Miss Julia Springer

Julia Springer is the recent widow of Wesley Lloyd Springer, and a respected resident in the town of Abbotsville, North Carolina. After her husband dies and leaves her a surprising fortune, Julia settles into life, happy to no longer have to please anyone but herself. Things change dramatically when the mistress of her late husband and his illegitimate son arrive on her doorstep and Julia is left with no choice but to take the child in while his mother leaves town to find a way to support herself and her son.

At the beginning of the novel, Julia, though not unkind, has little patience for others, casting judgment on those around her as she feels superior to most. Being the widow of such an important man has almost the same value in social circles as if her husband were still alive. Julia has grown accustomed to...