A Permanent Home

The sequel to His Promise True continues the story of young pioneers John David and Maggie McKellar. John David dreams of building a home in the mountains of Arkansas Territory, despite a government treaty giving the land to the Cherokees. He tries to get around the treaty, first by squatting illegally on the land and later by going with other white settlers to stake an early claim in the disputed area called Lovely's Purchase. Nothing works, though, and he blames his failures on the Cherokees, especially Elwin Root, a young warrior who seems intent on stealing Maggie's affections, the one thing John David thought was secure. Desperate to feed his family, John David takes work with the federal agent for the Cherokees, even though he views the Indians as his enemy. By the time another treaty moves the Cherokees farther west, it's not so easy for John David to say who the real enemy is. When a former ally threatens to once again deny him a chance at the land he wants, he'll have to swallow his pride and rebuild some long-neglected bridges to get what he wants-a permanent home.