Colin's Quest Read online

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  Historical Western Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Tougher than the Rest, Book One

  Faster than the Rest, Book Two

  Harder than the Rest, Book Three

  Stronger than the Rest, Book Four

  Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five

  Wilder than the Rest, Book Six

  Redemption Mountain

  Redemption’s Edge, Book One

  Wildfire Creek, Book Two

  Sunrise Ridge, Book Three

  Dixie Moon, Book Four

  Survivor Pass, Book Five

  MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

  Colin’s Quest, Book One,

  Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two, Releasing 2016

  Contemporary Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Second Summer, Book One

  Hard Landing, Book Two

  One More Day, Book Three

  All Your Nights, Book Four

  Always Love You, Book Five

  Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six

  No Getting Over You, Book Seven

  ‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight, Releasing 2016

  Peregrine Bay

  Reclaiming Love, Book One, A Novella

  Our Kind of Love, Book Two

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  Colin’s Quest

  MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

  Historical Western Romance Series

  SHIRLEEN DAVIES

  Book One in the MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

  Historical Western Romance Series

  Copyright © 2015 by Shirleen Davies

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  For permission requests, contact the publisher.

  Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC

  PO Box 12618

  Prescott, AZ 86304

  Colin’s Quest is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used facetiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.

  Book design and conversions by Joseph Murray at 3rdplanetpublishing.com

  Cover design by Kim Killion, The Killion Group

  ISBN: 978-1-941786-25-3

  I care about quality, so if you find something in error, please contact me via email at [email protected].

  Description

  Colin’s Quest, Book One, MacLarens of Boundary Mountain Historical Western Romance Series

  “The author has a talent for bringing the historical west to life, realistically and vividly, and doesn’t shy away from some of the harder aspects of frontier life, even though it’s fiction. Recommended to readers who like sweeping western historical romances that are grounded with memorable, likeable characters and a strong sense of place.”

  For An Undying Love…

  When Colin MacLaren headed west on a wagon train, he hoped to find adventure and perhaps a little danger in untamed California. He never expected to meet the girl he would love forever. He also never expected her to be the daughter of his family’s age-old enemy, but Sarah was a MacGregor and the anger he anticipated soon became a reality. Her father would not be swayed, vehemently refusing to allow marriage to a MacLaren.

  Time Has No Effect…

  Forced apart for five years, Sarah never forgot Colin—nor did she give up on his promise to come for her. Carrying the brooch he gave her as proof of their secret betrothal, she scans the trail from California, waiting for Colin to claim her. Unfortunately, her father has other plans.

  And Enemies Hold No Power.

  Nothing can stop Colin from locating Sarah. Not outlaws, runaways, or miles of difficult trails. However, reuniting is only the beginning. Together they must find the courage to fight the men who would keep them apart—and conquer the challenge of uniting two independent hearts.

  Visit my website for a list of characters for each series.

  http://www.shirleendavies.com/character-list.html

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to all the members of my Street Team.

  You are an awesome group and your support means a great deal to me.

  Thanks so much!

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks also to my editor, Kim Young, proofreader, Alicia Carmical, and all of my beta readers. Your insights and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

  As always, many thanks to my wonderful resources, including Diane Lebow, who has been a whiz at guiding my social media endeavors, my cover designer, Kim Killion, and Joseph Murray who is a whiz at formatting my books for both print and electronic versions.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Other Books by Shirleen Davies

  Colin’s Quest

  Prologue

  Scotland

  November 1854

  “Kyla, we must keep the bairns together.” Angus MacLaren’s booming voice rang above the chaos of those boarding the steamship SS Glasgow. At well over six feet tall, he towered above most of the passengers who shoved forward, waiting for permission to board.

  Winds whipped around the large crowd as they waited for the captain to make the boarding announcement for those holding berths on the steerage or tween deck area of the steamship. Angus guessed well over two hundred would be living in close quarters during the trip across the Atlantic.

  The savage storm, which they’d hoped to avoid, broke loose as the passengers huddled together, unsuccessfully trying to keep their meager personal belongings from soaking through. As the rain pounded down, everyone surged forward. Being trampled became a serious concern as Angus and his wife tried to keep their boys together while staying close to the three other MacLaren families.

  “I have them, Angus. Do not separate yourself from us.” Kyla gripped Camden’s hand as Colin and Blaine tugged at her dress, and Angus pressed himself to her back.

  Finally, the announcement came.

  “Angus and Kyla MacLaren, and children, Colin, Blaine, and Camden.”

  “Aye.”

  “Gillis and Audrey MacLaren, and children, Quinn, Heather, Bram, and Thane.”

  “Aye.”

 
“Ewan and Lorna MacLaren, and children, Brodie, Jinny, and Fletcher.”

  “Aye.”

  “Ian and Gail MacLaren, and children, Sean and Bridget.”

  “Aye.”

  The attendant looked at the list once more. “Is that all the MacLarens?”

  “Aye. We’re all here,” Gillis confirmed.

  “Stay close, lads.” Angus glanced toward his brothers, Gillis, Ewan, and Ian, as the mass of humanity surged ahead, rendering them unable to stop or step aside. Four of the MacLaren brothers and their families had spent years saving for the voyage to America, then another year waiting for enough space on the steamer to accommodate all twenty of them.

  Following directions, they took steep, narrow ladders to what would become a cargo hold on the return trip to England. For the voyage to America, however, bunk beds, holding up to five passengers each, had been erected in rows of two from fore to aft.

  Angus’s wide shoulders scraped the sides as he took the steps down. Landing on the wooden deck, he stood, thankful he had a few inches to spare. Glancing amidships, he spotted what he wanted—four bunks together.

  “Colin, Blain, come with me.” Doing his best not to trample others, he turned sideways, making his way through a space not more than eighteen inches wide, tossing his bag ahead of him to land on one of the bunks. The boys followed his lead, several other MacLarens doing the same.

  “Good of you, Angus.” Gillis clasped his older brother on the back as all four families secured their space.

  Angus glanced at his family, thanking God they’d made it this far. Four brothers, their wives, and their children were all taking a huge risk by leaving Scotland behind to forge what they prayed would be better lives in a new land.

  “Da, wake up.” Colin shook his father. Feeling the ship heave one way, then another, as massive waves slammed against the sides, Angus’s eyes opened a crack, then widened at the jolt of the water’s impact.

  “Where’s your Ma?” Angus’s voice was full of unease as he pushed up, his head whipping around to count the number of MacLarens clustered together. He accounted for everyone except two—his wife, Kyla, and youngest son, Camden.

  Gripping Colin by the shoulders, he held him close. “Where are your ma and Camden?”

  “I…uh…” Colin’s head twisted as his gaze roamed the tween deck. “I don’t know, Da.”

  “Stay with your uncles.” It was all the warning Colin got before his father pushed him toward Gillis and dashed up the ladder, unaware Colin had ignored his order and followed him.

  “You can’t be up here.” The deckhand grabbed Angus’s arm, his voice barely understandable over the roar of the crashing waves. “Get below where it’s safe—both of you.”

  Angus wrenched out of the man’s grip and whipped around, noticing Colin a few feet away, gripping the railing with both hands. Anger now added to the cold ball of fear building in his stomach. He didn’t have time to deal with a disobedient son.

  “My wife and son are missing,” Angus roared, shoving the man aside. “Kyla! Camden!” Grabbing whatever he could to stay on his feet, he made his way aft, keeping watch over his shoulder at Colin.

  Spotting no sign of them, he turned aft, grasping Colin’s arm as the ship shifted, tipping toward starboard. Pulling Colin down with him, he landed on his back, failing to find anything that would stop his body from sliding toward the side. Seeing panic in his son’s eyes, Angus calmed his features.

  “Don’t be afraid, laddie. We’ll get out of this.” Choking on water, Angus tried to stand at the same time another huge wave hit the port side. Water gushed onto the deck, lifting both of them above the level of the rail. “Let go of me!” Angus yelled as the momentum carried him away from Colin.

  “Da!” Colin clung to the rail, wrapping both arms around it, peering overboard and around the deck. His father was nowhere in sight. “Help!” His scream died on his lips as strong arms pulled him away.

  “Get him below. Now.”

  Kicking and squirming, trying to pull away, he found himself shoved down the steep ladder, landing with a thud on the tween deck’s floor. Colin swiped at tears streaming down his face.

  “Where are they?” His uncle Gillis knelt beside him.

  Lifting a face full of anguish, Colin closed his eyes tight, then shook his head. “He—”

  “And don’t think of coming back up until the storm has passed.” The angry voice preceded Angus, who landed in a heap at the bottom of the ladder, rolling to his hands and knees, coughing up water.

  “Da!” Colin wrapped his arms around his father’s neck, pulling tight.

  “Loosen up, laddie. You may choke him.” Gillis positioned himself on one side of Angus, Ewan on the other, both lifting him to his feet.

  “I couldn’t find them.” The pain in Angus’s voice ripped through his brothers. He turned to climb back up when two sets of hands pulled him back.

  “You won’t be going up there now. When the storm passes, we’ll help you search.” Ewan clasped Angus on the shoulder, giving him a grim nod.

  An hour passed before the storm moved on and the ship quieted. Angus, joined by Colin and his younger brother, Blaine, refused to move from the base of the ladder. The rest of the MacLarens sat on the bunks, their faces full of grief, not accepting the fate of Kyla and Camden.

  “I’ve waited long enough.” Pushing to his feet, Angus grabbed the rails of the ladder, taking a step up as Gillis stood behind him, peering toward the opening above.

  “Angus, look.” He pointed overhead seconds before a long skirt began to descend, followed by a small boy.

  Angus’s throat closed at the sight of Kyla and Camden. Holding his arms wide, he wrapped them both in a relieved embrace, Colin and Blaine joining them. Other than being soaked, they appeared to be unharmed.

  “Where have you been?” Angus couldn’t keep the relief out of his voice.

  Settling a hand on his arm, Kyla looked up into his tormented face. “A crew member took us below deck the moment the storm began, then disappeared. No one else knew where we were.”

  Wrapping her in his arms, Angus let out a shaky sigh. “Promise you’ll never put yourself in danger like that again.”

  “Only if you swear to me that once we reach Philadelphia, we’ll never move again.”

  “I give you my word, Kyla. Our travels will end as soon as we set foot in America.”

  Chapter One

  Independence, Missouri, 1859

  Five years later…

  “Colin, Blaine, Camden.” Angus cupped his hands around his mouth as he called to his three sons. Colin responded first, jumping down from the back of the prairie schooner and running up to his father.

  “Yes, Da.”

  “The wagon master says we’ll be ready to leave within the hour. Let your uncles know.” Angus brushed his dirt-encrusted hands down his pants before wiping an arm across his forehead.

  “I’ll do it now.” At eighteen, Colin had grown into a handsome young man. Tall and strong, his dark auburn hair and green eyes made him a favorite of the young girls, who whispered and giggled whenever he approached. Yet he seemed oblivious to their interest. Well-read, he’d focused on nothing except learning and helping the family build their farm. Other than his cousins, his social life consisted of one or two local boys, even though their time together was infrequent.

  Stopping at each of the six MacLaren wagons, he spoke to his uncles and aunts, relaying the message, and getting an earful of how they did or didn’t want to make the journey. He’d lend a sympathetic ear, shrug, then move on.

  They’d made the painful decision to leave the family farm east of Philadelphia when it became clear they’d never make enough to do more than survive. The four brothers had voted to move west. It had been a costly choice for Angus. He and Kyla had fought bitterly over the decision. She accused him of breaking his promise to never move again, but he implored her to understand their situation. The brothers wanted more for their families than jus
t survival. Leaving a legacy to their children and grandchildren came second only to providing shelter and food. They wanted to fulfill the dreams each held when they made the decision to leave everything behind in Scotland to start new lives.

  The brothers sold all they owned, bought heavy Conestoga wagons, popular in the east, and traveled to Independence, from where hundreds of settlers left each year as part of the growing stream of wagon trains. Angus had secured the name of one of the best wagon masters, reserving spots in a train leaving Missouri in late spring.

  Their meeting with the wagon master gave the brothers their first setback. They listened as the man told them their wagons would need to be replaced with lighter and more maneuverable Prairie Schooners. The change also allowed them to use fewer horses or oxen—a major advantage over the Conestoga. They’d been told at least half of their personal belongings had to be sold or left behind. He refused to take them otherwise. Also, the supplies they’d brought weren’t adequate for the long journey. Food items needed to be repacked to last longer, such as storing bacon in barrels of bran. Tools, buckskins, spare axels, coils of rope, and additional weapons needed to be purchased. Each wagon had to be waterproofed using linseed oil on the canvas.

  “Hey, Colin. You must come with us.” His brother Blaine, two years younger but almost as tall, shot him a wide grin. Standing next to him, Quinn and Brodie, two of the older cousins, tried to hide smiles.

  “Ah, so what have you lads gotten yourself into now?” The four were the closest in age and had always been tight. Their bond had grown stronger during the weeks at sea and over the last five years. They were almost inseparable.

  “A family, much like ours, at the back. They have four wagons and another for supplies.” Quinn shoved his hands in his pockets and studied his feet.

  “And?” Colin’s brows knitted together. Unlike Colin, fifteen-year-old Quinn thrived on the attention the girls bestowed on him. As tall and handsome as Colin, he’d already experienced the favors a local farm girl offered before they’d sold out and moved.