Snow Belle (Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Book 1) Read online

  Madison Creek

  Bed & Breakfast

  Book One

  Snow Belle

  by

  Jackie Castle

  Castle Library Publishing

  Snow Belle – Book One of Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast

  Copyright 2015 by Jackie Castle

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  Find out more about the author: Jackie Castle,

  To keep updated on new releases, sign up for the Castle’s Story World Newsletter

  Or email her at: [email protected]

  Cover art created by Castle Creations

  Castle’s Other Works:

  Fantasy YA Series

  From The White Road Chronicles:

  Illuminated

  Luminosity

  Emanate

  Radiance

  From The White Road Tales Novellas

  Captured

  Stolen

  Ransom

  For Young Readers

  The Sentinels Archives: Through the Portal

  Dedication:

  When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

  Psalm 61:2

  ~*~

  To my Yankee family who welcomed me in as one of their own.

  To my church family at Grace Community of Fort Worth who taught me the value of community and sticking together.

  Welcome to Madison Creek

  Where

  Northern Hospitality Meets Southern Comfort

  Haley Madison packed her big dreams and drove to the Arctic. Well, all right, so it’s Madison Creek, Michigan. But for a Texas gal this frozen land ought to come with a sled and huskies. If it wasn’t for her family’s rundown property, she’d have stayed where the sun shone bright and warm. However, she has grand ideas for her inheritance even if the town has thrown up their objections to her plans.

  Ethan Winters hated going home and admitting failure. Sure, he has a special talent with the violin, but he has bigger ambitions than playing at the local bowling alley. And then there was the idea of facing his father. No, he wasn’t ready to go home just yet. He veered off the interstate and drove to a little town named Madison Creek. Maybe his luck would change, or so he thought until a strange meeting blows him right off his road.

  Prelude

  Haley Madison stopped her rumbling Chevy truck in front of the Madison farm house. The old Victorian, once a deep hunter’s green, sat atop of a small rise like a queen ruling over her land, but in this case, a realm of over-grown and sorely neglected farmlands. When was the last time anyone had come to mow the grass or trim the hedges?

  Wally, her black-coated Belgian Sheepdog, whined and pressed his nose to the windshield. His whole body wriggled in anticipation to run across the shabby lawn and stir up the crows flocking in the autumn sunshine.

  Her own muscles ached from the long drive, too, but she made no move to get out yet. If the outside looked this bad, she wasn’t sure she could stomach what she’d find inside.

  “Oh Papop, what an all-fire mess.” Haley leaned forward and rested her chin on the steering wheel with a loud sigh. Across the two-lane road sat the old red barn badly in need of paint. So many happy memories revolved in her mind from the few blissful years she’d lived with her grandparents in Madison Creek, Michigan when she was a young girl.

  Haley pushed back her Stetson and glanced out the rear window at the horse trailer hooked behind Lady Blue, which is what she’d dubbed her ol’ pickup. She hoped the inside of the barn wasn’t as neglected as the outside. Molly and Cress, her horses, needed a safe place to stay through the winter. She bit her lip, wondering if she should take care of them first, or high-tail it in to see her grandfather.

  His last call had frightened her enough to pack everything she owned and skedaddle up to the arctic faster than a rattler’s strike. Nothing much kept her in Texas, no how. Not anymore.

  “Wally, let’s go see Papop first. Then we’ll let Molly and Cress out. Won’t hurt ’em to stay where they are a bit longer.”

  Wally whined again and scratched at the window as if to say, “Well, let’s get on with it all ready.”

  She opened her door, gasping at the cold wind bursting into the cab. She’d left the hot September temperatures in the high nineties for ones that would barely reach the mid-sixties on a good day. Up here, the trees were crowned in golden glory. In Texas they’d turned brown from the blazing summer heat.

  After grabbing her two suitcases and duffel bag, she trudged up the steps leading to the grand wrap-around porch. Back in the day while Memaw was alive, there were potted plants everywhere during the warmer months and big cushy chairs for people to sit. She smiled to find the old swinging bench still in place. What a great spot for an afternoon nap during the few months of nice weather.

  When she reached the front door, she moved to grab the handle and enter as she’d always done, but then stopped herself and fisted her hand to knock. Would he be able to get out of bed to answer? Maybe she should just enter.

  The door swung open to a middle aged woman dressed scrubs with smiley faces all over the shirt. Her round cheeks puffed with her broad smile. “You must be Haley Belle?”

  Inwardly, Haley cringed at the name her family always called her, yet plastered on a smile and nodded.

  “Mr. Madison has been asking after you.” The nurse lady stepped out and grabbed one of her cases. “Let me help you with that, pumpkin.”

  “Are you his…”

  “Hospice nurse. Call me Mabel.”

  Hospice? That meant he didn’t have much time left. She swallowed the burning lump in her throat.

  “He’s having a good day, today. Meaning he’s responsive and talking, but tires out easily.” Mabel set the suitcases at the base of the staircase.

  The hot lump moved down and settled in Haley’s chest as she looked around at the poor ol’ house. Stains from leaky pipes marked the ceiling. Stacks of old newspapers and books cluttered the sitting room around the stone fireplace. The door to the kitchen was closed. She hated to think of what condition that room might be in. To the back of the house was Memaw’s favorite place, the garden room. Tears welled in her eyes over all the nearly dead plants, dust covered furniture and dirty ceiling to floor windows that once gave the room its charm. She swallowed down the urge to cry. No sense in it. Not now.

  “Can … I see him?”

  “Sure can. He’s taken the study as his room since he can’t make it up the stairs anymore. Why don’t you go on in? I was just preparing a bowl of broth for him. Would you like me to make you something?”

  “No thank you, Mabel. Do you stay here all day?” Haley forced her feet to move across the dull wood floors.

  “I’m the morning shift. There are two other nurses who come to sit with him. He didn’t wish to remain in the hospital, and I can’t say that I blame him either.” Her chocolate brown eyes sparkled as she added, “It’s such a pleasure taking care of Mr. Charles. He’s a fine gentlemen. When he’s awake, we mostly talk about the Lord.” She drew in a slow breath and her voice soothed into a gentler tone. “He’s ready to go be with his wife. An’ your mama, Isabelle.”

  That did it. Haley’s mouth clamped shut to rein in the cry wanting to escape. Fiery heat filled her chest from the held in tears. Clearing
her throat, she gave a quick nod, then rushed down the hall to the last room. The moment she pushed inside, the smell of staleness and sickness hit her. A still form lay on the four-poster bed. Papop had grown a beard, something he’d never done while healthy. Being a military man, he’d always kept his hair regulation short and his face clean.

  Haley crept toward the bed. His eyes were closed, so she carefully lowered into the chair Mabel most likely occupied during her vigils. She didn’t want Papop to leave her, though she understood his yearning to see Memaw. And Momma.

  Swallowing another stone of sorrow, she reached out and ran her fingers over his withered hand. They used to be so large and strong. Callouses roughened his fingers and palms from working out in the fields.

  Papop called her his Smart girl, or his Sweet-pea. Memaw was the only person in the whole wide world to ever call her by the pet name Precious. Everyone else…? They had their own choice names for her, none that left her feeling like she was worth something.

  “I’m so sorry I didn’t get here sooner, Papop. Sure was stupid of me.”

  “You were going to get married, Haley Belle.” One blue eye peeped open, then the other as his beard parted in a broad grin. “There’s my smart girl. Made it all the way here from Texas after all, did you?”

  “Cain’t seem to stay away. Too much time has passed since I last visited. What’s it been, two … three years?”

  “Two years last July.”

  “I should have been here months ago. Why didn’t you tell me you were this bad off?”

  He struggled to shift his pillow, but tired from the movement. Haley rushed to his side, propping him up so he could see her better. No matter how sick he might be, his lake-blue eyes still sparkled with their usual merriment. That happiness from someone who had lived a full, satisfying life with no major regrets. Haley hoped she’d someday have that kind of sparkle.

  Papop caught her hand so she had to sit on the bed next to him. “The Good Lord has seen fit to send me the help I’ve needed, Sweet-pea. Don’t you worry about your Papop. I’m on my way home and couldn’t be more pleased than a… what is that saying you have?”

  Haley chuckled. He always loved what he called her Haleyisms. “Pleased as a pup at its mama’s teat.”

  He laughed outright, which sent him into a coughing fit.

  Grabbing a glass of water off the night stand, she forced her trembling hands to hold it steady to his lips. “Don’t sound like you’re in need of my joshing around, Papop.”

  Once the spell subsided, his head fell back into the pillow, but his smile never wavered. “Ah, I intend to go out with joy in my heart and a big grin on my face, young lady. I can’t wait to see my Emma Rose again. And Isabelle Marie.” He blinked a few times as he took a better look at Haley. “Can’t believe how much you ended up looking like your mother. You have her blonde curls and deep blue eyes.” He winked. “Lucky you. She was such a beautiful girl.”

  Haley didn’t know how much more of this she’d be able to take before she broke down and bawled her ever-lovin’ blue eyes out right here at his bedside.

  His brow rose into his shaggy white hair. “I was sorry to hear your engagement didn’t work out. Did he break your heart, Haley? I have connections if you need someone to go beat some sense—”

  “Papop!”

  He winked again and she realized he was the one joshing now. Always did love teasing and making people laugh. Maybe he knew she was on the verge of crumbling and was trying to lighten the moment. He was like that. Oh, but she loved him so much, and once again chastised herself for staying away for so long. How could she have abandoned the only real father figure she’d ever had?

  Drat my confounded stubbornness!

  “You know,” Haley said, forcing down the tears into a safe box and slamming the lid down tight. She’d let them out much, much later. “It’s for the best, I suspect. Robert was a real playboy now that I’ve got some distance and perspective. Soon as he learned I was hoping to get Lexie out of the foster system once we settled down, he scurried off like a lizard with a hawk on its tail. Who needs that kind of man?”

  His head shook from side to side on the yellow pillowcase. “How’s your sister doing? With her father in jail and your mother gone…”

  “The court said if I get my life settled and start earning an income, they’ll consider granting me custody of her. But she’s near old enough to walk out on her own in another year or so.”

  Papop’s head bobbed with an understanding nod. “I can’t imagine the grief you girls have suffered. As I said last time we talked, the house and land will be all yours when I’m gone. I want you to do whatever is necessary to build a life for yourself here. That girl needs her real family.”

  Haley’s heart twisted. For the past few years, she’d felt like an orphan, too.

  She didn’t want to think about making a life he wasn’t a part of. So she didn’t tell him she had no plans at the moment. Now that she’d seen the condition the house was in, she wasn’t too sure what to do with any of it. But he was right about one thing, this was her chance for a do over. A chance to rebuild her life on her own terms and get back on her feet and support herself. To make a life nobody could take away from her.

  Before she could respond, he hurried on, as if needing to make sure he got out all the important stuff. “I have a list of things I want dispersed to the remaining family. Your great-aunt Daisy still lives in town. Don’t be afraid to ask her for help if you need anything or have questions. If you can keep the house and farmland intact, I’d appreciate it, but will understand if you need to sell off more acreage to do whatever you need to do. What’s important, Haley Isabelle, is that you use this opportunity to make a life for yourself. Understand? This is fertile land, and lots of it. This house was one of the first to be built here in Madison Creek. The town is named after your family lineage, so don’t forget who you are.” He patted her cheek. “You’re a smart girl. I have faith you’ll make something wonderful of all this mess. I wish I could have given you more since so much has been taken from you.”

  The tears came then, pouring out and uncontrollable. Haley curled up beside Papop, resting her head on his bony shoulder and let the tears pool onto his shirt. He didn’t seem to mind, but kept telling her how happy he was that she was there with him. Soon Wally found her and he hopped up on the bed and curled up on Papop’s other side.

  “My two favorites,” he sighed.

  * * * *

  Two weeks later, Haley stood beside the open grave as people filed by, tossing bits of dirt down on the burgundy casket. Wally sat beside her, resting up against her leg. It seemed as if the whole town had come out to bid Charles Madison goodbye.

  Haley knew Papop wasn’t shedding any tears, so she tried valiantly to hold her own back. No, he was probably dancing up in heaven, giving Memaw and Momma, along with the rest of the Madison clan, smooches and hugs.

  She’d been blessed with three more really good days with him before his heart finally ticked its last tick. He’d left her a house in desperate need of repairs, and the grand ol’ barn which she could see through the pines surrounding the family burial ground. All the past Madisons were buried here, even Momma, despite how she was always so antsy to get somewhere warmer and bigger. Isabelle Madison was never a fan of small towns.

  Haley loved them and hoped she could make a life here. The people gathered around the graveside seemed to adore Charles, and had nothing but good memories to share with her.

  Oh, please, Lord, please let me find a way to fit in.

  The town wasn’t in much better condition than the farm. But there was always hope, wasn’t there? And possibilities?

  She stared at the barn, not able to watch the hole where Papop rested slowly fill with dark Michigan dirt.

  Just as slowly, an idea began to form. A grand idea. Something great she could do that everyone would love. There was only enough money to see her through a few months. No, she’d have to see what the land w
as valued at. Sacrifices would need to be made. But a bud of excitement, the first she’d felt in some time, broke through the darkness and into the light.

  Yes, she’d find a way to make her grand idea a reality. And soon, she’d have a way to get her sister, Lexie, out of the mess her step-father, Mad Maddix, had made of their lives.

  Chapter One

  “Good night, you’re a mess.” Haley Madison stared in horror at the reflection in the foyer mirror. Her puffy eyes looked like she was suffering from an allergic reaction. Shouldn’t have spent half the night bawling over those old pictures, silly. She pulled a knit cap over her wild blonde hair and wrapped a scarf around her neck, hoping she could hide the fact she’d not had time to put on make-up.

  “No time for shoulda’s.” She checked the wall clock. “Drat, I’ll be late!”

  Haley yanked open the front door and stepped out onto the wide porch of the old Victorian home. She froze on the top step - literally - at the sight spread across the sloping front yard and beyond into the fields across the road. White, white, and more white.

  White covering Memaw’s prize rosebushes growing along the wraparound porch. White piled along the railing, covering the peeling paint, which was actually a good thing. And white at least two feet high along the driveway. Uh, not such a good thing.

  “Good night. How on earth am I to get my truck out in this mess?” Haley sighed a cloud of puffy white steam.

  That dratted white stuff also blanketed the steps and walkway. She glanced at her red Ropers, dismayed over her choice of footwear. They were the warmest shoes she’d brought from Texas and the only ones large enough for her to double up on socks so her toes didn’t freeze off her feet.