Farah's Freedom: Heartsgate Hope, #1

By Morgan Dawson

Farah grew up learning to protect her heart from the world around her. After dealing with continued abuse from her father, she wants nothing more than to finally be free. When an eccentric woman in her book club gives her the opportunity of a lifetime, Farah has to make a choice that will change her life forever.

 

Nathan lives a quiet and simple life on the farm he runs with his brother. But when a mysterious woman suddenly arrives in town, Nathan finds himself drawn to her in ways he can't understand.

 

After Farah finds herself thrown into a new world filled with unexpected challenges and new people, she has to learn to trust those around her if she wants to stand any chance to survive.

 

As messy secrets begin to unravel and love hangs on the line, will Farah and Nathan be able to fight against all odds, and find their chance at love and freedom?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morgan Dawson
• Release date: Mar 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201868031

Book preview

Chapter 1

Farah

Sleep wouldn’t come. No matter how hard she tried to get her mind to rest, doubt and fear seemed to seep into her thoughts.

Farah rested her hand gently on Bentley’s back and felt the small dog’s tail give a little wag in acknowledgment.

Where would they be tomorrow at this time? The thought alone terrified her. Was she making the right choice? What if it was a mistake?

All these questions seemed to swirl around so fast that it made her feel dizzy.

She had been skeptical at first. Time travel was something only for science fiction books and movies. Right?

So, when an eccentric woman with bright, purple hair first came to the book club meetings at the library each week, Farah had decided she was simply crazy. It wasn’t until she’d witnessed Heather disappear right into thin air, that Farah started to consider Dr. Lachele’s abilities as possible.

Since Heather, many of the people she’d met through the book club had also packed their lives up and were now living in a whole new time period.

And now, she was the one who was about to travel in time. The words still sounded completely crazy when she said them, but it was true.

Her bag was packed with the few things she was taking with her, but otherwise this would be a completely new start for her. And even though she was scared, a small part of her felt the excitement growing in her heart.

The thought of leaving her tiny apartment and saying goodbye to her abusive father forever was so freeing. Growing up with her father hadn’t been easy, and even after she’d saved enough money to move out as soon as she’d turned eighteen, she still hadn’t been able to escape him.

Every night she made sure the door was locked, and she’d even invested in a security bar, after he’d managed to break the lock one time.

Her father was what she feared most in the world. Other people had normal fears like being scared of spiders or heights. But for Farah, from the time her mother had left when she was five, her dad had been her biggest fear.

Thinking of the innocent child she’d once been, sent a pang straight to her heart. There was a time where she hadn’t yet learned that the people you’re taught to love and trust from the very beginning, could actually hurt you the most.

Bentley? Farah whispered, her stomach suddenly aching.

The dog lifted his head to look up at her with his big, floppy ears, and she was so grateful for those chocolate brown eyes that always reminded her she wasn’t as alone as she felt.

Are you excited to go to a pioneer town?

Bentley tilted his head to one side, and Farah smiled down at him. He had no idea what was coming for them. Their life was about to completely change.

But Farah also knew that dog would follow her to the ends of the earth if he could. A dog’s love was like no other.

She would never have agreed to go if Dr. Lachele had said Bentley couldn’t come. Farah knew she could never leave without her faithful friend.

As Bentley curled up closer to her, Farah slowly felt sleep take its hold as her apartment faded from view and the swirling darkness surrounded her.

Oh, you look fantastic! Dr. Lachele hurried toward her, a warm grin on her face. That dress is perfect for a pioneer woman. Where did you find it?

I ordered it online actually. I couldn’t believe that it ended up looking so realistic.

Well, the Internet is certainly a wonderful place—although you won’t have that where you’re going.

Farah let out a nervous laugh. Shouldn’t Dr. Lachele try to reassure her about going? Instead, she’d only made her realize just how much she’d be saying goodbye to.

And what did you bring with you?

Farah glanced down at the small, leather bag she’d found at the back of her closet. It seemed like it wouldn’t stand out too much once she got there. Some feminine products, deodorant, a nightgown, my sketchbook, and a small tub of food for Bentley, just in case. Do you think I should’ve brought more?

No, no. That’s perfect, dear. Don’t you worry about a thing.

Farah raised her eyebrows, trying to imagine how someone wouldn’t be at least a little worried about traveling in time. I did have a question about this whole thing—how will I know when I’m in the right place?

You’ll just know, Farah. It’s hard to explain, but you will know deep down in your heart that it’s right. You’ll know the people you were meant to find.

Farah nodded, still unsure how she was supposed to just know. It seemed easier said than done.

Why did you choose to go to a frontier town anyway? You do know there are so many more luxurious and exciting places you could go, right?

I don’t know. Farah shrugged, suddenly starting to wonder if she’d made the right choice. I guess I’ve always loved learning about that time in America’s history. And I’ve always felt like the way of life was so much simpler back then. I want to have that. A simpler life.

I can understand that. It definitely won’t be easy, but once you adjust, I know you’ll be alright. The heart seems to know where it belongs, even long before you know. Dr. Lachele smiled, her purple hair shimmering from the light shining in the library window.

Farah knew many people who had gone before her were looking for love, but she just wanted to be free. And leaving everything behind to start over somewhere completely new, was the only way she was sure she would find true freedom.

Well, are you ready to go? Dr. Lachele asked.

Farah looked around the room at the other book club members who she had grown to know quite well through their weekly meetings. It was hard to imagine not seeing them again.

Usually, it was her in their seats, watching someone else be transported in time. But today it was her turn.

Yes. I’m ready. She took a deep breath, deciding she needed to do this now before she had a chance to chicken out. Kneeling down to unclip Bentley’s collar and scoop him into her arms, she gave Dr. Lachele a shaky smile.

You remember what to do? Dr. Lachele arched an eyebrow at her, reaching to give Bentley a final scratch on his head.

Farah nodded, biting her lip as she began the words she’d practiced over and over again for the last few weeks. It felt like the kind of thing you didn’t want to make a mistake on. I wish I could go back in time to a small pioneer town during the later years of the nineteenth century, to find my chance at freedom.

The room fell silent, and at first Farah didn’t think anything was going to happen until finally, the world around her began to spin and swirl. Closing her eyes, she held her breath, not sure what to expect next.

Before she had time to process everything happening around her, the world went dark.

Chapter 2

Farah

As she opened her eyes, she let out a small gasp. It had actually worked. She wasn’t entirely sure where she was, but she’d definitely made it. This wide-open prairie wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting, though.

Where had Dr. Lachele placed her? She’d specifically asked to go to a town because she had no wilderness survival skills. As she slowly pushed herself up off the ground and gazed around at the seemingly endless prairie, fear began to rush through her.

What had she been thinking? There was no way she’d survive living as a pioneer woman. Sure, she had always loved reading historical books, but actually living it…that was an entirely different story.

Bentley let out a bark from where he stood beside her. This was enough to remind her that she couldn’t just stand here all day. She had to do something. But what?

There were no buildings or signs of life for miles, and the bright sun was already beating down on her head.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the bonnet she’d also managed to buy online and struggled to tie it under her chin.

She then went to reach for her phone in her back pocket before remembering that she didn’t have it anymore. How was she supposed to check what she looked like now?

Heaving a sigh, she hoped the bonnet was on straight and decided to start walking down the worn dirt path she’d landed on. Surely this path would lead her somewhere eventually, right?

Come on, Bentley, she called as the small chihuahua looked up at her with confusion clear in his wide, brown eyes. Farah couldn’t help but smile at him. He would have no clue what had just happened to them. I know this is likely confusing for you, buddy, but we live here now.

Seeming to decide it wasn’t worth arguing over, Bentley hurried to catch up with her as he sniffed at the ground.

It was beautiful out here. She could admit that. The sky seemed larger than it had in New York, the blue expanse stretching on forever with large, puffy, white clouds slowly dancing across it.

A gentle breeze rustled through the long grass that grew on either side of the uneven, dirt path, and a lovely songbird sang a cheerful song from somewhere nearby.

Filling her lungs with the sweet, fresh air, Farah felt like it was the first time in her life she’d actually been able to breathe. It wasn’t until she took that