Gingham Mountain is the third book in the Lassoed in Texas series by Mary Connealy. Each book leads you into the world of a strong, God-fearing woman who cannot only thrive in the wild west, but raises a wonderful bunch of kids while doing it.
The Story
Hannah and her little sister have left their life as street urchins in Chicago to search for their sister who has been missing for a few years. After stowing away on an orphan train, living on the streets in St. Louis, among other places, and catching another train, they are finally in Texas. But before Hannah can think of what to do next her little sister is adopted by a man who seems to collect orphans.
A blizzard hits as he rides out of town and Hannah is forced to wait out the storm. She talks to the local store owners to get directions to the man’s homestead and ends up becoming the new school teacher. This gives her an excuse to seek out her sister, as well as check on her daily when she comes to school. But finding a way to rescue her and the other children from this man proves to be difficult.
Grant has dedicated his life to taking care of children that no one else wants, and at twenty-seven he is the father of twenty and grandfather to ten. When a new teacher comes to town he expects her to kick them out of school, as every other teacher has. Instead this new teacher not only lets them stay, but defends is children when the town’s people imply that they are no better than trash.
Now his biggest problem is that every time he is near her, he can’t stop kissing her. Even if he could stop thinking about her, she is the favorite subject of his children. They come home from school and speak of little else. But what can he do, he promised himself and God that he would not get married, ever.
Life Lessons
Through the story this small community comes together several times to help a father and his orphan children. When a family has a little left over, whether it is food or clothing, it has a way of ending up in Grant’s wagon. And when one of the children falls from a cliff the town shows up at his ranch to help out. It reminds me of how a church community works.
Granted there are times in the book that the people have to be reminded that they are all in it together, but for the most part they are concerned for each other. They celebrate together and strive to live life in the loving relationships God intended for us.
There is also a question that is asked a few times questioning why God allows children to be homeless and die in the streets. This question is not answered but Grant comes to the realization that God uses our past experiences to knit us into the person we are and that in each stage of our lives he is there.
He is able to thank God for what he went through as a child because it prepared him for the life he is now living and he sees how others lives have come together in similar manners
Book Details
Title: Gingham Mountain
Author: Mary Connealy
ISBN: 9781602605305