Birdie L. Etchison

Emily Drake has long considered herself a spinster. Emily, the simple Quaker, wants only a simple life. But things get complicated when her dashing friend Kate introduces her to handsome Ben Galloway. Although Ben is not of "The Friendly Persuasion," Emily finds herself attracted to him in a way that she cannot muster for Parson Luke Morrison. Kind and caring, Luke is the preferred choice of Emily's family, and he is more than eligible. When both men decide they want to marry her, Emily finds that love and commitment are anything but simple decisions! As she sorts through her conflicting emotions, she realizes the heart has its reasons in this season of love.

Patient is she who follows the true path of love. Pearl Galloway has come to Stayton School to teach, not to marry. But Judson Rome, the chairman of the school board, has other ideas. His educated eye has settled on Pearl as the perfect candidate to be his wife and mother to his three children. Although she comes to love the schoolchildren, Pearl feels no such emotions for Judson. At the same time, however, she realizes her apathetic attitude toward him could spell the end of her teaching career. But Pearl's course in love has not been dismissed yet. There's another man in her life, one who may step over the thorns in love's tender path.

Emily Drake has long considered herself a spinster. Emily, the simple Quaker, wants only a simple life. But things get complicated when her dashing friend Kate introduces her to handsome Ben Galloway. Although Ben is not of "The Friendly Persuasion," Emily finds herself attracted to him in a way that she cannot muster for Parson Luke Morrison. Kind and caring, Luke is the preferred choice of Emily's family, and he is more than eligible. When both men decide they want to marry her, Emily finds that love and commitment are anything but simple decisions! As she sorts through her conflicting emotions, she realizes the heart has its reasons in this season of love.