Dione M Sheehan

An Engagement with War Dione M Sheehan

Annie Lore has always dreamed of one day being Mrs. Albert Wyst. It is as simple as that. Albert's special smile and sensitive, caring eyes captured her heart long ago. But when a proposal finally comes, nothing is simple anymore. A devastating civil war is ripping the country apart. Albert is abandoning his home of Brucston, Kansas to aid the Union cause. And Annie, the bride-to-perhaps-never-be, is left behind. Yet as Annie struggles with Albert's departure, an old passion arrives and seems quite intent on staying. Medicine. She has always been interested in doctoring, although now it is much more than simple interest. With Albert gone, she needs a diversion from her lonely heart and hollow thoughts. And medicine seems quite the suitable solution. But in a small prairie town like Brucston, not all folks take too kindly to the idea of a woman pursuing a career in medicine. Is God leading Annie in the wrong direction? Is He leading her at all? Deeper than uncertainty though, deeper than anything else, runs the fissure of war. Correspondence forestalled, Annie and Albert begin to question their own feelings and wonder if their relationship can truly survive the ravages of war. Daily confronted with death, Albert loses faith in himself and his mission, while tragedies at home cause Annie to severely doubt her medical capabilities as well as her relationships - most of which have begun to crumble. Coming desperately close to losing faith in one another, can Annie and Albert find a way to bridge war's irreparable crevice?