Sing a New Song (Red River Romance Book 2) Read online

  A Red River Romance

  Book two

  Praying my story gives God glory!

  ♫♪*•♪Index

  All of Caryl’s Books

  Five-Star Reviews on SING♫♪*•♪

  A New Song – ‘Excited’

  Dedication

  A New Song – ‘Amazing’

  Acknowledgements

  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

  Other titles – The Preacher’s Faith

  Other titles – Vow Unbroken

  Other titles – Hearts Stolen

  Other titles – Hope Reborn

  Other titles – Lady Luck’s a Loser

  Other titles – A Little Lower Than the Angels

  Other titles – Then the Deluge Comes

  Coming Soon

  Sneak Peek Chapter – One and Done

  All of Caryl’s Books

  Historical Christian Texas Romances

  Vow Unbroken

  Hearts Stolen

  Hope Reborn

  Contemporary Christian

  Red River Romances

  The Preacher’s Faith

  Sing a New Song

  Apple Orchard Romances

  Lady Luck’s a Loser

  Biblical fiction

  The Generations

  A Little Lower Than the Angels

  Then the Deluge Comes

  Mid-Grade

  River Bottom Ranch Stories

  The Adventures of Sergeant Socks

  The Journey Home

  The Bravest heart

  Amazing Graci, Guardian of Goats

  Miscellaneous Novels

  The Thief of Dreams (PG-17, written for secular readers)

  The Price Paid (WWII military novel based on true experiences)

  Absolute Pi (audio)

  Apple Orchard B&B (re-released as Lady Luck’s a Loser)

  Non-fiction

  Great Firehouse Cooks of Texas

  Antiquing in North Texas

  Five-Star Reviews for

  Sing a New Song ♫♪*•♪

  Sing A New Song is a delightful breath of Christian air. McAdoo writes in such an eloquent way bringing her audience always nearer to God. She opens her readers’ minds to fresh ways of viewing Christian life and all it has to offer.

  The characters are loveable and react to one another in humorous ways. The romantic tale is just as lovely as always demonstrating Christian virtues we all be best to remember. The story was illuminating in how it shares the Gospel in such a beautiful way.

  The words from Samuel’s sermons as well as the gorgeous lyrics of Mary Esther’s songs fill our hearts with newfound worship for Our Lord. Truly an inspiring tale. It is Christian fiction in its best; recounting a romantic love story while bringing its readers closer to God. A treasure for sure.

  --Christine Barber, Canadian author of Broken to Pieces

  Disappointed by love, but still saving herself for "Mr. Right", Mary Esther returns to her hometown of Clarksville, Texas and reunites with her best childhood friend, Samuel—the boy who stole her first kiss at the age of twelve and a descendant and namesake of Levi Baylor from Caryl's previous historical novel series which I just enjoy so much. You won't want to miss this modern day romance! I couldn’t put it down! Loved it!

  --Louise Koiner, avid reader, Clarksville, Texas

  ♫♪*•♪One of Caryl’s New Songs

  Excited ♫♪*•♪

  I'm just so excited

  'bout what the Lord is doing!

  I'm just so excited

  of what I know He will do!

  I'm just so excited,

  and He is delighted

  with my anticipation

  of what He's going to do!

  2nd verse

  I get to be a part

  of what the Lord is doing!

  I get to be a part

  of what I know He will do!

  I get to be a part,

  and He’s got a good plan,

  He's called me for His purpose,

  I have a role to play!

  And I’m just so excited…

  Repeat and repeat and repeat

  Sing a

  New Song

  ✞♥♫♪ •*•♪♫✞

  Caryl McAdoo

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to 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.

  If you’ve purchased this book without a cover, please be aware that it was reported as unsold to the publisher, therefore neither the author nor publisher have been paid. If a stripped copy, it should be considered stolen.

   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

  April 2015

  Printed and bound in the United States of America

  ISBN-13 978-1508-7423-2-6

  ISBN-10 1508742324

  Inquiries for volume purchases of this book may be directed to

  Post Office Box 622, Clarksville, Texas 75426

  ♫ ♪*•♪ Dedication

  My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness; I dare not trust the sweet refrain, but wholly lean on Jesus name. I pray my story gives God glory, and so I dedicate Sing a New Song to Him and His Kingdom.

  There would be no stories, there would be no songs without Him loving me so much that He gives them to me. He is my everything. His love overwhelms me. How can it be so great?

  The biggest blessing He’s blessed my life with if my Ron, my husband of almost 47 years, my best friend, my protector, greatest cheerleader, supporter and encourager. I always said if I could change one thing about this near-perfect man, it would be to make him a singer, a lover of music

  He is the song in my heart and the love of my life, but is tone deaf! But nothing is too hard for God. And so I wait with expectation.

  And for my friends in Clarksville and Red River County, Texas...I’m so grateful the Lord brought us north and east. I love this area with all its rich history and quaint country living. I love almost everything about it and can hardly wait to see what God has in store!

  Though I’ll probably always be counted a ‘newcomer’ here, I’m blessed to call Clarksville and Red River County home. This series is for all of you!

  One of Caryl’s New Songs ♫♪*•♪

  Amazing

  It isn’t only Your grace 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.

  Chorus

  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!

  Your blood is amazing!

  There’s so much power in the Blood!

  You lovingkindness amazes me, too;

  It’s fresh each morn.

  Your sacrifice is amazing!

  You paid the price

  To set me free!

  Chorus

  Acknowledgements ✞♥♫♪

  How can I say thanks? Even though I am a ‘wordsmith’ (one who takes words and heats them and beats them into the lyrical phrases that please readers’ ears, I fall woefully short of adequate thanks to my Creator and the Lover of my soul. Before Him, an unworthy sinner bound for hell. After Him, covered in the Blood of the Lamb, l’m special, a daughter of the King, righteous and useful in His service.

  So grateful for the new songs He gives me, I love praising and worshipping His Holy name! The Great I Am keeps me singing as I go!

  I love the Dedication and Acknowledgement pages because I get to brag on Abba and my favorite people. At the top of that list is Ron. He’s such a great writer himself and the reason I have such awesome heroes. He keeps me singing, too (but he did ban show tunes).

  Grateful for so many friends and helpers who so bless me over and again, I find words insufficient to tell how much. Instead, I’d love to hug each one tight—counting at least to twenty—to show them. After all, writers are supposed to SHOW not TELL.

  Lenda Selph is my Heaven-sent proofer and official comma-kazi queen, and along with the sharp, fresh eyes of Louise Koiner, Joy Gibson, Christine Barber, Cass Wessel, and Leah Jones, help me make sure all my oversights get corrected. And my eVALUaters and friends who share posts and review my novels at Amazon and Goodreads, or click ‘Like’ on Facebook, Tweets, and recommend my books to their friends. I need y’all and thank y’all and know God will bless you for blessing me! My cup literally overflows!

  Thank you.I just have to shout it! THANK YOU!

  I love to sing Your praise, Lord! My favorite place to be is bowed before Your throne!

  …Caryl ♥♫♪✞♥♫

  It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: Psalm 92:1

  Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel. Judges 5:3

  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Hebrews 2:12

  Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. 2 Samuel 22:50

  I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Psalm 9:2

  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalm 30:12

  While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Psalm 146:2

  ✞ ♥♫♪Chapter One

  Mary Esther wavedher key card then turned around and extended her hand. He took it and pulled her toward him, leaned in. The desire to close her eyes and surrender, let him kiss her, washed over like a sweet spring shower.

  She should pull away, but instead, at the last heartbeat, turned her cheek instead.

  He smelled of summer pomegranates carried on ocean breezes, crisp and clean, though he’d been on the go with her all day. His lips brushed her burning skin. He kissed her then moved on to her ear. “I don’t want to leave. Can I come in?”

  She pressed her fingertips on his chest, pushing a bit, and smiled. “No, you may not. But you can write me. I love long letters.”

  “How about I call instead? Where’s the band headed next?”

  “Atlanta.”

  He nodded then seemed to study her shoes a moment. When he looked back up, a troubled expression wrinkled his forehead. Staring into her eyes, he reached up and tapped the tip of her nose.

  “There’s something I need to tell you before you go.”

  “Okay. What is it?”

  “I’m, uh…” He grimaced, showing his perfect teeth clenched, then offered her a weak smile. “See? Uh, I’m married. Well...” He sighed. “Separated; I mean she’s gone, left me. No one’s –”

  “You’re married?”

  “Legally, yes—for now—and you’re beautiful.”

  She pushed him back, hard. The urge to slap his face burned her hand as though she had, but a long time ago, she learned not to go around hitting guys.

  “Married? What was the last week all about, you jerk? Get away from me, Richard. Go home. I cannot believe you…you …you’re nothing but a.…” The only words that came to mind weren’t worth speaking.

  “Mary Esther, I…”

  She shook her head to make them go away. “Mercy, man, you’re an associate pastor. And you’d be an adulterer, too?”

  He recoiled, as though the reality of how he’d been acting the last week cut him just as the cock’s crows had cut Peter. A horror filled his eyes. He shook his head no and opened his mouth, but no words came out.

  Backing a step, he turned then hurried down the hotel’s hall, throwing a lame, “Sorry, I.…” over his shoulder.

  “Dear Lord, my God. How could I have thought he might be the one? The one I’ve been looking for, praying for?” Her heart pounded. The desire to run after him and slap some smarts into him faded.

  He turned the corner; she pushed her door open, stepped inside, then hugged it, resting her forehead on its edge. It hit her. If that guy wasn’t the one, maybe there wasn’t a man out there for her. It seemed no one ever saw the real her.

  Oh, they loved her voice, her songs, or the way she sang. Who knew? Maybe the way she looked, or walked, or blah blah blah.

  She shut the door and flung herself across the bed. It wasn’t fair. Tears welled and overflowed, wetting the white duvet. She grabbed the towel she’d wrapped her wet hair in that morning and pulled it under her face.

  Wouldn’t do to get mascara all over the cover. The tears kept coming with no end in sight and the enormity of what she’d been thinking. That such an idiot could have been husband material!

  How could she? Didn’t she have any discernment at all?

  Was she so caught up in romance and concerned she’d never find Mister Right that she lost sight of character? Hadn’t she prayed? She searched her memory, but it didn’t register that she ever asked God if Richard was the one.

  Married, indeed!

  She screamed into the towel, bawling like an idiot. Why, why, why couldn’t she see it? She flipped to her back and stared, suddenly silent, at the ceiling. The stillness rang in her ears. Her breath caught. She swallowed.

  Then it hit her, she wasn’t in love with the man. She barely knew him. The inference she’d never know love is what broke her heart. What caused all the tears.

  But didn’t God promise the desires of her heart?

  She loved the idea of love, of belonging to one man, sharing his life… children. If that was not to be, what had she saved herself for? Wait a minute. That wasn’t the Lord. She saved herself in obedience to God.

  If she never found a man, if God never sent a Mister Right into her life, she would still remain chaste. For Him, no one else.

  The least she could do after what He had done for her.

  Besides His sweet salvation, He’d given her music, new songs, and a decent voice. As long as she could offer praise and worship, extol His Holy name, as long as He invited her into His throne room.…

  Sleep finally found her, and then she was twelve again.

  She stared at his casket, hated that they kept it closed, but understood the decision. Mama explained that he’d been mangled so badly. She wiped her cheeks. Praise God, at least he was in Heaven.

  “Someday, Daddy, we’ll all be together again.” A hand slipped over hers. She looked down, studied the stubby fingers intertwining with her own, then followed the arm up to Samuel Baylor’s face. br />
  Her best friend since first grade kept a solemn expression and squeezed her hand. With the whites of his eyes red streaked and his cheeks wet, he nodded south. “Com’ere, I want to show you something.”

  She looked back to the casket then found her mother, safe in the center of a sea of black dresses and suits. He pulled, and she went along, joined him to see whatever he wanted her to. “I didn’t know you were here.”

  “I loved your dad. I would have walked all the way from English if I had to, but…” He grinned. “PawPaw let me take his truck.”

  “Really? All the way from English?”

  “Yep, but he made me promise to stay on the back roads.”

  “Samuel, what if you’d had a wreck?”

  He waved her off. “I’ve been driving all over the farm forever. Roads are easier.”

  “No, not since forever. You told me he let you drive the first time on your tenth birthday.”

  “Well, two years is like forever.” He stopped and pointed at a weathered headstone. “Here, look at this.”

  She studied the marker. “The Levi Bartholomew Baylor, right? Born November 12, 1817; Traveled home December 11, 1881. He was sixty-four when he passed. Beloved husband to Rosaleen, Faithful father to Charlie, Bart, Austin, Daniel, Rusk, and Rachel Rose.”

  “Yes, ma’am. My great, great, great grandfather—or maybe four greats. I’m not sure. Anyway, did you know he was one of the first Texas Rangers?”

  “Yes, Samuel Levi Baylor, you’ve told me all about him, more’n once.”

  “Oh, right, I remember. Come over here.” He tugged on her hand, led her around a big oak then stopped in front of another old grave.

  She stopped then studied on that one. “Peter Passamor, doctor. Do you know him or something?”