by Lynn Landes
Delta’s
Dawn
Lynn Landes
Delta’s Dawn
By:
Lynn Landes
Published by:
Landes Publishing
Edited by:
Shane Landes
Cover art by:
Landes Publishing
This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, and events portrayed in this novel are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 by Lynn Landes
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All rights reserved.
Other titles by Lynn Landes:
Dust & Dreams
Perilous Dreams
The Angels Covenant
Covenant Breakers
Blood Covenant
Fae Queen
Shadow King
Kiss of the Herald
Serenity’s Song
Arctic Moon
Secret Friends
Mercy's Promise
Chapter 1
South Carolina
Delta bites her lip in concentration as she places the finishing touches on the clay bowl, “Well, it's supposed to be a bowl,” she pronounces with a scowl. The sides are lopsided, and the entire form is uneven. “No matter. I will find a use for you.” Sasha, her German shepherd, looks at her as if to ask, ‘Who are you kidding?’
“Don’t judge, Sasha. I taught you better than that.” Delta tosses her long dirty blonde hair over her shoulder and picks up her piece. “Time to fire you.” She smiles content to be working in the sunroom of her house. Marching to the shelves in the back of her room, she carefully places it next to a misshapen bud vase and gives her hands a quick wash.
When her cell phone rings, she glances at the caller ID and sighs, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility settling back on her shoulders.
“Good Morning, Phillip.”
“Hello Beautiful,” he states with a grin. “You know why I'm calling, Delta. Your fans are salivating. How far along are you on book three?”
“Phillip, we’ve talked about this. I’m not ready yet.” Delta leaves the sunroom and moves into her kitchen with Sasha hot on her heels.
From his office in New York, Phillip moves to the window view and stares down at the traffic below. “I know, but it's been two years, Delta. I promised Jacob that I wouldn't let you quit, and I mean to keep that promise. Once you finish the series, if you need more time off, we will work it out. Just send me what you have.”
Delta’s blue eyes are filled with unvented frustration. “Listen, I know you mean well, but I…”
“No more buts, Delta, don’t make me fly to Carolina because I will.”
“Oh sugar, I know better than that, you hate the South,” she says with her accent twanging.
“I’m looking at flight times, Delta, and I will tell your boys if I have to.” Phillip stops teasing and begins pacing.
“Damn you, Phillip, that’s not fair. You leave my boys out of this!” She snaps at him.
“Who do you think called me?” he replied softly.
Delta plops down on the couch, “What?” Forcing back the feeling of betrayal she pets Sasha and listens.
“They told me you've locked yourself in that sunroom making ashtrays,” Phillips yells into the phone, and he runs a hand through his blonde hair. “For God's sake, Delta, you're a New York Times, best-selling author!”
“Bowls, dammit,” she shouts back and then glances over at her makeshift studio. “They don't like my bowls,” she whispers fighting back the tears.
“No angel, they’re concerned about you. We miss him too. You’re not alone, Delta.” Jacob, her husband, and Phillips best friend died of cancer two years ago, after a long six-year battle
“I know, Phillip. It's not that, really. I've grown used to the empty house, it's hard to explain.” She mumbles, “I can't write here, surrounded by all these memories. There isn't a single space not crowded with images. I feel selfish even saying it, but I'm ready to make some changes.” Standing up, she moves to Sasha's water bowl and fills it before sitting back down, “I have ten chapters I can send you.”
“Excellent, email them to me. I've been thinking about that myself; lately, you making some changes, and the boys and I have a surprise for you. We rented you a place in Montana.”
“What!” she shouts, leaping to her feet.
“Now just hear me out. You’ve always talked about going, Delta. This place is on a working ranch with a river running through it. All your meals are included. They have horseback riding, canoeing, tons of activities and best of all, it’s secluded. A perfect writer's retreat, consider it research.” Delta listens as he tells her about the history of the ranch. “They’ve agreed to a six-month rental.”
“Six months! I can’t believe you guys have been scheming against me. I hope it’s refundable because I’m not going.” Delta hangs up her phone and stomps to her back bedroom, ignoring her phone when it starts ringing. Sasha follows her and stares at her as she paces back and forth.
“I don’t know who they think they are, I am a thirty-nine-year-old woman, Damnit. If I wanted to go to Montana, I would go.” Delta begins cleaning like she always does when she's angry. Dusting the shelves on the counter, she looks at the picture of her husband of twenty-two years.
Picking up his picture she traces his face, dark hair, caramel colored eyes smiling at her with love. He fought hard, but his cancer was caught too late. Delta was left with two beautiful sons, Allen is twenty-one and in college for engineering. Aiden is nineteen and just finished basic training for the Air Force and is in now on his way to the Academy for four years.
The last eight years were hell. She raised the boys while taking care of a sick husband. How does she tell them that she isn't sorry for Jake? Of course, she would rather he be here with her, but she isn't selfish enough to want him to suffer. The last year he was in extreme pain, eating through feeding tubes and hearing his moans of agony were soul shattering.
“Jake, what do I do? I'm so proud of our boys. They're off on their own, beginning their lives as they should. I know they mean well, but everywhere I look, I see you and the boys. I can't find a space that isn't crowded.” Wiping at her tears, she walks to the bed and sits down. Sasha whines and pushes her head onto her lap.
“I’m okay, Sasha. Let’s go for a walk.”
Later that night, Delta moves to the sunroom to fire her most recent creation, and when she picks it up, she starts laughing. Looking around the room at the shelves full of her lopsided designs, Delta laughs even harder. “I can't believe that they put up with me this long,” she whispers when she catches her breath. Montana, a voice whispers. Adventure, scenery and the perfect place to get away and research. It's everything she promised Jacob she would do and truth be told she's tired of being cooped up. They had many lengthy discussions about her future without him. He wanted her to live. “Alright, Jake, I’ll give it a shot.”
Picking up her cell phone, she calls Phillip back before he shows up with both her boys and drags her out of the house. “Tell me more about this ranch in Montana...”
Chapter 2
“It’s just me,” Bailey calls as Sasha barks excitedly. Best friends since high school, Bailey has been a sister to her. Delta laughs and hugs her as they sit down and talk over coffee.
“Are you sure about this, Delta? Six months is a long time to be away.” Her New York accent has Delta grinning. After high school, she went to a college in New York, earned her real estate license and made a killing before coming home with a husband and two daughters. Now she has a great career selling real estate, a loving
family and the beauty to go with it. Bailey is tall, leggy and lean, she is everything Delta always wishes she were.
Delta is busty, petite and curvy enough to turn a man’s head, but most men prefer the model type. Jacob never made her feel less than, he loved her curves. “I wasn’t sure at first, but I need to get away, Bailey. I can’t breathe, or sleep, much less write here. I have to make some decisions about my life, and now that the boys are grown, I'm thinking about selling the house.”
“I agree. You don't need this much space anymore. Let me know when you're ready to list it, and I will take care of everything. If you aren't happy, you can always come home. Are you packed?” Bailey glances around and is sad to see the house so empty, void of life.
“No. What do I take to Montana? I don’t know what to pack, everything I have is old and worn out. Kind of like me.”
Bailey grins and grabs her hand. “Finally! Let’s go shopping and get makeovers. Now!” Grabbing her purse, she practically drags, Delta from the house. They shop for hours, have a mani-pedi and get her hair cut, then colored. She has the dirty-blonde hair layered and colored a bright golden blonde, the way she used to wear it before she quit caring. Her natural waves return with a bounce, and she loves feeling like herself again. To finish off the new look Bailey talks her into a new wardrobe, including a few silk nightgowns. Later that night as they sort all her purchase and finish off the second bottle of wine, she glances at Bailey with shock.
“We’ve just created a new memory that is completely mine, Bailey.”
“Well, how does it feel?”
Delta smiles through glittering eyes, full of unshed tears and covers her mouth with her hand, “Wonderful.”
Two weeks later, Delta is driving in Montana with Sasha seated beside her in the rental car Phillip arranged for her. The last two weeks were spent packing and planning, forwarding her mail, cutting off the utilities and locking up the house. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she smiles at the image reflected back at her. Excitement danced in her eyes and a blush of joy colors her cheeks. Her boys were happy to hear that she was traveling and promise to try to come for the holidays.
Loading the address into the GPS on the Ford Explorer, Delta grins and starts the engine. “Okay, Sasha, two hours to the ranch and we will be home.” Delta listens to the music and takes in the sights as she drives. Montana is breathtaking. Rolling green hills with a beautiful mountain backdrop, but the clouds overhead look like it might snow.
“Snow in April?” She asks herself.
It was colder than she expected. Delta switches on the heater and drives on. Phillip told her that the Silver Creek Ranch is a horse breeding ranch. They breed, raise, train, and sell American Quarter horses. It is also a traditional working ranch with cattle. In addition to that, they stage barrel races, team roping, sales and clinics at the modern indoor and outdoor arenas.
Before long she starts to see white fencing on the side of the road. The GPS indicates her turn is ahead on the right. Turning the Explorer, she drives on about four miles more before she sees a large arched wooden sign overhead. “Silver Creek Ranch” she murmurs. The sign has two running horses on each side carved into the wood. The road turns to gravel, she continues driving around a curve, and a large silver river comes into view with the ranch behind it.
Delta slows, and her smile grows. “Stunning.”
The first thing she sees is a Grand Lodge built to resemble a massive national park cabin. It looks just like the picture! Nerves flutter in her stomach, but she pushes them back and takes a deep breath. Parking she grabs Sasha's leash, hurrying around to the passenger side to let her out. The lightweight midnight blue dress is not warm enough, so she pulls on her jean jacket and laughs as Sasha leaps free. After walking her, she drops her back inside the car while she registers.
“I'll be quick, I promise,” she tells Sasha and waits for her to settle herself in the front seat to watch people walk by.
Delta snaps a couple pictures with her cell-phone to send to Phillip and Bailey later and lowers her camera to take in the view. Aspen trees line the entrance and guests are milling about the property. The inside of the grand lobby matches the magnificence of the Montana scenery. It boasts a stunning main room with enormous wooden beams along the ceiling, drawing the eyes up to a beautiful crystal chandelier. A stone fireplace flickers with a golden glow and two tooled leather armchairs flank it. A bar leads to a five-star restaurant, and cocktails are being served to guests who are waiting to be seated.
Delta is surprised. This is not at all what she was expecting to see. Phillip didn’t tell her everything. A part of her is disappointed because she thought he understood she needed serenity, not a busy social scene. This lodge is buzzing with activity.
“Can I help you?” The front desk clerk asks with a smile. She is young, mid-twenties, with reddish hair and dark eyes.
“Yes, I have a reservation, my name is Delta Richards.” Delta glances around, telling herself to give it a chance. The young woman types at the terminal and her smile falters for a moment before she types again.
“Is there a problem, Melody?” Delta asks softly, acknowledging her name tag.
“No, ma’am. One second please.” The young woman walks away, to speak to someone in the back office before returning with an older man. This man has the bearing of someone in charge. He stands well over six feet with a Stetson cowboy hat and boots, looking every bit a ranch owner. Silver hair, and weathered features from years of sun.
“Howdy, Mrs. Richards. My name is Chase Matthews, I own this ranch. Why don’t you come with me to my office?”
“Of course,” she says, but in her mind, Delta thinks, ‘Oh hell.’ Smiling slightly, she follows him.
“Have a seat, please.” His office is quiet with a softly glowing fire in a large fireplace. He gestures to a leather armchair near the fireplace and Delta sits with a smile, as he settles into his chair.
“Is there a problem with my reservation, Mr. Matthews?” Delta asks.
“Well, that depends on how you look at it.” Chase is clearly uncomfortable as he struggles to find the words. He pulls out a pipe and begins filling it with black-cherry tobacco. Delta grins flashing a dimple, and he is stunned at the beauty before him.
“Nervous habit of mine, do you mind?” He asks, pointing at his pipe.
“Not at all, my Pop used to smoke, and I love the smell.” He settles back and glances at his guest.
“We have a wedding going on for the next week, and our guest of honor forgot to mention the extra guests she invited. I'm gonna cut to the quick, Mrs. Richards.”
Delta interrupts him. “Call me Delta, please.”
He draws on his pipe and looks at her only, this time, his smile reaches his eyes. “Delta, we’re overbooked. The lodge is full and so are our guest houses.”
“I see.” Delta pales thinking about the drive and how far it will be to find a motel, but he cuts her off.
“Now, don’t you worry, sweetheart. We're going to take good care of you. There is a house that belonged to my grandmother, we don’t usually rent it out except for family, but this is a special case.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Excitement flutters in her chest. “In truth, I was looking for something a little more secluded anyway. Tell me about it.”
Chase describes a secluded log cabin built on the original land, down the street from the main lodge. Delta nods excitedly.
“I need to get some work done while I’m here and it sounds perfect.”
“What sort of work do you do?” He asks quietly puffing on his pipe.
“I am a free-lance author. Mostly magazines and blogs,” she says and changes the subject quickly. “Is the house available for long term rental? I thought the details were taken care of, but now I'm not so sure. I was expecting something for six months.”
“I will have to talk that over with my son Daniel, but it shouldn't be a problem. I'll have him drive you over. You check out the property an
d see what you think. If you like it, it's yours for as long as you stay with us.” The door blows open, and a young girl runs inside yelling with excitement.
“Grampy!” She skids to a stop when she sees Delta sitting there.
“Abby, come meet Delta,” Delta grins at the girl’s blush of embarrassment.
“I'm sorry, I thought you were alone, Grampy.” The young dark-haired beauty steps to his side and turns to Delta. “It's nice to meet you,” she says softly.
“You too, Abby.” Delta stands up and turns to them. “Mr. Matthews, I left my dog in my car. She’s probably fit to be tied by now,” Delta stands and looks to him. “If you don’t mind, I’ll meet your son out front.”
“I love dogs, can I meet yours?” Abby asks quickly.
“Of course,” Delta looks to Chase and smiles when he nods. “Sasha is a German Shepherd.” She holds out her hand and Abby trustingly places hers inside.
The two girls chat on the way to her car, and the moment the door is open, Sasha leaps free only to come straight back at Delta’s command. “Sasha, here.”
Abby is tucked up tight to Delta’s other side, a little intimidated by the size of the dog. “Sasha is a therapy dog, Abby. I promise you’re safe with her.” Abby looks up and grins.
“May I pet her?” Delta smiles at the little girl and nods. She releases Sasha with a command, and soon the two are running and playing on the lawn near the front door. Delta is smiling when she turns to the sound of her name.
“Delta, this is my son, Daniel Matthews.” Chase stands back watching with a keen eye as Daniel tries not to show the impact of meeting Delta. She is standing in the sun laughing at his daughter's antics, and when she turns to greet him, he is entranced by the unexpected beauty. He slowly removes his black cowboy hat and smiles as his eyes rake her body from head to toe. No feature is left untouched from her light blue eyes, plump lips to the dimple that winks when she grins. Delta is all curves, graceful and stunning.