FICTION for Grown-ups

 With the holidays drawing near, Charlotte is starting to feel the pinch of having three extra mouths to feed. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and a cooking demonstration—plus a little nudging from her good friends—inspires Charlotte to start a pie-baking business to bring in some extra income.  Meanwhile, Sam is pining for a car, Emily is on a campaign to improve the food served at Bedford High, and Christopher befriends a lonely outsider whose one mistake leads to a life-and-death situation. In the midst of so many trials, will Charlotte be able to maintain a spirit of thankfulness? Will she even have anything to be thankful for?

The warm winds of spring are blowing across the prairie, and Charlotte finds out that Heather Creek Farm has been voted Adams County Farm of the Year. She is thrilled, but she’s not sure she’s up to the task of organizing an open house to celebrate the honor, and when heavy rains cause Heather Creek to rise quickly, it’s not just the open house that’s in danger. Hannah and Frank Carter’s fields start to flood and only quick thinking will save their home.

October brings cooler weather, pumpkins, the harvest… and unexpected challenges for the Stevensons. Emily’s class project leads to questions about her grandparents’ wedding so many years ago, Sam tries not to think about his college applications, and Christopher finds himself in a debate about the future of the farm.  When Charlotte and Bob are asked to speak at a seminar for young married couples, they’re forced to take a closer look at their own relationship and their influence on others. With wedding bells on the horizon, Charlotte tries to help them all remember the importance of prayers and the significance of promises.

Charlotte is still recovering from Pete and Dana’s wedding and even though she’s thrilled that Pete is finally settling down, she misses having him live on the farm. She focuses her attention on getting Sam through his last months of high school, as Christopher adjusts to the prospect of his older brother leaving for college. However, they soon learn Sam has not fulfilled a community service requirement. Will he be able to graduate with his class? Meanwhile, Emily starts dating an older boy, and Charlotte struggles with how tightly to hold on to her granddaughter. And when construction on Pete and Dana’s house hits a major snag just as Dana is offered the opportunity of a lifetime, the family is forced to reflect on promises they’ve made to themselves… and to each other.