Yesterday's Promise
Wild Geese Series - Book 4
By Cynthia Owens Genre: Historical Romance
…Like the Wild Geese of Old Ireland, five boys grew to manhood despite hunger, war, and the mean streets of New York…
An army doctor, Declan Morrissey fought for the survival of every wounded soldier, rejoicing when they recovered, mourning bitterly when they died.
Valerie Stanton was his beautiful battlefield nurse, strong, courageous, and dedicated.
He never dreamed she was an heiress, or that she’d break his heart in a desperate gamble to save the life of another man.
Now that they’ve found each other again, can they overcome past deception and claim the happily ever after they dreamed of?
“Val? Where are you?”
The hoarse whisper jerked her from her light slumber. Valerie Stanton brushed the tangle of dark brown hair from her eyes and jumped stiffly from the chair, hurrying to the figure tossing restlessly on the bed.I must have fallen asleep. Searing guilt swamped her as she reached a hand to smooth Edmund’s tousled hair from his damp forehead. Warm, but not feverish. Oh, thank you, God!
The last thing Edmund needed was a physical illness.
“Valerie?”
“I’m here, love.” Tenderly, she picked up his hand—such a firm, strong hand, the nails clipped short, the back lightly dusted with golden brown hair. The convulsive way that hand gripped her fingers belied that strength and brought a rush of tears to her eyes.
Oh, my darling Edmund, what did they do to you?
“I was afraid.” His broken murmur tore at her heart. “Afraid…you’d gone away too.”
“Never!” She squeezed his hand, brought it to her lips. “I will always be with you, darling.”
He opened his eyes, the blazing indigo blue a mirror of her own, and smiled at her in a moment of pure clarity.
“Would that that were true. I know I only have you for a little while.” His eyes drifted shut.
He heaved a great sigh, and she knew he slept again.
But he didn’t cease his constant tossing.
Valerie sighed. Edmund’s covers had slipped halfway off the bed.
Moving automatically, she righted them, tucking them around his taut shoulders, noting the anxious lines bracketing his eyes and mouth.
What horrors did he relive in his dreams? She never knew, because he never spoke of them.
Refused to speak of them.
How could she help him if he shut himself away from her?
He groaned, jerked to one side and began to mutter frantic syllables she only half understood. “No…please…please don’t…I’m not a spy.” Raw anguish bled through his tone. “I’m only a soldier …a
common soldier…no…don’t—don’t.”
Valerie blinked back tears. Merciful heaven, the pain in his voice! What had those damned Rebs done to him?
“No! No, not Gage…he’s just a boy. Keep your hands off him. No!”
“Edmund!” The helpless whisper tore itself from her throat even as she caught his flailing fist in a vain attempt to calm him. “Oh, Edmund, it’s all right. It’s all right, my dear, you’re safe. You’re home
and safe, I promise you. Don’t be afraid.” The words dissolved into tears, and she swiped impatiently at the moisture on her cheeks.Edmund needed her. She must be strong for him, as he’d always been for her.
I believe I was destined to be interested in history. One of my distant ancestors, Thomas Aubert, reportedly sailed up the St. Lawrence River to discover Canada some 26 years before Jacques Cartier’s 1534 voyage. Another relative was a 17thCentury “King’s Girl,” one of a group of young unmarried girls sent to New France (now the province of Quebec) as brides for the habitants (settlers) there. My passion for reading made me long to write books like the ones I enjoyed, and I tried penning sequels to my favorite Nancy Drew mysteries. Later, fancying myself a female version of Andrew Lloyd Weber, I drafted a musical set in Paris during WWII.
A former journalist and lifelong Celtophile, I enjoyed a previous career as a reporter/editor for a small chain of community newspapers before returning to my first love, romantic fiction. My stories usually include an Irish setting, hero or heroine, and sometimes all three!
I am a member of the Romance Writers of America, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. A lifelong resident of Montreal, Canada, I still live there with my own Celtic hero and our two teenaged children.
Thanks so much for having me as your guest! :)
ReplyDelete