Heart of Texas Volume 1: Lonesome Cowboy. Debbie Macomber
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Welcome to the town of Promise, deep in the heart of Texas!
Promise, a ranching community in the Hill Country, is a place with a mysterious past and more than its share of secrets. It’s also a place where family and friendship matter….
LONESOME COWBOY
Savannah Weston lives quietly on the family ranch with her brother, Grady. Until she encounters a stranger named Laredo Smith, a disenchanted cowboy who just might change her life—in the best possible way!
TEXAS TWO-STEP
After her father’s death, Ellie Frasier takes over the feed store in Promise. Still in mourning, she relies on her friends for comfort. But now her long-standing relationship with one of those friends, rancher Glen Patterson, seems to be turning into something else.…
Dear Friends,
I like to think of myself as a Texas kind of woman—practical and down-to-earth, with a good sense of humor and a penchant for fun. That’s one of the reasons why, back in the mid-1990s, I decided to set this six-book series in the great state of Texas. Writing about Texas required a visit (not exactly a hardship!). I convinced my editor, Paula Eykelhof, to join me, and the two of us explored the Texas Hill Country.
With a rental car, a map and practically no sense of direction, we followed our noses to some of the best barbecue in the world. And we discovered a winery or two along the way. We also drove through some of the most beautiful ranch country imaginable—and we checked out the cowboys, too. If this wasn’t heaven, we figured we were pretty darn close.
During our road trip, Paula and I came to realize that Texas is full of wonderful little towns populated by people just like you and me—hardworking, proud and just a bit sassy. We had an incredibly good time. It’s hard to believe our adventure happened more than fifteen years ago. We both remember it well and still talk about the places we saw and the people we met.
Every writer has what Malcolm Gladwell calls “tipping points” in his or her career. One of mine was this series. The follow-up single title, Promise, Texas, was my first New York Times bestseller.
In this volume are the first two Heart of Texas stories: Lonesome Cowboy and Texas Two-Step. I know you’re going to enjoy your visit to Promise and the original town of Bitter End as you begin to uncover the mystery hidden deep in the Hill Country.
I love hearing from readers! You can reach me through Facebook or my website at www.DebbieMacomber.com. Or you can write me at P.O. Box 1458, Port Orchard, WA 98366.
Warmest regards,
Praise for #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
“Debbie Macomber brings the people of Promise, Texas, to life as she blends drama, romance and adventure in Caroline’s Child.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Popular romance writer Macomber has a gift for evoking the emotions that are at the heart of the genre’s popularity.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Debbie Macomber writes characters who are as warm and funny as your best friends.”
—New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs
“Debbie Macomber is one of the most reliable, versatile romance authors around.”
—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“As always, Macomber draws rich, engaging characters.”
—Publishers Weekly
“It’s clear that Debbie Macomber cares deeply about her fully realized characters and their family, friends and loves, along with their hopes and dreams.
She also makes her readers care about them.”
—Bookreporter.com on Susannah’s Garden
“Macomber is skilled at creating characters who work their way into readers’ hearts.”
—RT Book Reviews on Dakota Home
“Macomber’s assured storytelling and affirming narrative is as welcoming as your favorite easy chair.”
—Publishers Weekly on Twenty Wishes
“It’s easy to see why Macomber is a perennial favorite: she writes great books.”
—RomanceJunkies.com
“Prolific Macomber is known for her portrayals of ordinary women in small-town America.
[She is] an icon of the genre.”
—Publishers Weekly
Heart of Texas Volume 1
Lonesome Cowboy
Texas Two-Step
Debbie Macomber
This book is dedicated to Marie Haspel.
Marie, who is in her 80s, lives independently in Florida. She still drives and occasionally teaches sewing classes. She also loves going on cruises! As a young woman she knitted beautiful outfits for her friends and family, and at 78 she rekindled her love of knitting after discovering my Blossom Street series. Marie and her daughter, Annette Mannino, share a special bond when they watch my Hallmark Channel movies together—Marie in Florida and Annette in Virginia. As Annette says, it’s something they do together while apart. Marie, your daughter loves you very much, and I’m delighted to join her in honoring you—as a mother, a fellow reader and knitter and an all-around wonderful person!
CONTENTS
Lonesome Cowboy
Debbie Macomber
CAST OF CHARACTERS
THE PEOPLE OF PROMISE
Nell Bishop: Thirtysomething widow with a son, Jeremy, and a daughter, Emma. Her husband died in a tractor accident.
Ruth Bishop: Nell’s mother-in-law; lives with Nell and her two children.
Dovie Boyd: Runs an antiques shop and has dated Sheriff Frank Hennessey for ten years.
Caroline Daniels: Postmistress of Promise.
Maggie Daniels: Caroline’s five-year-old daughter.
Dr. Jane Dickinson: The new doctor in Promise.
Ellie Frasier: Owner of Frasier’s Feed Store.
Frank Hennessey: Local sheriff.
Max Jordan: Owner of Jordan’s Town and Country.
Wade McMillen: Preacher of Promise Christian Church.
Edwina and Lily Moorhouse: Sisters; retired schoolteachers.
Cal and Glen Patterson: Local ranchers; brothers who ranch together.
Phil and Mary Patterson: Parents of Cal and Glen; operate a local B and B.
Louise Powell: Town gossip.
Wiley Rogers: Sixty-year-old ranch foreman at the Weston ranch.
Laredo Smith: Wrangler hired by Savannah Weston.
Barbara and Melvin Weston: Mother and father to Savannah, Grady and Richard; the Westons died six years ago.
Richard Weston: Youngest of the Weston siblings.
Savannah Weston: Grady and Richard’s sister; cultivates old roses.