Jude Calohan has been keeping his head down for years. In the quiet town of Bower Bliss, Texas, he has tried to be a good man, a good father, tried not to think too much about his relationship with his own father ... and yet despite this, in the gentle autumn of an uneventful year, Jude Calohan soon finds his relationship with both his eldest child and his own identity as a father called into question.<br><br>Amidst the sleepy apple groves of small town America, will Jude Calohan be able to keep his family together while his eldest child Charlie discovers the confidence to make one of the biggest choices of their young life?

Love Among Strangers

“Sure,” he remarked uncertainly. “I’m trying to give up, so I guess you’re doing me a favor.”


The other man gratefully received the carton, taking a cigarette and likewise, gratefully accepted the use of Jude’s lighter before passing both back.


He inhaled wistfully, smiling slightly.


“Well, at least one of us is on the right track,” he replied.


“It’s more to do with my wife’s insistence than anything else.”


“Oh, I know that story.” He offered his hand, and Charlie gingerly reached out and shook it. “My name’s Sam, by the way; sorry for creeping up on you.”


“Well, Jude, you might just have saved my life here, so I owe you one.”


“It’s nothing,” Jude shrugged. “It’s nice to have a little company, to be honest.”


Chapter 35