Charity's Promise Read online

  Charity’s Promise

  Belles of Wyoming #32

  Marianne Spitzer

  Charity’s Promise

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  The book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All rights are reserved with the exceptions of quotes used in reviews. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.

  Scriptures quoted from the King James Holy Bible.

  All books titled or quoted in this story belong to their respective authors.

  Charity’s Promise ©2020 Marianne Spitzer

  Cover Design by Virginia McKevitt, https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaMcKevittauthor/

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgements

  The Belles of Wyoming

  Become Part of the Belles of Wyoming Family

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  Persimmon Pudding

  Leave A Review

  Acknowledgements

  There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my loyal readers who read my books and leave reviews. I couldn’t do this without you. You’re the best.

  A special mention for the talented Virginia McKevitt for the beautiful cover design. You can find her on Facebook.

  Also, I wish to thank Christy Tyner for the contribution of her grandma’s recipe for persimmon pudding which is mentioned in the story. At the end of the book, you will find Christy’s grandma’s recipe and a picture of the original recipe card. Enjoy!

  The Belles of Wyoming

  You can see all The Belles of Wyoming Books on our Amazon Series page.

  Our beautiful covers were designed by Virginia McKevitt of Black Widow Books.

  Christmas 2018 (Theme: Holiday)

  Book 1, Christine Sterling, Wynter’s Bride

  Book 2, Marianne Spitzer, Holly's Christmas Wish

  Book 3, Cyndi Raye, A Tin Star for Christmas

  Book 4, P. Creeden, A Pony for Christmas

  Book 5, Julia Ridgmont, Natalie's Surprise Engagement

  Spring 2019 (Theme: Renewal/Redemption)

  Book 6, Christine Sterling, The Homecoming

  Book 7, Ginny Sterling, Blessings of Love

  Book 8, Cyndi Raye, Mercy’s Gift

  Book 9, P. Creeden, Moments of Grace

  Book 10, Julia Ridgmont, Emeline's Redemption

  Summer 2019 (Theme: Summer Love /Barn raising)

  Book 11, Ginny Sterling, Lightning Strikes Twice

  Book 12, Julia Ridgmont, In the Nick of Time

  Book 13, Jenna Brandt, June’s Remedy

  Book 14, Lynn Donovan, The Wrong Bride

  Book 15, Marisa Masterson, Grace for a Drifter

  Book 16, Rose Castro, Lucy’s Luck

  Book 17, P. Creeden, Steel Blue Bride

  Book 18, Cyndi Raye, Stealing Her Heart

  Book 19, Cheryl Wright, Eleanor’s Dilemma

  Book 20, Jo Grafford, Wild Rose Summer

  Book 21, Patricia PacJac Carroll, Summer’s Love

  Book 22, Lisa M. Prysock, The Prairie Princess

  Book 23, Marie Higgins, Whispers of Yesterday

  Book 24, Amelia Adams, Butterfly Kisses

  Book 25, Margaret Tanner, Flynn's Debt

  Book 26, Mimi Milan, September’s Switch

  Book 27, Julia Ridgmont, Daring to Love Again

  Book 28, Christine Sterling, A Matter of Marriage

  Book 29, Ginny Sterling, Change of Heart

  Book 30, Christine Sterling, The Barn Raising

  Winter 2020 (Theme: New Beginnings)

  Book 31, Patricia PACJAC Carroll, Setting Things Straight

  Book 32, Marianne Spitzer, Charity’s Promise

  Book 33, Marie Higgins, Too Many Secrets

  Book 34, Marlene Bierworth, From Mourning to Joy

  Book 35, Marisa Masterson, The Teacher’s Star

  Book 36, Cyndi Raye, Hazel’s Tribulation

  Book 37, Lynn Donovan, Nellie’s New Attitude

  Book 38, Julia Ridgmont, The Trouble with Lucy

  Become Part of the

  Belles of Wyoming Family

  Click here to join the Belles of Wyoming Reader Group

  Prologue

  Belle Wyoming December 1879

  A light mist fell from the gray overcast skies as Charity did her best to listen to the preacher’s words. Her brother, Joseph, stood at her side, holding her one-year-old daughter, Annie. Her three-year-old son, Ben, stood next to her, clinging to the skirt of her black mourning dress. How could her beloved husband be gone? She saw him alive and well just two days before. The preacher cleared his throat, and Charity looked at him.

  Joseph whispered, “It’s time for us to leave, Charity. The rain is turning into snowflakes.”

  Charity nodded and approached her husband’s mahogany casket. She placed a white rose on the top and whispered, “I promised you on the day we married, that I would never love another, and you’d be my husband for all eternity. Rest well in God’s arms, my love, until we meet again in Heaven.”

  Chapter 1

  Two years later

  The noon rush was over in the Belle Café. Charity took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly, grateful that the café had settled down. Lunch was always a busy time at the café, and when the weather turned cold and snowy, people seemed to enjoy a hot lunch more. She glanced around the near-empty café, still decorated with evergreen boughs and red Christmas ribbons.

  Mayor Jason Shepherd should have hurried back to his office, but he lingered over one last cup of coffee. Charity smiled at him as she asked if he wanted more coffee.

  “No, thank you. I should get back to work, but I do enjoy sitting here when the café is quiet.”

  “You’re welcome to sit and enjoy your coffee as long as you wish,” Charity answered.

  Jason nodded. “I waited until most of the customers left so I could talk to you. Would you accompany me to supper again this week?”

  Charity bit her lip. “I don’t know. We had supper just a few days before Christmas.”

  Jason’s dark brown eyes stared directly into Charity’s when he said, “We did, but that was with your children. I’d like to take you to supper alone. Perhaps we could go to The Paradise for the New Year’s Eve supper. I hear it’s going to be quite the event.”

  “I, I’m not sure. Can I give you my answer tomorrow?” Charity stammered.

  “Of course. I’ll be back for lunch, and I await your answer,” Jason said as he stood, pulled on his coat and hat, winked at Charity, and ambled out of the café.

  Charity rushed back into the kitchen, startling her sister-in-law Holly.

  “Is something wrong?” Holly inquired as she noticed Charity’s flushed face.
r />   “No, maybe. Jason asked me out for supper on New Year’s Eve.”

  A broad smile crossed Holly’s face. “Jason is smitten with you. He has been for quite some time. You can tell by the way he looks at you. He’s handsome and the mayor. You’re too young to spend the rest of your life alone. You should go out to supper with him again.”

  “Smitten? We are not teenagers,” Charity insisted.

  Holly smiled and said, “All right. I believe Jason cares for you a great deal. You need to have supper with him again to see if your feelings are growing. I can see how he makes you blush. I think you care for him, too.”

  Charity shook her head. “I can’t. I promised.”

  “Promised who? Promised what?”

  Charity didn’t answer. She turned and rushed toward the back stairs that led to the empty apartment upstairs that her brother occupied before he married Holly. It was unused except for the occasional night when winter weather kept Joseph from making it home or as a quiet place to take a break from the café.

  ~ * ~

  Joseph entered the back door carrying a bag of flour over his shoulder. He glanced toward the stairs when he heard the running footsteps.

  “Was that Charity?” he asked.

  Holly nodded. “Jason asked her out for supper New Year’s Eve, and she seems upset over some promise she made.”

  Joseph shrugged. “I thought they were getting along. He took her to lunch and to supper last week with both of her children. He seems quite interested. Remember when he monopolized her time at the last church social. I thought they might become serious.”

  “I did, too,” Holly agreed. “She seems to brighten around him, and he definitely likes her, but something is bothering her. Do you have any idea what it might be?”

  Joseph placed the sack of flour in the small supply closet and answered Holly, “No, not at all. They seem to enjoy each other’s company. Maybe something happened when they had supper with Annie and Ben.”

  Holly shrugged. “I can’t imagine what. Those two little ones are usually angels. It could be that Charity isn’t sure if Jason would accept the children.”

  “I doubt that’s it,” Joseph said, shaking his head. “Jason is kind to everyone, and it’s not as if Charity just announced she has two children. He’s known her since we were all children.”

  “I suppose we’ll just have to wait until she tells us. She did say she couldn’t go out with Jason again because she promised.”

  “Promised?”

  “I asked her, but she just ran upstairs,” Holly said as she looked toward the ceiling.

  “If it’s important, I think she’ll let us know. I have more supplies to bring in,” Joseph stated as he turned and walked out the café’s back door.

  Just as the door closed, Holly heard Charity’s footsteps on the stairs. She turned to see her sister-in-law enter the kitchen with a frown on her face.

  “I’m sorry,” Charity said, “I didn’t mean to run off that way without an explanation. I needed a moment to be alone and think.”

  Holly hugged Charity. “It’s all right. I knew something bothered you, and you needed to be alone. We all do at times.”

  Charity blew out a breath. “Life can be challenging at times. Just when I believe I’m fully settled into my life as a widow, Jason comes along and tries to unsettle my life.”

  Holly pulled three apple pies from the oven and said, “If you’re going to have someone unsettle your life, you couldn’t ask for someone better than Jason Shepherd. He’s a good man, dependable, and a town leader.”

  “I know,” Charity replied. “If I could, I’d be happy to accept his interest.”

  Holly bit her lip, contemplating what to say. “Is there a reason you can’t accept his invitation to supper on New Year’s Eve? If you’re worried about the children, Joseph and I could watch them.”

  “No, that’s not it. Miss Barber would stay with them. I wouldn’t stay out late, but I’m worried Jason is becoming serious. I can’t. I just can’t,” Charity said as she began pacing in the small kitchen.

  “Charity, please sit down and let me make you a cup of tea. Maybe you’ll tell me what’s troubling you,” Holly offered.

  Charity sat at the small table in the corner, and Holly brought her a cup of tea and one for herself. “Now, please tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Nothing’s wrong,” Charity answered before taking a sip of tea. “It’s something personal that I don’t want to talk about.”

  Holly realized that Charity needed to keep her thoughts to herself and smiled. “If you ever change your mind, you know you can always talk to me.”

  “I know and thank you for understanding.”

  The rear door burst open, causing both women to jump as Joseph came in, carrying a sack of sugar and a crate of eggs.

  He smiled at his wife and sister before saying, “Look at the two of you just sitting in the middle of the day with work to do.”

  Charity scowled at her brother and then smiled. “We worked through the lunch rush while you were out getting supplies and most likely laughing and sharing jokes with everyone you met along the way.”

  “I did no such thing,” Joseph insisted, handing the crate of eggs to Holly. “I’ll have you know I was busy waiting for the supplies.”

  “Uh-huh,” Charity answered. “And I suppose it’s just a coincidence that you finally finished buying supplies just as we finished with the lunch rush?”

  Joseph shrugged and winked at Holly before turning to meet his sister’s eye. “Hey, sis, I hear that Jason is taking you to the New Year’s Eve supper. I hear they’re planning an exciting evening.”

  Charity bit her lip and took a sip of tea. She stared at her brother for a moment before saying, “I’m not sure what to do. I enjoyed having supper with Jason, but I think he’s getting serious.”

  “Of course, he is,” Joseph said. “He’s always liked you, and if you hadn’t married Charles, I think Jason would have stated his intentions much earlier.”

  “Oh, no, he wouldn’t have, would he? Jason can’t be that serious about me. Stop teasing me, Joseph,” Charity begged.

  “I’m not teasing you. I’m serious. You could do far worse than Jason Shepherd. He’s a good man and would make you a fine husband.”

  Charity bolted to her feet and stammered, “Who said I was looking for a husband? All I did was have lunch and supper with the man and a few dances at the church social. I hardly call that a reason to start planning a wedding. I have a headache, I’m going home.”

  Joseph watched Charity rush to the door, pull on her coat, and leave before he had a chance to say anything more to her. He looked at Holly and asked, “What did I say wrong?”

  “I don’t know, but something is on her mind, and it’s troubling her quite a bit,” Holly replied.

  “Maybe she’ll let us know tomorrow. I didn’t mean to upset her. I only want the best for her,” Joseph confessed before turning back to storing the supplies away.

  Holly nodded, “I know, and she does, too. Don’t worry.”

  Chapter 2

  Charity murmured in her sleep and rolled over, hugging her pillow. Her dream took her back six years to the small ranch she and her husband, Charles, had purchased on the edge of town.

  “I know it isn’t a lot to look at right now, my love,” Charles said as he drew Charity into his arms, “but I promise you that I will work as hard a necessary to build a good life for us and any children God blesses us with.”

  “I know you will,” Charity murmured against his chest. “I promise to work by your side for the rest of our lives and build a future together.”

  Charles leaned back a bit and looked into Charity’s eyes. “I love you more than life itself, but we both must plan not only for the future but for any trouble that might arise.”

  Charity smiled. “We have our ranch and each other. What trouble could possibly befall us that together we can’t overcome?”

  “I don’t know,” C
harles answered. “I do know that life is hard here, and circumstances can change in a heartbeat. I will do my best to build this ranch for us, but if anything should happen to me, you must promise me that you will not try to take on this ranch alone. Sell it and move into town or remarry and allow your husband to care for you.”

  Charity took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest. “We have only been married a few short weeks and you have me widowed and married to someone else. That will not happen. I refuse to discuss that possibility. You are my husband today and forever. That I can promise you.”

  “No, Charity, I’m serious. If anything happens to me, you must promise me not to go through life alone or allow our children to grow up without a father.”

  “Now, you have me a widow at a young age. Stop it, Charles, or you will make me cry.”

  Charles drew her close again and said, “I’m sorry, Charity. I just remember my mother going through life, trying to care for my siblings and me after my father died. I don’t want that for you.”

  Charity blew out a breath and agreed to Charles’ request, although in her heart, she swore she would never love another or marry another. He was her one and only love.

  Charity woke with a start and sat up in the dark empty bedroom. Tears ran freely down her cheeks as she remembered that day and the day she buried her beloved Charles. Both days she promised to never love another. Why was her heart betraying her with feelings for Jason?

  Slipping out of bed, she padded to the window and looked out at the pre-dawn darkness, wondering what she would do. She couldn’t break her promise to Charles even if he told her to find another. A promise was as solemn as a vow, and she’d never break a vow.

  Blowing out a sigh, Charity climbed back into bed, trying to sleep a bit longer before her children would wake her, but sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind whirled with memories, and while her heart promised to always love Charles, she did agree with him that day in the barn. Did her agreeing with him negate the promise she made to herself? Her mind and heart were at war. Charity couldn’t decide which promise was most important, and her heart tugged at her to give Jason a chance.