Crushed Promises

By Linda Trout

Rebecca Walker loves searching for lost treasure but puts her plans on hold to fulfill her sister’s dying wish of performing on Broadway. She returns home when her father has a severe stroke. While there, she’s determined to achieve her father's lifelong quest for hidden Confederate gold, rumored to be buried nearby.
Former army ranger Roy Maddox blames the accident that took his fiancee's life on her sister, Rebecca. Now Rebecca is back, pretending to care about the father she left behind to pursue her dreams.
Despite their differences, they’re drawn to each other. Will they locate and retrieve the gold, or will they be blind-sided by an outside force who is intent on taking the treasure, destroying them both?

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781509251414

Linda Trout

An Award-Winning and Amazon paid Kindle sales top 25 Bestselling author, Oklahoma native Linda Trout loves Happily-Ever-Afters. When she isn’t helping her husband remodel their home, she’s outside trying to tame a small portion of their ten-acres (a losing battle). Between her numerous cats, who think they have to help her write, and traveling to various parts of the country, she’s working on her next novel. http://LindaTrout.com

Book preview

I asked what you’re doing on my father’s farm after dark?

Not that I owe you any explanation, but feeding the calves.

Don’t give me that! I haven’t been gone that long. You turn them out with their mothers.

He gave her a dead-pan face that indicated she was an idiot. They’re orphans.

What? She drew back, then paused as his words sunk in. Good grief, she was an idiot. Oh.

Yeah, oh. They have to be bottle fed. Or did you never get that involved with the farm?

He started to turn away from her when the last fifteen minutes caught up with her and she began to shake violently. Shoot. Why couldn’t she get a grip on herself? The last thing she wanted to do was fall apart in front of Roy Maddox. But he saw.

Hey. Sorry I scared you. I can announce my presence from now on if you want. He didn’t sound sorry at all, but at least he apologized.

She crossed her arms over her chest to steady her racing heartbeat and shook her head. No, it—it isn’t that. Someone tried to run me off the road a few minutes ago. Someone driving a truck a lot like yours hit me from behind a couple times before driving off.

Run you off the road? He looked confused. What are you talking about?

What I said. They almost succeeded, too. Horrified to show weakness of any kind, she found her knees giving way, and she crumpled to the ground.

Praise for Linda Trout

Praise for Tangled Promises:

This story kept my interest from start to finish. It’s well-written and it reads amazingly fast. ~ Long & Short Reviews

This is a well told story with a lot going on and a twist that will surprise you. This author has life in a small town down perfectly. ~ Coffee Time Romance

Trout has a knack for realistic characters, interesting settings and surprise twists, and I always come away from her books wanting more. ~ Marilyn Pappano, USA Today Bestselling author

One of the things I love about all of Ms. Trout’s stories is how she weaves romance around a suspenseful plot. ~ Linda Broday, New York Times Bestselling author

Praise for Grave Secrets:

Grave Secrets is a ripping mystery, lots of action, and a good mystery for a dark night. ~ Manic Readers

Crushed Promises

by

Linda Trout

Rock Ledge Series

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.

Crushed Promises

COPYRIGHT © 2023 by Linda Trout

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: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Rae Monet, Inc.

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Edition, 2023

Trade Paperback ISBN 978-1-5092-5140-7

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-5141-4

Rock Ledge Series

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To my parents: B.G. & Earlene Perry, who taught me right from wrong, inspired me, supported me and gave me the values I live by. May you both Rest In Peace.

To the man of my dreams and my real-life hero, my husband, who continues to support me in all of my endeavors. I will always love you.

Other Wild Rose Press Titles by Linda Trout:

Grave Secrets

Last Hope Alaska

Tangled Promises: Rock Ledge Series, Book 1

Shattered Promises: Rock Ledge Series, Book 2

Chapter One

Rebecca Walker hated hospitals, this one in particular. It kept claiming her family. She hadn’t wanted to see the inside of it again, yet here she was. The too bright lights, patients moaning, and hushed voices flooded her with bad memories. Every fiber in her body quivered at the thought the last remaining member of her family would be added to the list.

One phone call had turned her world upside down. Again. A rushed trip from New York City brought her back to the Ozark Mountains. Hurrying down the west wing of Harrison’s hospital, she slowed as she neared her father’s room. She wasn’t ready to see him here like this—would never be ready. She stopped outside the door as men’s voices floated out. One clear and strong, the other slurred and weak. Dad.

She peeked around the doorway. A man stood facing away from her, but she focused on her dad. Seeing her strong-as-an-ox father lying in a hospital bed after suffering a stroke came close to buckling her knees. Dad was never sick. Never! She ducked out of sight.

Tears burned her eyes and a lump formed in her throat. She couldn’t go in there, not yet. All she wanted to do was collapse into a puddle, to let someone else be in charge and tell her what to do. Except there wasn’t anyone else and it was up to her to take control, to make the right decisions. While summoning her strength to put on a brave front, she couldn’t help but overhear the conversation.

Bec…ca…?

She’ll be here. She texted that her flight would be in this afternoon. I hope the doc is still around when she arrives. The man lowered his voice and muttered, I sure as hell won’t be.

Who was that? She moved into the doorway and cleared her throat. Her heart jolted when he turned around. Roy Maddox. If life hadn’t been so cruel, he would have become Becca’s brother-in-law.

Only a few inches taller than her, he had a wiry build, light brown hair, brown eyes, and a boyish grin…for everyone but her. Her sister, Lindsey, had called him a heart-throb, which had attracted her to him in the first place. Plus, he’d been a genuinely nice guy. Had been. Not anymore. At least not as far as Becca knew.

More than seven years had passed since she’d seen him, and she wouldn’t have minded making it a lot longer. Like forever. After her sister’s death, she thought he had cut all ties to her family. He’d become a different person, dark and moody, and had even joined the Army to get away from Rock Ledge. Obviously, he had come home, but what was he doing here at the hospital?

Despite their past, despite the things that were said between them after the funeral, she would’ve thought he’d look ashamed of his comment, but he only glared at her. Fine. She hiked her chin, silently daring him to say more. Thankfully, he reined in his sarcasm.

He turned to Dad. Guess who’s here, Perry? Looks like your wayward daughter finally made it. He glanced over his shoulder before saying, I’ll leave you two alone.

Dad gripped Roy’s hand before he could move. Goo…ma…

Roy paused a moment, as if deciphering Perry’s words. Yeah, well, don’t go spreading that around. I don’t want to ruin my reputation. And don’t worry. I’ll take care of the animals plus those other things we discussed. When he released Dad’s hand and faced her, a deep scowl creased his features.

He didn’t speak to her, not that she thought he would. She turned sideways in the doorway to keep him from running into her. Jerk. As soon as he was gone, she rushed to her father’s side, hugged him tightly, then kissed him on the cheek.

So, what do you think you’re doing goofing off like this? Lying around in bed all day? What am I going to do with you? She struggled to keep her voice from wobbling.

He chuckled, then swiped a hand at some saliva dribbling out of the corner of his mouth. He looked as embarrassed as she felt. Struggling to speak, he finally said, Gla…ho…

Like Roy, she took a moment to figure out his meaning. I’m glad, too. I just wish I could’ve come home sooner.

How…go…?

A smile came easily. Great news. I’ll be taking over the leading role in the play I’ve been in on Broadway for the last several months. The current actress is pregnant and will have to step aside soon. The call from the hospital had come right after she’d found out so she hadn’t had a chance to tell him the good news. There were so many things she had meant to do where her dad was concerned, but hadn’t. He had supported her from day one, encouraging her to pursue her dream. She hadn’t exactly returned the favor.

The left side of Dad’s mouth tipped upward and he gripped her hand. Prou…

Thank you, Daddy. If not for you, I never would’ve made it this far. But all those acting classes, auditions, and off-Broadway roles never left time to come home as often as I wanted.

His smile dimmed and sadness settled in his eyes. Miss…you.

This time there was no stopping the tears. She wiped the moisture away. Before she could say anything else, a woman in a white coat walked in, checked Dad, then faced her.

You must be Mr. Walker’s daughter. I’m Dr. Shaffer.

How’s he doing? Becca gripped her shaking hands together.

He’s had us hopping, that’s for sure. She patted his hand, and he gave her a lopsided smile.

Two aides entered the room, drawing his attention as they prepared to turn him.

Dr. Shaffer nodded toward the door. Becca followed her to a nearby empty sitting area and the doctor quickly got down to business.

We haven’t gotten all the tests back yet, but I can say with almost complete certainty that Perry has had a severe stroke. He has lost a lot of his speech, and the use of the right side of his body. At this point, he can’t walk.

Couldn’t talk or walk? No, no, no! This was worse than she thought. But he’ll get better, right? Don’t most people recover from strokes? Didn’t he get here soon enough?

It depends on the type of stroke and the individual. He’s a strong man and we’re hoping for the best.

Becca’s heart squeezed as her breathing became shallow and rapid. This was Dad they were talking about. The man who took care of everyone else. The rock of the family. If he couldn’t be in charge, if he had to be dependent on someone else, she didn’t know what she would do. He had to get better. He just had to. What can we do?

Dr. Shaffer laid her hand on Becca’s arm, which had more of a calming effect than she would’ve thought. The woman had a gentleness about her that put Becca at ease. The course of treatment will depend on what the tests show.

Whatever it takes. I want the best for him.

Of course. That’s our goal also.

Good. They were on the same page. So, in the meantime we…

We keep him comfortable. We’ll start rehab as soon as we know what we’re dealing with.

When will he be able to go home?

As I said, that depends on the test results, how he responds to rehab, and his attitude. The doctor gave her a reassuring smile.

Dad’s attitude had always been positive. Even when there had been droughts and the crops didn’t make, or the price of cattle was down and he lost money, he still remained upbeat. Of course, he and Mom might have had some serious discussions after she and Lindsey went to bed, but they never let on how bad things might have been. Becca realized she and her sister had been sheltered from a lot of harsh realities. Right now, she hoped that positive attitude would be a plus for him.

I’ll keep you posted, the doctor said. She patted Becca’s arm one more time, then moved on to the next room, the next patient.

Becca took a deep, cleansing breath, and peered in on her father. He had done so much for her over the years, doing what a parent did best. Now, it was her turn.

Time to step up to the plate.

****

Roy couldn’t believe his rotten luck. The day kept going down the crapper in royal flushes. Why did Rebecca have to arrive early? If he’d left a half hour earlier, he would have avoided seeing her. Memories of her sister, Lindsey and the love of his life, swept over him like a gut punch. Fraternal twins, Lindsey had been petite with blonde hair and green eyes, like Ellen, their mom, while Rebecca had her father’s height, dark hair, and blue eyes.

He growled under his breath. The only reason she’d come home was because Perry was in the hospital. Roy had half expected her to beg off. She’d claimed to be too busy over the last few years to visit her dad very often. Perry hadn’t complained, but Roy had seen the hurt in his eyes every time she canceled a trip. If he were Roy’s father, Roy would do whatever he could to make him happy and spend time with him. Once you lost them, they were gone forever. He’d give anything to have his own parents back. Rebecca might have lost her sister and mom, but she still had her dad. Why would she ignore him like she had been doing?

He stopped in the men’s room and splashed water on his face. When he’d gotten the call from Perry that morning, with his garbled speech, Roy had rushed to the house. He knew it was bad when Perry hadn’t objected to going to the hospital. The farmer was tough as nails and didn’t ask for much. Showing weakness of any kind simply wasn’t in him, although he had a tender heart. Why else would he have taken Roy under his wing, treating him like a son?

If only Lindsey hadn’t died in that car wreck, they would’ve been married with a couple kids by now. But Lindsey had died, and it was Rebecca’s fault. A fact he couldn’t ignore, or forgive.

He forced down the boulder that lodged in his throat. Life wasn’t fair. Never had been, so why would it be any different now? He mentally shook himself. This wasn’t the time; other things were more important. Like Perry’s health. And Roy not being at the hospital when Miss High and Mighty Rebecca would be there.

He headed outside and slid behind the wheel of his truck. He needed to swing by the Tangled Rose Café and let Melody know how Perry was doing. He and Melody Rose had opened the café after her husband, and Roy’s best friend, had been killed by a fellow vet with PTSD. Now, her life had turned around. She had fallen in love with the new sheriff and finally begun to live again.

Perhaps it was time Roy did the same. Rebecca’s face flashed in his mind. Yeah, he hadn’t managed to move on in the last seven years, and it sure wouldn’t happen now with her around to remind him of what he had lost.

****

Becca rolled her shoulder blades, trying to ease the knots that had taken up residence, as she made her way out of the hospital and across the parking lot. Tension and stress had become constant companions over the last few hours…companions she could do without. Sitting in the rental car, she waited for the A/C to kick in. Even this late in the day, heat wafted off the pavement in waves from the scorching July sun. Laying her head on the steering wheel, the day’s events washed over her as unchecked tears slid down her cheeks.

She desperately wanted Dad to get better. Memories of him carrying her or Lindsey on his shoulders from the barn to the house when they were small made her smile. More than once she’d seen him wrestle a stubborn calf or cow when it didn’t want to go where he needed it to, or manhandle equipment that weighed ten times what he did. No. She refused to give up on him, and wouldn’t let him give up on himself. It didn’t matter that his speech was so slurred she had difficulty understanding him, which frustrated him even more. At one point, he’d turned his head away from her, as if he were ashamed that he couldn’t speak more clearly. It broke her heart.

Perhaps she should move back home, be there for him and stay on the farm like she knew he’d wanted all along. Only, he’d never told her to stay. Instead, he’d encouraged her to pursue her dreams of performing on Broadway.

Becca swiped at her eyes. No sense in crying. Dad’s favorite motto echoed through her mind: Deal with whatever life throws at you. It was what it was, pure and simple. Tonight, she’d wanted to stay close to the hospital in case something happened, like another stroke, but he had gotten across that she should go to the house and get some rest. Reluctantly, she did as he’d told her and left.

She put the car in gear and headed to Rock Ledge. Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. It was a tedious twenty-mile drive on winding roads, and she didn’t want to have a wreck. The one seven years ago had been more than enough.

A half hour later, she pulled down the long drive leading to the old farmhouse. As she rounded the bend, the house came into view. Her breath caught in her throat as longing welled up inside her. Home. It wasn’t much by some people’s standards, but it held a special place in her heart. Lights blazed from the windows, probably left on this morning when he’d been rushed to the hospital, and she parked next to his old pickup truck. It was the same one he’d had for at least a couple of decades.

Suppressing a weary sigh, she squared her shoulders, climbed from the car, and breathed in the earthy scent of Arkansas soil. The fragrance of the freshly cut lawn and nearby hay field brought up her childhood. Her mother had driven the hay truck as she and her sister jostled each other to stick their heads out the window. A couple of hired hands bucked bales onto the bed of the truck while her dad stacked it. It had been hot, tiring work, but the family had been together.

Glancing around the yard, Becca half expected to see Spot, the old mixed breed basset hound that had wandered up one day and stayed. She sighed. The dog was long gone.

Everyone was gone except Dad and her.

With the weight of the day bearing down on her, she pulled the hastily packed suitcase from the trunk and headed up the walk as memories continued to assault her with every step. She shook her head. She hadn’t been able to make her mom’s cancer go away, and she couldn’t undo the wreck or her dad’s stroke. But seeing him in that bed made her want to lie down and cry.

All her life she’d followed him around like a puppy. She’d always depended on him for guidance. No matter the problem or issue, he had the answer. Or at least offered a different way of looking at things until she figured it out. Who could she turn to now?

She sighed. There wasn’t anyone but Dad, and right now he was all that mattered. She had learned to live in Manhattan, found an agent, landed roles in plays when hundreds auditioned. She’d had the guts to do all that because of her roots here. Because of Dad.

Resolved that he’d get the best care possible, she walked through the unlocked door and stepped into the peace and security she’d longed for. Standing in her childhood home, she felt wrapped in a cocoon. Except Becca was the only one there now. She hoped that would change, but she couldn’t be sure. Not yet. Too tired to think of the reality of Dad’s medical issues, she left the bag by the door, dropped her purse on the couch, and went to the kitchen, where everyone automatically gravitated when they came in the house. She hadn’t eaten in hours and was famished.

Heating up a good portion of a casserole she found in the refrigerator, she sank into a chair at the table and took a bite, groaning with pleasure. Despite the fact she didn’t cook much at home, she had to have this recipe and wondered who’d made it. Surely not Dad. His kitchen skills had always been a little lacking. Maybe he’d improved over the years, though.

When she finished, she pushed away from the table, rinsed the dishes, and put them in the dishwasher. With the kitchen cleaned, she made her way through the silent house. Becca couldn’t remember it ever being this quiet. It was almost spooky.

She sighed. It had been a long day, and tomorrow promised to be even longer. Retrieving her bag, she locked up and headed down the hall to her old bedroom. When she climbed into the familiar bed, she thought she’d immediately fall asleep. Instead, she tossed and turned, unable to turn off her mind even though her body craved rest. Guilt ate at her. It didn’t matter that Dad had pressed her to follow her dreams. It didn’t matter that she was fulfilling Lindsey’s dying wish. All she could focus on was that she hadn’t been there this morning when Dad needed her.

Despite the July heat, she pulled one of Mom’s quilts up next to her, breathing in the scent of home, and let sleep overtake her.

****

Bright lights in Times Square teased and taunted. Becca was pushed and shoved in circles by crowds rushing around her. So many people. Poking at her. Clawing at her. Then she stood in the middle of Broadway and lights started exploding. Sparks flew. She cried out and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she found herself in a hospital room. Dad lay deathly still. The beeping machine suddenly began screeching, flat lining. She reached for