The first hand account of Frank Mays, survivor of the November,1958, sinking of the Great Lakes freighter Carl D. Bradley. Mays was one of only two men from the crew of 35 to survive. He spent 15 hours adrift on a small liferaft amidst towering waves and gale force winds. Also includes accounts by the Captain and three crew members of the rescue ship, USCGC Sundew along with media accounts and the official record of the investigation into the sinking.

Truth Wyman has watched Nicodemus, Kansas, grow into a busy little prairie town. And she has grown up, too. Her family was among the first settlers to homestead this area, and there is nowhere she'd rather live. She's always thought her husband felt the same way. . . . Then Moses comes home with news that he has been nominated for state office. If he wins, they'll need to move to the state capital. Pregnant with her first child, Truth does not plan to move to Topeka. How can she raise her baby in an unfamiliar city? How can she leave her family and her home? Yet what will happen if she refuses? Nicodemus's sister community, Hill City, is thriving, too. Macia Boyle returns to her family after a European holiday. The storekeeper's nephew, Garrett Johnson, captures her attention, but she can't seem to forget Jeb Malone, the young blacksmith who showed interest in her before her trip. Soon, Macia must make a choice: Should she return to Jeb's arms or seek a new life with Garrett?