Notes

Summary: In the winter of 1917, when 19-year-old Martha Lessen shows up at his ranch looking for work George Bliss hires her. Many of his regular hands are off fighting the war, and he glimpses a girl with a serious knowledge of horses. When the ranchers of this remote county of Eastern Oregon witness Martha talking in sweet tones to horses believed beyond repair - and getting miraculous results - she earns respect and acceptance from the community. Along the way, Martha helps a family save their horses when their wagon slides into a ravine; she gentles a horse for a dying man - a last gift to his young son; she clashes with a hired hand who is abusing horses; and gradually, she comes to feel a sense of belonging and family she's never had before Originally published: 2007