Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But the Oregon frontier of the 1870s doesn't approve of such innovations as women attending medical school. To leave grief and guilt behind, as well as support herself and her challenging young son, Jennie cares for an elderly woman using skills she's developed on her own. When her patient dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled with the woman's widowed husband, a man many years her senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate goal--but the road will be winding and the way forward will not always be clear. Will Jennie find shelter in life's storms? Will she discover where healing truly lives? Through her award-winning, layered storytelling, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick invites readers to leave behind their preconceived notions about love and life as they, along with Jennie, discover that dreams may be deferred--but they never really die. Based on a true story. "Once again, Jane Kirkpatrick creates a bold and inspiring woman out of the dust of history. Jennie's triumph, in the skilled hands of one of the West's most beloved writers, leaves its mark on your heart." -- Sandra Dallas , New York Times bestselling author Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But the Oregon frontier of the 1870s is an unforgiving place--especially for a single mother. To support herself and her young son, Jennie finds work caring for an older woman. When her patient dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled with the woman's widowed husband, a man many years her senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate goal--but the road forward is uncertain. New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick invites you to leave behind your preconceived notions about love and life as you, along with Jennie, discover that dreams may be deferred--but they never really die. Based on a true story. Praise for Jane Kirkpatrick "Kirkpatrick's vivid, rich prose will keep readers in awe and on the edges of their seats."-- Publishers Weekly , starred review of This Road We Traveled "Richly researched and remarkably detailed."-- Booklist , starred review of This Road We Traveled "Kirkpatrick is a talented author who writes about historical events that have been forgotten throughout the generations."-- RT Book Reviews , top pick on The Memory Weaver Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books, including A Light in the Wilderness , The Memory Weaver , This Road We Traveled , and A Sweetness to the Soul , which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, USABestBooks, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Medallion Award. Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com. Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of more than 40 books, including Beneath the Bending Skies , A Light in the Wilderness , The Memory Weaver , This Road We Traveled , and A Sweetness to the Soul , which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and five Will Rogers Gold Medallion Awards. Jane divides her time between Central Oregon and California with her husband, Jerry, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Rupert. Learn more at JKBooks.com. All She Left Behind By Jane Kirkpatrick Baker Publishing Group Copyright © 2017 Jane Kirkpatrick All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8007-2700-0 CHAPTER 1 Sharing All That Matters Six Years Later Spring in the Willamette Valley is rain-soaked grasses pierced by early blooms. "'And then my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils.'" Jennie Pickett quoted Wordsworth to her almost-three-year-old boy, Douglas, as they walked toward Pringle Creek in Salem. The short, white-petaled wildflowers dotted the fields, colorful essentials breaking the soil and the winter malaise and the pall from President Lincoln's assassination the year before. In a rare respite, Jennie and Douglas followed the path toward the tributary of the Willamette. Jennie spoke the word in her head, Will-AM-it, a pronunciation people said didn't match with its spelling. But spelling had never been Jennie's gift. Mother and son walked beside the mighty river, watched the commerce of ferry crossings, steamships, and small river craft gliding on its surface. Dougie was never one to settle easily, and Jennie gripped him tighter at his urge to pull away, caught his emerald eyes that matched her own. "If we're very quiet when we reach the creek, we'll see a surprise. You can look through the b