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CHAPTER ONE 1859 Willa's Story I have never thought of myself as anything but a plain and simple farmwoman. I never aspired to greatness or to glory, but only to be secure and happy on my farm, the place where I grew from a child into a woman. If I am entirely honest, that is not truthful because I have always aspired to be loved. I know how to give love, but I had never, in the first thirty years of my life been the recipient of such tender feelings. Saint Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians that love is the greatest gift that God gives us; my gift was, however a long time in coming. My name is Wilhelmina Rolf; but, folks just call me Willa.
Most stories start at the beginning, but for mine, I should start at the end: the end of my papa's life. For his death brought an end to a way of life I had grown accustomed to and caused a great change to sweep across my sheltered little world. The year was 1859, he had just died and I was left alone at twenty-eight years old, and a proper spinster to boot. I didn't know what would become of me, but like many folks in those pre-Civil War days, the path fate would lead me down had already been cast by events beyond my control. I lived on a small farm just west of Columbus, Ohio.
1870's Idaho, Sarah Jane Pettigrew is a keeper of dreams; at her father's death she claims his homestead in a male dominated society. Resourceful, she uses all her femine wiles to hold it, turning The Blue Heron Ranch into an empire. Her life abounds with love, determination, humor and adventure. To those who know her, Sarah Jane is a true knight in shining armor.
Naomi Hart traveled west into an unforgiving land in search of a new beginning with her husband and daughter. Homesteading on their isolated mountain was bittersweet; wishes were changed, hopes faded and promises were broken, but life is ever changing and she learned that memories are better than daydreams and sometimes all you have is the belief in yourself. Join this courageous young mother as she stakes her claim in the Arizona Territoty.