Promise Me This

Michael Dunnagan was never supposed to sail on theTitanic, nor would he have survived if not for the courage of Owen Allen. Determined to carry out his promise to care for Owen?s relatives in America and his younger sister, Annie, in England, Michael works hard to strengthen the family?s New Jersey garden and landscaping business.Annie Allen doesn?t care what Michael promised Owen. She only knows that her brother is gone?like their mother and father?and the grief is enough to swallow her whole. As Annie struggles to navigate life without Owen, Michael reaches out to her through letters. In time, as Annie begins to lay aside her anger that Michael lived when Owen did not, a tentative friendship takes root and blossoms into something neither expected. Just as Michael saves enough money to bring Annie to America, WWI erupts in Europe. When Annie?s letters mysteriously stop, Michael risks everything to fulfill his promise?and find the woman he?s grown to love?before she?s lost forever. Review "This dramatic and heart-wrenching interpretation by two-time Christy Award winner Gohlke (William Henry Is a Fine Name;  I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires) will enthrall fans of character-driven CF and readers who enjoy Francine Rivers."--Library Journal Review Stunning. Simply one of the best? if not most powerful?books I have ever read.Julie Lessman, author of A Heart RevealedA story of hopes lost and found, of dreams surrendered and reborn, that blossoms with warmth and quiet power in a priceless portrayal of undeserved grace.Siri Mitchell, author of A Heart Most Worthy From the Back Cover Annie Allen never imagined the day she watched her brother, Owen, sail onTitanic would be the last time she?d see him. Nor could she guess how the tragedy would forever knit her life to Michael Dunnagan, who survived through Owen?s sacrifice.As Annie struggles to navigate a challenging life in England, Michael labors in New Jersey to create the gardening business Owen once dreamed of and to heal Annie?s grief through letters. In time, as Annie begins to lay aside her anger that Michael lived when her brother did not, a tentative friendship takes root and blossoms into something neither expected.Bound by a promise yet battling circumstances beyond their control, Michael and Annie dream of the day she can join him in America. Just when Michael saves enough money for her passage, WWI erupts in Europe. Then Annie?s letters mysteriously stop, forcing Michael to risk everything to find the woman he?s grown to love before she?s lost forever. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. PROMISE ME THISBy CATHY GOHLKETyndale House Publishers, Inc.Copyright © 2012Cathy GohlkeAll right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4143-5307-4Chapter One The great ship returned late from her sea trials beyond the shores of Carrickfergus, needing only her sea papers, a last-minute load of supplies, and the Belfast mail before racing to Southampton. But in that rush to ferry supplies, a dockworkers hand was crushed beneath two heavy crates carelessly dropped. The fury and swearing that followed reddened the neck of the toughest man aboard the sturdy supply boat. Michael Dunnagans eyes and ears spread wide with all the fascination of his fifteen years. "You there! Lad! Do you want to make a shilling?" Michael, whod stolen the last two hours of the day from his sweeps work to run home and scrub before seeing Titanic off, turned at the gruff offer, certain hed not heard with both ears. "Are you deaf, lad? Do you want to make a shilling, I say!" the mate aboard the supply craft called again. "I do, sir! I do!" Michael vowed, propelled by wonder and a fear the man might change his mind. "Give us a hand, then. My mans smashed his paw, and weve got to get these supplies aboard Titanic. Shes late from her trials and wants to be under way!" Michael could not move his f