She knows that she cannot return to the family that has disowned her, so she feels the only choice she has is to accept a job as a nurse for the South. The job keeps her from sinking into her own despair and allows her to provide a small measure of comfort to those who are too far gone. As the last minutes of their lives slowly fade away, she holds their hands and gives them their last words of comfort. She knows these brave dying men’s words deserve to be heard, and she makes each one a deathbed promise to deliver them to his loved ones so they will know the soldier’s last thoughts were of them.

When the war is over and the North wins, Laurel’s new purpose in her life is to keep her deathbed promises to her dying comrades she comforted. With her journal, which contains all their names and final dying words, she sets out to find their families and loved ones. The list is long, and the miles she will travel will be numerous, but she knows that it will be worth the effort to provide a sense of closure to the families who lost the ones they loved.

Ex-gunslinger Creede Forrester is distraught over the news of his son’s death. The war had robbed him of his only family. When he hears of a nurse who was the last person with his son the day he died, Creede makes the decision to travel to Texas and seek her out. He hopes the journey will ease some of the pain and loss that haunts his days and nights. When he finally locates her, she is in Tennessee, where she is being held up by a pair of highwaymen. Creede’s quick thinking saves her from certain harm. Through her, he is able to relive his son’s last days by hearing his words of anguish and final goodbyes. The words are bittersweet, for he blames himself for his son going off to war. He knows that there is nothing left in Texas for him and asks Laurel if it would be possible for him to accompany her on her noble cause. She accepts his offer and continues on to the next location on her list.

Laurel is able to see past the pain that is a constant companion in Creede’s eyes and knows beneath all the self-hate is a man worthy of love. Will she be able to break through and rescue that man, whose soul cries out for salvation?

Maureen McKade has written the best historical romance of 2006! This heartfelt novel is one that will stay with you for days after you have finished. Historical enthusiasts will rejoice at how she is able to weave the words so expertly to paint a very vivid picture of the historical time period. Laurel and Creede will be characters you will come to know by their first names, for they will enter your heart and refuse to leave. Highest regards go off to this very talented author. Very highly recommended.