Room for Hope
A Novel
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?
Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.
When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”
Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Proud owners of the town's general store, Warren and Neva Shilling along with their two children, Bud and Belle, live luxuriously in Buffalo Creek, Kans. despite the country's financial troubles of the 1930s. Warren's frequent weeks away from home while on business keep his family busy with the store and eagerly awaiting his arrival. Then Neva's life is dramatically turned upside down one day with the arrival of Warren's secret family: three young children, a wagon load of furniture, and heartbreaking news delivered by Jesse Caudel, the new sheriff of Buffalo Creek. Although Neva keeps Warren's horrible secret to herself, the sheriff discovers the truth about the children. Neva realizes that the secret cannot remain hidden, and knows she cannot protect her children from hurt or her heart from shame. When sales at the store begin to fall, Neva fears there is no hope, but the unexpected friendship of an overly ambitious furniture salesman helps her heart to mend, and allows Neva to trust again. The message that love is greater than wealth is sewn through every seam of this charming story.
