Blind Success: Blind Duet, #2

By Susan Horsnell

Sequel to Blind Beginnings

Phillip Johnson has been blind since the age of six after sustaining a head injury in a wagon accident.
Growing up on a ranch outside of Austin hasn't been easy for the young man, but he has thrived with the loving help of his Step-Mother, Rachel, and the faithful support of his father, Luke.

At eighteen years old, he has made the decision to head to Macarthur to attend the Wyoming College for the Blind.

He plans to study Civil Government Law and Political Economics.

It is here he meets Belinda, and he falls deeply in love with her.

But she hides a dark and dangerous secret.

Can they overcome threatening obstacles and find happiness together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lipstick Publishing
• Release date: Sep 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223794110

Susan Horsnell

I’m an Australian author who lives in Queensland when not travelling and I write in a variety of Romantic sub-genres, including Western,  Historical, Gay, Mafia, and Contemporary Romance.  I have published over 60 books and novellas, many of which feature strong, independent heroines and rugged, alpha male heroes. Some of my popular series include the Outback Australia series and The Carter Brothers series. My books are known for their well-researched historical details, vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape and real life experiences. My work has garnered praise from readers and critics alike, and I have been a Finalist in both the Rone Awards and Laramie Awards as well as being a multiple times International Bestselling Author and USA Today Bestselling Author. If you're interested in learning more about my books:  Linktree https://linktr.ee/SusanHorsnell   

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Susan Horsnell

The right of Susan Horsnell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people are coincidental.

Written by Susan Horsnell

Edited by Redline Editing

Cover by Virginia McKevitt – Black Widow Books

https://www.facebook.com/blackwidowbooks/

Note to Reader

Braille: A system of raised dots which enables the blind and visually impaired to read.

Developed in France by Louis Braille, in 1824 when he was just 15 years old. Braille writing was taught with the use of a metal slate, paper and a wooden handled awl. Raised dots were pressed into the paper to enable the blind and visually impaired to read.

Louis then developed Braille musical notation and published a book about this in 1829.

This book is a work of fiction and although some details are accurate some have been embellished for the sake of the story.

BRAILLE READING CHART

Chapter One

⠉ ⠓ ⠁ ⠏ ⠞ ⠑ ⠗ ⠕ ⠝ ⠑

A close up of an animal Description automatically generated

Texas 1881

Come on Phillip, Hurry up.

Phillip’s young brother, Tom, danced from one foot to the other. He waited impatiently in the doorway of the washroom while the big brother he idolized, finished washing.

Phillip laughed as he patted his face dry. He spun around from the sink and swept his brother into his arms.

What’s the rush, squirt? The river isn’t going anywhere.

Pa said, because it was your last day at home, we’re spending the whole time together. Miss Meg, Smoky, Beatrice and Alex are here.

Are Uncle Nathan and Aunt Sally coming too? Phillip enquired.

Yep and they’re bringing Lily and John.

Quite the family gathering and it’s not even Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Phillip was leaving the ranch to head for college in Macarthur, Wyoming. His mother had submitted his application for enrollment to study Civil Government Law and Political Economics at the College for the Blind. He had been enthusiastically accepted when the board witnessed his consistent Honors Grades.

He would miss his wonderful family, especially his mother, Rachel. Although she was his stepmother, he couldn’t have loved her more if she had given birth to him.

He had been six years old; the same age Tom was now when he was blinded in a wagon accident that killed his birth mother and her lover. That was twelve years ago.

Rachel, who his father had employed to teach him Braille, had also taught Luke acceptance and had held father and son together.

Luke and Rachel had fallen in love and, to everyone’s delight, she had accepted his proposal of marriage. She had then proceeded to adopt Phillip as her own. It was the happiest day of Phillip’s young life when the Judge in Austin pronounced, they were mother and son.

He had always had a loving, respectful relationship with his father but the bond with his mother was unbreakable. The love he felt for her was unmatchable, and he often despaired, how a woman of his own age would live up to the high standards Rachel had set in his mind.

~*~

I guess Eddie and Alice will be getting impatient too? Phillip mused.

He traipsed downstairs to the kitchen with his brother securely held in one arm and his cane in the other. He set Tom down on the floor as they entered.

Rachel and Meg crisscrossed the kitchen as they gathered the items, they needed for a picnic lunch. They stood on tiptoe and placed a kiss on Phillip’s cheek as they passed by.

His two sisters, Edwina, referred to as Eddie, aged twelve and Alice aged eight along with Meg and Smoky’s two children raced around the house playing tag.

Take the children outside please, son, or we’ll never get done, Rachel begged Phillip.

Phillip secured his cane under his arm before placing a finger from each hand in his mouth. He let out an ear-piercing whistle.

The ladies were startled and Meg dropped a large chunk of cheese.

How many times have I asked you not to do that? You scare the dead. His mother admonished.

I know, Ma, but the kids know they have to come straight to me when I do it.

As if proving his point, the children rushed in and lined up like soldiers in front of him.

Yes, I can see, she admitted. At least give us some warning. Maybe that will help.

It’s my last day here for a while, so I won’t need to do it much anymore.

Rachel was thankful her son couldn’t see the tears welling in her grief-stricken eyes.

I will miss him so much. How will he manage in a strange place without us? She was worried but, for a king’s ransom, would not let it show.

Right, you young whipper-snappers; outside with you, Phillip ordered. He positioned his cane in his hand and led the way to the front door.

The ladies giggled at the sight of the youngsters marching single file behind him. They had a great deal of respect for the man and respected the limitations of his blindness.

They descended the steps and Phillip felt the breeze as they escaped their confinement and rushed past.

Eddie, I’m going to the stables to see Pa and Smoky. Keep an eye on the young ones please.

I will, his little sister called out as she raced off in pursuit of the others.

~*~

Phillip sauntered across the yard to the stables where he could hear voices. It was a warm, sunny day and the heat from the sun lifted his spirits.

He was going to miss his beloved ranch. The nervous excitement at attending college was overshadowed by the sadness of leaving the only home he had ever known.

He was very strong academically, thanks to Rachel’s dedicated teaching. He had developed a fascination for Politics and the Law. He had spoken at length with his parents about his desire to attend college, obtain a degree and settle in Austin as a Government Advisor.

Luke had been disappointed initially. He had hoped his eldest son would want to stay at the ranch, and one day run it with the assistance of his younger brother.

Rachel was pleased her son wanted to continue his education and proud of the independence she had instilled in him over the years.

As much as neither of them wanted their son to leave the safety of the ranch, Phillip's parents knew he had to find his own way in the world.

He was thrilled when they both gave him their blessings and offered their support.

~*~

Pa, Smoky? He tapped his way into the stables.

In the stall with Saturn, his father called back.

Saturn, his father’s loyal mount, was in a stall at the far end of the stable block, so Phillip headed toward them.

He stopped to pat Blackie, a huge jet-black gelding. His father had bred the horse and given it to Phillip when he was only a child.

Phillip had nurtured the horse from a colt and taken care of him until he was old enough to ride safely.

One more member of the family to miss, he whispered into Blackie’s nose as he lowered his head and gave the horse a kiss."

Blackie nickered softly as if he knew something was different.

Phillip entered Saturn’s stall, slid his back down the fence and came to rest on his haunches.

Something wrong with Saturn, Pa?

He picked up a stone. We removed it yesterday, but Smoky noticed he was still limping on it this morning.

Lameness in a horse was his father’s greatest fear. He detested having to put an otherwise healthy horse down. For the past ten years, his family had made a comfortable living thanks to his father’s keen eye for good horse flesh and carefully matched breeding. Their horses were in demand all over the country. Phillip was proud of the men in his life.

Uncle Nathan will be here soon. Why don’t you ask him to take a look?

I think I will. We can’t see anything wrong; maybe Nathan will feel something. Luke stood up and brushed the hay from his denims. How about we mosey back to the house for a coffee before we head to the river?

Smoky lowered Saturn’s hoof to the ground, secured the stall, and joined Luke and his son as they strolled back to the house.

Are you looking forward to heading off on your big adventure tomorrow? Smoky asked Phillip.

I’m excited about the college and the learning, but I’ll miss everyone here, he confessed.

It’s not easy heading to a strange city when you’re so young and I guess it’s even harder when you can’t see. You’ll be right, though. You have a good head on your shoulders thanks to your Ma and Pa, most of the time anyway. Smoky pushed Phillip on the shoulder and laughed.

Father and son chuckled with him.

The children were squealing and playing tag as the men clomped their way up the front steps to the house.

Are we going now, Pa? Alice called out.

Nathan and Sally’s buggy on the path near his house drew Luke's attention. Not long now darlin’. Uncle Nathan and Aunt Sally are here. He pointed down the road for the children to see.

Oooh, Lily and John are here, Eddie squealed. Even though young, she was a proper mother hen and adored her cousins; Lily aged three and John aged six months. She lifted her skirts and dashed to intercept the buggy. The other children followed close behind.

~*~

With Phillip’s sensitive hearing, the combined sounds of children squealing and running, plus the buggy, sounded like the cavalry was arriving. He chuckled.

Watch the horse! Luke yelled as the children headed straight into its path.

Nathan slowed the horse to a walk. He knew as soon as his oldest niece spotted them, she would race out and claim his son.

Luke bellowed with laughter and Smoky joined in.

What is it, Pa? Phillip asked.

It was like Moses parting the red sea. When the kids got close to the horse and I called out, some scattered to one side of the buggy and some to the other side.

Phillip joined in their laughter. He had become used to his family explaining things which were out of the ordinary. It was one more thing he would miss after tomorrow.

~*~

Nathan reined in his horse, secured the reins and the brake. He jumped into the throng of youngsters who were now gathered together welcoming Lily.

Uncle Nathan, Uncle Nathan Alice, and Smoky’s eight-year-old daughter, Beatrice, shouted together.

He swept one into each arm, placed a kiss on their cheeks and lowered the giggling girls back onto the ground.

Humph, married and he still attracts the girls. Luke laughed.

Nathan lifted Lily down so she could join in the fun. He then rounded the buggy to lift his wife, Sally, down.

Eddie had already claimed John and was busily cooing in baby talk while he held onto her finger and gazed at her face.

I’ll take him in out of the sun. She announced with authority before promptly turning and heading indoors. Sally followed her inside knowing Alice and Bea would keep a close eye on Lily.

Nathan shook hands with the men before they filed into the kitchen for coffee.

Rachel and Meg were oohing and aahing over how much the baby had grown; Luke decided it would be quicker and easier to make coffee himself.

Phillip sat down at the table and listened to the happy din. He was beginning to hate the thought of not being with his family for months on end.

Chapter Two

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A close up of an animal Description automatically generated

The time spent at the river had been wonderful. The younger children were exhausted after being thrown around in the water by Phillip and the other men.

Phillip carried a sleeping Tom in one arm as he tapped his way back to the house. He listened to the quiet chatter of the other adults as they sauntered along.

Only the three oldest girls remained awake. The other children had fallen asleep while the adults relaxed on the blankets.

Phillip enjoyed the time with his family and he