Cindy Woodsmall - The Hope of Refuge

Praise for Cindy Woodsmall A skillfully written story of forgiveness and redemption. Woodsmalls authentic characters illustrate beautifully how wounded souls can indeed be mended. S USAN M EISSNER, author of The Shape of Mercy and White Picket Fences Cindy Woodsmall writes real real people, real conflicts, real emotions. When you open her book, you enter her world and live the story with the characters. K IM V OGEL S AWYER , author of Where Willows Grow and Waiting for Summers Return Reaching deep into the heart of the reader, Cindy Woodsmall pens a beautifully lyrical story She paints a vivid backdrop of Amish and Mennonite cultures with fascinating detail and memorable clarity. Fans of this genre will be thrilled to discover this new author. T AMERA A LEXANDER, best-selling author of Rekindled Like the stitches on a well-loved quilt, love and faith hold together Cindy Woodsmalls When the Soul Mends , the brilliantly written third story in the Sisters of the Quilt series. With deft plotting and characters that seem to jump off the page, this novel offers the timeless truth that forgiveness is the balm which heals all wounds and a blanket for the soul. K ATHLEEN YB ARBO, author of The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper What a vibrant, strong, emotional story! G AYLE R OPER, author of Fatal Deduction and the Seaside Seasons series Cindy Woodsmalls characters wrapped themselves around my heart and wouldnt let go. D EBORAH R ANEY , author of A Vow to Cherish and Remember to Forget O THER B OOKS BY C INDY W OODSMALL The Sound of Sleigh Bells
When the Heart Cries
When the Morning Comes
When the Soul Mends

To Justin, Adam, and Tyler The Hope of Refuge shares the story of several momstheir strengths, weaknesses, joys, and sorrows. I dedicate this book to you because each of you woke a different part of me before I even felt you move inside me. When I held you in my arms, it seemed my very DNA shifted. Without conscious effort, you stirred me with a challenge to be your momto become more than I ever was before. I found strength where weakness had once been. As you grew, you stumbled on weaknesses I hadnt known existed. But because of you, I discovered that life had a euphoric side. And I learned that where I endedwhere my strength, wisdom, and determination failedGod did not. For Him and for each of you, I am eternally grateful
Mama, can you tell me yet? Cara held her favorite toy, stroking the small plastic horse as if it might respond to her tender touch. The brown ridges, designed to look like fur, had long ago faded to tan. Mama held the well-worn steering wheel in silence while she drove dirt roads Cara had never seen before. Dust flew in through the open windows and clung to Caras sweaty face, and the vinyl seat was hot to the touch when she laid her hand against it. Mama pressed the brake pedal, slowing the car to a near stop as they crossed another bridge with a roof over it. A covered bridge, Mama called it. The bumpiness of the wooden planks jarred Cara, making her bounce like she was riding a cardboard box down a set of stairs. Mama reached across the seat and ran her hand down the back of Caras head, probably trying to smooth out one of her cowlicks. No matter how short Mama cut her hair, she said the unruly mop always won the battle. Were going to visit a a friend of mine. Shes Amish. She placed her index finger on her lips. I need you to do as the mother of Jesus did when it came to precious events. She treasured them in her heart and pondered them. I know you love our diary, and since you turned eight, youve been determined to write entries about everything, but you cantnot this time. No drawing pictures or writing about any part of this trip. And you cant ever tell your father, okay? Sunlight bore down on them again as they drove out of the covered bridge. Cara searched the fields for horses. Are we going to your hiding place? Cara had a hiding place, one her mother had built for her inside the wall of the attic. They had tea parties in there sometimes when there was money for tea bags and sugar. And when Daddy needed quiet, her mother would silently whisk her to that secret room. If her mama didnt return for her by nightfall, shed sleep in there, only sneaking out for a minute if she needed to go to the bathroom. Mama nodded. I told you every girl needs a fun place she can get away to for a while, right? Cara nodded. Well, this is mine. Well stay for a couple of days, and if you like it, maybe well move here one dayjust us girls. Cara wondered if Mama was so tired of the bill collectors hounding her and Daddy that she was thinking of sneaking away and not even telling him where she was going. The familiar feeling returnedthat feeling of her insides being Jell-O on a whirlybird ride. She clutched her toy horse even tighter and looked out the window, imagining herself on a stallion galloping into a world where food was free and her parents were happy. After they topped another hill, her mother slowed the vehicle and pulled into a driveway. Mama turned off the car. Look at this place, Cara. That old white clapboard house has looked the same since I was a child. The shutters hung crooked and didnt have much paint left on them. Its really small, and it looks like ghosts live here. Her mama laughed. Its called a Daadi Haus , which means its just for grandparents once their children are grown. It only has a small kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. This one has been here for many years. Youre rightit does look dilapidated. Come on. Seconds after Cara shut the passenger door, an old woman stepped out from between tall rows of corn. She stared at them as if they were aliens, and Cara wondered if her mama really did know these people. The woman wore a long burgundy dress and no shoes. The wrinkles covering her face looked like a road map, with the lines taking on new twists as she frowned. Though it was July and too hot for a toboggan cap, she wore a white one. Grossmammi Levina, ich bin kumme bsuche. Ich hab aa die Cara mitgebrocht. Startled, Cara looked up at her mama. What was she saying? Was it code? Mama wasnt even good at pig Latin. The old woman released her apron, and several ears of corn fell to the ground. She hurried up to Mama. Malinda? Tears brimmed in Mamas eyes, and she nodded. The older woman squealed, long and loud, before she hugged Mama. A lanky boy came running from the rows. Levina, was iss letz ? He stopped short, watching the two women for a moment before looking at Cara. As he studied her, she wondered if she looked as odd to him as he did to her. She hadnt seen a boy in long black pants since winter ended, and shed never seen one wear suspenders and a straw hat. Why would he work in a garden in a Sunday dress shirt? He snatched up several ears of corn the woman had dropped, walked to a wooden wheelbarrow, and dumped them. Cara picked up the rest of the ears and followed him. You got a name? Ephraim. I can be lots of help if youll let me. Ya ever picked corn before? Cara shook her head. No, but I can learn. He just stood there, watching her. She held out her horse to him. Isnt she a beauty? He shrugged. Looks a little worn to me. Cara slid the horse into her pocket. Ephraim frowned. Can I ask you a question? She nodded. Are you a boy or a girl? The question didnt bother her. She got it all the time at school from new teachers or ones who didnt have her in their classes. They referred to her as a young man until they realized she wasnt a boy. Lots of times it worked for her, like when she slipped right past the teacher who was the lavatory monitor and went into the boys bathroom to teach Jake Merrow a lesson about stealing her milk money. She got her money back, and he never told a soul that a girl gave him a fat lip. If I say Im a boy, will you let me help pick corn? Ephraim laughed in a friendly way. You know, I used to have a worn horse like the one you showed me. I kept him in my pocket too, until I lost him. Cara shoved the horse deeper into her pocket. You lost him? He nodded. Probably down by the creek where I was fishing. Do you fish? She shook her head. Ive never seen a creek. Never seen one? Where are you from? New York City. My mama had to borrow a car for us to get beyond where the subway ends. Well, if youre here when the workday is done, Ill show you the creek. We got a rope swing, and if your mama will let you, you can swing out and drop into the deep part. How long are you here for? She looked around the place. Her mama and the old woman were sitting under a shade tree, holding hands and talking. Across the road was a barn, and she could see a horse inside it. Green fields went clear to the horizon. She took a deep breath. The air smelled delicious, like dirt, but not city dirt. Like growing-food dirt. Maybe this was where her horse took her when she dreamed. The cornstalks reached for the sky, and her chest felt like little shoes were tap-dancing inside it. She should have known that if her mama liked something, it was worth liking. Until its not a secret anymore, I think.