On Facebook, I informed you that I was in the middle of formatting the fifth book in the “Through the Mist” series. The task, in a word, sucks. If I would focus, I could be done in a couple of days. Instead, it takes much longer because I allow myself to be distracted. By pretty much anything. Oh, well, I am trying!
While you wait, I thought you might like a little taste of what’s to come. Enjoy!
Gleann A’bunadh, Scotland
February 1803
BENJAMIN CAMPBELL TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND IMMEDIATELY REGRETTED IT. Icy air scorched the back of his throat and set his lungs ablaze. He ducked his head in the bitter wind, trudging forward through the snow and gripping the reins of his horse. With the slap of each snowflake against his face, it felt as if a thousand needles pierced every inch of skin.
The horse snorted in disgust. Taken from a warm stable and rudely coaxed into the winter night, the beast was as upset as Benjamin to be outside.
When Benjamin awoke to an empty bed, he sprang into action. His wife Tilly acted strangely all evening, repeatedly staring at the full moon in the sky or pacing the floors in their bedroom. Since her friend Beth left, she was lonely and depressed. He feared the worst. He raced to his late father’s study where they kept the shield. It was gone. He ran to the stable, hurriedly saddled the horse, and headed for the valley.
He longed to spend a few moments sitting beside a cozy fire and sipping a glass of whisky that any of his tenants would have offered him, if he were to visit their croft on such a bleak night. Unfortunately, he ventured to a place where no cottages stood, save the one at the end of his journey. Stands of snow-laden trees surrounded him. The verdant forest floor was blanketed in white instead of the usual carpet of grass and leaves. The crunch of snow under the beast’s feet and their heavy breathing mixed with the howling wind that chilled them both to the bone.
Thick drifts of snow nearly obliterated the path leading to the valley. Someone unfamiliar with the area would have been lost in minutes. The wind whipped snow into the tracks almost as quickly as they formed. Thankfully, he could have navigated the land with his eyes closed. Of course, at that particular moment, he wished they were closed. He should have been at home, sleeping soundly in a comfortable bed.
He guided the horse along the trail for fear of the beast stumbling on the uneven and slippery terrain. He had dismounted when it became obvious that they were in more peril with him on the animal’s back than off.
Looking down, Benjamin saw the fresh traces of a horse’s hoof prints and a person’s footsteps, side by side. He suspected the steps belonged to his wife and her favorite horse. A small trace of their steps remained, confirming his belief about where they were headed.
The slowness of the journey did nothing to allay his fears. It was too dangerous to be travelling tonight, yet here they were. The storm descended with a swiftness and ferocity that surprised him. Anyone who ventured out would have been taken unawares. It was unsafe for his wife. What could have possessed her to leave the security of the castle and travel to the cottage? The possible answer unsettled his soul.
He feared the greatest of heartaches awaited him. Would he discover Tilly’s horse at Gleann A’bunadh and a set of footprints that mysteriously disappeared halfway across the pasture? She could have decided life with him was unbearable. He tried his best to give her all of the love and friendship she bestowed upon him. The mere sight of her filled his heart with joy and left him thankful on a daily basis for her presence in his life. It broke his heart to think she might not share those feelings and wanted to run back to the 21st century.
Or, perhaps she was assaulted while traveling alone at night. Images of blood-stained snow and her crumpled, lifeless body flooded his brain. If someone harmed her, he would track the foul fiend to the ends of the earth. No place would offer safe harbor. He tightly clutched the leather reins and coaxed the horse forward.
When he finally arrived at the valley and saw her standing behind a tree, he felt enormous relief and rage, a peculiar mix of emotions. He resisted the urge to scream at her. Why the hell was she there? Did she have any idea how dangerous it was to travel in the terrible weather and at night, no less? Did she understand the terror gripping his heart?
Instead, Benjamin focused on the burning sensation in his nostrils and chest as the air filled his lungs. He secured his horse beside hers. The task gave him time to compose himself.
As soon as I have an official release date, I will let you know. I have some exciting things planned, so stay tuned!