Copyright Page
2020 by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-2112-1
Most Scripture quotations, whether quoted or paraphrased, are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Some Scripture quotations, whether quoted or paraphrased, are from the following versions:
The New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
The Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
The Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Published in association with Joyce Hart of the Hartline Literary Agency, LLC.
Dedication
To Reagan, Madeline, and Bryce Fisher,
for all the love and joy you have brought to our family.
I cant imagine life without you!
Epigraph
W E CAN T FIX THE WHOLE WORLD , BUT WE CAN DO WHAT WE CAN . O NE BY ONE .
D EACON L UKE S CHROCK
Cast of Characters
Sylvie Schrock Kingcousin to Luke Schrock, widow of Jake King
Joey SchrockSylvies four-and-a-half-year-old boy
Jimmy Fishersecond son of Edith Fisher Lapp; recently returned to Stoney Ridge after a four-year absence. Originally introduced in The Keeper , book 1 of the Stoney Ridge Seasons series
Luke Schrockdeacon for the church of Stoney Ridge; originally introduced in The Inn at Eagle Hill series, his story continued in The Bishops Family series; main character in Mending Fences
Isabella Izzy Miller Schrockwife to Luke Schrock; introduced in Mending Fences
Fern Lappowner of Windmill Farm; surrogate mother and grandmother to all; originally introduced in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series
David Stoltzfusbishop of Stoney Ridge; originally introduced in The Revealing , book 3 of The Inn at Eagle Hill series; main character in The Bishops Family series
Hank Lappuncle of deacon Amos Lapp; originally introduced in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series
Edith Fisher Lappwife of Hank Lapp; originally introduced in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series
Grace Mitchell Millermother of Izzy and Jenny; a woman with a very messy past; introduced in The Lesson , book 3 of the Stoney Ridge Seasons series
Juan Mirandanewly appointed fire chief at the Stoney Ridge Fire Station
Jesse Stoltzfusson of bishop David Stoltzfus; introduced in The Revealing , book 3 of The Inn at Eagle Hill series; his story continued throughout The Bishops Family series
Jenny Stoltzfuswife of Jesse Stoltzfus, half-sister to Izzy Schrock; introduced in The Lesson , book 3 of the Stoney Ridge Seasons series
Teddy Zookcarpenter, jack of all trades, church Vorsinger (music leader), husband to Alice Smucker Zook
Sam Schrockyounger brother to Luke Schrock; trains young horses from the racetrack for buggy
Mollie Graber Schrockniece to Fern Lapp; married to Sam, Lukes brother; originally introduced in The Inn at Eagle Hill series
O ne
G rowing up is hard on a man. If hed done well for himself, coming home again should be one of his finest days. The kind of a day that kept him buoyed up with hopeful visions to survive his lowest moments: A mother peering out the kitchen window, eager for the first sign of her returning son. A sweet aromatic cinnamon cake baking in the oven. A loyal dog, muzzle now gray, sitting by the mailbox.
Unfortunately for Jimmy Fisher, he hadnt done terribly well for himself since hed left Stoney Ridge. Years ago, hed left home to chase some big dreams, but those had fizzled out like smoke up a chimney. As for a mother waiting anxiously for her sons returnEdith Fisher Lapp wasnt the type to hover or to wait. And she never did let Jimmy have a dog.