Belle Pointe

Belle Pointe
Karen Young

BELLE POINTE IS WAITING LOR SOMEONE TO UNCOVER ITS SECRETSAnne Whitaker: Faced with an unexpected loss, Anne returns to the hot and sultry Mississippi Delta, leaving her husband, Buck, to ponder his future–with or without her. Looking for distraction, she immerses herself in the history of Belle Pointe, the plantation house that has been home to generations of Whitakers, including her husband.Buck Whitaker:A professional athlete, Buck is in an emotional tailspin when his career is jeopardized by scandal. Then his wife adds to his troubles by threatening divorce and fleeing to Mississippi, a place that holds bitter memories for him.Victoria Whitaker: By marrying into the Whitaker family, Victoria has enjoyed a life of privilege and position as matriarch of Belle Pointe. But now her daughter-in-law Anne has unwittingly uncovered family secrets that Victoria does not want revealed–secrets that will change the course of Whitaker family history…secrets that will change Anne's own life, as well.

Praise for KAREN YOUNG

“The suspense is almost unbearable.”

—Romantic Times BOOKclub on Never Tell

“Karen Young is a writer who delivers intense, gripping

and dark suspense…bound to keep you hooked.”

—Romantic Times BOOKclub

“Young skillfully mixes romance with

edge-of-your-seat suspense.”

—Library Journal

“…a powerful novel that was extremely

hard to put down.”

—Romance Reviews Today on In Confidence

“…a moving tale of second chances.”

—Romantic Times BOOKclub on Private Lives

“Karen Young is a spellbinding storyteller.”

—Romantic Times BOOKclub

Also by KAREN YOUNG

NEVER TELL

IN CONFIDENCE

PRIVATE LIVES

FULL CIRCLE

GOOD GIRLS

Belle Pointe

Karen Young

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

Acknowledgments

As in all my books, I’m indebted to so many people who helped make this one happen. I took a leap of faith when I chose to build the story around a professional baseball superstar. Most of what I know about baseball I learned in grade school.

Therefore, I relied on guidance from Doug Simmons, my son-in-law, for the technicalities of the game and the effect of injuries on a pitcher. For guidance on the workings of a cotton plantation, I relied on Peggy Peal, my grandson’s other grandmother, whose family has lived on and worked a cotton plantation in the Mississippi Delta ever since God invented dirt.

For insight into the social culture of the Delta, I owe thanks to Gloria Dunbar. For the business stuff, Bob Wood, my lawyer son-in-law, proved, as always, a fabulous asset. Finally, to my editor, Valerie Gray, for insightful critique. Thanks to you all.

For my grandson, Josh.

Baseball, football, basketball—

the family’s very own super athlete!

Contents

Chapter One (#ua6217082-c4e0-5520-b2ec-45e3ff763148)

Chapter Two (#ucbf771d8-c010-5269-8bfb-b5fb5daaaa94)

Chapter Three (#ub95dcd43-304e-5ea3-96d6-f8198fa25d08)

Chapter Four (#u4fc0eb29-61ef-55ba-b46e-8bf255e49b01)

Chapter Five (#u42d04367-7233-5432-946d-85f803251d15)

Chapter Six (#ud198fa2b-1b9c-59fe-ac4e-8d2a129018f2)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)