Barbara Morriss Boeken

In 1917, James E. Glidewell, a successful businessman, establishes a lavish horse ranch near Springfield, Missouri, investing in gold bullion and hiring a diverse staff to pursue his dream of owning the finest racehorses in the Midwest. Amid the Great Depression, the Glidewell Ranch offers meaningful employment, housing, food, and medical care, standing in stark contrast to the economic struggles of the time. In 1931, 16-year-old Maizie Freedman arrives at the ranch after her mother's death, seeking work. Mary Glidewell hires her as an office assistant, and Maizie, eager and talented, learns new skills that boost her self-worth and security. She documents her thoughts in a diary, reflecting on her new life and the itinerant existence she left behind. Conflicted about her heritage and her mother’s secrets, Maizie develops feelings for Capp, the backside manager's son. As her childhood unfolds, she discovers clues to her past on a battered map, tracing a journey from the Mississippi Delta to Springfield—a path filled with adventure and hardship that haunts her dreams. Maizie’s quest for truth intertwines with James’ ambition to win the Kentucky Derby, creating a captivating narrative of intrigue, the pursuit of glory, and the essence of family.