Review by KT Sullivan
Virginia
works in a diner and lives for the times Aaron comes in with his four year old
son, Buddy. It’s silly to have a crush at her age, but she can’t help it. They
have yet to have an actual date, but Virginia dreams of marrying him. The diner
is suddenly for sale and Virginia is afraid about losing her job. Buddy
suggests she buy it and run it herself. On the way home, Aaron is killed in an
accident and Buddy is injured. His maternal grandparents come to pick him up
from the hospital to live with them. Nineteen years later, Buddy, whose real
name is Jody, is back living in the secluded cabin of his youth with his senile
grandfather. Jody is at his wit’s end about his grandfather’s care. Jody’s
unemployed and not well. Being back makes him uneasy and the sight of the diner
scares him, but he doesn’t know why. The winter weather makes the roads icy.
Jody goes out in search of firewood and sees a truck pull up by the lake. A man
drags a dog out and leaves him to freeze to death. Jody stumbles his way down,
saves the dog, and takes him home. T-Rex is Virginia’s dog and Lloyd is her
soon to be ex-fiancé. Virginia posts signs around town reporting T-Rex missing.
Jody’s grandfather dies, leaving Jody and Worthy, T-Rex’s new name, alone in
the cold. When the police come to help, one notices the dog. A chain of events
brings Jody and Worthy to Virginia’s diner in a terrible storm. They discover
their shared past and plan a future together.
This is a
sweet story because Worthy brings two lonely people together. Jody needs a
parent’s help and Virginia has always wanted children. The town rallies around
both of them and makes for a heartwarming read.
Purchase the book at:
About the Author:
Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author of 30
published and forthcoming books. An
avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she has just
released her first book of photos, 365 DAYS OF GRATITUDE: PHOTOS FROM A
BEAUTIFUL WORLD. She is founder and former president (2000-2009) of the
Pay It Forward Foundation, and still serves on its board of directors. As a
professional public speaker she has addressed the National Conference on
Education, twice spoken at Cornell University, met with Americorps members at
the White House and shared a dais with Bill Clinton.
Connect with the author at:
