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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780764212499 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Baker Publishing Group |
| Publication date: | 09/06/2016 |
| Edition description: | Reprint |
| Pages: | 336 |
| Sales rank: | 395,472 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.90(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
The Wish
By Beverly Lewis
Baker Publishing Group
Copyright © 2016 Beverly LewisAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1890-3
CHAPTER 1
The farmhouse that Arkansas Joe Gingerich had rented upon first coming to Colerain Township was one of only a handful of brick structures in the area, a rarity on Maple Shade Road. The plot of land was small compared to others on that stretch of country road, although there were plentiful outbuildings, all painted white — a solid corncrib and woodshed, a spacious separate stable, and a one-level barn. Like other Amish families, the Gingeriches had a pulley clothesline, the highest one Leona Speicher had ever seen. On der Weschdaag, when strong breezes blew, the clothes pinned to the line seemed to flap against the sky.
Leona headed up the paved lane, itching to set foot inside the gleaming house again. A cheerful haven, she often thought of it.
An arbor of grapevines was still green despite the arrival of fall, and on the back porch, golden mums lined up along the steps in large clay pots, some of them painted in stripes or polka dots.
Two pearly white barn kittens scampered away as Jeannie Gingerich greeted Leona with a welcoming embrace, as if she hadn't seen her in weeks. "Wunnerbaar-gut to see ya," she said, smiling and ushering Leona inside. "What would ya like to snack on till Gloria gets herself home — cookies, pumpkin bread ... or both?"
"Denki, a cookie's fine."
"Just one?" Jeannie grinned as she scooted the plateful of cookies over next to Leona.
The sound of Adam's deep voice drifted from the front room. Orchard John had been right about everyone but Gloria being home.
"Is that Leona I hear?" Adam called warmly, momentarily ducking his head into the kitchen to greet her.
Leona smiled and blushed, cautious not to let her giddiness at his attention show. After all, Jeannie and her husband couldn't possibly know that Adam had seen her home last Singing for the first time. Even if they did know, Adam likely wouldn't want to make much of it, young as they both were.
Leona chose a cookie and wished Adam had stayed put in the front room — she'd blushed in front of his mother, for goodness' sake!
Jeannie, however, gave no sign that she'd noticed anything unusual and quickly set Leona at ease by bringing up a sisters' day gathering — this one a quilting bee — Leona might enjoy attending next week with her and Gloria. "That is, if you're not workin' at Maggie's Country Store." Jeannie leaned her elbows on the table, her eyes intent on Leona. "I could drop by and pick you and your Mamma up, if you're both free."
"You know how my mother feels 'bout big doin's."
"Well, maybe you could go."
Leona could tell Jeannie really wanted her along and said she'd have to talk to her sister-in-law boss, the owner of the shop.
She realized anew how rarely she thought of spending time with her own small family in this same enthusiastic way. Did her parents feel the same toward her? Today, for instance, they'd talked of going to visit Leona's brother, Mahlon, and his family, not even asking if she wished to go along. She had mixed feelings about it — shouldn't she want to be with her real family?
Shouldn't they want to be with me?
Although, in their defense, they must have guessed where she'd rather be this afternoon.
Leona glanced up at the large kitchen calendar, with its photograph of a tall lighthouse on the edge of a cliff, white waves crashing below. Gloria's mother seemed to like lighthouses; there were three small statuettes on display in the hutch across the room from them.
"Have ya ever been inside a lighthouse?" Leona asked, suddenly curious.
"Only once — clear out in Oregon, if you can imagine that." Jeannie described in great detail traveling northwest in a twelve-passenger van, sharing the cost with other families. "This was before Adam and Gloria were born," added Jeannie. "My husband and I were newlyweds and decided to spend the night at Haceta Head Lighthouse Keeper's House. We could hear the waves beating against the cliff below ... so different than hearing the mules brayin' in the barn."
Leona could scarcely relate to such an adventure, never having traveled away from the East Coast. Mahlon's wife, Maggie, was the only one she knew with travel aspirations, perhaps as far as Virginia for the Colonial Christmas tour of the Jamestown Settlement. Apparently, her sister-in-law had read about it in a travel book from the library.
Maggie and her fancies, thought Leona. Maggie certainly saw things differently than most area folk. She had an eye for pretty things, one that well served her boutique of home-crafted items. There, Maggie sold dozens of pretty candles in all different shapes, sizes, and scents, as well as gas lamps that looked so much like electric ones that even Englischers were fooled. For an Amishwoman, Maggie certainly had a knack for knowing what appealed to her customers. It was only in her shop that Maggie was able to indulge her tastes, Leona knew. Truly, Maggie was the closest thing to a sister she had, at least amongst relatives. They weren't close at all in age, but Leona enjoyed her company, especially at the shop, and looked up to her.
Going to the sink for some water, Leona noticed a gray carriage turning into the lane with Preacher Miller at the reins in his wide-brimmed black felt hat. Gloria, of all people, was sitting on the seat behind him, her dog, Brownie, a beagle – cocker spaniel mix, panting at the window. "Lookee who's here!" Leona said, and Jeannie rose to see, apparently surprised her daughter was being escorted home by the minister.
Jeannie called to her husband. "Joe! Preacher Miller's come to see ya."
Right quick, footsteps came from the front room, and Arkansas Joe strode into the kitchen. He caught Leona's eye, giving her his usual winning smile. "There's our second girl," he said before putting on his shoes and dashing toward the back door, shoving it open. "Hullo, Preacher!" Joe announced, but Leona could detect a strange shakiness beneath his typically confident tone.
"My father could prob'ly sell cars to the Amish," Gloria had once told her. "Everyone likes him." It had seemed like a strange comment at the time, one Leona didn't find all that complimentary. Still, she couldn't deny Joe's personality.
"I hope everything's all right," Leona said softly, wondering how Jeannie knew the minister had come particularly to visit Joe.
"Let's not borrow trouble." Jeannie sighed deeply and made her way to the back door to meet Gloria as she came up the steps. "Aren't you special, getting a ride with the preacher."
"Just happened to be going the same way," Gloria said, entering the kitchen. "He likes to help out when he can."
Overhearing this, Leona agreed silently, recalling a number of times the kindly man had offered her and Mamma a ride, as well. But there was a tension now between Gloria and her mother, and Leona sensed something lurking beneath their smiles.
Gloria hurried to Leona. "I was over at your place ... wanted you to go walkin' with Brownie and me," she explained. "But not a soul was home."
"My parents went to visit Mahlon and Maggie and the children." Leona found it odd that she hadn't crossed paths with Gloria on the way here. Had Gloria run into her beau, Orchard John? Maybe she cut through the back meadow. ...
Motioning for Leona to head upstairs with her, Gloria led the way to her room, which was situated at the far end of the narrow hall, past a spacious spare bedroom and a small sewing room. But it wasn't her afternoon walk she had on her mind. "Kumme," Gloria whispered, leading Leona to the window. They peered down at her father and Preacher Miller standing at the base of the windmill.
"See that?" Gloria asked. She sounded frightened, as if watching something terrible unfold.
Leona squinted down and saw Brownie wag his tail at the minister, who absently reached to give him a pat. "Looks like a pleasant enough visit, ain't so?"
Gloria squeezed her hand. "If only that was all ..." Her eyes were bright with tears.
"What's wrong, Gloria?"
She shook her head. "Ach, maybe I'm just tired, is all."
Her voice sounded so strangely flat, Leona was suddenly afraid to pry further ... but she was certain Gloria wasn't saying all she knew.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Wish by Beverly Lewis. Copyright © 2016 Beverly Lewis. Excerpted by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
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