Gold Raven

James & Keyes

This thanks, goes out to the many readers who offered so much praise for the first book in this trilogy, Princess Ceś alena. Without the loyalty and encouragement from you readers, we might have given this up a long time ago. However, because of the constant positive reviews from those who sighed our guestbook; who emailed us; who went through the trouble of leaving a review of praise at a site or online bookstore… we wish to give our thanks to -
you
- this time. It is our intention, to always provide quality interracial literature to keep our readers enthralled and entertained.

From us, Lawrence James & Mercedes Keyes, with our heartfelt thanks to you… our valued reader.

First thing to consider before continuing in your reading of our Webster Fields Trilogy, book two, Gold Raven; is that you are reading, a historical fiction piece. It consists of the following ingredients, our imagination; our observations regarding human frailties; flaws and behavior in the midst of events where they will display acts of loyalty; revenge; and conflict amidst this drama. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.

Ronald Greg McMullin

1952 – 1992

Book two can only be dedicated to one person; my older brother, Ron. I would like to go on listing his virtues, but in reading this novel, you will better get to know the person he was by the character Michael Ramsey Webster. You see, I endowed this character with his personality. When he was alive and we were growing up, unfortunately, apart… we always longed to be together. However, when we did come together… all we seemed to do was fight; often because my brother had only one view of what I should be and how I should act. Any deviation from his set idea, meant war. It was not until I was a grown woman with children, living in the real world, that I came to understand my brother Ron. In 1990, he lost two daughters to a fire. I ran to be at his side, because I just had to. He lived in Florida and I was in Chicago. It was a good thing that I did because for the first time, I really came to know him, the man. Oh, what a joy that time had been between us. I then regretted all the wasted time in the past when all we did was fight. I thank God, we had that time. Because the next time we came together, it would be at his funeral.

Ron, book two… I dedicate to you.

Your Sister,

Mercedes Keyes

Golden Hope Webster
...

(Manny & Lena's daughter)

Michael Ramsey Webster
…

(Manny & Lena's eldest son)

Maynard Ramsey Webster
…

(Manny)

Joseph Avery O'Brien
…

(Chief Red Crow)

Leon McNeil
…

(Manny’s right hand)

Maria Webster
…

(Michael's Wife)

Esteban Royale Webster
…

(Michael’s Son)

Josephine O'Brien
…

(Josey)

Greeneye
…

(Co – Chief)

Morris Roland Webster
…

(Manny's Father)

Jordan
…

(Free man and Manny's friend)

Princess Ceś alena
…

(Lena)

Rory Everard Sinclair
…

(Manny & Lena's youngest son)

Sandra Sinclair
…

(Lena's employer)

Oh why is it said, and a fact to be true,

things that mean the most,

are the things taken from you?

And while you have them,

you neglect to hold them dear,

not until they are gone,

does your heart feel the fear.

Thus, from that moment on,

in your dreams,

in your hopes,

you can pray deep in your mind...

but only those using true wisdom seeking,

are the ones who actually find...

Written by, Mercedes Keyes

Time did what it does for those who must adjust; in its flow, Hope gradually grew accustomed to her new family. Her new parents, Anna and Alfredo loved her as if she had been their own blood born daughter. Picking up where they left off, the small family traveled throughout various cities, stopping and entertaining on their journey as a means of survival.

Due to Josey’s thoughtfulness, no longer was there a struggle for the next meal. Ahead for once, their objective was to maintain that head start. It had been Anna who had run across the purse of gold coins; she had been astounded by the amount within. Showing it to Alfredo, they both looked at the child who was now theirs, as a true, good luck charm. The blessings she brought them were many. The papers in Lena's belongings, also discovered by Anna, were put away for safekeeping. Neither of them was literate, but the special writing and seal looked important and official; as part of Goldie’s past, they would safeguard them for her future. Unfortunately, due to both parents being ignorant of the written word, this assured that Hope would be illiterate as well. Days, weeks, months, and years went by. Despite Anna and Alfredo’s believing that Hope's mother had deserted her, Hope could not, nor would not believe it to be so. Ever on her mind and in her thoughts and dreams, were the memories of her mother – all of them showed her to be loving and protective of her. Yet, those dreams and recollections were gradually fading to hazy, ghost like reflections with only fragmented events standing out. The memory was vague, but filled with tender kisses; many hugs, softly murmured words, and always with arms that never neglected to hold and protect her.

The dark image of her mother, fuzzy
in its outline, stayed strong in her mind; coupled with whispers of, “I love you – I love you.” Interwoven with all recollections for her to know that it was true; the mother in her mind would not leave her.

Held dear to her, was the comb, brush and mirror set that had belonged to her mother. Often Anna would see her trying on her mother’s clothes, caressing them longingly; to see her this way broke Anna’s heart, realizing who the child was missing. She too yearned for the mother/child closeness and imagined that this beautiful golden girl belonged to her. With a craving so strong, with all of her heart, she desired that Hope would forget her real mother, accepting her instead. Although Hope came to love her, there was ever present the ghost of the woman…Lena. At night, restlessness rode Hope, due to being accustomed to a routine that no longer existed. Anna had long given up trying to coax her gently to sleep. As the others slept, the little girl would lay with that medallion around her neck, a corner of it in her mouth as she recollected stories her mother had told her. Held fixed within her mind as well, was a picture of her father.

Vivid still was his wheat blonde hair, his aqua blue eyes, his towering height and the loving tenderness he had showered upon her in the short time they were together.

Maynard Ramsey Webster…she knew his name, would never forget it. Her mother had drilled that name into her head, never allowing a day to go by without teaching her something concerning her father. Now, she lay fighting not to forget as she caressed her medallion.

Hope, haunted by the sadness of her real mother, knew without a doubt that she loved her fiercely. Her dream was that they reunite one day. Unsure of how it would happen, her prayer was that if God was willing, it would be. That was the one driving force in her life, to see their faces again and feel that old familiar love she had thrived on from infancy. The constant yearning from within would not free her to love Anna and Alfredo as they deserved.

In the meanwhile, growing up, she would watch Anna dance for money as they went from town to town. One night, when the moon was full and the campfire crackled, Anna danced; Cornelius played the guitar and Alfredo fiddled when to their surprise, Hope rose, entranced by it all, and following in her adopted mother’s steps, she began to dance; giving it a smooth and flowing sensuality for one so young. Anna was compelled to stop, to stare, as did Alfredo who missed a note. Hope, self-conscious, stopped and looked at them. Alfredo resumed his playing, swallowing in disbelief, he nodded to her, “Dance my Goldie…dance.”