Wild Hearts Collide

By Sarah Jae Foster

Forced to leave home and all she’s ever known at nineteen, Cameron Engel heads for Lincoln County, Kansas, ready to explore life like never before. But she quickly realizes her inexperienced nature is no match for this rough and dangerous new town. She needs confidence and bravery to survive - and she’s determined to acquire both, even if it means making choices that in the end could destroy her. Gunslinger Jake Collins has that fearlessness and courage Cameron wants to possess, but she soon finds herself wanting Jake, a man she’s been warned against. Andrew Johnson is the town’s preacher. He offers Cameron a way of living and loving - she’s never known... until now. Two very different men, and for better or for worse, two very different loves. Torn by indecision, Cameron seeks to receive acceptance from the only one who can provide it. God. But has she gone too far by giving her heart in all the wrong ways? After coming into the knowledge of God’s true and unconditional love, she faces the toughest choice she’s ever had to make. Jake or Andrew....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fear Not Publishing
• Release date: Feb 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215935767

Book preview

Chapter One

LUDENVILLE, WYOMING, 1882

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For Cameron Engel, it did not happen when her father abandoned her as a young girl or upon her mother’s recent death. Not even last week when Bud Jenkins broke into her home and tried to attack her because she’d turned down his father’s marriage proposal. It didn’t matter that Will Jenkins had six kids and owned a pig farm, or that he was three times her age. The one thing that caused this catapult into a new life was the deathbed confession of her mother. She had a brother. His name was Thomas Engel. He was twelve years older, and lived, according to the one letter he wrote to their mama, in Lincoln County, Kansas, a man who never knew she existed.

Cameron allotted herself one trunk and one carpetbag. Deciding what to put in them proved more painful than she thought possible. There was not enough room to pack all of her memories. She was giving up her childhood home, selling it to strangers. Even if she never located Thomas, the reason for her leaving all that was familiar, her determination was to begin a new life. In all of her nineteen years, she’d never left Ludenville. Everyone always said that the Engels’ were a strong lot, and despite Cameron’s few weeks of falling into an awful state of despair over her mother’s death, she now felt a tingle of excitement. There had been no escaping the thrilling fear of riding on a train to Kansas to see what life held for her in the unknown. For the first time, the courage of her mother, Madeline Engel, her flesh and her blood, seemed to fall upon Cameron like a blanket.

She gripped up her carpet bag and took a lingering gaze at the home she’d built with her mother. Well, here I come Thomas, ready or not.

Three days later a cheerful conductor walked up and down the tight aisle of the roaring train and announced they would be in Lincoln County within an hour's time. The words hit Cameron and she swallowed hard at the reality… she reminded herself that she was a grown up, and would handle grown up things.

Finally they arrived at the Lincoln County depot. Opening wide the door for a future destined for Cameron and her brother, or so she hoped.

She arranged with the station clerk to hold her trunk at the depot and he gave her names of the two hotels in town, with simple directions of how to get to each. For the first time in her life, Cameron did not know where she was going to sleep. The idea of that didn’t frighten her, she was exhilarated—what an adventure!

Cameron lugged her heavy carpet bag over her shoulder and squeezed through weary and tired passengers awaiting luggage to be unloaded from the hissing train. Despite the late hour people milled about as if it were day. Just two of the many streets combined were wider than the entire town she grew up in, with four corner lamp posts lighting the way. Cameron searched her surroundings thoroughly and obediently followed the clerk’s instructions, crossing streets and passing several buildings before she recognized the name of the first hotel.

She hesitated before the painted sign that read Lacey’s Place and peered through the large window. The tunes being played on the piano drummed against her nose as it touched the pane. The women inside were immodestly dressed, flirting and sitting on men’s knees. Cameron decided she should move herself to check out the other hotel, which couldn’t be any worse. Sleep was what she wanted, not to be manhandled.

As a rowdy group of pedestrians headed her way, Cameron rushed off the boardwalk. She struggled with her bag, getting heavier by the moment, and steadied herself before investigating what the other hotel had to offer. The corner of Sable and Elm Street was what she was on the lookout for. Street names, dozens of buildings, the darkness, this was much more than she had ever dared to imagine. Not making eye contact with anyone seemed to be the wisest decision. Her earlier delight ebbed away and dread readily replaced it.

As she walked farther down the road, her nagging fear became stronger and her shoulder burned from the weight of the bag. The fact that there were no lanterns beaming in the corners of this part of town should have sent off a warning signal, but she’d already committed, and stopped finally, in front of the Half Moon Saloon.

Discouraged, Cameron shivered. It was dark, dirty, unkempt, and… awful. Her eyes welled with tears. She was angry to have been defeated on the first night of her freeing adventure, on the first night of possibly being in the same place as her brother—a brother who was probably home somewhere, tucking his children into bed and sitting by the fire with a wife. A brother whom Cameron fervently hoped would take to her. She backed away, knowing it was her choice to stay here in this dreadful place or the bright, colorfully wild hotel several streets away.

Walking as fast as her weary legs would take her, Cameron rounded the corner back onto Main Street. Keeping her eyes to the ground landed her smack into a man’s hard chest. She let out a small cry, and in surprise, dropped her bag onto the dusty street. What was going to happen to her now? Bud Jenkins' lust filled gaze shot through her mind.

I startled you.

She heard her would be attacker’s voice but couldn’t see his face for the deep shadows and the low brim of his hat. She recalled the words of a well-meaning passenger on the train when describing Lincoln County ...ruthless, lawless, gunslingers, and after tonight, she would probably add murderer to the long list.

I know it’s none of my business, but what in blazes are you doing walking alone in this part of town?

The scolding in his voice caught her off guard—she wasn’t a child!

Here, he said softer. Let me help you.

He bent down, retrieved the bag and handed it to her.

Cameron inhaled the night air, feeling like a fool. After a deep breath, she accepted her carpet bag from his calloused hand. I was just on my way to Lacey’s Place, excuse me.

Well, you’re mighty lost I would say.

I’m not lost, I know the way. She hoisted the bag, which she could no longer bear the weight of, and soldiered on.

Cameron refused to look back to see if he was following, although a little bit of her hoped he was. Unless he was a great liar, she didn’t believe he’d hurt her. He could have already done that and without one witness about.

After checking into the hotel, Cameron climbed the wide flight of stairs and unlocked the room’s door. Once inside she massaged her sore shoulder. All of the emotions of the night, added to the strain of travel, had drained her. Soon enough, the noise from the saloon below faded into the darkness of her mind. Nothing short of that iron horse of a train coming through the doors could have moved her.

A close-knit circle of men engaged in a high-stakes poker game were full of drink and lost in a thick mass of cigar smoke whirling around them. The Half Moon Saloon, owned by Harry, boasted clientele from the likes of outlaws, riff-raff and unkempt prostitutes. Thomas Engel and his men fit in perfectly.

Thomas laid down and fanned out his winning hand. Mack Owens threw his cards down and swore, then playfully sucker punched Thomas – to which a friendly scuffle ensued. Thomas pulled him into a headlock and rubbed down Mack’s flaming red hair with his knuckles, knocking chairs over in the process.

Jesse Dalton angrily pushed out of his chair. Come on, boys! Yer messin’ up the table!

Cards cascaded from the table and into a pile on the floor as the two wrestled. Gunslinger Johnny and his serious countenance, gave them the room and headed outside. Patrons moved out of the way as Harry and his four-hundred pound frame tore down the stairs. Not again! You’re going to pay this time and I mean it!

Mack rose from the floor, carelessly dusting off his clothes – though it did nothing to fix his disheveled appearance. Thomas, being more meticulous than that, took his time to adjust his clothes, his hair, his hat. He didn’t give Harry the time of day but being as observant as he is, noticed three newcomers enter and make their way over to the bar.

Mack tossed some coins over to Harry, they bounced around at his feet. Everyone knew he’d be unable to bend over to retrieve them. Mack laughed it off.

Jesse set right the table and chairs and said, Let’s play another round.

Harry barked at one of the saloon girls. Don’t just stand there. Pick these up for me!

Jesse assembled the cards from the floor, they took their seats and Jesse dealt another hand. All the while, Thomas had his eye on the burly man at the bar – the trio looked like they'd been on the trail a while. The man must’ve felt the stare because he turned to meet Thomas. Mutually, they nodded to one another and then the man’s eyes drifted to Jesse and narrowed. The man stiffened, pounded back his drink and nudged his companions.

Thomas splayed his palms on the table to halt Jesse’s dealing.

Jesse responded, Hey man! I’ve a right to win back my money.

Mack looked at Thomas in question, then followed his cautious gaze.

The man walked over to their table, addressed Jesse. Your name Dalton?

Nodding yes, Jesse instinctively put his hand over the butt of his gun.

The man simply said, I’m going to kill you tonight.

Do I get the pleasure of knowin’ why? Not to mention the fact that I don’t know who in blazes you are.

Mack rose from his seat.

The man looked between the three. You’d do well to stay put. To Jesse he said, Been looking for you nigh a month.

Looks like you found me. What’s your complaint?

The man lifted his shotgun and put it at Jesse’s temple. Does the name Lila Mason ring a bell?

After thinking a moment, Jesse shook his head – no. Let me guess, you’re Mr. Mason?

Mason’s two cronies drew their weapons.

I’m her brother. Get up, coward. Outside.

Complying, Jesse got up and moved toward the door. One of Mason’s men cocked his pistol as patrons scattered to the four corners of the room. Thomas knew he could take him, but the other guy positioned himself behind Thomas and he wouldn’t be able to get the upper hand. Where was Johnny?

The only thing heard was the heavy, labored breathing of a very annoyed looking Harry.

The trigger happy fellow pointed the gun between Mack and Thomas. No funny business.

Maintaining a calm, uncaring demeanor, Thomas asked, Mind if we at least watch?

Eager for action, the man behind Thomas urged his friend. Come on, Sim. Let ‘em watch. It’s the last time they’re gonna see that young whipper-snapper.

They embarked outside to find a row of bystanders also waiting to witness the death of Jesse Dalton. A few were thoughtful enough to bring lanterns to light up the dark alley. Mason had forced Jesse to kneel in the dirt thoroughfare. Jesse’s fingers were steepled as if in prayer, while awaiting execution. Thomas looked around for Johnny and didn’t see him. He was about to make a move when a gunshot pierced the air and Jesse hollered. A moment passed. A thud was heard. Jesse opened one eye. Dirt and blood sprayed a pattern all over Jesse’s chest as Mason’s body hit the ground. A perfect hole in the center of his forehead.

Thomas’s gaze located Johnny then and he