He closed his eyes and admitted the truth. He did indeed love Autumn. These past two days without her had taught him he’d have to risk exposing himself to the truth of his past. He needed her in his life, just as Daya had said. His love for a woman would bring him back to the Dineh.
“I fought this,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to care for you because I didn’t want to face my fears about being part Indian.”
A frown furrowed her brow. “Are you still fighting?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
The warm sound of her chuckle wrapped around him and soothed the rough edges where doubt had cut into his convictions.
I don’t think I’ll ever resolve the conflict. Something will undoubtedly come up to remind me of past pain.”
“But you won’t let that be a barrier to future joy?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No. I don’t think I have much choice—not according to Daya, anyway.”
“Everything she has predicted has come to pass.” She gestured below. “The walls have turned to dust.”
“And I found the woman with long hair.” Unable to continue to resist, he reached out and smoothed his fingers along the surface of her hair. The slight tremble he felt beneath his hand crumbled his resolve. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders to pull her close, but she backed away and reached into her pocket.
“My aunt gave me this during the sing. It’s my mother. Look who she’s with.”
He glanced at the photo. “It’s Daya.”
“She’s the woman who came to the university and told me about Real Tall Man and the clan.”
To Jess the news was a surprise, but not an unbelievable one.
“How did she know who I was? Do you suppose she kept track of me all those years?”
He nodded, not wanting to consider other possibilities, but knowing he must. “Maybe she helped your mother when she was pregnant. Maybe that’s how she knew who’d adopted you.”
“I’d like to believe that my mother had someone close when she had to go through that.”
Jess pulled her into his arms, and this time she stepped into his embrace. “Does it really make any difference?” he asked. “What matters now is that we are together.”
He liked the way she curved against him. Her body fit perfectly next to his. Wispy images of the dream wove in and out of his consciousness as he held her tight.
For several moments Autumn quietly absorbed the knowledge of Jess’s love and commitment. In the distance the coyote howled. She breathed in Jess’s warm scent as she curved against him. The last rays of light were slowly disappearing, but she felt bright and glowing inside. Jess’s love warmed her heart.
Suddenly, a loud screech echoed in the still air. She and Jess looked up. Overhead the eagle soared, his wings spread wide, silhouetted against the waning light.
“He’s flying home to his mate,” Jess whispered against her temple.
Home. The word brought joy as she nestled close to her future mate, the Swift Eagle of her heart.
* * * * * * *
If you enjoyed reading Love’s Dream Song I hope you will consider writing a review. More and more authors are dependent on readers like you to keep our writing life relevant. Thank you for taking the time to read and review my book, here is a link to the Sandra Leesmith book page on Amazon.
Other books by Sandra Leesmith
LOVE’S Miracles
Dr. Margo Devaull came to Dominic Zanelli's mountain retreat confident that she could help this Vietnam veteran overcome the torment that kept him apart from the world. But her training as a psychologist had not prepared her for the tragic, explosive contradictions brewing inside him. For here was a sensitive artist who could be gentle – and a man whose eyes flashed with violence and pain when he told her to leave and never come back. Yet Margo did come back, slowly gain his trust, and awaken the sleeping needs of his heart. Only by reliving her own wounded past and helping Zane confront a terrible memory from the war could she set them both free – and save their last chance for love.
* * *
LOVE’S Promises
For Monica Scott, building her late father’s house at Lake Tahoe isn’t an option—it’s a necessary distraction from confusing memories and an uncertain future. But a handsome planner working for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is keeping Monica from moving forward with the project. Never mind that he’s young and charming with a great sense of humor. No one is going to stop Monica from making her father’s dream—and her own—a reality.
All Greg Linsey wants is for his work to mean something. His job at TRPA gives him the opportunity to fight for the environment he loves and make a difference in his small corner of the world. But with the sophisticated Monica Scott’s arrival, his dedication is tested as never before, especially when Monica turns to his unscrupulous nemesis for assistance.
As Greg and Monica’s animosity turns into something far sweeter, can they learn to accept each other’s promises and avoid the growing danger to their lives and hearts?
* * *
LOVE’S Refuge
Skye Larsen loves her peaceful life on Leeza Island in Puget Sound – the tranquility, the friendly neighbors, and especially the safety from big-city dangers. So when cruel pranks start to escalate and changes threaten to overtake the island, Skye is determined to fight for her haven. The presence of a handsome vacationer and the unexpected feelings he awakens can’t distract her from her goal.
Danny Fraser doesn’t realize how desperately he needs a rest until he meets Skye. By allowing him to glimpse her simple way of life, she helps him reorient his priorities – and steals his heart in the process. But his work and home in Seattle keep Skye at bay.
An isolated island girl with painful memories. A dedicated city boy with a wild past. What will it cost for them both to find a refuge from their storms?
* * *
A Flower for Angela
Former school board member and news reporter, Ricardo de la Cruz, was ready to condemn Angela Stuart’s revolutionary teaching methods. He’d vowed to protect the barrio students and wouldn’t have Angela Stuart and a bunch of crazy professors experimenting in the inner-city school. Ricardo wasn’t prepared for the beautiful and caring teacher, but he couldn’t let that confuse his judgment.
Dedicated and determined, Angela vowed to defend her program. However, Ricardo swept away her defenses with his charisma, intelligence and charm. How could she fight against such attraction? Not only could Angela lose her job; she was also in danger of losing her heart.
* * *
The Price of Victory
Sterling Wade, a successful professional cyclist, finds the one thing he's missing in life a woman to love. But Debra Valenzuela refuses to allow a relationship with any man to interfere with her determination to become a professional cyclist.
When Debra is seriously injured during a race, her ambition and wish to succeed and win her father's love are put to the test. With Sterling at her side during her rehabilitation, Debra learns that love is not a race to be won, but something to be earned. Can Sterling help Debra follow her dream and in the process discover new purpose for his own life? Will they accept the price of victory?
* * *
Current of Love
Janelle Edwards is a sultry singer who’s nursing a perpetually broken heart. Everett Jamison, III is a handsome workaholic with no time for love on his busy agenda. Both have sworn off relationships and marriage…but on a cozy steamboat cruise up the Mississippi River, the two keep crossing paths. They try hard to ignore the growing attraction, even as family and friends urge them on. But when danger threatens the ship, Janelle and Rett must make a decision: continue running from their emotions—or let the tides of passion sweep them away.
A light Southern romance sweetened with a splash of humor, Current of Love blends brilliant storytelling with endearing characters to make even the biggest skeptics believe in love again.
* * *
A
nd Sandra Leesmith has novels included in the following collections.
With this Kiss
Where the Eagle Flies by Sandra Leesmith: Sid Bradshaw has loved Melissa Anderson since they were children. He stepped back for years while Melissa followed her dreams to travel. He is hoping that he will have a second chance to win her love while on an outing with their families. A summer monsoon leaves the pair stranded in an isolated cove. Will this harsh land where the eagle flies show Melissa she has loved Sid all along?
* * *
Hope for the holidays
A Heart Full of Hope by Sandra Leesmith: Elena Delgado loves her father’s new business partner, Stephen Edwards. As they work together to find funding for the project that will bring jobs and hope to their small community in time for Christmas, will Stephen notice her? Or is he still in love with the fiancée who left him?
* * *
About the Author
Sandra Leesmith writes romance designed to warm the heart and make you smile. Sandra loves to play pickleball, hike, read, bicycle and write. A retired teacher, she lives in Arizona with her husband. During the hot summers she and her husband travel throughout the United States in their motorhome, where she enjoys the outdoors and finds wonderful ideas for her next writing project.
Find other books by Sandra Leesmith in both Kindle and Print versions.
Several of Sandra’s books are also available inaudio version.
You can contact Sandra at:
Website: sandraleesmith.com
Facebook: Sandra Wardman Smith
Twitter: @SLeesmithAuthor
Google+: Sandra Leesmith
Read Sandra’s posts on Seekerville.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Other books by Sandra Leesmith
About the Author
Back to Beginning
Love's Dream Song Page 32