Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6)

Table of Contents

Title Page

Praise for Mitzi Pool Bridges

Promise Them

Copyright

Dedication

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

A Note From The Author...

Other Books You Might Enjoy

Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

“Now you’re a mess.”

Nell didn’t have a dry stitch on her. His mouth went dry, his heart pounding an uneven rhythm when he took in her perfect-for-him figure. His gaze drifted from her figure to her face. She had a dab of mud on her cheek. He swiped at it with his thumb—and fought the urge to kiss her.

She laughed again. “You should see yourself.”

Beau looked down at his mud-encrusted body. “I think I’ll take a swim.” He splashed back into the pond, paddling out until he came to clear water.

“Better?” Nell called out.

“Much. You should try it.”

“Think I will.”

The next thing he knew she was next to him, laughing and splashing water at him.

He felt like a kid as he splashed water into her perfect face.

Throwing back his head, he roared with laughter. Now he knew why he’d bought the ranch. Despite the problems, despite his grief over his children, he was right where he wanted to be.

Nell kicked off and headed for the bank. He grabbed her foot and hauled her back. Here was the woman he wanted to be with.

When she was next to him again, he was unable to stop himself. He pulled her close and kissed her.

Heat, swift and unexpected, shot through him.

He wanted her. He deepened the kiss; let the want spread.

Nell gasped. Pushed away. Looked at him with fear in her eyes.

Turning, she swam away.

Praise for Mitzi Pool Bridges

“
FIND MY BABY
is a rip roaring good mystery, with a surprising twist at the end...I loved the plot and characters, loved the mystery and Mitzi Pool Bridges is now one of my new favorites.”

~Manic Readers

~*~

“
FIND MY BABY
is highly recommended for being unique, well written, and a story that is nearly impossible to put down.”

~Sizzling Hot Reviews

~*~

“
FIND MY BABY
is riveting romantic suspense at its best. With an emotional subject that will touch any heart, the pace only grows stronger as the book continues. I’m adding this author to my watch list!”

~Storm Goddess Book Reviews

~*~

“If you love a good solid romance with strong family ties set in rural Texas,
PROMISE BROKEN
will be one of the highlights of your year.”

~Night Owl Reviews

~*~

“
PROMISE HER
...is an extremely good book and I would recommend it to those romance readers who love a strong heroine and a hero that would do anything to protect her... I also recommend reading the other books prior to this one in this series to get to know the secondary characters.”

~The Romance Studio

Promise Them

by

Mitzi Pool Bridges

The Callahan Series, Book Six

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Promise Them

COPYRIGHT © 2015 by Mitzi Pool Bridges

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [email protected]

Cover Art by
Kim Mendoza

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First
Last Rose of Summer
Edition, 2015

Print ISBN 978-1-62830-780-1

Digital ISBN 978-1-62830-781-8

The Callahan Series, Book Six

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

For all romance readers of a certain age

No matter your stage in life

There can always be love

Chapter One

Candlelight danced across the beautiful woman sitting across from him. Though he had dimmed the overhead lights, the candles on the table put her face in shadows one minute, glowing the next. Emerald green eyes sparked with love and contentment; mostly because of her family, he expected.

Beau Chandler envied Nellie Callahan her contentment. Not for the first time, he admired how she’d managed to raise five children on her own and have them turn out so well. Each of them had excelled in his or her field. How did she do it and maintain such grace?

The dinner he had used as an excuse to get her here was going better than expected. Donovan’s wife Phyl was delightful, and Donovan was as comfortable and easy here as he was on his favorite horse. Their two children were well behaved and pleasant to be around.

Beau was a lucky man to have the Callahans as neighbors. Their ranches, though large, were adjoined. Having kind and caring neighbors was a blessing.

“Did you decorate? Or did you hire someone?” Phyl asked with a smile.

“I don’t have a decorating bone in my body,” Beau admitted over laughter. “The credit goes elsewhere.”

A pang of regret shot through him at the thought of how unlike the Callahans his children were.

His glance once more went to Nellie. If he’d had a woman like her by his side, would his children have turned out differently?

But it wasn’t to be. Their mother had chosen a bottle, then a fast and fatal car ride instead of her family. His children had been the ones to suffer. Not that their attitude was her fault, mostly they were his, but that’s when the downhill spiral started.

He let out a silent sigh of regret.

Donovan laid down his fork. “Delicious.”

“Do you have dessert?” Mark, Donovan’s son, asked.

Nellie, sitting beside her thirteen, going on fourteen-year-old grandson, frowned her disapproval. “That’s rude, Mark.”

Beau laughed. “No it isn’t. It’s just the right question. Lela!” he called out.

His long-time housekeeper, now in her early seventies, came into the dining room. Her back was bent, her hair gray. “Ready for dessert?” she asked, a grin on her wide, wrinkled face.

“What’s on the menu tonight?” Beau asked.

Lela smiled. “Something I made up. Hope you like it.”

He introduced her around the table. “Couldn’t make it without Lela. She’s the heart of the family.”

Lela’s smile grew wider. When she started to remove plates and cutlery, Nell and Phyl stood to help.

“Sit,” Beau ordered. “You’re guests.” He got up to help Lela himself.

“Mr. Beau is right. I’ll have this out of here faster than that young man can lick a bowl of chocolate icing.”

“How did you know I liked to lick bowls?” Mark asked, his eyes wide.

“I can see it in your eyes. You’re a champion bowl licker.”

Mark laughed. “Uncle Dugan is the champ. I come in second.”

Laughter erupted around the table again. Beau watched with pleasure, felt their love for one another wrap around him like a warm embrace. This was what life should be like. Friends and family gathered together with nothing on their minds except enjoying the moment. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed such a moment with his children.

“You didn’t have to do this, Beau.” Donovan frowned. “But it was nice of you.”

“Didn’t have to—wanted to. You’ve been more help than my high-priced foreman. Couldn’t talk you into a job, could I?”

Donovan chuckled. “Have my hands full, but you know I’ll help any way I can.”

“Your sound advice has saved me a bundle. You should write a book on how-to-run-a-ranch for dummies.”

They laughed again. Even the smallest Callahan, Susie, clapped her hands; though Beau doubted at the age of five she knew what the heck they were talking about. What she did know was her family was happy, and that was enough for her.

“More wine?” he asked.

They shook their heads, but Beau poured a small amount into Nellie’s glass.

“I’ve had enough,” she said, but lifted her glass for another sip.

His heart did that same slow roll it had months ago on their first meeting.

Nellie Callahan might be the mother of five, grandmother of five, soon to be six, but with her smooth skin, bright eyes, and slim body, she could easily pass for a woman in her forties.

Lela brought in a tray laden with dessert plates piled high with a chocolate concoction that smelled heavenly. Beau jumped up to help. Lela should be taking it easy, but it was like talking to a wall. She’d outdone herself tonight, and he hoped she wasn’t tiring.

The first plate went to Mark, whose eyes glowed with anticipation.

“Wait until everyone is served,” Nellie whispered.

“Let the boy dig in.” Beau chuckled. “I haven’t seen anyone look at dessert quite the way he does.”

Phyl gave her son a stern look. “Mark has a sweet tooth.”

Mark spooned the first bite. “Gran, you have to make this. It’s awesome.”

Pleased, Beau took the last plate for himself.

“Thought you’d like it,” Lela said.

“What do you call this?” Nellie asked. “I really do have to make it for the family. I taste chocolate chips, pecans. It’s a warm brownie with ice cream and whipped cream. Dugan will love this, won’t he, Mark?”

Mark was spooning chocolate into his mouth as fast as possible but managed to nod at the question.

“I call it monster cookie surprise.”

“Wow!” Mark paused long enough to exclaim.

Nellie chuckled. “Could I have the recipe, or do you guard favorites with your life?”

“You have it figured out already.” Lela sailed out of the room with a grin.

“She’s a wonder,” Nellie said. “How long has she worked for you?”