Conquer the Memories (To Have and to Hold 44)

Craig and Sonia Hamilton are blissfully happy on their Wyoming ranch. But Craig's research into ecologically accepted measures of removing shale oil, leads into their attending conferences in various cities. One night, after one such conference, Craig and Sonia are walking in a Chicago park, when they are suddenly jumped by a gang, viciously robbed, and left injured.Months later, Sonia has done her best to forget about the attack, and to go on with her life. But Craig is still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder over it. He is also infuriated with himself for not being able to protect his beloved wife; and determined to hunt the muggers and get revenge on them for this. He keeps in touch with the Chicago police until finally he gets a wire saying that they have arrested one of the muggers. Now Craig is obssessed with going there in person to see that justice will be done. He feels that he will make up to Sonia for his "failure" to protect her in this way. But Sonia tells him that this doesn't really matter. How will she convince him that he didn't fail to protect her and that the mugger isn't all that important to their lives --or their recovery from the incident?This was a very good story. Both Craig and Sonia are strong characters who each have their own ways of rising above adversity. One delightful development occurs when Sonia confides to a close friend that she is newly pregnant with Craig's child. This is a wonderful way to put the past behind them, and to concentrate on the future. You will want to stay with the story to see whether Sonia's love will help Craig overcome the past. Recommended.