Dorothy Arnzen

Hummingbird Dorothy Arnzen

Fredrik Schmidt, a German immigrant, and Walela, an escapee from the Trail of Tears, meet on a winter night in a Missouri forest. In order to build a life together, they must keep a secret which would destroy their family. Chevan, the French storekeeper, and Laura, his mail order bride, furnish a gathering place for the community. Laura hides a painful secret from her New York past. Gertie Schwartz, widow of Gus, hides the harsh reality of a loveless marriage. She seeks to make a life for herself but grieves for what might have been. The story of Hummingbird, is the story of how they strive to resolve their inner conflicts and create satisfactory lives.