Shining Moon Rises

by Stephy Smith

  "Why do you think they wanted me to burn the cabin and cemetery?" Sarah gazed into Shining Moon's eyes.

  "To remove the blessing Grandma put on the place."

  "Would that remove it?"

  "I think your mother was a wise woman and blessed the ground. These spirits wanted the souls in the cemetery to feed their coven."

  Jessie, Cord, and Travis couldn't understand the evil their aunts and uncle brought upon their mother. She had never done anything to them to cause their harsh treatment toward her.

  Sarah would cast the reverse negativity spell at midnight. Her and her sons entered the purification lodge as the sun set. Shining Moon had waited until they were seated and then performed the cleansing ritual. The five of them stepped out of the lodge with renewed energy flowing through them.

  Sarah lit the two black candles. "In the name of the gods and the spirits, in the name of light and dark, and the netherworld, and anyone who cast a curse against me. Let them suffer my cleansing, let these candles be theirs, this burning be their evil ways burning, this curse be their cleansing. Let the pain they have caused me and mine, fall upon them as love and forgiveness so they may once again enjoy good."

  For the next four nights, Sarah performed the ritual every night at midnight. Sarah grew more comfortable doing the spell with each passing night. On the last night, they took the candles far away from the property and buried them in a deep hole that Shining Moon dug.

  "I hate to think that Liz, Carolyn, and Will would do such a thing to me. I hate to use the spell so it returns to them," Sarah said. "I don't wish that kind of torment on anyone. I remember what they were like before they joined the cult. They are still my brother and sisters and I do love them. I just don't like what they have become."

  "They brought it on themselves." Jessie stared into his mother's eyes.

  Touching his arm, she could only nod her head in acknowledgement. Knowing it was the only way she could protect herself from whoever caused evil spirits to haunt her.

  "You did what you had to do." Cord hugged her. "They don't deserve your kindness."

  "I agree with Jessie and Cord, Mother. It'll teach them not to mess with you," Travis said.

  "This is true, Sweet Sarah. Your sons are wise. They worry about you as much as...you worry about them," Shining Moon said.

  "And you," Cord turned to his friend. "You have put the shine back in her eyes."

  "Yeah, the bounce back in her step," Travis added.

  "The love back in her heart," Jessie said.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It was late afternoon and everything seemed back to normal. Sarah once again felt safe. She stood on the porch. The few good ghosts residing in her mother's cabin made her feel as if her parents were hanging around to keep an eye on things. They would be her companions for a long while, when everyone returned to their own homes. Her heart clenched. When her sons went home, she would miss them.

  Shining Moon's offer to stay, after her sons left, and help around the farm comforted her. He told her that his Sweet Sarah was still in need of rest, and the young men needed to return to their own farms.

  By now, their crops should be peeking above ground. With the rainfall they received in the last few weeks. The weeds would also threaten to take over unattended fields. She glanced around at the work the men had done on her land. Her confidence raised as each one set up a plan to come help her with the farming. Each one picked a weekend to come work her crops and to teach Shining Moon what to do in their absence.

  Her sons wanted to make sure Sarah would now be all right and have peace of mind. They agreed that it would be a good idea for Shining Moon to stay with Sarah even though he would have to sleep in the barn, tiny cabin, or under the stars where he camped.

  They could see the bond that had formed between the two. Sarah's sons suspected that there would be a wedding in the near future. The sparkle in the eyes of their mother and Shining Moon was an unmistakable sign as to how they felt about each other.

  When Sarah overheard the discussion between them, her heart fluttered wildly. Could it be true that Shining Moon would consider asking for her hand in marriage?

  Sarah was beginning to take pride in herself again. She always made sure she had on a clean dress and her hair was neatly in a bun at the nape of her neck. If her sons’ words were true, she wanted to impress Shining Moon. It had been a long while since she had set out to impress a man.

  Shining Moon was always clean and his hair freshly braided before he presented himself to her. When he made his trips back to his village, he always returned with a variety of gifts he gave to her. The most precious gift he had brought was her own personal medicine bag to keep her herbs in. Sarah ran her fingers over the beaded emblem.

  Jessie, Cord, and Travis were pleased with what they had learned in the last few weeks. They had told Sarah that, by watching her and Shining Moon, their lives had grown richer, as if life was being reborn.

  Laughter from the barn door pulled Sarah out of her musings. She strained to hear the conversation her sons were having.

  "You did good bringing Shining Moon here," Jessie said as the three brothers stood in the barn door staring in the direction of Sarah and Shining Moon sitting on the front porch of her cabin.

  "She won't be lonely anymore," Travis said.

  "I never knew she was lonely until now. I don't remember that much about Dad," Cord said.

  "I don't remember him at all." Travis looked at his brothers with a small smile.

  "I only remember a few things. I remember Mother being big and pregnant when he died," Jessie said.

  "I think Mother should marry Shining Moon. She deserves a good man. When did he say he was going to ask her?" Cord asked.

  Sarah knew she shouldn't be listening to their private conversation, but she continued to anyway. Her heart picked up a beat. She almost choked on the gasp fighting to escape her throat. Heat rose across her cheeks.

  "Tonight. We should make ourselves scarce. How about we take a ride to town for a good, hot meal at the hotel restaurant?" Travis said.

  "I could use one of Maggie's hometown specials," Jessie said.

  "I could go for one of those myself." Cord glanced toward his brothers.

  The brothers walked to the porch and informed Sarah and Shining Moon that they were going to ride into town. Sarah's face grew hotter as her sons made their way across the dusty ground. They offered to pick up supplies and told them they wouldn't be back until late.

  ****

  Shining Moon knew the intention of the three young men. Sarah was none-the-wiser. Jessie, Cord, and Travis hitched up the wagon and headed the team toward Eagle Glenn.

  The purple and orange spread across the sky as the sun lazily reflected off the light gray clouds. The silhouette of windmills and the occasional tree lined the horizon, looking smaller than they were.

  Songs of the birds floated on the evening breeze, bringing peace and blessings across the golden green plains. The smell of the roses from the cemetery trickled faintly down the hill and tickled Shining Moon's nose.

  Sarah leaned her head against the back of her rocking chair on the porch, her eyes closed, and she hummed softly.

  Shining Moon's heart pounded. His hands grew shaky and sweaty. Slowly he got down on one knee at Sarah's side.

  "Sweet Sarah?"

  "Yes?" Sarah's eyes were still closed and enjoying the serenity.

  "I love you. Will you marry me?" His voice quivered.

  Sarah's eyes flew open. She jumped from the rocking chair knocking Shining Moon flat on his back. Her breath labored. He lay on the porch staring up at her. She danced around, and he didn't know whether to move out of her way or stay where he was. He thought he heard her whisper, "Yes."

  She lowered beside him and cradled him in her arms. "Yes! Yes, I will marry you."

  Wiping his brow, Shining Moon let out a sigh of relief. He hadn't realized he was holding his breath the full time he assumed this position. His hea
d started spinning from the lack of oxygen, and he thought he was going to black out. He lingered there for a few more seconds to make sure he didn't.

  ****

  Sarah was aglow when her sons returned to her cabin that night. Shining Moon was already asleep under the stars.

  "Mother, what are you doing awake?" Jessie asked.

  "Shining Moon asked me to marry him. I have said yes!" Sarah's voice sang with excitement.

  "Congratulations. He's a good man. He'll make you happy," Travis said, the smile reached across his face.

  Cord smiled brightly, walked over and hugged his mother.

  "You rats!" Sarah said. She couldn't let on that she had overheard their conversation. It didn't make much difference; she was still happy Shining Moon had asked her. Plus, he had told her he loved her. Had she told him she felt the same way?

  "What did we do?" Jessie's brows furrowed in amusement.

  "You knew, didn't you? That's why you all went to town," Sarah said as it sank in. There was no reply, but their laughter told her she was right.

  ****

  Two weeks later they held a gathering at the country church near the edge of town. Cord handed his mother a bouquet of white roses he had cut from his own rose bushes. "Are you nervous, Mother?"

  "Yes I am. It's been a long time since I did anything like this."

  "You deserve to be happy, Mother," Travis hugged her. "We're happy for you."

  "I've been waiting for this day for a while now." Jessie winked at her.

  The ceremony was short and simple. Shining Moon was as handsome as ever in his suit and tie Sarah's sons had purchased for him. Sarah's floor-length light green silk dress was simple but stunning.

  Loading in the wagon, the family made their way to Shining Moon's people, where another ceremony would take place.

  Shining Moon's sister led Sarah to a teepee and gave her a beautiful soft white doeskin dress with beads and feathers. Rubbing the soft skin on her face, tears of joy slid down. Sarah hugged Shining Moon's sister and thanked her with a kiss to the cheek.

  Walking Doe questioned Sarah, "I don't understand the tears and this thing you did to my cheek."

  "The tears are because I'm happy. The kiss on the cheek is to thank you." Sarah gave her a wide smile.

  "Why did you rub the dress on your cheek?" Walking Doe's brows furrowed.

  Sarah took the silk and rubbed it across Walking Doe's cheek and then the doeskin dress. "Do you feel the difference?"

  "Yes. I like the feel of the doeskin dress," Walking Doe said.

  "So do I," Sarah said.

  After the wedding, there was a big ceremony. Jessie, Cord, and Travis had a good time talking and learning the culture of Shining Moon's people. They made many friends and were welcome to come back to the camp any time. Sarah's sons extended the same to their friends for their places.

  Sarah enjoyed getting to know Shining Moon's sisters and brothers. They were surprised that, after all these years, their brother was getting married again. Since his wife died so long ago from the 'white man's sickness,' they hadn't expected him to remarry. If they were angry about him bringing a white woman into their family, none of them had told her. She had been welcomed graciously by all of them. They also invited her sons into the family. Her heart was as light as the wind.

  "My brother seems happy. He has not shown interest in a woman since his wife died." Walking Doe stood next to Sarah and had her eyes trained toward Shining Moon.

  "He has made me a very happy woman. It has been a long while since my husband died. I do not think people were meant to be alone in their older years." Sarah smiled at Walking Doe.

  "I remember the day Shining Moon came to the village after his day at the burial sight of his wife. My brother told us of a young boy who mourned the loss of Shining Moon's wife and son. He said this boy took him to meet his mother. That was you, Sweet Sarah."

  "I remember that day as well. My heart was heavy. I had three young boys to raise, and my father was ill. When Cord brought Shining Moon to the cemetery, I felt a peace come over me. I don't think I will ever forget that feeling." It was the first time in years that she had thought about the comfort Shining Moon instilled in her.

  Shortly after midnight, Sarah and Shining Moon loaded in the wagon and made their way back to the tiny farm under the light of the moon and stars. The warm spring breeze was comforting on Sarah's skin, sending airy kisses across her face.

  Jessie, Cord, and Travis stayed a few more days at the village. Now it was time for them to go home. Shining Moon and Sarah stood arm and arm on the porch waving, watching the three ride off into the sunset. Sarah's heart sank in her chest. It was always hard on her to watch her sons leave. Tears rolled down her face as she tried to pull herself together. She moved closer into Shining Moon's arms.

  "Shining Moon?"

  "Yes, Sweet Sarah?"

  "Do you think the distance healing cured my brother and sisters?" Since she cast the spell, she had often wondered if they would come and apologize for what they had caused. There had been no word, one way or another, and it pained her.

  "I want to believe it did. Until we see them again we won't know." He pulled her closer into him. The warmth of his embrace reached her heart. An exciting tingle lit the desire burning deep within her inner being.

  Shining Moon and Sarah walked in the moonlight in wonderment. The couple stopped to watch a falling star every now and then. In the distance, the howl of a lonely coyote called to its mate. The nights were pleasant this time of year. They made Sarah's heart feel as if it were young again.

  It all seemed like a nightmare now, but Sarah knew that if her nightmarish experience had not happened, Shining Moon wouldn't be her husband.

  No, there had been no signs of the ghosts returning.

  In their place, Sarah had beauty, light, and joy in her Shining Moon.

  About the Author

  Stephy Smith grew up in the Northwest Texas Panhandle and still lives within a few miles of her childhood home. She owns her own ranch and takes care of her mother. She shares her home with three dogs and a chinchilla. Other than writing, she loves to read, garden, ride horses, paint and do just about any kind of arts and crafts. Her love for history, museum's, historical markers and sites along roadsides, old houses and walking through cemeteries tempts her creative imagination. Where there's history there's mystery and ghost! She writes young adult, sweet historical romance and contemporary western romance. You can find her other novellas at Astraea Press, Barnes and Nobel, Amazon.

  Also from Astraea Press

  Prologue

  She loved flowers — the pink frilly ones that made a man roll his eyes in disgust. Yet Hunter could not bring himself to deny her anything. She was his soul mate, his love. And after being married for a year, he could no longer manage being apart from her. The life of a spy was unapologetic. Hunter would be gone for weeks at a time, spending many sleepless nights tossing and turning, aching for Lucy, the Royal Duchess of Haverstone.

  Knowing he lacked the maturity of romance, given his young age of one-and-twenty, he had poured countless hours into this meeting, into her surprise.

  He crossed the street and smiled, thinking of the way she would throw her head back in laughter and leap into his arms. Never a conventional bride, she didn’t care a whit about propriety and often kissed him in public, much to the ton’s dismay.

  He wanted one of her kisses now. Needed to taste her lips.

  Hunter pulled out his pocketwatch and examined the numbers. A tad late. He had spent a ridiculous amount of time picking out her favorite flowers and daydreaming on the way to their meeting place.

  As he crossed the final street to Gunther’s, he watched as Lucy waved wildly in the other direction. She raised both hands high above her head, frantically aiming for someone’s attention. He picked up his pace. Anticipation overtook him as he watched his tiny wife begin to jump up and down. Something must be truly exciting for her to be acting so rashly. Tru
thfully, her behavior was reminiscent of when she saw him for the first time after being away for weeks.

  And then, she stomped her tiny foot and began marching across the street.

  Alarmed, he began to run.

  But it was too late.

  The carriage was moving too fast. She looked to her left just in time to see the carriage jolting out of the way, but not enough.

  She fell to the ground.

  Hunter swore. His legs felt like lead as he screamed and ran to her side. Blood trickled from her mouth. Her petite body was bent in an unnatural angle. Tears streamed down his face into his mouth. The taste of salt was revolting, for it reeked of her death.

  “Lucy, love, can you hear me? Everything is going to be fine, just fine.” He grasped her lifeless hand. She tried to shake her head. “Don’t move, just lie still. I love you. I love you so much.”

  A single tear ran down her face. “I l-love you.” Voice hoarse and weak, her lips trembled as she tried again to speak. Breath came out in short gasps.

  “No, stay with me, you can’t leave me, Lucy! Do you understand? You can’t! You just can’t.” Hunter’s tears clouded his vision but not enough, for the last thing he saw was her blue eyes turn lifeless as her chest heaved its last breath.

  “No, no!” Hunter wailed, not caring that he was still in the middle of the street. His body trembled. Surely this was a nightmare that he would wake up from! The flowers in his hand, the anniversary flowers, were never meant to cover her grave.

  Strong hands grasped his chest, pulling him away from the street. He heard a voice barking orders and looked up into the eyes of his twin brother.

  Eyes that held guilt, shame, and remorse. “She thought I was you. I didn’t know, I didn’t…” Ash’s eyes held unshed tears. “I was too late. I didn’t know. Oh, what have I done?” Ash’s face was pale and haunted as he embraced his brother.