Liberty Ranch Read online

  Liberty House

  by Temperance Johnson

  Website: https://temperancejohnsonauthor.weebly.com/

  Copyright © 2021 by Temperance Johnson. All rights reserved.

  Content editing by: Gernissia Cherfrere

  Proofread by: Sherry Chamblee

  Cover Design by: Rachel Rossano

  https://rossanodesigns.weebly.com

  Book Interior Formatting by: Temperance Johnson

  Available in print and ebook format on amazon.com and other platforms

  All Scripture references taken from the King James Version. Public domain.

  All rights reserved. Non-commercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without

  the express written permission of the author, provided the text does not exceed 500 words.

  Commercial interests: No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored in

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  recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the author, except as provided

  by the United States of America copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are all products of the author's

  imagination or are used for fictional purposes. Any mentioned brand names, places, and

  trademarks remain the property of their respective owners, bear no association with the

  author or the publisher, and are used for fictional purposes only. Any similarities to

  individuals living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Published in the United States of America.

  Orphans, Faith, Healing, Denver Asylum, Clean Romance, True Love, Orphanages, South

  To the caregivers of touched children. You all are heroes and your work is done for the Glory of God.

  WELL DONE, THOU GOOD and faithful servant. Matthew 25:21

  Also to the children that feel like they have been forsaken. You are survivors! God has great things in store for you. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

  Colorado family

  ANDREW STARRY-RUNS Liberty Ranch and works as a blacksmith

  Katrina Starry-married to Andrew, a mother to: Francesca 15, Sara 12 and Carlissa 8

  Izzy Donovan-is being courted by Jesse Starry and helps run Liberty Ranch

  Jesse Starry-is building a cabin in the mountains and courting Izzy

  Dr. Charles and Mabel Alexander- closest neighbors and friends of the Starrys

  Timmy Alexander-friends with Francesca

  Alabama Family

  Julia and Cole now guardians of the young Starry children: Travis 12, Hunter 12, Charity 10, Melody 8, Johnathan 5, and David 5.

  Maverick Starry—town deputy of Daphne

  Matt Starry—town Sheriff of Daphne and married to Susan Starry, has an adopted daughter, Mary

  Sawyer—-work for the newspaper office and married to Annie

  Jerry Emerson—works as a deputy and is married to Gloria

  Chapter 1

  March 1872

  THE WIND PICKED UP as Katrina Starry made her way to the town of Deer Trail. Despite the cold, she smiled as her friend, Izzy Donavon, walked beside her. Izzy looked like she was used to it, but Katrina would rather be near a warm fire. Luckily, they didn’t have far to go. Katrina thought she could see the church bell, or was that her imagination?

  As they continued their journey, it started to rain. Lagging behind, Katrina could feel it accumulating on her head and its cold texture falling on her pale face. Pulling her coat tighter she looked up. Katrina soon realized the rain was actually white.

  Izzy looked back at her. “What are you doing, Kat?”

  Opening up her hands, Katrina let the white rain collect in her palms as soon as she perceived that it was snow. Growing up along the gulf of Alabama, she never saw snow fall. “It’s snow,” she said in amazement.

  “Of course it’s snow,” Izzy laughed. “You will see a lot of snow while living here. More snow than you want. During some winters, you will even feel like the snow will never end. It will fill your whole house...”

  Katrina’s eyes widened, “Really?”

  Izzy shook her head. “No.” She put her arm around Katrina’s shoulders. “Honey, if you plan on living in the West, then you will have to grow thicker skin.”

  Nodding, Katrina giggled, feeling like a child and not her twenty-five years of age. “I will.” Katrina walked ahead, putting her hands up towards the sky. “It’s just so pretty.” Tilting her head back and opening her mouth, she felt the cold flakes on her tongue. She leaned her head back so far that the snow fell on her bad ear. “Can snow make you deaf?”

  Izzy shook her head. “Nope, so you are good.”

  Katrina gave her a dramatic sigh. “Well, you put my worry at ease.”

  Izzy laughed again. “Let’s go meet the boys before they worry.” She gently took Katrina by the arm. “And you know how they worry.”

  Katrina nodded. The snow started coming down heavier. “Have you ever been in a blizzard?”

  Izzy blinked. “Yes, but I found a cave to hide in. I wasn’t found for a couple of days, and I couldn’t get out.”

  “That must have been scary. I am sorry.” Katrina didn’t know what else to say. Izzy was so strong all the time, and it appeared as though nothing bothered her, especially at her young age of twenty-one.

  Izzy shrugged. “I got out.”

  Deer Trail was built on a little flat piece of land near the Colorado Mountains. As they entered the town, the first visible building was a doctor’s clinic , but Katrina could also smell the bread coming from a diner. It definitely had its beauty; one just had to look deep to find it. Near the middle of the town stood a blacksmith’s place where her husband, Andrew, would work part time, and the sheriff’s office. Towards the back of town sat the church, like a building for weary people.

  Fear ate at Katrina as she thought of what would happen if she and Izzy were back home in the Deep South. The townspeople would have never allowed Katrina and Izzy to walk together holding each other’s arm. Izzy had black curly hair and rich brown skin that showed her Mexican heritage. Izzy’s black-brown eyes went well with Katrina’s curly fiery-red hair, blue eyes, and light skin, which revealed Katrina’s Irish heritage.

  By the general store, Katrina believed she spotted the brothel or possibly the saloon, but she was unsure because she had never seen either one of those kinds of places before.

  Izzy gave her a compassionate look. “You will see them often now that you are out in the West.”

  Andrew Starry walked up and spoke, “We ain’t ever seen one in the South so public. Least not in Daphne.” He took Katrina’s hand, sensing she was tense. He had a large build with dark hair and even darker eyes. His skin held a deep tan from the hot Alabama spring season.

  Katrina squeezed his hand, telling him not to worry with her eyes. They had always spoken to each other with their eyes and hands.

  “Well, you are far from Daphne,” Izzy commented.

  Walking in the store, Katrina spotted Andrew’s brother, Jesse Starry, looking at some tack.

  Jesse came over to them and took Izzy’s hand. “About time you got here, girls. Me and Andrew thought we would have to go through the snow and go find yaw.”

  Izzy chuckled sarcastically. “Oh, and how horrible it would be for you boys to get wet.”

  “And cold,” Jesse added. “Don’t forget the cold.”

  Izzy just shook her head at the southern brats.

  Walking to the front, Katrina took everything in with a glance. She could smell the coffee in
the back of the store and hear the fire crackling. She had always imagined what a sweet hometown store would be like, but in Alabama she never got to experience that feeling.

  Suddenly the back door opened, and a youthful man walked out. Walking with a limp, his face brightened at the sight of Izzy. Stuttering, and with a boyish grin, he said, “Oh, Bella. You came back to me.” He used her nickname from her time at Liberty House.

  Katrina had never met a touched person like Billy. From Katrina’s recollection, a touched person, or someone who was physically handicapped, blind, mentally ill, or deaf, was often hidden from the public. She wasn’t sure how to react. Though her siblings may be touched in some ways, most people couldn’t tell. The Starry parents had adopted most of their children. She knew the pain of rejection and what happened to a touched person if he or she was not cared for.

  Izzy walked over to Billy and gave him a big hug. Pulling back, she kissed him on the forehead. “It is such a delight to see you, Billy. How is Sissy?”

  Billy’s smile dimmed. “Not so well. Sissy got taken back home.”

  Izzy didn’t react too much, but now she flinched. “I am so sorry to hear that.”

  Billy shrugged. “Mama Mabel tried, but no one listens.” He smiled again. “Are these your friends?” He looked at Andrew. “You are big.”

  Everyone laughed, including Andrew.

  “He gets that a lot.” Izzy’s eyes twinkled as she introduced them. “Y’all, this is my friend, Billy. He can play the musician better than anyone else I have ever heard.”

  Billy smiled. “Billy is the best.” He spoke like he always did as he shook Katrina’s hand. “You are awful pretty. Cole’s girl looks like you?”

  Katrina blushed. She had been called nothing but a dull, scared woman before. “Aw, thanks. ” She was about to pull at her dress collar, but Andrew took her hand. He knew she was trying to hide her ugly scar. What if someone in the store noticed her lisp? “No, we don’t look alike, but she is a wonderful woman. Cole is very lucky.”

  Billy nodded. “Cole is very blessed. We are sure to love her like our Bella. She is the best.”

  Izzy smiled and looked fondly at him.

  Katrina also noticed how her youngest brother, Jesse, was acting now that they had met Billy. His hands were balled in a fist and his jaw popped with anger. If he wasn’t careful, he would lose Izzy with all his mood swings. Sometimes he had to learn things the hard way.

  “Mama Mabel said to give this to you when I saw you.” Billy handed Izzy a letter. He kissed her cheek and then limped to the back.

  Katrina leaned over Izzy, just curious about what it could say.

  “Why don’t you read it, Kat?” Izzy told her.

  Katrina backed away. “I didn’t mean to.”

  Izzy shrugged, a twinkle in her eye. “It’s fine. The letter is for all of us. The Alexanders want us to come over Wednesday.”

  “We will be in the mountains starting my place,” Jesse snapped too harshly. “I have hired men to come along in a couple days.”

  Izzy glared at him. “They can still go.” She turned to them. “The Alexanders are your closest neighbors.”

  “It sounds fun. They are the ones who help with Liberty Ranch, right?” Katrina asked. At Liberty Ranch, the Starrys and others would help orphans or touched children and their families get help and healing. They would stay in one cabin we are building. The Ranch will have ten to twenty cabins, each with a full kitchen, living area, and a couple of bedrooms. They would be doing it more in the spring, summer, and fall. The winter might get a lot of snow, but not enough to get snowed in, so the stage coach will still run through once a month, and in the summer once a week, so the people who need help can come and stay. All the families will help by working or paying a small fee. Andrew would help get it started before Izzy’s brother, Cole could come in a couple months.

  Izzy nodded, “Yup, the Alexanders have worked with Cole and me many times. If you need anything, go to them.”

  Katrina thought it sounded great. As long as they didn’t find out she was partly deaf, she would be all right. No one could know or they would treat her differently.

  KEEPING HER EYES ON the road as they walked side by side, Izzy could feel Jesse’s anger. Not understanding what made him angry made her even more upset. She was glad Andrew and Katrina were up ahead.

  Glancing at Jesse, Izzy stopped walking. She leaned against the fence post on the Liberty Ranch property. “Jesse Starry, what is your problem? Why are you so angry?”

  Jesse turned to her. “I don’t really know you.”

  “What?” Izzy had no idea what he was talking about.

  “I never saw you act like this.” Jesse put his arms up. “In Alabama, you just shut down.”

  Izzy bit her lip. “Yes, I did. In Alabama, I was not myself.” She folded her arms. “If you wanted to get to know me, then you would have come to Liberty House as I have asked. To be a part of my world.” She had gone often to visit Liberty House while staying in Alabama. She and her older brother created Liberty House to help people in need and provide a place for families to raise children. They had homes in Alabama, Texas, and Colorado territory. Every Liberty House was like a family.

  “What? My family ain’t a part of your world.”

  “No! They are a part of your world not mine. My family is Liberty Home. They are the ones that know me the best.” ⎯she stood with her feet planted far apart, like she was ready for a fight⎯ “that is why Julia went with Cole to Liberty House. She wanted to get to know his genuine family.”

  Jesse ran his fingers through his curly black hair. “Well, why did you kiss Billy?” he asked, his brown eyes hard with anger.

  Her eyes widened. “What? I only kissed him on the forehead. He is one of my closest friends.” She sighed. “When I came here, Billy was the one boy who wouldn’t walk away from my rage.” At Jesse’s surprised look, she continued. “I was an angry teenager, but Billy was always there for me. He taught me how to laugh again, to see the joy in life. He and his sister have suffered beyond belief.” Her eyes narrowed. “I love Billy like a brother.”

  Jesse sighed, stepping closer to her. “Where is the home where Billy’s sister resides?

  Izzy closed her eyes, pain on her face. “The home is a terrible state-run orphanage. The women who run it leave the orphans in beds all day. Liberty House in Fort Morgan tried to change it, but we haven’t gotten far because it’s not as bad as an asylum.” Izzy opened her eyes, seeing Jesse hide his fear and the pain that showed in his eyes.

  “Well, it’s not your problem,” he said bitterly as he walked away.

  Izzy stood there, shocked. She knew the Starrys enough to know they hated asylums and anything to do with them. What was wrong with him then? What was the story behind the anger in his eyes?

  Shaking her head, Izzy started towards the Ranch. No one ever said courting a Starry would be easy, but she knew it would be worth it — one day.

  THE KITCHEN WAS COOL now that the stove’s heat had lessened and a cool breeze had seeped in through a crack in the window. In the deep south of Alabama, cold weather was always a blessing that brought a smile across Julia Donavon’s face. Julia sat at the dining room table, which was off from the kitchen, with her sisters reminiscing on their lives.

  Susan Starry gently blew on the rim of her teacup, as she reflected on the past few months. "I never thought I could be happier with Matt."

  Julia looked to her sister, Gloria Emerson. Taking a sip of her sweet tea, she chuckled. "This time last year, who would have thought all of us would be newlyweds so soon?”

  Gloria grinned, "A few years ago, I didn’t think any of this would be possible.” She pushed back her brown hair. Looking down at her sweet tea, Gloria said, "I wish everyone was here to enjoy it."

  The death of her adoptive mother, Ellen, had been hard on all of her siblings. Saddened, Julia nodded as she looked outside to where her younger boys were playing with their dog.

  J
ulia and her husband Cole had taken in her younger siblings when Ellen passed away a month ago. It was a difficult change, but it was going well. "I know. I try not to imagine life in Colorado territory. It's hard to imagine how we’ll move on without her." She gave them a soft smile. "Charity and the older kids prefer to talk about the future. It gives them hope for school, a solid church, and real friends."

  "I think it is good to talk about the future. Maybe it will help your younger siblings move past some of their grief. Well, I’m not saying to forget grief, but thinkin’ about it all the time can't be healthy." Gloria said. She took a sip of her tea and changed the subject of their conversation. "What do you think Katrina is doing right now?"

  Susan chuckled, "Maybe she’s meeting her neighbors."

  Julia almost giggled. "Shoppin’."

  "Going to a sewing circle and tea!" Susan added.

  "Talking about other women her age." Julia put her hands together. "Maybe she’s even going to dances."

  Gloria laughed at them. "She is probably scrubbin’ her house from top to bottom. Bakin’ in the hot kitchen and washing clothes all day long."

  They all burst out laughing because it was probably all accurate.

  "What is this?" Cole walked in. "A bunch of gossipin’ women?" He took off his hat as he sat at the table next to Julia.

  Julia shook her head. "Now, what would we gossip about? We don't hear any news or have any friends."

  Cole winked at her and drawled, "So when we head to the West, y'all will have something to gossip about."

  Julia kissed him as she went into the kitchen. Getting him a tall glass of sweet tea and a plate of cookies, she was glad her ankle didn't give her any more pain when she walked. Finally, it seemed to be healing correctly. "How was work?" He was a deputy in town with her brothers. She gazed at Cole. He was handsome with his dark curly hair, tall build, and brown eyes. One could now tell his Mexican heritage as his skin complexion had darkened from hours of riding the land. In the past, he had hidden his heritage, even from the Starrys.