Ripples Along the Shore (14 page)

Jewell nodded. A heartwarming smile curved her mouth.

Emilie’s eyes widened. “Let’s continue.” She looked at Mrs. Webber, then to Jewell. “We can recruit other women looking for sisterhood in the seasons of their lives.”

Mrs. Brantenberg wiped a tear from her cheek.

“There’s still more news,” Anna said.

Hattie jumped. “You’ve given Boney an answer?”

Blushing, Anna shook her head. “I’ll see him Saturday. But it is good news that Jewell is taking over my candle making.”

“I help Mama.” Mary beamed.

“The children are excited to help.” Jewell lifted a teasing eyebrow. “Thankfully, Anna will be showing us all how to make her pretty-colored candles before she leaves.”

Again, Caroline’s heart warmed. Jewell had chosen to remain with her husband who hadn’t changed, but Caroline was seeing God provide for Jewell in other ways.

“We are seeing God’s grace at work.” Mrs. Brantenberg lifted her Bible from the table. Pointing a gnarled finger to a page, she began reading. “He giveth more grace.”

Tears stung the backs of Caroline’s eyes.

Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

Because of Caroline’s involvement in this group, the teaching from James was now familiar to her … had become her prayer. A prayer God had answered in a surprising way, against all odds. Or at the least, against Garrett Cowlishaw’s judgment. She was counted among those joining the wagon train company.

She joined the other women in reciting the verse that had become their theme that year.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Mrs. Brantenberg nodded toward Maren, Gabi’s new mama.

“Today we have gathered in celebration of the Lord’s good work.” Maren picked up a glass of cider and passed it to her left, doing so until everyone had a glass, including the children. Caroline wrapped her hand around the coolness, breathing in the sweet scent of apple.

Mrs. Brantenberg raised her glass first. “In celebration of the Lord of all of our seasons.”

“To the Lord of our quilted hearts.” Tears streamed Jewell’s face.

Nodding, Caroline blinked back her own tears. “To the Lord of our journey … here
and
there.”

Author’s Note

The Historic Main Street District of Saint Charles, Missouri, charmed me during my first visit in 1999. My return in 2012 deepened my fascination with its rich historical past and modern-day charm.

Thank you for joining me on The Quilted Heart adventures with Mrs. Brantenberg’s quilting circle in Saint Charles, Missouri, a city brimming with compelling real-life characters and historical institutions like the Lindenwood Female College, now known as Lindenwood University.

I enjoy featuring actual cities and places in my books, but in keeping with my commitment as a storyteller of historical fiction, I’m required to play with facts and actual locations to best meet the needs of my stories.

The unusual letter ß (esszet) you see in the word, Großvater, translated as Grandfather, is the letter used for the double S sound in the German language.

Please plan now to join me in my next series, Hearts Seeking Home. Are you ready to roll your covered wagon into line with mine? Will we enter the Promised Land, or will we leave it behind?

I look forward to our time together discovering the width and depths of our true home. Until then … love and hugs.

Your friend
,

Mona

Acknowledgments

Many people rallied around me in the various stages of this story.

    • My hubby, Bob, who takes care of everything else

    • My agent, Janet Kobobel Grant of Books & Such Literary Agency

    • My editors, Shannon Hill Marchese and Karen Ball

    • The entire WaterBrook Multnomah–Random House team

    • Dorris Keeven-Franke, archivist, Saint Charles County Historical Society

    • Carol M. Felzien, director of communication, Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau

    • My prayer partners

A big thank-you to all who are listed, and to all who aren’t, for making it possible for me to accomplish my dream of writing novels for you.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise
God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen
.
—1 Timothy 1:17

About the Author

Mona Hodgson is the author of The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series,
Dandelions on the Wind, Bending Toward the Sun
, and nearly thirty children’s books. Her writing credits also include hundreds of articles, poems, and short stories in more than fifty different periodicals, including
Highlights for Children, Focus on the Family, Decision, Clubhouse Jr., The Upper Room, The Quiet Hour
, and the
Christian Communicator
. Mona speaks at women’s retreats, schools, and conferences for librarians, educators, and writers and is a regular columnist on the
Bustles and Spurs Blog
.

Mona and Bob, her husband of forty-one years, have two adult daughters, two sons-in-law, and a gaggle of grandchildren.

Learn more about Mona, find readers’ guides for your book club, and view her photo album of current day Saint Charles, Missouri, at Mona’s website:
MonaHodgson.com
.

You can also find Mona here:

Facebook at
www.facebook.com/pages/Mona-Hodgson-Author-Page/114199561939095

Twitter at
www.twitter.com/monahodgson

Pinterest at
http://pinterest.com/monahodgson/pins/

And be sure to follow her on Hindsight by Mona Hodgson at

http://monahodgson.wordpress.com
.

OTHER BOOKS BY MONA HODGSON

HISTORICAL FICTION
The Quilted Heart Novellas
Dandelions on the Wind
Bending Toward the Sun

The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek
Two Brides Too Many
Too Rich for a Bride
The Bride Wore Blue
Twice a Bride

CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Bedtime in the Southwest
(Northland Publishing)
Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day Devotional
(Zonderkidz)
The Princess Twins and the Puppy
(Zonderkidz I Can Read)
The Princess Twins Play in the Garden
(Zonderkidz I Can Read)
The Princess Twins and the Tea Party
(Zonderkidz I Can Read)
The Princess Twins and the Birthday Party
(Zonderkidz I Can Read)
The Best Breakfast
(Zonderkidz I Can Read)
Thank You, God, for Rain
(Zonderkidz I Can Read)

For a complete and current listing of Mona’s books, including any out-of-print titles she may still have available, please visit her website at
MonaHodgson.com
.

Continue the Quilted Hearts journey!

Also look for the first novel in the
Hearts Seeking Home series,
coming Summer 2013!

Two sisters
.
Two missing misters
.

Kat and Nell Sinclair are headed west—away from the manicured lawns of Maine to the boisterous, booming mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado to start new lives for themselves as mail-order brides. But when they arrive, neither fiancé is there, leaving both sisters questioning their dreams and the hope for true love.

Read an excerpt from this book and more on
WaterBrookMultnomah.com
!

Ida wants a career, not a husband
.
But her sisters and God have other plans
.

Ida Sinclair joins her sisters Kat and Nell in Cripple Creek. As the business-savvy Sinclair sister, Ida has never wanted to settle down. Instead of love, she craves success. But while searching for one, she just might find the other.

Read an excerpt from this book and more on
WaterBrookMultnomah.com
!

She’s ashamed
of
her past
and
has no faith
in
her future
.
Or
grace
.

Vivian has made one bad decision too many and now she’s looking for a fresh start. But between the lies about her past and the lies about the present, there’s no room to accept help—or love—from her sisters or anyone else. Not even from that interesting sheriff’s deputy who has his eye on her.

Read an excerpt from this book and more on
WaterBrookMultnomah.com
!

Good can come from brokenness
.