Federal judge Reid Britt steps forward to fill a rotation in the empty church pulpit. His quiet faithful spirit is pleasing to God and an encouragement to others. But even a faithful follower can be tested. While Reid faces trials, Reid's youngest son has fears of his own, and his oldest son prepares to leave for school in Chicago. That's the last place on earth that Reid wants him to go. Reid's nephew, William Stewart, returns home penniless, seeking to recover his health and his confidence. With help from God, he finds hope for a new life. As a physician, William proves himself capable and willing to serve God, trusting the Father to take care of him and his patients. William's father, a strong independent disciplined man, is willing to help his son but unable and must face his own imperfections. William's brother, Adam, and Reid's brother, Luke, fight for justice and face dangers of their own. Watching over them all is retired federal marshal Travis Britt, father, grandfather, and servant of God.
Several will face testing. Some will need forgiveness, some will need healing, someone will be kidnapped, someone will be shot, and someone will die. But even through the struggles of life, faithfulness brings joy--something Reid tries to teach others and something others need to learn.
There are many captivating characters and subplots in the book that draw the reader in. Each individual story thread is pulled together in the end to create picture of God's faithfulness and love for his children. In the end you feel like you are a part of the family.
Reid Britt is a humble man who is committed to praising God for joy and hope despite constant pain which cripple him physically and spiritually. Yet Reid is able to show his congregation that God's faithfulness is true and complete.
“Luke, wake up, son.”
“Is it suppertime?” Luke asked before he opened his eyes.
Travis laughed slightly. “No, Adam’s ’ere. He wants ta ask ya some questions.”
Luke’s eyes flew open. “Finally! Somebody interesting to talk to.” Then looking toward Joshua, the sheriff said, “He’s about as grumpy as your father.”
Joshua grinned and explained to the others, “Father gave him something to make him more comfortable on the train. He’s a little scatterbrained right now.”
Adam nodded and smiled. “This should be fun.”
Bailey said, “Tell us what happened in Summersville.”
Luke made a pouty face, poking out his bottom lip. He stretched his first words out long, “I got shot.” Then spoke quickly, “Never been shot before. I don’t think I like it. Don’t want to get shot again.”
Adam laughed. “Uncle Luke, what about Stroud and Coleman?”
“Martin Coleman is dead. Stroud’s in jail. Young’s dead. Matt got away. So did Baker.”
Adam almost laughed again. “Who’s Young?”
“Marshal that followed me and Matt.” Luke’s speech was getting slower quickly. The drug was wearing off, and Luke was sleepy.
He blinked his eyes widely several times and then closed them.
“And Baker?”
“The other marshal that followed me and Matt. He shot Coleman the second time. Coleman shot me. Young shot Coleman the first time. Stroud shot Young. Killed him. I shot Stroud.” Luke’s eyes flew open again. “Twice!”
Bailey wasn’t sure he liked the way this line of questioning was going. But then he realized Luke was actually answering their questions. You just had to pick the answers out of everything else that was being said and put it in the right order.
Adam asked, “Why were they following you?”
“Cause they didn’t know how to follow the car’s tracks, and we did.” Luke’s eyes got big again, and he raised his voice. “They don’t teach that in school anymore.”
Adam smiled. “You were following the car’s tracks?”
“Yep,” Luke replied. “From one dead man”—Luke pointed a finger on one side of the bed and drew an arch in the air to the other side—“to two dead men.”
“How could you tell what you were following?”
“Car had one brand-new tire on the back. It was easy to follow.
“Did you just see one of the Coleman brothers?” Bailey asked.
“Yep,” Luke said happily. “That’s all there was. Guess the other one wasn’t hungry.”
Adam laughed out loud. “Were they eating?”
“Yep. I think Stroud had a big juicy grilled steak with a mess a peas and some corn bread with a piece of sponge cake. Coleman probably had chicken omelet and some scalloped potatoes covered
in cheese—”
Joshua interrupted, “You hungry, Uncle Luke?”
“What’s you got? I’ll eat it. Your father hasn’t let me eat anything since lunch yesterday.”
Bailey asked, “What about the car they used for the bank robbery?”
Luke got serious. “Had a dead man in it, but it wasn’t Reid.
There was blood on the floor though, and it didn’t come from the dead man. Reid’s probably hurt.”
Bailey turned to Adam. “I guess we better head to Summersville and talk to Stroud.”
Luke closed his eyes. His speech was soft and slow. They could all tell he was about to fall asleep, but he raised a finger telling them to wait. “You through with me?” Luke was waving his finger in the air. “Go talk to Matt. I deputized Matt. Had to do it so he could talk to Stroud. Marshals are picky about who they let talk to their prisoners.” And Luke let his hand fall to the bed beside him.