Chasing Charity — Marcia Gruver

1905 Humble, Texas

Charity Bloom's fiancé jilted her for her best friend in full view of the whole town. Despite her friend's betrayal, Charity is surprised to find she longs to reconcile their friendship. More offenses by the girl soon change her mind though not her heart. To further complicate matters, a larger-than-life oilman plagues Charity's thoughts more than her fickle ex-fiancé who has decided he wants her back.

Buddy Pierce arrives in Humble hired to scout for oil. A chance encounter with Charity lands him in her backyard wading through an oil-rich bog. Buddy knows his discovery will free Charity and her mother from poverty, but in his zeal, he forgets to ask Charity if she wants freedom. Troubled by her dark, brooding eyes, he tries to understand her. What he discovers proves that while chasing riches for others, he has found in Charity a priceless treasure of his own.