Couch - The Return of the King’s Ranger

The Return of the Kings Ranger

Angela K. Couch

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

The Return of the Kings Ranger

COPYRIGHT 2019 by Angela K. Couch

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Pelican Ventures, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

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Contact Information: titleadmin@pelicanbookgroup.com

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the King James translation, public domain.

Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

White Rose Publishing, a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC

www.pelicanbookgroup.com PO Box 1738 *Aztec, NM * 87410

White Rose Publishing Circle and Rosebud logo is a trademark of Pelican Ventures, LLC

Publishing History

First White Rose Edition, 2019

Paperback Edition ISBN 978-1-5223-0234-6

Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-5223-0224-7

Published in the United States of America

What People are Saying

I felt as though I was in this small family, in this big war. I truly have a loss for words to describe how this book read for me. All I can say is that anyone can pick this book up, and they will fall in love with the book. They will want more. I want more. ~ Bibliophile Reviews for The Scarlet Coat

The Scarlet Coat...is captivating in the dilemmas it presents, in the characters it introduces, and in the romance it embraces. The history of the era becomes personal and dimensional, and there are moments so wrought with tension that it takes your breath away. ~ Reading is my Superpower Reviews

Mohawk Valley, July 1785

Up and down, up and down, Nora Reid plunged the dash in the butter churn, trying hard to not think about how the motion followed the pattern of her life. The monotony of it. She looked at the book propped open on her lap. Robinson Crusoe. Twenty-eight years on a small island and his life read much more interesting than hers ever would.

With a sigh, she tapped the book closed and set it on the edge of the table.

It wasnt as though she expected much out of her lifeand shed rather not be stranded on a tropical island. She loved her family, community, and everything about this valley, but she still dreamed of something more.

Voices mumbled at the back of the cabin. One distinctly masculinebut not Papa or even Daniel. Nora slowed the dash, curiosity overcoming the desire to finish churning the butter so she could visit her nieces today. The voices continued, but though she strained, she still couldnt make out what was said.

Nora released the long pole of the dash and slipped out the door into the embrace of a warm summer afternoon. Circling around the cabin, she ran her fingertips over the weathered logs forming the walls. She shouldnt be sneaking up on whoever was speaking, but most likely their conversation was casual and not one shed be excluded from. All the same, her pulse sped as she neared the voices and the words became clearer. She usually didnt spy on her sister, but that was definitely Roses voice. And what sounded like a suitor.

Why will you not allow me to speak with your father? His low tones were crisp with frustration.

Because Levi already spoke with him not two weeks ago. Thats what I have been trying to tell you.

Levi Acker? Your pa gave him permission, didnt he? And what about you? Did you say yes?

Hes not asked me yet, though I suspect he shall. Soon. Rose released a long sigh. Idid not expect this.

Boots shuffled against the ground, but not in any particular direction. Its not been easy to find opportunity. How was I to know you would even consider methat I would not appear a fool?

Sam, I could never think you a fool.

Sam? Nora pulled back from the corner of the cabin. Of course, thats who the voice belonged to. Samuel Cunningham had always silently admired her little sister. She could think of no one she would prefer for Rose, but Levi Acker would not take rejection very kindly after shed led him this far.

Not that it was any of Noras concern. She really needed to get back to making butter.

She only made it one step.

So where does that leave us? Samuel asked.

I need time, came Roses sad reply. I must be fair to Levi. If I shifted my affections so abruptly, they would think me fickle and childish. I have always been the baby, with four older siblings to put me in my place. I cannot rush this.

Can you give me any hope that this will resolve in my favor?

How about this? Roses voice smiled and then elapsed into silence. Long drawn-out silence.

Nora stole a peek around the corner to see Roses arms draped around Samuels neck, her eyes closed as her lips moved slowly against his. Nora wanted to smile, but the corners of her mouth seemed paralyzed. Instead, a familiar ache grew within, a longing for something shed never experienced, never enjoyed, in all her twenty and four years.

A quick withdrawal took her back to the butter churn, but it was hard to put any strength behind the plunge and turn of her movements with the dash. Poor Rose. Her pity roiled with a sprinkle of resentment. Two good men bidding for her love and her hand. Was it wrong to be a little jealous? Or even frightened at the prospects of soon being left in her parents home, becoming an old maid, never experiencing romance or motherhood?

My own fault. If she hadnt been so choosy. As the fighting had ceased across New England and the rest of the colonies, men had come to the valley, or passed through. Several tried for her heart, but shed not been practical back then. Shed wanted something special, something with a little fire in it. Something like her brother Daniel enjoyed with his wife. Or Joseph Garnet and Hannah Cunningham, their nearest neighbors. Even their pastor, an ex-British officer, and Rachel Garnet shared a sweeping romantic tale.

But waiting for romance was a fools game.

The door swung wide, and Nora brushed a hand over her moist cheeks before she glanced at Rosealmost six years her junior. Susannah, the sister between them, was married and enjoyed being the mother of a robust baby boy. Daniel had two beautiful girls.

Are you feeling well?

At Roses question, Nora forced a smile and a nod. Of course. She had no real reason to be unhappy. Shed made her choices, chosen her path, put romance before security and a family of her own. Shed gambled and lost.

You are sure youre not becoming ill?

I merely But she had no excuse, only the need to escape the confines of this cabin and its walls that seemed to close in around her more every day. Could you finish the butter? Its churned most of the way. I told Lydia Id bring her more of Mamas yeast start. And return her book.

Roses eyes widened. Shes ruined hers again?

Nora shrugged and hurried to the yeast crock. She should not have said anything. Lydia is very busy with the girls.

I know, but sometimes I wonder what she was thinking to follow Daniel out here.

Nora never wondered that. She loves Daniel. Enough to leave comforts, family, and a pampered life behind in South Carolina for a New York wilderness. Real love. Nora frowned at her little sister who, moments earlier, had been in a mans embrace. How did she not understand love? Or was that the reason for Roses hesitation? Maybe she didnt love Samuel or Levi.