Hidden in the Heart — Cheryl Obrien

The snowstorm came up all too quickly on Joel and Nora Almer and their two daughters, Betta and Dara. None of them suspected that tragedy would strike so suddenly and their morning would end with Joel ordering his oldest daughter Betta to walk on alone to find shelter. As she shivered with cold struggling through deep snow and fierce wind, a strong Indian brave reached down from his horse to lift her to safety. He pulled her closer to himself covering her with the warm fur skins he used as his coat. She discovered that his name was Kohan, and he would be her one good chance at fulfilling her father's last request. Kohan's intention is to protect Betta and keep her safe, but not everyone around him has that same motivation. Betta soon discovers what betrayal really looks like up close. Entering into her life is Moway, despised by Indians and white men alike; he is a trader of flesh. His goal is to take Betta and sell her to the highest bidder, but that soon changes as he discovers that Betta is more valuable if he keeps her as his own. This story explores the tug of war between Kohan, Moway and Betta as each tries to survive their own personal situation and the choices of love that must be made. The story also moves years ahead into the life and love of Betta's daughter Raya, as she too is faced with the decision of where her love and loyalty lies.