William Myers feels it’s his duty to answer the call to fight for the Union Army–but his wife, Susannah, doesn’t agree. How does he expect her to survive with four small children in the cold Ohio winter during the three-month enlistment period? Angry and abandoned, Susannah learns soon after Williams leaves that she’s pregnant again.
Raoul Lafontaine is a half-Ojibwa, half-French-Canadian drifter who is more Indian than white. Also known as Lone Wolf, he has recently left the Ojibwa village in search of a fair-haired woman both he and his grandfather have seen in visions. She is important to him–but how? He will never allow himself to care about another–not after losing the wife he loved so much.
But Raoul could not have planned for the sizzling emotions that surface when he comes near Susannah, nor the love he feels for her children. When he realizes Susannah returns his feelings, he knows he must leave–for how can he stay close by knowing she can never be his? William will return to his homestead and they will once again be a family. One in which Raoul has no place. Or does he?
Will Fate relent and grant the love between Susannah and Raoul in this Dance With Destiny?
Targeted Age Group:: 18 and up
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
What makes Dance With Destiny so special to me is that it's a branch off my family tree. I'd been told for years we had American Indian blood in our family, on my dad's side. His mother and her siblings were tormented in school because of it, and they tried to hide the fact, since being Indian was not something to be proud of. I embraced the idea and began to wear moccasins on my feet and feathers in my hair. I've since given up the feathers, but still wear moccasins all the time. When DNA testing became commonplace, I plunked down my money and waited impatiently for the results. Instead of having the family story be verified, I was astounded to find out I had not a drop of Indian blood. But, if so many in the family had heard the story, there had to be some truth to it. This story offers up one explanation.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
Susannah, William and the children are actual descendants of mine. Missouria Belle is my great-grandmother. The rest of the cast in this story are figments of my imagination.
Book Sample
Ohio Hill Country, April, 1861
"You can't leave me! Leave us! How will we ever survive? We are only good if we can face our hardships together.” Susannah Myers pummeled her husband's shoulders as her lips pressed together in a tight line. “Running off to war and leaving me alone to care for our four little ones is not right. I can’t do this on my own."
William took hold of her hands and stilled them. He kissed her callused fingers and then grazed her lips. She stopped fighting him and laid her head on her husband’s broad shoulder, letting her hot tears fall.
"It'll only be for a few months, Susannah. Summer’s coming on, so it won’t be so hard for you to get by. There are plenty of chickens for food and eggs, I’ve stocked the smoke house with deer, and Jacob can start on the planting, so you’ll have potatoes and fresh vegetables. I have no choice in the matter as to whether I stay or go. I have to volunteer. Every able-bodied man in southern Ohio is being asked to do his part. Daniel was out here just the other day to make sure I'd sign up."
Susannah straightened up and took a deep breath. She moved away from him, trying to distance herself from her feelings of abandonment. "Four children, William, and the oldest of them only nine years old. Is volunteering for service worth it when, by leaving, you’re putting the lives of your children in jeopardy?”
He spread his hands wide. "Of course, if I had any say in the matter, I’d want to be right here, with my woman and my babies. But, it's my duty to serve. And I swear it will only be for a couple months. I've only signed on for ninety days. After that, I'll be home. Don't worry. I'll just be gone for the summer. All we're doing is guarding the nation's capital until the southerners are subdued. We won't be anywhere near the battle zone. I'll be home before you know I'm gone."
Susannah faced him again, trying once more to make him see reason. "I’ll miss you the minute you leave, William. The ache in my heart is already there. What I don’t understand is why you feel this need to serve. We don't even own any slaves. Why must you fight these battles? It doesn't affect us."
"The government is trying to keep the country from splitting into two parts. We must prevent that at all costs. Our ancestors came from Germany to southern Ohio to find a new way of life in this great country, and so far, it’s worked well for us, even though it’s a hard struggle each year. But if the nation splits into two, it will never be the mighty force it should be."
Susannah sighed, fully aware her protests were falling on deaf ears. "Promise me, then. By the time the first snow comes, and you know it comes early here in the hills, you'll be home."
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