Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  19,510   “NO! NO!  YOU CAN’T TAKE MY PAPA!  PAPA! PAPA!” screamed out the tiny little seven year old. His older brother fought to hold him tightly in his arms while they watched their father being led from the jail and out into the warm afternoon sun. The heavy chains … Continue reading Twenty Years Hard Labor (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  15,791   At the sound of approaching horses, both Ben and his youngest son glanced up from their places at the table. “I bet that’s Hoss now!” squealed the sixteen-year old as he hurried to push back his chair.  The chair nearly toppled over in his haste to get outside … Continue reading Two Hearts, Seventeen Hands (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  13,546   His son’s body was as limber as an old rag doll, and Ben had given up hours ago trying to keep the boy awake.  Now, as he lowered Joe’s battered body into the chair, he couldn’t help but smile, his son was home and safe at last and … Continue reading The Hunted (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word count:  3092   The elderly man pushed himself up from the old faded blue chair and steadied himself with his walking stick.  When he glanced down at the chair, the impression of his behind was melted into the cushion.  He snickered to himself; he could hardly believe that the old chair … Continue reading The Last to Go (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  14,184   Ben held the old timepiece in the palm of his left hand and fingered the gold case gently with his fingers.  His touch was much like a loving caress that one would use when embracing a child.  Ben smiled; his memory darted back through the years to the … Continue reading Time Will Tell (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  6524   “He’s dying, Ben; there’s just no easy way to say it.  I’m sorry.…I’ve done all I can for him, and I believe he’s given it his all as well, but he’s tired, Ben…and in so much pain.” The physician had to turn away from the man standing before … Continue reading Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  24,122   “Hey Pa!” Little Joe shouted excitedly, as he galloped his horse into the yard. Ben was half way across the yard and turned toward his son, never slowing his pace as he responded to the greeting. “Joseph, how many times have I warned you about entering the yard … Continue reading The Time of Day (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  12,749     In a vine-covered shack in the mountains Bravely fighting the battle of Time There's a dear one who's weathered life's sorrow It's that silver-haired Daddy of mine If I could recall all the heartaches Dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear If I could erase those … Continue reading That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  31,460   Location: Carson and Humbolt River Basins, Churchill County, Nevada  The 40- mile desert, beginning here, is a barren stretch of waterless alkali wasteland.  It is the most dreaded section of the California Emigrant Trail; it is traveled by night because of the great heat.  The route was first … Continue reading To Hell and Back (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  MA  (violence) Word Count:  18,089   “Don’t panic…don’t panic…” he silently told himself. He clamped his mouth tightly shut and closed his eyes.  He could feel the ants crawling all over his body, up his arms and along his bare chest. Between his toes and around his ankles, the ants crept into his … Continue reading To Cry in Vain (by Debbie B.) →