Includes bibliographical references.

"Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She's soon teaching just about everyone--and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives. Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets an intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when shocking turn of events tests their love and their will to right a terrible wrong"--,Back cover.