Promises To Keep
Tricky curves aheadAfter three years of grieving, it's finally time for widow McKenna Wellington to take that long-awaited road trip…though her adventure isn't meant to include Parker Fordum. The stodgy, set-in-his-ways economics professor is the last person McKenna wants to accompany her across 2,400 miles of defunct highway. But her late husband's friend has his own reasons for signing on.And Parker's surprising McKenna in all sorts of good ways. Somewhere between Chicago and LA, an unlikely friendship blooms, turning a cross-country trip into something more. But what awaits them at journey's end?
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Tricky curves ahead
After three years of grieving, itâs finally time for widow McKenna Wellington to take that long-awaited road trip...though her adventure isnât meant to include Parker Fordum. The stodgy, set-in-his-ways economics professor is the last person McKenna wants to accompany her across 2,400 miles of defunct highway. But her late husbandâs friend has his own reasons for signing on.
And Parkerâs surprising McKenna in all sorts of good ways. Somewhere between Chicago and LA, an unlikely friendship blooms, turning a cross-country trip into something more. But what awaits them at journeyâs end?
His arm around her was sure and strong.
McKenna had forgotten what it felt like for a man to hold her. Emotions sheâd buried suddenly surfaced like a strong gust of wind that sweeps around a corner and takes you by surprise.
She went up on her toes, joining him in the kiss. It seemed to go on forever.
Parker released her. He stepped back, moving out of her personal space. His stare was steady and direct as she looked up at him. âIâm not going to apologize,â he said. âIâm not sorry.â
McKenna couldnât speak. Her lip trembled from contact with his. Was she sorry? She didnât know. Sheâd never expected Parker to kiss her. Sheâd never expected to enjoy it. But she had. She should be ready to date again, to find someone she could spend her life with.
But Parker?
He wasnât that man. Parker Fordum was the last man on earth that she could have any kind of relationship with.
Driving Route 66 from end to end has been a goal of mine since I was first enthralled by the exploits of the two fictional characters from the television program Route 66. (I was also intrigued by the car.) Writing is a way of getting to safely do all of the things you can imagine. And so I gave my adventure to McKenna and Parker.
In researching this book, I watched some of the old television episodes from Route 66. Just as Parker has done in my book, I was rediscovering the road and the stories encountered and especially the people that make life interesting. I hope you enjoy Promises to Keep and that you will have your own adventure.
As always, keep reading,
Shirley
SHIRLEY HAILSTOCK began her writing life as a lover of reading. She likes nothing better than to find a quiet corner where she can get lost in a book, explore new worlds and visit places she never expected to see. As an author, she can not only visit those places, but she can be the heroine of her own stories. The author of over thirty novels and novellas, including her electronic editions, Shirley has received numerous awards, including the Waldenbooks Bestselling Romance Award and the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award. Shirleyâs books have appeared on BlackBoard, Essence and Library Journal bestseller lists. She is a past president of Romance Writers of America.
To my editor Kathryn Lye,
for making my stories better.
Contents
Dear Reader
WHAT SHE WAS about to do was strictly forbidden. McKenna Wellington knew it, but she was going to do it anyway.
She glanced at the aged and torn rule sign hanging on the wall. Turning it over, she reached for the master switch and forced it up. The lights over the track flared on. In a flash, midnight became high noon.
Looking up, she squinted at the brightness. The buzz of the halogen lamps coming to life sounded like a cavalcade of bees. The bleachers showed bright red seats, and the infield was ripe with Kentucky bluegrass. No cars graced the fieldâexcept hers. The fully restored red-and-white 1959 Corvette sat alone, a silent sentinel waiting for its driver in the surreal light.
Nothing was scheduled for testing. There were no spectators, no officials with stop watches or pit crews.
She was alone.
McKenna, the lights, the car and the night.
The wind was strong, plastering her flight suit to her body, but it wasnât rugged enough to affect her test. Snapping her helmet over her shoulder-length brunette mane, she slid behind the wheel. She took a moment to admire the car, running her hand over the leather upholstery, caressing the steering wheel, taking in that new car smell and admiring the gleaming chrome hood ornament. It had taken her a year to restore the car and tonight was its first and only test run.
With her hands on the steering wheel, Marshall came unbidden to mind. This car, this drive, was her idea, but heâd supported it. They were going to do it together. But now that was not to be, would never be. Mist rose to her eyes. She blinked it away.
Marshall had been gone three years. She missed him, but sheâd learned to fill the hours of her days until she no longer felt she would fall into melancholy and sudden bouts of tears. Guilt had racked her when she no longer thought of him first thing in the morning or last thing at night, when his features began to fade and she had to concentrate to bring them into focus.
