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
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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
