A Tale For A Long Winter's Night

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“I loved this story with a mysterious and creative ending”

— Amazon Review

“A great story with an unbelievable twist”

— Amazon Review

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A Tale For A Long Winter's Night - book excerpt

Chapter 1

What an absolutely beautiful day to be outside. It’s heavenly and so much better than being cooped up in the cabin with a basket of mending.

A few white clouds drifted across the brilliant blue sky as Daisy picked her way through the patch of plump blackberries she’d found on Mill Road. She’d been checking their progress weekly and had finally decided they were ready to harvest. She’d sampled a few, and they were juicy and sweet.

I can’t wait to make Papa a cobbler with these. If I get the bucket full, I should be able to put up a few pints of jam as well. Mama will like that.

The sun burned the top of her head as she scanned the small patch, and Daisy frowned. Her bucket was only half full. She pulled her skirt from the snagging thorns and inched her way back to the road. She would have to walk another half mile up the road to the next patch.

Daisy swung the wooden bucket at her side as she strolled, enjoying the soft breeze in her hair. She used her free hand to lift her thick curls so the breeze could cool her sweaty neck. The day had turned out warmer than expected.

Daisy didn’t pay much heed to the approaching horses until they boxed her in near the bridge over the creek.

“Well, ain’t you a pretty little thing?” the young man on a lathered roan said as he leered down at her and licked his full lips.

And aren’t you rude?

Suddenly uncomfortable, Daisy turned to see another young man on a large black horse behind her. She didn’t recognize the grinning blond on the horse behind her, but the man with unruly brown curls on the big roan appeared familiar.

“We seem to be lost,” the curly-headed young man said, with a grin Daisy didn’t trust. “Can you point us back into Paradice?”

Okay, just a couple of lost cowboys.

Daisy took a relieved breath and smiled. “You’re only a couple of miles out,” she said. “You go back the way you came and turn off at the first trail on your left until you come to the big creek, and then…”

The rider of the roan pushed the horse a few steps closer. “Would you mind drawin’ it out for us in the dust?” he asked. “Just set your bucket down and scratch it out for us, if ya would.”