E. G. Parsons - Black Rock:

by A Time For Love

  Black Rock: A Time For Love

  E. G. Parsons

  * * * * *

  Published by:

  LionsDen Books

  For Kindle Second Edition

  Black Rock: A Time For Love

  COPYRIGHT © 2010 E. G. Parsons

  Publishing History: First Paperback Edition

  2008 The Wild Rose Press

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or entered into a retrieval system, or transmitted in anyway, by any means without the express written consent of the author or publisher, with the exception of brief passages to be used in critical articles or reviews

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead, any business establishments, locales or events is purely coincidental.

  * * * * *

  Dedication:

  For Roxanne

  * * * * *

  What people are saying about Black Rock: A Time For Love

  Working Girl Reviews:

  "If you're looking for a beautiful historical romance you need look no further than Black Rock: A Time For Love. I highly recommend this book to any lover of paranormal and/or historical fiction, or to anyone who just plain loves a good story…"

  Simply Romance Reviews:

  "E.G. Parsons has out done herself with her mystic paranormal romance story called Black Rock. The story entails such riveting action from kidnapping to murder and to add the best for last, a mystical rock that is a portal to other years: past and future. How awesome is that…"

  Romance Reader at Heart:

  "BLACK ROCK: A TIME FOR LOVE is a charming, witty, refreshing book for romance lovers of all genres…"

  LASR:

  "Roxanne and Collin's saga is uniquely satisfying. I heartily recommend it and look forward to other selections by Ms. Parsons…"

  * * * * *

  BLACK ROCK: A TIME FOR LOVE

  Prologue

  Texas

  April 1846

  Riding hard into the ranch yard, the rider jerked the horse to a stop in front of the ranch house. Opening the door, Joseph hurried across the porch and down the steps. The wind blew his Stetson off his head and across the yard. Ignoring the hat, he rushed to the man in the saddle. The horse was lathered and snorting from the hard ride.

  "What is it Slim. What's happening?"

  "Mr. Joe, you'd better come quick! The men were trying to get a piece of that black rock for the fireplace hearth like you told them and then this here storm came up quick. One of the men walked up and disappeared inside of that stone!"

  "What are you talking about? Have you lost your mind, man?"

  "No, sir, I ain't. I'm telling it just like I seen it. You need to come right now."

  "Okay, saddle my horse. I'll be right there."

  Joseph raced for his hat as it continued to dance across the hard earth. Retrieving it, he planted it firmly on top of his head and went inside the house, returning quickly carrying a shotgun in the crook of his arm. Mounting the horse that Slim led from the stable, he rode fast across the green pasture heading towards the black rock from which the ranch had taken its name.

  Increasing in intensity, the ferocity of the storm nearly knocked them off their feet as they dismounted. Dazed, the crowd of men stood and stared at the monstrous black rock. Huge black clouds swirled overhead making the day almost as dark as night and Joseph wondered if a twister was coming. He dismissed the idea. The air just didn't feel right for a twister. Lightening flashed and concentrated itself directly over top of the great stone.

  As Joseph watched, one of the ranch hands approached the stone and reached out to touch it. Joseph yelled into the wind for the man to stay back, but he either didn't hear or couldn't resist the pull of the stone. In horror, Joseph and the other men watched as the man was swallowed by the rock and disappeared.

  The black clouds were suddenly whisked away, replaced by the blue sky and soft breeze of a sunny April day. Silent and unmoving the men tried to understand what had happened. Joseph shook his blonde head to dispel the fog that seemed to have settled there.

  "Get that hunk of rock for the fireplace back to the ranch! And boys, I don't want any of you coming near this stone in the future. Is that clear?"

  Looking in horror at the black monster that had just swallowed two of their companions, they readily agreed to never come near the place. Mounting his horse, Joseph rode slowly back toward the house, still not believing what he'd seen. Suddenly he couldn't wait to get home and discuss this horrible occurrence with the one person who could ease his mind, his wife Martha. Kicking the horse to a run, he rode hard to the house. Dismounting, he hurriedly tied the horse to the porch rail and ran into the house.

  "Martha! Martha, were are you?" Joseph ran from room to room, frantically looking for her.

  "Joe? What's happened?" Martha came rushing down the stairs. She'd never seen Joseph so upset.

  "Martha, a horrible thing has happened." Taking her arm he led her to the sitting room and pushed her onto the sofa.

  "What, Joe? Tell me!" He face pale, Martha clinched her hands in her lap, afraid of what he was going to say.

  "I lost some men." Joseph swallowed hard, not quite knowing how to tall her. "Honey, I know this will sound crazy, but two of my men disappeared into that big black rock."

  "Joseph! Land sakes, you scared me half to death. I thought something serious had happened. I ought to skin you alive, coming in here and telling me such a tale."

  "Look at me, Martha. Do I look like I'm joking? I'm dead serious. The rock just sort of dissolved and the men went right inside it and disappeared. I don't understand it, but I'm telling you the truth."

  Martha eyed him doubtfully for a moment before deciding she'd better hear him out.

  "Tell me everything."

  Joseph told her all he knew and Martha said it was best to try and keep it as quiet as possible.

  "We don't want people coming around here asking questions and accusing us of unthinkable things, Joe. It could cause us all kinds of trouble. So, don't be saying anything to anyone and tell Slim to keep quiet."

  "What about the men? They saw too."

  "A few ranch hands may talk about it, but everyone will just assume they'd been hitting the spirits a little too hard as long as we keep quiet. It's for the best, Joe."

  "You're right. We'll keep it quiet."

  Joseph lost several good hands that day in addition to the two that had disappeared inside the stone. The men refused to stay and work the ranch, saying it was cursed by the stone of the devil. Joseph didn't blame them and although it had been a terrible sight to see the men disappear, he hoped it had more to do with God than the devil. Only time would tell.

  One

  Boston

  1898

  Excited chatter filled the large hall, as the girls waited expectantly for their names to be called. In a couple of weeks, school would end for the older girls and they looked forward to letters from home with train tickets and schedules. Roxanne waited patiently not expecting a letter, but hopeful of receiving train tickets home. She couldn't wait to get back to the ranch. While waiting her mind wondered back to her last days at Black Rock.

  * * * * *

  She'd been only ten that cold November day they laid her mother to rest. The cold rain came down in torrents, stinging her pale cheeks and her black, woolen dress was blown about her body by the gusting wind. She couldn't believe her mother was gone and kept wishing it were a nightmare she'd eventually awake from. The one person,
who could offer her comfort, her beloved Papa, was out of his mind with grief and seemed to have forgotten his only child's existence.

  Glancing toward the horizon, Roxanne stared at the huge black stone jutting out of the depths of the earth. Her father had taken her there on horseback when she was a tiny child. He'd warned her to never go near the massive stone.

  "Roxy, I don't want you to ever come here to this place alone. I'm giving you a warning because to come here would cause you to be lost forever. It's a curse, child. Do you understand?"

  Roxanne had nodded solemnly, but she didn't understand how something so grand and beautiful could make her lost. Black and as smooth as marble, the silver flecks embedded in the stone shined like diamonds in the sun.

  Her Papa told her that when his father had first come to Texas and settled this land, he'd had some of his ranch hands carve a piece of the stone to put in front of the fireplace.

  "And that's why the ranch is called Black Rock, right?"

  "That's right, Honey."

  "But, Papa, didn't the men get lost trying to get the stone?"

  "Yes, child, some of them did and were never found. Now, you heed my warning."

  Roxanne nodded again, "I will papa. I don't want to get lost."

  Staring at the rock as her mother was lowered into the earth, Roxanne wished she could go there and be lost forever. She looked over at her papa, wishing he would put his arms around her and hold her close.

  Grief stricken, Jacob didn't know how he'd go on without his beloved Opal. Named for the beautiful gemstone, she had been the crowning jewel of his life. Everything he did, he did for her. They had fallen in love at first sight and that love had grown richer and deeper year after year.

  Opal had wanted to fill the big ranch house with children, but after ten years of marriage they had given up hope when Roxanne suddenly came to them. It was a miracle and Opal often said that Roxy was a gift from God. When Opal became ill with influenza and feared she would not recover, she had begged Jacob to send Roxanne far away to school.

  "Its a hard a thing I ask of you, Jacob, I know." She smiled sadly up at him. "I want Roxy safe from that stone." She shook her head at him when he started to interrupt.

  "No, Jacob, I know what you're thinking. You think you can keep her safe, but you're a busy man trying to run this ranch. I won't be here, Jacob, and Roxy will be left by herself much of the time. If you don't do as I say, you may lose her forever. Promise me you'll send her away. It's the only way to keep her safe."

  Crying sadly, Jacob agreed. "I'll do as you ask, my love, if it ever comes to that, but it won't."

  Jacob was wrong, Opal did not recover and he knew he'd have to keep his promise to send his only child far away from him. It broke his heart to make the arrangements with a school in Boston.

  Over the next couple of months, Roxanne learned she was to leave Black Rock and go far away to a school in the north. She cried and begged her papa not to send her but he was adamant.

  "No, Papa, I don't want to leave. Why must I go away to school? I want to stay with you, Papa. Please, don't make me go."

  "You must go, Roxy. I can't run a thousand acre ranch and watch after a little girl. In Boston you'll get the proper schooling and learn to be a lady as your mother wanted. She's gone now, child, and not here to look out for you. You'll have to be brave and do as I say. I love you, my darlin', and must do what's best for you."

  Knowing that his small daughter would have a long journey, first by coach and then by train, Jacob left the ranch in the hands of old Slim, who'd come to Texas with his father. He would escort Roxanne to Boston where someone from the school would meet them.

  Roxanne was glad to have her father's company for the long trip, but she was deeply saddened by the prospect of not seeing him or the ranch again for a long time.

  When they arrived at the station in Boston they were met by a plump young woman with hair the color of a pumpkin. Roxanne had never seen such hair and could not keep from staring.

  "So, missy, what ya be starin' at? My name be Maggie and I'll be a takin' ya to the school. How do, Mr. Ingram, I'm pleased to meet ya and yer little daughter." Taking Roxanne by the hand, she started off down the street. "Come along now, I got work a waitin' fer me. I have a buggy just down here a ways."

  Roxanne hurried along to keep up with the woman's fast pace. She'd never heard so much noise or saw so many people in one place. Everyone seemed to be in such a hurry to be somewhere. Roxanne wished the woman would walk slower. She wanted time to see everything about this big, bustling city. The buildings were so close together and so tall. She wondered if she'd be able to touch a cloud from the roof of one of them.

  When they reached the school, Jacob met with the headmistress and got Roxanne settled into her room. As one of the younger girls, she'd be sharing a room with three other girls. The room was large, clean, and cozy, but Roxanne only wanted to be home in her own room. When it was time to say goodbye Jacob and Roxanne clung to each other and cried.

  "I love you, my sweet girl, now try to be brave and study hard. When the time is right we will be together again." Jacob's voice broke on his tears and he had a lump in his throat that just wouldn't stay down.

  Seeing her father cry, Roxanne knew that she'd have to be brave and not beg anymore. "It's ok, Papa, I'll be good and I will write you lots of letters. I love you, Papa. I love you."

  After her father left, Roxanne sat on her bed and tried not to cry. One of the girls sharing the room came up and sat next to her.

  "Hi, I'm Rebecca, but you may call me Becky. Roxanne looked at the other girl who was about her age and had soft brown hair and eyes. She smiled sweetly at Roxanne. "We'll be best friends, shall we?"

  Roxanne smiled at Becky through her tears. "I'm Roxanne and I would like that very much."

  * * * * *

  So lost in her memories, Roxanne never heard as her name was called.

  "Roxy, your mail, go get your mail. Are you dreaming?" Rebecca, her dearest friend, shoved her and laughed.

  Roxanne moved up the line of girls and took the letter with trembling hands. Although she didn't expect a letter from her home, she was still disappointed to see that the letter wasn't from her father. It was from his solicitor. She took the letter to her room to read, thinking it would contain her train tickets home. There were the tickets, but her head began to spin as she read the opening lines.

  Dear Miss Ingram,

  I regret to inform you that your father, Jacob William Ingram, had an accident while out rounding up the spring calves and was killed instantly. I pray it is of some comfort to know that he did not suffer unduly. My profound sympathy is conveyed to you by way of this post. Enclosed you will find the train tickets to bear you home as you are now the sole owner of Black Rock Ranch and all entitlements there of.

  Yours Respectfully,

  Henry R. Ramsdell

  Roxanne sank onto the bed as the letter slipped from her hands to the floor. It had been so long since she'd heard her dear papa's voice or seen his dear face and now to never do so again seemed more than she could stand.

  Rebecca came into the room with a happy smile on her face. Seeing Roxanne's tears, she ran to sit beside her and put her arms around her friend.

  "What is it? What has happened?"

  Through her tears, Roxanne pointed to the letter on the floor. After reading the letter, Rebecca held Roxanne close, "I'm so sorry, my dear friend, I'm so sorry."

  "I'll never see Papa again, Becky. Never. I don't know that I can stand it."

  "I know. It's a terrible thing. But you will see your papa again in heaven and your mama too. But for now, you just go on and cry. I'll sit right here with you."

  * * * * *

  The next several days passed in a whirl, as all of Roxanne's things were packed and made ready for the trip back to Wild Rose, Texas.

  At the train station, Rebecca hugged her friend tightly, "I shall miss you so much, Roxy."

  Roxanne clung to h
er friend for a moment before pulling back. "I will miss you too, Becky. You have been such a good friend to me all these years. It seems a strange thing, Becky. I arrived at this station ten years ago as a sad little girl in black and I am back today as a sad young woman in black."

  Becky hugged her again quickly, "Don't think like that. You're going home to your beloved ranch and with time the pain will become easier to bear. Now give me a smile."

  Roxanne gave her a weak smile before she climbed the steps to board the train. She found her seat and waved out the window to Becky as the train began to pull away.

  Roxanne wasn't looking forward to such a long and tedious trip. She knew there would be many stops at stations along the way for food and lodging and when she finally reached home, Papa would not be there.

  A woman and her young son occupied the seat facing her own. The woman was dressed in a bright green dress and matching hat adorned with a number of brightly colored feathers. Roxanne felt like a drab little black bird in her black dress and unadorned hat with the long black veil in back.

  The woman introduced herself as Susan Wilson and chatted gaily of returning to her husband in Texas after spending several months with family in Boston. Thomas, the little boy was quiet and gave Roxanne a shy smile.

  She was happy to listen to Susan's chatter and pleased with the thought of her company on the long trip. Susan expressed her sincere sympathy upon learning of Roxanne's loss and assured her that she and little Thomas would do their best to keep her spirits up.

  "We'll not let you dwell on your sorrow and will keep you cheerfully occupied on this journey," she smiled brightly at Roxanne.

  "Thank you, Susan, having you and Thomas for company will make for a fine trip, I'm sure. Please, go on about your home in Texas. Tell me all about it and your husband and friends."