"Makes me wonder if God's even up there at all. And if he is, why ain't he doing a better job of things down here. Unless maybe he's doing the best he can."

In 1930s Toad Springs, Florida, a three-legged gator with Jesus's birthmark draws pilgrims while the town's residents navigate church scandals, family secrets, and failed businesses. Through authentic voices in genuine dialect, these interconnected tales reveal how ordinary people survived the Depression with humor, faith, and resilience. From teenage betrayal to beauty shop disasters, from prison-trained preachers to secret knitters, Susan Adger weaves an unforgettable portrait of Old Florida that will make you laugh, cry, and feel you've found a community of friends.