Christmas Redemption by Paty Jager

A short holiday time story that has nothing to do with Christmas except the time of year and the possibility for miracles. 

Van Donovan as an angry 15 year old is conned into playing lookout for a couple of bank robbers during which an innocent bystander is killed.  He is already in custody when that happens.  The judge sentences him to 10 years which is a little extreme even for those times.  Fast forward twelve years later.  Jail has taught Van the errors of his ways and how to make boots which he is very good at.  He returns to his home town to show his family that he is changed.  He intends to make a new start there.  He buys a building to set up his boot shop from the judge that sentenced him.  He finds the daughter of the man that was shot has fallen on hard times and is squatting in the building he just bought. 

I really enjoyed this story but was bothered by one thing.  We find out all the perceived grievances the Judge had against Van but we never find out just what his problem was with Tessa and her family.