How Far the Mountain. Robert K. Swisher Jr.

      HOW FAR THE MOUNTAIN

       Other Sunstone Press novels by Robert K. Swisher Jr.

       The Land

       Fatal Destiny

       Only Magic

       Love Lies Bleeding

       The Last Narrow Gauge Train Robbery

       The Last Day In Paradise

       Touch Me If You Love Me—Poetry

      Also by Robert K. Swisher Jr.

       The Man From The Mountain

       American Love Story

       The Weaver

       The Captain

       Ned

      HOW FAR THE MOUNTAIN

      A Novel

       Robert K. Swisher Jr.

       Cover photograph by Leigh Smith Book and Cover design by Vicki Ahl

      © 2007 by Robert K. Swisher. All rights reserved.

      No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

      Sunstone books may be purchased for educational, business, or sales promotional use.

      For information please write: Special Markets Department, Sunstone Press,

      P.O. Box 2321, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2321.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Swisher, Robert K., 1947-

      How far the mountain : a novel / by Robert K. Swisher Jr.

      p. cm.

      ISBN 978-0-86534-522-5 (pbk. : alk. paper)

      I. Title.

      PS3569.W574H69 2007

      813’.54--dc22

      2007001791

      SUNSTONE PRESS / POST OFFICE BOX 2321 / SANTA FE, NM 87504-2321 /USA

      [phone] / ORDERS ONLY [phone] / FAX [phone]

       For Deidra and Daphne Always in my heart

      Contents

       The Man A Return To Memory

       The Woman The Cemetery

       The Mountain Before Time Remembers

       The Man To Touch The Bones

       The Woman Pocahontas

       The Mountain Where The Demons Rest

       The Man The Beginning Of The Quest

       The Woman The Beginning Of The Search

       The Mountain Once There Was A Great Bear

       The Man Fire

       The Woman The First Camp

       The Mountain Birth Of A Storm

       The Man Sweet Memories

       The Woman A Cold Bath

       The Man The Hunters

       The Man Learning To Dance

       The Woman The Unanswered Wave

       The Mountain The Outlaw Iron Joe

       The Man Riding The Storm

       The Woman Kissing The Storm

       The Mountain Once There Was A Hermit

       The Man The Present

       The Woman Mushrooms

       The Mountain Only The Blind Can See

       The Man The Shrine

       The Woman The Reluctant Spy

       The Mountain Dare Not To Climb

       The Man Embracing The Demons

       The Woman The Touch Of The Bones

       The Mountain The Ravens

       The Man Turning Toward Destiny

       The Woman Fleeing The Dream

       The Man And Woman The Question

       The Mountain The Ravens Fly Away

      The Man A Return To Memory

      Gazing out the kitchen window, the scorching cinder in the center of Bill’s heart pulsed back to life. He had defeated the flame, but he could not rid himself of the smoldering embers that over the last year had charred away almost all of his feelings. “I have to touch the bones,” he muttered, the flame stirring. “I must, if only for myself.”

      Bill could see his reflection in the dirty glass—forty six years old, a cracked and lined tough face, with a strong square jaw and a black handle bar moustache so big people could not tell if he was smiling or frowning. His gray eyes, once sparkling,