Gold Raven (87 page)

Hope smiled shyly, "My God, your throat must be dry as sand! I'm
sorry."

Before he could stop her, she shot out of bed, guarding her back
and keeping her front in view because of the embarrassment of her
scars. She grabbed her dress, dropping it over her head as she left the
room. A moment later, she returned with a cup and pitcher of water.
After he drank his fill, she removed her dress again and returned to
the spot she had abandoned to get him water. He noticed that she
kept her back slanted away so he could not see it. He
wondered if things between them would always bear scars.

"I wish you wouldn't do that."

"Do what?"

"Hide from me, hide
them
, from me."

Hope looked away unable to answer. He gritted his teeth as he
shifted to turn on his side to face her, grunting with the pain. "Oh
Red -... Joseph, don't, you'll hurt yourself."

"Come here... right here. Lay your head right up close to me." He
ordered. Hope lay on her back, right up against him as he had
requested. His large hand reached down carefully cupping her cheek.
Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes looking up into his, as simultaneously they
said. "I'm sorry." They stopped, smiled sadly, and
then again simultaneously said, "So sorry." They smiled. "I love you."
Again at the same time, they chuckled.

Hope reached up and covered
his mouth. "I - love – you, always, forever. I love you."

He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. "Never stop...please
never stop."

"Not ever, no - not ever." She promised as he lowered himself
carefully to taste her lips, the kiss lasted long and sweet. Soon,
exhaustion won over and Red Crow needed to return to his back to
rest.

Two days later, they left for Harvest Gold Plantation. They made
it there safely with Red Crow lying in the rear of the wagon. The
scout, Raymond Meyer, turned out to be a trapper pulling out of the
south who had lived among the Indians all of his life, a child raised by
them following the death of parents from a raid. His looks and his manner, in fact, almost everything about him unsettled Josey. Since he had agreed to escort them all the way, he was invited to rest over
at Harvest Gold getting to know Josey’s parents; just as Hope got to meet her
husband's grandparents.

She was welcomed into the family with open arms. The down
side of the trip was discovering the death of her grandfather, Morris.

Visiting his grave, she was surprised, choked and proud to see the inscription upon his large gravestone. He’d apparently left instructions after their visit, only days before his passing as to his
epitaph which read
…

Morris Roland Webster

1752 – 1829

Husband to,

Royal Sun Webster

Father of,

Maynard Ramsey Webster

Grandfather of,

Michael Ramsey Webster ~ Golden Hope Webster,

Great-Grandfather of,

Stephen ~ Alaric ~ Lolita ~ Simeon ~ Celina Webster

She and Joseph stayed at Webster Fields several days, spending
time with Mildred and Charles, getting to know their twins, and
visiting with Jordan and the others. Another downer of the visit, was having to tell Nia of Eugene’s passing.

Once again, the O'Brien's, the Webster's and the Wilson's spent
the holiday together. Following the New Year, they were ready for
their trip to New York. Jordan and Charles both told Hope, to look
for her father's business there. Charles gave her all the information
she needed on it, and once they made it there, she would finally seek
out her father. Rested, content, well clothed, financed and packed...
all five finally left heading for South Carolina.

From there, they would take passage upon a ship to New York.
For them, their life had ended in the south. For Hope, the road up ahead meant a
new beginning, and finally, hopefully, an end to her journey... an end to her
search.

To be continued...

Book mark

Amber Swann Publishing Inc.

Webster Fields

Book three – The Finale

Revised ~ Edited ~ Proofed

Paperback by fall 2008

E-book revision coming soon!

Family Reunion

Book three, is the finale where everything between Manny and Lena comes together full circle. Join us, Lawrence James & Mercedes Keyes once again, for the grand conclusion where finally…the amazing and unusual family of the Webster’s reaches the end of their journey to reunite and reinforce a bond so strong, that time, war, distance or hardship would not sever what was meant to last forever. Be sure to check our sites novel news updates for the release date of Webster Fields, Book Three, Family Reunion.

Amber Swann Publishing Inc. Copyright © 2004 All Rights Reserved The Origins ® design is a registered trademark of ASPI http://amberswann.com Lawrence James & Mercedes Keyes

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