Miss Janie’s Girls Read online

  PRAISE FOR CAROLYN BROWN

  The Family Journal

  “Brown takes a snapshot of the heart at its most vulnerable and then puts it in our hands for safekeeping. The Family Journal dares to expose every emotion we’re too afraid to face but determined to conquer anyway.”

  —Amazon review

  “Reading a Carolyn Brown book is like coming home again.”

  —Harlequin Junkie (top pick)

  The Empty Nesters

  “A delightful journey of hope and healing.”

  —Woman’s World

  “The story is full of emotion . . . and the joy of friendship and family. Carolyn Brown is known for her strong, loving characters, and this book is full of them.”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  “Carolyn Brown takes us back to small-town Texas with a story about women, friendships, love, loss, and hope for the future.”

  —Storeybook Reviews

  “Ms. Brown has fast become one of my favorite authors!”

  —Romance Junkies

  “A road trip full of laughs, tears, and deep friendships that proves that heart is truly what makes a family.”

  —Em and M Books

  “Carolyn Brown delivers another heaping dose of comfort reading with her latest book . . . all about supportive friendships and overcoming grief and loss. Girl power for the win!”

  —Rainy Day Ramblings

  “Sometimes if you are lucky, you pick up a book at just the right time in your life that every emotion written by the author resonates and you cannot put it down. The Empty Nesters by Carolyn Brown is that book for me.”

  —Goodreads review

  The Perfect Dress

  “Fans of Brown will swoon for this sweet contemporary, which skillfully pairs a shy small-town bridal shop owner and a soft-hearted car dealership owner . . . The expected but welcomed happily ever after for all involved will make readers of all ages sigh with satisfaction.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Carolyn Brown writes the best comfort-for-the-soul, heartwarming stories, and she never disappoints . . . You won’t go wrong with The Perfect Dress!”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  The Magnolia Inn

  “The author does a first-rate job of depicting the devastating stages of grief, provides a simple but appealing plot with a sympathetic hero and heroine and a cast of lovable supporting characters, and wraps it all up with a happily ever after to cheer for.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “The Magnolia Inn by Carolyn Brown is a feel-good story about friendship, fighting your demons, and finding love, and maybe, just a little bit of magic.”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  “Chock-full of Carolyn Brown’s signature country charm, The Magnolia Inn is a sweet and heartwarming story of two people trying to make the most of their lives, even when they have no idea what exactly is at stake.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  Small Town Rumors

  “Carolyn Brown is a master at writing warm, complex characters who find their way into your heart.”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  “Carolyn Brown’s Small Town Rumors takes that hotbed and with it, spins a delightful tale of starting over, coming into your own, and living your life, out loud and unafraid.”

  —Words We Love By

  “Small Town Rumors by Carolyn Brown is a contemporary romance perfect for a summer read in the shade of a big old tree with a glass of lemonade or sweet tea. It is a sweet romance with wonderful characters and a small-town setting.”

  —Avonna Loves Genres

  The Sometimes Sisters

  “Carolyn Brown continues her streak of winning, heartfelt novels with The Sometimes Sisters, a story of estranged sisters and frustrated romance.”

  —All About Romance

  “This is an amazing feel-good story that will make you wish you were a part of this amazing family.”

  —Harlequin Junkie (top pick)

  “The Sometimes Sisters is a delightful and touching story that explores the bonds of family. I loved the characters, the story lines, and the focus on the importance of familial bonds, whether they be blood relations or those you choose with your heart.”

  —Rainy Day Ramblings

  The Strawberry Hearts Diner

  “Sweet and satisfying romance from the queen of Texas romance.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “A heartwarming cast of characters brings laughter and tears to the mix, and readers will find themselves rooting for more than one romance on the menu. From the first page to the last, Brown perfectly captures the mood as well as the atmosphere and creates a charming story that appeals to a wide range of readers.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “A sweet romance surrounded by wonderful, caring characters.”

  —TBQ’s Book Palace

  “Deeply satisfying contemporary small-town western story . . .”

  —Delighted Reader

  The Barefoot Summer

  “Prolific romance author Brown shows she can also write women’s fiction in this charming story, which uses humor and vivid characters to show the value of building an unconventional chosen family.”

  —PW Weekly

  “This story takes you and carries you along for a wonderful ride full of laughter, tears, and three amazing HEAs. I feel like these characters are not just people in a book, but they are truly family, and I feel so invested in their journey. Another amazing HIT for Carolyn Brown.”

  —Harlequin Junkie (top pick)

  The Lullaby Sky

  “I really loved and enjoyed this story. Definitely a good comfort read, when you’re in a reading funk or just don’t know what to read. The secondary characters bring much love and laughter into this book—your cheeks will definitely hurt from smiling so hard while reading. Carolyn is one of my most favorite authors. I know without a doubt that no matter what book of hers I read, I can just get lost in it and know it will be a good story. Better than the last. Can’t wait to read more from her.”

  —The Bookworm’s Obsession

  The Lilac Bouquet

  “Brown pulls readers along for an enjoyable ride. It’s impossible not to be touched by Brown’s protagonists, particularly Seth, and a cast of strong supporting characters underpins the charming tale.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “If a reader is looking for a book more geared toward family and long-held secrets, this would be a good fit.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “Carolyn Brown absolutely blew me away with this epically beautiful story. I cried, I giggled, I sobbed, and I guffawed; this book had it all. I’ve come to expect great things from this author, and she more than lived up to anything I could have hoped for. Emmy Jo Massey and her great-granny Tandy are absolute masterpieces not because they are perfect but because they are perfectly painted. They are so alive, so full of flaws and spunk and determination. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”

  —Night Owl Reviews (5 stars and top pick)

  The Wedding Pearls

  “The Wedding Pearls by Carolyn Brown is an amazing story about family, life, love, and finding out who you are and where you came from. This book is a lot like The Golden Girls meets Thelma and Louise.”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  “The Wedding Pearls is an absolute must read. I cannot recommend this one enough. Grab a copy for yourself, and one for a best friend or even your mother or both. This is a book that you need to read. It will make you laugh and cry. It is so sweet and wonderful and packed full of humor. I hope that when I grow up, I can be just like Ivy and Frankie.”

  —Rainy Day Ramblings

  The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop

  “The Yellow R
ose Beauty Shop was hilarious, and so much fun to read. But sweet romances, strong female friendships, and family bonds make this more than just a humorous read.”

  —The Readers Den

  “If you like books about small towns and how the people’s lives intertwine, you will love this book. I think it’s probably my favorite book this year. The relationships of the three main characters, girls who have grown up together, will make you feel like you just pulled up a chair in their beauty shop with a bunch of old friends. As you meet the other people in the town, you’ll wish you could move there. There are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments and then more that will just make you smile. These are real people, not the oh-so-thin-and-so-very-rich that are often the main characters in novels. This book will warm your heart and you’ll remember it after you finish the last page. That’s the highest praise I can give a book.”

  —Reader quote

  Long, Hot Texas Summer

  “This is one of those lighthearted, feel-good, make-me-happy kind of stories. But, at the same time, the essence of this story is family and love with a big ole dose of laughter and country living thrown in the mix. This is the first installment in what promises to be another fascinating series from Brown. Find a comfortable chair, sit back, and relax because once you start reading Long, Hot Texas Summer, you won’t be able to put it down. This is a super-fun and sassy romance.”

  —Thoughts in Progress

  Daisies in the Canyon

  “I just loved the symbolism in Daisies in the Canyon. As I mentioned before, Carolyn Brown has a way with character development, with few if any contemporaries. I am sure there are more stories to tell in this series. Brown just touched the surface first with Long, Hot Texas Summer and is now continuing on with Daisies in the Canyon.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  ALSO BY CAROLYN BROWN

  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES

  The Banty House

  The Family Journal

  The Empty Nesters

  The Perfect Dress

  The Magnolia Inn

  Small Town Rumors

  The Sometimes Sisters

  The Strawberry Hearts Diner

  The Lilac Bouquet

  The Barefoot Summer

  The Lullaby Sky

  The Wedding Pearls

  The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop

  The Ladies’ Room

  Hidden Secrets

  Long, Hot Texas Summer

  Daisies in the Canyon

  Trouble in Paradise

  CONTEMPORARY SERIES

  THE BROKEN ROAD SERIES

  To Trust

  To Commit

  To Believe

  To Dream

  To Hope

  THREE MAGIC WORDS TRILOGY

  A Forever Thing

  In Shining Whatever

  Life After Wife

  HISTORICAL ROMANCE

  THE BLACK SWAN TRILOGY

  Pushin’ Up Daisies

  From Thin Air

  Come High Water

  THE DRIFTERS & DREAMERS TRILOGY

  Morning Glory

  Sweet Tilly

  Evening Star

  THE LOVE’S VALLEY SERIES

  Choices

  Absolution

  Chances

  Redemption

  Promises

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Text copyright © 2020 by Carolyn Brown

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Montlake, Seattle

  www.apub.com

  Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

  ISBN-13: 9781542023047

  ISBN-10: 1542023041

  Cover design by Laura Klynstra

  This one is to my own two girls,

  Amy Brown Morgan and Ginny Brown Rucker.

  To list all the reasons would take a book, not a page!

  Contents

  Prologue

  60 years later

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Dear Readers

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Christmas, 1961

  Sarah Jane Jackson, Janie to her friends, looked around at the stark room and set her suitcase on the floor. This was it—home for the next few months. Her father, the Reverend Arnold Jackson, stood off to one side twisting his fedora in his hands as if he didn’t know what to say. If it had been her mother standing by the door, she would have been preaching a sermon.

  A smile tickled the corners of Janie’s mouth at the thought of her mother standing behind the lectern at the church. Her father was the preacher at a church in Whitesboro, Texas, and her mother was supposedly the dutiful wife who submitted to his every whim. Yeah, right! When they got home from church, it was her mother, Ethel, who ran the show, and nobody crossed Mama. Janie was pretty close to convinced that the devil himself was afraid of Mama.

  If Mama said that Janie had disgraced the family, then by damn, she expected the girl to bow her head in total shame and hide under the bed for the rest of her life. Too bad Janie didn’t feel the same way about that, or about thinking a cussword. There was no changing the fact, though, that if Mama said Janie was going to a maternity home until the baby was born and then giving up her bastard child, then Daddy would bring her without an argument.

  A door at the end of the room opened, and a girl with long red hair, blue eyes, and a belly swollen out even more than Janie’s said, “Guess you’re my new roommate. I’m Greta. What’s your name?”

  “Janie.” She tugged her shirt down over her pleated skirt, which would no longer button.

  “Okay, then.” Janie’s father settled his hat on his head and glanced at the door as if he couldn’t wait to get out of the room. “You get this over with, and we’ll discuss where you’ll go after it’s done. Your mother thinks you might do well at Aunt Ruthie’s place.”

  Her mother had harped on what would happen to her if the family’s good name was ruined and that they needed to get this over with and never mention it again. This always brought a sneer to her face, and never once did she call it a baby. The world would come to a complete end for sure if anyone should learn that the preacher’s daughter was “with child.” Not even her mama said the word pregnant except in whispers, and heaven forbid that any God-fearing Christian would tell a girl that there were ways and means to have sex and keep from having a baby.

  There’d been so much tension in the house that Janie had considered running away. If she just disappeared, then Ethel could claim that someone had kidnapped her daughter, and everyone in town would bring over tuna casseroles and homemade desserts and commiserate with her. Janie was so deep in her own thoughts that she forgot about her father and the new girl, and suddenly everything seemed very awkward.

  “Why Aunt Ruthie’s place?” Janie asked. “Why not just sell me into slavery in some faraway country?”

  “Don’t get sas
sy with me, girl. Your rebellion is what got you in this mess.” He glared at her. “There’s worse places than Birthright, Texas.”

  Janie inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, counted to ten, and bit her tongue. So her father thought that was a bad place, did he? Well, she wasn’t about to tell him that she’d rather live with Aunt Ruthie than her mother.

  “You’ll be taken care of.” Arnold Jackson seemed to be trying to fill the heavy silence in the room more than comfort her. “And the child will have good Christian parents to give it a good home.”

  Janie heard the emphasis he put on the word Christian, as if she were nothing more than a heathen for getting herself in trouble.

  He took a deep breath and went on. “It won’t ever be branded a bastard that way.”

  Those were the exact words her mother had used as they were leaving the house two hours ago. No hugs. No tears. Just those words. Her baby might grow up thinking it had married parents, but the truth would come out someday. It always did.

  She ignored her father and scanned the room. There were two twin beds covered with pink chenille spreads, two small desks with wooden chairs pushed up under them, and one window covered with plain white curtains.

  “All right then, this is goodbye.” He still didn’t offer his daughter a hug. Maybe if he showed her any affection, God would strike him dead for consorting with the enemy.

  Janie looked him right in the eye. “Will I ever be going back to Whitesboro?”

  “Probably not,” her father answered as he stepped out into the hallway. “But we’ll figure all that out in good time. We’ll have to talk to Aunt Ruthie before we decide where you’ll be living after you leave here.”

  “Yes, sir.” She followed him to the door and watched him hurry down the hallway and turn the corner. It wasn’t until he was out of sight that she let one tear escape.

  Greta crossed the room and handed Janie a tissue. “Not exactly the way you thought you’d be spending Christmas Day, is it? Who was that man?”

  “That was my father, the Reverend Arnold Jackson.” Janie dried her eyes and blew her nose. Then she threw the tissue in the trash can beside the empty desk and made a vow that she wouldn’t shed another tear for the way her parents had treated her. “It’s not the way I wanted to spend Christmas, but then, according to Mama, I don’t deserve to worship the baby Jesus. God, this room looks like a prison.”