She's destined to love Gus MacBride--if she survives her first year in the Crossroads Cove.
A thread of hope is all she needs.
Damaged, confused, alone. Cathy Deen Mitternich recognizes her old self in the fragile survivor huddled in the sheep barn's storage room at Rainbow Goddess Farm. Former art teacher Lucy Parmenter may be beyond even the tough-love magic of the farm, a live-in counseling center for abused women. Afraid to set a foot outside, drugged on medication, and filled with despair, Lucy needs the big biscuit magic of the Crossroad Café's Delta Whittlespoon. Together, Cathy and Delta search for a lifeline that represents Lucy's best hope of holding on.
Their search ends in Lucy's new home at the barn. When Lucy discovers the magic there, neither she nor Cathy will ever be the same.
A short, sweet story that, for me, served as an introduction to Smith's Crossroads Café series. I was immediately intrigued by the working farm that served as a place of healing for abused women. When a new woman arrives at the farm, Cathy immediately recognizes Lucy's shell-shocked attitude. Even though I haven't read her story, enough of Cathy's background was given to bring me up to speed. I loved her immediate empathy with the survivor and her determination to bring Lucy back to the world of the living.
Cathy knows that the best way to do that is through the power of love, and nothing says love like the comfort food prepared by the Café's Delta Whittlespoon. Specifically, the almost magical biscuits and gravy. My heart broke at first sight of Lucy, wearing layers of clothes and quilts, so traumatized that she couldn't even eat. Like helping an injured wild animal, Cathy and Delta moved slowly and softly so they wouldn't frighten her. It was heartwarming to see their success and Lucy's improvement over the next few days.
What they need next is something that will give Lucy a reason to go on. There is a paranormal touch in the story as Lucy takes refuge in the wool barn at the farm. The wool brings her comfort and makes her feel safe. She even claims that it talks to her. When Cathy and Delta bring her a spinning wheel and the instructions on how to use it, there is a spark of interest. But what gets Cathy's attention is what Lucy says the wool told her. I loved the ending and seeing Lucy's prediction come true, as well as the progress she has made.
This story appears to be the prequel for the next book in the series about Lucy and the man that Delta says is her mate.
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