Who says small towns are safe?

In 1944, Petra Reynolds, a tender 12-year-old farm girl, resided in a tranquil Midwest town.

Removed from the atrocities of World War II, Petra’s innocence is kept intact. However, she knows polio has already killed or maimed thousands of Americans. Petra’s friend, Benjy, a polio survivor, uses a wheelchair. Quarantine signs posted throughout town fill her with dread. There’s nowhere to hide.

Petra’s life took an unexpected twist when, due to a playground incident, she found herself in the school‘s infirmary alongside the notorious eighth-grade rebel, Chester Harrison. Within a few weeks, Petra loses sight of Chet when the school year ends, and he moves to high school in the fall.

Two years later, on her first day of high school, Petra is surprised to find Chet in her science class, which he had failed the previous year. She notices he has piercing blue eyes, but he’s nothing but a pest, a thorn in her side.

Little did Petra know that her initial disdain for Chet would transform into a deep and unexpected love.

Despite their love, Petra finds herself on a perilous path, navigating through deceit, betrayal, and danger in her pursuit of true happiness.

Petra couldn’t know Bernie would stand in her way.

Carol Kroh Schmitt