Meadowlark

They forged a bond so strong that their hearts were breaking under the strain of keeping it hidden…

It was a chance of fate that Garrick saw someone slip into the icy current. He almost drowned himself as he pulled the body from the icy depths. The sodden form was a young woman; he later discovered that she was pregnant and had been abandoned. Garrick probably never knew exactly why he offered to marry the girl, perhaps to make up for a grievous sin in his past, but maybe just because he saw her enormous need.

At first Becky thought that she was in the arms of an angel. Sadly, it was just another man. Men had only ever given her pain; first her father in his drunken fits and then her young lover who had left so heartlessly. Becky is incredulous when the stranger not only marries her, but gives her money and treats her kindly. He is actually worried about her health when she over zealously cleans their small shack. Of course, it is too good to be true; Becky is sure that Garrick finds her gangly pregnant body disgusting and they begin to have small spats over imagined hurts. Becky believes that her concerns are genuine and is unaware that she is slowly falling in love with this everyday hero.

Becky’s small town charm and innocent raw beauty is almost too much for Garrick to bear. He has sworn that he would not lay a hand on Becky, so that she could still leave if it was her wish, but each day the sight of her tests his resolve. She tries so hard to please him and despite her past mistreatment, her spirit stays strong. Garrick is not sure if it is just lust stroking his desire or the beginnings of a deep, devoted love.

Meadowlark is a story of heartache and longing, honour and respect. The huge Norwegian, Garrick is so full of love for the young woman that he saved from death, that he holds back, afraid of hurting her. He is even willing to hang, to preserve her self-respect. Having no education and very little life-experience, Becky does not question any of Garrick’s noble actions. She does not see how much he adores her, because he leaves each time his emotions threaten to overwhelm his control. The plot is quite comprehensive, and readers will be taken by surprise many times. Carolyn Lampman develops both main and secondary characters a layer at a time, until readers become involved in the emotional conflicts. Even though these are simple people, this story is sure to be one that readers will remember fondly for its emotional impact. Their love is tender and true, with romantic imagery able to be visualised by the reader, not depicted in graphic detail. The conclusion is heart-wrenching, and had this reader bawling! Meadowlark has a sequel, Silver Springs, and both are definite keepers. I strongly urge readers who enjoy Western Historicals not to miss these two books.

Reviewed by: Naomi