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Prologue
The air hung heavy with the acrid tang of gunpowder, thick smoke swirling like a malicious fog through the chaotic battleground. Distant sounds of cannon fire echoed in the air, their roars mingling with the desperate shouts and anguished cries of men caught in the throes of war. Tattered flags whipped ferociously in the wind, the once-proud symbols now marred by bloodstains and bullet holes.
Amidst this hellish landscape, Chester and Frank huddled together beneath the twisted remains of a fallen oak tree, its once-majestic limbs now reduced to shattered fragments of timber. Their bodies were tense and weary from the relentless conflict that had consumed them for months on end, every muscle aching with exhaustion as they sought a brief respite from the turmoil that surrounded them.
“Damn, Chester, didn’t think we’d make it this far,” Frank muttered, his voice ragged with fatigue. His eyes darted across the battlefield, searching for any signs of danger lurking within the smoky haze.
“Neither did I,” Chester replied, his deep brown eyes shadowed with the memories of countless battles fought and lives lost. He tightened his grip on his rifle, the weapon’s cold metal biting into his calloused hands. “But we have to keep moving forward. For our families, for our homes…for everything we’re fighting for.”
Frank nodded solemnly, his own thoughts drifting back to the loved ones he’d left behind—the warm embrace of his mother, the laughter of his siblings, the quiet strength of his sister Clementine. Even amidst the horrors of war, the thought of them provided a glimmer of hope, a reason to keep pushing onward despite the odds.
“Promise me something, Chester,” Frank said suddenly, his gaze locked intently on his friend’s face. “If anything happens to me…take care of my family. Make sure they’re safe.”
“Frank, don’t talk like that,” Chester admonished, his voice tense with worry. “We’re both going to make it out of this alive, you hear me?”
“Promise me,” Frank insisted, the fierce determination in his eyes impossible to ignore.
Chester hesitated for a moment, then nodded solemnly. “I promise, Frank,” he swore, the weight of those words settling heavily upon his shoulders. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect them.”
“Chester,” Frank whispered excitedly, his eyes shining with hope and possibility, “do you remember the story I told you about the hidden treasure on our ranch?”
“Of course I do,” Chester replied. “The legend said it was buried by Spanish explorers hundreds of years ago.”
“Exactly.” Frank nodded, his voice filled with conviction. “I’ve always believed those stories, Chester. Some years back, we formed a treasure hunt group of five, but one by one, members met unfortunate ends. Maverick and I are the sole survivors, swearing to keep silent out of fear for our loved ones. Yet, facing this war has shown me that no superstition will hold me back any longer. If we could find that treasure, it could change everything for us. Fighting side by side with you has been an honor. If this treasure helped your sister, it would be a blessing. Shortly before I left for war, I discovered another hint, a riddle written in Spanish, which I haven’t been able to decipher.”
“Find that treasure?” Chester echoed, his curiosity piqued despite the danger that still loomed nearby.
“Think about it,” Frank urged, his eyes blazing with passion as he painted a vivid picture of their future. “With that kind of wealth, you could save your sister, we could have a carefree life with the women we love, help our families, see the world. We could have the life we’ve always dreamed of—a life free from hardship and strife.”
As the words hung in the air between them, Chester couldn’t help but get caught up in the allure of such a future. He saw them returning home as heroes, their families proud and secure, the weight of war lifted from their shoulders. He imagined the warmth of a loving wife, the laughter of children, and a peaceful existence far removed from the horrors they had witnessed on the battlefield.
“Frank,” Chester murmured, his voice thick with emotion, “if there’s even a chance that treasure exists, we have to find it. We owe it to ourselves and to everyone we’ve lost in this godforsaken war.”
“Then it’s settled,” Frank declared, his determination unwavering. “Once this is over, we’ll go back to Denver and start our search. We’ll find that treasure, Chester, and together, we’ll build a better life for us all. On one condition: We must ensure that my sister, Clementine, remains unaware of our treasure hunt. Considering the misfortunes that befell our family, she would be furious if she learned of our endeavor. She was the one who made us vow we would never look for or mention it again.’’
“Damn,” Chester muttered, his eyes scanning the horizon for signs of danger. “We’ve stayed put for too long. We need to move.”
As if on cue, the world erupted into chaos. A cacophony of gunfire filled the air, accompanied by the screams of men and the thundering hooves of horses.
“Chester!” Frank shouted over the din, his eyes wide with fear. “We’ve got to get back to our unit!”
“Stay close!” Chester commanded, gripping his rifle tightly. Every instinct in his body told him to protect his friend, to guide them both through this storm of strife and bloodshed.
Together, they sprinted across the battlefield, dodging bullets and weaving through the haze of smoke that choked the air. With each step, the dreams of home and treasure seemed to fade further away, becoming little more than whispers amidst the roar of conflict.
“Look out!” Frank cried suddenly, his voice laced with panic. Chester instinctively ducked as a stray bullet whistled past his head, nearly grazing him. A shiver ran down his spine, realizing just how close he had come to meeting his end.
“Thanks, Frank,” Chester managed, his voice quivering slightly. “We need to find cover.”
“Over there!” Frank pointed to a fallen tree not far from where they stood. With renewed determination, they sprinted toward safety, barely avoiding another barrage of gunfire.
Their quiet moment of determination was shattered by the deafening boom of a nearby explosion, sending dirt and debris raining down upon them. Coughing and sputtering, Chester looked over at Frank, only to find him pale and gasping for breath, blood seeping from a wound in his chest.
“Frank! No!” Chester cried out, his heart constricting with fear as he scrambled to his side, attempting to staunch the flow of blood with his hands.
“Chester,” Frank whispered, his voice weak and fading, “I don’t think I’m gonna make it.”
“Keep talking like that, and you won’t!” Chester snapped, fighting back tears as he tried desperately to keep his friend alive. “You’re going to be fine, Frank. Just stay with me.”
“Chester…” Frank’s hand trembled as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pendant. “Give this to my sister.” He gasped, pressing it into Chester’s blood-stained palm. “Promise me, Chester. Promise me you’ll take care of her.”
“I promise,” Chester choked out, clutching the pendant tight in his hand as the light faded from Frank’s eyes.
With a final breath, Frank slipped away, leaving Chester alone amidst the chaos and destruction, armed only with a broken heart and a promise to fulfill.
Chapter One
Clementine stood by the corral fence of the Bailey ranch, her hazel eyes glistening with unshed tears as she watched Maverick tend to the horses. Her heart was heavy with worry for her brother Frank, who was off fighting in the Civil War. Each day that passed without a word from him left an aching void that seemed to grow deeper and wider.
“Evenin’, Clementine,” Maverick greeted her with a warm smile, his hat tipped back on his head, a lock of sandy hair falling across his brow. He wiped the sweat from his face with the back of his hand and leaned against the fence beside her. “How’re you this fine evenin’?”
“Good evenin’, Maverick,” she replied softly, her voice barely audible over the distant sound of cattle. “I’m…I’m alright.”
Maverick studied her for a moment, sensing her unease. “You ain’t foolin’ me none, Clementine. You got that worried look about you. Somethin’ about your brother?”
Clementine’s eyes welled up at the mention of Frank, and she nodded. “Yes. It’s been so long since we’ve heard from him. I pray every night for his safe return, but…I can’t help but fear the worst.”
“Your brother’s a strong man, Clementine. If anyone can make it through this war, it’s him,” Maverick reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Maverick had always been there for her, a steadfast presence since the day she was born. A tall and rugged man in his late forties, with a face weathered by years of hard work under the relentless sun of the West, he had a quiet strength about him. He was known on the ranch for his unwavering loyalty and his ability to mend fences, mend hearts, and mend anything that needed fixing.
Clementine had fond memories of him since she was a baby in her mother’s arms. They had shared countless moments of joy and sorrow on the ranch, their lives intertwined like the roots of the old oak tree near the homestead. Clementine’s parents had taken him in as a young man, and he had become a surrogate father to her ever since she lost them.
But there was another special bond in Maverick’s life—his daughter, Alice. Alice and Clementine had been inseparable since they were children. They had grown up together, playing in the fields, sharing secrets under the stars, and weathering the ups and downs of life on the ranch as if they were sisters. Alice, a few years younger than Clementine, had inherited her father’s love for horses and her mother’s knack for cooking up the most delicious meals with whatever ingredients were on hand.
“Thank you.” She tried to force a smile, but it quickly faded as another weight pressed down on her heart. The ranch was struggling, and their financial situation had become dire. With each passing day, it was becoming harder and harder to keep the ranch going, and now she faced a difficult decision.
“Actually, there’s somethin’ else I need to talk to you about,” she began hesitantly, her voice trembling with emotion. “You see, the ranch…we’re runnin’ out of money. We’ve been doin’ everything we can to keep it afloat, but…I’m afraid it’s just not enough.”
Maverick’s face fell, understanding dawning on him. “You mean…”
Clementine couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. They streamed down her cheeks as she choked out the words, “I’m so sorry, Maverick, but…I have no choice. I have to let you go.”
Her heart broke at the sight of his stricken expression, but she knew that this was a necessary sacrifice. With Frank gone and their father taken by illness, it was up to Clementine to protect her family and their home, no matter the cost.
Alice, who had been watching the scene unfold from a discreet distance, hurried over as soon as Clementine finished speaking, carrying a freshly baked pie. Her face was etched with concern, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Maverick, still reeling from the news, managed to give Clementine a weak but reassuring smile. “Clementine, I ain’t gonna lie and say it doesn’t hurt, but I reckon I always knew somethin’ like this might happen, given everything goin’ on. You’ve got my word, though—I’ll do my best to find work elsewhere. Alonzo’s ranch is always in need of more hands.”
Clementine couldn’t help but feel touched by their kindness, despite her overwhelming guilt. She looked between them, her voice thick with emotion. “I cannot thank you enough for your support. I’m so, so sorry that it has come to this. I just…I can’t bear the thought of losin’ our home, or not bein’ able to provide for Samuel and Emily and Lucas.”
“Clementine, you’re one of the strongest women I know,” Alice said firmly, her own resolve shining through. “You’ve been carryin’ this ranch on your shoulders ever since your pa passed away, and you’ve done an amazin’ job. We all believe in you, and we’ll do whatever we can to help, even if it means partin’ ways for a spell.”
“Y’all are like family to me, and I hate the idea of lettin’ you down,” Clementine admitted, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. “But I have to think of my brother out there fightin’ for us, and my younger siblings who need me here. I just hope you can forgive me for this.”
“Clementine,” Maverick said softly, his expression sincere, “there ain’t nothin’ to forgive. You’re doin’ what you have to do to keep your family safe and sound. That’s somethin’ we all admire in you.”
As Clementine listened to their words of reassurance, she felt a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos that had become her life.
“Thank you, both of you,” she whispered, tears still streaming down her cheeks.
Composing herself, Clementine dabbed at her tear-streaked cheeks with the edge of her apron. It didn’t do to dwell on sorrow when there was work to be done; the ranch would not sustain itself. She cast a mournful glance around, taking in the weariness that seemed to have seeped into the very soil. The fences sagged under the weight of their own disrepair, and the once vibrant fields now lay fallow, choked with weeds.
“Can’t let it all fall apart now,” she whispered to herself, her voice thick with determination. Clementine squared her shoulders and set her jaw, steeling herself against the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. There would be time for tears later, but for now, she had responsibilities to attend to.
Squinting against the harsh light, she spotted three familiar figures making their way up the dusty path toward the house—her younger siblings returning from school. Their laughter floated on the breeze, a bittersweet reminder of the innocence Clementine fought so fiercely to protect.
Clementine wiped away the last traces of her tears and rushed to meet them as they approached the house. Their faces lit up with joy at the sight of their sister, and they ran into her open arms.
“Clementine, Clementine!” Samuel cried out, his voice filled with excitement.
Emily chimed in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, “Someone is looking for you!”
Clementine exchanged a puzzled glance with her younger siblings, wondering who could possibly be traveling through their remote area. She followed their eager gaze and saw the unfamiliar man standing a few paces behind them. He was tall and lean, with a rugged demeanor and a hint of weariness in his eyes. His clothing was dusty and travel-worn, and a worn-out hat shaded most of his face.
“Who’s this, then?” Clementine asked, a mixture of caution and curiosity in her voice.
The man stepped forward, removing his hat to reveal a shock of dark hair and a weather-beaten face. His eyes met Clementine’s, and he gave her a weary but friendly smile.
“A Soldier’s Treasure Map to Love” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!
Clementine Bailey struggles to preserve her family’s ranch against the looming threat of a ruthless cattleman bent on taking her land. However, she unexpectedly finds an ally when Chester, a weary veteran arrives at her doorstep. Soon, his mysterious presence captivates Clementine and a glimpse of hope shines through her darkness. Beneath his gentle facade though, lies a secret bound to Clementine’s late brother.
Will she ever trust him again once Clementine finds out the truth?
Chester Moore, bearing the weight of his sister’s illness, enters Clementine’s life with a hidden agenda; to discover the treasure rumored to be buried on her property. To his surprise, a bond blossoms between him and Clementine and he soon finds himself torn between the desperate need to secure his sister’s future and his growing feelings for the strong-willed Clementine.
Who will he choose to betray?
Clementine and Chester must confront their pasts and join forces to navigate a web of conspiracy and treachery involving those they once trusted deeply.. Will Clementine and Chester hold love as their compass, determined to unearth the hidden legacy of the land?
“A Soldier’s Treasure Map to Love” is a historical romance novel of approximately 55,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Whispers of the Western Wind", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
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