May of 1972 finds the folks of the Engelmann clan preparing for the long-awaited wedding of Matt Harrington and Diane Waggoner. Numerous family members from out East will be attending the event. In the past, members of both their families had shown vehement objection to the wedding; but as of late, most of those things seemed settled. They had hopes of having a fun family reunion. As the event nears, other families appear and attend the wedding. There are many characters and subplots revealing themselves before the nuptials take place. In the end, the Engelmann clan learns to value their clan even more.

Ian Harrington had worked all his life in law enforcement, until a gunshot ruined his arm, rendering it almost useless. With the help of his family and friends, he was able to rebuild his life. Even though being an accountant was less exciting, it was much more stable. He was loved his new wife and the life they were building together. He was someone who felt family was the very important, so he welcomed the news that he and his wife were expecting their first child that fall. In the spring, his arm began giving him severe muscle spasms and his doctor thought he should go back to Boston to see the neurologist who had cared for him after the shooting. Hoping to get the arm all taken care of before the arrival of his child, he and his wife traveled to Boston for his medical care. Ian was a good, gentle and decent man, who always tried to live above reproach. He was not perfect and never claimed to be, but he tried to be honest and fair in all his dealings. He had left the police force with an excellent record. A chance encounter at a street bazaar shakes the very foundation of everything that he believed about his past, his life and himself. He soon realizes that no matter how straight forward and simple actions seem when one does them; they can have far, unintended repercussions. Handling them in a fair and decent manner can be much more daunting than the original intention.

Matt and Diane Harrington were settling into their newly married life. Diane’s past had been hampered by a dysfunctional childhood, an abusive early marriage, and physical violence at the hands of her in-laws and even her own mother. Now she had a good, happy marriage, a relationship with her brother and her wonderful friends, and a great relationship with Matt’s family. All she needed to complete her happiness was to have a child. She had been pregnant while she was married to Dean. After a beating with a fireplace poker from her then mother-in-law, Diane not only lost her infant son but sustained serious damage to her ability to have another child. Matt was supportive, and he understood her position. He told her that she was more important to him. They could adopt. He didn’t want to lose her. She had always craved to be like the other girls. To her, this was the most important thing. She wanted to fix up a nursery, talk about baby showers, and then have the pride of handing a child to her wonderful Matt. Matt was reluctant, but he relented. He knew how much it meant to her.

Johnny Standing Elk rolled his eyes and thought, This woman is a walking disaster area. Then he decided that he still had the rest of today and thirteen more to watch out for her. He made himself a heartfelt promise to never make a commitment to look out for someone again, even though this ladys brother, Brett, was a nice guy. Johnny finally had to ask her, What are you afraid of, Wednesday? Can you tell me? I can tell youre a professional woman, likely with a great career. I know it isnt any of my business why you are here or what is going on. But if it is going to affect how you treat me and everyone else, maybe we can talk about it. Okay? I give you my word. Ill keep it in total confidence. Okay? She thought over her situation. She had never been so out of control in her life. More importantly, her quandary was nowhere near remedied. She was rather certain that she could never last until Brett got back without falling apart. She could barely survive a simple day. Maybe it would better for everyone if she just left. But to do that, she would have to confide in Johnny.

The public school music instructor Gary Larson was dismayed at the loss of his familys rented home. They lost everything, except their lives and that of their family dog. All they could salvage was in a cardboard box. Gary worried, however, that he stood to lose even more. He could lose his wife and beloved daughter in the ashes of the fire.

EARLY HARVEST 28th of the Prairie Preacher Series Darrell and Jeannie had a wonderful marriage and were looking forward to the arrival of their first child later this summer. However, this summer so far had been miserable. They had lost one of their best friends, Diane Harrington, who died from a fall while expecting their first baby. Diane died, but the baby, though premature, survived. The little girl, Dana, had recently come home from the hospital. Jeannie would babysit both babies while the men worked in the fields. Dana and her daddy, Matt, lived in the same yard with Darrell and Jeannie. It had been an extremely dry year with miserly rains in the spring. The crops were drying up in the fields. Farmers had been gathering every bit of hay or grain they could find. The men were hurrying to finish the last field before the long awaited rains began. It was supposed to be heavy and last a while, so the hay or crops would be ruined if left in the field. There was a rush to get it in. All was going well, and then in early afternoon, life took another tragic turn. In a matter of minutes, life at the Jessup place would change forever.

W. H. Crandall has been left as an abandoned child as an infant, and he grew up in the foster care system. When he became a teen, he migrated toward juvenile detention. Then as he was getting older, he was given the option of joining the military or going to jail. He chose the military. There he found a home of sorts and became a pilot. After the military, he and his friend Mick started a small private airline. While Mick began to put down roots, Crandall maintained his solo life. And jealously guarded his independence. Now in his late forties, his life had taken another turn. The independence had turned more into isolation, and he found he craved belonging more than ever. He had few close friends; however, after a close call with romance years before, he had decided he would be a bachelor all his life. Suddenly, the past he had put behind him was demanding his attention. It would require him doing all the things he thought he despised.