Prologue
Lower California Crossing of the Platte River
June 1856
Icy-cold water crashed over Birk Macauley, sucking him down into the dark, murky Platte. The raging, snow-fed current shoved him downstream with gleeful abandon, seizing his clothing and boots, using the weight to hold him under. He kicked and thrashed uselessly. Terror filled him. Seconds ticked past, his lungs felt close to bursting. The waning light above his head taunted him. The surface. Air. So close. So far.
With a desperate kick he broke through the surface of his watery grave. Struggling to keep his head above water, he gulped great lungfuls of air and glanced around wildly for his wagon, but the swift-moving torrent swamped him, and pulled him ever farther downstream. He slapped his palms against the water’s surface, grasping for something — anything — to hold on to. His fingers slid through the frothy white-water as he tumbled in the arms of the capricious river. He suppressed the overwhelming need to breath. A hazy gray film engulfed him. This was it. He was gonna die.
Reviews:
"...Tender, heartwarming, touching, White Nights is a story you can savor."
— Connie Mason
"White Nights continues the journey to Oregon, with characters from the previous books in the series skillfully interwoven into the story. The harsh Oregon trail provides the perfect backdrop for this story in which the heroine believes her abusive husband is dead. Ms. Edwards wraps Eirica and her family in a cocoon of fear, from which they emerge because of the hero's unconditional love. White Nights leaves an afterglow long after the last page."
— Rendezvous
"This time it is Eirica Macauley's story! The emigrants of the wagon train saw Birk Macauley drown and his body washed away. However, with all the abusing he committed against Eirica, even as she was eight months pregnant, and his three small children, no one was going to miss him! Eirica vowed to continue to Oregon, claim land in her own name, and raise her children with love. They would never fear a man again! James Jones had fallen for Eirica before the wagon train had even began. Since she was married, he kept his distance. That did not stop him, his sister, and a few others from secretly protecting Eirica and the kids from Birk. Now that she was a widow, James let his feelings known. Eirica, having tasted freedom, was determined never to fall into the trap of marriage again! James had his work cut out for him. Birk was very much alive though and was catching up to his wife and children. No matter what happened, it was always Eirica's fault and he planned to make her pay! Revenge! With murder on his mind, Birk and an old drinking buddy were making evil plans for many of the people who dared to be helping his wife, his property!
Once again Susan Edwards has written a story guaranteed to please! This story shows how hard it was for the emigrants and all the dangers they faced! The story had me cheering one moment and holding my breath the next. Susan Edwards is able to bring alive more than just the main hero and heroine too! All Eirica's friends have their own personalities and histories! Each tale in this series is a stand-alone story, but those who follow the series get to see cameos from other books. This interaction makes the stories all the more real! A winner!"
— Huntress
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(Détra Fitch)
