A Nurse for Jacob, page 9
part #4 of Nursing the Heart Series
That just wasn’t right, using her brother like that, playing with his heart. She ought to tell her. Why she’d promised not to say anything, she’d never know. “He’s your kin, too! Ask him yourself.”
“Not really, not anymore. He and Joslyn were only married a year before she passed. Plus, me asking him wouldn’t make Aaron jealous.”
“What if Mister Van Zandt doesn’t show at all? He may be out hunting.”
“Why would he? Have you ever known Aaron to miss a Saturday evening supper and the dance?” Cass bit off half of a fried chicken gizzard, chewed, then swallowed.
“For all we know, he’s outside right this minute just waiting for the music to start. I don’t know how the men eat standing up like that.”
“Well, he hasn’t been through the food line. I can tell you that.”
There’d been a few times he and Rich had missed, but those evenings were when they were younger and forced to stay home as punishment.
“What if the Vigilante Committee called a meeting? I guess he’d be there instead of here.”
“I doubt that. Oh, look! There he is.”
JoJo raised her head. Sure enough, Aaron walked in like he owned the place. Guess he did have a piece in it since Uncle Seve had built it right along with Uncle Corbin.
But she’d own just as big a piece since Da helped, too.
Cass put her hand on JoJo’s arm. “Please hurry and tell Rich now. Before they get together. Tell him please to invite me to dance the first waltz with him.”
As his habit had become, Rich kept an eye out for all those coming and going. Aaron strode in like the cock of the walk he thought himself to be.
Granted, it had been one of the things he’d loved about the fool in times past, but since being grown, it might be what he hated the most about the man he once considered his brother.
Halfway to where the food waited for latecomers and more than a dozen greetings already, a body would think he was running for some office. He stopped and looked right at Rich, glanced over Cassandra Cutter’s way, then looked back.
As though signaling . . . nothing had been settled.
Rich held his gaze for a few minutes then hiked one shoulder. Movement caught his eye. Jo walked toward him, holding two cups. His littlest sister stopped close and handed him one of the cups. “Cass sent me.”
Taking the water, he used the flattest tone he could muster. “That so?”
“I said it, didn’t I. She wants me to tell you to invite her to dance, but to wait until the first waltz.”
Well, well. Had Cassandra come around and finally seen Aaron as the jerk he’d become?
“But don’t get your hopes up, Brother. She’s only hoping to make him jealous. Well, and she’s wanting to convince you to talk to him about quitting his participation in that stupid Vigilance Committee.”
“What makes her think he’d listen to me? As if I haven’t already tried.”
“She isn’t thinking straight.”
“Tell her, ‘Sure.’ ” Rich drained the cup then handed it back. “I’d like a dance, but . . .” He stopped himself, no need to say anymore.
“But what?”
“Oh.” He dismissed her with a little head toss. “Nothing. I’ll tell her myself.”
Moving in close, she kissed his cheek then patted his arm. “She’s not worthy of you, Brother. Don’t you think it would be weird anyway? Taking Joslyn’s sister to wed? What would her parents say?”
“I don’t know.” Though he begged to differ, the topic had been previously argued with his sister, and he preferred to leave it unsettled. No reason to rehash it, especially not on a Saturday evening.
If only Joslyn and his baby hadn’t died . . . but they had. Only the Lord God Almighty knew why her sister moved him so.
“Don’t start on me, Josie Jo. Not here. Not now.”
“Oh? Then don’t you get so high and mighty on me, Richard Ross.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “I might mistake you for your sidekick. And I really would appreciate it if you’d make an effort to remember I prefer JoJo.”
Not able to help himself, he gigged her with the nickname she played like she really hated. Introducing herself as JoJo, though, he had to take her down a notch. “I’ll try, Sissy, but . . .”
If the daggers she shot his way could really cut, he’d be leaking buckets of blood.
After she glared a second, she backed up a step. “One fine day, Brother. You’ll push me too far.”
“Truce then?” He smiled.
“Fine, but only for tonight. Someone needs to give you what for, and since Katie Kay isn’t around . . . Guess that’s going to fall to me.”
Could he love anyone any more than he loved his baby sister?
From the start, she’d been his favorite. Katie always wanted to boss him and everyone else around, but Josie Jo always sided with him against the world. She always had his back.
If only she wasn’t in love with Aaron Van Zandt.
Waiting for the fiddlers to rosin up their bows, he thought about his upcoming dance with Cassandra and how messed up everything had gotten. He loved Cassandra, but she and Jo loved Aaron, who only loved himself.
And to make things worse, the nation stood on the brink of a war over slavery.
Dedication
I dedicate this story to God Who gives me all the stories I write, all the songs I sing . . . all my everything for He is my Everything. With Him and in Him, I can do all things. Without Him, I am as tinkling brass, an idea that never came to fruition, bread never baked, melted ice cream.
Abba holds me together and keeps me in peace, free from fear and worry. For all His blessings, I am thankful and will glorify His name as long as I have breath! Can you tell I love Him?
I dedicate this story to my co-author and best friend and dear husband Ron who gives me all his words so that I can call them my own! He is the strength—of course—behind all my awesome heroes!
Right after God, he’s my favorite, and whatever I do, I hope to please him. He is absolutely so amazing, a wonderful, selfless, kind, compassionate human being with the biggest servant’s heart I’ve known. He always puts others ahead of himself. Can you tell I love him, too?
And I dedicate this story to all the healthcare workers who probably never thought they’d be the front line in a war with a deadly virus . . .
In my family, this includes Matthew Ross McAdoo, my grandson who works with Care Flight and his sweetheart, Kami Harris, a nurse who I hope soon to count among my grandsugars; and Joanna Barnett Brewton my niece who is also a nurse.
But I so admire all those who selflessly and tirelessly serve the sick and helpless. What would we do without them?
Acknowledgements
In acknowledging those who helped this story become a wonderful published book, always first is the Master Storyteller. I am so blessed He writes the story of my life which I gave to Him at the age of nine.
Aside from having to overcome and do a little rerouting because of a lot of bad choices on my part, He has kept me and brought me to this time in this season to release this particular story.
Without my awesome co-writer who completes me so perfectly—as planned by our Heavenly Father—there would be no “Caryl McAdoo” books! We often say neither of us could ever get published without the other, but together, we’re the best author we know ?? tee hee hee
Then there’s the awesome team God has put together for me starting with my faithful sister-friend Lenda Selph who has proofread all my novels since VOW UNBROKEN back in 2014! She is such a blessing!
And my ARC group is growing so more pairs of fresh eyes are on all my stories for which I am grateful! Debbey Cozzone, Cass Wessel, Trudy Cordle, Judy Schexnaydor send in uh-ohs they find in time for me to fix them.
Joy Gibson, Susan Johnson, Margie Harris, Ann Ferri, and Kristin Carmack are always johnny on the spot with reviews on Debut Day! And my awesome readers continue to support and encourage me
with their reviews and notes.
I love you all! THANK YOU!
Caryl’s Texas’ Romance Family Saga
Book 1 VOW UNBROKEN, 1832
Book 2 HEARTS STOLEN, 1839-1844
Book 3 HOPE REBORN, 1850-1851
Book 4 SINS OF THE MOTHERS, 1851-1852
Book 5 DAUGHTERS OF THE HEART, 1853
Book 6 JUST KIN, 1861-1865
Book 7 AT LIBERTY TO LOVE 1865-1866
Book 8 COVERING LOVE 1885-1886
Book 9 MIGHTY TO SAVE 1850-60s &1918-1925
Book 10 CHIEF OF SINNERS 1926-1950
Texas Companion books to this popular series:
#1 THE BEDWARMER’S SON 1857 & 1928
#2 SON OF PROMISE 1950
#3 BIPARTISAN LOVE 1968
The Revivalist Trilogy
#4 JOHN DAVID’S CALLING 1968-1970, Book1
#5 HANNAH CLAIRE’S WILDERNESS 1971, Book 2
#6 JEWEL’S GOLD
All of Caryl’s Books
All of Caryl’s Books
Historical Christian Romance
Texas Romance Family Saga series
Vow Unbroken, Prelude 1832
Hearts Stolen, Book One 1839-1844
Hope Reborn, Book Two 1850-51
Sins of the Mothers, Book Three 1851-53
Daughters of the Heart, Book Four 1853-54
Just Kin, Book Five 1861-65
At Liberty to Love, Book Six 1865-66
Covering Love, Book Seven 1885-86
Mighty to Save, Book Eight 1918-1924
Chief of Sinners, Book Nine 1826-1951
Texas Romance Companion Books
The Bedwarmer’s Son, 1859 & 1926
Son of Promise,1950
Bipartisan Love, 1968
Jewel’s Gold, 1895
The Revivalist Trilogy
John David’s Calling, Book One 1968-70
Hannah Claire’s Wilderness, Book Two 1971
Cross Timber Romances Family Saga
Gone to Texas, Book One 1840
Texas My Texas, Book Two 1841
Texas Tears, Book Three 1845
Leaving Texas, Book Four 1850
Lockets & Lace
Silent Harmony 1867
Uniquely Common 1852
Bitter Honey 1857
Prairie Roses
Remi 1853
Lilah 1855
North & South
Kentucky Bride 1861
Nursing the Heart
A Nurse for Jacob 1868
Contemporary Christian
Red River Romances
The Preacher’s Faith
Sing a New Song
One and Done
Apple Orchard Romances
Lady Luck’s a Loser
Biblical Fiction
The Generations
A Little Lower Than the Angels, Volume One
Then the Deluge Comes, Volume Two
Replenish the Earth, Volume Three
Children of Eber, Volume Four
Others
I AM My Beloved
Mid-Grade / Young Adult
River Bottom Ranch Stories
The Adventures of Sergeant Socks: The Journey Home, Book1
The Adventures of Sergeant Socks: The Bravest Heart, Book 2
Amazing Graci, Guardian of the River Bottom Goats, Book 3
Days of Dread Trilogy
The King’s Highway, Book 1
Miscellaneous Novels
The Thief of Dreams (not for Christian market!)
The Price Paid (based on WWII true story)
Absolute Pi (audio; mystery)
Apple Orchard B&B (re-released as Lady Luck’s a Loser)
Non-fiction
Great Firehouse Cooks of Texas
Antiquing in North Texas
Story & Style, The Craft of Writing Creative Fiction Heart”wings” Devotional
A Few Collection Titles (shorter stories)
Silent Harmony
(Book 2, Lockets & Lace Collection)
A sweet Christian historical romance that will warm the reader's heart. Set in the years following the American Civil War, people have lost so much, but the love of the Lord remains. McAdoo has created some delightful characters that took up residence in my soul. Grown sisters were realistically drawn with their sibling quibbles and their loyalty to each other. A perfectly delightful tale. --Julia Wilson, UK reader
Uniquely Common
(Book 12, Lockets & Lace Collection)
A wonderful story, I could not put down! Caryl McAdoo writes with so much feeling and detail and in-depth development of characters, you feel you can see and travel with them! I loved the banter and the entire family. Asher's wife had passed away and the girls looked to Christina, so there was a lot of fun interaction as they played matchmaker. Be prepared to fall in love with this family and be left wanting Aster's story, because I know there has to be one!
--Lori Dykes, avid reader
Bitter Honey book one
(Book 22, Lockets and Lace Collection)
The novel presents the generational element that exists in families. In a time when travel from Louisiana to California took many weeks and a lot of money; plans made in advance.
Family ties pull on the heartstrings of the characters. How hard to leave a family you cherish! But when love is at stake, the difficult decision crosses the line of comfort for a greater purpose. Caryl brings the themes of family, dreams, forgiveness, and purpose to the pages to stand as truths in God’s plan. –Marguerite Gray, author of the Revolutionary Faith Series: Hold Me Close, Bring Me Near
Remi
(Book 2, Prairie Roses Collection)
A great book written as a follow-up to Uniquely Common but can be read as a standalone. I loved reading about Remi’s wagon train journey west. I liked how the author showed the hardships people traveling went through. I also liked how she showed Remi’s inner struggle between her feelings for Asher and what she knew from watching her mother. Edwina’s story was a great one, also. I would recommend this book. --Susan Johnson, reader
Lilah
(Book 5, Prairie Roses Collection)
Caryl McAdoo has done it again, giving us a story rife with almost every human emotion imaginable. [It] deals with wagon train travel, death, revenge, abusive control, and desperation. There is no way I can adequately give the credit due to this story except to encourage you to read it to find out if a HEA is ever reached. Grab a few tissues, find a comfy chair and settle in to read this outstanding story. I highly recommend it and know you will enjoy it. –Phyllis Rundell
Kentucky Bride
(Book 8, North & South Collection)
The moment he laid eyes upon Gigi and she him, the first sight love bug bites them both. Throughout the remainder of this delightful novella the reader hitches a ride their relationship plays out. This reader absolutely loved this little story by Caryl McAdoo. Likewise, all lovers of sweet romances will likely be equally captivated by Kentucky Bride as this reader is. Buy it. You won’t be sorry. – Cass Wessel, devotions author
A New Historical series:
Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga
Gone to Texas
(Book one & Book One, Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection)
I believe that this is my favorite book by Caryl McAdoo that I have read. This one has a great flow to the story, and I love the characters. I love the adults and the children. I love the storylines that are there for each family. I look forward to the next book in the series and more of Caryl’s books.
-- Virginia Winfield, a reader
Texas My Texas
(Book two)
I really had a hard time putting this book down. Gabriellle's story was so intriguing, I just had to know if she's finally come to the right end. It took me less than a day to read, and an upset husband that I wouldn't go to sleep. All of Caryl McAdoo's books are well worth reading. Romantic, historical, and Christian.
-- Leah Jones, an Arkansas reader
Texas Tears
(Book three)
What a fantastic book! Texas Tears' plot has different turns and twists until I think okay, then it changes again. I was enthralled through the whole book. The characters are unusual, but that's one thing that makes this book fascinating. Author Caryl McAdoo's writing of Texas Tears gave me an enjoyable read and makes me want to read more of her books. --Barbara Thompson, Louisiana
Leaving Texas
(Book Four)
Amazing read! I love this series and am so glad I got to review this book as well. So fun! You’ll find yourself feeling like you’re a part of the story and so sad when it ends. All of her books draw you in and hold you captive. You become one with the story and just can’t set it down. Must read one more chapter until all the chapters are gone! Highly recommend this book! Have a great read, but even better if you read the whole series! -- Erin Slocum, an Arkansas reader
I AM My Beloved
--Biblical Fiction
Caryl McAdoo makes scripture come alive in a very real, identifiable way in a fascinating account of one woman who changed history by her love for God and her choices. We can all relate to Abishag’s traits which makes the story so believable. Having studied Song of Solomon over a decade, I was delighted at the storyline that had such beauty and passion, intertwined with heartache and the reality of life. Full of mystery, intrigue and fervent love, I was caught up in the story, not wanting the end. --Vickie Cleveland, author of An Invitation into His Chambers...the Power of Intimacy with God
Mid-Grade that Grandparents love
The King’s Highway
I can't remember when I have enjoyed reading a book as much as this one. If I really like a book, I can read it in a day. I read this twice in two days. I couldn't quit reading. It has to be right up there with my all-time favorites. If anyone thinks they won't read it because it’s for mid-grade, I encourage you to reconsider. You’ll miss a blessing. Anyone reading age from the mid grades to senior citizens (that's me) will love this book. The characters in the book are delightful. - Louise Koiner, reader, Texas
