Kansas, 1953. Someone once said: "War is Hell". Young Frank Ellsworth found out that if "War is Hell", coming home to pick up where he'd left off wasn't a piece of cake, either. Frank was called to serve his country during the Korean War, and felt that it was his proud duty to do what was asked to the best of his ability, but couldn't imagine the price that he would pay. Recovery time in far-off hospitals was spent thinking about how soon he'd get back to his wife and his home. He was aware that his life would never be quite as it was before, but was determined to do whatever it took to get back to living an ordinary life. His wife waited and counted the days to his return, and was overjoyed when he stepped carefully off of the train, ready to begin their lives together again. His friends were more than happy to see him and his small hometown was proud and welcomed him back. His mother was thankful and wanted peace and quiet for her boy, and tried to keep him from being bothered while he settled in. His brother had a mean streak and was jealous of Frank's status as a "hero", was secretly ashamed of him, and was resentful that he now would be expected to do what Frank was no longer able to do. And his father just wouldn't - or couldn't - accept the fact that his oldest son would never be the same.

Christi Pope lives near DeSoto, Missouri, with her husband, a cat, a dog, and five miniature horses. This is her eighth novel, following Lucy Left Town, Looking Up From The Bottom, Counting On Kitty, Kitty Continues, Living After Kitty, Chronicles And Gossip of '54, and A Long Weekend In '56.