Tamarack: The Beekeeper's Daughter

Tamarack: The Beekeeper’s Daughter, 55,748 words

A gripping story about the dark side of a mountain family: a legacy of abuse that leads to murder. Told from an authentic mountain perspective, the reader experiences the family’s desperation as well as their strength and determination. The author’s simple unabashed voice completely absorbs the reader. So many emotions are evoked that the story echoes long after the last page is read.

He kneeled down beside the woman.
“What’s your name?” Big Red’s voice was compassionate.
“Mary.”
“Mary what?”
“Tate.”
“Mary Tate. Who’s he?”
“Pa.”
“What’s his name?”
“Jay Press.”
“You’re Mary Press Tate?”
Her head nodded slightly. She had never looked at any of them. Her eyes remained on the face of her pa.
“Who shot him?” Big Red asked with a gentle voice.
“Me.”
“You shot your father?” Big Red lifted his brows and watched her closely.
Her head nodded again.
“Why?”
“He aimed to kill me.”
“Why did he want to kill you?”
She didn’t answer.
“Your throat?” Big Red saw the purple-red of broken capillaries and knew what had happened.
“He choked me. Said after he kilt me he aimed to cut me up with the axe and feed me to the dogs.”
“Why?”
“They’re hungry.”
Big Red frowned. “Can I help you stand up?”
She shook her head.
“Can you get up on your own?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I’m watchin’ him.”
“Why?”
“He ain’t dead,” she whispered the words.
“Yes he is.”
She shook her head again. “You can’t kill poison ivy.”
Big Red and the first deputy exchanged glances. Big Red stood up. The second deputy didn’t move. He was busy taking down notes on a notepad.