Jake’s expression fell. “I don’t want you to ever be unhappy. Especially not on account of me.”
“I’m sorry to hurt you, but I cannot accept your proposal. I’ve already accepted Christopher’s. I accepted the night he asked me to court him. He held my heart then – just as he does now.”
The younger man’s shoulders slumped, and he shook his head. “Ain’t hardly fair. I just figure out that I’m in love with you, and you go and agree to marry someone else. You ought to at least give me a chance.”
Deborah felt saddened by the obvious pain she’d inflicted. She wanted to tell Jake she thought some young woman would be lucky to have him as a husband, but she knew it wouldn’t ease his hurt.
She was grateful that Christopher remained silent. “I’m sorry, Jake. I’m going to marry Christopher.” Her statement was firm, yet she tried hard to keep the timbre of her voice gentle.
“I reckon I can’t change your mind right now,” Jake said, lifting his head. “But that don’t mean I can’t try to change it between now and the weddin’.”
Christopher put his hands on Deborah’s arms in a most possessive manner. “I believe you’ve out-stayed your welcome, Mr. Wythe. The lady has made it quite clear what her intentions are.”
Jake fixed his gaze on Christopher for a moment, then returned it to Deborah. “I guess only time will tell that for certain.”
He walked back down the porch steps and disappeared around the corner of the house. Fearing that Christopher would want to follow him and teach him a lesson or two, Deborah decided to distract him the only way she knew how. Turning in his arms, she smiled.
“Now, where were we? Oh yes – you had proposed marriage. I accept. Now I think it would be quite appropriate for us to share a kiss.”
Christopher’s anger seemed to fade. He pulled her close. “I think I can manage that.”
She grinned. “Indeed, I believe you can.”
His lips on hers left her heart aglow in a blaze of passion and the promise of what tomorrow would yet bring.
Turn the page to enjoy
some of Tracie’s family recipes,
featured in this book!
Lemon Cornmeal Cake
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 ¾ cups sugar
(can substitute Splenda)
1 Tablespoon grated lemon zest
¼ cup lemon juice
4 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
Glaze
1 cup sugar
(can substitute Splenda)
¼ cup lemon juice
Heat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 or Bundt cake pan.
For glaze, mix sugar and lemon juice and brush onto warm cake. Let cool and serve.
Rhubarb Cobbler
Filling
1 ½ cups sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups rhubarb, chopped
1 ½ cups water
2 Tablespoons butter
Topping
1 cup flour
½ cup sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup butter
6 Tablespoons milk
¼ cup chopped pecans
In a saucepan combine 1 ½ cups sugar and cinnamon. Add rhubarb and water. Cook and stir until mixture boils; reduce heat and cook 5 minutes. Stir in 2 Tbsp. butter. Pour into a greased baking dish.
For topping, mix flour, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in ¼ cup butter; stir in milk and pecans. Spoon dollops onto hot filling.
Bake at 400 degrees for 25–30 min.
TRACIE PETERSON is the author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of MONTANA and ALASKAN QUEST series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
Visit Tracie’s Web site at www.traciepeterson.com.
Visit Tracie’s blog at www.writespassage.blogspot.com.
Books by Tracie Peterson
www.traciepeterson.com
A Slender Thread • Where My Heart Belongs
SONG OF ALASKA
Dawn’s Prelude • Morning’s Refrain • Twilight’s Serenade
STRIKING A MATCH
Embers of Love • Hearts Aglow
ALASKAN QUEST
Summer of the Midnight Sun
Under the Northern Lights • Whispers of Winter
Alaskan Quest (3 in 1)
A Promise to Believe In • A Love to Last Forever
A Dream to Call My Own
THE BROADMOOR LEGACY *
A Daughter’s Inheritance • An Unexpected Love
A Surrendered Heart
BELLS OF LOWELL*
Daughter of the Loom • A Fragile Design • These Tangled Threads
LIGHTS OF LOWELL*
A Tapestry of Hope • A Love Woven True • The Pattern of Her Heart
DESERT ROSES
Shadows of the Canyon • Across the Years • Beneath a Harvest Sky
HEIRS OF MONTANA
Land of My Heart • The Coming Storm
To Dream Anew • The Hope Within
LADIES OF LIBERTY
A Lady of High Regard • A Lady of Hidden Intent
A Lady of Secret Devotion
RIBBONS OF STEEL**
Distant Dreams • A Hope Beyond • A Promise for Tomorrow
RIBBONS WEST**
Westward the Dream
WESTWARD CHRONICLES
A Shelter of Hope • Hidden in a Whisper • A Veiled Reflection
YUKON QUEST
Treasures of the North • Ashes and Ice • Rivers of Gold
* with Judith Miller **with Judith Pella
Table of Contents
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT PAGE
DEDICATION
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30