Maud Novec has been kicked out of her own home and winds up on the doorstep of Elmer Martin, a farmer who seeks companionship and help running his home. The two find friendship as Elmer teaches Maud the beauty of life on a farm. Eventually they realize their feelings run much deeper than employer/employee. The budding romance is threatened, however, by a mystery surrounding Maud. Someone comes close to successfully killing her, and Elmer seeks Sam's help in figuring out what's going on, as well as whether the attempts on her life are connected to a mysterious treasure and to the death of Maud's father.

A long-time newspaper columnist who didn't start writing books until age 82 and continues well into her 80s with the popular Fate Series. She also writes short stories and is collaborating with her daughter on several other books in the series.