Daughters of the Heart

by Caryl McAdoo

  Strange things start happening beginning with the electricity going off. Cars die in the middle of the road, and planes are falling from the sky all around the DFW Airport.

  Fifteen-year-old Jackson waits four days on his mother to return. She went in early for a meeting in Rockwall, but it shouldn’t take even two days to get home. With his Marine dad in Afghanistan, he’s the man of the house and decides he must get his siblings, twelve-year-old Makenzie and nine-year-old Cooper, to a safer place—his grandparents’ in Honey Grove, only a couple of hours by car, but they’ll have to walk.

  Children of Eber

  A Biblical fiction; volume four of The Generations series / November 2, 2015

  Abraham, Sarah, Ishmael, and Isaac live out their stories.

  Just Kin (formerly titled 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.

  Then Judgement

  A Biblical fiction; volume one of new He Who Ascended series / March 6, 2016

  The story of what happened the three days Christ was supposedly in the grave. Launching in time for the Passover and Resurrection Sunday. You will not want to miss this one!

  At Liberty to Love

  A historical Christian Texas Romance / Book Seven / May 2016

  You met Rebecca when she was nine years old in 1832. The Civil War is over and the states are united again. At Liberty to Love takes up in that aftermath of rebuilding and is the story everyone’s been waiting for.

  For your enjoyment…a preview of book six in the historical Texas Romance series…due to debut January, 2016. So many readers have told me they can’t wait for Charley’s book, and here it is! He was four and Lacey Rose was actually born in book two, Hearts Stolen.

  JUST KIN

  Chapter One

  “One more, with the whole family.”

  Lacy Rose backed away a step. Aunt May hurried about, putting everyone exactly where she wanted them. The photographer hovered, offering advice, but no one was paying the man much attention.

  “Lacy, come stand here by your mama.”

  She didn’t want to. She really wasn’t a part of the family, but wouldn’t do to argue, not with the mistress of the house, only one that could win with her was Uncle Henry.

  Took only a few minutes that seemed liked an hour and it was over, except it was just beginning. How could some tall guy from Illinois - wherever that was – start a war just by getting himself elected president?

  Tears flowed, kisses and hugs all around and all she could do was watch. He was leaving with them in his fancy uniform. He did look dashing, but why? They all hated slavery, yet to the man, they were going off to defend Texas as Confederate soldiers.

  He kissed the last cheek then strode toward the wagon he was to drive. She couldn’t stand it. He was leaving, and she’d never ever… She jumped off the porch and raced to him. He turned, and she threw herself into his arms. She pressed her lips against his. At first he stood stone still then kissed her back, her heart stopped, then boomed against her ribs. He pushed her back.

  “I love you, Charley Nightingale. I’ve loved you forever. You come back to me. Please promise you’ll come back.”

  He nodded, then put his lips on hers.

  “Lacy Rose Langley!”

  Charley leaned back and smiled. “You best go on, we’ve got to leave.”

  She backed away a step. “I know.”

  She stood in the yard in front of the big house and watched until the last glimpse, then the tears welled and she fell to her knees and sobbed. He loved her and yet he was gone. Why hadn’t she told him before now? A hand grabbed her arm and tugged.

  “Get yourself inside.”

  She looked up, her mother pulled on her arm. Instead of screaming no, she nodded and whispered. “Yes ma’am.”

  “Dust yourself off. Let me see if you ruined that dress.”

  “Oh, Mother, a little dirt isn’t going to hurt.”

  Once inside, she let her mama drag her to her and Jean Paul’s quarters, while all she wanted to do was go upstairs to her room and cry until Charley came home. The door closed and her mother turned on her.

  “What were you doing? Have you and Charley Nightingale been slipping around behind our backs?”

  “No.”

  “Then why were you two carrying on?” She glared. “If my pa were alive he’d of skinned you and me for acting like a sporting lady.”

  “Oh, Mother, please. All I did was kiss him goodbye.” She sniffed, wiped her cheeks, then returned the stare. She wasn’t about to look away or repent. Why would she? Hadn’t done anything wrong.

  “You threw yourself at him, for lands sake girl, everyone was looking at you two, I’ll never hear the end of it from Rose and Rebecca, and no telling what Miss May will think.” She balled her fist. “If we have to move over this, I’ll…”

  “Oh, Mother, Daddy is running things now that Uncle Henry is gone.”

  “No, he’s not. May and Chester are in charge and if she says we’re out of here, then what? We don’t have anything.”

  Lacy Rose knew better than to argue with her mother, but she was being so idiotic, no one was going to do anything over one little kiss, well it was actually two, but.…

  “It’s the Comanche in you, isn’t it? Admit it.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “What are talking about?”

  “Oh I’ve known for years. Bart told me about you trying to get him to run off with you when you were only nine.”

  Her breath came hard. How could he? “What of it?”

  “You are so ungrateful, you…”

  “What am I, Mother?”

  “A half breed! That’s what you are, Lacey Rose! An ungrateful savage who can’t control yourself!”

  There it was. In all her eighteen years, her mother had never called her that. But now the truth of the matter was out. Tears welled again, but she blinked then away. She wanted to scream, but instead, she nodded, turned, and walked out. Once the door closed, she ran all the way to her room.

  She’d show her!

  She’d show them all who the real savage was.

  Though much like herding cats, May finally got the children’s feet under the kitchen table, sugar cookies passed out, and put them under Jewel’s watchful eye.

  May smiled at Rose and nodded toward the library, then offered the same wordless invitation to Rebecca. Once the younger ladies sat comfortably in the two wingbacks, she pressed into her husband’s chair.

  Oh, it fit her so well.

  “Well, I’m sure you know why we’re here. Has Charley said anything to you, Rose?”

  “No, ma’am. Not a word, but then he’s always been tightlipped, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. I didn’t even know he’d been courting that Lattimore girl until her mama said something at church about him not coming around anymore.”

  Rebecca leaned out and faced Rose. “When was this? Why didn’t anyone tell me? You’re talking about Olive Lattimore, aren’t you? She’s a very nice young lady. Charley could do way worse.”

  “That’s what I told him, but by the time I found out, for all practical purposes, it was over. He said she wasn’t the girl for him in that I’m-a-grown-man-and-don’t-need-you-in-my-business tone I just hate.”

  “He’s grown up so fast.”

  “I know. I think Levi may have had something to do with his decision, at least I’m pretty sure he agreed with it.”

  If May let them go on, who knew how long they’d talk about Charley and Olive? But she had serious matters to take into hand.

  “Excuse me, ladies. I’d like to get back to Lacey.” She faced the redhead she loved like a little sister. “So, has Charley said anything at all about her?”

  “Not a word to me.”

  “Nor I.”

  “I wouldn’t
want either of you to break any confidences, but have your husbands…?” May nodded then looped her head into a no, but only got shrugs for a response. “I know I’m grasping at straws, but this is important, and it’s left to me. Only the Lord knows when we’ll see our menfolk again.”

  “I was almost as shocked that Charley kissed her back. I mean, at first, he just stood there ram rod straight, then…oh…” Rose fanned herself. “Levi used to kiss me that way.”

  Glancing from her to her friend, Rebecca smiled. “Wallace still does. Well, when he’s of a mind, but that’s….” Both of them blushed, and kept up their comparisons. May closed her eyes and leaned back remembering a special time of her own.

  “Mama?”

  Oh, she would love to have stayed longer with Henry, but opened her eyes. “Yes! I apologize. I’d like a word with Lacey and Laura now. Either of you care to volunteer to fetch them?”

  Rose jumped to her feet. “I’ll get them.”

  “No, wait.” Rebecca rose. “You should probably stay if it’s okay”

  They both looked to May and she gave them a nod. “Certainly.”

  “Let me go then, and I’ll take the children out from under Jewel’s feet. Read them a story or two. Here, you sit in my chair. That’ll leave the extra straight-back for Lacey. Anything else I should tend to, Mama?”

  “No, nothing just now, darling.”

  “Thank you, my friend. I owe you.” Rose sat down again.

  Not soon enough, the door swung open. Poor Lacey looked like a trapped, wide-eyed kitten. Laura walked pass her daughter and sat in the wingback opposite from Rose. She didn’t appear in such good shape herself.

  “Sweetheart, would you get that chair and sit it there next to your mother?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The girl’s red face and swollen eyes clearly bore witness of her broken heart. She complied getting it, but remained standing, gripping the back’s top slat until her knuckles turned white. “Miss May, I love him. I’ve always loved him for as long as I can remember.” The girl faced the lady she apparently wanted to be her mother-in-law. “He was leaving, and I had to.”

  Her own mother jumped to her feet and turned on the girl. “Now hush your mouth, Lacey Rose. Sit yourself down, and allow Miss May tell us what for.”

  Never had May heard Laura talk so rough to any child. She’d always been so patient.

  “Yes, please. Do sit. I...uh…we, that’s Rose and I, we’re wondering…” She smiled at the girl who squatted on the chair’s edge looking like she might bolt any second. “Well, about you and Charley.”

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “I’d like to find out more about this…this… Is there anything we need to know, dear?”

  “Like what? I just said that we love each other. What else are you talking about?”

  Clearing her throat, Rose nodded and scooted to the edge of her chair, too, but instead of bolting, the red-head appeared as if she wanted the shake the girl.

  “In fact, that isn’t what you said, sweetheart. Earlier you said you loved him. Now you’re saying we love each other. Have the two of you spoken before? Has Charley told you that he loves you?”

  Lacey’s heart boomed. She wanted to fly out the door, but instead, smiled at Charley’s mama. “Isn’t it evident?”

  “I would appreciate straight answers, Lacey, please. We need to know exactly what has transpired. Miss Rose asked if the two of you spoken of a relationship? If so, then how long has this been going on? Has he done anything?”

  Were they all blind? “Yes, of course. Didn’t you see? He kissed me back. He does love me. I know he does now, and I love him. And he promised –”

  “Promised what, young lady?” If her mother’s eyes spit the fire in them, Lacey would be covered in burns. She hated her.

  Without a glance in her direction, she spoke in a stilted manner. “He’s. Coming. Back. For me. That’s what.”

  Miss May put her hands on the desk and leaned forward. Her face remained pleasant enough, but she glared almost as much as Ma.

  “We all saw the kiss, Lacey. Now I’m going to ask you one more time, and I expect a civil answer. Before today, has anything happened between the two of you?”

  Her cheeks burned. Wait, wait. What were they all thinking? Her mouth went dry and she wanted to die. If only the floor would open and swallow her up. Finally, she worked up a single swallow.

  So.

  They all thought…

  That’s what this was all about. Any second, one of them would call her a half-breed, too. That’s the real truth of this inquisition. She wasn’t good enough for Levi and Wallace’s littlest partner.

  Jumping to her feet, she placed her fists on her hips. “I hate you all.”

  Slowly, she turned, glaring, daring each of them in turn, but to the woman, they just sat there staring back at her.

  They thought she was whore, that she’d done something horrible. It shone right in their eyes, all of them.

  Of their own accord, her feet propelled her to the door and out. But where?

  Where could she run?

  Hope you’ll all enjoy Just Kin coming January, 2016!

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  Praying my story gives God glory!

  Blessings, Caryl

  Author reaching out to you!

  Hey dear Reader!

  Where would I be if not for you? I always pray my story gives God glory and hope you enjoyed it. My desire is that it brought you closer to Him and gave you issues to ponder, asking for God’s perspective.

  If you’d like to stay right on top of all my book news, I’d love you to subscribe to my email newsletter The Caryler which comes each month to your Inbox. I try to make it fun with a Scripture of the day and a lyric of the day. God gives me new songs and there’s nothing I’d rather do than praise and worship Him in song!

  I include a few of my favorite things in it, too. My husband, being my favorite man, has a little corner and shares a few of his thoughts. I include other Christian authors and bloggers, sometimes a movie or book review, or a song.

  What I’m working on, what’s finished and coming out soon, and sales coming up on different titles. And the best part—as far as you’re concerned—is that as my thank you for being a subscriber and following me, I’ll give you a FREE e’BOOK every quarter! Four new books a year! Who can beat that? You can sign up at my website www.CarylMcAdoo.com in the right column on my Home page.

  I hope if you like my story, you’ll take the time to review it and click “follow” under my picture while you’re there. And of course that you’ll tell your friends. I love visiting with my readers, and have a group of special readers who help me spread the word when I have a new release. Let me know if you’d like to be a part of the Christian eVALUaters. Stop by my Facebook page, too!

  Love in Christ and many blessings,

  Caryl

  A few links 0thers might find helpful:

  Needing any help with your online presence? Go to Rocksteady Resolutions for help with websites, email lists, and all social media outlets. CEO Janis McAdoo (yes, my daughter-in-love) will be the best virtual assistan
t you could ever have. She is knowledgeable, energetic, full to the brim of integrity, and I promise, will be a God-sent blessing to you!

  Three Facebook groups:

  Christian Indie Books is a great place to find great books from new authors who post new releases, special sales, and sometimes, even free books!

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  5-Star Reviews of Christian Fiction: Find out all the favorites of readers such as yourself here, and feel free to join and post your own reviews of books you love and rank with FIVE STARS!

  Blogs:

  India’s Crown in Christian Literature Excellence INDIA’S CROWN’S objective is to join Christian American authors with like-minded readers from India. Premier resource for Christian literature across both continents. A book awarded FREE each week from the guest author.

  Faith, Friends…and Chocolate

  Stitches Thru Time