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CAST OF CHARACTERSTHE PEOPLE OF PROMISE Nell Bishop: thirtysomething widow with a son, Jeremy, and a daughter, Emma. Her husband died in a tractor accident Ruth Bishop: Nell’s mother-in-law; lives with Nell and her two children Dovie Boyd: runs an antiques shop and has dated Sheriff Frank Hennessey for ten years Caroline Daniels: postmistress of Promise Maggie Daniels: Caroline’s five-year-old daughter Dr. Jane Dickinson: new doctor in Promise Ellie Frasier: owner of Frasier’s Feed Store Frank Hennessey: local sheriff Max Jordan: owner of Jordan’s Town and Country Wade McMillen: preacher of Promise Christian Church Edwina and Lily Moorhouse: sisters; retired schoolteachers Cal and Glen Patterson: local ranchers; brothers who ranch together Phil and Mary Patterson: parents of Cal and Glen; operate a local B and B Louise Powell: town gossip Wiley Rogers: sixty-year-old ranch foreman at the Weston ranch Laredo Smith: wrangler hired by Savannah Weston Barbara and Melvin Weston: mother and
CHAPTER 1 GRADY HAD WARNED HER repeatedly. He’d told Savannah that the ghost town was dangerous, that it was a disturbing place. He’d told her over and over not to look for it. And all these years Savannah had stayed away. But the more her brother cautioned her, the more convinced she’d become that she had to find it. If for no other reason than the roses. Roses were Savannah’s passion—especially old roses, planted before 1867 and now found mostly in cemeteries and abandoned homesteads. It was because of the roses that she ignored Grady’s advice and began to seek out the long-lost town. After a six-week search, roaming about the rugged Texas hill country, first in the truck, then on horseback and finally on foot with no map and little information, she’d located it. Bitter End. What a strange name, but no stranger than the town itself. No matter how furious Grady was when he discovered what she’d done, it’d been worth the risk. This certainly wouldn’t be the first time she’d defied her
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2 LAREDO SAT ON THE THIN mattress and nursed his aching ribs. They hurt a little less now that the aspirin had had time to take effect. Without asking, Savannah had handed him the pills after dinner, as if she knew intuitively how uncomfortable he’d been. She continued to fascinate him, but it was abundantly clear that her big brother wasn’t keen on Laredo hanging around her. Not that Laredo blamed him. If Savannah was his sister, he’d keep a close eye on her, too. Following dinner, they’d transplanted the old roses she’d found that day. Afterward she’d proudly walked him through the flower garden, telling him the names of various plants, describing their characteristics. She grew azaleas, rhododendrons and many others, some of which he’d never seen before. A hedge of sunflowers separated the flowers from a small herb garden. And then there were her roses. As she led him down the narrow pathways of her rose garden, she stopped to tell him about each one. It was almost, he thoug
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3 SAVANNAH ENJOYED LISTENING to Wade McMillen preach. His messages, simple and direct, cut straight to the heart. He was the most unlikely preacher she’d ever seen. A large man, tall and muscular, he looked as though he’d be more comfortable at home herding cattle than delivering sermons. Perhaps that was what made him so popular. It might have been her imagination, but Savannah felt the curious stares of those around her. The word about her and Laredo was out, she was sure of it. Now everyone in the town knew she—and not Grady—had hired him. Soon she’d be the subject of speculative comments and whispered questions—if she wasn’t already. She felt mortified, but pride helped her hold her head high and look straight ahead. Her mind wandered throughout Wade’s sermon, though, something that didn’t usually happen. When her thoughts weren’t focused on the consequences of her actions, they zoomed with startling ease to Laredo. She’d wanted to invite him to church and had tried to broa
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4 GRADY WASN’T LOOKING FORWARD to talking to Frank Hennessey, but he’d delayed his visit to the sheriff long enough. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he drove toward town, and his thoughts darkened with his fears. It bothered him that his sensible intelligent sister had been taken in by a lowlife like Smith. One thing Grady couldn’t tolerate was a thief. As far as he was concerned, stealing what belonged to another was about as low as a man could go. His feelings, no doubt, were influenced by what Richard had done. From the time his younger brother was an infant, he’d been spoiled and coddled by their parents. Savannah was guilty of catering to him, as well— along with everyone else. Even in high school, when Richard should have been maturing and accepting adult responsibilities, he’d made it an art form to pawn off his obligations on others. From early childhood Richard had charmed his way through life. How that boy could talk, Grady recalled cynically. He’d ofte
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5 RICHARD HAD CHANGED, Savannah mused. Although dusty from the road and weary to the bone, he’d acquired a look of sophistication she hadn’t seen six years ago. This was Richard, her brother, but at the same time he was someone she no longer knew. None of that mattered, however, the instant he wrapped his arms around her and joyously hugged her close. Her tears mingled with laughter and pleas that he put her down. “Savannah, oh, it’s so good to see you.” His face brightened with excitement. “You’re even more beautiful than I remembered.” Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she smiled up at him. “I can’t believe it’s you.” “I’m home. You have no idea how good this old place looks.” He gazed longingly toward the house. Her heart warmed in that moment, and she was almost willing to forgive him the agony his betrayal had cost them. “Don’t get comfortable, little brother.” Grady’s eyes were savage. He stood on the top step, feet apart, arms akimbo, barring the door. Slowly Richard set
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6 GRADY SWORE RICHARD must have invited the entire population of Promise to this so-called party. Neighbors and friends whirled around the makeshift dance floor, while others sat in the sunshine and exchanged gossip. Grady didn’t want anything to do with it. The first he’d heard of Richard’s party was when he found Savannah in the kitchen this morning cooking her heart out. The next thing he knew, Millie Greenville from the local flower shop was stringing Chinese lanterns around the backyard and asking him when he intended to set up the tables. According to Millie, he was going to need at least twenty to accommodate everyone. Before he fully comprehended what was happening, people started to arrive. The lead singer of the Hoss Cartrights asked him questions he couldn’t answer. Apparently they didn’t need his help because the next time he stepped out of the barn, they’d set up a stage, plugged in their sound equipment and spread a bale of straw across the lawn for a dance floor.
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7 THE EARLY-MORNING SUN shone cheerfully on the Yellow Rose. Savannah had been much too tired the night before to worry about cleanup, but in the revealing light of day, the entire front yard was a disaster. The Chinese lanterns sagged. Paper plates and napkins littered the once-flawless grass amid a welter of abandoned tables and chairs. The straw from the dance area stretched like a spider web from one end of the lawn to the other. While the coffee brewed, Savannah dragged a garbage can into the yard. She’d only been working ten or fifteen minutes when Grady joined her. Wiley and Laredo followed, yawning. Savannah quickly distributed plastic garbage bags, since there was far too much trash for one container. “Where’s Richard?” Grady demanded. “Sleeping,” Wiley said with a chuckle. “What did you expect?” He began picking up litter and stuffing it into a bag. “Then drag his sorry ass out here. It was his party. The least he can do is clean up the mess he created.” “Why should h
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8 THE TRUCK PITCHED AND HEAVED, first left and then right, as they neared Bitter End. Savannah hung on as best she could, but her shoulders continued to slam against Laredo’s, jarring them both. Thankfully they were able to follow the tire tracks from her last visit, otherwise she wasn’t sure she could have located it a second time. “I can’t believe you found this place on your own,” Laredo said, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. “It wasn’t easy—took me weeks of searching.” More than once she’d been tempted to forsake the idea, but the thought of finding old roses had spurred her onward. Her patience had been richly rewarded. Not only had she discovered the White Lady Banks, her most valuable find to date, but on that same day she’d come across Laredo. The truck pitched sharply and Laredo cursed under his breath. “We’re pretty close now,” she assured him. His face was tense with concentration, and although he drove cautiously, he couldn’t avoid jolting the truck on
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9 SUNDAY MORNING MAGGIE slipped into Savannah’s pew and leaned against her just as Wade McMillen approached the pulpit. Slipping an arm around the child, Savannah pulled her close, acknowledging just how much she’d come to love her friend’s daughter. They’d formed a special bond, and it wasn’t unusual for Maggie to sit with Savannah during church services. A talented speaker, Wade often used humor in his sermons. The theme of this morning’s talk revolved around the opportunities God presented. Savannah found herself laughing along with the rest of the congregation as Wade relayed the story of a man stuck on a rooftop in a flash flood. Three times a rescue team had come for him, and each time the man insisted that God would provide. The man died and went to heaven and confronted the Lord, demanding to know why his faith had gone unanswered. “I sent the Red Cross, a boat and a helicopter,” God told him. “What more could I have done?” Wade had a way of communicating truth without
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10 “WHAT DO YOU MEAN LAREDO’S gone?” Savannah didn’t understand what Caroline was telling her. He’d been on the ranch earlier that day; she’d seen him herself. They’d both made an effort in the past week to pretend their discussion had never taken place. But it had, and her declaration of love stood between them. It was something they could neither forget nor ignore. Every time Savannah thought about the foolish way she’d exposed her heart, she grew weary with self-recriminations and regret. Her rash behavior had embarrassed them both, yet she realized she probably couldn’t have kept silent any longer. She loved Laredo, and hiding her feelings had become increasingly more difficult. “He asked me to give you this,” Caroline said with a regretful sigh, handing her a rectangular box. “It’s really pretty!” Maggie added enthusiastically. “You’ve talked to him?” Savannah said. The pain was immediate. Laredo had left, and instead of coming to her, he’d gone to Caroline. He’d talked to
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11 AS SAVANNAH DROVE TO WARD Bitter End, she considered the unmistakable fact that her family was worried about her. She’d shocked everyone by cutting her hair, no one more than herself. The decision had come on the spur of the moment, without warning or forethought. She’d been washing her face as she did each morning and happened to catch her reflection in the bathroom mirror. For a long moment, she’d stood there staring. How plain she looked. How ordinary. Carefully, critically, she examined her image and didn’t like what she saw. That was when she decided something had to be done. Anything. Not until she reached for the brush did she consider cutting her waist-length blond hair. One minute she was staring in the mirror, the next she had a pair of scissors in her hands. Savannah knew she’d shocked Grady and Wiley that first morning. They’d come into the kitchen for breakfast and stopped cold, unable to keep their mouths from sagging open. Her brother squinted and looked at he
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12 HUMMING SOFTLY TO HERSELF, Savannah checked the living room one last time to be sure everything was in place. Laredo had been gone more than six weeks now, and she’d stopped waiting for him, stopped dreaming he’d return. Her life had settled back into a comfortable groove, and the happiness she’d found with him would forever be part of her. That happiness, that sense of possibility, was what she chose to remember rather than the emptiness she’d felt at his leaving. It was Savannah’s turn to host the women’s group from church, and her nerves were fluttering. Within a couple of hours twenty women would crowd into the living room to plan a church dinner. Earlier in the day she’d baked apple pies, and because Grady had been such a good sport about everything lately, she’d made a lemon meringue pie for him, too. The scent that lingered in the house was an enticing mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon. “Is Caroline coming?” Grady asked, walking into the kitchen. Just as he was ab
CHAPTER 12
CAST OF CHARACTERSTHE PEOPLE OF PROMISE Nell Bishop: thirtysomething widow with a son, Jeremy, and a daughter, Emma. Her husband died in a tractor accident Ruth Bishop: Nell’s mother-in-law; lives with Nell and her two children Dovie Boyd: runs an antiques shop and has dated Sheriff Frank Hennessey for ten years Caroline Daniels: postmistress of Promise Maggie Daniels: Caroline’s five-year-old daughter Dr. Jane Dickinson: new doctor in Promise Ellie Frasier: owner of Frasier’s Feed Store Frank Hennessey: local sheriff Max Jordan: owner of Jordan’s Town and Country Wade McMillen: preacher of Promise Christian Church Edwina and Lily Moorhouse: sisters; retired schoolteachers Cal and Glen Patterson: local ranchers; brothers who ranch together Phil and Mary Patterson: parents of Cal and Glen; operate a local B and B Louise Powell: town gossip Wiley Rogers: sixty-year-old ranch foreman at the Weston ranch Laredo Smith: wrangler hired by Savannah Weston Barbara and Melvin Weston: mother and
CHAPTER 1 A MONTH AGO THIS HAD BEEN her family home. Ellie Frasier stood on the tree-lined sidewalk in Promise, Texas, staring up at the traditional two-story house with its white picket fence. The Sold sign stared back at her, telling her that nothing would ever be the same again. Her father was dead, and her mother gone. This was the house where she’d been born and raised. Where she’d raced across the front lawn, climbed the pecan tree and hung upside down from its branches. On that very porch she’d been kissed for the first time. Oh, how she’d miss that porch. Countless pictures had been taken of her on these steps. Her mother holding an infant Ellie in her arms the day she brought her home from the hospital in Brewster. Every Easter in a frilly new dress and every Halloween in a costume her mother had sewn for her. The day Ellie turned thirteen and wore panty hose for the first time, her dad had insisted she have her picture taken on the porch. Then at eighteen, when she was a rode
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2 THE BOXES AWAITED ELLIE AS SHE unlocked her front door and stepped inside the small rented house. Stacked against the far living-room wall, they represented what felt like an insurmountable task. She paused, her eyes drawn to the piled-up cartons. If she was smart, she’d move them out of sight and deal with the emotional nightmare of sorting through her father’s things when she was better able to handle it. But she wouldn’t put this off. Again she was her father’s daughter, and he’d taught her never to procrastinate. The thought of those boxes would hound her until she’d gone through every last one of them. A number of delaying tactics occurred to her. There were letters to write, phone calls to make, people to thank; nevertheless, she recognized them for the excuses they were. The remains of her father’s life would still be there, demanding her attention. Occupying her mind. It would be easy to focus her anger on her mother, but Ellie was mature enough to recognize and accep
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3 NELL BISHOP FLIPPED THE BRAID off her shoulder and surveyed the yard. Everything was ready for Ruth’s surprise party. The Moorhouse sisters, both retired schoolteachers, were keeping her mother-in-law occupied in town. Knowing Edwina and Lily, they’d take their assignment seriously. The last Nell heard, they’d planned a visit to the library, followed by a little birthday celebration at Dovie Boyd’s antique shop. Dovie had recently added the Victorian Tea Room, and each afternoon at three, she served tea and scones. Sometimes she added cucumber sandwiches and a small glass—or two—of the Moorhouse sisters’ special cordial, which she made from a recipe handed down by their maternal grandfather. Nell gathered that the sandwiches tended to be dry but the cordial was well worth the price of admission. The Moorhouse sisters would bring her back at the start of the festivities. All three would probably be a little tipsy and in a fine party mood. It was time the Bishop family did a bi
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4 CAROLINE WAS BUSY SORTING mail when she heard a customer at the front counter. Because the post office was open only two hours on Saturdays, she often did a brisk business then. Setting aside the stack of letters, she stepped out to the customer-service area. When she recognized Grady Weston, her posture immediately became defensive; she could feel it. Generally Savannah—and now occasionally Richard—collected the mail for the Yellow Rose Ranch. Grady hadn’t been into the post office since last May and he’d come only because he was seeking her help. But then, he’d been worried about Savannah’s relationship with Laredo Smith. A relationship he’d tried to destroy. He hadn’t trusted Laredo, and he hadn’t understood Savannah. In fact, Grady had seriously underestimated both of them. “Morning, Grady,” she said warily. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been laughing hysterically at the prospect of attending Ruth’s birthday party with her. “Caroline.” He nodded, looking about uncomf
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5 AS THE EVENING WORE ON, Glen’s feelings toward Richard Weston grew even less friendly. He resented the other man’s putting Ellie at risk by escorting her to Bitter End. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he got. Richard’s dating Ellie had never set right with him, either. Especially now, when she was at a low point in her life following her father’s death and her mother’s move to Chicago. Although Ellie generally had a level head, Glen didn’t want Pretty Boy taking advantage of her. And then there was his own unresolved—and unexpected— attraction to her…. But, no, the real concern was Ellie’s vulnerability to a superficial charmer like Richard. The only thing to do, Glen decided, was speak to Richard personally. Clear the air. Set him straight. He’d wait for the right opportunity. He was well aware that Ellie wouldn’t appreciate his having a chat with Richard on her behalf, but she didn’t need to know about it, either. Someone had to look after her interests. Gl
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6 THIS WAS BOUND TO BE AN interesting evening, Cal Patterson thought. He climbed into his truck wearing fresh-washed Wrangler’s, a string tie and polished boots. The big dance. Which meant there should be lots of entertaining activity as men and women of all ages flirted outrageously—making fools of themselves and each other. A few romances were always made at this kind of event, and a few broken. Yup, it was fascinating to watch, all right, especially if you were a disinterested observer. Like him. But not like Glen. Cal wasn’t sure where Glen had gone Wednesday afternoon, but his brother had returned in one hell of a mood. While he might not know the particulars, Cal would wager a case of beer that his brother’s rotten mood involved Ellie Frasier. When Cal had made the mistake of mentioning Ellie in connection with the big dance, Glen had all but exploded. Even before Cal could ask any questions, Glen had slammed out the door, but not without dropping a couple of hints first.
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7 ELLIE SLIPPED INTO THE PEW Sunday morning five minutes after the service had started. Organ music surged through the church as she took the last seat, reached for the hymnal and joined the congregation in song. At first she suspected the attention she’d generated was due to her tardiness. It wasn’t that she’d overslept. Far from it. The night had been her most restless since before her father’s death. She’d tossed and turned and fretted, and when sleep finally claimed her, it was fitful. She blamed Glen for that—and for a whole lot more. It was because of him she was late, but at the moment she’d have been willing to blame him for global warming. Even after the song had ended and Pastor Wade McMillen started his sermon, Ellie felt the scrutiny of friends and neighbors. That, too, could be directly attributed to Glen. The man had single-handedly made her the object of speculation and gossip. Wringing his neck would be too good for him. First he’d embarrassed her in front of th
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8 RICHARD ROLLED OUT OF BED and reached for his jeans. Savannah was making breakfast, and if his nose didn’t deceive him, it smelled like one of his favorites. French toast. Yawning, he grabbed a shirt on his way out the door and bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen. “Mornin’,” he said, yawning again. He glanced at the wall clock and was surprised to see it was after nine. A midmorning breakfast cooked specially for him meant his sister was planning on a little heart-to-heart. Damn. “Morning,” Savannah returned in that gentle way of hers. At times it was all he could do not to leap behind her, waving his arms and screaming at the top of his lungs. He wondered if he’d get a reaction from her even then. Somehow he doubted it. “Grady needs you to drive into town this morning.” “No problem.” Actually Richard liked running errands. They suited his purpose. Every time Grady sent him into town, he managed to pick up an item or two for himself and put it on his brother’s tab wi
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9 NOT FOR A SINGLE MOMENT WOULD Cal describe himself as a romantic. Despite that, he felt good about encouraging his little brother to go and propose to Ellie Frasier. He’d even given him the ring! Good enough to tell his neighbor. It wasn’t often that Cal had reason to shoot the bull over a telephone; usually a beer at Billy D’s served the same purpose, but even better. However, this news was too good to keep to himself. Grady answered on the second ring. “It’s Cal,” he announced. “Something wrong?” Grady asked right off. They’d been best friends since first grade, and Grady knew him about as well as anyone ever would. Over the years they’d been through a lot together. As kids, they’d explored Bitter End. Later Grady had talked to him about his parents’ deaths, his problems with Richard, his concerns about Laredo. And it was Grady Cal had gone to when Jennifer canceled their wedding, Grady who’d gotten him home safely when he’d fallen down drunk. Grady who’d talked some sense
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10 GLEN PATTERSON HAD NEVER been happier. Ellie loved him. Him. Not Richard Weston. And by golly, she was going to marry him, too! “I knew it,” Cal announced cheerfully as though he was personally responsible for the unexpected turn of events. “Did you ever see such a woman?” Glen asked, watching Ellie drive away. Damn, but she had spunk. It wasn’t every woman who would’ve come out here to confront him the way she had. Cal chuckled. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen a female that mad.” He glanced at his brother. “How’re you going to get her to marry you?” That was a question Glen hadn’t considered. Of course Ellie would marry him. She loved him. He loved her. Marriage was the natural result of such feelings. Sure, she was mad at him right now, but she’d cool off and they’d sit down and talk this out and plan for their future together. “Any suggestions?” “From me?” Cal adamantly shook his head. “Didn’t you hear? Ellie wasn’t too impressed with the advice I gave you earlier, although I
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11 TIME WAS RUNNING OUT and Richard knew it. He had to leave Promise and soon. It wouldn’t take Grady more than a few days to discover there was no money. The check Richard had given him was written on a closed account; it was going to bounce like a rubber ball, and when Grady found out… Nor would he be able to hold off paying his creditors much longer. All he needed was a week or so to get everything ready. No one would think to look for him in that old ghost town. He’d just quietly disappear. Until then, he had to keep the wool pulled over his brother’s eyes. Even if it meant doing work he’d sworn he’d never do again. That morning Grady had insisted Richard fill in for one of his summer hands who’d suddenly taken ill. This time Grady wouldn’t listen to any excuses, and Richard was forced into what he considered slave labor. “I don’t know how much good I’m going to be,” he told Laredo as he saddled Roanie. “A little extra help is all Grady is looking for,” Laredo said. Savanna
CHAPTER 11
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