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Left Behind
Deserted by her no-good husband as she’s about to give birth to yet another child, a woman and her two children fight to survive in the North Idaho wilderness. Young Grady Edenfield becomes the man of the family in a hurry on the rainy night he loses two little brothers. And his ma? She’s sick, too. Sick and tired of leaving dead babies behind as her husband’s wanderlust constantly moves them on. But this time, Grady finds an deserted cabin and claims it for their home. As they wait for his pa to return, the small family makes friends and builds a decent life. Until Pa returns.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2017
424 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
C.K. Crigger
50 books25 followersC.K.Crigger, a native of the Inland Northwest, lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband, dog, and reclusive cat. She is the author of eight published novels, some of which cross genres. Her short fiction story, Aldy Neals Ghost, was a 2007 Spur Award finalist, presented by Western Writers of America. BLACK CROSSING,a novel of the American West published by Amber Quill Press, is her newest work. It is the recipient of the 2008 Eppie Award in the Historical/Western category."
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 18, 2022
Grady's Account of How They Survived
I saw Ma wiping little sprinkles of blood off my brother, Andy's mouth. His skin had turned awful pale. Shoot. I knew what that meant. I turned away so Ma wouldn’t see me scrubbing tears, and saw Pa saddling Fore, one of the Percherons.
Ma was admiring the countryside, I reckoned, same as I had done. Just so happened the sun had come out, warming us up and making the river sparkle like jewels.
We’d been living here better’n a month all by our lonesome. From halfway up the mountain, I’d seen the man crossing the river at the ford. About then a nice three-point buck hopped in front of me and I flung up my grandpa’s old 30.06 and shot it. Anyways, when I’d lugged a deer hindquarter down the mountain to the cabin—thinking I’d have Aft pack the rest of the carcass home before dark—I found a feller sitting in our kitchen drinking coffee out of Ma’s best cup.
There had been another feller arriving cold and hungry during the night, and now Ma didn’t want to leave the place empty, or let Faith stay by herself.
Ma accepted Mr. Bacon's deal, asking that he treat both animals right. Which, naturally, he promised to do. To tell the truth, the bay mares were easier for me to handle. Oh, not because Fore and Aft were ornery. They was just too big for a boy.
Pa asked Ma how she had got the money to start. Ma told him that the cabin was here and our friends helped make it better. That now she is running a small hotel. When Ma told Pa that he could keep on traveling the rest of his life, cuz she didn’t care anymore, he slapped her so hard that she fell, and he knocked me to my knees when I tackled him.
I saw Ma wiping little sprinkles of blood off my brother, Andy's mouth. His skin had turned awful pale. Shoot. I knew what that meant. I turned away so Ma wouldn’t see me scrubbing tears, and saw Pa saddling Fore, one of the Percherons.
Ma was admiring the countryside, I reckoned, same as I had done. Just so happened the sun had come out, warming us up and making the river sparkle like jewels.
We’d been living here better’n a month all by our lonesome. From halfway up the mountain, I’d seen the man crossing the river at the ford. About then a nice three-point buck hopped in front of me and I flung up my grandpa’s old 30.06 and shot it. Anyways, when I’d lugged a deer hindquarter down the mountain to the cabin—thinking I’d have Aft pack the rest of the carcass home before dark—I found a feller sitting in our kitchen drinking coffee out of Ma’s best cup.
There had been another feller arriving cold and hungry during the night, and now Ma didn’t want to leave the place empty, or let Faith stay by herself.
Ma accepted Mr. Bacon's deal, asking that he treat both animals right. Which, naturally, he promised to do. To tell the truth, the bay mares were easier for me to handle. Oh, not because Fore and Aft were ornery. They was just too big for a boy.
Pa asked Ma how she had got the money to start. Ma told him that the cabin was here and our friends helped make it better. That now she is running a small hotel. When Ma told Pa that he could keep on traveling the rest of his life, cuz she didn’t care anymore, he slapped her so hard that she fell, and he knocked me to my knees when I tackled him.
September 4, 2017
Great Short Story
A smart 12 year old, a little sister, and a mom that is on the verge of birthing a babe.
Add a rain storm and a no-good husband, and you have the makings of a tale to be told.
A smart 12 year old, a little sister, and a mom that is on the verge of birthing a babe.
Add a rain storm and a no-good husband, and you have the makings of a tale to be told.
September 4, 2017
LOOKING FOR MORE
This story is pasted as a short read..my my it certainly is. C. K. Crigger author, could have written more. This is shorter than a novella.
The plot is good, but he short changed us.
Next time, if there is a next time, I'll pass on this author.
This story is pasted as a short read..my my it certainly is. C. K. Crigger author, could have written more. This is shorter than a novella.
The plot is good, but he short changed us.
Next time, if there is a next time, I'll pass on this author.
September 24, 2017
Great read
Keep
I read it in about ten minutes and wished it was longer. Going on telling about a woman raising her children alone back in the day would be interesting. All women either had their Father,brother or husband over them. It was refreshing to hear her say No!
Keep
I read it in about ten minutes and wished it was longer. Going on telling about a woman raising her children alone back in the day would be interesting. All women either had their Father,brother or husband over them. It was refreshing to hear her say No!
November 25, 2018
Stories
Since I read Double Deal I have to get some books written by C. K. Crigger. Double Deal was interesting and could have continued for me. I know a book is going to be worth reading.
Since I read Double Deal I have to get some books written by C. K. Crigger. Double Deal was interesting and could have continued for me. I know a book is going to be worth reading.
September 16, 2021
Dang Mangy Goid For Nothing Man
What a great story. A Family traveling and never putting down roots.
But sometimes Our Lord shows us something that turns into a real life for a family willing to work.
Quick read with a solid storyline
Thank you C.K. Crigger
What a great story. A Family traveling and never putting down roots.
But sometimes Our Lord shows us something that turns into a real life for a family willing to work.
Quick read with a solid storyline
Thank you C.K. Crigger
February 8, 2022
Too Short
Can a short story be too short? When you write as well as Ms Crigger, the answer is a resounding, "Yes!"
Short, but left me wanting more. Recommend, but be prepared to feel just as I do. ;-)
Can a short story be too short? When you write as well as Ms Crigger, the answer is a resounding, "Yes!"
Short, but left me wanting more. Recommend, but be prepared to feel just as I do. ;-)
August 23, 2017
Great Short Story
I read this book nonstop. The author does a great job holding your attention. I will buy more by C. K. Trigger.
I read this book nonstop. The author does a great job holding your attention. I will buy more by C. K. Trigger.
October 6, 2017
You need to read this story and make it rite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2017
Another good shorty story by CK Crigger.
May 22, 2021
Cute story
Not near long enough. Needs to be mord chapters in this. What happened next after Pa left? Did the Mom divorce him and marry a new guy?
Not near long enough. Needs to be mord chapters in this. What happened next after Pa left? Did the Mom divorce him and marry a new guy?
September 5, 2021
Great book
Very good. Liked it good details enjoyed it immensely will reas more by author soon as possible Crigger is great.
Very good. Liked it good details enjoyed it immensely will reas more by author soon as possible Crigger is great.
January 9, 2022
Needed a little more story or an epilogue. Still interesting though.
January 15, 2022
Short
I wish I'd checked how many pages this "book" was going to be before purchasing . It started off like it was going to be a really good story and then suddenly it was over.
I wish I'd checked how many pages this "book" was going to be before purchasing . It started off like it was going to be a really good story and then suddenly it was over.
February 5, 2022
Good fast read
Enjoyed this short story and the survival of this young family inspite of the abusive , negligent husband. Brave young son.
Enjoyed this short story and the survival of this young family inspite of the abusive , negligent husband. Brave young son.
March 5, 2022
Great book
April 9, 2022
Life
Showing how men used to own a woman they wed. A female had no choice in where they lived or how . they were expected to be at the beck and call of their husbands
Showing how men used to own a woman they wed. A female had no choice in where they lived or how . they were expected to be at the beck and call of their husbands
April 30, 2022
To short
Fast pace interesting and entertaining good book but ended way to soon. I will search for more books from this Author
Fast pace interesting and entertaining good book but ended way to soon. I will search for more books from this Author
February 21, 2023
I so wish this was longer!
I loved Grady & Ma. Lots of heartache.
I loved Grady & Ma. Lots of heartache.
April 28, 2023
Plot Ended before it started
It was gonna be a good story. Maybe it’s in the next of a series of it. Started like many others a family facing homelessness and death at every turn.
It was gonna be a good story. Maybe it’s in the next of a series of it. Started like many others a family facing homelessness and death at every turn.
June 28, 2023
A Great Short One
A book; short as this one does not have to be long in order to portray a great story. It is definitely a read that will be remembered.
A book; short as this one does not have to be long in order to portray a great story. It is definitely a read that will be remembered.
September 20, 2023
Good Short Story
I liked the story, but wish it was longer and developed into a long novel. There is a much longer story there.
I liked the story, but wish it was longer and developed into a long novel. There is a much longer story there.
December 15, 2023
I liked this story because this poor lady who was mistreated by her husband got a second at life and a new husband that loved and treated her with respect.
February 20, 2024
Strange ending
Good as far as it went. Ending was unexpected and left me wondering what would happen next. Like what the ??????
Good as far as it went. Ending was unexpected and left me wondering what would happen next. Like what the ??????
June 4, 2024
Short but good!
I like this author's writing and this short story is a good example of her talent! Must read more by her!
I like this author's writing and this short story is a good example of her talent! Must read more by her!
December 5, 2025
short easy and to the point
Some time we need to be left behind to take stock of our lives stand up to what GOD has for us
Some time we need to be left behind to take stock of our lives stand up to what GOD has for us
September 20, 2022
Left Behind
Good story with moral of you get what you sow. I'm glad that the mother finally stood up to her drifter husband. Way to short.
Good story with moral of you get what you sow. I'm glad that the mother finally stood up to her drifter husband. Way to short.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews