Code of Honor (Australian Destiny Book #1) (32 page)

The lingering stench from the burn hovered over the area. The air hung still and listless, strewing the smoke and smell. A family of Aborigines arrived and with cheerful, unintelligible chatter commenced to butcher the bloated horse.

It started to rain again. Heavy drops plopped in the powdery ash, disturbing it without wetting it. They rang
pung
on the charred timbers. Hotspots began to whisper,
Psst. Psst. Psst
.

Somewhere in brooding, chilly Ireland, in Dagda’s hill palaces, warriors and demigods feasted amid bright light and splendor, safe from mortal eyes. But here in Queensland’s mountains, fantastic activity was limited to gnomes who swabbed the throats of little green frogs. The bright light and splendor was the land itself—brilliant, dazzling, sun-filled, a delight to mortal eyes.

The first of the frogs chirruped. Another answered. Others picked up the call, their voices in fine fettle. And now the forest beside her rang with tiny voices. Samantha decided she liked the frogs much better than Dagda’s palaces.

What was that line from Robert Browning, the poetic optimist?
God’s in His heaven; all’s right with the world
.

Sure and the skies were open now. The rain came pelting in fast, cold splashes—cleansing rain, sweet rain, rain that heals the soul. Samantha tilted her face up and let the stinging drops wash away the dirt and the ashes and all the fears and tears from yesterday.

Tomorrow!

Aye. Tomorrow.

SANDY DENGLER is a freelance writer whose wide range of books have had a strong record in the Christian bookselling market Twenty-six published books over the last nine years include juvenile historical novels, biographies, and adult historical romances. She has a master’s degree in natural sciences and her husband is a national park ranger. They make their home in Ashford, Washington, and their family includes two grown daughters.

Books by Sandy Dengler

A
USTRALIAN
D
ESTINY

Code of Honor

Power of Pinjarra

Taste of Victory

East of Outback