The story is the first in the Brides of Lone Hollow series and is a clean, historical fiction. Cullen McCray was living away from everyone after the death of his wife and son. Pastor Duncan shows up one day with news that his brother, Clint, was killed in a freak accident and he was the only family left for Sadie, his niece. He even has moments he questions would it be better for Sadie to go to an orphanage and have a chance to be adopted by a family—but then what if that doesn’t happen?
Cullen had left the McCray family farm, but is now back, taking care of it, and Sadie. He is disappointed in the condition his brother has allowed to become of their family's ancestral home. A trip to the town of Lone Hollow will be to gather building supplies and what they will need for the household. At least nine-year-old Sadie can help around the place.
Cullen: Sometimes I do not know why God gave a guy like me a girl to raise.
Pastor: Because He knows what He’s doing.
Maggie Colton has traveled to Lone Hollow, Montana to be a mail-order bride. She will arrive but no one seems to be waiting for her. When a gentleman approaches, he explains he is the pastor, and directs him toward Cullen and Sadie. What a shock when she hugs Cullen, thinking he is Clint.
The story is a clean, faith-based tale with a mail-order bride, a man who has recently become the guardian of his niece, and a little girl who needs more than just a gloomy uncle to guide her in life. Maggie wanted to avoid the arranged marriages that her father would plan—and her letters with Clint seemed to be the answer. Not everything is on the up and up. At least Cullen will allow her to stay in a guest room at the ranch until the next stagecoach arrives.
I liked Maggie and Sadie together; they are good for each other. Cullen is a grumpy person who is stuck dwelling on what has happened, living in the past, and not looking at the future. He has turned away from God, and in the process, he isn’t even allowing Sadie to attend church—or even school. It won’t be long before Maggie realizes that the letters from Clint were exaggerated when she arrives at the ranch. At least Cullen is straightforward in what he says.
The story is fun, has surprises, moments of life and death fear, and eventually epiphany of the grace of God, and the chance for new beginnings. I enjoyed the scenes about Maggie, a city girl, learning about the workings of a ranch, dealing with a mean rooster, milking cows, and smelly pigs. I loved how Maggie and Sadie connected immediately, and my heart hurt when Maggie planned to return to her home when it seemed that she and Cullen had no future. Will faith and prayers heal these three souls and give them their happily ever after?
“I told you once that God never gives you what He can’t carry you through. But what I didn’t mention was that He blesses us with gifts we don’t think we deserve. Some might say it was a crazy mix-up that brought her here. I guess they could be right. But I think it happened as it should, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”
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