Publisher's Synopsis
This is the continuing story of the Gilmer family who operate and live next to a water-powered saw mill in rural Guilford County, North Carolina during 1916 and 1917. In December, a medical emergency during the night results in ten-year-old Lillie Gilmer seeing the country doctor and having surgery in St. Leo's Hospital in Greensboro. Lillie and her fourteen-year-old brother, Jake, are students at one-room Tucker School in their neighborhood with Headmaster R.M. Gladstone. The Patriarch of the family is seventy-year-old Lee Hanner who is third generation to saw lumber at this mill. He is Anna Gilmer's father. Anna and her husband Samuel Gilmer and their three children live together in the old farm house owned by Lee Hanner, next to the mill on Beaver Creek. Twenty-year-old Molly Gilmer is in her Senior year at The North Carolina State Normal and Industrial College in Greensboro, studying to be an elementary school teacher. The love of her life is Joe Thacker, who grew up in the Beaver Creek neighborhood. Joe graduated in 1913 from North Carolina State College and is now an engineer for Cone Mills in Greensboro. Lillie is home in time for the family to share a wonderful Christmas. After a big misunderstanding between Joe and Molly, joy fills their hearts at the dawn of New Year 1917. The School Board meets with parents and teachers of the rural neighborhood schools to discuss consolidation into one large local school which would be built near Alamance Presbyterian Church. Lee Hanner, respected in the community for his wisdom, is on the committee. Can Lee Hanner and Samuel Gilmer's ancient saw mill handle the task of sawing lumber for the new school. With help from men in the community, this job is completed. Then, Lee Hanner's health becomes a major crisis. A German couple appears, renting a house still owned by Will Granger, though Will now lives in McLeansville with his new wife and her children. The Schroeders are welcomed and accepted by most neighbors, though scorned by a few. Why are they here, with a war raging Europe that is quickly dragging the United States into conflict? After the Schroeders mysteriously disappear one winter night, more questions and accusations; answers are found in a letter they leave for Will and Marjorie Granger. Molly is sternly addressed one afternoon following class by her last lecture professor of college; she fears that her dreams of educating young children may be threatened. Joe has his own problems: the CEO of Cone Mills suddenly dies, yet the work of manufacturing denim for the uniforms, tents, packs, and blankets for Allied forces and later the United States Army must continue at full speed. The Gilmer family faces a terrible loss just after Easter in 1917, and they must hang on to their faith in God for peace and comfort. Though Joe Thacker serves his country by his work and also by serving as a Training Officer on weekends, he gets a telegram from Selective Services that threatens to derail his plans for the future with Molly Gilmer. A man living near Beaver Creek suffers severe flashbacks after his service in the Navy during the Spanish-American War, and at times is violent while asleep. After treatment his PTSD is under control. Zeke becomes an unexpected hero during a house fire; in saving two lives, however, another is lost. This is a story about love of a family for each other, the maturing relationship of a young man and woman, of life and death, hard work, resilience, celebrations, and the Christian faith that binds together this community of Beaver Creek and Alamance Presbyterian Church.
