NOVEL PASTIMES: Good morning, Aimee. Did I pronounce your name correctly?
AIMEE: I’m afraid not, but don’t feel badly. Most Americans have trouble with it. It’s eh-MAY, not Amy.
NOVEL PASTIMES: Of course. You’re French.
AIMEE: You might not think so from my accent, but I was born right here in Texas. That makes me a Texan, doesn’t it? It is true, though, that until a couple months ago, I lived in France.
NOVEL PASTIMES: So, why did you come to America, or am I being presumptuous in asking?
AIMEE: It’s not a secret. I wanted to find my mother – my birth mother, that is. You see, when my parents died – my French parents, that is – I learned that I’d been adopted.
NOVEL PASTIMES: That must have been a surprise.
AIMEE: A surprise, yes. Also a shock, but it explained so many things.
NOVEL PASTIMES: Like what?
AIMEE: Like … Would you mind if we talked about something else?
NOVEL PASTIMES: Of course not. Please believe me when I say that I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s simply that I’ve never met anyone who lived in France. What was it like?
AIMEE: Beautiful but old, and the people are more … how do you say it? Reserved. That’s the word. Reserved. I find Texans friendlier.
NOVEL PASTIMES: We pride ourselves on that. We’re curious too, which is why I want to know more about your trip here. I heard that you came to Cimarron Creek with our new midwife. What’s she like?
AIMEE: Thea’s wonderful. I’ve always wanted a sister, and she’s as close to one as I could ever have dreamt. Truly, God led me to Ladreville at the perfect time. If I’d arrived a month later, I might never have met Thea.
NOVEL PASTIMES: The ladies are all happy that we have a new midwife, but I heard some of them say that sometimes Thea seems sad.
AIMEE: That’s only natural, don’t you think? After all, she lost both her husband and her baby this year. Wouldn’t that make anyone sad?
NOVEL PASTIMES: Of course, but I sense that you think there’s something more.
AIMEE: I shouldn’t say anything.
NOVEL PASTIMES: Whatever you say, it’ll just be between you and me. A secret. I promise.
AIMEE: Thea says there are no secrets in Cimarron Creek.
NOVEL PASTIMES: Then she’s wrong. There are plenty of secrets. But if you don’t want to tell me more about her, I won’t press you.
AIMEE: One thing I can tell you is that I hope she finds another man to love and maybe even marry.
NOVEL PASTIMES: What about the Ranger who’s been spending so much time in town?
AIMEE: Jackson seems like a good man. He might be the right one for Thea.
NOVEL PASTIMES: What about you? What kind of man would be the perfect husband for you?
AIMEE: Me? I don’t plan to marry anyone.
NOVEL PASTIMES: You don’t expect me to believe that, do you? You’re a pretty girl and a smart one. I’m sure all the single men in town are standing in line to court you.
AIMEE: That’s not so, and even if it were true, there’s only one who’s caught my eye.
NOVEL PASTIMES: Who’s that?
AIMEE: It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t feel that way about me.
NOVEL PASTIMES: But he might change his mind.
AIMEE: Maybe, but I think it would take a miracle.
NOVEL PASTIMES: Miracles do happen.
AIMEE: Not to me.
Well, thank you, Aimee. We are eager to hear the rest of your story!
***
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart and A Borrowed Dream, as well as the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at www.amandacabot.com.
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