Book excerpt: The war was over, and the valiant South lay in ruins. The soldiers returned home, defeated but proud and unvanquished. Jesse Gunter returned briefly to Alabama to see his family before he headed out to his little homestead in East Texas. He fell in love with Julia Anjaline Wakefield at first sight. Amidst the terrible devastation of their war-torn land, Jesse and Anjaline married and, with their family, traveled to Texas. This is the story of the little community of High Cotton, of family, friends, and neighbors who survived the ravages of war and worked together through hardships and good times. With faith and love, they forged a new life in a beautiful place that truly was just this side of heaven.