Where The Allegheny Meets The Monongahela

The Monongahela is one of three rivers that meet in Pittsburgh, where Parker was Executive Vice President of the Waterways Association from 1971 to 1993. He recounts the river's history from a route for early expansion west to its current commercial and leisure use. Among the highlights are the beginning of shipbuilding in the 1790s, the growth of other industries and subsequent need for coal, Carnegie's first steel mill in 1872, the bloody Homestead strike in 1892, the rusting of the steel belt in the 1980s, and attempts to revive.

Logan Crane's life changed dramatically the day a blind fit of temper resulted in him accidentally injuring his wife. Although he's now in an abuser counseling program, Logan cannot face the real source of his unhappiness: he's always been attracted to men but has refused to accept it since witnessing an act of violence. During his therapy, Logan meets Nick Zales, a counselor at a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Nick is understandably suspicious of Logan despite an immediate attraction to him. Logan feels the same attraction and faces a critical internal struggle as he finds himself falling in love with this enigmatic man. Both men are haunted by unacknowledged ghosts and abuse in their pasts. How can they help each other heal if they continue to ignore their own wounds?

Logan's life changed in a blind fit of temper, accidentally injuring his wife. During his court-ordered therapy, Logan meets Nick, who is understandably suspicious of Logan despite an immediate attraction between them. Both men are haunted by their pasts. How can they help each other heal if they continue to ignore their own wounds?

"Running within and without the breadth of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers, the territory (at least in part) consists of the parent area of the Pennsylvania counties of Washington, Westmoreland, Beaver, Greene, Allegheny, and Fayette; and the West Virginia counties of Monongalia, Ohio, Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, and Wetzel, though indeed much of the Van Voorhis work is concerned with Monongahela City and its farher reaching environs" -- Forew.