Left in the care of her vindictive step-mother after the death of her father, Hope is shocked to find out the debt he’s left them in. However, that’s nothing compared to the horror she feels when she finds out how her step-mother intends to pay off that debt without losing any of her luxuries. With a little brother who has been deaf since birth, Hope has no choice but to go along with it to … protect him.
Logan Wallace has travelled to Sacramento to purchase the cattle he needs to start his own herd, only to be greeted by a pick-pocket shortly after he arrives. Chasing the thief, he’s led into the slums of the town where he’s shocked to see some kind of human auction happening.
When his eyes meet the terrified brown ones staring back at him from the wooden platform, he knows he can’t walk away and leave her there to the fate of the men who are bidding.
Putting up the money he was supposed to use to purchase a prized mare for his sister Ella, he steps in to help. But when he wins the auction and tries to let the girl have her freedom, he’s shocked to find out that her honor won’t allow her to walk away until she’s paid him back in full.
So now what is he supposed to do with her?
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I DON’T KNOW HOW I CAN EVER REPAY YOU
Each story in the Oregon Sky saga will read as a stand-alone, but even better if read in written order. The stories cover many families, especially the Wallace family. When Logan Wallace, along with Mr. James O’Hara and several others go to Sacramental, California to bring back cattle and dry goods, they will find themselves coming home with more than they intended. The story is about good versus evil and how sometimes a person finds themselves in unusual circumstances that can change many lives.
Hope and her brother Max have been left in the care of their stepmother, a woman who does not care about them and has evil intentions for their future. Planning to sell Hope at auction weeks before she turns eighteen in a seedy part of town leaves deaf Max at a disadvantage. Sadie tells Hope that she is going to send him off to an orphanage where she will never be able to find him. Trying to escape, will have Hope captured, but Max getting away.
Logan is ready to leave Sacramental until a young boy knocks into him and grabs his wallet. Chasing him through town will take him to the seedier part of town, but he still follows him into a dark building. Seeing them bring a young woman on stage, he will catch up with Max and his money, but shocked to hear that this young woman is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. The money is to purchase a mare for Ella, but now he finds himself buying Hope’s freedom instead.
The plot will bring Logan rescuing Hope and Max and learning about their stepmother; he knows he must get them safely out of town. He will pay Ella back and knows she would agree with what he has done. Where can he get Hope and Max to and leave them is the question. Hope is determined she must pay off her debt. He doesn’t want her to feel like she is indebted to him.
“You’re free to go, you know. Once I get you far enough away from your stepmother, you and your brother can leave. I don’t want you thinking just because I paid for you, that I honestly believe you belong to more or anything.”
“I know you didn’t ask to be stuck with two extra people, especially not a woman and a boy who likely won’t be able to offer you much help. But there’s nothing for us here. I won’t ask for anything from you, other than a chance to do what I can to repay you for the kindness you’ve shown me today.”
The trail from California to Oregon includes many dangers along the way, especially when you have a deaf child that cannot hear when warnings are called out. Knowing that Sadie’s men are looking for Max to take him away keeps them on guard. Keeping Hope and Max safe from Sadie is the number one goal, figuring out what to do with them later, will just have to come later. Logan jokes that women make men soft, and he has no intentions of settling down anytime soon. There is just something special about Hope, she never complains, goes out of her way to assist and be kind, and he cares about her and Max. When trouble follows them to Bethany, what will he do to protect her?
The story has danger, suspense, secrets, deceit, mystery, and the beginnings of a sweet love story. This is a clean historical with a great cast of characters that keep the pages turning. We learn more about another character that has a story in books to come later on.
What a crazy beginning! I wish this fictional tale didn’t have any truths behind it, but I’m guessing that’s probably not the case! So glad there was a Happy Ever After!!
Great book