Stealing Jake / Pam Hillman / 240 pages / Food

In Chestnut, Illinois in November, 1874, Livy O'Brien foils a pick-pocket attempt.  Lucky for the pick-pocket, because the target is sheriff's deputy, Jake Russell.  Livy helps out at the orphanage  and prays that her past as Light-Fingered Livy in Chicago will remain a secret.  Jake has his hands full as deputy as the town has recently had an influx of street kids from Chicago and the town blames them for a rash of burglaries.  Jake is also in charge of the family farm, his Mom and siblings, and a closed mine.  He stills finds time to court Livy.  This very satisfying tale features tidbits of early Illinois history, adventure, faith, friendship, and, of course, romance.  Scenes set in Miss Nellie's Cafe, the orphanage, and the Russell farm include a variety of mouth-watering foods:  vegetable soup, corn bread, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, peach cobbler, brown sugar cake, beef stew, ham, chocolate cake, apple pie, biscuits and gravy...I need to stop and go get a snack!