Can the love that binds this family deliver Christmas
miracles?
Or will the unforgiving wilderness crush their holiday
spirit?
.
A Pioneer Christmas Beyond the Oregon Trail
A Ghosts Among the Oregon Trail Holiday Novella
by David Fitz-Gerald
Genre: Historical Holiday Western Adventure
Dorcas and her family endured a harrowing trip along the
Oregon Trail in 1850. Now, they face their first brutal winter in the rugged
wilderness. Can they survive the harsh realities of frontier life?
Devastating setbacks threaten their lives, crush their
hopes, and test their faith in timeless traditions. Their cabin is unfinished.
Wild animals shred their tents, ruin their food supply, and wreck their camp.
As winter closes in, a powerful storm strikes their remote homestead. How much
more can they endure?
Dorcas suggests skipping Christmas to focus on survival, but
her children balk. They don’t want to give up on the cherished holiday. Is
Christmas a luxury they can’t afford?
When her husband, Agapito, fails to return from a critical
supply run, Dorcas ventures into the wilderness with a rifle in search of food
for her children. She must brave the elements as a mountain lion stalks her
through a violent winter storm.
Can the love that binds this family deliver Christmas
miracles? Or will the unforgiving wilderness crush their holiday spirit?
Start reading A Pioneer Christmas Beyond the Oregon
Trail today. Get wrapped up in this gripping western adventure of
love, survival, and the enduring power of hope. Perfect for fans of frontier
fiction and heartwarming holiday tales, this novella will keep you on the edge
of your seat.
That scream curdles my blood and makes me shiver in fear. I clutch Agapito tightly against me.
Agapito says, “I think it is an owl. I do not know why owls howl like that. But I think it is because they are owls.”
I say, “We’d better check on the children.” After a mad dash to the river’s edge, I shiver as I climb into my clothes.
Agapito scampers after me. Racing to catch up, he laughs and says, “I lasted longer than you.”
The wilderness is full of undiscovered frightening beasts. Fortunately, the camp is safe, the children are asleep, and whatever attacked the camp while we were away is not a danger now.
It’s hard to believe an owl can make a sound like that. If I believed in such things, I might say it was a banshee.
It has been ten days since something attacked the camp, but we remain vigilant. Whatever it was could return at any time.
Being short of food is a constant worry. We’re trying to get by on less. The boys sometimes complain about the watery soup, but we must stretch what we have.
This morning, instead of chopping wood, Christopher and I are fishing in the Clackamas River. But neither of us are having much luck.
Dahlia Jane sits nearby, making nests. She collects dried grasses, then weaves them together into long strands, and then coils the lengths into bowl-shaped replicas. Considering she’s only four years old, her creations are quite convincing.
The cat plays nearby, never venturing far from the girl. It’s hard to believe the docile kitten is the same animal that we took in almost two months ago. I thought that vicious monster could never be tamed, but somehow the fur ball came around. Dahlia Jane says Christopher tamed it.
**Don’t miss the rest of the series!**
.
Find them on Amazon!
Blogger’s Introduction: Today, I’m stepping into the dreams of Christopher Moon, or as he’s more fondly known, Dunk. He’s a lively nine-year-old boy who’s experienced more adventure on the Oregon frontier than most could imagine. With his almost magical knack for understanding animals and his boundless curiosity, Dunk’s life is full of excitement and discovery. Join me as I chat with him in the warmth of a dream, where stories and secrets are shared.
Blogger: Hi, Dunk! Thanks for meeting with me in this dream. Tell me about your nickname.
Dunk: [As he speaks, he motions with his hands, forming a cup with one, and making a dipping motion with the other.] People make fun of me because I like to dunk food in stuff. Like biscuits in stew, pancakes in porridge, or donuts in syrup. So, they call me Dunk instead of Christopher. I reckon that’s shorter.
Blogger: I’ve heard you like to get away on your own sometimes. Is there someplace special you like to go?
Dunk: [Eyes light up with a mischievous grin] Oh, I got a place, all right. Found an abandoned cabin deep in the woods. A mountain man called Crabapple Nick used to live there. Nobody knows about it but me. I like sneaking back there when I need a bit of quiet or when I just want to pretend I’m a real explorer. It’s like my own secret fort. Just don’t tell anybody, all right? I’d like to keep that a secret.
Blogger: Your secret’s safe with me! I’ve also heard that animals seem to listen to you in a special way. What’s your trick?
Dunk: [Leans in close, voice dropping to a whisper] It ain’t really a trick. It’s just something I can do. Boss, our puppy born right along the trail, listens to me better than anybody else. And then there was Dahlia Jane’s kitten, mean as a snake at first, but now that ball of fluff is all soft and purrs. Even the oxen, they do what I say like I’m the head honcho. Sometimes, I even talk to birds. [Laughs and looks around] Better not mention that either. Don’t want folks thinking I’m daft.
Blogger: That’s incredible, Dunk! It sounds like you’ve got the heart of a true adventurer. Do you ever wish you could be out on the trail more?
Dunk: [His expression shifts to a mix of longing and excitement] Yeah. Boy. Do I ever! I sure was mad when Alvah and the crew left without me. They get to have an adventure every day. I wanted to go so bad, but Ma said no. Said I’m too young, but I ain’t. Someday I’ll be a guide. Or a soldier. Maybe even a trapper. [His lips shift from side to side as if trying to decide which profession might be best for him.]
Blogger: I’m sure you’ll show them all, one day. Speaking of the trail, I heard you broke your arm. Tell me about that.
Dunk: [He looks at his arm and gives a proud smile] Got trampled in a river crossing. It hurt real bad, but I didn’t cry much. Hated the sling though. Ma said I was brave, and I reckon I was. It just made me tougher, I think. If I can go through that, I can do just about anything. I’ll be the best guide or adventurer this side of the Mississippi, you’ll see.
Blogger: I have no doubt about that, Dunk. Now, Christmas on the frontier must be quite different. What’s the best part for you?
Dunk: The best part’s the stories and songs we share. And this year, we had a Christmas cake! I don’t know where it came from, but it was like magic. Hey, do you like to dip your cake in milk? [He laughs heartily] You should give it a try. Tastes even better.
Blogger: I’ll have to try that! One last question before you wake up: if you could tell other kids one thing about life out here, what would it be?
Dunk: I’d tell ‘em that life’s tough sometimes, real tough. But there’s always something worth smiling about. Whether it’s your dog, a warm fire, or dipping cake in milk. And even if folks say you’re too young, don’t listen. You know what you can do.
Blogger: That’s wonderful advice, Dunk. Thank you for sharing your stories and dreams with me. Merry Christmas!
Dunk: Merry Christmas to you, too! And remember, keep the cabin a secret. [He winks as the dream fades away]
Blogger’s Closing Note: Christopher “Dunk” Moon is a boy full of heart and wonder, with dreams as big as the frontier. His stories remind us that even in the hardest times, there’s always room for hope, adventure, and a bit of magic. And, if you enjoy this character as a child in A Pioneer Christmas and the series Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail, you might be surprised to encounter him as an adult in the newly released book, First Drive: A Seph Vermillion Western Adventure.
Blogger’s Closing Note: Andrew’s ambition and depth remind us that even in the hardest times, dreams and determination can light the way. His story is one of hope, resilience, and finding a voice amid the wilds of the frontier.
David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He
is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the
Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best
in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers
of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.
Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye
and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has
hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s
happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.
Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes,
movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing
memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of
wild horses.
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This sounds exciting enough to be a full length novel.