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Chapter For SKIPPING HEAVEN by Rayne Forrest
Appalachian Mountains, 1900
Daniel Woods battled the last few steps to the crest of
the ridge and blew out a relieved sigh. He bent over to catch his breath.
Zeus snorted and nudged him. The stallion seemed equally
glad to have made it up the steep hill. Daniel stretched, his spine making
little popping noises. The rolling hills of the Allegheny Mountains lay
before them.
The top of the ridge sported a few scrubby pines and a
spot of green about a hundred yards to the south. That green meant a spring.
“Come on, horse. Let’s go get a drink.”
The stallion followed, still snorting. Daniel patted the muscled, sweaty
shoulder.
They’d left their home on the shores of the Chesapeake
Bay just two weeks ago, traveling slowly. It was a long trek to Kentucky,
and the legacy Daniel’s uncle had left him. He was determined not
to tire Zeus, settling for a slow twenty or so miles a day. The land in
Kentucky wasn’t going anywhere and Zeus was too valuable to ride
to exhaustion. The stallion would stand at stud over the breeding herd
Daniel hoped to acquire and develop.
A movement to his left stopped Daniel in his tracks and
he dropped the reins. Zeus was well trained and stood, hooves planted.
Daniel slowly pulled his carbine from the scabbard and sighted the pheasant.
One quick shot and dinner was bagged. More birds lifted from the brush.
A rabbit darted away.
Game in the area was a good sign that the spring was pure.
He selected a spot that boasted as near to shade as there was to be had
and pulled the saddle off the stallion. It was still early in the day
but Daniel was called to this place. They’d rest a bit before starting
down the other side of the mountain.
He started a fire, cleaned and spitted the bird, then
gave Zeus a quick brush and checked his hooves. The grazing wasn’t
too plentiful, so he gave the stallion a few handfuls of grain. The bag
was about three-quarters gone. Daniel’s map showed a few homesteads
and towns along the trail and he hoped to purchase more at one of those
small places.
Two hours later, his meal of roasted pheasant making for
a contented belly, he saddled Zeus and returned to the trail. They started
down the steep hillside. He gave Zeus his head, trusting the sure-footed
beast to step carefully.
The condition of the trail rapidly deteriorated. The stallion’s
hooves sent bits of shale sliding and clattering down the side of the
mountain. Daniel could see a wider spot a few hundred feet ahead. He’d
dismount when they reached there and walk the rest of the way down instead
of expecting the horse to balance them both.
They didn’t get that far.
Zeus stepped too close to the edge of the trail. The ground
gave way, sliding from under his hooves. He stumbled, going to his knees.
Daniel pulled up sharply on the reins. The stallion’s muscles bunched
beneath him. His head came up, his hindquarters dropped. The shale under
them crumbled and they fell.
* * * *
Trouble had arrived.
Justine Noakes glanced over at Duke. The dog was standing,
ears and tail at attention, staring down the long meadow. A lone man leading
a lame horse approached.
Now was not the time for the dog to start barking. Justine
had the top of one of her honeybee hives open, harvesting the honeycomb.
The honeybees were docile as long as she moved slowly and gently. She
carefully eased the lid back in place and stepped away from the hive.
The few honeybees still clinging to her disembarked.
“Get on the porch,” she ordered the dog. Duke
growled low in his throat.
“Go on.” She tugged at his neck. He tugged
back, then trotted obediently towards the cabin. Justine picked up her
crock of honeycomb and followed.
She entered her small abode and pulled her Derringer from
under her pillow and slipped it into her pocket. It was not the weapon
she preferred, but greeting the stranger with a loaded Colt .45 might
stir the man’s temper.
Duke was sitting quietly on the porch. That was a reassur-ing
sign. Duke had excellent people sense.
The horse limped painfully and the stranger stopped to
al-low the animal to rest. Justine pitied the poor beast. Whatever had
happened, the man must have hoped the horse would re-cover. Men didn’t
walk a lame horse to help. They simply shot the beast and obtained another.
Justine told Duke to stay and went to the well to draw
a fresh bucket of water for the man. She was just setting it on the porch
steps when the duo began moving again. Another warning growl rumbled in
Duke’s throat.
The man was close enough now that Justine could get a
good look at him. He was a big man, well over six feet. Dark hair curled
on his collar. Several days’ growth of dark beard covered his cheeks.
He removed his hat and an intensely blue gaze swept her from head to toe.
She hoped she passed inspection. Because if he looked
at her like that again, it was going to be a toss-up between shoot-ing
him or letting Duke have some fun.
“Ma’am. I’m not looking for mischief.
I need a place to care for my horse for a few days. I’ll work in
return for you al-lowing me and him to sleep in your barn.”
He was dusty, dirty and visibly weary. The proud shoulders
slumped. Instead of wearing his gun belt, it was looped over his shoulder.
“What’s your name?” Not that knowing
his name would help if he were lying or he was bent on mischief.
“Daniel. Daniel Woods.”
“I’m doing this for your horse, Mr. Woods.
He’s a thor-oughbred, isn’t he?”
The man gave her another appraising look. “Yes,
ma’am, he is.”
“What happened to him?”
The man stroked the animal’s sweaty neck. “Just
a mis-step. Bruised the hoof. I think he’ll be fine with a little
rest.”
“You’ll have to ready a stall. Are you hungry?”
She knew he had to be.
He walked around to the other side of the horse and re-moved
something from the ties of the saddle. He held out two rabbits.
“Will this do for supper?”
Justine smiled warmly. She stepped down two treads and
took his offering. Their fingertips touched. She recoiled in surprise,
hoping her expression didn’t reflect her shock.
“These will do nicely. Thank you. Do you want the
pelts?”
“No. You do what you like with them. I’ll
go get settled.” He put his hat back on his head and turned towards
the barn, then hesitated.
“Ma’am, if you have some to spare, I’d
appreciate a sliver of soap.”
Justine nodded. “You’ll find a little washstand
inside the barn. With soap.”
Daniel tipped his hat and coaxed the horse to movement.
Watching the horse struggle to walk brought tears to Justine’s eyes.
“Come on, Duke,” she said softly, turning
to go prepare the game. She hoped Mr. Woods didn’t mind if she roasted
both rabbits. She had a hot bed of coals and might as well put them to
good use. Gathering the necessary tools, she went out back to her workbench.
She left the Derringer in her pocket, for all the good
it would do her.
Reviews for
SKIPPING HEAVEN by Rayne Forrest
Skipping Heaven is a tale of otherworldly passion and
of finding out that the life you most want is the one you never dared
to dream of. Daniel and Justine are carefully crafted, and this story
brings out the best in them. I especially liked the large part that the
animals played in this work, and the simplicity of Justine’s life.
Combining non-traditional paranormal elements and timeless love, Rayne
Forrest pens a unique and heartwarming story in Skipping Heaven.
Reviewed by: Michelle 4 Angels
Skipping Heaven is an enchanting historical with a spice
of paranormal that adds just the right flavor to a beautiful tale of love,
loss and forever after. The slow build-up of the story, which actually
happened over a short period of time, was just the right pace for me as
a reader to build an impressive excitement level anticipating the final
outcome. Great story and one reader's everywhere will enjoy.
Reviewed by Rachelle ENCHANTED IN ROMANCE 4 unicorns
This is an interesting amalgam of genres, including both
historical and paranormal elements. I’ve read several of Ms. Forrest’s
books, and this, despite its brief length, is my favorite so far. The
plot is simple, and yet complex; sweet, and yet sinfully erotic; happily
ever after, and yet bittersweet. The writing is exquisite, depicting for
us the everyday life of a simpler time and place, while, at the same time,
preparing us for more serious events to come. I became caught up in the
lives of Daniel and Justine, who seemed like real people. The love scenes
between the two are sensual and moderately explicit, and very emotionally
satisfying. In my opinion, this is a story that transcends genre. It doesn’t
matter if you prefer to read historical romance, science fiction, or fantasy,
you will find Skipping Heaven irresistible.
Reviewed by: Jean Fallen Angels Reviews 5 Angels and RECOMMENDED
READ
SKIPPING HEAVEN is the most beautiful love story I have
read in a long time. Rayne Forrest draws her readers in from the first
page and has them glued to their seats throughout this heart-warming romance.
I laughed at the antics and went through a box of tissues at the end.
Ms. Forrest pens a romantic tale with vivid imagery, captivating characters
and passion hot enough to singe your fingers. Justine and Daniel are characters
that will leave you spellbound. They are fun, sweet, sassy and sensual.
This is the first story I have read by Ms. Forrest, but it definitely
will not be my last. I look forward to reading all of her work.
Billie Jo RATING 5
Romance Junkies Reviewer
Romance Junkies Chat Coordinator
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