Dream Mountain: Mountain of Love, #0

By Eila Trent

A young woman has been given no choice but to marry a baron.

Her heart has already been promised to another.

 

The year is 1894 in a small village in Northern Europe and spring holds a promise of love. Marta is set to celebrate her eighteenth birthday when a young man comes to town and into her life. Josef plans to only stay for the summer, but when he meets Marta, he vows to never leave. Their love blooms like the summer flowers but is soon crushed by His Lordship, the baron whose land her father works.

 

In exchange for Marta's hand in marriage, the nobleman will give more land to her father. She is whisked away to his manor as Josef's uncle plans their escape. Marta must free herself from her imprisonment to find a life with her true love.

Danger waits behind every shadow as she fights her way back to Josef. Friends who believe in their love risk everything to help the young couple find happiness. But who can she trust? How far is the baron's reach?

 

Josef has nothing to offer but his love. Will he wait for her?

Can she survive the arduous journey?

When will her dreams be fulfilled?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eila Trent
• Release date: Nov 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215405345

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The screen door opened and slammed shut. The excited voices of the old woman’s granddaughters made her smile as they made their way to the parlor, their footsteps slapping on the wood floor.

Nana! Nana! they shouted and burst through the doorway. The gray cat on her lap jumped down, stretched, and moved out of the way as the girls ran toward the rocking chair.

Hello, my darlings. How was school today? she asked, her green eyes sparkling as she smiled. Her neck was soon surrounded by loving arms and her cheeks bathed in kisses. She laughed as the girls competed to see who could plant the most on her face in the shortest amount of time.

Estelle and Elizabeth giggled as they fell across their grandmother’s lap, one on each leg. The bubbly seven-year-old girls were the twinkle in her eye. With a broad smile, she laid a hand on each of their heads. Their auburn hair, tied into pigtails with yellow ribbons, shone in the afternoon sunlight.

We had a special guest today, Estelle said as she rolled her head to face her sister.

It was the fire chief, Elizabeth finished. More often than not, the twins completed each other’s sentences. They were reflections of one another, not only in looks, but in thoughts and actions.

Well, the old woman said, that must have been quite interesting. Tell me more.The girls took turns telling her about their day, the fire truck, and what they’d eaten for lunch. Sometimes they would look at each other and start laughing. They shared an inner sense of joy.

Estelle, Elizabeth, called their mother from the kitchen.

Run, your mother is calling you.

Yes, Nana, said the girls in unison. They scampered out of the room and the cat jumped off the windowsill and back onto the old woman’s warm lap. Stroking his fur, she sighed as he purred and flicked the end of his tail.

Moments later, the girls reappeared with a small plate of warm cookies. The cat lifted his head to sniff, but finding nothing interesting, he put it back under her hand.

Here, these are for you, said the girls. And Mama wants to know if you’d like tea, too.

Oh my, yes, that would be lovely.

They handed her the plate, their face bright and their cheeks flushed. We’ll be right back—stay here. Don’t move, okay? It was a command more than a request.

Laughing at their instructions, she nodded. Listening to them whispering to each other as they skipped down the hallway made her smile. They had formed their own language, fascinating her with their relationship. The girls were a source of love and immeasurable happiness, their presence always lifting her spirits.

Within minutes, the girls returned, one carrying a small teapot and the other a cup and saucer, both wearing a huge smile.

Mama said she already added the cream and sugar. They looked at each other and grinned. Their eyes spoke of what they were laughing about. Be careful, it’s hot.

Thank you and I will. Nana poured her tea and took a sip. Oh, that’s good.

The girls sat down on the hassock together. They were never far apart. Here, have a cookie, too. They both held the plate up to her and waited.

The old woman took a bite of the cookie and rolled her eyes as she licked her lips around and around, looking as clownish as possible. Mmm. Oh, I think I’ve gone to heaven, she sighed and went limp in her chair, closing her eyes tightly. The girls squealed in delight at her reaction as she remained in a state of ecstasy. As she peeked open an eye and lifted her head, they burst into laughter.

You’re so funny, Nana. We love you, they said as they hugged her. Will you please tell us the story again?

Hmm… do you have any homework or chores?

We just have to read ten pages tonight. We’ll do that after dinner. And we cleaned our room this morning before school. Please, they said with emphasis, holding their eyes as wide as her saucer and clasping their hands, looking every bit like twin cherubs.

The old woman laughed. I suppose since you asked so politely, I’ll grant your wish.

Clapping their hands and scooting closer together, they sat intently waiting.

It was long ago before— their grandmother started in a dramatic whisper.

No, Nana, interrupted the twins. It was ‘long, long ago.’ You always say it like that.

Oh, yes, you’re right. I forgot one ‘long,’ didn’t I? The old woman laughed so hard it disturbed the cat and he jumped down to find a quieter location in a sunbeam.

Looking at each other and grinning, the girls pivoted their attention back to the storyteller.

Well, let’s start over, shall we? Bending forward, she widened her eyes. She stretched out her arms, moving her hands toward the children, only to stop midway. She cleared her throat, beginning again.

It was long, long ago, in a faraway country…

CHAPTER TWO

Marta, please go fetch water for us, her mother said. "And don’t dawdle. Be quick about it. I