The year is 1768. In eight years, the American Revolution will begin. Newly orphaned, Peter York has been adopted by a deeply religious Quaker family. Peter chafes under his new guardian’s strict and unyielding views and vows to break away. He sees his chance when two runaway indentured servants are reported to be fleeing through his community. If he catches one, there will be a reward—and freedom. But capturing the runaways leads to consequences—and choices—Peter cannot foresee.

Behind the Book

I had been living in Pennsylvania in a town called New Hope, situated on the banks of the Delaware River. My two boys were attending a school run by The Society of Friends, better known as Quakers. Indeed there was much Quaker history in the area. After all, Pennsylvania was founded by (and named after) the Quaker leader William Penn. Learning and reading about the historical Quakers provided fascinating details about the regional colonial life and indentured servants. The descriptions of the Delaware River and what it was like are all based on my own observations. I remembering measuring the width of the river by driving across one of the many bridges there and watching my car’s odometer.