Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the summer of 1969, Moon Water follows Nettie, a gritty sixteen-year-old who is reeling from sucker punches coming from all directions. Her boyfriend since grade school wants to break up just as they were beginning to figure out the sex thing, her life-long nemesis is jabbing her with perfectly polished nails, and her hell’s fire and brimstone preacher refuses to baptize her. In the middle of this turmoil, an old medicine woman for the Monacan Indians gives her a cryptic message about a coming darkness: a blood moon whose veiled danger threatens Nettie and those she loves. To survive, Nettie and her best friend, Win, have to build a mysterious dreamcatcher—one that requires them to scour the perilous mountains for Nature’s ancient but perfect elements. A captivating standalone sequel to The Wiregrass , a Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice and Southern Literary Review’s Read of the Month. Named as the "Read of the Month" for September 2019 in the Southern Literary Review Selected as Editors’ Choice in the November 2019 edition of The Historical Novels Review Nominated in the 2020 Library of Virginia Literary Awards “The story is told in a voice that is strong and engrossing. I was pulled in from the very beginning, thanks to the author’s gift of descriptive prose which floods the mind of the reader with strong images . . . The plot is deftly written, the characters rich and memorable, and the prose delectable.” — Readers’ Favorite , 5-star Review “ Moon Water is a flood of love and tragedy. There is intense action and humor, soul satisfying courage and redemption, and throughout, Webber's knowing, authoritative hand with setting and character.” —David L. Robbins, New York Times best-selling author “A page turner, blending real Virginia history and Native American lore. I joyfully followed the main character through her growth, development, and antics.” —Victoria Last Walker Ferguson, Monacan Life Interpreter at Natural Bridge, Virginia Pam Webber is a second-career, best-selling author of historical fiction. Her novels, The Wiregrass, Moon Water, and Life Dust, have garnered multiple regional and national awards from organizations such as the Historical Novel Society, the Southern Literary Review, and the Military Writers Society of America. In her personal life, Pam is an internal medicine nurse practitioner, an avid traveler, and a nature lover. She and the love of her life, Jeff, live and work in Northern Virginia. Moon Water A Novel By Pam Webber She Writes Press Copyright © 2019 Pam Webber All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-63152-675-6 CHAPTER 1 Central Virginia, Summer 1969 Velvety moss cushioned Nettie's back as she enjoyed the soft, meandering sounds of the Piney River and the sweet smell of blooming honeysuckle. The small glade had been a perfect hideaway for her and Andy since grade school. The smooth, tangled roots of the old riverbank trees made comfortable benches, and their long, arching limbs provided a shady respite. Coupled with the eventide, the glade's thick forest walls and leafy canopy still offered them secrecy. Andy's strong arm under her head and his hand on the curve of her hip were warm, comforting. Not long ago, Nettie would have punched any boy who tried to put his hands on her like this, but not now, and not Andy. They'd been exploring the rhythms of this almost-dance at River's Rest since the weather turned, enjoying togetherness yet managing to stop on the good side of bad. Tonight, things were different. She and Andy were touching but miles apart. Nettie knew why, but she wasn't ready to have that conversation. Brushing her fingertips along his jawline, she opened her lips to kiss him just as the wind began to blow. The layered treetop canopy pitched back and forth, slowly at first, then harder and faster, whipping leaves and surrounding them with eerie shadows. Nettie couldn't tell her goose bumps from Andy's. "Storm coming?" she asked. Andy pushed to his knees and scanned the moon-colored riverbank. "Maybe. It doesn't feel like rain, but something's off." Sitting back on his heels, he pulled Nettie up. "Come on. We should go." "But —" "I know. We should go." Nettie tucked in her blouse, feeling her face flush. Getting in the car, she slid to her usual position in the middle of the seat and lightly bumped Andy's shoulder. "You said you wanted to come here tonight." "I thought I did." He hesitated, gold specks flickering in his warm but troubled eyes. "Do you love me?" Nettie slumped. Ready or not, the conversation had started. Words — right, wrong, and in between — surged behind her eyes, but not one made it to her mouth. "You know I love you, but you've never said it back to me. Not once." Most of the time, it wasn't in Nettie to be anything other than straight-up, a trait that had cost her plenty in the past and most likely would again. She cared about Andy, enjoyed his company and his touc