A delightful novel. Keeps you glued to the story from the first to the last page.
Emily McCarthy is an 18 year old young woman teaching in the Aldersgate Home For Girls. She has lived at the institution all her life - she is an orphan. Her whole world is collapsing down around her. She has just been informed by the Director she is to leave the Home and marry a total stranger - Bartholomew Axel, a wealthy widower from Repton, Montana. He has advertised for a bride and the Board had accepted his offer for Emily. The government is sending hundreds of Indian girls to white boarding school to be educated and Emily's room is needed to house six new girls.
Emily has no choice but to accept the Board's decision and embarks on her journey to Montana. On the way, the stagecoach is robbed and she is taken prisoner. The robber is none other than Luke Sullivan who has a vendetta against Bart Axel. It seems Axel had stolen the family ranch in a crooked card game plus a thousand dollars. Luke only takes a thousand dollars, but takes Emily with him - after all she is to become Axel's bride.
Emily is taken to the New Hope Orphanage where Luke grew up after his family was murdered by the Crow Indians. What transpires between Emily, Luke, Axel and the Sheriff makes for a very interesting story. You will find yourself rooting for each individual as he/she overcomes the obstacles placed in their paths as they find love, second chances and some who get exactly what is coming to them
Highly recommended. Ms. Harris is an excellent writer of Historical Fiction.
