f. elizabeth hauser

The story of a friendship between two children, one whose parents employ the other's parents, who are of different religious faiths, different cultures, and different races,set in a time during America's history where such friendships were both rare, and not tolerated in society. Their story takes place in rural Southeast Arizona in a remote town that marks the edge between the predominantly white and Mormon-colonized Gila Valley and the reservation of the San Carlos Apaches. The children, one the white daughter of Latter-day Saint (Mormon) cotton farmers, and the other, the son of their Apache farm workers, are inseparable best friends, who in their teen years fall in love. When their parents step in to prevent any romantic relationship from fully blossoming, these young people feel forced to take bold action to ensure their future. The choice they make and the consequences that develop will leave readers turning pages as conflicts develop,tensions rise,apparently resolve, only to be replaced by another type of conflict. This is the story of a love stronger than social bigotry and more enduring than life. A sequel continues the story where this book ends, because their story is far from over.