THE CARETAKERS OF HEAVEN’S GATEThis small town story is an engaging and insightful narrative about working people; depicting the interactions of ordinary people with one another in an honest and sometimes colorful way as they move through the journey of life. Standing by his wife’s gravesite, immersed in unrelenting anguish, mourning her untimely death, Henry Benton is approached by one of the caretakers of Heaven’s Gate, Red Ericson.

Breaking one of his own rules of decorum, Red says to him, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. ” With those kind words of empathy an enduring relationship develops between the widower, Henry, and the loner, Red, each helping the other cope with life.

Buck Martini, another caretaker, is a devoted family man, happily married with grown sons and a person of deep character with a big heart. When young Hannah McCoy joins the crew as a result of her aunt’s influence as the Cemetery’s Administrator, Red’s indifference presents a major problem for Buck.

Martini decides to take McCoy under his wing and with his wife’s blessing gives Hannah the nurturance she never received as the child of a dysfunction single parent. Kelsey Moore is Hannah’s best friend, who, like McCoy, grew up in a similar toxic environment.

Much to their surprise, they find themselves falling in love with the type of young men they’d only wished upon a star for since the onset of adolescence. At the same time, they set out with a mission of self-discovery, intent on becoming independent and improving their lives.

Within this small community, Henry, Red, Buck, Hannah and Kelsey find themselves influenced and assisted in their journeys by the many local colorful citizens of Winchester. The Caretakers of Heaven’s Gate celebrates the working men and women of America, who in spite of economic, social, family and health challenges, persevere to make their lives better.

Cal Muzikar lives in Sheridan, Wyoming. The Caretakers of Heaven’s Gate is his sixth novel.

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