Just Kin (Texas Romance Book 6) Read online

  A Texas Romance

  Book Six, 1861-1865

  Praying my story gives God glory!

  Five-Star reviews of Just Kin…

  I have followed this historical romance series from the beginning, and they just keep getting better. Lacey Rose loves Charley and is devastated when he leaves to fight for Texas with the Confederate army. Charley doesn't realize Lacey Rose is in love with him but is both surprised and pleased with the goodbye kiss she gives him. After Charley sends a hurtful letter trying to discourage her from waiting for him, Lacey Rose runs away and ends up in all kinds of trouble. Charley also stirs up some trouble of his own when he begins looking for her. Don't miss out on this book. I loved it!

  --Louise Koiner, Texas beta reader

  Caryl McAdoo has done it again! This Christian historical romance, "Just Kin", is a page turner that I couldn't put down until I finished. Its message, "Love covers a multitude of sin" is so very true! A stolen kiss, torn apart by war, rejection, and a letter with news she never wanted shreds Lacey Rose's heart causing her to run away. Charley figures out something isn’t right, but he is duty-bound to the Confederacy until a deathbed order sets in motion events that tests his love, honor, and commitment.

  I loved this series. I laughed at "the boys". I felt the hurt of Lacey Rose and the anxiety of the family. And then who is Mr. Dithers? A must read. It is full of so many surprises. I recommend this book and this author. Can the two lifelong friends see past their pain and realize God’s plan for them may be more than just kin? --Joy Gibson, Tennessee beta reader

  Table of Contents

  All of Caryl’s Books

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Epilogue

  Characters, alphabetically

  Caryl’s Other books with reviews

  Coming soon

  Sample Chapter – book seven, At Liberty to Love

  All of Caryl’s Books

  Historical Christian Texas Romances

  Vow Unbroken - 1832

  Hearts Stolen - 1839-1844

  Hope Reborn - 1850-1851

  Sins of the Mothers - 1851-1853

  Daughters of the Heart - 1853-1854

  Just Kin - 1861-1865

  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

  Then the Deluge Comes

  Replenish the Earth

  Children of Eber

  Mid-Grade, River Bottom Ranch Stories

  The Adventures of Sergeant Socks: The Journey Home, bk 1

  (re-release coming soon in digital) The Bravest Heart, bk 2

  Amazing Graci, Guardian of the River Bottom Goats, bk 3

  Days of Dread Trilogy - The King’s Highway, bk 1

  Miscellaneous Novels

  The Thief of Dreams > Warning: not written for Christians!

  The Price Paid Absolute Pi (audio)

  Apple Orchard B&B (now Lady Luck’s a Loser)

  Non-fiction

  Great Firehouse Cooks of Texas

  Antiquing in North Texas

  Story & Style, The Craft of Writing Creative Fiction

  Texas Romance Characters

  in this story (fuller profiles after ‘The End’)

  alphabetically…

  ~ Baylor, LEVI Bartholomew – born November 2, 1817 orphaned at age five; reared by Aunt Sue until fourteen, then Uncle Henry Buckmeyer, too, after he married her. Became husband to Rosaleen ‘Sassy’ or ‘Rose’ Fogelsong Nightingale Baylor and step-father to Charley Nightingale and Bart Baylor (Comanche Chief Bold Eagle’s son).

  ~ Baylor, Rosaleen ‘ROSE’ (SASSY) Summer Fogelsong Nightingale – born August 24, 1823, married at fifteen in the fall of ’38 to Charles Nightingale, then stolen by the Comanche in the summer of ’39. She lived with the tribe five years as the captive third wife of the chief, birthing Nightingale’s son Charley in February, 1840, until being rescued in October of 1844 by the Texas Rangers. She married Levi in mid-December of that same year and gave birth to Bartholomew, the Comanche chief’s blood son in 1845.

  ~ Baylor, Bartholomew ‘BART’ – born July 20, 1845 to Rose and Levi, but blood son of Comanche chief Bold Eagle

  ~ Buckmeyer, David Crockett – born October 4,1851

  firstborn of Henry and May.

  ~ Buckmeyer, Patrick HENRY - born March 6, 1798; married Susannah ‘Sue’ Baylor in 1832, and became a widower in Dec ’44 at his son Houston’s birth. Finding love again, he married May Meriwether in 1850 and fathered Crockett and Charlotte.

  ~ Buckmeyer, Meri ‘Charlotte’ born in 1854 to Henry and May.

  ~ Buckmeyer, Sam HOUSTON – born December 11, 1844. Henry and Sue’s fifth child, first son. His mother passed at his birth, so was motherless until he was six years old.

  ~ Dempsey, Frederica ‘FREDDIE’ May’s publisher who Charley turns to for help in New York City on his search for Lacey Rose. She has a widowed daughter, Marah O’Connor

  ~ Jeffcoat, CLAUDIA, a wealthy married woman and avid reader of dime romances who befriended and helped Charley on his search for Lacey Rose. Pauleen Shriver’s sister.

  ~ Meriwether, JEWEL (formerly Mammy) Rozier the Buckmeyers’ cook after Henry rescued her and her son Jean Paul Rozier who also works for the Buckmeyers.

  ~ Meriwether, Millicent MAY born August 23, 1808 married Henry Buckmeyer in 1850 and gave birth to David Crockett in 1851 and Charlotte in 1854.

  ~ Nightingale, Charles ‘CHARLEY’ Nathaniel - born son to a Comanche chief Feb 27 ’40 to the captive third wife, but Charles Nightingale was his blood father. Rescued in 1844 with his mother by Texas Rangers Levi Baylor and Wallace Rusk. He killed a man at ten when Comancheros came to steal him and his mother to return them to Bold Eagle.

  ~ Nightingale, LACEY Rose Langley born November 16, 1844 in Nacogdoches to Laura, only fourteen when Lacey’s father, a Comanche brave, had captured her.

  ~ O’Connor, Curry CYLE, Junior Marah’ fourteen year old son

  Mention in: JUST KIN

  ~ O’Connor, CURRY Cyle, Senior Marah’s dead husband

  Mention in: JUST KIN

  ~ O’Connor, MARAH A beautiful older woman (to Charley) who falls in love. She breeds thoroughbreds and is the daughter of Freddie – May’s publisher who helped Charley in New York

  ~ Rozier, JOHN PAUL son of the Buckmeyer’s cook, Mammy—or later, Jewel. He and his mother were freed by their former owner when he died and both went to work for Henry; him supervising the cotton fields. He married Laura Langley, another soul Henry took in.

  ~ Rozier, LAURA Langley was rescued at fifteen in 1844 along with
Sassy. Pregnant at the time, she delivered the next month—a baby girl, Lacey Rose on the trace. She stays on at the Buckmeyers first as wet nurse, then later as teacher. Marries Jean Paul Rozier.

  ~ Rusk, REBECCA Ruth Baylor – born June 12, 1823; Sue’s daughter with 1st husband Andrew (died before Rebecca’s birth). Marries Wallace Rusk at age twenty-seven in 1850. No children.

  ~ Rusk, WALLACE – born August 15, 1819, a sixteen-year-old orphan picked up by Henry Buckmeyer and young Levi Baylor on the way to the Battle of San Jacinto, served with Levi Texas Rangering, fell in love with his sister Rebecca sight-unseen, finally met her in ’44, and after wearing her down, married her in 1850. Lacey Rose Langley Nightingale was named after him.

  ~ Shriver, PAULEEN a Wealthy married woman and avid reader of dime romances who befriended Charley on his search for Lacey Rose

  Mention in: JUST KIN

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, places, characters, and events are products of the author’s imaginations, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

   2015 by Caryl McAdoo

  All rights reserved including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever- except short passages for reviews – without express permission. For information, address Post Office Box 622, Clarksville, Texas, 75426.

  First Edition

  January 2, 2016

  Printed and bound in the United States of America

  ISBN-13 978-1519-7387-38

  ISBN-10 1519-7387-30

  Cover Art by Kirk DouPonce of DogEared Design, Woodland Park, Colorado www.dogeareddesign.com

  Author’s photograph by The Farmer’s Wife Photography, Angela Greenwell, Frankston, Texas

  For contact with the author or speaking engagements, please visit www.CarylMcAdoo.com

  Or write Post Office Box 622, Clarksville, Texas 75426

  Dedication

  It isn’t only Yourgrace that’s amazing! The sound is as sweet of Your faithfulness, too. You never slumber or sleep; You’ve promised my soul to keep, and when I get in too deep, Your love always lifts me. Amazing! You’re so amazing! Everything about You, everything that You do: the stars in the sky, a baby’s first cry, the newness of Spring, and the joy that it brings! You’re so amazing, Lord! You’re amazing to me! (lyrics of a new song He gave me) I love You, Father God!

  I am my beloved’s, and he is mine! I love you Ron, my husband and best friend, more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow. For forty-nine years I’ve loved our 24/7 togetherness and so appreciate your love and presence.

  I dedicate this book to my sisters. As an only child, my cousins became my first ‘sisters’: Jimmie Lynn Pumphrey, Mary Jo Bassford, and Paula Ruth Bates. Mary was my favorite, only six weeks older than me; JL, the oldest thought she was the boss of me, and Paula was a tag-a-long until we all grew up. I love y’all so much!

  Seven years old when she was born, I’ve loved my only blood-sisser Cathy Lynn Lawrence Barnett since January, 1958. Carol Jane McAdoo became my sister in 1968 when I married Ron. Yes, there are two Carol McAdoos! Ron and his brother Bruce both married one. I love you, Cathy and Carol!

  In 1975, God sent that special one, the sister-of-my heart, Elaine Vincent, and we’ve been through it all with each other for forty-plus years—side by side and heart to heart! When my brother married, I was blessed with Gayla Gwen Lawrence as a sister, a lovely lady. loveLoveLOVE, you two, too!

  God’s given me so many beloved sisters in the body of Christ, I can’t begin to name all, but you know who you are, Sandy, Holly, Margaret, Louise, Patricia, Sherry, Shannan, Lenda, Naomi, Becky, Berta, Bennie, Carolyn, Holly, Cass, Carrie, Anita, Judy, Lisa, Joyce, Donna, Teresa, Mary, and oh so many more. I love all you dear ladies and dedicate this story to you.

  Acknowledgements

  How can I say thank You enough to my Father Who blesses me so and helps me endlessly?You are glorious, full of splendor, and all Your works declare Your majesty! You are glorious, perfect in holiness, and it’s amazing that You’ve chosen me! That You love me, You sing over me…that Your thoughts turn to my day. Lord, You are glorious, and I exalt You. I’ll always worship You and lift my voice in praise! (lyrics of a new song He gave me)

  The most Christ-like man I’ve ever known is my Ron, my husband who continues to love me no matter what. He supports, encourages, protects, advises, leads, provides for, brags on, reels me in when I need it, and cares for me. Oh yes, and he is a great cook, too. And an awesome writer as well.

  Each time my new release is a Texas Romance, I owe a big word of thanks to Kirk DouPonce of Dog Eared Design for creating my beautiful covers. They are all so exquisite. I thank God for you, Kirk!

  My Christian eVALUaters are priceless to me as the early readers, sometimes editors, and reviewers. They support me online sharing my book news and say the sweetest things about my stories! Hugs and blessings, y’all.

  My proofreader has become my sister-friend, too. Lenda Selph blesses my spirit continually, and I’ve kept her plenty busy this year! And Louise Koiner and Cassandra Wessel are such wonderful catchers, too! Thank you, dear ones!

  And readers! Thank you for buying my novels, for leaving reviews, for clicking ‘Share’ and ‘Like’ on Facebook, for tweeting, and recommending my stories to your friends. Where would I be without you? I pray for God’s blessing and favor to flow over you. Y’all are all blessings to me!

  My cup overflows!

  Chapter One

  May 18, 1861

  “Just one more.”

  A chorus of disappointed ‘AWWs’ followed. The deeper throated ones outnumbered the rest, but did nothing to deter her. “Oh, it doesn’t hurt! Now come on. Please. This time with the whole family.”

  Lacey Rose slipped away to the porch and sat on a step. Aunt May hurried about putting everyone exactly where she wanted them. The photographer hovered, offering his advice, but no one else paid much attention.

  “Lacey, come stand here by your mama.”

  Nothing in her wanted to. She really wasn’t a part of the family, but it wouldn’t do to argue, not with the mistress of the house. The only one who could persuade that woman on anything was Uncle Henry.

  But still, she didn’t look like the rest and had no blood relation. Her mother could pass for a family member, but Lacey favored her father, Bear Fang.

  The few minutes seemed more like an hour. Then finally, it was over.

  Except really, just beginning.

  How could some tall buffoon from Illinois get himself elected president of the United States and start such a terrible war? She didn’t want them to leave. Things would never be the same once they did.

  Tears flowed aplenty. Kisses and hugs, too, but she couldn’t do a thing about it. Only watch. She choked back a sob. How could he leave?

  Yet, there he stood. His fancy uniform sure looked dashing on her love. Every last one of them hated slavery, so why were they going off to defend Texas as Confederate soldiers?

  She didn’t understand.

  Kissing the last cheek, practically ignoring her, he strode toward the wagon assigned to him. She couldn’t stand it. He was leaving, and she might never…ever….

  The last porch step offered something to kick against, and in doing so, she propelled herself off and raced to him. He turned, and she threw herself into his arms. Blatant as the afternoon sun, she pressed her lips against his. At first, he only stood stone still, then kissed her back.

  Her heart stopped. She’d passed on to Heaven.

  But then it boomed again, pulsing blood through her veins.

  Never had she been so alive.

  Firm hands grasped her shoulders, and he pushed her back, peered into her eyes.

  “I love you, Charley Nightingale. I’ve loved you forever, and I always will.” She hugged him tight, and he let her. She spoke softly into
his ear. “I do, I love you. Promise you’ll come back to me. Please! Do not get yourself killed. I don’t want to live my life without you. Promise you’ll come home.” She leaned back a bit.

  Nodding, he searched her eyes then put his lips on hers.

  “Lacey Rose!”

  Charley leaned out and smiled. “You best go on. We’ve got to leave, but I do promise you. I won’t get killed.”

  As much as she hated to, she retreated.

  Standing in the yard in front of the big house, her insides as thrilled as they were devastated, she watched the wagons roll along until the last glimpse.

  Her tears exceeded their boundaries. She fell to her knees then to the ground and sobbed, sitting there in the dirt. She loved him with a love deeper and truer than any that had ever been.

  And he was gone.

  Why hadn’t she told him before?

  A hand gripped her arm. “Get yourself inside.” She looked up and sniffled. Her mother glared, her eyes spit fire.

  Instead of screaming no, Lacey nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

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

  “Oh, Ma, please. A little dirt isn’t going to hurt nothing.”

  Her mother dragged her to the modest saw-board house Jean Paul had built for the two of them, even though all Lacey Rose wanted to do was run into the big house and upstairs to her room where she could cry until Charley came home.

  The door closed, and her mother turned on her.

  “What in the world did you think you were doing, young lady? Except I can’t imagine that definition befits you right now! Have you and Charley Nightingale been slipping around behind our backs?”