All Roads Lead to Texas

All Roads Lead to Texas
Linda Warren

Callie Lambert flees New York with her three young siblings for the small Texas town where she was born, waiting for the day their abusive stepfather is put in jail and it's safe to return to the city. The four of them quickly become attached to Homestead and its people - especially Sheriff Wade Montgomery, a man who knows what it's like to lose everything. But what will happen when he finds out Callie's secret? Will he turn her in, or help her at the risk of losing his badge?No matter what the future brings, she's made a promise to bring the kids back home…but what if they're already there?

“You’re my father.”

“I knew who you were the first moment I saw you. You favor Glynis. She was very beautiful.”

“You knew who I was?” Callie gasped.

“Yep. Been waiting a lot of years to see that face, but when I finally got my chance, I guess I acted like a coward. I couldn’t tell you who I was. Didn’t think you really wanted to know, but I kept coming here just to get a glimpse of you.”

Callie’s hands trembled and tears stung the back of her eyes. “You’re the reason I came to Homestead with the kids. Glynis said you were probably dead, but I had to know for sure.”

“How is Glynis?” her father finally asked.

Obviously Wade wanted Callie to be the one to tell her father the truth. Telling another person could jeopardize their safety, but when Callie looked into her father’s eyes, she knew she could trust him. So she told him their story.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Homestead, Texas. Never heard of it? Well, you’re in for a treat. This is the third book in a series called HOME TO LOVELESS COUNTY. The books, about a fictional town in the Texas Hill Country, are written by Roxanne Rustand, K.N. Casper, Roz Denny Fox, Lynnette Kent and me. I had a great time brainstorming with these wonderful authors. Please don’t miss any of these exciting stories!

To save the dying town of Homestead, the mayor comes up with a land giveaway program. New residents arrive weekly in search of a new beginning, a new life.

Callie Lambert was born in Homestead, and when she needs a safe hiding place, she returns to her roots as an applicant for the Home Free Program. But Callie is a fugitive. She’s kidnapped her brother and sisters from an abusive stepfather. Now all she has to do is stay hidden until her case can be heard.

To do that she has to avoid the handsome sheriff, Wade Montgomery. But he keeps checking on Callie and the kids, and against her better judgment she’s drawn to the tall, lanky Texan. What will Wade do when he discovers her secret? Turn the page and find out!

I hope you enjoy your visit to Homestead, Texas.

Warmly,

Linda Warren

It’s always a pleasure to hear from readers.

You can e-mail me at Lw1508@aol.com or write me at P.O. Box 5182, Bryan, TX 77805 or visit my Web site at www.lindawarren.net or www.superauthors.com. Your letters will be answered.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO TEXAS

Linda Warren

To the other authors of the

HOME TO LOVELESS COUNTY series,

Roxanne Rustand, K.N. Casper, Roz Denny Fox

and Lynnette Kent. It was a privilege and a joy to work

with you, even during those times of panic. Thanks for

making the newbie feel right at home. And to our editors,

Paula Eykelhof, Laura Shin, Kathleen Scheibling and

Victoria Curran, for keeping us focused and on track.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mitch Siegert, executive chef, thanks for answering all my questions so patiently. Wayne Landry, thanks for sharing your colorful friends with me. Ladies in my aqua therapy group, thanks for your encouragement and support on this book.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN