Book excerpt: As he came closer to the porch, I found it hard to speak. His sandy-colored hair was more sun streaked. His freckled face more tanned and defined. His green eyes more sparkling and pronounced. All the baseball playing and exercise, with another year's age, had made for muscled arms and legs. He was taller—much taller...Life was difficult for Jessica 'Ducky' Pearman. Her father died when she was only five. As the fourth oldest of five children, she was thrilled to visit New River over the summers by herself. New River summers meant smelling crab apples and Uncle Art's tobacco on the wraparound porch, playing baseball, and feasting on Aunt May's cooking. But more than anything, those summers meant falling in love with Edwin James Jennings, also known as 'Dubs.' Jessica was thrilled when Edwin asked her to his senior prom. She anxiously awaited his letter with more details, but the letter never came. Heartbroken, she moved on to a new boyfriend, trying to get Edwin out of her mind but never quite succeeding. Four years later, she returned to New River only to discover Edwin's wedding was scheduled for the next weekend. Still reeling from the news, she opened the door to find Edwin staring up at her with hope in his eyes. Pull up a chair, enjoy a big slice of Aunt May's pie, and find out if happy endings exist inNew River Summers.