The Prairie Fire Ablaze: The Prairie Fire Trilogy, #3

By C. D. Melley

Rebecca Brimley was known to everyone in the small town of Melville, Saskatchewan as the black sheep of her family. She contested the will of her father, and caused trouble for the employees of his farm. Now, she's getting a second chance at life.

In the conclusion to The Prairie Fire Trilogy, Rebecca's tale of rediscovery involves a photographer-turned-reporter for the local newspaper who helps change her life. However, when tragedy befalls her, she must learn how to heal internally, as well as, making amends with her family and those who she had hurt previously. Will Rebecca make peace, and regain the respect and trust of everyone in the rural Saskatchewan town?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas J. McLeod
• Release date: Jul 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201874414

Book preview

C. D. Melley

THE PRAIRIE FIRE ABLAZE

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

Copyright © Douglas J. McLeod, 2021

Melley, C. D. 1971 –

The Prairie Fire Ablaze

First Edition

1. Romance – Fiction. 2. Saskatchewan – Fiction.

Cover Photo: By Kiwican (Grassland_national_park.jpg)

[This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.],

via Wikimedia Commons

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book is dedicated to all of the readers who have followed along with the exploits of Amanda, Ashley, and now Rebecca since the first book of this trilogy released in 2014. I know it’s taken a very long while for me to conclude it, so I thank you all for sticking with me for all this time.

I also like to thank Karen Hrdlicka, one of the first people who fell in love with the characters I created from the small town of Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. I’m sorry it too so long for me to finish this, and I hope this makes it up to you.

Of course, I’d be remised if I didn’t owe a huge amount of gratitude to my wife, Catherine, for supporting my writing and this persona of mine for all these years. I love you with all my heart, and may our devotion to one another continues for an extremely long time.

Finally, I’d like to thank my family and friends, living and passed on who I’ve come to know over the years. Including my late neighbor, Jerry Killik, the inspiration for Uncle Gerald, and coincidentally owned a farm in Melville which gave me the setting for this trilogy.

While this trilogy may be coming to a close, there are plenty of stories I want to explore. So, enjoy the ride past, present, and in the future.

OTHER ROMANCE BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR

The Prairie Fire Within

The Prairie Fire Rekindled

A Bolt of Loving

Tiny Trillium Tales

POETRY BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR

Slammin’ on the Rails

Poems for a Winter’s Night

Before I Leave Canada

Stanzas from the Sunshine

A Little Box of Poems

Stanzas in Self-Isolation

CHAPTER ONE

It was a warm, summer evening in Melville, Saskatchewan. Many of the town's residents were enjoying some quality time with their friends and family. However, for one individual, she was trying to find some solace at the bottom of a glass.

Rebecca Brimley found herself at the local bar, attempting to drown her sorrows in a couple White Russians. She finished her second in record time, and asked the bartender for another.

Shouldn't you slow down there? he asked with concern. You're knocking those back like there's no tomorrow.

After the way my life's been going, Rebecca bemused, I'll be lucky if I'm dead tomorrow.

Considering how you've treated certain people in this town, the bartender quipped, I'm sure they will relish the fact you're trying to find joy at the bottom of a glass.

Rebecca was taken aback. And, what the hell is that supposed to mean?

Come on, Rebecca. Everyone in town knows how much of a bitch you've been to Amanda and everyone who works for her ever since she got your dad's farm instead of you.

Rebecca nodded. Yes, I'm beginning to realize that.

The bartender continued, And, let's not forget you breaking Chuck's heart by cheating on him.

The patron was becoming agitated. Are you finished belittling me? I know I've made mistakes in the past, but I don't see why I need to be constantly reminded of them.

Yeah, but you said it yourself, 'This is a small town. Word gets around quick.' If it's not by me, then someone else will call you out for it.

REBECCA SIGHED. I guess you're right. I have to reap what I've sown. It just sucks that all it's been is weeds.

The bartender smirked. More like crabgrass.

Just shut up, and get me another drink.

As you wish, Rebecca. The bartender preceded to mix another White Russian, while muttering how much of a bitch his patron was still being.

Rebecca sat on the stool, and sighed again. She thought to herself, I don't think I'll ever be happy here. The whole town hates me because of everything I've done. Maybe I need to move away from Melville; find some place where no one knows me, and start a fresh new life.

It appeared like Rebecca was about to make up her mind when a man decided to sit down beside her.

Excuse me, bartender, he requested. Can I get a glass of Pilsner?

Sure thing, the bartender said, grabbing a mug, and began to pour from the draught keg. The bartender passed the full mug to the male patron. There you go.

Thanks, ever so much, he responded. As he accepted the beer, his eye caught the woman sitting beside him.

Rebecca sighed. What do you want? she asked coolly.

Whoa, easy there, he assured. You look a little down, and thought you might want to talk about it.

The bartender shook his head. You're barking up the wrong tree, buddy, he muttered.

Rebecca smirked. What's there to talk about? My family hates me, and my ex-boyfriend thinks I'm a complete bitch, and I'm coming to the realization they're right.

The male patron scoffed. Oh, come on, now. You can't be that evil, unless your name happens to be Rebecca Brimley.

Rebecca lowered her head, and resigned herself. Apparently, my reputation continues to precede me.

The male patron cringed. Oh sorry, Rebecca. But you did cause quite a scene the other day inside the coffee shop with Ashley.

Rebecca threw her hands up, Does anybody in this town not know about that? Okay, I admit what I said was wrong, but I don't see why I need to be scarlet lettered by everyone around here.

It's not just that, the patron cited. It was the whole dispute over the farm between you and your family. The way you dragged that in front of the courts, making it a spectacle. You made quite a few enemies because of that.

Another wave of remorse washed over Rebecca. She was being admonished by a complete stranger for everything she had done. It became a breaking point for Gerald's daughter, and she began to cry.

But, the patron continued, I don't think you can be all that bad.

Rebecca sniffed. You... you don't?

No, I think there's a little good in everyone, and sometimes, it takes a person to hit their emotional rock bottom before they realize they need to change their ways of thinking and believing.

Rebecca was taken aback by the kind words of this mysterious gentleman. She had definitely hit her so-called 'rock bottom' in regard to her life. She was estranged from her family, and her former love had moved on with someone else. Everyone else was happy, but not her. Rebecca came to the realization she needed to turn her life around. She believed she needed a friend, but because of her behavior, she had none. She thought, Perhaps, this guy has a kind ear I could bend? Someone I might be able to talk to, and help me out of my doldrums?

I'm sorry, the male patron apologized. I haven't introduced myself yet. He extended his hand to Rebecca. I'm Greg Lewiston.

Rebecca shook Greg's hand. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Lewiston.

The two patrons spent the rest of the night talking at the bar, and for the first time that evening, Rebecca did not feel sorry for herself.

ONCE REBECCA HAD REACHED her limit, she and Greg left the bar, and made their way to the parking lot. Recognizing his companion had one too many, Greg offered to drive Rebecca home.

I don't think you're sober enough to drive, he noted.

Bullshit, she protested. I haven't had that many to drink tonight.

Um, not including the ones you had before I met up with you, I saw you knock back a couple White Russians. I'd say you're pretty sloshed.

Oh, so you're going to turn on me, too? a drunken Rebecca accused. Everyone in this town is against me. Well, this town can go to Hell!

Rebecca, Greg insisted, you're drunk. Please let me drive you home.

Why? So, you can take advantage of me like the courts have done? I don't need any of you!

A couple of passers-by looked on at the scene, and shook their heads in disappointment. If Rebecca hadn't hit her rock bottom previously, she was dangerously close to hitting it now.

Rebecca sat down on the curb, and began to cry remorsefully. Why doesn't anybody like me? she asked.

Greg helped Rebecca up, and led her over to his car. He put her in the passenger seat, and was about to buckle her seat belt when she announced she was going to throw up. Rebecca ran away from the vehicle to a corner of the lot and vomited on the ground. Once finished, she fell to her knees,