1885 Iowa

Ana Fairfax was a stranger in the lonely farmhouse. She had come there at the urging of her stepdaughter, Harriet, and stayed to raise her child when she died. The farmhouse was filled with danger for Ana and the child. Esther, the child's crazed aunt, didn't want her there. Owen, the child's father was a silent, brooding Norwegian, hiding dark family secrets from her. Ana had married the first time without love in order to survive. Would she be forced to do so again in order to raise the child and protect him from the strange Jamison family?

1. Peel and remove pink pulp from 4 pounds watermelon rind.
2. Cut rind in one-inch cubes.
3. Soak in cold water with a large spoonful of lime for an hour.
4. Drain.
5. Cover with fresh water and simmer until tender. (about 1-1/2 hour).
6. Combine 1 quart cider vinegar with 4 pounds sugar.
7. Heat until sugar dissolves.
8. Tie 2 large spoonfuls whole allspice and 10 sticks of cinnamon in a cloth and add along with rind to hot vinegar mixture.
9. Simmer 2 hours.
10. Pack rind in clean hot jars.
11. Fill jars with boiling syrup.
12. Seal.

Makes about 6 quarts.

1. Put a pint of molasses and two large spoonfuls of ginger in a 2-gallon pail.
2. Fill half full with boiling water.
3. When well stirred, fill with cold water, leaving room for a pint of liquid yeast which is added when mixture is lukewarm.
4. Place pail on warm hearth for the night.

It will be in good condition to drink the next morning.