Desperate Wish Read online

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Author’s Note

  Other books by Sioux Dallas

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  A Note from Sioux Dallas

  Back cover

  Desperate

  Wish

  by

  Sioux Dallas

  CCB Publishing

  British Columbia, Canada

  Desperate Wish

  Copyright ©2012 by Sioux Dallas

  ISBN-13 978-1-927360-34-7

  Second Edition

  Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

  Dallas, Sioux, 1930-

  Desperate Wish [electronic resource] / written by Sioux Dallas. – 2nd ed.

  Electronic monograph in PDF format.

  ISBN 978-1-927360-34-7

  I. Title.

  PS3604.A439D47 2012 813'.6 C2012-904086-X

  Disclaimer: This is a book of pure fiction, a product of the author’s imagination, and does not represent any person, living or dead.

  Extreme care has been taken to ensure that all information presented in this book is accurate and up to date at the time of publishing. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Additionally, neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express written permission of the publisher.

  Publisher:

  CCB Publishing

  British Columbia, Canada

  www.ccbpublishing.com

  Author’s Note

  The settings in this story are Sugar Land and Galveston, Texas. Sugar Land is not large enough to accommodate a ranch the size of the one I have given the Cortland family. However, using writer’s license, I liked the name of Sugar Land and chose to use it. The characters are entirely fictional and do not represent anyone living or dead.

  Although I was born and raised in Virginia, and retired to Florida, I have traveled extensively in Texas and love the history of the state. I hope the good people of Texas will accept my story and my high regard of the state and of them.

  Books Written by Sioux Dallas

  First Experience

  Sharon

  Desperate Wish

  L i i s a

  Death in Three Quarter Time

  The Perfect Spouse

  Montana Madness

  Dangerous Hilarity

  Amish Dilemma

  And coming soon:

  A Detective’s Heart

  Acknowledgements

  My heart felt thanks to Heather Pasat of the City of Sugar Land, Texas for giving so much of her time to help a stranger in my research about local floral, trees and land area.

  A sincere thank you to Alicia of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce for helping me obtain a city map and giving me information about residences.

  Deep appreciation for the fact that I have two of the best sisters in the world who encourage me regardless of my idiosyncrasies.

  Thank you Ellen and Bonnie. Also I have the best daughter in the world who thinks her mother is a winner at whatever I attempt. Verta Lynn, I am so blessed.

  Thank you Rev. Alan Burner for sharing the words of the wedding ceremony and for you and your wife, Lisa, encouraging me.

  Thank you to some of the police on the Tampa, Florida force for enlightening me about guns and wounds.

  And last, but certainly far from least, my thanks to a dear friend, Donna Backes, who proofread and advised me even with brutal but loving criticism. And to a friend Dede Hammond, who organized our writing group and gave me lots of encouragement, although I played very bad golf with her.

  This is a work of fiction, therefore, one cannot expect authenticity in everything. Mistakes are mine alone.

  Prologue

  Sugar Land, Texas, 2007

  Daniel Cortland heaved a sigh of happiness, and relief, as he gave a final hug to his numerous grandchildren before they rushed away to their individual business; some to play and some to chores. The older ones to help with the important dinner planned for a very special occasion.

  He breathed a prayer of thanks for all the blessings he’d enjoyed over the years. His happiness slightly dulled when he thinks of the loss of his precious Amanda two years before. They had celebrated sixty-four years of unbelievable joy. “As for me and my house, we serve the Lord” had truly been practiced faithfully, and each of their five children had also followed this.

  Daniel and Amanda were both strong, independent people but they always talked everything over and came to an agreement. Amanda, two years older than Daniel, went to join their Lord with a smile of contentment on her face. She had loved Daniel with her whole heart and had loved their children, but she was ready to go to her rest. The dreadful cancer had robbed her of her normal easy-going nature and of her enjoyment of her precious family. They had first been blessed with triplet boys, Bradford, Broderick, Bickford, and then two girls, Hannah Ellen and Bonnie Victoria. All five of his children were at the ranch today to celebrate his ninetieth birthday.

  Bradford, the oldest triplet, had married a sweet, auburn-haired girl, Margaret Ann Perkins, who gave him three beautiful children, two boys and a girl. Broderick, the second triplet, had married a lovely blond-haired girl, Valeria Stallard, who loved ranch life and had given him seven children, four boys and three girls. Bickford, the third triplet, had married a cute, perky strawberry blonde, Verta Lynn Rutherford, and they had two sets of twins, two boys and two girls. Bonnie had married an attorney, Raymond Bolling, and they had five children, two boys and three girls. Hannah had married a doctor, Jason Cooley, and they had five children, a set of boy and girl twins, two single boys and a girl.

  The twenty-five grandchildren had been the heart of Daniel and Amanda. Now Broderick’s oldest son was married and they were expecting a child in two months. Daniel was pleased to think of welcoming a great-grandchild. He smiled knowing that Amanda would have loved the idea. They had never actively interfered in their grown children’s lives, but the children loved and respected the parents so much that they did include the parents in their plans.

  Daniel settled comfortably against the pillows on the porch swing and began to reminisce about his wish that was fulfilled when he met his precious Amanda and the dangers they had experienced before they got married. He had been shot and his life threatened simply because he had been trying to find the person who was sabotaging the flying business of Amanda’s father. He smiled thinking about the years with Amanda. Most of them were a real joy, some were a little difficult because of both of their strong personalities, but all of them were so satisfying. I’d do it all over again, he mused. Being with Amanda made it all worthwhile. My precious Amanda will never again have any heartache, sorrow or pain. She suffered too much with the cancer and finally gave in with the grace she had always shown. Then seven months later my good friend, just like a brother, Frasier, went to our Lord.
I can imagine that he and Amanda are hashing over old times and waiting for me. How blessed I’ve been over one desperate wish in an earnest prayer.

  Chapter One

  Sugar Land, Texas, 1940

  “Aaagh! What is wrong with me? I’m wearing this horrible monkey suit, which I hate, and now this tie seems to be alive. My head is booming from the sickening bachelor party I was forced to give last night, and now all of this. It sucks! It’s bad enough I have to wear the silly outfit, now my tie has decided to have a mind of its own.” Twenty-three year old Daniel Leigh Cortland yanked at the silk cravat that was hanging askew below his chin.

  “Shoot, Danny boy, I thought all of you rich, pretty boys lived in a tux. Here let me help you with that dangerous tie before you choke yourself. After all, the best man should look his best.” Frasier laughing, turned to help Daniel but his help was rejected.

  “Put a sock in it, Frasier Burgess. You know I don’t let my family’s wealth dictate how I live. I feel more at ease in jeans, a sweat-soaked shirt, boots and - on a horse. I really enjoy being outdoors more than indoors. I feel suffocated indoors regardless. These fancy shoes are killing me. I should have worn my boots regardless -.”

  Frasier laughed. “When the love bug bites, everyone goes crazy. Your time will come. We need to hurry. They’re probably wondering what’s happened to us. You are the best man. Remember? Do you need help with that dangerous tie after all?”

  “No. I’ve got it.” Disgustedly Daniel straightened the knot on the tie at his throat, and then brushed his deeply tanned hands down the sleeves of his snow-white, pleated formal shirt, his calloused palms raking across the soft material.

  He wondered why he ever agreed to be best man at his cousin’s wedding. He didn’t even like the creep, but Wakiza Youngblood was his cousin and Daniel loved Wakiza’s mother, Aunt Catherine. She was not only Daniel’s mother’s sister, but her best friend as well. Aunt Catherine had married a Senator from Oklahoma and had the one child, Wakiza. A dear family friend of the Youngblood’s, a full blooded Comanche, had named the boy, which meant one who fights against all odds.

  Senator Youngblood died when Wakiza was six years old and left his wife and son extremely wealthy. Wakiza had grown up with servants of all kinds and had never learned to assume responsibility or respect others. Aunt Catherine is a sweet, gentle, caring person who loved her son but allowed him to become willful and too independent. Then wouldn’t you know, Wakiza, nerd that he was, would select an obnoxious society-type to marry. She had insisted on a full morning wedding followed by an elaborate brunch at the most expensive hotel in Houston.

  Surrounded by ivory damask walls in a room with crystal chandeliers that looked more like a palace of Versailles, Daniel swallowed his resentment and went on with preparations to keep peace in the family.

  Daniel watched his long-time buddy as he stood admiring himself before a full-length mirror. He grinned at Frasier when he looked and saw Daniel watching him. “Not bad for an old cowboy’s kid, right Danny boy?”

  Childhood memories flooded Daniel’s thoughts. He could visualize Frasier and himself, on horseback, clad in jeans, sweaty t-shirts and well-worn boots herding calves away from their bawling mamas for the calves to be branded. He wrinkled his nose at the memory of the strong stench of horse manure as they mucked out stalls. They had often spent entire afternoons standing in filthy boots, laughing and hurling globs of pasture patties (dried manure) at each other ducking and screaming to stay out of the line of fire. Later they’d have breath-holding contests at the swimming hole in the Brazos River, which they preferred over the pristine swimming Pool at the Cortland mansion. Sugar Land, Texas was a wonderful place for a boy to grow up.

  Friends forever, even though their backgrounds were wildly different, was a pledge that was taken seriously by both boys as they cut their palms and shook hands to mix their blood. There was almost a mystical connection between the two boys that went as deep as the history of their beloved Texas, binding them together for life.

  Daniel mentally shook himself back to the present. “Yeah, you clean up pretty good, but you always look good to me. Now can we get on with this and get it over? Everyone must be wondering where we are.”

  “Yeah, we can’t keep love waiting,” Frasier cackled. “Idiot. Do you even know what love is?”

  “Sure I do. I’ve been madly in love - at least six times,” Frasier’s eyes twinkled, “and that’s not counting the umpteen times in grade school. I’m not an idiot; I just look like one.”

  The two young men argued and teased as they quickly completed dressing for the wedding, finally donning split-tailed coats and pearl-gray gloves. Their long strides carried them to a side door of the sanctuary where Wakiza was waiting with a frown and a nervous tic of one eye.

  “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show,” Wakiza spoke arrogantly as one accustomed to being obeyed instantly. Frasier shrugged his shoulder and walked on past, but Daniel stopped and glared at his cousin. When Frasier loudly cleared his throat, Daniel walked on in without comment or change of expression.

  I wouldn’t have shown, you piece of manure, if your sweet mother hadn’t asked me.

  Out of respect for Aunt Catherine Daniel kept quiet and continued on into the sanctuary.

  Daniel suffered in silence as picture after picture was snapped following the elaborate, formal ceremony, shuddering as he thought of standing in a receiving line and agonizing through a sit-down dinner. Oh, how he longed to be riding across the range.

  Reluctant to be caught in what he considered inane conversation, he was relieved when Frasier beckoned him to a table of groomsmen, other young men and their dates.

  “Why the doom and gloom expression? This is supposed to be a joyous occasion,” Peter Falcon called to Daniel.

  Sue Grayson, a bridesmaid, gazed at Daniel with adoration. “You’re the best looking man here, and the best man at that. Smile and lighten up.”

  Ira Ferguson leaned over to see around a couple of people. “I have a question that has bothered me since I first knew that people got married. Why isn’t the best man the one getting married?” His date playfully smacked him across the back of his head. The others groaned.

  “Hey, look at all the lovely girls ogling you, Danny boy. As far as I know, all of your male relatives, who are of age, are now married, and that leaves you, ole buddy. There’s dozens of mamas here dying for you to notice their sweet young daughters in hopes you’ll marry them and make them rich,” Frasier chortled

  “Humph. All the mamas and their sweet young daughters can just look in another direction. I hope they’ll all be happy. None of these girls care about me as an individual,” he said gloomily. “They only want my family name and the wealth that goes with it.”

  “Sure, and they know your pretty face will give them beautiful children that they can flaunt and brag about.”

  “Frasier,” Daniel muttered through gritted teeth, “you’ve been my college roommate and friend most of our lives. We’re as close as most brothers, but I’ll rearrange your pretty face if you don’t back off and drop the subject.”

  “Sorry, ole friend. Yeah, I love you, too. I was just teasing you a little trying to ease the tension. You’ve been tied in knots all day. Care to share with me what’s eating you?”

  “I’m the one who needs to apologize,” Daniel spoke softly. “Dad thinks that because I’ve completed college, and a graduate program, I should be entering the family business, but I’d rather make it on my own as a photojournalist.”

  “You are his oldest son and he expects you to carry on the family name and eventually take over the family businesses. Which part of the business does your dad want you working? Oil, cattle, shipping? What?”

  “We didn’t get to that. When I told him what I wanted to do, he threw a major fit. In fact, I thought he was having a heart attack. Mom thought so, too, and she ordered me out. We haven’t spoken since yesterday afternoon.”

  “Gee buddy, I’m
sorry. You know you’re a strange duck. Most fellows would take advantage of the wealth and easy life it offers. Even if your name would be on an office door, you wouldn’t really be required to do much work. I’m sure you’d have loads of people working under you and plenty of time for your personal interests. I’m in business with my dad.”

  “Your situation is different,” he answered Frasier. “More than likely you’ll probably open your own branch in a few years, but I’m expected to be on the ranch for the rest of my life. I honestly do appreciate the advantages I’ve had, but I need to make my own way or I’ll never respect myself. I’m not turning my back on my family. I’ll always be there for any of them. Sure I could hold a token position and in addition do all the social things my parents do, but that doesn’t interest me. I’m grateful that I was born into a loving, caring family, but Dad’s forgetting the pride he took in building what he has through his and mom’s own sweat, blood and tears.”

  Daniel’s mouth twisted in a half smile. “My sisters are the cutest twins in Texas, or anywhere, and my little brother is a - holy terror,” he ended with a chuckle. “I’d rather work at what I enjoy doing and make a name for myself and not by my family’s influence.”

  “Oookaay. I admire you for wanting to be independent, but come on, couldn’t you stay in your dad’s good graces? Once you get out in the cold, cruel world, you might find that you need and want, dear old Dad’s help.”

  Daniel jumped when soft arms came around his neck from behind. He looked up into the beautiful, laughing face of his sister. He grinned and patted her arm as she leaned to kiss his cheek. She wiggled the fingers of one hand at Frasier.

  “Hello Adrianna,” Frasier winked at her.