by Aaron Galvin
I gaze out to the cloudy sky and grey ocean waters, its waves rumbling into whitecaps.
‘Augh, no,’ she said. ‘You stubborn old fool.
I’ve heard of those lands, and them savages cruel.’
So the Lord took pity and sent me some cheer,
I lay the pouch inside the hole, holding it at the last, not wishing to let go. My voice quitting, tears flooding down my cheeks.
George kneels beside me and pulls me close to his side. Then he takes up my song.
Rebecca’s her name, the pretty little dear.
George weeping alongside me, the pair of us sing together.
‘Come, lass,’ says I. ‘Let you not fear no witches.’
Your grandpappy’s here, and—
I clap my hand over my mouth, my body seizing in George’s embrace. My brother pulls me close, kissing my forehead.
The snow crunches beside me, Father kneeling with us.
“Rest easy, old friend,” Father whispers, sweeping a mound of dirt to cover the pouch holding Bishop’s ashes.
My sorrow breaks, a memory of Bishop’s coughed laughter in my mind.
I cannot say how long we sit at the grave of Ann “Goody” Glover, listening to the bells toll and sounds of the sea. I do know my brother and Father will not stir until I do. Leaning forward, I pat the mound of dirt and smooth it over.
“Goodbye, grandpappy.” I kiss the stone. “You are with your Annie again.”
George helps me stand then plucks his shovel free.
I lean on Father, safe in his shadow, as we tread our way back. Rather than sit in the driver’s bench with Father and George, I venture instead to the back, climbing inside next to Ciquenackqua.
George waits for me to settle before slapping the reins.
The wagon bumps forward, headed southwest to leave out the Boston neck, and head for the Barron homestead.
Ciquenackqua stirs on the straw pallet.
“You look well,” I say, stroking his brow as his eyes flutter open.
He grins. “I had a good nurse.”
I smile, taking his hand in mine.
“Are we leaving?” he asks.
“Aye.”
“To where now?”
“The wild.” I say, my spirit soaring as the sun peeks through the clouds, warming my face. “And freedom.”
Thank you for reading Salem’s Legacy. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review at your favorite retailer and/or on Goodreads.
Positive reviews are the best way to thank an author for writing a book you loved because retailers then show the book to more potential readers. Also, because I publish my books independently without the aid (i.e. - deep pockets) of big publishers, reviews are incredibly important in helping me spread the word about this series. Your review doesn’t have to be long – one or two sentences is perfect! I read all my reviews and truly appreciate each and every one of them.
Thank you again for reading!
Acknowledgments
It’s been a wild ride, folks.
The Salem trials have fascinated me for as long as I can remember, which made researching the players involved and the time period a true joy. While this story painted the Reverend Cotton Mather in a less than favorable light, I encourage you to read more on his genius—specifically his influence on American science.
In truth, I’m not a little sad to bid farewell to Rebecca, Priest, and all the rest. Good, strong characters are hard to come by and I’m just as thankful they allowed me tell their story as I am to you for reading along.
In regards to this novel, (and trilogy), I could not have done without my coven: Annetta Ribken, Jennifer Wingard, Greg Sidelnik, and Valerie Bellamy. Thank you all for lending me your many talents and knowledge to shape Salem’s Legacy.
To Karen, my wife and first reader, thank you for loving me and believing in me, especially seeing as I don’t write kissy-kissy books, provide the endings you hope for, or change the fates of characters even when you demand it.
To my parents, siblings, and the countless family and friends who have followed my crazy antics all this way, my thanks for your continued support.
And thank you, dear reader, for continuing this journey with me.
Book Discounts & Savings
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In addition, you can also save money by purchasing Aaron’s books in extra-value box sets.
Click on the links below to find out more and grab your discounted box set today!
Vengeance Trilogy Box Set
Book 1: Salem’s Vengeance
Book 2: Salem’s Fury
Book 3: Salem’s Legacy
Salted Series Box Set
Book 1: Salted
Book 2: Taken With A Grain of Salt
Book 3: Above The Salt
About the Author
Aaron Galvin cut his chops writing stand-up comedy routines at age thirteen. The author of two YA series, (The Vengeance Trilogy, and the ongoing Salted Series), Aaron was also recently named a Top 50 semi-finalist in the Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Fellowship competition with the screenplay adaptation of his middle grade novel, The Grave of Lainey Grace.
He is also an accomplished actor. Aaron has worked in everything from Hollywood blockbusters to starring in dozens of indie films and commercials.
A native Hoosier and a graduate of Ball State University, he currently lives in Southern California with his family.
For more information
aarongalvin.com
[email protected]
Also by Aaron Galvin
To read full descriptions, visit the link(s) below.
aarongalvin.com
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SALTED SERIES
Book 1: Salted
Book 2: Taken With A Grain of Salt
Book 3: Above The Salt
Book 4: Salt Away
Book 5: Salt In An Open Wound
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VENGEANCE TRILOGY
Book 1: Salem’s Vengeance
Book 2: Salem’s Fury
Book 3: Salem’s Legacy
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STANDALONE NOVEL
The Grave of Lainey Grace
Copyright 2015 by Aaron Galvin
Revised March 2016
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either figments of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Aames & Abernathy Publishing, Chino Hills, CA USA
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Edited by Annetta Ribken. You can find her at www.wordwebbing.com
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Copy Edits by Jennifer Wingard. www.theindependentpen.com
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Ebook formatting by Valerie Bellamy.
www.dog-earbookdesign.com