Maggie's Pride - Softcover

Maggie Foster is the captain of a stern-wheeler that she inherited from her husband. One day Sam comes into her life with a six year old boy in tow. He doesn?t recognize her, but she remembers him and Maggie also remembers that she had a crush on him when they were kids. Sam Adams has brought her nephew to her because his parents were killed and she is his only relative. Maggie?s whole life revolves around the boat and traveling up and down the river. She is too busy piloting the vessel to keep a close eye on the boy and life on the river can be dangerous. But Sam is not married and he is just starting a sheep ranch in California. There is no house there and no one to watch Jeremiah while Sam learns to ranch, so he doesn?t think that Jeremiah should live with him. They both try to convince the other to take Jeremiah and they both conclude that the other one will. When Sam has to leave, they realize that nothing has been settled. The weather has made a decision for Sam - it has been raining and the stage cannot get through, so he stays with Maggie a little longer. Their admiration and affection for each other increases daily, and they become lovers. They have come to love each other and Jeremiah too, but it is easier for them to accept Sam?s eventual departure than to accept responsibility for the little boy. Sam and Maggie wish that they could raise him together, but neither one wants to give up their life to live with the other. The rain continues and the river floods, taking the matter out of their hands. The little stern-wheeler is destroyed and Maggie has no way to earn a living. Now there is no reason for Maggie to stay, and two good reasons for her to go to California. Maggie's Pride is a wonderfully warm story! Though the bleak weather plays an important part in this novel, the turbulent ending shines bright! Deborah Wood is masterful at creating a background and setting the mood! She has a tremendous gift for storytelling! Her well defined characters take on a real, believable life! Ms. Wood knows how to tug at our heartstrings!Gloria Miller -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times