Judd Markley, a recent Korean war vet, has returned to West Virginia to work in the coal mines with his younger brother, Joe. Suddenly, the mine caves in and Joe is killed, and Judd is left with a shattered leg and a broken heart. This all happens in the first chapter, and this is probably the first book I have ever read where my heart ached and my eyes teared up in just the first few pages.
Judd calls it quits at the coal mine and heads to Myrtle Beach to answer an employment ad for Waccamaw Timber Company. There, he meets Larkin Heyward, daughter of his new boss and owner of the timber company, George Heyward. Judd just wants to make a living above ground. He's not too interested in opening his heart and making friends, and most definitely not looking for a wife.
Larkin Heyward wants to save the world. She volunteers at the local hospital but has a dream to join her brother Ben in ministry to help children and families in rural Appalachia. She wants Judd's help, but he refuses. Next thing Judd knows, he's driving Larkin to Appalachia in her convertible. They stop off at his brother Abram's house in Bethel, West Virginia. Judd discovers that Larkin's father has no idea where Larkin is and that she tricked him into driving her to Kentucky. Judd spends the night with his brother and vows to take Larkin straight back to Myrtle Beach in the morning. Larkin has other plans in mind, and she takes her convertible and continues to Logan, Kentucky, to search for her brother.
Larkin gets a taste of the ministry but soon learns that the people in Appalachia, with the exception of Granny Jane and Kyle, don't want her help. She finds herself back in Myrtle Beach. By this time, Judd and Larkin are very aware of their attraction to one another, but they both have different ideas in mind.
I thoroughly enjoyed the views into life in Myrtle Beach (a place I know well and visit every summer) and also of Appalachia in the 1950's. I also appreciated the struggle Larkin faced, wanting to serve others but not quite having the tools and experience (or the trust of the people) to do so. Judd's story of overcoming a painful loss to open his heart up again is something I think we can all relate to.
Pete's story was also an interesting side-story with a lot of mystery and I am happy with how it turned out at the end.
My rating: 4-stars
