Darke Crossing

Back in 1991, siblings Brence and Morrie travel from their home in Dumfries, Scotland to Serra, Ohio. At the edge of that tiny speck on the map is a farm called Darke Crossing, owned through history by various Christies and Darkes. The siblings investigate the livably of their distant cousin's farm, just inherited by their father. Upon witnessing sprouts of lively green edibles, they decide to make a go of the old place in lieu of returning to the Motherland.

It isn't until Brence busts an ankle that two additional siblings arrive: the lively actor Ryan in his Charlie Chaplin persona, and the hardworking, intuitive Angel MacKerras. As 1994 rolls in, seemingly everlasting household routines are abruptly disturbed. Emmie, the youngest, has been expelled from yet another English boarding school thanks to her rebellious but humanitarian inclinations. With nowhere else to go, she's escorted to the farm by family friend Neal Lester. The longer Neal is around, the more Angel loses his desire to keep their fifteen-year relationship a secret.

Through interludes of intrigue and humor, through bouts of fiscal worries and whether or not the pumpkins will grow, Angel's family keeps surprising him as, one by one, they discover who he really is. Until, finally, only Brence remains. Angel plans to tell him face to face, before losing what he's loved and fought for: his family, Neal, and the farm.