Caleb Sawyer expects his senior year at Baxter High to go just as he planned. He’s a member of the football team, is active in his church, has a great job, and loves hanging out with his friends at the local diner. But then he crosses paths with Ellie Thompson, the mysterious new girl in town. Ellie has a fiery personality and a tragic past. Caleb’s obsession with her leads them both on adventures full of opportunities and challenges.
As their connection grows, Caleb must wrestle with his fears and doubts. Practicing what you preach is not always easy, and when the unthinkable happens, Caleb wonders if there is any future for him and Ellie. With the support of his parents and friends, and the unexpected help of a kindly old widow, Caleb’s faith finally comes full circle. But is there any end to the treacherous road that is his and Ellie’s relationship? Is there a future and a hope for them?
About
David Mathews was born in the small mid-western town of Friend, Nebraska, a community of 1100 people once listed in Ripley’s Believe It or Not for having the world’s smallest police station—a tiny tool shed previously used by highway construction crews. He grew up in small towns in Kansas and Indiana before settling in Indianapolis after college.
David describes himself as a big dreamer with an overactive imagination. Now living in Ohio, David and his wife, Donna, have six children between them, along with a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, three granddaughters, and two Boston Terriers. He enjoys home remodeling, woodworking, bicycling, camping, and writing. He also serves in their local church, loves being a grandfather, and never grows tired of watching Andy Griffith reruns.