Introduction

Ellie Craig grieves the loss of three infant children, and when long-hidden secrets are brought to light, she must find a way to contact the family of her long-lost father. Meanwhile her husband, Matthew, faces controversy in his church and competition from a new arrival in Beldon Grove, who claims to be both a minister and the son of the town's founder. Will Matthew find the courage to reclaim his church? And will his unexpected travel companion help Ellie's heart mend? Book two in the AT HOME IN BELDON GROVE series, The Promise of Morning engages readers with themes of overcoming tragedy, finding strength to meet daunting challenges, and trusting your heart to love again.

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Excerpt

Beldon Grove, Illinois

March 1846

Ellie Craig brushed the last leaf from the surface of a granite

marker embedded in the soft earth. "There, Lizzie." She crooned

her daughter's name. "Isn't that better?"

She dropped an empty tow sack in front of the next stone to

protect her skirt, then lowered herself to her knees. "Mama's here,

Susanna."

While her hands busied themselves pulling out dead grass that

surrounded the gray-flecked slab, Ellie tried to remember what

Susanna had looked like. Two months old she'd been, and never

strong. Just like Georgie, who rested next to his sisters under the

third inscribed stone.

Tugging at the muddy sack, she moved to her son's grave. She

shook her head and let the tears fall. "Ah, Georgie, my precious

little boy." Ellie kept her voice to a whisper. "Such hair you had-so

bright, like a new penny. But you left me too, didn't you?"

Meager sunshine washed over the three rectangular stones lying

in a neat row in front of her muddy boots. A cool breeze blew

past, slipping with little sound through the still-leafless hickory

trees surrounding the cemetery. Ellie shivered and tucked her

arms under her shawl.

Her husband, Matthew, called from the wagon where he waited

with ten-month-old Julia. Using the folded sack, she rubbed

mud from her hands while she picked her way back to the road.

Melted snow, followed by heavy spring rains, left some of the

burial mounds looking like small islands in a boggy marsh. Ellie's

foot slipped, and she grabbed at a cross-topped obelisk inscribed

"Beloved Parents" with the names and dates of birth and death of

the deceased couple listed on the sides. For a moment she stood

motionless, buffeted by painful memories.

"Ellie?"

"Coming."

Matthew stood next to their wagon, bent over to hold Julia's

hand. He glanced up at Ellie, his face lit with pleasure. His eyes still

held the warmth that had drawn her to him fourteen years ago.

"Look-she's been standing and walking while we waited for

you."

Ellie gasped and ran to the toddler. She snatched her off her feet

and glared at Matthew. "She could have fallen under the horse's

hooves and been trampled. Whatever possessed you?"

Frightened by the sharp words, Julia wailed.

"Now see what you've done." Ellie flounced past Matthew's

waiting hand and attempted to climb into the wagon with the

child in her arms.

"Stop it." He placed his broad hands at her waist and lifted her

onto the step. Once she was settled he held her in his steady gaze.

"Don't you think I'm just as careful as you are with this one?"

He climbed up, sat next to her, and took Julia in his lap, dangling

his pocket watch in front of her face. She stopped crying and

grabbed for the golden prize.

Ellie kept her head down and picked at a thread in the skirt of

her cinnamon-colored wool dress. "You don't know what it's like to

watch her as each day goes by, praying she will live to grow up."

"I do know. And I can tell you exactly how many more days

she has lived than Lizzie did-sixty-three. And tomorrow it will

be sixty-four." He handed Julia back. "Every hair on her head is

precious to me. But so are our other children." Matthew wrapped

the reins around his hand, but left the brake locked in place.

"Look at me."

She turned toward him.

"You must let some time pass before we come here again. With

every visit you leave more of yourself behind." He raised his hands

in a gesture of helplessness and then let them drop to his thighs.

"I'm afraid one day I won't get you back at all." The horse stirred

in its traces, rocking the wagon.

Ellie heard Matthew's words as though they came from a great

distance. She hugged Julia tighter and studied her husband's face.

His brown eyes reflected distress. She slid next to him, leaning into

the warmth of his body. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you.

It's just . . . among the graves . . . I think of everyone I've lost."

He squeezed her knee with his free hand. "All the more reason

to stay away from here." He flicked the reins over Samson's broad

back.

The wagon rolled north on the track that led toward the community

of Beldon Grove. Afternoon light glinted off windows

of a new house being built at the corner of Cemetery Road and

Adams Street.

Matthew cleared his throat. "Do you still want to go to Molly's

to work on her quilt?"

"Yes. Jimmy and Johnny can take care of things at home a little longer.

One of them can always go get Aunt Ruby if they need help."

"Can't imagine what kind of help two thirteen-year-olds would

need from your aunt."

A smile lit Ellie's face. "You're right. More than likely, she'd be

sending for them."

Chuckling, Matthew headed for his sister's house. When the

wagon rolled to a stop, Molly's oldest daughter, eleven-year-old

Luellen, dashed out to greet them.

"Mama! Uncle Matthew and Aunt Ellie are here," she called.

Molly appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron.

"I thought I noticed you driving by earlier."

After Matthew helped Ellie and Julia from the wagon, Molly

joined them, slipping an arm around Ellie's shoulders. "You went

to the cemetery again."

Ellie nodded, her momentary good humor submerged by a

fresh wave of grief. Grateful for Molly's understanding, she followed

her indoors.

"Sit." Molly pointed at one of the chairs that lined the plank

table in her kitchen. She patted Ellie's back, then turned toward

the work counter. "Karl set up the quilt frame in the back room

for us. I put the top in, but it'll wait. There's coffee left from dinner

and I just took a tin of tea cakes out of the oven."

Ellie noticed the tiny grin that hovered at the corner of Molly's

mouth. "It seems you're enjoying your new range."

"I am. Karl says I'm going to make us fat with my baking,

but it's such a pleasure to have a real oven after cooking over an

open hearth all my life." Molly moved to the brickset range that

had been built into the former fireplace recess. She lifted a towel

from a hook on the wall and used it to protect her hands when

she removed the coffee boiler from one of the range eyes.

Matthew sniffed the air. "Smells good in here." He stepped

behind Molly and grabbed two of the warm tea cakes. "I'll take

these to Doc. Does he have patients with him?"

"No. Lily's back there, though." Molly smiled as she mentioned

her youngest child. "He told her she could help him this afternoon-

doing what, I can't imagine." She pointed down the hallway

at the office door. "Go on back. He'll be glad to see you."

Ellie watched her husband enter Karl's office. Once the door

closed behind him, she turned back to Molly. "You've been blessed

to marry someone who's so good to your children. It doesn't always

work out that way."

Luellen spoke up before Molly could reply. "It's hard to remember

when Papa Karl wasn't our papa. James and Franklin

remember our real father, but I was too little when he died." She

straightened, clearly pleased to be part of the women's conversation.

"It has been a long time," Ellie said, standing Julia on the floor.

Luellen jumped to her feet and clasped the toddler's hand. "Can

I take her in the back room? I'll let her play with my dolls."

Ellie fixed a cautioning glance on her niece. "Mind you, don't

let her hurt herself."

"You can trust me. I'll be careful."

Molly placed pewter mugs of coffee on the table and pushed a

tray heaped with tea cakes in Ellie's direction. "Have one. You'll

feel better."

Ellie picked up one of the soft cakes and nibbled at one edge.

The rich caraway-flavored treat melted on her tongue. Mmm. She

finished it and reached for another. When she picked up a third

cake, Molly leaned across the table and touched her arm.

"What's wrong? It's more than just the visit to the cemetery,

isn't it?"

Ellie returned the sweet to the tray, arranging it into a spiral pattern

with the others. Not looking up from her task, she said, "Being

at the cemetery, seeing all those headstones . . . I thought about

my mother and father. They were gone before I knew them. And

now my babies . . ." Ellie glanced up, then stacked three cakes in

the center of the spiral. She tilted her head to study the effect.

Molly cleared her throat to speak.

Ellie ignored her. "I was so lonely growing up. Aunt Ruby and

Uncle Arthur were good to me-and still are-but it wasn't like

having real parents." Her voice trembled, and she fought to get it

under control. "I've always wanted a home where no one would

ever leave me. I used to dream-" Heat flooded her face. "I'm

sorry. I don't know what's got into me today."

"You never told me you felt like this."

A tear slipped down Ellie's cheek. "Why did my babies have to

die? And my parents?"

"Only God knows the answer."

"You've no idea how it feels to lose three infants, one after the

other. I spend every moment watching Julia and praying the Lord

will let her live."

"All your children need you, not just Julia. Maria's only eight.

You shouldn't leave so much of the cooking and cleaning in her

hands."

"Matthew's been talking to you, hasn't he?"

Molly's silence answered for her.

"Well, he's wrong. The boys help, too. And of course Aunt Ruby

comes whenever I ask her."

"Who's at home with them now?"

Ellie stood, her chair screeching against the pine floor boards.

"I'm managing fine. It's easy for you to criticize, you with your

comfortable life and new husband." Her voice choked.

"Ah, Ellie." Molly opened her arms.

"Forgive me." Ellie sniffled and wiped at her wet cheeks with

the back of her hand. "I know Samuel's passing was a dreadful

blow, but it's over for you, don't you see? You have Karl and a

wonderful new life."

"It's never over. There will always be a part of me that loves

and misses Samuel. But we have to go on." Molly stepped back,

leveling her gaze on Ellie. "It's been nearly three years since your

Lizzie died. Things will get easier. I just know they will."

The door to Karl's office opened, and he and Matthew walked

the length of the hall to join the women, Lily skipping between

them. When they reached the kitchen, Karl bent to kiss Molly's

forehead.

"Came to get a couple more cakes before you ladies eat them

all."

Ellie noticed Karl's glance sweep over her and knew Matthew

had been sharing his concerns with him. Wishing he'd keep their

family troubles to himself, she dismissed her own tendency to

burden her Aunt Ruby. After all, Ruby listened and sympathized.

Karl tried to fix things.

"So, Ellie, how's Maria doing? Over her sniffles?"

"She's fine." Ellie pasted on a smile. "She's a big help to me in

the kitchen and with Julia. I don't know what-"

A thud and a howl sounded from the next room.

"Julia!" Ellie turned and ran from the kitchen in time to see

her baby being helped to her feet by Luellen. Molly's quilt frame

stood behind them, each corner resting on a three-rail ladderback

chair. Loose pieces of fabric, cut into hexagon shapes, were

piled in one corner of the muslin top.

Grainy sunshine flowed through the south-facing window. Its

light reflected off Julia's blonde hair and the tears on her round

cheeks, making her look like she was made of spun glass.

Luellen turned frightened eyes on Ellie. "She just took a tumble

and bumped her head on one of the chairs. She's fine."

Ellie hugged Julia to her chest, feeling a pulse of fear at the

sight of an already-purpling lump on her forehead. "How do you

know she's fine? She could be concussed." She patted the baby's

back, trying to shush her.

Luellen hurried to Molly. "Mama, I was watching her. She just

fell, all by herself."

Karl joined them and touched Ellie's shoulder. "You know toddlers

fall. Don't take on so." He looked at Luellen, who was on the

verge of tears. "Come here, Lulie. It wasn't your fault." He slipped

an arm around her.

Ellie followed Karl out of the room. When they reached the

kitchen, Matthew took Julia from her arms. Her sobs had subsided

to an occasional hiccup.

"I know what will make her happy again." Luellen clapped her

hands. "Yesterday James found a bee tree in the woods between

us and the cemetery. It was full of honey, even after sitting all

winter." She opened a cupboard and brought out a stoneware jar.

"He took most of it to Mr. Wolcott's store to sell, but left us a fair

bit." She placed the jar on the table and looked at Molly. "Can I

give them some?"

"Of course."

Luellen bustled to a shelf on the far wall and selected a square

crockery dish. She used the side of a basting spoon to cut a chunk

of honeycomb, dropping it into the empty container. Then she

picked up a teaspoon and scooped it into the honey jar.

"Here's a taste for Julia." She held the spoon out and Julia's mouth

opened like a baby bird's. "She likes it. See, no more tears."

Ellie felt a pang of remorse for losing her temper with Luellen.

"Thank you. We'll all enjoy this treat." She looked at Matthew.

"We'd best be getting along. You've got a sermon to work on for

tomorrow."

Clouds scudded across the sky as they settled themselves for the

trip home. Karl stood next to the step. Ellie braced herself, expecting

him to say something more about their older children.

Instead, Karl rested one hand on the side of the wagon, his eyes

on Matthew. "Did you see the handbill at Wolcott's store about a

traveling repertory group coming to town? They're going to do

a Shakespeare play."

Surprised at the change of subject, Ellie shot a glance at Matthew.

A play? She waited for the explosion. He'd never bothered to

hide his opinion that stage actors were people of loose morals.

His jaw tightened. "When?" view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

1. In The Promise of Morning, Ann Shorey tells the story through two different viewpoints-Ellie's and Matthew's. How did these viewpoints help or hinder your understanding of the characters? Did you prefer one person's viewpoint over the other?

2. At the beginning of The Promise of Morning, Ellie is overprotective of Julia. What kind of a message was she sending to her other children? Do we tend to do this with our own families?

3. Matthew refused to take Ellie seriously when she shared her hope of finding her father's second family. If he'd reacted differently, how do you think his response might have helped her?

4. Matthew's difficulties are seen as a judgment from God by certain townspeople. These same people leave his church. Have you ever been affected by a church split? What lessons did you learn in the aftermath?

5. Ruby was captivated by a life that seemed glamorous and exciting in contrast to her own. How would you counsel a friend who was going astray? Do you believe Arthur should have stepped in to stop her involvement? Could he have stopped her?

6. Ellie's twin sons take her to task over her involvement with Marcus Beldon. Contrast her reaction to their intervention with how she might have responded had Molly said something similar?

7. In The Promise of Morning, several of the characters fail to keep promises. Are there any circumstances where it might be acceptable to go back on one's word? Give an example.

8. Matthew objected to the play Macbeth because of an old prejudice. Was he justified in his stand? Where do you see similar reactions in today's world?

9. Ellie enjoyed Marcus Beldon's attention because she saw him as educated and influential. Are we ever swayed when someone we see as more attractive than our spouse seeks us out? Is there such a thing as a "harmless" flirtation?



10. In managing the farm after Matthew left, Ellie discovered strengths she didn't realize she possessed. This happens today when loved ones are in the military, or taken seriously ill. How do you visualize her readjustment to her former role after Matthew returned?

11. Traveling the southern Illinois circuit served as an object lesson for Matthew. Would he have learned the importance of remaining faithful to his church otherwise? Think of some occasions where you received your most important lessons-were they preached to you or did you learn the hard way?

Weblinks

»	Author Ann Shorey's web site
»	Publisher's Book Info

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