title: Desta's Touch
author: Hobson, Annetta
description: Desta of the Maasai Tribe in Tanzania is betrothed to the eldest son of the Asante tribe, Okoro. They are to be left with the responsibility of carrying on the dealings and well-being of the tribes. They will one day take on the thrones of their fathers. Desta is very young but strong and one of the bravest in her family. During a celebration dinner Okoro’s younger brothers; Jaali and Saka enter and kill nearly everyone in Desta’s family along with their very own brother Okoro. Jaali wants to marry her and take over both tribes themselves. Desta’s father happens to be entertaining the family of his Caucasian traders. Desta springs into action and guides the family of Alexander Toussaint to safety. The Toussaints are able to escape and take Desta with them back to America. They raise her alongside their son Nicholas. Nick is taken by Desta from day one and as he grows it becomes harder to resist. The older they get the more drawn he is to her. He thinks he has his chance when he turns 18 and is on his way to college. But his parents have other plans for Desta. They make a deal with an African American business man Jonathon Watkins to marry and take Desta away from the south for good. Nicholas is livid and desperately tries to stop her. But Desta is determined to find peace and solace in being with someone close to her own heritage. He refuses to let her go. He struggles through years of agony. If only he could revel in her touch. Lies and deception are revealed as Nicholas and Desta attempt to live the lives that are chosen for them instead of the lives that they long for. All of Nicholas’ desires rest in Desta’s Touch…