To cope with painful family circumstances following her mother's death, Melinda Atwood ran away from home, and landed in Kenya. She planned to spend a year, but stayed for six, attempting to build a new life. Isolated and alone, she struggled with financial deprivation, a disastrous love affair, and raising her son, Jake, on her own. She built a house and ran a small carpet business, slowly conquered her fears, and discovered new strength and resourcefulness. Among the tales of the wonders of Africa, larger-than-life characters, and daily occurrences, is woven the heartwarming story of Mildred Nzike. With little in common but sons the same age, these two women, one black and one white, drawn together by mutual respect and dependence, formed a friendship that broke all the rules about relationships between the races. Told with refreshing honesty and incisive wit, Melinda Attwood is an inspirational story of determination, hope, and courage.