Come tomorrow, p.1
Come Tomorrow, page 1
Praise for Tess Thompson
The School Mistress of Emerson Pass:
"Sometimes we all need to step away from our lives and sink into a safe, happy place where family and love are the main ingredients for surviving. You'll find that and more in The School Mistress of Emerson Pass. I delighted in every turn of the story and when away from it found myself eager to return to Emerson Pass. I can't wait for the next book." - Kay Bratt, Bestselling author of Wish Me Home and True to Me.
"I frequently found myself getting lost in the characters and forgetting that I was reading a book." - Camille Di Maio, Bestselling author of The Memory of Us.
"Highly recommended." - Christine Nolfi, Award winning author of The Sweet Lake Series.
"I loved this book!" - Karen McQuestion, Bestselling author of Hello Love and Good Man, Dalton.
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Traded: Brody and Kara:
"I loved the sweetness of Tess Thompson's writing - the camaraderie and long-lasting friendships make you want to move to Cliffside and become one of the gang! Rated Hallmark for romance!" - Stephanie Little BookPage
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"This story was well written. You felt what the characters were going through. It's one of those "I got to know what happens next" books. So intriguing you won't want to put it down." - Lena Loves Books
"This story has so much going on, but it intertwines within itself. You get second chance, lost loves, and new love. I could not put this book down! I am excited to start this series and have love for this little Bayside town that I am now fond off!" - Crystal's Book World
"This is a small town romance story at its best and I look forward to the next book in the series." - Gillek2, Vine Voice
"This is one of those books that make you love to be a reader and fan of the author." -Pamela Lunder, Vine Voice
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Blue Midnight:
"This is a beautiful book with an unexpected twist that takes the story from romance to mystery and back again. I've already started the 2nd book in the series!" - Mama O
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"This beautiful book captured my attention and never let it go. I did not want it to end and so very much look forward to reading the next book." - Pris Shartle
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"I enjoyed this new book cover to cover. I read it on my long flight home from Ireland and it helped the time fly by, I wish it had been longer so my whole flight could have been lost to this lovely novel about second chances and finding the truth. Written with wisdom and humor this novel shares the raw emotions a new divorce can leave behind." - J. Sorenson
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"Tess Thompson is definitely one of my auto-buy authors! I love her writing style. Her characters are so real to life that you just can't put the book down once you start! Blue Midnight makes you believe in second chances. It makes you believe that everyone deserves an HEA. I loved the twists and turns in this book, the mystery and suspense, the family dynamics and the restoration of trust and security." - Angela MacIntyre
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"Tess writes books with real characters in them, characters with flaws and baggage and gives them a second chance. (Real people, some remind me of myself and my girlfriends.) Then she cleverly and thoroughly develops those characters and makes you feel deeply for them. Characters are complex and multi-faceted, and the plot seems to unfold naturally, and never feels contrived." - K. Lescinsky
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Caramel and Magnolias:
"Nobody writes characters like Tess Thompson. It's like she looks into our lives and creates her characters based on our best friends, our lovers, and our neighbors. Caramel and Magnolias, and the authors debut novel Riversong, have some of the best characters I've ever had a chance to fall in love with. I don't like leaving spoilers in reviews so just trust me, Nicholas Sparks has nothing on Tess Thompson, her writing flows so smoothly you can't help but to want to read on!" - T. M. Frazier
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"I love Tess Thompson's books because I love good writing. Her prose is clean and tight, which are increasingly rare qualities, and manages to evoke a full range of emotions with both subtlety and power. Her fiction goes well beyond art imitating life. Thompson's characters are alive and fully-realized, the action is believable, and the story unfolds with the right balance of tension and exuberance. CARAMEL AND MAGNOLIAS is a pleasure to read." - Tsuruoka
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"The author has an incredible way of painting an image with her words. Her storytelling is beautiful, and leaves you wanting more! I love that the story is about friendship (2 best friends) and love. The characters are richly drawn and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. I think you will, too!" - Fogvision
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"I got swept off my feet, my heartstrings were pulled, I held my breath, and tightened my muscles in suspense. Tess paints stunning scenery with her words and draws you in to the lives of her characters."- T. Bean
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Duet For Three Hands:
“Tears trickled down the side of my face when I reached the end of this road. Not because the story left me feeling sad or disappointed, no. Rather, because I already missed them. My friends. Though it isn't goodbye, but see you later. And so I will sit impatiently waiting, with desperate eagerness to hear where life has taken you, what burdens have you downtrodden, and what triumphs warm your heart. And in the meantime, I will go out and live, keeping your lessons and friendship and love close, the light to guide me through any darkness. And to the author I say thank you. My heart, my soul -all of me - needed these words, these friends, this love. I am forever changed by the beauty of your talent.” - Lisa M.Gott
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“I am a great fan of Tess Thompson's books and this new one definitely shows her branching out with an engaging enjoyable historical drama/love story. She is a true pro in the way she weaves her storyline, develops true to life characters that you love! The background and setting is so picturesque and visible just from her words. Each book shows her expanding, growing and excelling in her art. Yet another one not to miss. Buy it you won't be disappointed. The ONLY disappointment is when it ends!!!” - Sparky's Last
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“There are some definite villains in this book. Ohhhh, how I loved to hate them. But I have to give Thompson credit because they never came off as caricatures or one dimensional. They all felt authentic to me and (sadly) I could easily picture them. I loved to love some and loved to hate others.” - The Baking Bookworm
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“I stayed up the entire night reading Duet For Three Hands and unbeknownst to myself, I fell asleep in the middle of reading the book. I literally woke up the next morning with Tyler the Kindle beside me (thankfully, still safe and intact) with no ounce of battery left. I shouldn't have worried about deadlines because, guess what? Duet For Three Hands was the epitome of unputdownable.” - The Bookish Owl
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Miller’s Secret
“From the very first page, I was captivated by this wonderful tale. The cast of characters amazing - very fleshed out and multi-dimensional. The descriptions were perfect - just enough to make you feel like you were transported back to the 20's and 40's.... This book was the perfect escape, filled with so many twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat for the entire read.” - Hilary Grossman
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“The sad story of a freezing-cold orphan looking out the window at his rich benefactors on Christmas Eve started me off with Horatio-Alger expectations for this book. But I quickly got pulled into a completely different world--the complex five-character braid that the plot weaves. The three men and two women characters are so alive I felt I could walk up and start talking to any one of them, and I'd love to have lunch with Henry. Then the plot quickly turned sinister enough to keep me turning the pages.
Class is set against class, poor and rich struggle for happiness and security, yet it is love all but one of them are hungry for. ......Where does love come from? What do you do about it? The story kept me going, and gave me hope. For a little bonus, there are Thompson's delightful observations, like: "You'd never know we could make something this good out of the milk from an animal who eats hats." A really good read!” - Kay in Seattle
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“She paints vivid word pictures such that I could smell the ocean and hear the doves. Then there are the stories within a story that twist and turn until they all come together in the end. I really had a hard time putting it down. Five stars aren't enough!” - M.R. Williams
Also by Tess Thompson
CLIFFSIDE BAY
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Traded: Brody and Kara
Deleted: Jackson and Maggie
Jaded: Zane and Honor
Marred: Kyle and Violet
Tainted: Lance and Mary
Cliffside Bay Christmas, The Season of Cats and Babies (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Tainted)
Missed: Rafael and Lisa
Cliffside Bay Christmas Wedding (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Missed)
Healed: Stone and Pepper
Chateau Wedding (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Healed)
Scarred: Trey and Autumn
Jilted: Nico and Sophie
Kissed (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Jilted)
Departed: David and Sara
Cliffside Bay Bundle , Books 1,2,3
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BLUE MOUNTAIN SERIES
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Blue Mountain Bundle, Books 1,2,3
Blue Midnight
Blue Moon
Blue String
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EMERSON PASS
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The School Mistress of Emerson Pass
The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass
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RIVER VALLEY
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Riversong
Riverbend
Riverstar
Riversnow
Riverstorm
Tommy's Wish
River Valley Bundle, Books 1-4
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LEGLEY BAY
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Caramel and Magnolias
Tea and Primroses
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STANDALONES
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The Santa Trial
Duet for Three Hands
Miller's Secret
Come Tomorrow
Castaway Christmas Series
Tess Thompson
Copyright © 2020 by Tess Thompson
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
For Violet Estrin.
My bestie who loves Christmas. My Christmas wish is for many more holiday gatherings together.
A Note To Readers
Dear Readers,
I’m so excited you found my holiday historical romance. I hope you enjoy Wesley and Luci’s story as much as I loved writing it. This is the first of the Castaway Christmas books. If all goes well, I’ll have another one for you next December.
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One note, I used a little creative liberty by including snow globes, which may not be totally historically accurate. They weren’t mass produced as they are today. However, I wanted to use the imagery of the snow globe and what it represents to Wesley. Forgive me my creative license.
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Thank you for choosing my book when there are so many out there. I appreciate it more than you can know. I’m truly living my dream because of readers like you.
I love to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to reach out via email at tess@tthompsonwrites.com.
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Much love to you and yours,
Tess
Contents
Part I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Part II
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Part III
Chapter 29
Also by Tess Thompson
About the Author
I
December 1904
1
Wesley
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I was fourteen the first time I came upon Luci Quick on a stark late-December afternoon that smelled of woodsmoke and pine needles. Atlas, my dog, was also fourteen. However, in the unfairness of things, he was already an old man.
Our warm breath made clouds as we ran across a thin carpet of frozen leaves. The light was lonely this time of year, dull and gray, full of shadows. Icy snow fell from a low sky. White frost covered leaves and grass. Only last week, the sky had been blue and the last leaves of autumn had clung to the branches as one would an old friend about to depart for a long trip. Overnight, a cold front had arrived, freezing everything. But isn’t that the way of the world? In an instant, everything changes.
We’d come farther into the woods than usual. Atlas led the way, as if he had a reason for taking us off our typical path. Who was I to disagree? Atlas asked for nothing. Never complained. He loved me unconditionally. All my life, it had been me and him. Wesley and Atlas. Boy and his dog. Whatever path he chose, I would follow.
Lately, he’d slowed, his once youthful yellow Labrador body now stiff. He could still jump onto my bed, but it pained him, so I lifted him instead. Atlas wasn’t one to complain. Still, despite all that, when he entered the outdoors, he came back to life, seeming to forget his arthritis and creaky bones. He was as game as ever for our roamings through the wood. Our escape from my family’s estate where we could breathe.
If rage and secrets had a smell, it would be my parents’ home. That morning, a crash had woken me in the early dawn, followed by the raised voices of my parents. I’d pulled the covers over my head and scrunched my eyes closed, willing it to stop. Atlas had whined and pressed his bulky warmth against my legs. We couldn’t make out the words, only waves of anger. Even so, this felt different. Usually, they didn’t argue out loud. No, their disdain was the quiet kind, like the frozen dirt under these leaves. After breakfast, Atlas and I made a run for it. We knew danger. Could smell it. Stay away, the instinct whispered. Whatever had angered them would be taken out on me one way or another. Father’s strap across my back. Or Mother’s cold banishment to my room. She was like the frozen ground, unmoving, impenetrable. Father was more like the unexpected cold front. A violent temper that came from nowhere and without warning.
We came out of a thicket of trees into a clearing. Nestled between firs, pines, and maples stood a shack. Atlas went perfectly still, then sat back on his haunches. A girl held a crying baby close to her chest as she paced over the frozen dirt. In truth, she was more waif than a girl, as thin as the winter light. She wore a tattered coat the same gray as the boards of the sad dwelling. As motionless as a deer, I watched her. Beside me, Atlas did the same.
I took in the shack. The roof sagged. One dirty window had a crack in the shape of a claw. A thin trail of smoke drifted weakly out of a tin stovepipe. In contrast, as if to make up for the sag of the roof, the girl’s back was straight as a board. Pink cheeks glowed from the cold. Snow settled on top of her head and shoulders.
