The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Lainey O'Toole returns to Stoney Ridge - needing to speak to Bertha Reihl about the past. Bertha has just sent for her grand-daughter, Bess Reihl, to come help her for the summer but with several objectives in mind. Lainey's car breaks down, and as fate or God would have it, a job in a bakery and a waiting apartment seems to fill the bill. Lainey and Bess become close friends but Lainey has a secret that she isn't sure how Bess will receive. Throw in a couple of love angles and Fisher writes a story that begs to be read. Colorful Bertha is just one of the characters that makes this story work. Read it. Sandy Penton.