Return to Texas

by Shirley Sorbello

In this captivating short story, Becky Coulter leaves Philadelphia with her youngest child, Matty, and returns to Fort Worth where she left an abusive husband and three children a year before. She moves in with her married daughter, Emily, who invited her back for the birth of the first grandchild. Becky struggles with the guilt of having left her family while husband John tries to win back her love. Has John changed his violent ways? Will she go back home with him and her two sons? Discover how this strong, determined woman makes a new life for herself on the Texas prairie in the 1880’s.

Fans of “That’s Just the Way It Is” will delight in Becky’s new adventures in this stand-alone seque

26 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2014

About the author

Shirley is a native of southern New Jersey. She has published two short stories, a novella and edited a book of her grandmother's nineteenth century poetry. She is currently working on a novel with a reincarnation theme.

Shirley majored in psychology at Rutgers University and attended Widener University where she graduated with an M.S.W. in 1995. For a number of years she worked in the human services field as a social worker, therapist and administrator. Shirley enjoys writing, Italian music, traveling and chocolate.

Reviews

[Mav Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance in the Dirty South

What I enjoyed about this story was the passionate yet gentle voice that leads the story. The author wicks you away into the bittersweet world of Rebecca Coulter who is excited to return to Texas to visit her adult children, yet dreads it because her abusive ex lives there too.

I will say that I had a difficult time figuring out what time period the story takes place in and the ending didn't resonate as the sort of outcome of a typical victimized woman. However, I think other women might disagree with me here.

Over all a pleasant, romantic read.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story, told by an amazing author. Rebecca had left part of her family and an abusive husband behind her, but when her daughter and her husband are expecting a child, she goes back to help, even though she has to face John again. From here the readers is taken on a sad but also uplifting journey following Rebecca as she faces life's trials and also a few amazing times.

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a strong woman in the old days of the West. I felt like I was there living the moments with Becky and her family. This is a well-written short story and I enjoyed it very much.