Word had come down from Richmond of new budget cuts. Small mountain towns were the first to be hit when times got hard, since they lacked the political clout to protect themselves. Connie had spent five hours pleading and cajoling to keep their meager city-works budget intact, and still felt uncertain as to meeting their future needs. To make matters worse, over Thanksgiving dinner Poppa Joe had again pestered her to bring the doctor up for a visit. In his quiet, stubborn way he had finally worn her down. As much as she despised having anything further to do with the doctor, she had agreed to extend Nathan Reynolds one final invitation. Ever since the doctor’s arrival six weeks earlier, she had been hearing reports. Her own two visits had been brief and explosive, his reaction to her earlier invitations acerbic. She thus took quiet satisfaction from how the townspeople used Nathan Reynolds but otherwise steered clear of his cantankerous ways. All but Hattie; for some unexplained reason, she had continued with the duties of receptionist.
What do You think about One Shenandoah Winter (2010)?
