The Promise of Morning (42 page)
“Indeed. He’s able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,” Ellie quoted, sighing with satisfaction as she looked at Graciana. The child sat on the top step between Maria and Lily. Each girl held a doll.
Ellie pointed at Graciana’s. In a low voice she said to Molly, “I stayed up late last night repairing and restuffing Nora. I put the message from our father back inside. That’s where he meant it to be.”
The two women exchanged a look that said more than words.
Molly patted Ellie’s hand, then turned to her older daughter. “Luellen, it’s time.”
Luellen rose and walked to her parents’ buggy. When she returned, she carried a bulky package. Matthew and Karl broke off their conversation to watch as she climbed the steps and laid the bundle at Graciana’s feet.
Molly stood. “Luellen has a special gift to welcome your Gracie into the family.” She dropped to one knee behind the child. “Go ahead, open it.”
Brown paper rustled as Graciana unfolded the corners and lifted out the contents. The honeycomb quilt blossomed in the sunlight, its colors spilling over her legs and down the steps.
“For me?”
Startled, Ellie glanced between Molly and Luellen. “This is supposed to be for your bridal chest. Are you sure?”
Luellen stroked the back of Graciana’s head. “I’m positive. I remember how it felt being in your house after my papa died. You made a home for us. Now I want to help make a home for Gracie.”
Molly hugged her daughter to her. “We’ll start another quilt soon, won’t we?”
That night after supper, Ellie and Matthew faced each other across the kitchen table. An Illinois State Bank note for twenty dollars, more than three months’ salary, lay between them. Matthew touched it with his index finger.
“Meecham knew all along I’d be back. He sent me to those towns on purpose.” He shook his head.
Ellie blinked back tears. “With everything else that’s happened, it’s almost too much to take in.” She patted her eyes with a corner of her apron. After glancing up the stairs where the children slept, she pushed her chair back and then flashed him a smile. “Let’s go down by the creek and watch the stars. It’s a beautiful evening.”
Once out in the soft night air, they were enfolded in the sound of crickets and frogs calling from the nearby cornfields. Ellie slid her arm around Matthew’s waist and leaned against him while they walked along the familiar path. Upon reaching the creek bank, they sank down into a cushiony patch of wild mint. Lightning bugs glittered around them.
Ellie caressed Matthew’s face, her fingers tickling in his beard. The fragrance of mint filled his senses.
“I was so proud of you today.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you beside me.”
She leaned back, resting on her elbows. He saw the light of the half moon reflected in her eyes. Ellie reached up and pulled him close. Her lips moved against his ear.
“I’ll always be beside you,” she whispered.
A novel doesn’t come to life without many helping hands. I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the creation of
The
Promise of Morning.
As always, I’m indebted to the sharp eyes and multiple talents of my critique partners: Bonnie Leon, Billy Cook, Diane Gardner, BJ Bassett, Julia Ewert, and Sarah Schartz. Each of you possesses a particular gift, and I’m grateful for your help over the past months.
I can’t say enough good things about my editors, Vicki Crumpton and Barb Barnes, and the entire team at Revell. Every step of the publishing process has been a blessing, thanks to their godly spirits and creative energy.
My agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, is my number one cheerleader. Thanks for being there with the answer whenever I have a question.
Craig Harms, a fellow author and ACFW member, has been my “man on the ground” in Illinois. He lives near the city limits of the fictional community of Beldon Grove and has helped tremendously with details about that part of the country. Thank you, Craig, for being so willing to share your knowledge. Any mistakes are my fault, not yours.
My husband, Richard, has encouraged me every step of the way. Without his support I couldn’t have accomplished the task of researching and writing this novel. Thank you, my love.
Highest praise goes to my heavenly Father, who holds me by my right hand—always.
Ann Shorey
has been a story collector for most of her life. Her writing has appeared in
Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul
, and in the Adams Media Cup of Comfort series. She made her fiction debut with
The Edge of Light
, released in January 2009. When she’s not writing, she teaches classes on historical research, story arc, and other fiction fundamentals at regional conferences. Ann lives with her husband, Richard, in Sutherlin, Oregon.
The
Promise of Morning
is the second book in her At Home in Beldon Grove series.
Contact Ann through her website at
www.annshorey.com
.
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