A schoolteacher finds love, loss, and happiness in West Texas.
Val Verde County, Texas, 1916
Weary of her family's relentless pursuit of a suitable husband for her, twenty-two-year-old Ester Hammon responds to an advertisement seeking a teacher for Twelve Mile School, a small county school far away from her overprotective Dallas family. But nothing prepared her for what she faced when stepping off the train in the small, dusty town of Del Rio, Texas.
Living with a ranching family three miles from the school, Ester learned how to shoot, in case of a raid by Pancho Villa, a skill that quickly proved useful, causing Ester to question whether she was meant for such a wild place.
Rancher, Grant McKey had no time for love. As a single parent, the schoolteacher living on his ranch was just there for his six-year-old daughter, but adversity has a way of bonding disparate hearts.
Attacked by the Villistas, Ester's bravery saves Grant, but a shocking proposal will forever change their future.
Publisher’s Note: Readers who enjoy heartful tales of life, faith, and romance will not want to miss this endearing series set in West Texas, highlighting the struggles and delights of life in the early 1900s.
Hearts of Texas Series
The Widow Jane Parker
The River Rider
The Twelve Mile School
Judy McGonagill is a native Texan and loves the rich history of the Lone Star State. Judy grew up in a small town where church and school were the community's focus. She has been married to her beloved husband for many years and has two adult sons. She is a retired teacher with an interest in history and enjoys writing historical novels.