The story starts in June, 1876 at the Battle of Little Bighorn, a.k.a. The Battle of Greasy Grass, a.k.a. Custer’s Last Stand
And Lincoln Nebraska, 1876-1878
Main Characters
Soaring Eagle: Lakota Sioux brave a.k.a. Jeremiah Soaring Eagle King
LisBeth King Baird: Widow of soldier MacKenzie Baird
MacKenzie Baird and Jesse King aka Walks the Fire: LisBeth’s dead husband and her mother
Augusta Hathaway: Owner of Hathaway House Hotel
Sarah and Tom Biddle
Tom Calloway: Emotionally damaged soldier
David Braddock: Wealthy man from Philadelphia who just knew Lisbeth was the woman he was to marry
Abigail Braddock: David's mother
Joseph Freeman: Owner of town's livery
I’ve had this book for years and something held me back from reading it…The cover, I think. I just didn’t want to read another difficult, lengthy Indian story. But a few days I felt it was time. And I have to say, this book was amazing! The characters, the coincidences, the timing, the hurting hearts, the sweet relationships, the gospel being shared many times. Oh my.
Jim, a broken man with guilt that actually changed his appearance reading underlined words in a Bible…
"They washed over him in such a wave that he was physically shaken. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. . . . And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
When Lisbeth was concerned about people learning, she was half Lakota…
"Augusta interrupted her. “LisBeth, I’ve always believed that there’s only one color that matters. Red. The blood of our dear Savior."
The story was about a Lakota brave who realized by the locket on the dead man's body that he had just killed his half sister's husband.
It was about a grieving woman not ever being able to trust the God everyone else praised.
It was about a black free man who affected everyone around him.
It was about a little blue-eyed girl who saw a lonely Indian brave and knew he could use a friend.
It was about two young orphans Augusta took in and became indispensable.
It’s about a love story, a lovely surprise to this reader who cheered for them at the end.
And the ending? Oh my.
I have to add, page 12 had the most beautiful obituary I’ve ever read.
I want that when I die. 😁
Such a good book. I’m going right into the next (the last) book of the series because I don’t want to miss this!