by Lisa Jackson
In the early 1960s, the largest sawmill burned to the ground. The police suspected arson. As the night sky turned orange by the flames licking toward the black heavens, and the volunteer firemen fought the blaze, the townspeople stood and watched. Some thought the fire was a random act of violence, others believed that Hayden Garreth Monroe III, grandson of the well-loved old man, had lost favor and developed more than his share of enemies when the company cash became worthless and the townspeople, other than those who were already wealthy, began to go bankrupt. They thought the fire was personal revenge. Names of those he’d harmed were murmured. Fitzpatrick came to mind, though by now, the families had been bonded by marriage and the timber empire of the Fitzpatricks had experienced another boom.
Some of the townspeople, the very old with long memories, thought of the legend that had nearly been forgotten. Hayden Garreth Monroe III had drunk like a glutton from Whitefire Lake and he, too, would lose all that he held dear—first his wealth and eventually his wife.
As time passed, other firms found toeholds in Gold Creek, and in the seventies and eighties technology crept over the hills. From the ashes of Kelvin Fitzpatrick’s gold and timber empire rose the new wealth of other families.
The Fitzpatricks still rule the town, and Thomas Fitzpatrick, patriarch of the family, intends one day to turn to state politics. However, scandal has tarnished his name and as his political aspiration turns to ashes and his once-envied life crumbles, he will have to give way to new rulers—young men who are willing to fight for what they want. Men like Jackson Moore, Turner Brooks, Hayden Garreth Monroe IV and Ben Powell. With strong women at their sides, these men are destined to rule.
In Gold Creek, old names mingle and marry with new, but the town and its legend continue to exist. And, to this day, the people of Gold Creek cannot shake the gold dust of those California hills from their feet. Though they walk many paths away from the shores of the lake, the men and women of Gold Creek—the boys and the girls—can never forget their hometown. Nor can they forget the legend and curse of Whitefire Lake.
If you enjoyed He’s My Soldier Boy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson, be sure to check out these captivating stories by some of today’s hottest romance authors!
In New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s gripping new Killer Instinct series, a disgraced FBI profiler must save her reputation by stopping a sadistic killer she knows all too well. Intense, edgy and undeniably sexy, don’t miss
After the Dark
Order your copy today!
New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster returns with an explosive new series featuring sexy bodyguards who’ll do anything to protect the ones they love. You won’t be able to resist any of the stories in the Body Armor series!
Under Pressure
Hard Justice
Order your copies today!
Private security gets a whole lot more personal and provocative in The Protectors, a sexy new series by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson. Don’t miss any of the stories in this stunning series!
Forged in Desire
Seized by Seduction
Order your copies today!
Who can resist a sexy navy hero with a ripped bod and a sizzling hot romance with a touch of danger and suspense? Don’t miss New York Times bestselling author Tawny Weber’s SEAL Brotherhood series featuring the Poseidon team, hard-bodied, fiercely competitive navy SEALs who’ll do anything for the ones they love!
Call to Honor
Call to Engage
Start reading them now!
Trouble comes to town for the Cahill siblings of Gilt Edge, Montana, in the captivating Cahill Ranch series from New York Times bestselling sensation B.J. Daniels. Start reading them now!
Renegade’s Pride
Outlaw’s Honor
Start reading them now!
The Granger siblings thought they’d left their ranching days behind, until fate sends them home to Wrangler’s Creek, Texas—and into the passionate arms of those they’d least expect. Catch up on all of the tales in the captivating Wrangler’s Creek series by USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen.
Those Texas Nights
No Getting Over a Cowboy
Branded As Trouble
Collect them all!
* * *
Did you know that Harlequin My Rewards members earn FREE books and more?
Join
www.HarlequinMyRewards.com
today to start earing your FREE books!
* * *
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/Newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com
ISBN-13: 9781488029981
Tender Absolution by Lisa Jackson
First published as He’s My Soldier Boy by Silhouette Books in 1994
Copyright © 1994 by Lisa Jackson.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.Harlequin.com