Publisher's Synopsis
"Story of Essie Bell, a woman living on a farm in rural West Virginia in the last few months of the Civil War. Her only son has been presumed dead by the Union Army, but late nights, she studies his picture. She believes that somehow, he is okay. Essie's farm is her salvation while she waits for news of her son. She grows a big garden, raises chickens, and bakes bread to sell in town. When her husband dies, everyone says she must sell the farm and move to town, but she knows this will kill her. Suddenly alone, with only her faithful dog for a companion, Essie faces the cold, harsh winter. Yet, one by one, new people begin to enter Essie's life and she finds that she is still needed."--P. [4] of cover.
