jjares reviewed on 7/17/2016 + 3316 more book reviews

Josie Randolph is trapped. Every Sunday, she must walk to her husband's grave with her mother-in-law, who berates Josie for having no child before her husband died. It has been the same for three long years -- and it will continue as long as the old woman lives.

Josie meets some of her emotional needs by volunteering at the parsonage. The pastor was injured while working on his roof and Josie fixes meals and helps around the parsonage. The lonely pastor has been widowed for many years and realizes how solitary his existence has been. He asks Josie to marry him; it would be a marriage of friendship.

While Josie is trying to decide if that is what she wants to do, the new temporary minister arrives with his three girls. All of them are living with unspeakable grief; Samuel Hart's wife recently died while crossing a river. Neither Samuel or his girls can shake off their despair and fear. Samuel feels rudderless and worries how he will care for his growing girls while continuing West to his parish in Colorado. His role is to substitute for the ailing minister and then travel further west.

Josie immediately takes the girls under her wing; encouraging them to talk about their mother. In the weeks that Sam is substituting, he recognizes that Josie has made a significant difference in his daughters' lives. Although Samuel knows it is to soon to love again, he needs a mother for his children. He makes Josie an offer of marriage, even though he feels guilty about going on with his life so quickly.

Josie makes her choice and travels with the Harts' to Colorado. She is aware that Samuel is not emotionally ready to be married again. This is the story of how Josie and Samuel become a loving couple.

These engaging characters return in MARRYING THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER.

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