Sanderson and Charlotte set out on the dangerous journey to California Territory along with Minerva, Jerry, and the children. Though Charlotte doesn’t want to leave Arkansas, Sanderson is looking forward to building a life for Charlotte, Cotton, and little Charlie in the vibrant new territory. But when they arrive at Fort Bidwell, Sanderson and Jerry are immediately faced with a hard decision—they must free the captive Indians they have been hired to hunt down.
In a world where women are expected to be silent, Charlotte refuses to ignore injustice. When she defies the powerful bank president, it causes repercussions that can devastate the Redding family. In standing up to the town bullies to protect Cotton, Charlotte finds an unlikely ally in the handsome young half-Chinese outlaw, Johnny Tan. But will Johnny prove to be Sanderson’s nemesis or his saving grace?
Charlotte knows she can’t stay in Fort Bidwell, where circumstances seem to be ripping her once-happy family apart. Determined to leave, she must convince Sanderson to give up the security of his railroad job, pull up stakes, and head for Idaho, with A HEART FOREVER WILD…
EXCERPT
The thundering hooves from both the stampede
and the onslaught of soldiers vibrated the ground. “Sanderson!” Charlotte had
to shout to be heard over the growing din. The scene before her unfolded in
slow motion as Jerry lifted Minerva, Jay Jay, and Cotton into the wagon with
expert precision, one after the other.
Cotton’s normally musical voice tore from his
throat in a hysterical shriek. “Mr. Sanderson! Don’t forget Button and George!”
Tears left wet trails down his bronze face while more still shimmered in his
clear, blue eyes. His arms trembled as they reached for his wolf pup.
George whimpered, scared and helpless, until
Jerry plopped Button into the wagon beside him. At once, the gray pup ceased
his cries and began to snarl and snap at his brother and friend, both of their
fluffy tails wagging, oblivious to the mortal danger that careened toward them
from seemingly all directions. Cotton folded his little body over the puppies
as Minerva draped her arm over Cotton. Her emerald eyes, wide and staring,
darted to and fro.
Sanderson’s strong hands snapped Charlotte from
her trance. “Come on!” Her grip tightened around tiny Charlie. “We gotta clear
out!”
Nicolai flung his huge head as the herd of wild
horses drew nearer and the shouts of the soldiers grew louder. He stomped his
hooves as though he may take off with the mustangs at any moment. Achilles,
hooked to pull the wagon alongside the younger stallion, glanced over his gray
shoulder and whuffed.
Cocoa and Peanut zipped through Jerry’s legs as
he pitched a few bags out of the birthing tipi that Charlotte had called her
home—the warm, snug, safe place where precious Charlie had come into the world
and she herself had almost exited it. Both buckskin and cloth bags landed at
her feet in the thin layer of mud. Careful not to trip over them, Charlotte quick-stepped
to Sanderson and shoved Charlie into his waiting arms.
Once Charlotte was safe in the wagon bed with her
family, Jerry tossed in the rest of the bags as she reached for Charlie.
Sanderson’s eyes were as wild as she’d ever
seen. As she accepted their child from him, he was looking everywhere but at
her. “Hunker down, going to be a rough ride,” he called, disappearing around
the side of the wagon. Nicolai stomped and reared, making the wagon lurch as
snippets of conversation made its way back to the bed where Charlotte tried to
remain brave. Sanderson’s voice was the clearest. “You drive and I’ll ride!”
Cries from the Indians
drowned out Jerry’s reply.
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