Promise Them

By Mitzi Pool Bridges

Nellie Callahan, matriarch of the Callahan family, is perfectly content with her life on the Callahan Ranch until handsome Beau Chandler buys the ranch next door and comes courting. Beau is smitten with the lovely Nell, but cattle rustlers, family problems, and Nell’s reluctance make it almost impossible to pursue the relationship he desires. Nellie never thought she'd feel this way again about a man. But the trauma from her past runs deep. She's been able to still the voices that have haunted her since childhood by keeping busy with her family. But her children are grown now, with families of their own, leaving her free to move into a new life for herself. How could Beau, a retired U.S. Senator, be happy with someone as flawed as she is? Will Nellie realize the truth in time, or will the rustlers put an end to her second chance at love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Feb 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781628307818

Book preview

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?

Since my wife died. Over twenty years now. He paused. It’s time for her to retire, but she won’t hear of it. I’m afraid she does too much.

You’re lucky to have her, Phyl said. I’m sure she enjoys the work.

Age hasn’t made her lose her cooking skills, Donovan added.

The Chandlers were lucky to have her. Lela had raised his motherless children almost single-handedly. Maybe that was one of the reasons they were the way they were now. She let them get by with murder. Though he was their father, he hadn’t bothered to act like one. He’d been too busy with his career, then with politics. Once he won the senate seat, he hardly saw them. Before he knew it, they were grown.

When Rey graduated college, Beau realized the errors he’d made.

Lela was God sent. I could never have made it without her.

Roaring motors and screeching tires on the front drive broke up the quiet dinner party. All eyes turned to their host.

Excuse me. I’m not expecting anyone. I’ll see who it is.

****

Nellie and her family continued to eat their dessert in nervous silence as Beau went to the front door and opened it.

How could you? a female voice cried out.

At the table, they couldn’t help but hear every word when more than one person entered the living room. Though unable to see, they could definitely hear.

He doesn’t care a hoot about us, a male voice added. Just look at this place. This is all he cares about.

Nellie looked around the beautiful room. Beau Chandler had done wonders with the old Adams place. It looked nothing like its former self. Now it had an elegant look, but not so elegant you wouldn’t feel comfortable.

Tall ceilings lent themselves to the newly installed crown molding and hardwood floors. The furniture wasn’t new, but fit well in their surroundings. Now she wondered who was in the next room and why they were so unhappy.

We’re homeless, the female cried. And look at you, living the life of a gentleman rancher while we go hungry.

Aren’t you exaggerating, Dani? You’ve had a roof over your head all your life as well as a substantial allowance. An expensive roof, I might add. You have a car bought and paid for, not by any effort on your part, but as a gift. He paused. Don’t you think it’s time the two of you grow up and begin to take care of yourselves?

In the dining room, the Callahans stopped eating. Donovan rose from his chair. I think this is a family crisis. We should leave.

Yes, Nellie agreed and stood to do the same.

The voices in the living room grew louder.

But I wanted seconds, Mark whined.

Lela re-appeared, a box in hand. Here you go. I wrapped up the rest for you to take home.

Mark’s grin expressed his feelings exactly.

They hustled through the kitchen and to the back door.

Don’t leave, Ms. Nellie. Mr. Chandler so wanted you here tonight.

We should, Lela. This sounds like a private family moment.

The voices from the living room grew louder. Nellie stopped her headlong flight.

You sold our home right out from under us, the female said.

Where do you think we’re supposed to go? the male asked, his voice full of sarcasm. Here?

Definitely not here, Beau replied, his voice smooth and in control. Unless you’re willing to work.

Then where? the girl cried.

That’s up to the two of you. You’re a college graduate, Rey. Do something with your degree. Dani, you didn’t think you needed college, so I guess you’ll have to find something that makes you happy.

You mean work? Dani asked, her voice rising. I’m not trained for anything.

Nellie could almost see Beau’s shrug. She should definitely leave.

Donovan waved for her to get in the Jeep.

Torn, she looked from Lela to her son. She didn’t know why, but something told her to stay. She walked over to the Jeep. Take the family home, Don. Then come back for me.

Once in the kitchen again, she heard the voices still raised in anger.

I could use some help on the ranch, Rey, but only if you’re willing to work. I don’t hire slackers.

You did this on purpose. Sold our home, cut us off financially. I don’t want to work here. I can’t think of anything worse, especially if it means working for you. If you want the truth, I want to get as far from you and this ranch as I can.

There’s the door.

The male cursed. Nellie covered her ears. Her heart went out to all of them. Beau’s children! They had to be. Little wonder he’d told her often how fortunate she was with hers. But why were his so angry?

Our own father, turning us out, the son said, his voice choking. Bastard.

Are you staying or leaving? Beau asked, his voice quiet and calm. Nellie could only imagine how hard that calm cost him.

Leaving. Nellie heard the sneer in the son’s voice.

I’m sorry you have to hear this, Lela said. The children aren’t bad. Just spoiled.

The voices continued as Lela put a cup of coffee in front of Nellie, motioned for her to sit at the kitchen bar.

What about you, Dani? Are you staying or leaving? If you stay, you’ll get a job and pay room and board.

It had been a mistake to stay. Nellie wanted to sneak out the back door and pretend she hadn’t heard a word.

I’m going with Rey.

Do you have money? Beau’s voice leaked concern.

Did the children hear it? Did they realize how troubled their father was?

Beau was trying so hard to do the tough-love thing. He obviously loved his children and was worried about them.

We have the money we got when we sold the stuff you so generously left in the house, his son said. We’ll make it.

I’m glad. Would you like to spend the night and leave in the morning?

Not a chance, Rey said, his words mocking.

Do you have your things?

Are you kidding? The realtor gave us twenty-four hours to get out or have our stuff put on the sidewalk. Both of our cars are stuffed. The rest, which you clearly didn’t want, we sold.

We didn’t get much for it, his daughter put in. But we had no choice. She began to cry.

Suddenly Beau’s son, full of rage, burst into the kitchen.

Nellie could see his father in the boy’s features. He was a handsome lad with dark hair and unhappy steel-blue eyes. A quite-beautiful girl-woman followed right behind him. Those same blue eyes, dark hair held back in a ponytail, graceful and angry.

Each of them glanced at Nellie. Caught up in their own self-interests, they showed no curiosity regarding who she was or why she was there.

Dani ran to Lela, hugged her as she cried. How does Dad expect me to earn a decent wage in this one-horse town? He’s being unreasonable.

Making soothing sounds, Lela patted the girl’s back.

Nellie felt about a foot tall.

Finally, Dani pulled away and told Lela goodbye. Rey hugged Lela but didn’t speak before they slammed out the back door.

Lela’s hands shook as she poured her and Nellie another cup of coffee.

I’m sorry, Lela said. Mr. Beau wanted tonight to be special.

It was. You’re a fabulous cook. We enjoyed every morsel.

Nellie could tell Lela’s mind was centered on the two who had stormed out of the kitchen. She loved those kids, and they loved her. This had to be hard on her.

Nellie had just finished her coffee when Beau walked into the kitchen, looking grateful to see her. He came over and took her hand. I’m sorry you had to witness my children’s bad manners.

I’m sorry for your troubles.

Did they introduce themselves?

They were too upset.

Figures. At twenty-four, Reynaud is the oldest. Danielle is two years younger. He chuckled. My wife spent a year in Paris during her college years and fell in love with everything French. So when the children came along, they were given French names. She filled the house with furniture from the early French period. I got rid of it all.

Nellie remembered the tour of the house a couple of hours ago. It was furnished in a comfortable traditional manner with a few antiques mixed in. She couldn’t see Beau in a house with French furnishings.

The children are beautiful, and their names are lovely. I’m sorry to see them so unhappy.

So am I. I’m afraid if they don’t grow up now, they never will.

She reached over and patted his hand. I’m sure things will work out in the end.

What if I’m wrong? What if they get into trouble?

Blue eyes looked into hers. Nellie saw the anguish. If only there was something she could do.

She heard the Jeep coming up the drive. There’s Donovan. I stayed to tell you how wonderful dinner was and how much we appreciate your hospitality.

They shook hands. You have lovely children, Beau. If Dani comes back and wants a job, tell her to come see me. I might be able to help.

Beau walked Nellie to the door. I didn’t know they were coming. I’m sorry.

You have nothing to be sorry about. Your children are who they are, responsible for themselves and their actions. It doesn’t bear on you in the least.

You’re a wonderful person, Nellie Callahan. Can we do this again without all of the histrionics?

Of course we can. Maybe at our place next time.

We’ll talk.

He held her hand a tad longer than necessary. Not that she didn’t like it, but wasn’t she too old to feel her heart flutter like a young girl’s?

It had been many years since she’d felt anything even remotely similar. And that had been with her husband.

Nellie found it very disconcerting.

Chapter Two

When the white-paneled kitchen door clicked shut, Beau sank onto the bar stool Nellie had vacated. I’ve failed them, Lela. Did I wait too long to teach them they aren’t owed the world?

Lela handed Beau a cup of coffee and took one for herself before she sat down beside him. Beau couldn’t count how many times she had done this very thing. She’d always been there for him and the kids.

It’s never too late, Mr. Beau. Besides, they’re good kids. They’ll be okay. Just be patient with them.

The faint scent of lavender sent his thoughts to the woman who had just left. She’d raised five children, every one of them a success. He had two, and the way it was going they wouldn’t succeed at anything except parties, good times, and doing what they wanted when they wanted.

They had to grow up before it was too late. The free ride was over.

He fought the urge to call the kids on their cell phones and check on them. They were so miserable, accustomed to having no responsibilities. Now they were thrust into the world and didn’t know how to handle it.

His fault.

An old-fashioned taste of reality was what they needed, Beau tried to convince himself. No more coddling.

Could he stick to his guns? Could he make the kids come around and see he had their best interest at heart?

He took a deep breath. Would they ever forgive him?

Weary now, he gathered up the last of the dishes and, over Lela’s protests, put them in the dishwasher before he went to his room.

****

Dawn brought the usual chores of ranch life. Beau mounted Taro, his sleek midnight-black stallion, and rode out with his foreman, Frank Gordon, to check the fences in the far south pasture.

Responding to Beau’s pent-up emotions, Taro was skittish. Beau spent a few minutes calming him. Don’t go all uppity on me, Taro. I’m low on patience today.

As if he understood, Taro settled down. Beau spent the next few hours with Gordon, a notebook in hand, making notes on which fences needed to be replaced and which ones could get by with repairs.

When Beau had bought the ranch, he’d thought if he hired the right people to run it, he could take it easy and concentrate on his children. Wrong!

His foreman was good about following orders and answered Beau’s many questions with respect. However, it didn’t take long for Beau to figure out that Gordon was happy taking short cuts instead of looking to the future and doing what would be best for the long haul.

After a few neighborly visits with Donovan, Beau had ventured a few questions, learned he’d made some major mistakes. He’d planted seed that produced a fine crop of hay the first year, little the next. He’d bought a bull that looked good, but didn’t breed. It was sold at a loss. Donovan found a registered Angus in Abilene that sounded promising and took the day off to drive there for a look. Beau bought it on the spot.

Beau had made his millions years ago, but his recent mistakes and the current financial crisis had eroded a goodly portion. He couldn’t afford too many more blunders.

By noon, Beau was back at the ranch for a quick lunch. Have you heard from the kids? he asked Lela.

Dani called to say they were in San Antonio.

They’re okay?

Beau hated the hitch in his voice, but he couldn’t stop worrying about them. They might be adults, but they were still his babies.

Lela patted his hand. They’re fine. They’ll come around. Just wait and see.

Beau chuckled. Do I have a choice?

Beau had never re-married. There had been many women over the years. Some were eye candy, nice dates for political dinners and parties. Others had been short-lived affairs, none worth remembering. When he’d married Janine, he’d been head over heels in love. He’d expected to live with one woman the rest of his life. But Janine had been a troubled woman. He’d tried to help. But she started drinking after Dani’s birth, and everything he tried to do to help made her angrier.

The accident that ended her life had ended his happy-ever-after illusions.

Yet, Nellie Callahan moved him. Beau was past sixty, too old for youthful infatuation. Was he having a late mid-life crisis?

Nellie was different. She wasn’t young and flirty. She wasn’t the kind of woman to condone unwarranted advances. Nor was she one to have an affair. She was a mature woman who had been a widow for many years and seemed happy with her lot in life.

Where would this tug of attraction go? Or would it go anywhere?

Over the next few weeks, Beau asked himself a hundred times if buying the ranch had been a mistake. Every day brought another crisis. His new bull got stuck in the pond. It took every hand on the ranch, plus a tractor to get him out.

Once out, the bull went nuts and ran through a fence and onto the Callahan spread. With Donovan’s help, they coaxed him back. Then there was the day it rained while Gordon was cutting hay. Donovan said they should have heeded the weather report and waited for clear weather. Instead, they had a field of cut, wet hay that couldn’t be baled until it dried. Even now it was losing its nutrients.

Another costly mistake.

Beau threw himself into his work, but his thoughts returned again and again to his children. Did they get jobs, or were they spending the last of their money foolishly? What would they do without funds? Without a roof over their heads? Would they come to him and try to get their old life back?

He didn’t think so. Both were proud. If only they could learn to be as independent as they were stubborn.

Today, Beau’s thoughts were dark; his voice surly when Gordon asked if Beau thought the hay had dried enough to bale. You’re the foreman. Check it out. Gordon turned to do as ordered. If you screw up and bale it wet, it’s your job.

Gordon didn’t acknowledge the threat. Instead, he mounted the tractor, gunned the motor, and took off.

There goes another mistake, Beau mumbled. But he didn’t know where he’d find someone to replace the man. The kid he’d hired, Joe Hammond, wasn’t experienced enough.

Beau let his gaze sweep over the horizon. Why had it been so important to take on sixteen hundred acres, plus a herd