone else who was supposed to love her in this world had abandoned her.

Well, Carly, maybe it’s time you trusted this crazy purple-haired matchmaker to take you to someone who could give you that love, if you’ll let yourself believe in it.

Carly sat quietly, her thoughts finally starting to clear enough for her to know what she truly wanted to do. It was time to push the fear away.

Looking back at Dr. Lachele, she knew what she was doing was right. Can I take Gordon? Within these few short weeks with him, he’s become my family.

"Of course! You gather what you want to take with you, and when we meet for