1865 Arkansas

Addie Hyde spent four years waiting for the husband she had married in haste to come back from the War. He never returned to her, her young son and the two foster children she cherished. Deserters and drifters were making Addie's isolated farmhouse a dangerous place for a pretty woman without a man. John Tallman, a freighter, arrived in town asking about a Mrs. Hyde. Soon he was protecting her from a self-serving preacher and a despicable hill family. Addie's heart told her not to fear traveling with him across Indian Territory to his ranch in New Mexico.

Christmas Cookies

1. To a pint of sugar add four eggs, beating after each one.
2. Add one pint of flour and pint of chopped nuts (hickory or walnuts) and a handful of raisins.
3. Work well into eggs, sugar, and flour.
4. Add cinnamon and a grated nutmeg.
5. Drop by spoonfuls in baking pan.
6. With only eggs to make rise, the cookies bake quickly and spread out to the right size.
7. Sprinkle with sugar.

(Hartack was the staff of life for a soldier when he was out in the field).

1. Mix plain flour, salt and water to the rolling stage.
2. Roll out 3/16" thick.
3. Cut in squares.
4. Place on baking sheet and punch holes in dough with a fork.
5. The dough will rise to a fourth of an inch and brown on top.