Weaving together the strong threads of family and friends in a pattern of grace, forgiveness, and kindness, A Can of Peas invites readers into a place where every day brings a new story and neighbors are more than just people who live down the road. Sometimes funny and often poignant, these vignettes will draw both men and women into the reassuring rhythms of life as it ought to be–and as it still is in the heart of America. After the death of his grandfather, Peter Morgan and his new bride, Mae, face a life-changing decision: should they embrace the career-chasing ambitions of their family and friends in St. Paul or accept the absurd challenge of saving the family farm in the Minnesota countryside? Enticed by the romance of a simple, quiet life, the Morgans set out to follow in the footsteps of Peter’s grandparents. Soon, Peter is farming around the clock, barely one step ahead of failure as Mae struggles to find her place in Peter’s life and in the community. Will the strain of saving the farm tear their marriage apart? Was it a mistake to dream? ther the strong threads of family and friends in a pattern of grace, forgiveness, and kindness, A Can of Peas invites readers into a place where every day brings a new story and neighbors are more than just people who live down the road. Sometimes funny and often poignant, these vignettes will draw both men and women into the reassuring rhythms of life as it ought to be and as it still is in the heart of America. After the death of his grandfather, Peter Morgan and his new bride, Mae, face a life-changing decision: should they embrace the career-chasing ambitions of their family and friends in St. Paul or accept the absurd challenge of saving the family farm in the Minnesota countryside? Enticed by the romance of a simple, quiet life, the Morgans set out to follow in the footsteps of Peter s grandparents. Soon, Peter is farming around the clock, barely one step ahead of failure as Mae struggles to find her place in Peter s life and in the comm Weaving together the strong threads of family and friends in a pattern of grace, forgiveness, and kindness, "A Can of Peas invites readers into a place where every day brings a new story and neighbors are more than just people who live down the road. Sometimes funny and often poignant, these vignettes will draw both men and women into the reassuring rhythms of life as it ought to be-and as it still is in the heart of America. After the death of his grandfather, Peter Morgan and his new bride, Mae, face a life-changing decision: should they embrace the career-chasing ambitions of their family and friends in St. Paul or accept the absurd challenge of saving the family farm in the Minnesota countryside? Enticed by the romance of a simple, quiet life, the Morgans set out to follow in the footsteps of Peter's grandparents. Soon, Peter is farming around the clock, barely one step ahead of failure as Mae struggles to find her place in Peter's life and in the community. Will the strain of saving the farm tear their marriage apart? Was it a mistake to dream? Traci DePree is the editor behind many of today’s award-winning and best-selling Christian novels. She brings over a decade of experience in Christian fiction to her writing, offering a blend of earthy Midwest wisdom with deeply rooted conviction. Traci enjoys gardening, visiting with neighbors, and volunteering in her community. She makes her home with her husband, John, and their four children in a rural farming town in Minnesota. Visit her website at www.tracidepree.com . Chapter 3 Jim Miller opened the Chuckwagon Café in 1952. Most days of the week he could still be found there, moving from table to table, trading news and jokes with the regulars and laughing his contagious laugh. True to its era, the Chuckwagon was a white brick building with large windows covering three sides, all slanted outward at the top. The diner was the hub of information for the little town of Lake Emily. The regulars sat and talked about everything from the price of gas and soy-beans to state politics and the school board’s latest referendum. So me-times Arvin, the reporter from the Herald, would hang around looking for last-minute tidbits to fill the week’s pages. Vernon Elwood sat on the third stool at the red Formica counter, sometimes three meals a day, in his coveralls and a Massey - Ferguson cap. If the restaurant was busy, he’d help out busing or washing tables. He sat there today, a cup of coffee steaming in front of him as Mae Peter, and Virginia stood in the entry, waiting to be seated. “ Popular place,” Mae said of the crowded, noisy café. “ It’s the only restaurant in town, but it’s the best one and the food’s good,” Virginia said, her voice trailing off. Her gaze drifted to a booth in the corner. “Are you okay, Grandma?” Peter asked. “I will be,” she admitted. “I haven’t been in here since Roy and I had Sunday dinner two weeks ago at that table. At least this wee