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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
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
One
As it always happened at these events, the room was filled to capacity. Scanning the crowd, Anne Whitaker estimated the number at better than three hundred, well surpassing the goal of the nonprofit sponsor. Amazed that all it took for folks to plunk down five hundred dollars a plate was the appearance of the star pitcher of the St. Louis Jacks—who just happened to be her husband. Buck’s name was a strong draw, so he was constantly in demand. Not only was he a gifted speaker and utterly relaxed in front of an audience, but he was genuinely funny. And, perhaps
