Showing results by narrator "Emily Clarke" in All Categories

Freya Swenson is being pulled from the sea. As the rough hands lift her aboard, she looks around. The realization hits her. It is him, the man in her yearlong nightmare. He has her now, and like a fool she delivered herself right to him. A year ago, she was planning a future--her own fleet of merchant ships and her dreams to sail the seas like her father had taught her. Then the nightmares began after her mother's death. A man so vile that she would elect death rather than ever be handed over to him.

Mag stiffened her backbone before glancing up at the slight movement on the third-floor window: A woman, really only a shadow, stood behind the sheer flowing drapes. Mag felt the intense hatred of the glaring face. Shyly lowering her gaze, Mag realized the maid Dansie already hated her too. It had to be Dansie, for Joe said they were the only females there. Thoughts ran through her mind, "Just run, girl," as she hesitated to step up onto the porch. After that step she was obligated to go inside; but east to west, there are woods all around calling to her.

Tilley galloped into Judge Joe Blackwell's yard, trying not to think of what she had just witnessed. Jasper had rushed home after he had asked her to marry him yesterday, to a woman who had to be five months pregnant, his Ann. Why didn't he just tell her? But then she told him she didn't care; it was not as if she didn't have enough shit going on in her life at the moment.

This is our story, and you will tell it someday. It is a sad tale of perseverance, overcoming many hardships, but not once in that journal let it be said that Tilley Hall gave up. She fought for her life and her sister's; whether it was a man or a nasty old bear, Tilley always won. You, dear sister, will always win.