Laura Valenti Between the Star and the Cross. The Choice

Sheriff Dale Harper is busy fighting meth and meth cooks in his county in the Ozarks as well as investigating an older murder-suicide case and a new arson one, when he discovers a homeless feral child. Milagro Palacios, the new director at the local Christian mission who is originally from El Salvador, may prove to be a far greater help in all of these matters than he ever imagined. As he grapples with his own personal battles, including the shooting death of his wife the year before, Sheriff Harter works hard to serve and protect the citizens of the area he loves. His life of service includes a myriad of regular duties from running the county jail, to helping locals with their day-to-day problems, to dealing with the politics of his office while he struggles with his own personal demons. Milagro helps him to see that part of his life of service is accepting his own choices, both personal and professional, as well as those of others.