Dragan's Redemption Book One of the Manor at Echo Lake Trilogy Read Online Free PDF Page A

years , she fits in so go o d.  She sure does love the m plants and seems to even have a gift with the animals.”
    “ Indeed ?”  Dragan thought about the chase between her and his beloved wolf.  “That will be all , Mr. Connor.”
    Not having the courage to press further , Jack left the room to leave Dragan deep in thought.  So, his brother was back. Frowning, he searched his memory as to when the last time he had seen Aaron .  London 19 8 5 .  Running a hand through his dark hair, he felt old all of a sudden.  Had it really been that long?  Dragan realized that i t would be good t o see him again, wondering why he had not made an appearance yet at the m anor .  
    Rising from the table, he strode to the front door s tepping outside into the warm morning sun . Dragan slipped the sunglasses on his face before walking around to the back of the giant stately h om e .  He took in the meticulously landscaped property.  He never tired of the view of the mountains and lake or lost appreciation for his staff who managed the upkeep of the land.  With four seasons to contend with in New England , they were constantly kept busy ensuring that not a leaf or blade of grass was out of place.  Rounding the corner, he sensed Shadow as the wolf approached only to fall into place a step behind his master, the giant animal lowering his head slightly in respect.  Tapping his leg giving the wolf permission to step closer , he reached down touching the beautiful white fur in acknowledgment of his presence.  “I take it she made it home safe.  Not that I had any doubt.”  Shadow reached up with his no se and pushed at Dragan’s hand as if to answer the quest ion.  The wolf had remained faith ful to him from the moment he was found , near death , in a bear trap.  His paw had healed years ago from not only the teeth of the trap, but the wolf ’ s own fangs as it had started to tear away at his skin in an attempt to get free.  Thankfully, Dragan had arrived in time before the poor thing finished its work, or even worse had died.  Now, the only sign of the trauma was the scar where the hair could not grow back .  Trapping or hunting was strictly forbidden on his land , but he knew that the foolhardy still tried at times to sneak in and violate his rules.  Very few got away unpunished by him personally.  It bothered him to this day that he never found the one that had laid the trap that almost killed Shadow.  On the other hand, he was grateful for the wolf’s presence in his life.  It was the staff that gave the wolf the name Shadow , because he rarely left the master ’ s side.  Dragan frowned , thinking of this morning ’ s incident between the wolf and his tenant.  It was interesting in so m any ways, in particular for the simple fact that Shadow never showed any interest in any other person except for him .  L ooking down at the wolf walking so proudly beside him, he never remembered anyone else daring to touch the wolf beside s him.
    Reaching the grove of white birch trees on the edge of the lawn, Dragan stopped , looking a head of him . I n the center of the magnificent trees stood a tiny chapel still standing strong , e ach stone placed by his very own hands.  The stained glass, shipped over a hundred fifty years ago from Europe , stood the test of time against the harsh New England elements.  There were four main windows , e ach formed by a kaleidoscope of colors with a distinct red cross in the center of each .   The heavy , wooden door was fo u r inches thick, a large brass ring as its handle.  Above the door was inscribed “ nosce te ipsum , ” k now thyself.  This was to serve as a reminder and a warning to all that entered to pay no attention to the opinion of the multitude.  Dragan pulled on the ring.  Stepping into the tiny chapel was a step back in time for him.  This was the only place on his property that had a consistency that gave peace to the unrest in his soul .  Crossing the