Elizabeth Bergstrom marries Henry Nelson, a neighbor and childhood friend, but only after teasing him incessantly about her other admirers. Henry buys a cattle ranch in southern California and the newlyweds leave their families in Pennsylvania to start a new life. Among Elizabeth’s wedding gifts are several quilts made by the women in her family. She especially treasures a Double Wedding Ring bridal quilt and a Chimneys and Cornerstones version of the Log Cabin pattern. When Henry and Elizabeth arrive in California, however, they discover that they have been swindled. The deed they have is a fake and they must work for the owners of the property they thought was theirs.

Elizabeth seems very self-centered at the beginning, but during their troubles, she has a positive attitude, works hard, and tries to encourage and support her husband. She trades her wedding gifts, including her cherished quilts, for more practical items necessary for survival. Elizabeth later finds two antique quilts and lovingly repairs them. She is thrilled when she discovers their rightful owner and is able to return them.

Chiaverini uses alternating time periods, one beginning in 1924, and the other in 1875, to interweave the lives of two families. The two story lines join at the end of the book. Themes of lost love, jealousy, violence, sorrow and revenge are surmounted by acts of forgiveness, faithfulness, and understanding.

June 16, 2008