Sarah's Heart

By Donna L. Patten

Sarah a young recluyse, finds herself face to face with her destiny, sitting alone under a tree reading a book at school. There lives would be forever changed. Sarah lived in a chateau with a well to do family and a very abusive father and brother. Her mother drank to much, the only positive stability she had was her grandmother.
Then Justin Webber came into her life, a truly heart felt wonder had started. Nothing will prepare you for her amazing journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524544454

Donna L. Patten

She loves her 2 dogs Juliette and Hattie both rescue dogs. She looks forward to her weekly get together with her church. It is most important to her. She also enjoys reading a good book mystery is her favorite. Her best friend is Charles. They have been together for 24 years and still going strong. She enjoys her quiet time for meditation and 1 on 1 time with God. She loves that she can can sit and watch the wildlife wander freely roam the land outside her window while she relaxes inside her home. She is in the senior years and much regrets that she waited until now to actually put her creativity to work for her.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

It’s early spring and the weather is nice outside so all the students all hurried out at break time to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Sarah isn’t much for fun and games. She is more of a book worm. She goes off to herself underneath an old oak and sits to read. Several months ago she had lost her best friend Grace.

Sarah had no desire to be around the other students. The painful memory of losing Grace still too fresh in her heart and mind. So she would spend all her time alone when able to do so. But this particular day she wouldn’t have her way.

Shortly after she had sat down and opened her book and began reading a young boy came over and sat down next to her. He said to her, my name is Justin Webber and I only just moved here a few weeks ago. I noticed you like to read. She didn’t answer him but continued reading. So he went on I like reading a lot as well he to say. I have been all around the world in books. Sarah continued to ignore him. You don’t talk much do you, he asked her? She continued to read on and ignored him. But he didn’t give up on her. He sat there during the entire break period just to annoy her for ignoring him.

The following day at break time he waited until she sat under the same tree and walked over to her and laid a book beside her and left. This time she looked up at him and a half smile crossed her lips but he didn’t see it as he was walking away from her at that moment. She wondered why he didn’t persist like he had the day before.

The book he had given her to read was a book of love poems. It had been one of his favorite books. He is a romantic at heart for such a young boy. She hadn’t read the book and decided to do so. She took it with her when break time had ended. She hadn’t come to school for the next several days. He had looked for her and was concerned about her. To many people had lost their lives from influenza in the past several months.

Justin prayed for Sarah and waited for her return anxiously for several days. When she finally came back to school he was so happy to see she was well. Welcome back Sarah, I have missed you. I prayed for you. I was worried since so many have died from influenza. Justin it was just a cold. I am fine, but thank you just the same.

Did you like the book? I did, she said in response to his question. He told her it was one of his many favorites. But how did you come by this book? Well Sarah we weren’t always down and out. My papa had a business partner and we owned a beautiful home and everything. Well the guy robbed my papa of literally everything and we were forced out of our home and run off. There was nothing we could do to prove what he had done so we were done. Now here we are forced to live like paupers, because of him. I am so sorry for your loss Justin. But God will see you through this. Papa has taken ill and mama isn’t well either and I have to work and school so I know I look bad.

You can say that again Sarah said. God will bless you Justin. Just keep the faith. I may have plenty but life isn’t always what it seems. After that they talked and shared their love of books on a regular basis. The other students didn’t understand the otherwise quiet Sarah socializing with this boy from outside her social class.

The thing of it is that no one knew anything of Justin’s past or his personal life. He only shared it with Sarah. He had come from wealth and had been well educated then been forced into poverty by a corrupt thief as baron George Franko Bernardo III.

Because the man had a title Justin’s papa didn’t stand a chance of proving his guilt in robbing the Webber family of all the owned. Justice wouldn’t stand on the side of anyone who didn’t have a title. The injustice of it all wasn’t at all uncommon. Too often people in power saw something they wanted and just lay claim to it and the poor people were tossed to the wayside without hope and a prayer. Many died as a result of the indecent practices of those with the titles running the land.

Sarah and Justin became very close friends over the years as they grew closer and closer. They were the smartest ones in the entire class. Sarah had all A’s and Justin managed A’s and B’s. Sarah enjoyed having someone she could relate to on her own level. It made school a lot easier to deal with. Three years later and with only a few weeks to go before graduation Justin was suddenly called away suddenly because his papa had passed away. Sarah was so distraught over the news that she asked to be excused for the day and went to her refuge in the woodland near her home.

There she cried for Justin and his mama, then prayed and asked God to give them peace beyond understanding and to help them through the days and times ahead. She didn’t know if she would see Justin again. She did know he was struggling to take care of his parents and keep up with school. He had a hard way to go and she really cared for him more than she was willing to admit.

She returned home late that afternoon and her papa was furious. He whipped her for being late and didn’t even want to know the reason why she was late. He sent her to her room without her supper. Rosalyn her grandmama managed to sneak some food up to her later. Rosalyn couldn’t understand how her son could be so abusive since he had never been abused in his lifetime.

Marta, Sarah’s mama drinks from dawn until dusk every day and has since Sarah was a little baby girl. No one in the family knows why, except maybe her. Sarah has tried to talk to her mama but it has availeth naught. Marta is so far gone from reality that she just sits and drinks herself into oblivion daily.

As for her brother Andrew he is something totally different. He hates Sarah and always has. He resents her even being. There is no reason for his attitude towards her. Her beats her up just for fun and takes her allowance when he can get his hands on it. Sarah and Rosalyn started locking it away for in a safe in Rosalyn’s room where Andrew was forbidden to enter.

Rosalyn was always doing what she could to be a go between Sarah and Andrew as well as her papa. It was horrible. Sarah, a warm, loving, gentle soul, abused by those she loved and cared about most in her life. Her own mama could care less about what happened to her. Sarah tried time and again to reach out to her but to no avail. It truly saddened Rosalyn deeply.

Rosalyn’s son Henry was never abused in his own life but he abused Sarah but never once did he abuse Andrew. Quite the contrary, he allowed Andrew to get away with everything. It was awful the things the boy had done and Henry had turned his back on. Henry didn’t even correct the boy once growing up.

While sitting alone in her room Sarah thought about Justin and how lonely he must feel now that he lost his papa. She knew he was loved by his parents and that he loved them. She had longed for that kind of love in her life. She thanked God for her grandmama. If it had not been for her grandmama she wouldn’t know where she would be today. Life was hard being in her shoes. Hated by her papa and brother and she didn’t know what by her mama.

Sarah’s heart remains good, kind, and pure. God is her center.

Even with her own heartache Sarah still thought about Justin instead of herself. It’s just like Sarah to do that. Rosalyn had taught her to think of others instead of herself. Sarah had modeled her life after her grandmama. She detested the evil in the hearts of her family. She loved them despite their sin.

She spent many hours walking in the woodlands just off the estate from her grandmama’s home. It took a while to walk down to the inlet near the beach where she could see the small islands off in the distance. The clear blue green crystal clear water was always inviting.

The inlet flowed into a hidden alcove and deep into the woodland connected to the Morgan estate. The chateau that Sarah’s grandmama owned is huge. There are twenty huge bedrooms. Sarah’s grandpapa was very well off and left everything to her grandmama. Sarah would inherit it all one day. Rosalyn wouldn’t leave anything to Henry because he abused everything she held dear.

With over five hundred acres of prime land and ocean front property, along with massive woodland acreage the estate wasn’t shabby. It had set just below the Eaglecrest castle that had been abandoned some years now. The last owners of the castle had all died off and since then no one had lived there. Word had it that it was for sale. The governor of the land had proclaimed it.

A writ had been posted about the Eaglecrest castle being for sale and within a few months it was sold. No one knows who the buyer is to date. It was purchased through an out of the country legal courier. The owner’s name isn’t being released until such time as the owner wishes to be announced.

CHAPTER 2

It had been over five years since Sarah had seen Justin Webber. But she often thought about him and wondered what he had been up to. Since his papa had died she had lost all contact with him. He had been her only friend other than Grace, who had died from influenza as a child. She still missed her friend after all these years.

She decided to take a walk in the woodland because it was rather hot and she wanted to be as far from her papa as possible. He tended to get meaner than a rattlesnake with her when the heat was up like this outside. While walking she came upon a thicket where she happened to see a huge white deer resting. The deer looked up at her but wasn’t frightened by her.

This surprised Sarah since wild animals normally ran from humans. This deer just laid there as if she weren’t afraid at all. Sarah kept on walking and to her surprise the huge deer got up and followed her. Sarah was surprised and rather nervous to say the least. This is highly unusual, she thought to herself. She stopped and the deer stopped. She moved and the deer moved.

This went on for some time. Sarah finally just ignored the deer and kept walking for a while. All of a sudden she stopped, turned and looked the deer in the eye and stuck her hand out towards the deer. The deer didn’t move nor did Sarah. They both held their place. Sarah backed down first and went on and the deer followed. She is beautiful Sarah noticed.

The deer followed her continually until she left the woodland.

Every time Sarah entered the woodland the deer was there as though waiting for her. This went on for some time and one day Sarah stopped and Turned to speak to the deer and said I will call you Gracie after my dearest friend whom I last some years ago. The dear shook her head up and down as if she understood and to say yes.

Sarah then walked over and actually pet the deer for the very first time. The deer actually pushed her head up close to Sarah to cuddle her closer. Sarah hugged her huge neck and smiled deeply. You are just too darn amazing Gracie girl. No one in the world would believe I have you as a friend. She couldn’t help but to laugh.

Her stomach rumbled and she ran because she knew she would be late for lunch and she would get into trouble with her papa being late. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her and she managed to get there just in time to wash her face and hands and get to the table in time for the meal. She was a bit winded but she was on time and forced her breathing to remain stable so as not to catch a lecture or yelling at from her papa. she breathed in deep real slow and out slow until she was able to do so normally.

She took her time eating and when she had finished she went into the kitchen and managed to grab some apples away without anyone seeing her and off she went to feed them to Gracie who must have known she was coming because she was right there waiting for her as soon as she entered the woodland.

Sarah hugged Gracie and laughed then gave her the apples. Gracie ate them eagerly. She was happy the have the apples. They walked along for a while afterwards then all of a sudden Gracie stopped and just listened. Sarah noticed it had grown very quiet. She couldn’t hear any of the animals that she normally heard. It had grown quite still. She continued on alone to investigate. When she came to the beach she understood what had the animals all upset. There on the beach lay a man hung over the side of a dingy.

He tried to get up and she walked over to question the man but by the time she had reached him he was completely unconscious.

She took off running towards the chateau. Upon arriving Rosalyn had just come downstairs and she was all red in the face and out of breath. On the beach. Were about all she could manage at first. Rosalyn grabbed her and made her sit down and at that moment Henry came out of his study demanding to know what all the ruckus was about.

When she finally managed to catch her breath she told them about the man she found on the beach. Henry said to let him die. Rosalyn told Harold to fetch George and Take Sarah with them and bring the young man back to the House. Meanwhile she had the coachman fetch the doctor and the constable.

Sarah led the men to where she had found the young man and he was still slumped over the dingy unconscious right where she had found him. The men carefully picked him up and placed him in the cart they had brought with them to carry him back to the chateau. By the time they had arrived Henry was on the warpath. He had begun ranting and raving like a madman. Yelling that the young man wasn’t staying in his house under no circumstances and Rosalyn just looked at him and calmly told him to shut up. Henry I have had enough of your bantering. This is my home and if you don’t like how I run it you can pack your stuff and get out now. I have had all I can take from you.

He was furious and stomped off like a kid having a temper tantrum. Sarah couldn’t help laughing when she saw this escapade but she did so, so that he didn’t hear her. They hurried the young man inside and lay him on the table on blankets while they cleaned him up for the doctor to examine. His clothes were placed in an old sack for the constable. He had nothing on him to identify who he was.

Once he had been cleaned up Sarah had the distinct feeling she knew him. When she looked at him again she said no and passed off the notion. No it just couldn’t be she thought. Besides why would he be washed up on our beach? But, it is true I don’t know what he does for a living and I haven’t seen him in as many years. She let the thought go and went on about her business.

A short time later the doctor showed up. Where is the patient? In the dining room doctor Matthias. Well let’s have a see at him. Where was he found. Sarah found him down on the beach slumped over a dingy unconscious. I see said the doctor. Now let me alone with the young man so I can examine him. I need one man in here in which to assist me. Not a problem sir. Harold can stay here and assist you doctor.

When doctor Mathias finished his examination he went out to talk to Rosalyn about his findings. Well mrs. Morgan the young man has apparently been beaten and I can not be certain but he has been adrift for quite some time from what I can tell. He is seriously dehydrated and malnourished. He needs plenty of bed rest and nourishment and lots and lots of fluids. It will take quite some time for him to recover I am afraid. The worst thing is he can not be moved very far I am afraid he wouldn’t survive another move. I am surprised he didn’t die when he was moved here.

He is a very sick young man. He will need to take this every four hours to keep the fever down and lots of prayers won’t hurt either. Just as he was finishing up the constable came in. The doctor took him aside and filled him in on his findings and his recommendations. As he had turned to leave Henry came out and demanded the young man be put out of his house once again and the constable told Henry to behave himself or he would be taken into custody for obstructing justice. Henry was livid. This is my home sir and you have no right to come in here and tell me what to do. Right then Rosalyn spoke up once again and said no this is my home and if you say one more word I will ask the constable to remove you Henry. I have had enough.

The constable knew of Henry’s bad disposition. It was well known everywhere. He wasn’t liked anywhere. He had been marked a womanizer. He had been known to beat women when he didn’t get his way. The constable wanted any reason to take him away and lock him up. He turned to Henry and said just give me a reason, I want you too. Henry turned without a word and went into the study and slammed the door as hard as he could. That’s better Rosalyn said, sighing.

The men carefully moved the young man upstairs away from Henry and Andrew, to where Rosalyn and Sarah could care for him and Rosalyn had hired another couple of helpers to care for the young man around the clock. This is the first time Sarah meets Carla and Sherry Mars. These sisters will be a big help and it was the constable who had recommended them.

Constable Davis had a nice long talk with Rosalyn before he recommended the two women for the safety of the young man and her and Sarah at this point. Henry was becoming too unstable to be leaving them unprotected. As long as Andrew isn’t around causing any problems along with Henry The young women won’t have any problems. Together they can apprehend one ata time if need be, but not both at once.

In order to maintain the peace the young women ate their meals in the room where they stayed next to their patient. They took turns caring for him day and night. Sarah and Rosalyn even took turns helping to give the young women a break. Harold would come in and clean him and change the bed, He wasn’t asked to do it he just did it. Mary the head cook would slip up and help by spoon feeding him some chicken broth and beef broth. They would give him juices and lots of water. He sweated so much due to fever. For several weeks he suffered.

It was coming up near a month and he was still not conscious. His fever had finally broke several days ago but he still hadn’t wakened. He hadn’t even moved. His care takers had moved him regularly so keep him from getting bed sores. He was kept clean regularly as well.

Coming up on day thirty four he finally opened his eyes. He was startled to see a woman in the room. He tried to speak but nothing came out. It had been Sarah who had been there at that moment. She had matured into a fine woman and he didn’t know her at first. He was still a bit sleepy eyed.

She got Rosalyn right away once he woke up. He couldn’t talk yet so that didn’t help. He was still weak but stronger than when he had first arrived there. Rosalyn told him where he was and the realization hit him that it had been Sarah that he had awaken to. His heart jumped in his chest for the joy that he had made it back to his love.

Sarah he tried to say. Rosalyn understood what he tried to say. You know my Sarah he shook his head yes. Sarah do you know him. Sarah said she wasn’t certain. I think so but I can’t be sure. He reminds me of someone from my school days. He looked at her and shook his head yes. Justin she asked? He shook his head yes. Oh my dear God it really is you. I wasn’t sure.

Rest now and finish recovering, you are safe here. She turned and walked away. Rosalyn was right behind her. Sarah who is this young man and how do you know him? His name is Justin Webber and I know him from school. I haven’t seen him since almost a month prior to graduation when he was called away because his papa died. Now he just happens to was up on our beach years later? How odd don’t you think? I do at that grandmama, I do. I wonder what brought him here ? Sarah had questioned out loud.

Well we won’t know much of anything until he regains his voice now will we? That is for certain Rosalyn said. We still need to keep your papa away from him as well as Andrew. Yeah I know, that hasn’t been easy. Carla and Shelly have done a wonderful job of managing that, haven’t they. I believe constable Davis knew exactly what he was doing when he brought them in to help out. I do believe you are right Sarah my dear.

How about we join the rest of the family for lunch before Henry has a cow? You said a mouth full grandmama. Sarah laughed as they walked down the hallway towards the stairway to walk down towards the dining room. Marta was already better than halfway through her second drink and Andrew was already eating his salad. Henry had said nothing to them for days which was un nerving in and of itself. It being a calm before a major storm around their home. It terrified Sarah because she knew she would eventually be the one to bear the brunt of his anger once he blew up.

She would never understand why her papa hated her so desperately. It wasn’t natural. He treated Andrew completely different than he did her. Rosalyn didn’t hate her son, but she didn’t like him. Her heart ached deeply for her son and his evil ways. She prayed for him daily as did Sarah. It didn’t seem to have any effect at all. It seemed the more they prayed the more evil he became. It was terrible.

Sarah and Rosalyn ate quietly and after lunch Sarah took off for the woodland. She was so excited she wanted to share her news with Gracie. It didn’t take long before Gracie had showed up. Sarah hugged her neck and chatted away about Justin being the guy on the beach as if the deer understood every word she was saying. But the deer didn’t mind her babblings. Sarah was happy and that was all that mattered.

Sarah really liked spending time with the deer. The days were getting hotter and there didn’t seem to be any relief from the heat. When Sarah went into the woodland after breakfast the following morning after visiting Justin, Gracie showed Sarah to a waterfall where there was a pool beneath of crystal clear water for her to swim in. Sarah stripped of all her clothing and dove in. The water was cool and refreshing.

Sarah was surprised at the deer for knowing just what she needed. After cooling off she climbed out and put on only her under garments and sat on a huge rock in the shade a while before undressing and going in for another dip. This place was a pretty fair distance from the chateau so she had to cut her time shorter than she wanted to so she could get home in time for dinner as not to anger her papa.

She had to bathe and change clothes before dinner so she wouldn’t upset him for any reason. She had managed to arrive back at the chateau in more than enough time so she could bathe and change and also visit Justin before dinner. He was getting stronger each day and his voice was a bit of a whisper that evening. He had managed some soft foods and this is a good sign.

He was able to sit up at best but not much else. Day by day he was progressing a little at a time. His frustration was beginning to show. He wanted to get up and help himself, but was still was to weak and unable to do so. His frustration wasn’t with the women who cared for him, it was for himself. He couldn’t bear to be so weak and helpless.

Sarah deliberately has been avoiding him for the past several days because of the heat. She has spent her days at the falls swimming and keeping company with Gracie. She found such peace and contentment alone with her friend and she had no qualms about spending her days the way she did. Her life wasn’t easy and this was her only real happiness and she would let no one or nothing come between them.

Sarah was free when she was in the woodland and she was happiest when she was with Gracie. She had only known peace since she met Gracie. She loved the deer and the deer obviously loves her.

After several days she finally went to see him. He was then able to speak clearly. The constable had been into see him just prior to her visit and he was up and dressed and ready to leave. Henry was downstairs ranting and raving and demanding he leave immediately. Justin had heard him for the past two days and he had enough. He thanked Rosalyn for her kindness and offered to pay for his care and she was livid.

Young man Rosalyn said with attitude at his comment about paying for his care. This is my home and I don’t believe there was any mention of payment mentioned. So I don’t want to hear any more about it. Yes mama he said with his head down as if ashamed for the offence. With that she left. Sarah and Justin sat and talked for a bit. He filled her in quickly on all that had happened and where he lived now.

She was stunned to learn that he now was the owner of the castle up on the hill above the chateau from her home. I would like for you and your grandmama to come to dinner soon Sarah. I will call for you both soon. I must be on my way now before your papa comes up here and confronts me. He has made his point clear he does not want me here. Look Justin he doesn’t have any right to put you out of here. This is my grandmama’s house not his. He is just being an ogre as is his usual way.

Besides if he starts anything with you, the constable has already warned him he will lock him up. Justin laughed at Sarah, but she was serious and he knew it. He quit laughing and said his farewell and left. He had managed to slip out without running into Henry which was a good thing.

The carriage was waiting out in front of the chateau when Justin walked out the front door. Sarah watched as the carriage drove up the hill to the Eaglecrest castle. Henry watched the carriage also and was stunned. What the ……? Henry questioned as he watched from his window from his study as the carriage carry Justin Webber to the Eaglecrest castle. Who the heck is this joker who stayed in my house and now goes to the Eaglecrest castle, Henry questioned no one but the air? He would find out come what may. This joker stayed in his home for better than a month and lives in the Eaglecrest castle? Henry could see the money glistening before his eyes.

Sarah will marry this one Henry thought to himself and somehow I will gain access to his fortune through her, he laughed. First I have to be rid of mama.

Henry sat in his study plotting how he would manage to be rid of Rosalyn, Sarah, and Justin and manage to have all the wealth and land as well as the chateau and Eaglecrest castle. He already planned to be rid of Marla. He hated her for years. He tossed her out of his bed and bedroom right after Sarah was born. No reason or explanation.

He had been cheating on Marla long before Sarah was born. He had been going to the inn and buying loose women for years. He had a bad reputation for slapping them around and blackening their eyes and such. Henry was well known for his evil ways by many. It was no secret other than from his children. Maybe not Andrew, but Sarah anyway at least.

Before Justin had left the Morgan chateau had had made arrangements with the Mars sister’s to assist him in hiring a small staff. He was in need of a man servant and cooks and cleaning people. They had been up there preparing for his arrival while he lay in his sick bed.

Jordan was his man servant and he had been at the door when he arrived. The rest of the staff were there as well. All were there ready to meet their new lord of the Eaglecrest castle. Good day m’lord Jordan spoke out as Justin climbed down from the carriage. Still a bit weak. Jordan rushed to Justin’s side in case he would need assistance but he did not touch him.

Jordan introduced himself first then he named the rest of the staff and their duties.

Very well Justin said. I would like to rest, as you can tell I am still recovering. However I would like to have a private dinner party for this weekend for three. I want an invitation sent to mrs. Rosalyn Morgan and her granddaughter miss Sarah Morgan. Dinner at 6 p. m. Saturday evening dress casual. Will do sir.

I will show you to your room sir if you so wish. No Jordan not quite yet. I would like to sit in a well lit room and read a nice book and look out over the land. As you wish sir. I know just the room sir. Just follow me sir. Justin did so and was pleased when he walked in and the clean study where he could sit in a comfortable chair and relax and read. Jordan, I would like some cool tea while I wait for dinner and I would like all of you to join me for dinner. I will let everyone know sir and thank you sir. Jordan turned and left quietly. When he returned he asked Justin if there was anything he wanted specifically for his dinner and he answered no, whatever Mable cooks is fine. That is the cook’s name correct? Yes sir, it is. Very well then Jordan. I would like a small bowl of chicken soup and chicken salad sandwich for lunch,