Tillie Bonner, a petite lovely young woman, had two loves in her life. A son, Danny, who was a kind-hearted boy any mother would love. Then there was Mary, headstrong with a free spirit at the age of six. Caught between two forces that targeted the impressionable children, Tillie knew her influence had to be a constant in both of her children's lives. Her plans for them could all go up in smoke if the wealthy and powerful grandmother, Mira Bonner, could get charge of her kids.
The influence of two rough mountain men suddenly interjected in Tillie's life changed everything. Elam Franklin lost his mother when he was just a young boy, and everything he knew was self-taught. He could live off the land but he had no formal education bout books or social proprieties.
Nolan Tolivar rode the mountain trails carrying a heart full of grief. His lonely existence was void of purpose, until faced with someone else's burden laid at his feet. These burdens he had no other option but to deal with them.
Midday, the wagon passed through a forest of white birch trees between two hills. Just as they rounded a bend in the trail, Danny pulled the wagon to a stop. Before them, a man sat on an old worn-out horse in the middle of the trail.
“Hello thar, folks,” the man said, trying to make small talk.
“You have been following us since we left Buckley. So, what’s on your mind, mister?” Tillie asked.
“Wall, you shore get right to the point, don’t you, missy?” the stranger asked.
“You haven’t answered my question,” Tillie said.
“I see you folks need a man along. I decided I would just come along and make myself useful,” the man insisted.
“I have a man along and don’t want or need your company. So, you best get along back the way you come and leave us alone,” Tillie stated firmly.
“Now ma’am, that boy ain’t no whar near a man, and I are offering my services free of charge!” the man insisted.
“Get out of my way and keep your distance from us. I don’t need your help,” Tillie said.
The grimy man’s face took on a hard look, and he said, “You don’t understand, missy. I ain’t asking. I be a-tellin’ and from now on, you jest be a-doin' as I say.” A slight smile crossed his grimy face showing a single tooth in the front of his mouth.
“Boy, you go ahead and toss me down that rifle and be really careful as you do,” the man said as he pulled a pistol from his waistband. Suddenly a cloud of dust rose from his heavy buffalo coat, followed by the sound of a pistol echoing across the mountains. The jolt shocked him, and he grunted before turning to look at the small woman sitting on the wagon seat, holding a smoking pistol.
Tillie spoke firmly, “Drop that pistol, mister, or I will put a second shot in the same spot where I put the first.” Shocked and surprised, the man dropped his pistol and ran his hand inside his coat. Pulling a bloody hand back, a look of horror crossed his face.
“Woman, you done gone and gut shot me!” he yelled.
This book is a great read for anyone. The development of characters, the growth and change in them are extraordinary in my reading experiences. A moving and encouraging and uplifting “bang” of a book!
Bro. Robert Nichols
I love the unique way the author uses nature and ways of the wilderness to bring adventure and excitement to the story. I was drawn to each character as their true grit was displayed to protect those they loved.
Lynda B.
It is always a blessing to find books that lift up God, and you do not have to be concerned about bad language. James Ferrell does a masterful job at both.
Nita M.
