A woman with a past, a man determined to uncover the truth, and a secret that could tear them apart forever.A Grieving Husband: Amon Cayle needs a seamstress. He has spent the last year rebuilding his life after the tragic death of his wife in a kitchen fire, the same fire that nearly took the life of his eldest son as well. The business of grieving their loss, as well as the work of his tobacco plantation, has caused him to neglect the simplest of tasks. His family now needs clothes and despite his dislike for Mary McKechnie, and their shared past, he offers her the job.A Desperate Mother: Mary McKechnie needs a job. Her brother has threatened to take her daughters and place them into indentured service if she can't provide for them. He hasn't made it any easier by insisting she work only for fellow Friends. When Amon Cayle offers her a job, she has little choice but to accept.A Devastating Secret: The last time Amon spoke with Mary, after she walked away from him into the arms of another man over twenty years ago, she assured him she was not keeping secrets. He didn't believe her then, and he doesn't believe her now. While she is working for him, he is determined to find answers. She is just as determined to not give them.Will Mary be able to save Amon from the past? Or will his love threaten to destroy them both? Donna Hechler Porter graduated from Texas A & M University with a bachelor's degree in education. She has taught in public and private schools, and she survived homeschooling as well. She currently teaches English and literature to middle school students while also tutoring children of all ages in a variety of subjects. She recently acquired her real estate license, and now helps people start new chapters in their own lives. She lives northeast of Houston with embarrasingly way too many animals, but her heart longs for a cabin in the woods. She has published five novels and five books on her family history. Her Children of the Light Series has won a number of awards, and Keeping Secrets and Breaking Promises (Book 1 & 2), as well as The Rood (Book I of The Marylanders) were nominated for the prestigious RONE Award. She loves to make public appearances either at book signings or while teaching some aspect of history or writing. When not working, you will find her gardening, reading, cooking, sewing, or researching her family tree.
