Strong and Stubborn

OceanofPDF.com

DEDICATION

First and foremost, this is dedicated to the Lord. Without His strength, no story would ll these pages. It’s a simple truth but sometimes not simple at all to live with. When I alone try to wrestle the words into submission, they ght back!

Second, this novel is dedicated to my amazing husband, who encouraged me when I faltered, prayed with me when I struggled, and celebrated each chapter. I am so incredibly blessed to have found my partner in life, and I thank God for you every day.

Finally, this story is for the readers, without whom books would not be published. Use your power wisely, well, and often!

OceanofPDF.com

CHARACTER LIST

HOPE FALLS HEROINES:

Naomi Higgins: Cousin to Lacey and Braden Lyman. Ex- ancée of Harry Blinman.

Coraline “Cora” Thompson: Ex- ancée of Braden Lyman. Sister of Evie Thompson. Best friend of Lacey Lyman.

Lacey Lyman: Cousin to Naomi Higgins. Fiancée of Chase Dunstan.

Sister of Braden Lyman. Originator of Husbands for Hire advertisement and idea to turn the town into a sawmill.

Evelyn “Evie” Thompson: Fiancée of Jake Granger. Sister of Cora.

Owner of Hope Falls Café.

MISCELLANEOUS LADIES:

Charlotte Blinman: Estranged sister of Naomi Higgins. Wife of Harry Blinman.

Althea Bainbridge: Mother of Leticia Bainbridge. Mother-in-law of Mike Strode. Grandmother of Luke Strode.

Leticia Bainbridge-Strode: Deceased wife of Mike Strode. Mother of Luke Strode. Daughter of Althea Bainbridge.

Arla Nash: Widowed sister of Mr. Lawson, the sawmill engineer.

Dorothy Nash: Newborn daughter of Arla Nash.

Martha McCreedy: Wife of sawmill worker. Friend to Arla Nash.

Helper in Evie’s kitchen.

HOPE FALLS HEROES:

Michael Strode: Widower. Carpenter. Father of Luke Strode.

Luke Strode: Mike’s son—though not biologically. Ten years old.

Target of kidnap attempts by his maternal grandparents, the Bainbridges.

Braden Lyman: Brother of Lacey Lyman. Original owner of Hope Falls mine, caught and injured in the initial mine collapse. Ex-

ancé of Cora Thompson.

Chase Dunstan: Fiancé of Lacey Lyman. Hunter, tracker, wilderness guide. Originally helped Braden Lyman survey Hope Falls area.

Came back to investigate suspicious mine collapse.

Decoy: Chase’s silver-gray Irish wolfhound. Almost four feet tall and six feet long.

Jacob Granger: Fiancé to Evie Thompson. Family owns successful chain of sawmills. Originally came to Hope Falls under alias of Jake Creed to nd his brother’s murderer.

HOPE FALLS LOGGERS:

Volker “Clump” Klumpf: Good-natured German farmer turned logger, distinctive for heavy boots.

Rory “Bear” Riordan: Gentle giant of a Scots-Irish logger.

Gent: Oldest logger in Hope Falls with a penchant for top hats.

Bobsley: Youngest worker in Hope Falls.

Craig Williams: Arrogant logger who’s tried to court every single woman.

Mr. Lawson: Mild-mannered engineer. Brother to Arla Nash and uncle to Dorothy.

HOPE FALLS MINE INVESTORS:

Mr. Draxley: Telegraph operator. Involved in mine sabotage, although not the mastermind. Attempted murderer of Lacey Lyman and Chase Dunstan.

Mr. Owens: Business partner of Braden Lyman and original owner of Hope Falls mine. Initially survived the collapse but died of injuries later. Discovered to have been part of mine sabotage.

Harold “Harry” Blinman: Ex-suitor of Naomi Higgins. Husband to her sister, Charlotte. Original investor in Hope Falls mine.

“Cautious” Clyde Corning: Original investor in Hope Falls mine.

Interested in Cora.

OceanofPDF.com