Kansas. 1954. Rumors to Squelch. Stories to Tell. Heartache and Worry: A family waits in distress for news about one son while the remaining son has become invisible in the face of the parents' misery. Harsh words. Quiet meals. Reality. Letting go. A measure of peace. Gossip: Rumors have a strange way of becoming facts in other people's eyes - and can cause problems that spread like ripples in a pond. Sly looks. Whispered accusations. Hurtful laughter. Embarrassment. Hard feelings. Poor judgement and the Final Break: A family's daughter looks for a way out of too many responsibilities and wants to find her way to new horizons and opportunities. Restless nights. Spur-of-the-moment decisions. Throwing caution to the wind. Selfishly ignoring all others' feelings. Two families connected by their children learn the hard way that when it comes to raising a family, hindsight is always 20/20: "We should have", "We could have", and "Why didn't we?".

Christi Pope lives near DeSoto, Missouri, with her husband, a cat, a dog and five miniature horses. This is her sixth novel, following Lucy Left Town, Looking Up From The Bottom, Counting On Kitty, Kitty Continues and Living After Kitty.