South Dakota Way Author:C. Fern Cook Carol is a newly graduated college student on her way across country to start her new career as pastor in South Dakota. In her mind she believes that people will not be agreeable to her being their pastor because she also is newly divorced. This is first time she has gone out on her own, because of self-esteem issues she sometimes ends up in a... more » panic attack. Not only is Carol taking on a new career, but she is starting out in an area she knows nothing about. Close to the Bad Lands where there are two Indian reservations in the area and the major industry is ranching, makes it a whole new experience for her. This is an alien environment and completely different from what she is used to. When she gets to Brahma, South Dakota she is underwhelmed by the town and her new place of business. The first person she meets is a pre-school teacher that works at the church. Nancy Anderson means well but she has one major flaw, she is the town gossip. Despite that, they become friends. The deacon of the church that has been holding everything together until the arrival of the new pastor is a very eligible bachelor. The minute he meets Carol it is pure infatuation, he has met the one he plans on marrying. Carol is physically attracted to Ed the first time she meets him, but she is not a believer in love at first sight. The first AA meeting Carol goes to at the church, she runs into a frustrated teenager who takes out her anger on the goody two-shoes that has come to South Dakota. Noticing that Angel is Native American, Carol can't help but mention that she has American Indian ancestry. Angel tells her she looks awful white for being Indian and Carol gets the nickname of Paleface. After a rocky start, Angel and Carol find common ground and work together to help Angel start her own business. Carol develops a close group of friends at the church and has become part of community. With the laid back atmosphere at the church, Carol fits right in and starts a new life. Eventually Carol and Ed are engaged. The last hurdle is telling her mother, which she has nothing in common with. Carol is a very traditional person and wouldn't be able to have a wedding without her family despite their differences. After consoling a parishioner about family problems it becomes clear what is wrong in her relationship with her mother. Carol and Ed are married, her mother goes home, and life goes on.« less