Darkest Before the Dawn — Gwen Kirkwood

Joe Lennox becomes bitter and deranged and blames Billy Caraford when his son is killed in a car accident, but Billy has lost his best friend and is badly injured himself. Despite the misgivings of his parents, he is still determined to be a farmer. He summons his courage to go to university, but privately he regards himself as a cripple, convinced no woman could love him or want to be his wife. Kimberley is orphaned when her father dies. She moves to Scotland with her aunt but she is nervous about changing schools until Billy helps her find new friends. Both Kim and her aunt become involved in the affairs of the Caraford family and, as Kim grows into a lovely young woman, she finds the strength of character to confront problems and fight for the life and the love she craves.