Longing for criticism; I hate it.

Chapter 18 Hope for a New Beginning Johnson drove the little Model T down the dirt road, anxious to see his children. Thomas and Hettie ran out of the little shack of Charlie and Rachel’s, Hettie nearly 10 years old now and Thomas almost 3, toddling after her. Johnson worked at a cotton mill just outside of Gatlin, becoming a foreman in no time. There was a war brewing, and he had had to sign up in the draft, even though he was listed as a father. He hoped that would stop the government from ...

Chapter 17 The Worst Day The pain was agonizing – Regina’s insides felt like they were being ripped in half, with a piercing scream stuck inside her head. Hettie leaned over to dab her forehead with a wet cloth; Regina hated that Hettie was seeing her this way, knew that the young child would be forever scarred, watching her mother die slowly. They huddled together now on a low-slung bed that was bolted to the wall and floor of the small shack that the two of them shared. Regina took it in st...

Chapter 16 Regina’s Family, All Together A large meal had been prepared and set out in the air that felt like Spring. The sun had come out to grace the wedding, kissing its blessing down upon Regina and Johnson, who stared often at each other, smiled, held hands, and kissed. Regina’s family all surrounded her, doting on her and smiling at her fortune. This was the happiness they had wanted for her when she had been sent away from Blessed Hill, and even though her life had taken several turns,...

Chapter 15 A Wedding The following day, Regina woke with the realization that today she was getting married. She was alone in Johnson’s large bed, covered lightly with a blanket. She stretched, feeling lazy and content, for the first time in so long. She looked around Johnson’s room, seeing a set of clothes laid out for her and a note on the writing desk. She stood up and walked across the room to read the note: My Darling, I should return to Wren’s Nest by noon. I have a wedding surprise for...

Chapter 14 In the Light of Day Johnson sent Blake back to Gatlin, a letter in his hand to Sheriff Dawson. Johnson was demanding the capture and hanging of Jeremiah Burns, and any accomplices, for the death of Jacob Sabor, as well as the arson of the Mercantile which killed Sariah, Miss Granger, Mrs. Cromwell and Delilah. He also was demanding an investigation into Mayor Smelting’s dealings with his father, insisting that the bargain they had made must have been illegal. There had been a brief...

Chapter 13 Leaving for a New Home and New Hope The carriage rode along into the night. Regina slumped against Johnson, who sat next to her with an arm draped around her, while Elijah laid spread out on the facing seat sleeping against their luggage bags. Johnson had brought a large selection of clothing for himself, surprising Regina. She had been under the impression that he had planned to drop her and Elijah at their destination and then leave. Johnson kissed her now and then on top of her ...

Chapter 12 Reckoning The day of the examination was upon Regina in swift order. Miss Granger and Mrs. Cromwell walked with Regina the short distance to Gatlin’s one and only doctor’s house, Dr. Estrand. Regina had seen and talked to the friendly doctor on several occasions when he came to the Mercantile, or on her frequent walks through town, but today when they walked through his front door, he was crisp and businesslike, impersonal toward Regina and her two wards. Regina was hurt at first b...

Chapter 11 Regina’s Strength Johnson Heston sat in the formal setting room of the Mercantile, a room Regina had only been in one other time, to meet Johnson’s father. When Regina walked in, she could tell that his mood was somber. She curtsied low to Johnson, who walked toward her immediately and lifted her up. “Don’t do that to me, Regina,” his anger and hurt evident at her gesture. “My apologies, Mr. Heston,” Regina said, lowering her eyes at the disapproval in his voice. “Dammit, Regina, d...

Chapter 10 Chaos and Comfort Johnson dropped Regina at the Mercantile, explaining the situation briefly with Mrs. Cromwell, who was sympathetic and mothering, insisting that he stay with them after speaking to the authorities. Mrs. Cromwell and Regina watched Johnson take off again down the street, then Mrs. Cromwell pulled Regina inside. “Are you alright, dear?” “Yes ma’am,” Regina said, staring into space past Mrs. Cromwell’s head. Mrs. Cromwell saw the signs of shock, so she just led Regin...