Head In The Clouds

‘Head in the Clouds’ by Karen Witemeyer is a Christian historical romance that takes place in Texas 1883.

Adelaide Proctor is a teacher looking for a job in Fort Worth. She applies for a job as a governess for a rancher’s daughter. It isn’t until she reaches the ranch, that she learns that Mr. Westcott’s ranch has sheep! She grew up on a horse and cow ranch.

Mr. Gideon Westcott needs a governess for his daughter. He wants someone who will teach her not only the usual subjects, but help her to hopefully regain her voice. Five year old Isabella Petchey hasn’t spoken a word since her mother died some months ago. He remembers when he first met her on board the ship bringing them to America. She was a beautiful talkative child who giggled and laughed, until her mother died. The little girl stole his heart when she took him to see her sick mother who was dying. Before she died, Lady Lucinda Petchey had the captain and ship’s doctor witness the signing of her will that Gideon would become Isabella’s guardian. Her uncle, Viscount Reginald Petchey, tried to gain custody of the child, but didn’t win that case.

Now, Gideon has to choose a governess from among 3 candidates, with Bella’s help of course. His first meeting with Miss Proctor was interesting. She had been trying to stable her horse Sheba. She had just gotten a scoop of grain for Sheba when he came up behind and surprised her. The grain in the scoop flew through the air and landed all over him. One of the ladies was older and widowed, while the last one was older than Adelaide, but was grace personified. He never expected little Bella to take a liking to Miss Proctor.

What no one knows is the lengths that Viscount Reginald Petchey will go to get his niece back. His older brother Stuart was the former viscount, until he died in a hunting accident. When his brother died, Reginald found that he didn’t get his brother’s money; Stuart had given almost all of it to his wife and daughter. Before Lady Petchey died, she had put that money into a trust fund for Isabella. If Reginald can get custody of Isabella, then he can get a hold of the money his brother kept from him.

There is some action, suspense, and an almost rape scene. It is a wonderful book. It comes in book and e-book formats.