A Promise in Autumn by Barbara Morriss

In 1915, Keagan Cadagan, a young Irish Catholic, was employed by a wealthy man, Ian Flannigan, in Springfield, Missouri. Unexpectedly Keagan is told by her mistress, Maeve Flannigan, she must leave the household immediately. Maeve explains she is leaving her husband Ian and taking their two children with her to escape her husband's tyranny and abuse. Keagan quickly finds work and is hired to manage a modest boarding house owned by an English Protestant, Raymon Woodrome. Overtime she and Raymon realize they are fond of each other. Keagan learns that Raymon is kind, educated, and respectful. He helps her improve her reading and writing; she teaches him the art of Irish storytelling. They toil together in the beautiful garden of the boarding house and become a team. He shares with her the meaning of autumn and how it reminds him to covet life and pay tribute to his fallen brothers. Eventually, they fall in love. Overtime they deal with circumstances that challenge their love: the ever present fear of Ian Flannigan, Raymon's tragic involvement with another woman, their religious differences, the draft of World War I, and the Pandemic of 1918. Keagan is resolved to living a lovely life and rides the tide of discord with courage and conviction. Before Raymon succumbs to illness and a weakened heart, she promises him that every autumn she will come to him and talk of her love for him and the fond memories they shared.