Tracie Peterson - A Love Woven True

A LOVE
WOVEN TRUE

Books by Tracie Peterson
www.traciepeterson.com

The Long-Awaited ChildA Slender Thread
What She Left for MeI Cant Do It All!

ALASKAN QUEST
Summer of the Midnight SunUnder the Northern Lights
Whispers of Winter

BELLS OF LOWELL
Daughter of the LoomA Fragile Design
These Tangled Threads

LIGHTS OF LOWELL
A Tapestry of HopeA Love Woven True
The Pattern of Her Heart

DESERT ROSES
Shadows of the CanyonAcross the Years
Beneath a Harvest Sky

HEIRS OF MONTANA
Land of My HeartThe Coming Storm
To Dream AnewThe Hope Within

WESTWARD CHRONICLES
A Shelter of HopeHidden in a WhisperA Veiled Reflection

RIBBONS OF STEEL
Distant DreamsA Promise for Tomorrow

RIBBONS WEST
Westward the DreamTies That Bind

SHANNON SAGA
City of AngelsAngels FlightAngel of Mercy

YUKON QUEST
Treasures of the NorthAshes and IceRivers of Gold

Books by Judith Miller
www.judithmccoymiller.com

FREEDOMS PATH
First DawnMorning Sky

with James Scott Bell
with Allison Bottke and Dianne OBrian

06C

TRACIE PETERSON
AND
JUDITH MILLER

A LOVE
WOVEN TRUE

A Love Woven True
Copyright 2005
Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

Cover design by Dan Thornberg

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher and copyright owners.

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Printed in the United States of America

Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-2895-7 ISBN-10: 0-7642-2895-1
Large Print: ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-0010-6 ISBN-10: 0-7642-0010-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Peterson, Tracie.
A love woven true / by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller.
p. cm. (Lights of Lowell ; bk. 2)
ISBN 0-7642-2895-1 (pbk.) ISBN 0-7642-0010-0 (large-print paperback)
1. Conflict of generationsFiction. 2. Fathers and daughtersFiction.
3. Women landownersFiction. 4. Textile industryFiction. 5. Lowell (Mass.) Fiction. 6. AbductionFiction. 7. FreedmenFiction. 8. WidowsFiction.
I. Miller, Judith. II. Title. III. Series.
PS3566.E7717L688 2005
813'.54dc22

2004020014

CONTENTS

To Gerry Perry
a woman I greatly admire

TRACIE PETERSON is a popular speaker and bestselling author who has written over sixty books, both historical and contemporary fiction. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

Visit Tracies Web site at: www.traciepeterson.com.

JUDITH MILLER is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, many of which have appeared on the CBA bestseller lists. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas.

Visit Judys Web site at: www.judithmccoymiller.com.

October 1849, Lowell, Massachusetts

JASMINE HOUSTON trembled uncontrollably. Surely her brother-in-law was mistaken!

Im to return home to The Willows immediately? Please, she said, extending her shaking hand in Nolans direction. Her voice sounded strangely foreign to her own ears, and she cleared her throat before attempting to once again speak. Permit me to read the missive for myself. The high-pitched quiver remained in her voice, ruining any hope of appearing unruffled by Nolans news.

Nolans brow furrowed into deep creases. Im sorry. In my haste to arrive, I failed to bring the letter with me.

She lowered herself onto the ivory brocade settee and met her brother-in-laws concerned gaze. Does my father say why he penned the missive to you instead of corresponding directly with me? And why did Samuel say nothing of our mothers failing health when he was in Massachusetts? Surely if Mothers health hung in the balance, Samuel would have sent word. Giving Nolan a feeble smile before continuing, she said, Perhaps Mother is merely languishing since suffering with yellow fever this summer. What with her bouts of melancholy, she tends to be somewhat slow in healing from any illness. I suspect Father is hoping a visit from little Spencer and me will cause her to rally.

It certainly could do no harm.

Jasmine gave an emphatic nod. It will take time to make preparations for the journey. Traveling with a child of nearly two is not quite as simple as one might think. And, of course, Ill need to make inquiry concerning when a vessel will be sailing. Also, I must see to Grandmother Wainwright. Shes been ailing this past week. She hesitated for a moment. And you say Mammy isnt well either? Her thoughts were jumbled, and she now realized her words had poured forth in a mishmash of confusion.

Thats what your father indicated in his letter, Nolan softly replied.

I must admit I am exceedingly surprised to hear that piece of news. The fact that Mammy would remain in a weakened condition after her supposed recovery several months ago is disconcerting. Shes always been strong and healthy. Perhaps Father was overstating matters in order to ensure my return to The Willows for a visit.

There is always that possibility. And your grandmother? What ails her? I thought she might give consideration to making the journey as well.

Jasmine began pacing, quickly covering the length of the parlor and returning several times. The doctor fears she may have pneumonia. Grandmother says its merely an attack of ague and will soon pass. However, she does have a troublesome cough, and I doubt whether shes strong enough to travel. Then again, shes a stubborn woman. Who knows what she may decide. But unless she makes a quick recovery, I believe she should remain in Lowell.

Youre likely correct on that account. The journey from Massachusetts to Mississippi could prove harrowing for her. Hearing of her condition only serves to confirm the decision I made upon receiving your fathers letter, Nolan said.

Jasmine glanced over her shoulder as she continued crisscrossing the room. And what decision would that be?

I plan to accompany you and Spencer to The Willows.

Her pacing came to an abrupt halt at the far end of the room.

Turning toward him, Jasmine flushed at the overwhelming sense of warmth she felt for Nolan. His obvious concern touched her.

I cant ask you to do such a thing, Nolan. The commitment of time required to make the journey is unreasonable to ask of anyone other than a family member, of course.

His gaze fell. Am I not family? His question was barely audible.

Oh, what have I said? Of course youre family. My comment was directed toward Fathers request that Spencer and I make the journey. Taking several quick steps, she came to a halt in front of him before meeting his questioning gaze. Surely you realize that Spencer and I couldnt have survived since Bradleys death without you. Spencer has come to look upon you as his very favorite visitor. In fact, he often demonstrates his displeasure over the fact that you live in Concord rather than Lowell. He would, of course, prefer more frequent visits.