The Vindication of Lucas Goddard

By Edie Mellgren

This action packed family novel is set in the bustling gold mining town of Old Chico, Montana in the 1900's. The story explores age-old societal conflicts that made lives difficult then as well now. Trouble begins to brew for thirteen-year-old Lucas due to father Andrew Goddard's inflexible rules, prejudices, and judgments. Detachment between the father and son escalates as they increasingly learn they hold to very opposite interests and principles. For much the same reasons there are repeated clashes between Lucas and a local gang of hooligans lead by the impossible Jebediah Dean. Against this western frontier backdrop Lucas and his best friend, half-breed Sioux Indian John Wesley, live out many adventures and misadventures. Both dream of going to find a secret and rare white Spirit Bear said to be somewhere in the great Absaroka Mountain wilderness. But a series of unfortunate and unforeseen events intervenes which not only delays their quest but also turns many people in the neighborhood against them. Suffering dwindling self-confidence because of the string of bad luck, Lucas develops an unlikely alliance with neighbor Nettie Ford. She is fifty-nine, stout, six feet three and formidable. Loyal, humorous yet no nonsense, Nettie is quick to come to the defense of her young friend.The novel culminates with bizarre mountain man Abe Webber kidnapping the Goddard daughter, Rebecca, and the part Lucas and John Wesley take in trying to rescue her.Andrew is finally moved to disclose what lies behind his mindset and conduct.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1491044020
• ISBN13: 9781491044025
• Release Date: August 2013
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.6" x 5.0"