When The Dust Settles — Barbara Scott

1935
Jolene Jensen was so weary of fighting the never ending dust storms that became the ruination of her family's farm in northwest Kansas. When dust pneumonia finally took her family, it was time to leave. The bank took the farm and everything in it besides her most personal belongings, and there was nothing left to stay for. She dreamed of lush, verdant land with clean air and blue skies. But where would that be? Where could she get a job during the Depression? The roads and railways were full of unemployed men looking from town to town for work. How would a woman fare in such a search?
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Dylan Garrison was in quite a pickle. His wife had died giving birth two weeks ago and now he had a newborn baby girl to look after. And he didn't know what to do or how to take care of her. She cried pitifully and never stopped. In town one day speaking with the owner of the general store, he asked his good friend, “What am I to do? She won't stop crying!” And that's when his saving grace walked through the door and took over…completely. His life would never be the same.

Short Novel - 42,000 words