Shadow Rider©

Free Online Short Love Story

Written by American Author Sky Taylor

The hot Texas sun pulsated against the cracked dry earth as Dyana studied the plains through the bay window where she stood.  

New York seemed a lifetime away, a city where she had spent her young life hiding from a past that had spawned a son and an endless trail of unpleasant memories.  

Love was a strange bedfellow and she pondered the sanity of tossing fear to the wind in order to fulfill the wishes of her son, Curry - for only he held power to compel her presence at Indian Sonnet, a place that held haunting memories from her sordid past - a past that she had buried decades ago.

Then again, Curry could never imagine the torture that this exodus had created for her. Some say that one’s past always catches up with them. So true - for the inevitable day of reckoning was now at hand.

When he had informed her of his decision to visit Indian Sonnet in order to quell his curiosities, Dyana had felt devastated. The yearning to know his father’s family refused him peace.

Against her silent wishes, Curry had eagerly embraced his tainted heritage.

At this point, both of his grandparents had long ago passed on leaving their son - Curry’s uncle, at the helm. Mick Chandler….

Dyana didn’t know much about Mick as it was his twin brother with whom she had experienced a relationship…..a relationship that had ended in a brutal physical and sexual assault.

Dyana swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, but it refused to leave as she brought up a slim hand to flick away a stray tear that had spontaneously sprang to her eye.

Then almost immediately she stiffened, refusing to break beneath the mounting pressure. There was nothing to fear at Indian Sonnet - not now, she tried to convince herself. Then again there was… A lifetime of painful memories. But Lincoln Chandler could never touch her again.

Her mind cycled back to the phone call that Curry had made to her a few short days ago….

"I haven’t told Mick anything, mom. Right - he has no idea of my true identity," Curry had assured her. "If it will ease your mind, Lincoln has been…..deceased almost a decade."

The news had come as a shock to Dyana - but she wasn’t surprised. Sooner or later, she knew that Lincoln would stumble upon trouble in the most inconvenient of circumstances.

"Are you okay with that?" she had struggled to ask Curry, reaffirming his emotional state.  

He had told her, "Actually mom, it’s a great relief. I-I feel terrible in saying that, but…..well, there is no cloud per say hanging over my head now."

There had been a long uncomfortable pause as if Curry was trying to decide if he wanted to share more information surrounding his estranged father’s death, but he finally lumbered out, "There was a-a brutal fight. I didn’t pry further. Didn’t actually care. Too painful - so I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you."

There had been another lengthy pause then Curry had continued, deciding to shift the subject, "Mick’s wife also passed on recently and you see - there are three young children that desperately need overseeing. I…I hope that you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of speaking with Mick and he has agreed to let you come work for him - to mind the house and kids. Mom - please, it’s a way for us to be back together. You must know that I miss you and you’re continually on my mind. I-I worry about you being alone-"

"Curry - do you realize what you’re asking from me?" she had questioned, unable to grasp his suggestion. He was oblivious of what awaited her in Texas. Indian Sonnet was one thing - but the thought of being near the twin of the man who had assaulted her was terrifying - to put the situation mildly!

The line had went silent for a long while, then Curry had informed in a deadpan voice, "Mom, I’m not returning to New York. And yes - I realize the trauma you must have experienced - but I deserve to know the Chandlers. I-I feel as if I belong her, don’t you see? The ranch - it’s what I want to do - no matter how difficult that might be for you to accept. And the money - it’s unbelievable, mom! And Mick is the closest thing to a father that I will ever have. Please. I’m begging you to join me here at Indian sonnet. Don’t deny me this - please. I’ve never asked for much. You know that."

"No, Curry-"

"Mom, rest assured. No one knows about you - about us or what happened back…then. I promised you that I wouldn’t get into my past with anyone and I am a man that keeps my promise."

Dyana had missed her son intensely and eventually she had faced her fears and caught a flight to Texas, convincing herself that Curry had a valid point - that he deserved to know the Chandlers - his uncle and three cousins. And without Curry, New York had been a very lonely and cold place, the buildings around her more like giant dry bones than towers of steel filled with ordinary people.

Dyana’s mind flew back to the present and instantly she grew anxious to see her son. She had been waiting for over an hour now, held hostage by her disturbing thoughts and memories.  

At least it was a relief to learn that Lincoln was no longer an issue. Unfortunately she had learned long ago about the brutal side of Lincoln Chandler.

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