How do you shoulder responsibility… when responsibility is everything you ever feared?

Fred Thorne takes his duty seriously. When a stove fire destroys his home, plunging livelihood and family into chaos, he sets out to lead his younger sisters to a safe haven. But the terrifying burden of protector weighs on him, and he waits eagerly for the moment to pass it on.

If only it were so easy.

Misfortunes and setbacks multiply. Peril stalks even the safest roads. And as a wedge of resentment deepens between the siblings, Fred is losing his own self under a relentless spiral of guilt.

Where will the Thornes find their place of safety?

More importantly, can their fractured relationships weather the intervening storms?

Book 1 of the The Ceristen Series series.