The One Who Waits for Me
Beth and Joanie’s parents have died, and they are determined to escape their wicked Uncle Walt, who has made Beth distrust all men. Beth sets a fire to cover their tracks, and they take pregnant Trella, one of Walt’s former slaves, with them. As they flee, they meet three men returning home to North Carolina from the Civil War: Unionist Pierce; Gray Eagle, a half-Cherokee Confederate; and Preach, a former slave. Joanie becomes ill with asthma, and Trella is about to give birth right on the road. Can Beth trust the three men to protect them from her uncle?
There are several plot problems, such as Beth purchasing property. Her family members are mere sharecroppers – where did she get the money? Readers are told that Walt is evil, but aren’t shown this. Preach and Trella are mostly wallpaper characters, only figuring into the ending in order to tie things up neatly. The story would have been richer if it had included more of the ex-slaves’ experiences. Joanie is the best-drawn character. Beth is not very likeable, and her chemistry with Pierce just wasn’t there. One of inspirational author Copeland’s lesser efforts; not recommended.
