by Caryl McAdoo
“That same night, we’d both drank too much, and she told me the only reason she married me was the money. I once thought she loved me some, but after that, I knew the truth. She didn’t.” He shook his head. “She loved you, Son. In her own way, much as she could, she loved you, especially after her daddy died.”
“I’m so sorry, Father, but like a very wise friend of mine said, let’s not speak evil of our dead.”
“I agree.” He sat up straighter. “So you bought a herd of milk cows?”
“Yes, sir, for the orphanage. Milk is in short supply in San Francisco, and it’ll be a way to teach the children about work and let them help pay their way. Most of all, I want to show them God’s love.”
“Noble. Do you know anything about milking a cow?”
“No, sir, but Mary Rachel does, and we can hire help. We own a dry goods store and half-interest in a newspaper, too. But our main source of income is the mine.”
His father chuckled. “You have a gold mine?”
“Yes, sir. And what I’d like to do is open a bank. We bought a barber shop that will be the perfect place for it, right across from our store.”
“A bank? You’ve got that much money?”
“Yes, sir. But I don’t want a regular one. I’m thinking of calling it Miners Bank, base it on the grubstake principle.”
His father pursed his lips and gave him a look. Jethro hadn’t seen that twinkle in his father’s eyes in forever. Then the old man smiled. “Like an investment bank, right?”
“Guess so. Put some of our money to work with ordinary folks. Give them a chance to hit it big.”
“Again, noble, Son. Do you know anything about banking?”
“Only what little I picked up from you.”
“Be careful who you invest in, lots of confidence men out there.”
“Yes, sir. That’s why I want you to run it for us. I’d love being partners with the great Boaz Risen.”
He put his hand over his mouth. Tears trickled down his cheeks.
“You interested, Father?”
He shook his head. “I’m snake bit, Son. My luck ran out years ago. Much fun as it sounds, you don’t want to partner up with me.”
Jethro jumped to his feet, his own tears, hot and salty, overflowing. “There’s no such thing as luck. Bible says all good things come from above. I’ve been blessed of the Lord, and you will be, too. The Blood of Jesus can break any curse. Come west with us, Father. I need you. Your grandchildren need you, too.”
He stood, wiped his cheeks, and extended his arms. Jethro walked into the embrace.
The Lord God Almighty had indeed given him every desire of his heart.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
The End
‘New’ Texas Romance Characters
…alphabetically
Boyd, Francis ‘FRANCY’ – born October 28, 1842, an orphan God sends
Eversole, ELIJAH – born January 2, 1826, followed in his father’s footsteps as a blacksmith, but loves inventing and building new machines
Jones, MOSES – born October 13, 1816, partnered with Jethro Risen in a gold mine
Risen, JETHRO – born September 22, 1830, partner of Moses Jones in a gold mine
Wheeler, CALEB – born August 29, 1828, John’s cousin, weds Mary Rachel Buckmeyer
Wheeler, JOHN – born April 17, 1825, Caleb’s cousin, Lanelle’s brother
Wheeler, LANELLE – born September 22, 1830, John’s sister, Caleb’s cousin
Wheeler, MARY Rachel Buckmeyer – born August 3, 1833,
Henry and Sue’s oldest daughter, marries Caleb Wheeler
Wheeler, SUSANNAH – born October 6, 1851, daughter of Caleb and Mary
‘Earlier’ Texas Romance Characters
Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you haven’t read earlier books in series
…alphabetically
Baylor, LEVI Bartholomew – born November 2, 1817 orphaned and reared by Aunt Sue, husband to Rosaleen ‘Sassy’ Fogelsong Nightingale Baylor; step-father to Charley Nightingale and Bart Baylor (Bold Eagle’s son), Daddy to Rachel Susannah, Henry Levi, and James Bowie Baylor.
Baylor, Rosaleen ‘ROSE’ (SASSY) Summer Fogelsong Nightingale – born August 24, 1823, married at fifteen in the fall of ‘38 to Charles Nightingale, stolen by Comanche summer of ‘39, rescued Oct 1844. Married Levi mid-December, 1844
Baylor, Bartholomew ‘BART’ – born July 20, 1845 to Rose and Levi, but blood son of Bold Eagle
Buckmeyer, Patrick HENRY - born March 6, 1798; killed a man at fifteen, fought in the Battle of New Orleans at sixteen. At thirty-four, he married Sue in 1832, became a widower in Dec ’44 at Houston’s birth.
Buckmeyer, Susannah ‘SUE’ Alicia Abbott Baylor – born May 15, 1803, married Andrew Baylor at eighteen in 1821, widowed at nineteen, twenty-nine when she married Henry in 1832
Buckmeyer children (Sue & Henry’s)
MARY RACHAEL – born August 3, 1833
GWENDOLYN Belle – born Nov. 29 1834
CECELIA Carol – born April 10, 1836
BONNIE Claire – born December 1840
Sam HOUSTON – born December 1844
Langley, LAURA is rescued at fifteen in 1844, stays on at Buckmeyers as teacher
Langley, LACEY Rose born November , 1844
Meriwether, CHESTER born October 7, 1803, was 5, about to be 6, when May was born, Married JEWEL (formerly Mammy) in 1851
(Chester’s Father – 60 in 1850? – 41 so born in 1808
Meriwether, JEWEL (formerly Mammy) the Buckmeyers’ cook after Henry recued her and her son Jean Paul who also works for the Buckmeyers’
Meriwether, Millicent MAY – born August 23, 1808
Nightingale, CHARLES Nathaniel Senior - born 1805, married Rosaleen Fogelsong
Nightingale, Charles ‘CHARLEY’ Nathaniel Junior - born Feb 27 ‘40
Rusk, REBECCA Ruth Baylor – born June 14, 1823 / 9 yrs old on the trace in 1832; 21 in Nov. 1844 when she meets Wallace, marries him in 1850 at age twenty-seven
Rusk, WALLACE – born 1819 (for month of year, needs to be 16 on way to join Houston)
Historical Texas Romances
Five-Star Reviews for
Vow Unbroken
With an intriguing plot line and well-developed characters, McAdoo, who's written nonfiction and children's fiction, delivers an engaging read for her first adult historical romance. --Publishers Weekly
After reading Caryl McAdoo's story of Henry and Susannah in "VOW UNBROKEN," I felt like I'd had another adventure with Tom Sawyer and Becky, this time as young adults. --Alan Daugherty: columnist The News-Banner
…and for Hearts Stolen
Get ready for a wild, uplifting, heart-tugging, page-turning ride. Hearts Stolen grabbed me at the start. Sassy’s feisty, fighting spirit…I couldn’t set it down. Burnt dinner, but forget eating, I ate this book up. This master storyteller weaves Texas history into a well-crafted plot with unforgettable and totally loved characters. --Holly Michael, author, Crooked Lines
…and Hope Reborn
With memorable characters, Caryl’s signature humor, and plenty of adventure, drama, and romance, “Hope Reborn” is anything but fluff. A strong message of salvation runs through, but well within the storyline. Enjoyed a unique twist with May writing the stories of the previous characters – clever and fun!
--Pam Morrison, Tennessee reader
Contemporary Red River Romances
Five Star Reviews of
The Preacher’s Faith…
Great story! Hope there’s a sequel, and I’d love to see the artful dodger as a part of it. Maybe a reunion? And he could find his mother. Just love curling up in an afghan with a cup of cappuccino and reading Caryl’s books! Keep on writing!
--Lenda Selph, Texas reader
This was my first book to read by Caryl McAdoo and I absolutely loved it. I will be reading more. I love the way she prays that her story gives God Glory and dedicates The Preacher’s Faith to Him and His Kin
gdom…a good clean book to read. I was drawn into this story right from the start. I loved this book and can’t wait for book two. --Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Dent, Alabama reader
…and for Sing a New Song
Sing A New Song is a delightful breath of Christian air. Caryl eloquently brings her audience always nearer to God and opens readers to fresh ways of viewing Christian life and all it offers. The characters are loveable and humorous. The romantic tale, just as lovely, demonstrates Christian virtues best remembered. Illuminating, the story shares the Gospel beautifully. Samuel’s sermons as well as the gorgeous lyrics of Mary Esther’s songs fill our hearts with newfound worship. Truly an inspiring tale. Christian fiction in its best; a romantic love story that brings its readers closer to God. A treasure for sure.
--Christine Barber, author of Broken to Pieces
Contemporary Apple Orchard Romance
5-Star Reviews Lady Luck’s a Loser
A very unique, witty plot. I couldn't put it down. I love that my favorite characters are still very much active at the end of the book only their relationships have changed. What a way for Dub to fulfill his promises to his deceased wife. Love, trust, forgiveness, and many emotions make for a well written book.
--Joy Gibson, Tennessee reader
The Generations Biblical fiction
5-Star Reviews of A Little Lower Than the Angels
Caryl McAdoo used her research and knowledge of biblical scripture combined with an incredible imagination as a foundation to fill in the gaps of the story of Adam and Eve and their children. I was caught up in the story from page one to the ending. I particularly appreciated the "Search the Scriptures" section at the end which explains some of the Biblical clues for this work of fiction. I loved it and highly recommend it.
--Judy Levine, reader, Arizona
Deluge is the second book in The Generations Series, and if the books still to follow are as good as this one and the first one in the series are it is going to be an incredible series. The author has a way of breathing life and emotions into the characters that made me feel like I was on the sidelines watching their stories unfold. This is some of the best Biblical fiction that I have read and I look forward to the rest of the series. I was furnished with an e-copy of the book in return for an honest review.
--Ann Ellis, reader, Texas
And Coming Soon…
One and Done~A contemporary Christian Texas Romance / July, 2015
Samantha Danielle gets the break she’s dreamed of—being a sportscaster! George Herman Walter Johnson, Gij for short, is smitten, but the lady must get right with the Lord to win the Texas Ranger’s oldest-ever rookie.
Token of the Covenant
A Biblical fiction; volume 3 of The Generations series / August 8, 2015
Noah & Hattimas, Japheth, Ham, and Shem work on the ark tending God’s animals thinking anyone can stand forty days and forty nights. They hope Noah heard right and the rain would stop. Then they could return to living on dry ground, but they discover that’s only the beginning of their time on the ark.
Daughters of the Heart
A historical Christian Texas Romance, Book Five / September, 2015
Gwendolyn, Cecelia, and Bonnie come of age and the young men come courting from all over the state, but after seeing how devastated their father was when Mary Rachel ran off, the sisters enter into a pact never to break his heart.
SNEAK PEEK CHAPTER ONE for YOU below!
Acquiring a Wife~A contemporary Christian Texas romance / October, 2015 / Ethan hires Jade to play a game of strategy and high finance as a ruse to see if his first impressions hold true and she’s worthy of matrimony, but she proves no easy acquisition.
Children of Eber
A Biblical fiction; volume four of The Generations series / November 2, 2015
Abraham, Sarah, Ishmael, and Isaac live out their stories.
Son of Many Fathers
A historical Christian Texas Romance / Book Six / Jan. 2016
Charley Nightingale comes home from the Civil War to find Lacey has run off, heading out to join the People of her father and Charley takes out after her alone.
For your enjoyment…a preview of book five in the historical Texas Romance series…due to debut September, 2015
Daughters of the Heart
Chapter One
A sob preceded the slammed door. Cecelia’s heartbeat quickened, and she pushed herself up from her water-closet’s floor and put the glass back in its place behind the washcloths.
“Poor Gwendolyn. Daddy’s such a….”
Actually, no. He wasn’t. She straightened her dress and strolled into her room. Footfalls echoed up the stairs. Was that another sob? Her sister’s bedroom door banged against the jam, Hopefully, she didn’t break it, ’cause if she did, he’d have her doing the fixin’, and poor ladyfingers Gwen could never be called handy—other than with thread or yarns.
Though everything in Cecelia wanted to race over, she counted to ten, then hurried across the hall tiptoeing wide steps. Swinging the door back and forth once on its hinges, satisfied her. Nothing broke, all in order, good.
She eased in. Her older sister sprawled across her bed with her faced buried in a pile of pillows. No one slept on as many pillows as that girl.
“Sister, what’s wrong? What’d he say?”
Gwen shook her head, but didn’t look up. “He’s so pigheaded!”
A warm breeze fluttered the curtain carrying the scent of fresh cut grass and the rumble of a tractor’s engine. Cecelia sat on the bed and rubbed her sister’s back. “I’m so sorry.”
She rolled over. “I hate him.”
“No! You do not. We all love him, and you know it.”
Gwen shook her head. “And I hate her, too.”
“Oh, don’t say that. What did Mama May do anyway? She hardly ever gets involved.”
“Well, that’s just it. She sat there the whole time like a bump on a pickle. Didn’t even try to talk any sense into him at all. She’s a female. You’d think –”
The door opened.
“Hey, you two. What happened? I saw Clay leaving.” She stepped inside. “Why’d he go?”
Waving off her baby sister, Cecelia exhaled a relieved sigh it wasn’t Daddy. “Go away, Bonnie Claire. You wouldn’t understand.”
Gwen sniffed then sat up. ”No, it’s alright. Let her come on in.” She patted the bed inviting the twelve-year-old up. “Come on. Close the door.”
The baby climbed up next to her oldest sister—well, if she didn’t count Rebecca or Mary Rachael—and snuggled in next to her. She put her hand up on Gwen’s cheek. “Are you crying?”
“Not anymore. I’ll be fine.”
“What happened? Did you and Clay have a fight?”
Cecelia looked to her big sister who shrugged then faced the Bonnie. “No, Daddy just said he couldn’t come courtin’ anymore.”
“Oh, no! Why would he?”
“Because supposedly, we’re not a good match. At least, that’s what he claims. And worse, May just sat there and let him talk.”
“Don’t call her that, Sister. Really, she hasn’t done anything. How could she go against him? Especially in front of you and Clay.”
“You weren’t in there, CeCe! She just sat there staring at the floor.”
“Oh, no.” Bonnie’s eyes grew wide. “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing. What can I?”
“I don’t know, but you love him, right? There must be something….”
“I thought I did.”
“So? If you love him –”
“No!” Gwen wiped the wetness from under her eyes. “We cannot go against Daddy. No matter what or how pigheaded he gets.”
“But Mary Rachel –”
“Exactly!” She rolled off the bed and walked to the window. “You were there, CeCe. The afternoon he got her telegram. Almost like a part of him died. She broke his heart, then Caleb broke hers. Daddy was right all along.”
“What
about Jethro Risen, though? If she hadn’t of runoff, then she never would have met him, and I like him a lot. Don’t you?”
“But you cannot think like that, Bonnie! You and CeCe and me, we are true daughters. He loves us more than anything in the world.”
“Even Mama?”
“Yes, sweetie, he loves us even more than May. He’s known us longer.”
“And we’ve got his blood. He loves us most.” Cecelia turned toward the window and her older sister. “So what are you saying? You’re just going to quit seeing Clay because he said? Clay isn’t like Caleb, Gwen, and you know it.”
“No, he isn’t. I’m sure of that, but…if Daddy says no, then that’s that. Just means there’s someone else out there for me. Someone more perfect, because Daddy listens to God, and though I don’t understand…maybe I don’t have to.”
“It’s just not right.”
“It is, CeCe. And I want you to promise right now.”
“Me? Promise what?”
“And you, too, Bonnie Claire.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Promise what, Gwen?”
She walked over to the bed and took both her sisters’ hands making a circle. “I want you both to promise with me that you will never break Daddy’s heart. You have to agree, too, or you won’t be a true sister. He doesn’t deserve it. We can never break his heart like Mary Rachel did.”
