The Atonement (32 page)

“S
LEEP
,
SLEEP
,
MY
LITTLE
ONE
,”
I sang, rocking my firstborn—the dearest infant boy I'd ever laid eyes on, all wrapped in the quilted coverlet Martie had made years ago.
Baby Jerry . . .

I walked to the window, not far from the cradle Tobe had built, and watched the sky dimming, twinkling stars appearing. The Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains looked even more majestic in the twilight, rock-solid reminders of God's blessing—of getting us here safely five years ago, helping us learn to pipe water in to irrigate crops, and helping us to blend our lives with Amish of like faith and tradition already here.

It's a joy that Ray and Martie and their family—Jesse, Josh, and their twin girls, Mary and Martha—live within walking distance of us, and not far from Tobe's father and mother, too. We are a small yet growing family and circle of friends . . . old and new.

I'd missed Martie terribly those first two and a half years as I endured the wailing of springtime winds and snuggled near the coal heater stove with my very caring husband, holding my breath for each letter from home. I was skipping-happy when we heard the news that Ray was finally heading to Monte Vista with
Martie and the children, ready to make the long, long journey to join us in this dusty, challenging world of vast cattle ranches and sheep farms, where jagged Blanca Peak rises high above the flat terrain.

Dat, Mamm, Lettie, and Mammi Flaud all came for sweet Faye's wedding to Mark Mast the year after Tobe and I moved here. They stayed with us for ten blessed days, marveling at the growing Plain community here, till Dat got restless and decided it was time to get Mammi home again, none of them the worse for wear.

Lettie is also married now with a baby of her own, having wed the bishop's eldest grandson. They are the busy beneficiaries of Jerry Glick's former dairy farm. Tobe and I delighted in being able to revisit his childhood home when we returned home for a visit prior to our own little one's birth six months ago. We spent hours walking all over the land, reliving our childhood fun. And we stopped by our footbridge, too, recalling Clint and Dottie's love story, amazed and grateful for the way the Lord brings couples together.

Faye and I have become much closer since coming here. What a surprise it was when we discovered we were both expecting our babies around the same time! Her son, Mark David, is going to be a hefty boy, that's for sure, having weighed in at nine pounds at birth.

As for my charity work, I still do occasional volunteering from time to time, though my reasons have surely changed, and I suspect as our baby son grows, I'll cut back even more. No longer do I strive to fill an empty heart, or to earn favor—favor already so generously given. These days, I give of my time to share the gracious love of the Savior, who was patiently waiting for me all along. Tobe and I have even found a few things we can do side by side!

The peace of twilight folded over my precious baby and me.
Turning, I placed him in his cozy cradle and stood there for a moment to make sure he was soundly sleeping.

As I walked toward the doorway, I spotted Tobe near. “I thank
Gott
for you every day, Mrs. Glick.” He moved toward me, then took my hand in his. “My forever love . . . and the
wunnerbaar
mother of our baby.” His eyes searched mine.

“I still cannot imagine havin' missed out on this life with you,” I said in between his kisses.

Tobe chuckled as he put his arm around me and gently led me down the hall. “Did ya really think I was gonna let ya?”

I
T
HAS
BEEN
DECADES
since Dave proposed to me at a redwood bridge amidst the shining green mountains of Colorado. That bridge has since faded but continues to stand as a symbol of that memorable anniversary, just as the footbridge in this story does for Clinton and Dorothea, though for a myriad of unique reasons.

A number of years ago, I began writing a novel titled
Beyond the Bridge
, which fictionalized Dave's and my love story, anchored in part by what we have always referred to as “our” bridge. And while that manuscript was eventually set aside for
The Shunning
and its sequels, I replanted a few of those original story kernels into this manuscript.

The idea of helping others as an attempt to atone for past mistakes was one I wanted to develop years ago but shelved. Then, more recently, Dave's and my cousin Kirsten documented on Facebook her selfless acts of compassion via numerous charitable organizations during “100 Helpful Days.” Her lovely journey reminded me of that forgotten premise, and I adopted it for my character Lucy Flaud. Thanks, Kiri, for jiggling my memory!

Over the years, numerous people have encouraged me on
this writing path strewn with sleepless nights, joy, and tears. My insightful line editor of more than twenty years, Rochelle Glöege, has not only helped sort through scene sequencing, character arcs, and everything in between, but proficiently manages to bring out the best in my writing ability, something for which I'm ever appreciative.

No one can fathom the fun I have talking through title options or book synopses with my longtime acquisitions editor, David Horton, who cheerfully reads through each final draft prior to my novel's journey to the printer . . . and always catches the mistakes I strangely miss.

My gratitude also goes to my husband for sharing his experiences with the Salvation Army's soup truck and distributing food to the homeless—and making breakfast and lunch for
me
when I'm on a crazy-tight deadline. I also wish to thank Aleta Hirschberg for her account of reselling fine jewelry to a local establishment, Barbara Birch for proofing the final galleys, Hank and Ruth Hershberger for expert research assistance, and Beverly Fry for her help with information about hospice care. Elizabeth Birch was my junior grammatical assistant—thanks, Lizzie!

One of Mennonite Central Committee's faithful volunteers who wishes to remain anonymous shared with me essential input for scenes relating to Lucy Flaud's work in this book at MCC. So helpful!

With sincere appreciation, I acknowledge the distinguished Amish-related writings of Donald Kraybill, as well as the inspiration I gleaned years ago from the
GriefShare
curriculum and classes, which were a source of true comfort and healing after my mother passed away.

For the purpose of this particular novel, I have fictionalized the lead time for
The Budget
scribes (columnists), as well as shortened the time it would take to travel to and from Monte Vista from Lancaster County via train and van. (Not a round trip Amish
would likely make within the space of a week!) Also, the hospice in this story is purely fictional, and Clint and Dottie Holtz could not have visited the Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop when they were courting, as it was founded in 1972. However, I am very fond of the place, so I included it.

To the diligent and remarkable Bethany House marketing team headed up by Steve Oates—also my tour manager since 1998—I offer my thanks for this incredible journey. Each of you has supported my work in ways too plentiful to recite here.

My prayer partners are a constant source of support, absolutely essential for each new story waiting to be birthed, as well as the latest releases wending their way to readers to inspire, heal, offer peace, and increase faith. I am grateful for all of you!

Finally, to my children—Julie, Janie, and Jonathan—and granddaughter, Ariel, your dear love, interest, and prayers (and cheering me onward!) mean more than you can ever know.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Beverly Lewis
, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is the
New York Times
bestselling author of more than ninety books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with
The Shunning
, which has sold more than one million copies and is an Original Hallmark Channel movie. In 2007
The Brethren
was honored with a Christy Award.

Beverly has been interviewed by both national and international media, including
Time
magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. She lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.

Visit her website at
www.beverlylewis.com
or
www.facebook.com/officialbeverlylewis
for more information.

The Atonement

The Photograph

The Love Letters

The River

H
OME
TO
H
ICKORY
H
OLLOW

The Fiddler • The Bridesmaid • The Guardian

The Secret Keeper • The Last Bride

T
HE
R
OSE
T
RILOGY

The Thorn • The Judgment • The Mercy

A
BRAM
'
S
D
AUGHTERS

The Covenant • The Betrayal • The Sacrifice

The Prodigal • The Revelation

T
HE
H
ERITAGE
OF
L
ANCASTER
C
OUNTY

The Shunning • The Confession • The Reckoning

A
NNIE
'
S
P
EOPLE

The Preacher's Daughter • The Englisher • The Brethren

T
HE
C
OURTSHIP
OF
N
ELLIE
F
ISHER

The Parting • The Forbidden • The Longing

S
EASONS
OF
G
RACE

The Secret • The Missing • The Telling

The Postcard • The Crossroad

The Redemption of Sarah Cain

Sanctuary
(
with
David
Lewis
)

Child of Mine
(
with
David
Lewis
)

The Sunroom • October Song

Amish Prayers

The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

www.beverlylewis.com

Resources:
bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

Website:
www.bethanyhouse.com

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