Publisher Description
Crossing paths with a black cat is said to bring bad luck.
But crossing paths with The Fox is a whole other story . . .
SOME SAY THE FOX IS GOOD LUCK
In the mountain village of Fox Crossing, Maine, everyone knows the story of The Fox. According to local legend, one of the town’s founders crossed paths with a curious-looking fox with a distinctive white ear and paw. The unusual fox sighting not only inspired the town’s name, it sparked a fantastical piece of folklore that’s been passed down for generations. Some people say that whoever sees The Fox will be rewarded with good fortune, love, and happiness. Others say it’s just a silly folk tale . . .
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?
Annie Hatherley doesn’t believe The Fox legend—even though it was her great-great-great-grandmother who spotted the critter centuries ago. But now it’s part of Annie’s legacy, along with her family business, Hatherley’s Outfitters. For years, Annie’s been selling gear to hikers on the Appalachian Trail. But she’s never seen The Fox—until now. Out of nowhere, this little white-eared vixen leads her to Nick Ferrone, a woefully unprepared hiker who needs her help. The Shoo Fly Bakery owner also spots the sly creature—who takes him to a homeless dog that needs his love. Annie can’t deny that something magical is happening—because she’s starting to fall for a certain foxy hiker named Nick . . .
Praise for Melinda Metz’s Talk to the Paw
"Filled with romance and adorable kitty antics . . . a light and cozy read that is awesome to curl up with, particularly alongside your own mischievous cat!”
—Modern Cat
“Surpassingly cute story of a matchmaking cat determined to pair off his human with a neighbor through the power of stinky laundry.”
—Kirkus Reviews
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The spirit of a legendary fox guides the lives of downhearted residents of a sleepy Maine town in Metz's uplifting outing (after Talk to the Paw). A common supply stop for hikers on the Appalachian Trail, the town of Fox Crossing embraces the legend of a white-tipped fox whose appearance is said to grant good fortune. The fox watches Annie Hatherley, who runs the town's outfitter store, and recognizes Annie as a descendant of the woman who rescued the fox from a fur trap 200 years earlier. Contrary to the beliefs of Annie's mother and grandmother, Annie doesn't believe she needs a man to have a fulfilling life. That changes when she meets out-of-towner Nick Ferrone, who is woefully unprepared for the dangerous parts of the trail, and she ends up saving his life with help from the fox. Nick sticks around after he recuperates, and the two explore their mutual attraction to one another. The fox spirit touches other lives in a tightly woven series of engrossing story lines: bartender Banana gets a surprise visit from his estranged daughter and granddaughter; Annie's friend Chloe is broken up with one too many times; and solitary baker Shoo-Fly finds purpose in rescuing an abused dog. Metz's stories of hope and second chances pack a genuine emotional wallop.