[Wades of Crawford County 01] • A Highland Pearl

A passionate love story about a young couple struggling to overcome the difficulties in their courtship and keep the faith.

Caught in the aftermath of the Civil War and laboring to earn a living from the land, Ralph Wade’s life is in turmoil. Ralph finds solace in the company of a saloon girl after asking for Leann Clark’s hand in marriage only to be refused by her father. Leann doubts Ralph’s love when his involvement with the disreputable lady leads to a failed promise to court Leann and win her affection from a man with a job and regular income.

Ralph Wade is caught in the struggle of rebuilding a productive life during reconstruction in rural Missouri. He works hard to farm several acres of land with limited funds and resources. Ralph desires to marry Leann Clark, the girl he has loved since boyhood, but Leann’s father will not consent to the marriage. John Clark says Leann is too young to wed at sixteen years old, and Ralph cannot support her. Ralph’s faith is tested when he ventures inside a saloon for solace in the bottle and meets a woman, Pearl, who finds him attractive. Pearl’s self-proclaimed boyfriend dislikes her attentions to Ralph and starts a brawl. His sheriff friend stops the fight and rescues him from the man’s anger. Conflict arises when Ralph breaks a promise to court Leann because of his relationship with the saloon girl and a problem she causes.

Leann Clark is caught between her love for Ralph Wade and her father’s wishes. Leann desires to marry the love of her life, but her father refuses to give his consent. She doesn’t understand her father’s objections since he and her mother married at a young age. John Clark desires Leann to favor the attentions of a man with more means, but she cannot give her heart to anyone but Ralph. Her faith in Ralph’s love is tested when she learns of his involvement with a distributable woman, and he breaks a promise to her. She decides to find out for herself the reason behind Ralph’s broken promise and discovers the goodness of his heart. Leann’s best friend tries to separate her from Ralph, but she clings to her faith and belief in his love. Leann’s determination to discover the truth behind his broken promise leads to a stronger bond in their relationship.

The novella introduces the characters and setting of the Wades of Crawford County series.