Spirit Dancer

Spirit Dancer

By Cissy Hunt

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my husband, Ray, who has stood beside me and walked with me through every dark path and obstacle that has come my way. You are my White Knight, my defender, my encourager. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to thank my dear friends Debra Welch and Debora Graham whom, without their help, prayers, encouragement, and many late hours of reading, suggestions, and help with editing, this book would probably still be taking up space in my mind. Thank you my dear friends for more than I could ever put into words on this piece of paper.

C. Creations Publishing /April 2016

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright pending Cissy Hunt

All rights reserved

The right of Cissy Hunt to be identified as the author of

this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Cover design ©Cissy Hunt

C. Creations functions only as the book publisher and as such, the ultimate design, content, editorial accuracy, and views expressed or implied in this work are those of the author.

No part of this Book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the author/publisher, except for a brief quote or description for a book review. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Chapter 1

The autumn day had given way to a crisp cool evening. Hannah sat in her favorite chair on the front porch, watching as that big ball of fire set in all of its glory. Hannah loved to watch as it disappeared below the horizon, throwing off so much color as it executed its good-bye.

A frigid wind blew out from the north-eastern sky.

She pulled her red woolen shawl closer about her. As she did so, the necklace from around her neck fell into her lap. She picked it up and laid it gently in the palm of her hand. It was a necklace that held a special place in her heart. Just looking at it brought back many wonderful memories.

She allowed her mind to drift back in time. She thought back to when she had begun her great adventure in life. Hannah had to agree her life had turned out so much different than she could of even imagined. Her mind drifted back, back in time to the beginning of when her extraordinary adventure started.

*

How could you do this to me? Hannah shouted at her new husband, as she paced back and forth across the room.

Calm down, calm down Hannah! Caswell said said soothingly, trying to calm his new wife’s anger.

Don’t tell me to calm down! How could you … just how could you, make such an important decision without even talking to me? Hannah shouted, standing with her small fists clenched at her side.

I did tell you about my Uncle Harry’s invitation for us to join him out west. I told you how he said he would hold a job for me working with him on his cattle ranch. Caswell stated evenly.

Yes, I remember clearly, you mentioning it one evening about two or three weeks ago as you were reading his letter. You said your uncle wanted you to go out west. But reading to me from his letter and making the decision to go are two different things! Hannah yelled back at him, her emerald green eyes flashing with anger.

I’m sorry Hannah. I assumed you were in agreement with me since you never voiced any objections. Caswell told her.

I never voiced any objections! Why would I voice any objections over a letter? You never mentioned to me about taking your uncle up on his offer. Don’t you understand the decision you made affects me as much as it does you? She cried. Hannah once again started pacing back and forth the length of the room.

I’m truly sorry Hannah, but there is nothing I can do about it now. Caswell reached out for his wife’s hands. Dear wife the farm will be sold this week. A man has already made a good offer on it, and I accepted it He stated.

Hannah snatched her hand from his. None of this is fare! You and you alone made the decision to uproot me from my family and everything I know, and you expect me to just accept it! Hannah, irritated with her husband, begin to cry. She swiped at the tears running down her cheek and begin to pace the room once more. She always paced when she was upset about something.

Hannah everything will work out fine. God will take care of us. I know He is telling me that we are to go out west." Caswell said.

Hannah pulled her tiny, petite body up to its full height of five feet, jerked around to face her husband, and roared back at him. No! No you don’t! Don’t you dare bring God into this. She turned to leave the room. When Hannah reached the bedroom door she turned back to look at him and stated. You will never convince me that God cares about such minor things as this. She walked out of the room slamming the door behind her.

*

A week later the young couple begin their packing to travel west together. With a heavy wooden box in hands, Hannah steadily walked toward the huge monstrosity that was to be her home for the next few months to a year. The canvas stained and gray with age, in addition to a few freshly patched tears, was stretched tight across the frame. Hannah slammed the box of supplies into the back of the wagon. She then started in on filling the water barrels that Caswell had secured tightly in place with rope to each side.

She wondered, how on earth I could let him talk me in to doing such a crazy thing? Why can't we start our new life together here among family and friends? Why do we have to go out west? We will never see our family and friends again. Why? Why? Why?

Hannah begin to mumble softly to herself, questioning the events taking place.

Why didn’t I insist upon our waiting to take this trip? Even after I let him know how I truly felt about this crazy idea of his, he never budged off of his decision.

Hannah had no answers. She had to leave everyone and everything she knew to be with her husband.

A tear rolled down her check. Hannah frustrated swiped it away. The most awful part of this whole idea is we don’t even know where we are going--except west, maybe all the way to the coast.

She shouted. I’ve married a mad man! She knew that unless she got a backbone, all the self-chastising in the world would change nothing. She was going out west no matter if she liked it or not.

Hannah pulled her light-weight shawl closer together with one hand and held her bonnet with the other until the March wind sub-sided. Full of vexing emotions, once again she looked down the road toward town. The town she grew up in. The only place she had known as home for all of her seventeen years.

Why doesn’t that matter to him? Hannah questioned out-loud.

She rightly reasoned that it just didn't make any sense to start their new life among strangers in a place that neither of them knew anything about.

There, just down the road a few miles, was the little school house her sister, Caroline, and her attended. Caroline, after accepting an offer for the position of teacher, will begin her first assignment at that same school come September. I won’t even be here to see you off for your first day as a teacher. Hannah cried.

Two farms down the road is where Aunt Rose, her mother’s twin sister, lives. Down this road in town just across the road from the bank and four buildings down on the left is were Poppa’s youngest brother, Uncle Jim, set up his office. Uncle Jim, still the only doctor in town, delivered Hannah and her younger brother Little Jim.

I’m going to miss all of you! Hannah whimpered.

After another serious discussion with Caswell, she found herself willing to compromise and travel west, on one condition. That condition was he purchase an extra wagon in which to haul the furniture and things Mama gave her the day before she married. She was determined not to leave her beautiful things behind. I’m not leaving any of these lovely necessities behind, Hannah adamantly told her new husband—hoping he would change his mind.

He agreed to her terms only if she could manage to squeeze her many items into the extra wagon. Besides, he concluded that they could always sell the wagon after they arrived at their final destination—wherever that turned out to be.

Caswell, eternally grateful for her agreeing to make the trip, finally consented to the second wagon.

All Caswell had left to do now was to turn over the deed to the farm house to the new owner. Then find just the right person to drive the extra wagon, if in fact that man even existed. He would put his trust in the Lord to come up with the right person.

Frustrated with her nagging thoughts of longing to stay, she came to one conclusion. That conclusion was, for her at this point in time in her life, this is where one life ends and another begins. Like it or not you are going west with your new husband, she resolved.

Hannah turned and faced the white washed house she grew up in. It seemed like it was just yesterday, though she knew it was many months ago. She stood on that same front porch having what she thought at the time, was a serious talk with Mama.

Mama, I need an adventure, something real. Something more than this small town. She declared.

Continuing down memory lane, she remembered every detail of that day. She was standing on the front porch of their wooden framed home gazing out across the fields. A beautiful early morning sunrise in shades of pink, purple, and every color in between blended together to the point she couldn’t tell where one color began and another ended. She listened as birds chirped their good morning song.

Her thoughts darted from one thing and then quickly to another. She remembered it had been one of those boring, life-is-passing-me-by, days. She spoke words she now wished she could take back.

There is so much more to this world, so much more waiting to be discovered. I want to see it. I need to explore it, to discover it! Hannah told her mother.

Mercy, Hannah have you decided to take Cousin Sophie up on her invitation? Her mother’s high pitched voice pierced Hannah’s ears. She loved her mother but when she became nervous her voice rose to the point she sounded like a screech owl.

A little, after all I did tell her I’d think about it. It’s not like I‘d be leaving you completely alone. Caroline is back home now and you have Little Jim here. Hannah turned to see the worried lines cross her mama’s face as Mama labored over a dish pan of snap beans.

Mama looked up and shook her head. You know I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to travel all that far by yourself. You know nothing about Atlanta! Why don't you take your mama's advice and stay where you are?

Hannah thought about how different life in a big town like Atlanta could be compared to this very small community. If things don't work out with Cousin Sophie I'll turn around and come back home, Hannah told her mother, crossing her arms over her chest and returning her attention to the peacefulness of the outside world. She couldn’t tell her mother that she really didn't want to go to Atlanta either. Every time she thought about Cousin Sophie and Atlanta there was a queasy feeling that would come up in the pit of her stomach. Yet she didn't want to stay here either.

As stubborn as you are? You would never admit you were wrong. Mama told her. A lock of Mama's light brown hair streaked with gray slipped from her small bun onto her neck. She laid the pan of beans aside to tuck the stray lock back in place. I'm afraid you would stay in Atlanta rather than admit a mistake. Her mother continued.

My stubbornness is exactly why I have to go. I need to get it out of my system. I need something more than this small town can offer me. Hannah stated adamantly.

Mama glanced up. I would hope you'd return to a family that loves you. Her pale blue eyes soften. Why can't you find your adventure here or closer to home? Mama offered.

Hannah turned and faced her mother. Can't you remember when you were young? Didn't you want to do something more than what everyone expected of you? See more of this great big country?" Hannah defended.

Mama laughed out loud. That is why I married your poppa and left North Carolina.

Hannah smiled as she shook her head and said. See I knew you would understand.

I loved your poppa, and heading into new territory with my new husband was quite different from taking off by yourself to a strange place. Mama stated defensively. You don't know a soul in Atlanta. Strangers! All of them! Hannah's mother added.

Hannah looked curiously at her mother and then gave a halfhearted argument. I know Cousin Sophie.

Mama held up her hand and then sternly stated. Horrible evil men live there. Men who care about nothing or no one but themselves and their own pleasures. Mama started snapping the beans in the pan with a passion. You don't understand what I'm trying to tell you. The men in Atlanta are not like the men here. Mama added as she looked up at Hannah. They may dress like gentlemen but they are not gentlemen! Some of them are wicked through and through!"

Hannah turned and looked at her mama.

Mama asked, Do you remember Katherine Edward's half-brother, Robert?

Hannah shook her head in agreement. Yes, Beth's Uncle Robert. I met him once three or four summers back.

Mama went on to explain. He was from Atlanta, and he was no gentleman! He might have dressed like a gentleman, but he was no gentleman! Mama shook her head as she made the statement.

A look of confusion covered Hannah's face. What do you mean?

Mama looked up from the pan of beans in her lap. Never you mind. I'm not one to be carrying tales. But mark my words that man did nothing but cause the Edwards family heartache, loss, and pain because of his immoral ways and drinking.

Mama shook her head. I refuse to think about what might happen to you. How will I ever rest knowing that you were in Atlanta all alone? Mama, you just don't understand! I have to get away! I have to get out of this small town! Hannah said defiantly.

Mama stopped snapping beans and looked up at Hannah. If you go, know that your going will break my heart. Hannah quickly turned to face her mother and saw what looked like a tear roll down her mother's cheek.

She just as quickly turned her attention back to the scenery stretched out before her. She didn't know for sure where she belonged but in her heart she knew it wasn't with Cousin Sophie in Atlanta or here in this small little community. She just had this great gnawing hunger inside of her to get away, to learn new things, to spread her wings and fly.

*

Hannah looked heavenward as she spoke, your punishing me for what I said on that day, aren’t you?

Hannah had to admit that Mama got her way. Instead of traveling to Atlanta by herself to visit her Cousin Sophie she was going off to who knows where with her new crazy husband. Who was a man she hardly knew. On top of that they were traveling cross country with total strangers.

Hannah wraps her arms tight about herself, and closed her eyes to her past, forcing herself to try and think only good thoughts of her future with her new husband, and the upcoming trip to her new home. She knew she had to make peace soon or all of the anger inside of her would destroy her marriage. She remembered her last thoughts on that day with Mama. The need to get away, to learn new things, and the need to spread her wings and fly.

Where her new home would be, she knew not. Just somewhere out west is all she knew right now. She cringed at the remembrance of her husband’s words. Words spoken so