The Secret in the Attic

 By Selah

 

Twelve-year-old Andrea Carter sighed. Mother had agreed Andi could go riding after church if the weather was nice. But when they got home it had been raining buckets. To pass the time, Andi had groomed Taffy until her mare shone a bright golden color. Andi had also finished Mitch's last dime novel. She sighed again. 

     "What's the matter, Andrea?" asked Mother.

     "There's nothing to do," Andi sighed yet again. 

     "Hmm," Justin thought. "You should look around the attic. There has to be something that interests you up there." 

     "I agree," Mother replied. "The attic is full of odds and ends." 

     "Yeah," Chad broke in with a teasing grin, "nobody has cleaned the attic in awhile either."

     "Hmm, maybe I will look around up there." Andi replied, ignoring Chad. 

                                                                           🐎

     Andi found a lantern and matches. She also made sure her lamp had oil. She hurried up the wide main staircase, and then to the end of the hallway. She looked up at the ceiling. A 3'x3' trap door led to the attic.  

                                                                          🐎

     A few minutes later, Andi was in the attic looking around at pieces of furniture, trunks, and shelves of old books. There were also old baby clothes neatly folded on the shelves. Andi picked up a faded flowery baby gown, then neatly folded it back up and put it away. 

Andi walked toward a lovely blue silk gown. As she fingered the lace on the cuff of the sleeve she wondered if Mother had worn this. She studied the navy blue silk, the full skirt, and white lace on the collar and cuffs of the sleeves along with lace on the hem. It was truly beautiful! 

Andi carefully studied it for several more minutes. She turned a full circle to check her surroundings. Her eyes fell on something blanket covered. "A saddle maybe?" Andi thought. She hurried over setting her lantern on an over turned crate. Then she tore away the blanket. It wasn't a saddle, but a cradle!  "What is this beautiful cradle doing hidden in the attic?" she wondered. It wasn't just a plain cradle. It had daisies and roses, vines, and leaves painted and carved on it. Andi never played with dolls or cradles, but she thought it was beautiful. The name Cora was handwritten on the side. 

"Hmm, I wonder who Cora is?" she thought. The clock bonged six times. "Oh no! It's supper time!" Andi pulled herself quickly away from the lovely cradle. She hurried down the ladder to the hallway, then rushed to the dining room. She sat down quickly. Justin smiled at her and she smiled back. Justin prayed over the food. When he finished, they dished up their supper. Fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, raspberry jam, and peach cobbler. 

     "What did you find in the attic, Honey?" Justin asked.

     "Not much, just some broken furniture, some old clothes, trunks, and... oh, Mother? Who's Cora?" Everyone stopped eating.

     "What?" asked Mother.  

     Andi could tell that her Mother was trying to keep her voice calm, but was close to failing.

     "I," Andi paused studying her Mother's face, she she took a deep breath. "I found a cradle with the name Cora on it," she explained, "and I was wondering who Cora was, or is."

     "Oh, I need to go do something." Mother stood up and walked out of the room. Andi looked around  the table everyone staring at their food. 

     "Justin?" 

     "Yeah, Andi?" 

     "Can you tell me whats going on?"

     "I'm sorry, Andi. It's not my place." 

     "But--" 

     "No, Andi, I can't. Mother will tell you when she's ready for you to know." Andi was startled at Justin's sad irritated voice. 

     "Hmm. Okay." It was not okay. Did Andi have another sister? Andi had just got over her cough from a bad cold she had after her surprise sister Katherine arrived for a short stay at the ranch. Andi wondered. Mother walked into the dining room. 

     "Andrea, I..." She took a deep breath. "I'd like to talk with you in the library." 

     "Yes, Mother." Andi stood up and followed her Mother to the library. 

     "Andrea, I'm going to tell you a story."

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     "Justin do you want to go riding?" asked Cora. 

     "Oh, yes!"

     "All right! Chad do you want to go?"

     "Sure!"

     "Kathrine?"

     "No. It's very unladylike to ride without a proper side saddle," Kate scoffed. "Tsk, tsk."

      Cora glanced at Chad and rolled her eyes. "Of course, Kate."

     "Mother?"

     "Yes, Cora?"

     "Can, Melinda and Andi, come."

     "May they come." Mother corrected 

     "May they?"

     "Yes, they may." Mother smiled, Cora smiled back.

     "Can I come?"

     "Oh, I'm sorry. Yes of course, Mitch."

     "Thanks!"

     "Yeah!" Cora ran and picked up baby Andi. They all ran to the barn. Cora saddled her mare, Buttercup. Cora put Andi in the saddle and climbed up behind her.

     "Horsey!" Andi shouted, Cora smiled.

     "Let's move out!" Chad hollered

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     "Look there's the creek!" Melinda shouted.

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     "What was that, Cora?" Melinda asked. 

      Cora looked up from splashing with Chad in the creek. She glanced at Andi making sure she was alright. Andi was happily splashing with Mitch. "What?" Cora responded.

     "I heard something."

     "I--"

     "There it is again!"

     "What?"

     "The noise!"

     "I know, but what did it sound like?"

     "It sounded like a....Cora look!" Melinda yelled. 

     Cora turned and saw 20 cattle stampeding their way!

     Mitch picked up Andi and jumped on Chase. Everyone ran for their horses. Buttercup shied away. The mare rapped the reins out of Cora's hands.

     "No! Cora!" Justin shouted.

                                                                                   🐎

     "Cora never came home."  Mother sniffed

     "So I had another sister?"

     "Yes."

A Cradle in Question

 By Emma M.

Ugh, thought 14 year old Andrea Carter, Yet another rainy Saturday. Why does it ALWAYS have to rain on my one free day? Shaking her long brown braid vigorously, she tried to cheer herself. I guess it’s not all that bad. But the only thing I can do is spend the day inside...Andi screwed up her nose at that realization. As often as possible Andi was outside spending time with her horse, Taffy. 

Welllll, I could always explore the attic. They always say that rainy days were made to explore the attic. The impulsive side of Andi took over as she leapt off of her bed and dashed up the small staircase leading to the attic in the huge ranch house. 

Reaching the top of the long staircase, she glanced around and decided to start in the far right corner. Weaving in and out of dusty old trunks and ancient furniture, she came to the corner she had selected and knelt down in front of an old wooden trunk with a rusty latch. Andi reached out and tried to unfasten it, but the latch stubbornly held fast. 

Giving it a hard yank, it suddenly gave way and Andi stumbled backwards. Regaining her balance, she excitedly lifted the lid. She saw several different kinds of quilts. Carefully she pulled out the top quilt and shook it out. As a cloud of dust flew up from it, she hurriedly folded it up again, placed it back in the trunk and quickly retreated to the other end of the attic.

Suddenly she tripped on something and almost fell. Glancing down, she saw an old cradle with peeling white and blue paint. Hmm. I’ve never seen this before. She stooped to have a closer look. It was handmade and obviously was lovingly crafted. The painted sides had been meticulously carved into beautiful designs. But the thing that most caught Andi’s attention was the name hand painted in blue on the side. Oliver. Hmm. 

Andi racked her brain to remember if she had ever heard anyone mention that name before. She could not think of anyone named Oliver. Determining that she would have to question her mother about this new mystery, she promptly leapt up from her position on the attic floor.

Hurrying down both staircases, she reached the ground floor. Racing into the kitchen where her mother was usually working, Andi slid to a stop in front of the fiery little housekeeper, Luisa. Andi gulped.

“Oh hello Luisa. Do you happen to know where my mother would be?” No answer. Glancing down, Andi noticed that they, as well as her dress, were covered with dirt and grime. Luisa just stared. Andi, somehow, was very talented getting on the bad side of Luisa. And I did it again...She groaned inwardly.

Suddenly a small smile cracked on Luisa’s face. “¿Por qué estás tan sucio?” 

Andi grinned. If you only knew how I got this dirty. Andi again asked where her mother was. When Luisa told her that she had gone to the town of Fresno about an hours drive away, she was curious.

“Why did mother go to town in this weather?” Instead of answering, Luisa motioned to the open door. The hot sun beamed down from the clear sky.

 Oh, I figured it was going to rain all of today. I guess not. She’ll probably be home soon. “Well, thank you Luisa. I’ll have to wait to talk to her then.” Andi dashed out of the kitchen and onto the porch. Luisa’s shout to be careful brought a smile to Andi’s face. Luisa is always worried about all of us kids. She’s been the boss of the house ever since I can remember.

Clattering down the porch steps, Andi headed for the horse barn across the dusty yard. Reaching Taffy’s stall, Andi grabbed a stiff bristled brush, and started grooming her horse. Time passed quickly and soon Andi heard a carriage in the yard. Andi slammed the stall door, latched it and ran to where her mother was getting down from the carriage.

“Mother! You’ve got to see what I found in the attic! It’s a tiny cradle with the name…” At her mother’s hasty finger to her lips Andi silenced. 

Glancing worriedly at Diego she handed the reins to him and said, “Thank you Diego for putting Pal up. Come Andrea.” 

Andi quizzically looked at her mother. Following her out of ear shot, Andi quickly questioned her mother. “What was that about?”

Instead of answering Elizabeth asked, “You found the cradle in the attic?” At Andi’s silent nod, Elizabeth continued. “I supposed we should have told you a long time ago, but it just never came up.”

“What never came up mother? Who did the cradle belong to?”

Elizabeth answered simply, “Luisa and Diego.”

“Luisa and Diego? But mother, they only had four children and none of their names are…” Andi’s voice trailed off. “Luisa and Diego had another child, didn’t they?”

“Yes, Andrea. Oliver was the middle child. He caught scarlet fever and died. That was when Diego and Luisa started their jobs here.”

“How sad! That’s why Diego looked stunned when I shouted. I’m going right now and apologize to him!” Andi leapt up from the porch steps where they sat and ran over where Diego was watering Pal. “Oh Diego, I’m sorry for what I yelled! I had no idea about little Oliver.”

Diego’s eyes looked watery as he replied, “Senorita, you did not know. That is why Luisa and I care so much for you and your brothers. You were little then, and reminded us a great deal of Oliver. It really helped us heal from Oliver’s death.”

That’s why Luisa and Diego worry about me so. I remind them of little Oliver. Feeling a surge of love for him and Luisa, Andi hugged him. And I guess, in a way, we’ve helped them too.

Audrey?

 By Hope S. 

“Tomorrow is the day!” chanted Andi as she was galloping home on her filly, Taffy. “Oh, I can’t wait!” Then she slowed down her horse and jumped off.

“C’mon, into the barn,” she told Taffy, tugging the reins so her filly would come.

She unhitched the saddle. “OK, Taffy. This time, I’m going to make it.”

Andi looked over toward the wall where her filly’s saddle was supposed to be. She took a deep breath. She grabbed the saddle tightly. “OK. 3…2 … 1…and, lift!” She used all her might and slid it off her filly’s back. Panting heavily, Andi walked across the barn. “Here comes the hard part,” she said between breaths. As hard as she could, she lifted the saddle. It was almost to the hook! But then her filly whinnied. Andi looked over, and just then her hand slipped.

The saddle came falling down. So did Andi! Rip! And her bottom hit the floor with a loud thud.

Andi looked over to see the saddle on the floor with a big tear on the back. The nail must’ve ripped it when she fell.

“See, Taffy. Look what you did!” she yelled as she pointed at the torn saddle.

“Ha ha ha!”

She looked up and saw Chad laughing. She felt her face get red. She knew Chad would tease her about this.

But Chad didn’t say anything. He stopped laughing and let out a breath. “Phew. Supper is ready. I’ll put up the saddle if you put Taffy in her stall.”

Andi was surprised that Chad didn’t tease her. But maybe he’ll tease me later, she thought. She got up and pushed her filly in the stall. She whispered in Taffy’s ear, “If you hadn’t whinnied, I would’ve shown Chad how strong I was.”

***

Andi had cleaned up and was coming downstairs. She was walking instead of going down the banister because her bottom still hurt from her fall. Then she went into the dining room. Then, forgetting about her hurting bottom, she jumped into her chair—and shrieked. 

Everyone jumped. “Why, Andrea, what’s the matter?” said her mother.

But before Andi could say something, Chad burst in: “It was so funny. You should’ve seen it! She was carrying—”

“Chad!” Mother gave him the be quiet look. 

“Anyone excited for tomorrow?” said Andi, trying to switch the subject.

“Are you excited for church?” asked Mitch.

“No, I’m excited for after church, when we go to Cory’s house for supper,” said Andi. “Can I be excused?”

“Yes, you may,” Mother said.

“Thanks. I’m going to go to bed.”

“This early?” asked Justin.

“The earlier I go to sleep, the earlier I can see Cory.” 

Andi ran up the steps, jumped into her bed, curled up, and fell asleep.

***

Andi woke up to the smell of breakfast. She quickly jumped out of bed and got ready for the day.

Then she ran down the steps and into the dining room, sitting down to a plate of bacon and eggs.

“Honey,” said Mother. “We can’t go to church or Cory’s house.”

“What? But, Mother—!”

“No buts. Chad said there is a storm on its way. And I want you to keep on your dress.”

“Why?” moaned Andi.

“Because I want you to look pretty today.” 

Andi almost cried. She ran up the steps and into the attic. It was a place she could let out her anger so that no one could see her. She prayed that God would stop the storm so she could see Cory. But even after her prayer, she was angry.

Grr! She grabbed a piece of wood and threw it. It landed in something close to a chest full of baby clothes. But it didn’t make a sound.

“Hmm. That’s weird,” said Andi.

She walked over to it and looked inside. Andi gasped. It was a cradle, with a name carved on the side. It said “Audrey.” Andi had never heard the name Audrey.

Just then, there was a big lightning strike. Andi jumped.

Mother called for everyone to come downstairs. While Andi was coming, she recognized she had brought the cradle. She set it down on the steps.

Andi ran downstairs and flew into her mother’s arms. “Mother, was someone in this family line named Audrey?”

“No. Why?” said Mother.

“Because—” But before Andi could finish, there was another big lightning strike.

Andi jumped. Mother yelled. 

All day, it rained. All day, Andi tried to ask Mother the question.

“Rain’s done,” said Chad, peering out the window at the end of the day, after winning his tenth game of checkers with Mitch.

Oh great, thought Andi. Maybe I should show Mother the cradle.

“Ouch!” The cradle came rolling down the stairs. So did Andi’s sister Melinda.

Oh no! I must’ve left it on the steps, Andi thought. 

Melinda hit the ground with a loud bang. Mother asked, “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Mother looked up from Melinda. She saw the cradle and gasped. She started digging through the bedding of the cradle.

“What’re you doing?” Andi asked.

“Look at this.” Mother grabbed something that was under the bedding. It was a little box with a very pretty ring in it. It looked like a very expensive ring.

“Why is that in there?” Andi asked.

Mother answered, “This is your cradle. When you were born, your grandma died and left this ring. The ring has been in my family for decades.” She slid the ring onto Andi’s finger. “Keep it safe.”

“I will.”

“Hey, Mother!” Chad burst in. “I wouldn’t trust her with that. You know the brand-new saddle we gave her on her birthday? There’s a really big tear in it.” 

“What?” 

“Nothing,” said Andi. “Mother, my name isn’t Audrey,” she said, pointing to the cradle.

“I wanted to call you Audrey, but then I decided to name you Andrea instead, after your grandma.

“Let’s head to bed. And I’ll see about this torn saddle later," said Mother. Oh no! thought Andi. She knew Chad would tease her sooner or later. 

                                                      The End

Maria

 By Kaylah

This story takes place about a month before The San Francisco Smugglers begins.

One of Andrea Carter’s favorite places to go on rainy days was the attic. It had a wonderful smell, ancient and mysterious. And as the rain had been pouring down for days now, this is where Andi was headed. 

Scrambling up the ladder, Andi entered the attic and dusted off her skirt of rich blue wool. She glanced around and then swung her braid over her shoulder. A moments contemplation yielded interest in a precarious pile of old- looking furniture. 

Andi hurried over and sat down on the rough boards. “A chair with one leg, a table, an old bed frame, what’s this?” Reaching out, Andi grasped a wooden headboard and pulled. Much to her amazement a cradle appeared. It was old, but paint still graced the wood, and a little blanket lay carefully folded inside. Andi brushed the dust from the front and some writing was revealed.

Maria

The name was in a spidery script and a delicate border of roses arched gracefully over the word. “Maria?” Andi repeated in wonder. “Who’s that?” No one in her family was called Maria, she was pretty sure. Gently Andi reached out and stroked the soft blanket inside, then suddenly turned it over. She had felt something and there, lying serenely at the bottom of the cradle was an old page. The edges looked torn as if it had once been in a journal or book of some sort. 

Andi’s breath caught as she saw the handwriting. “Its Mother’s!” With trembling fingers, she lifted it from the little cradle and held it up to the light. The rays of dreary sun filtering through the attic window caught the writing and Andi began to read.

------------

April 8th, 1866

Dear Diary, 

Today a most extraordinary thing occurred. It was a warm day, and I was sitting on the porch, enjoying the springtime breeze. I had been sitting like this for only about ten minutes when my teenage son Chad came hollering around the side of the barn. “Mother! Look what we’ve got here!” I started up quickly as my husband James came around the barn after Chad, calling, “Look here, Elizabeth. What do you make of this?” James set a small cradle down on the porch. It was painted white and the headboard was decorated with pink roses and writing: Maria. Inside was a tiny baby girl, all pale and skinny. We took her into the house and fed her immediately. We are all very astonished. I can’t think how she got here and why someone would leave the pretty cradle with her. It is a real mystery. James has contacted the sheriff and some local newspapers and authorities but there is no way of knowing who she is and why she’s here. I pray that we will find her family soon and perhaps will be able to help them if they are in need. But if that is not to be I pray that we can provide her with love and warmth.

-Elizabeth Carter 

--------------

Andi sat back, absolutely stunned. Another family secret? Who was little Maria? Where had she come from? Then as Andi looked again at the cradle another piece of paper caught her eye. She reached for it and saw that it was her mother’s handwriting again, but this time the date was a year later. 

------------

June 29th, 1867

Dear Diary,

Today my little Maria has gone from us. I am too upset to write more but perhaps one day I shall.

-Elizabeth Carter

----------------

Andi stared at the words dumbly. Maria, gone? Had her family come?  Stiffly, Andi got to her feet. Carrying the papers, she made her way to where her mother sat in the parlour.

“Mother?” Andi stood before Elizabeth and stretched out the papers. “Tell me, Mother. Tell me what happened to Maria.” 

“Why, Andrea!” Elizabeth started and looked perplexedly at Andi. “Where did you find them?” 

 “In the attic. I found the cradle.” Andi sat next to her mother and looked up into her face. “Mother, who was Maria?” 

Elizabeth shook her head. “I don’t exactly know. Her mother was a poor woman, I think, and she had no father. We think her mother couldn’t care for her, so she dumped her at the richest house in the area, which was us.” Elizabeth sighed. “The cradle was always the mystery, such a fancy thing. Since she had nowhere to go, we kept her, mainly because of Kate. She really got attached to Maria. But the rest of us grew to love her like part of the family as well. Maria’s leaving was something that caused Kate to go away too, I think. It grieved her so much. That is a reason we never told you about Maria. Because Kate was so in love with her.” Elizabeth’s voice trailed off. 

“But why did Maria leave?” Andi was impatient.

“A man appeared at the house one day. He demanded Maria given to him. She was one at that point, so little and sweet. He took us to court about her. He claimed to be her uncle. What we know about her parents came from him. The court ruled in favor of him, so he took her. We’ve never seen her since.”

Elizabeth wiped a tear from her cheek, and her eyes looked mournful. “It broke my heart. But God knew what he was doing. He taught me a special lesson in trust. We had Maria for a short time, but we loved her well. I’ve no doubt that even if she forgot all about us God remembered and he brought her to us first for that purpose.” Then Elizabeth smiled at her daughter. “And a year later God gave us you. He may have taken one child from me, but he saw fit to give me another.”

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

-Job 1:21b

Hidden Foe

 By Marjory

As soon as school let out, Jem took off for home, not so much as to get there in time for chores as much as to get away from Will Sterling. Will had been pestering him the last couple of days to try and get him to go swimming. 

“Hey Jem!” Came a call behind him. Jem groaned and slowed down. 

“Yeah,” he called over his shoulder. 

“Bet I can stay under water longer than anyone alive!” came the taunt. 

“Bet you can’t,” Jem responded abruptly as he turned and accosted Will. He was getting tired of Will’s dares and taunts.  

“If you stay under too long you’ll suffocate,” Ellie joined in as she jogged up. 

“I’ll show you.” Will spun around and marched towards the swimming hole. Jem and Ellie exchanged glances before following Will. 

The swimming hole was a little pond formed by a small creek falling over a short rock cliff on one side. The other three sides were open to the country around, with a large valley oak shading the water. Will was already in the water when Jem and Ellie got there. When Will saw them, he grinned and disappeared in the water. Ellie gasped. Thirty seconds later, Will still hadn’t surfaced. At one minute, Will popped up and gasped for air. 

“Wish I was a fish,” he chuckled and coughed. “Bet you can’t stay under for as long as I did.” At that taunt, Jem’s hackles rose. He started unbuttoning his shirt. Ellie gasped beside him. 

“Jem! You’re not--,” 

“Shh.” Jem dove into the water and swam to Will. “Ellie, time us,” he commanded before swimming toward the deepest part of the swimming hole. 

         Will caught his arm. “Jem, you don’t want to go over there.”

“Why not?” Jem defied and shook Will’s hand off his arm. Jem kept swimming toward the deep part. 

“I’ll show you,” Will said and dove. 

        Jem shook his head, took a deep breath and followed Will. Down, down the two boys dove, dodging weeds and fish. Jem was confused. Why was Will bringing him over here? Just as the thought crossed his mind, a black hole flashed before him. Jem blinked his eyes. 

       Will swam to the hole and pointed into it. 

       Jem, curious as always, swam past Will and straight into the hole. He felt Will’s hand slide off his ankle just before his eyes saw something big, black and moving, coming his way. Desperately, Jem tried to ascend, but was knocked aside by the long, slimy and scaly creature swimming past him. A long tail whipped by him and frothed the water. Jem was sucked up in the whirlpool the creature had left. He came up next to the cliff. Coughing and spluttering, Jem hauled himself up on dry land just as a loud shriek erupted from Ellie. Jem looked up and saw the long scaly black creature heading right for Ellie. 

“Jem! Help!” She screamed. Will was nowhere in sight. Jem assumed he had run for home.

        Staggering to his feet, Jem tried to hurry to his sister’s aid. But he knew the creature was faster than he was. Jem paid no attention to the rocks tearing his feet as he raced to his sister. The creature was long and had sharp spikes on its backbone all the way to its tail, which was lashing back and forth.

        Suddenly Pa raced out from behind some trees and pushed Ellie toward the safety of the trees. He pulled out his colt pistol and pointed it at the beast. With a roar, the creature continued charging. The threat of a pistol was nothing to the creature. To Jem’s surprise and wonderment, the creature without warning let out a stream of fire. Pa leapt back as the fire reached his boots. Pa pulled the trigger on the colt and blasted the beast’s eye out. 

       With a thunderous snarl, the beast swam harder, its one eye hanging out of the socket with blood streaming down the side of its face. Pa shot the creature in the other eye, then aimed for the throat. With a snarl, the creature gave one last heave and sank to the shore at Pa’s feet. Jem and Ellie raced for Pa, who gathered them into his arms. 

“What was that Pa?” Ellie asked tearfully after a minute. 

“I’m pretty sure that was a dragon. Thank you Lord for keeping Jem and Ellie safe and for giving Will Sterling the speed of the wind to come and get me. Amen,” Pa prayed aloud. Jem and Ellie breathed an amen at the end. 

“You know, I thought dragons were extinct, but I guess they aren’t, at least this one wasn’t,” Jem commented. 

“The Bible talks about them. And the new term they coined in 1842, “dinosaur”, I believe actually is the same as dragon,” Pa explained. Jem and Ellie thought about this for a minute, then nodded. Pa laughed and ruffled their heads before the three turned for home. 

Even through this attack from a now extinct beast, Jem could see God’s hand working in his and others lives. He pondered this thought for weeks afterward. 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, 

To them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

The End

The Phantom Fish

 By Hadassah W.

Jem filled his lungs at the edge of the swimming hole and shot the other boy a hard look. Will Sterling always thought he was better than him. Maybe, sometimes, he was. But not today. With adrenaline surging through his veins, he plunged into the water. It was cold but restoring in contrast to the furious summer heat.

Thirty seconds went by—then a minute. Jem’s lungs tore at his chest, and he kicked up from the sandy earth. Exploding into warm air, he breathed once again. Slapping dark, shaggy hair out of his eyes, he swiveled to peer at Will.

He was snickering with laughter. “I stayed under a full two minutes,” he taunted from where he crouched on the bank.

Jem scowled, spitting. “Fake,” he accused, “No one could do that.”

Will jutted out his chin. “I could.”

Jem swam to the edge of the hole and reached for the vegetation growing along the rocky incline. “Prove it.”

“Alright. I will.”

Splash!

Alarmed, Jem twisted and hunted the shore, then the heaving surface of the swimming hole. There was no trace of Will. “Where’d you…” Before he could finish, a head darted up and Will beat the water, spraying him with freezing liquid.

Jem sputtered, tearing at his eyes. “Roasted rattlesnakes!” He glared. “Will you ever grow up?”

Will smiled impishly, treading water with easy confidence. His unruly black curls were saturated, and he tossed them back with a flick of his head. “Not if it means I get to watch you turn purple trying to beat me.”

Jem lunged for him, and in an instant the swimming hole churned with splashing arms and sharp yelps as the two of them grappled like half-wild pups; neither willing to give an inch.

At last, still gasping but grinning despite themselves, they hauled their soaked, shivering bodies onto the bank, letting the sun do its work.

Will regarded him grimly, and he met the look, feeling his resentment ease, replaced by shame. “Sorry,” he said simply, then added inwardly, Forgive me, Lord? I shouldn’t care so much about Will’s boasting.

Will shrugged. “Me too. But I still think I can stay underwater longer than anyone alive.”

Jem shook his head. “You can’t.” He winced. There he went again, still quarrelling. I need your help, Lord.

Will’s eyes flashed. “Yeah? Well—”

“I should probably head home,” he interrupted quickly, hoping Will would let it go. “Ellie’s gonna throw a fit I didn’t let her come with us today.” He started to rise but Will caught his wrist. He looked down, worried the other boy was still upset. “What?”

Will hesitated. “I saw something in there earlier.”

“The water?”

Will nodded.

“What was it?”

Will bit his lip. “Something big and dark.”

Jem frowned. “You mean like a phantom fish?”

This brought terror into Will’s face; he wasn’t as brave as he made himself out to be. His grip on Jem’s arm tightened until it became painful. “We were in there with it, Jem,” he gasped.

Jem frowned. For once, the boy was right. “Show me,” he urged, sliding his protesting limb out of Will’s reach.

Will gulped. “If you insist.”

Together, they dove back into the water. The lake closed over Jem’s head with a cool, muffling hush. At first he saw nothing but wavering green light and the white glint of Will’s feet ahead of him. Then, as his eyes adjusted, the bottom settled into pale sand, shelves of stone, and a tumble of old branches lodged in a deeper pocket near the far side of the hole.

Will pointed with a trembling hand. Beyond the branches, something moved—slowly, almost lazily—yet it was far too large to be any trout Jem had ever seen. Its shape slid behind a curtain of sediment, long and dark, with a glimmer along one side that caught the sun like a dull coin.

Don’t let it be dangerous. Jem booted forward before he could think better of it. Behind him, Will seized the back of his shirt as if to stop him, then lost his grip. The dark thing seemed to pause among the branches, and for one strange moment Jem had the wild notion that it was watching them.

He reached the sunken tangle and grabbed a branch to steady himself. The shape turned. It was not a fish at all, but an old rowboat lying on its side in the deep pocket, one end buried in mud. Waterlogged weeds streamed from it like hair, and trapped beneath a rib of cracked wood, a creature thrashed, silver scales flashing in frightened bursts. In the uncertain light, the boat’s broken shadow had made the fish seem enormous.

Jem wedged both hands under the splintered plank and heaved. It shifted only an inch, but it was enough. The trout shot free in a blur and vanished into the murk.

Startled, Will nearly swallowed half the swimming hole in relief, and the two of them thrust hard for the surface. They burst out of the water, coughing, and clawed their way back onto the bank.

Will let out a shaky laugh. “Phantom fish?”

Jem might have laughed too, if he had not glanced back at the water and seen, just for an instant, the edge of the old boat rocking, though everything else was still. He wiped his mouth and stood. “That boat hasn’t got there by itself,” he said quietly.

Suddenly the swimming hole did not feel like a place for games anymore.

The Lost Name

 By Cyrene W. 

Andi started up the stairs two at a time. The attic was a place of mystery, where more than once she had discovered chests of clothes and other items from her grandma’s childhood. Normally she would have been out with the horses, but, on this damp and dreary Sunday afternoon, she was eager to see what the attic might hold this time.

The trapdoor groaned—as usual—on its rusted hinges as she yanked it open at the top of the stairs. She stepped into the dusty space and breathed the familiar smells of wood and antiques. Her eyes fell upon familiar bookshelves and old crates filled with mysterious items, and piled boxes full of clothes and old rags. Today, however, in the far-left corner, next to an old trunk, something curved caught her eye. Only a small bit of the item was revealed beneath a pile of old cloth and cobwebs.

Whatever could it be? Cautiously, Andi walked forward. She bent down to identify the object as a small painted cradle and excitement brewed in her chest. Delicate carvings were etched into the cedar wood; designs she had never seen before. She sucked in her breath, hesitating to touch it—unsure whether the extra handling would crumble the ancient masterpiece. Finally, with great care, she brought the wooden frame into the dim light that shone through the window on the roof.

She rubbed a soft hand across the wood, brushing away the layer of cobwebs. It’s so pretty. She stood there admiring it for a moment, pondering whose it had belonged to, when small words sprawled across the side caught her eye. She squinted to catch what it said.

“Mercy Ann.”

A frown furrowed her brow. She sifted through past memories, but the name meant nothing to her. She wondered why she had never been told of this girl before. Was this bed made for a child she had never known? 

She searched for more clues. The trunk was her first destination. There, she found a baby quilt and a pair of soft pink pajamas. She sighed at the beauty of the soft fabric. But this still didn’t tell her how the cradle had been in the attic.

Perhaps Mom will know. She picked up the quilt and clothes and was about to put them in the cradle when she saw something tucked inside the cradle. She leaned down and pulled it out. Turning it over in her hand she realized it was a homemade journal.

With a new excitement she slumped back down, the floor boards creaking beneath her weight. She was sure she had found a clue as to who the cradle belonged. Blowing the dust from the leather-bound book she, careful not to rip the worn cover, turned to the first page. The once soft flour-sack paper was now crinkled and stiff.

The words, written with faded blue ink, swirled across the sheet. She read the first entry with interest. “‘Today I got a little cradle. I’m very excited, for now I’ll have a place for my baby to sleep. She has been sleeping with me, and I’m glad she’ll have the comfort of her own special bed. I’m hoping to make a new blanket for her, too’.”

So, this must be the child’s mother. Andi scanned over the page, but there was no way of knowing who this mysterious woman was. On the next page there was a drawing of a sleeping child in a small cradle. The cradle that now sat empty at Andi’s side.

 “Andi?” Mom’s voice called from downstairs.

She jumped up and hurried to answer, forgetting the journal was still in her hands. “What is it?”

Mom was in the kitchen preparing supper. “I want you to—” She turned sharply at the sight of the book. “Where did you find that?”

Andi looked down. “Oh, in the attic.” Then she blurted, “Mom, there’s an old cradle with this journal in it, and I was wondering why you’ve never told me you had a family member named Mercy!”

Mom looked surprised. “What?”

Andi frowned. “The cradle said there was a baby named Mercy, but I didn’t know anyone by that name.”

“Andi. Where did you find that?” Mom asked again, wiping her hands off on a towel. 

“In—in the cradle. Who’s is it?”

Mom sighed and brought a confused Andi into the living room. “That was your great-grandmother’s, Andi.”

Her eyes widened. Her great-grandmother had had a little baby named Mercy? Why hadn’t she been told this? Perhaps Mom restrained herself from telling me because she thought I wouldn’t understand, she found herself thinking angrily. She quickly checked herself, feeling ashamed. There must be a good reason, she thought instead.

Mom was continuing. “When my grandma was young, her family was poor. The journal was the only gift she had gotten in her life—other than the cradle you found in the attic. Her father—my great-grandfather—built it for her.”

Andi looked down at the worn book and felt like it would fall apart in her hands. She didn’t get any of it. “Why did great-grandmother say she got a cradle for her baby?”

Mom laughed softly, a dimple appearing on her left cheek. “Grandma had made a doll, whom she named Mercy.” She sighed. “I’m sorry if you got confused, but you shouldn’t come to conclusions without knowing the facts first.”

Andi looked once again at the precious book and had to smile. That explained a lot. It was hard not to jump to conclusions, but she decided it was much easier not to. One thing she knew for certain, the attic no longer felt full of forgotten junk; it felt full of stories—waiting for someone to ask the right questions. She couldn’t wait to be the first one.

Riley's Rainy Day Discovery

 By Adeline S. 

“It’s been raining for the past three days. Isn’t it ever going to stop?” seventeen-year-old Andi Carter complained to no one in particular, as she sat in the parlor with her family one Saturday afternoon.

Her mother ignored the complaint and asked, “Why don’t you take Betsy and Hannah up to the attic to explore?”

Andi’s face brightened and she hurried across the room to where her nieces were watching her brothers, Chad and Mitch, play checkers. “Do you want to go explore the attic, girls?” she asked with a warm smile.

Betsy jumped up immediately and Hannah nodded eagerly.

Andi’s fiancé, Riley, looked up from the newspaper he was reading. “Can I come to?”

Andi nodded and glanced around the room. “Anyone else want to join us?” She caught her fifteen-year-old nephew’s eye. “Levi?”

He shook his head, so Andi turned and left the room with Riley and the girls following.

In the attic, Andi found two lamps right away. “Do you have any matches, Riley?”

He felt around in his pockets and handed her one. She carefully lit the lamps, then handed one to Riley, keeping the other one for herself. 

“Hannah, do you want to look around with Riley, or me?” Andi asked her younger niece.

“You!” Hannah answered.

“Alright.” She turned to Riley. “You and Betsy can look around on that side of the attic. Hannah and I will look around over here.”

He nodded and Betsy led him over to their area. 

Andi looked at Hannah. “Where do you want to start?”

Hannah chose a corner and began going through the things on the floor while Andi searched the shelves above her for something to interest them.

“Look Andi,” Hannah giggled a few minutes later.

Andi looked down at her and couldn’t help laughing. Hannah had found an old dress and hat and was trying them on. The hat kept slipping down over her eyes, and dress was way too big.

From across the room, Betsy giggled. “You look so funny, Hannah.”

Andi grinned and continued to explore. She was looking at some old paintings when Riley called, “Hey Andi, look what I found!”

She and Hannah hurried across the room to where Riley was kneeling. “What is it?” Hannah wondered.

Riley moved over so that Andi could see. “Are you talking about the trunk or the cradle?” Andi asked as she knelt beside him.

“The cradle,” he replied. “I don’t recognize the name on the side of it.”

Andi saw the handwritten name on the side of the painted cradle and said, “I don’t recognize it either.”

“What does it say?” Betsy’s tone was excited.

“It says, ‘William Charles Carter’,” Andi replied.

“Could it belong to one of your relatives?” Riley asked.

“Maybe Mother or Justin would know who it belongs to. But if the cradle belongs to one of my relatives, why is it my family’s attic?” Andi looked at Riley with a puzzled frown.

“I don’t know, Andi,” Riley shrugged.

“Well, I want to find out.” Andi turned and hurried downstairs to the parlor. At the door, she paused before hurrying into the room. “Mother, who is Willliam Carter?” The words burst out of Andi’s mouth before she could stop them.

“Slow down, Andrea. I couldn’t understand you,” her mother said, turning to look at Andi.

“Who is William Carter?” Andi repeated slowly.

“I don’t know anyone by that name,” Mother answered.

“Do you know what his full name is?” Aunt Rebecca wondered.

Andi looked at her aunt with startled eyes, but said, “William Charles Carter.”

“Oh my!” Aunt Rebecca gasped, her face turning white.

“Rebecca, are you alright?” Mother asked in concern.

“Yes, I’m fine. It is just that…” her voice trailed off.

“It’s just that what, Aunt Rebecca?” Andi pressed.

“It is just that I had a younger brother named William,” Aunt Rebecca replied.

The room suddenly was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. Everyone stared at Aunt Rebecca in astonishment.

Hannah broke the silence. “What happened to him?”

“Hannah!” Kate reprimanded her daughter sternly.

“He died of consumption when James and Benjamin were barely a month old. He was only a year younger than me. We were best friends. When he died, it hurt me terribly, but I managed to hide my grief by keeping busy taking care of the twins.”

When Aunt Rebecca stopped talking, Andi walked over to where she was sitting and gave her a tight hug. Aunt Rebecca was startled, but she hugged Andi back.

Riley had disappeared, but now he appeared in the doorway, carrying the painted cradle. “Was this your brother’s?” he asked, setting the cradle down in front of Aunt Rebecca.

“Yes, that was his,” she answered, her eyes glistening with tears. “I haven’t seen it since I gave it James years ago.”

“So that’s why it was in our attic,” Andi exclaimed.

“Yes. I gave James that, and I gave Benjamin some of William’s other things,” Aunt Rebecca said. “I’m glad that you found the cradle, Andrea. I think that it was good for me to tell you about William.”

“Oh, I didn’t find it, Riley did,” Andi answered.

“Well, thank you, young man.” Aunt Rebecca gave Riley a rare smile.

Riley started to answer, but was interrupted by Hannah, who was standing by the window. “It stopped raining! Can we go riding now?” 

Andi looked at Riley, who nodded. 

“Sure Hannah. I can saddle the horses while Andi gets ready,” Riley replied.

“I’m coming to!” Betsy and Levi said in unison.

“Alright. The more the merrier,” Andi agreed.

Empty Arms

 By Brianna B. 

Elizabeth Carter smoothed the bedspread one last time. The beds were made, the pillows shook out, and the windows opened to let in fresh, rain washed air. 

All ready for Katherine’s visit. 

She smiled, imagining catching up with her daughter and watching her grandchildren learn to ride. 

Where are Andrea’s old overalls? I sent her to the attic to search for them an hour ago. 

“Andrea? Where are you?”

“Mother!” It was a strangled half cry, half whimper. 

Hiking her skirts higher, Elizabeth took the stairs two at a time, images of Andi prone on the floor, injured, flashing in her mind. 

Upon reaching the attic, she scanned the interior. Andrea sat in her Sunday best on the dusty attic floor, upright and free of broken bones or blood.

Yet it was her tortured eyes that froze Elizabeth. 

“Who is Charlotte?”

Anguish swept over her.

“Mother?” Andi was by her side now, holding her arm. “Are you okay?”

“I think… I should sit down.”

“I’ll help you.” 

Once seated, Andi motioned to the crib with Charlotte’s name painted intricately on the side. “Was she the daughter of one of the servants?”

Slowly, Elizabeth shook her head. “She was… my daughter.”

“You… you mean I have another sister?”

“Had, my dear. Had.”

“She’s dead?”

“Yes.” The word was a whisper, but it seemed to echo throughout the room. 

“How… ?”

“An outlaw.”

She hardly registered her daughter’s shocked gasp as her mind flashed back to the horrid memories. 

• — ✦ — • 

A much younger Elizabeth Carter bustled through the foyer to the front door, one-year-old Charlotte propped on her hip. 

Opening the door, her gaze met warm chocolate brown eyes. 

The young man tipped her head. “Ma’am.”

She scanned him. He was clean, if a little dusty from the trail, and decked out with cowboy duds. Before she could blink, he had his gun out and pointed at her. 

Elizabeth hugged Charlotte to her chest, twisting so the pistol’s aim was on her, not her daughter. “What do you want?” She packed her voice with as much steel as she could muster. 

The young man laughed. “Money, of course.”

“My husband is driving cattle to market now. We don’t have much right now.”

“I’m not a fool. The Circle C Ranch is the biggest spread in these parts.” He waved his pistol. “Get in the house.”

He followed her in. “Show me where your husband keeps his cash.”

Elizabeth jutted her chin higher, unwilling to let him see her fear. “At the bank.”

“Surely not all of it.” His eyes wandered to the staircase. “In his bedchamber, perhaps?”

He glanced at her and grinned lazily. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

She narrowed her eyes before turning away. 

“Show me!”

Moving as slowly as she dared, Elizabeth climbed the stairs ahead of him. “You never told me your name.”

“My friends call me Blackjack, but my… clients call me sir.”

Elizabeth stopped at the door to her bedroom and opened the door. 

“Where’s the money?” Blackjack scanned the room. 

“Under the bed.”

He chuckled. “Go get it.”

She glared daggers at him. “I’m holding my baby daughter. Are you so afraid that a woman may overpower you?”

As soon as he bent over the side of the bed, she reached under one of the pillows. Her fingers curled around the cold metal of a pistol. 

“Still nothing-” Blackjack’s eyes rounded. “Fool woman.” 

“Put your gun down,” she ordered, aiming for his heart.

“No, you put your gun down,” he returned, a sassy smirk playing on his lips. “You might kill me, but not before I take your precious baby with me.”

“You wouldn’t kill an innocent baby.” Even as she spoke, doubt clouded her mind. 

“Try me,” Blackjack answered, his pistol aimed at a gurgling Charlotte. “Put the gun on the bed.”

Tossing the pistol toward him, she pressed Charlotte closer. 

Please, Father, deliver us both from this man.

“You were lying when you said money was in the bedroom.” He eyed her for a long moment before his gaze moved to rest on Charlotte. “Pretty little thing.”

Charlotte’s dark curls contrasted with her creamy skin and framed her wide, sky blue eyes. 

“My wife is yearning for a baby,” he said thoughtfully. 

Elizabeth’s heart splintered. “No. Please, anything but Charlotte.”

He ignored her plea. “Charlotte, huh?”

He motioned her out of the room. Elizabeth descended the stairs as rapidly as she could, determined to stay as far away as she could from Blackjack. 

Once outside, he mounted his horse, holstered his pistol and reached for Charlotte. Elizabeth backed away, her eyes pleading. 

“Do you wish to see your daughter killed? Give her to me, or else you bury her today,” he gritted. 

The color drained from Elizabeth’s face, and she came closer to the horse. She planted one last kiss on Charlotte’s soft cheek. Her daughter’s eyes locked with hers even as Blackjack raised her to sit in front of his saddle. Only when she was sandwiched between him and the saddle horn did she peek up at the stranger, her eyes reflecting complete trust. 

No. Please, Lord, don’t let him take my baby.

“A pleasure, ma’am.” Blackjack tipped his hat to her and urged his horse into a canter. 

Elizabeth’s vision blurred as her throat tightened, threatening to choke her. She collapsed to the dusty ground, hugging her empty arms around herself as her shoulders shook with heaving sobs. 

• — ✦ — • 

“Didn’t Father search for her?” Andi’s voice drew Elizabeth from reliving her heartache. 

“He never gave up.” Tears misted her vision. “It seems as if she disappeared forever. I’m so sorry, Andrea. Only the Lord knows why He took Charlotte from us.”

The final memory resurfaced in her mind’s eye. Charlotte, laughing as she grasped the horse pommel with her stubby fingers, a genuine smile lifting Blackjack’s lips. 

Please, Lord, keep her safe. And if it’s Your will, bring her back to me. 

Sweet, Sweet Heaven

 By Olivia S. 

Andi Carter watched the rain coming down on the buggy window. “Why did God let it rain today? He knew the church picnic was today! Why did He have to ruin it?”

“Andrea!” Mother scolded, “God knows best for every                

day, and He knew it would be best for the picnic to wait until a different Sunday!”

“You should explore the attic,” Chad said. “There are a lot of treasures up there!” he winked at Andi. 

When they arrived home, Andi went straight to the attic. Chad said there were treasures up there! And there were! Beautiful books, dolls, and toys weren’t the only things. There was a lovely vase with purple, pressed flowers in it and a straw hat that she tried on!

Andi saw a picture by the window of a woman she didn’t recognize. I wonder who she is, Andi thought. Then she went to a wooden trunk to see what was inside. She lifted a blanket to reach the knob. Then, something blue and white tucked behind the trunk caught her eye. She pulled it out to discover that it was a went with a name hand written on the side. The name was “Andrea Wilson”. 

Andi was rather surprised. “My name is Andrea! But my last name isn’t Wilson. No one in my family has ever mentioned this name!” She thought some more. Then she had an idea. This time it was a terrible idea. “I’m adopted,” she whispered. Then she heard Mother calling, “Andrea! Come down for lunch!”  Andi stood up and went down stairs, wondering why she hadn’t been told about her adoption.

Andi acted down in the dumps for the rest of the day. Melinda was worried and asked what was wrong. “Promise you won’t tell?”

“Unless I have too,” Melinda said.

“Alright,” Andi said. “I’m adopted.”

Melinda looked puzzled. “No you’re not.”

“I can prove it! “Andi took Melinda to the attic and showed her the cradle.

“That’s not your’s!” Melinda said. “It was Mother’s grandma’s cradle! You’re named after her!”

“Oh!” Andi cried, relieved.

“See that picture over by the window? That’s her.”

Andi hurried to the picture. Then Melinda said sadly, “Please don’t mention to Mother about the cradle or the picture. When Great Grandma passed away, she almost didn’t get over it. But she took comfort in the thought that she will get to see her again in Heaven. You’ll get to meet her too, Andi!”

The two girls went down stairs. Andi thanked God for Heaven, sweet, sweet Heaven.               

The End.

Rainy Day Discovery

 By Lydia

Memory Creek Ranch, September 1896

 “Mama, tell us a story, please!” Six-year-old Lottie sat up in bed. 

“Yes, please, Mama!” Lilly echoed. “What about one from when you were little?” 

Andi smiled. “Well…”

The twins bounced impatiently. 

“Let's see, did I ever tell you who you were named after?” Andi sat in the rocking chair next to the bed, slowly swaying back and forth as she began.

“It was the end of January, on a very dreary day, when I was fourteen years old…” 

 San Joaquin Valley, California, January 1883

Andrea Carter turned from a window that showed nothing but pouring rain.

“Melinda, why does it have to rain like this on a Sunday? It's one of my only days off from school and I can't do anything outside!” 

Melinda looked up from the fashion magazine she was reading. “Why don't you go up to the attic?”

Andi sighed, brushing her hands over her skirt that she hadn't bothered to change after church services in town. “There's nothing I like stored up there, just old trunks and boxes full of ancient clothes and hats. No old saddles or anything interesting.”

“If I remember correctly,” Melinda pursed her lips in thought.  “Chad stored a trunk of his old dime novels up there. I think they're still in a box somewhere.” 

“Thanks!” Andi shot across the sitting room. 

There was nothing she liked better than a good adventure packed novel to spend a gray afternoon with. She hurried to the attic, her long, thick braid slapping her back at every flying step.

Throwing open a door, Andi peered into the eerie attic. For a moment, she paused before the thought of finding Chad's collection of dime novels sent her speedily toward the first corner to start her search. 

An hour later, Andi stood, hands on hips. Dirt and dust covered her and a cobweb hung from her collar like delicate lace. She swiped frustratedly at the tangles of dark hair that had loosened from her braid. 

“Where could that box of novels be?” Andi kicked at an old box. The box hit a stack of quilts and several of the colorful comforters fell onto the floor.

Andi bent to pick them up. As she did so she knocked against something with her elbow. 

Andi knelt to see what she had hit. Snuggled close to an old trunk with blankets neatly  covering most of it, a cradle rocked from her push. 

Andi pulled it out for a better examination. The hand painted side she stared at had delicately scrolled flowers and vines. 

Pulling it out further, she saw a name written in golden pink letters on its headboard.

Turning it toward the light, Andi slowly read the inscription. ‘Lillian Charlotte.’

“Who on earth is Lillian Charlotte?” Andi wondered aloud. “Maybe Melinda would know. I'll go ask her.” 

Gently, she picked up the cradle and carefully started down the stairs.

Whoever this Lillian Charlotte was, Andi wanted to find out. 

Stepping into the sitting room once more, Andi plopped the cradle down in front of Melinda. 

“Melinda, I was wondering if you knew a Lillian Charlotte. I found a cradle in the attic with that name on it.” 

Melinda looked up with confused blue eyes. “I've never heard anyone mention that name before. Maybe Mother would know.” 

“What would I know?”

Andi whirled around to face her mother who had just entered. “I want to know if you know who Lillian Charlotte is.”

Elizabeth Carter's smiling face suddenly lost its glow. A wave of sadness splashed onto her loving countenance. 

”Sit down, Andrea, I think the time has come to tell Lillian Charlotte’s story.” 

Melinda set down her magazine, preparing to listen. 

Andi sat on the edge of a stuffed chair and focused all her attention on Mother.

“Lillian was my sister.” Elizabeth began. 

“Your sister?” Andi excitedly leaned forward.

“Yes, my younger sister. She came out west when James and I were just starting this ranch.” Mother's face was far away, remembering. “It wasn't long before she married a gold miner. They left soon after for more productive gold fields. She never came back.” Mother sighed and gently touched the painted sides of the cradle. 

“How did the cradle get in the attic anyway?” Andi wanted to know, scooting closer to the edge of her seat. 

“Before Lillian left, she told me to keep the cradle until she came back. My father had painted it and it was special to her.” Elizabeth seemed to come back from the past with a start. “It's been sitting up there ever since and I haven't had the heart to do anything with it.” 

Andi leaned forward. Mother had a lost sister like she had, except that mother’s sister had never come back, and Kate had. “I'm sorry, Mother.” Andi jumped up and hugged her.

Elizabeth smiled, the sadness leaving her face. “I'm glad you found the cradle, Andrea. It brings back memories that I have set aside for too long.” She squeezed Andi back. 

Andi resolved then that if she ever had a daughter, she would name her Lillian Charlotte after her mother’s lost sister who had never come back.

Memory Creek Ranch, September 1886

“And that's who I named you after.” Andi gently pushed the twins from a sitting posture into a sleeping position. 

Lilly sighed. “Mama, will Aunt Lillian Charlotte ever come back?” 

“I don't know, darling. I hope so.” 

Andi looked at Lottie. For once, Lottie was quiet. She turned to leave the room but Lottie abruptly called after her. 

“Mama,” she asked. “Do I have a missing sister like grandma has and you used to?” 

Andi laughed. “No, sweetie, you don't have any missing sisters I’m glad to say. You could pray that Grandma's sister would come back someday like mine did though. It would make Grandma so happy to see her again.” 

“I will.” Lottie promised.

Me too!” Lilly added.

Two in One

 By Ella P. 

“Andrea Carter!” Andi’s mother called from the other side of the room.

Thirteen-year-old Andi sat on her bed, pulling her hair out over her homework assignment. She was supposed to write a paragraph about how she had helped someone with a need, and so far, she hadn’t even begun. 

“Give it some time, little sis,” her brother Chad said to her a few days prior. “I’m sure a big need will come about soon.”

The paper was due tomorrow. Andi doubted a need would come up in the next hour or so.

“Yes, mother?” she called, hopping off the bed and leaving her work to be finished later. 

Suddenly, her heart leapt when a new thought occurred to her. Maybe Mother has a big task for me! Then I can complete my homework!

Andi’s mother Elizabeth, and older sister, Melinda were seated at the dinner table, discussing different beaus for Melinda.

Andi rolled her eyes and immediately received an unapproved look from her mother. 

“Please go to the attic and fetch the large brown trunk,” Elizabeth said calmly. “There are some photos in there that Melinda would like to see.”

Andi obeyed instantly, disappointed that the task wouldn’t give her any words to put on paper, but grateful to get away from the conversation. She dashed up the stairs and into the attic.

The attic door creaked open and a cool whoosh of air brushed Andi’s face. A coat stand lay on its side. 

Huh. That’s never fallen before. Andi picked it up and knelt beside the brown trunk. She caught sight of a beautiful little, teal painted baby’s cradle.

Gingerly, she picked it up and studied the intricate painted designs. There was a name hand-painted on the side which read, “Mabel”.

“Mabel?” Andi asked herself. There’s no one named Mabel. This doesn’t look like anything we would own. 

“Andrea!”

Andi quickly set the cradle aside, picked up the trunk and headed back downstairs. She placed it on the table. “Did we ever have anyone named ‘Mabel’ in our family?”

Andi’s mother and Melinda cast confused glances at one another.

“Why do you ask that, Andrea?” Mother asked.

“There is a baby cradle in the attic with the name ‘Mabel’ inscribed on it.”

“We don’t know anyone named ‘Mabel’, do we Mother?” Melinda asked.

“No,” she said. “Andrea, do you mind taking me to see this cradle?”

Andi didn’t waste a minute. She hurried up to the attic and led her mother inside. Elizabeth studied the cradle when a faint sound was heard in the corner of the attic.

They both looked around the room silently when it was heard again.

It was a baby’s muffled cry.

“Mother?” Andi asked, her eyes wide.

Elizabeth Carter set the cradle down and ventured toward the cry. “Stay back, Andrea.” She peered around a pile of stacked boxes and covered her mouth.

Andi jumped up and ran to her mother’s side, looking behind the boxes.

A dark-skinned woman with a small baby in her arms sat on the ground, looking up at them, fear flashing in her eyes. 

Andi stumbled back, gaping at the sight. This was definitely not what she expected!

The woman scrambled backward when Elizabeth’s quiet voice stopped her. “Don’t be afraid.” She knelt down beside the frightened woman. “What is your name?”

The woman jerked away from Elizabeth. “Please,” she cried, “Don’t hurt us!” She drew her baby closer to her chest.

Elizabeth’s face softened deeply. “I won’t touch you. Please, what is your name?”

“Maria,” the woman stuttered.

“Would you kindly explain to me why you’re hiding in our attic?” Andi’s mother pried.

A loud banging on the front door made the woman bristle.

“Please!” she cried hoarsely. “Don’t tell them we’re here!”

Tell who what? Andi asked herself. 

At her mother’s command, Andi rushed downstairs and peered outside.

Two mean-looking property owners stood banging on the door.

Andi quickly opened the door to a slit. “May I help you?”

“Ma’am, we have reason to believe that one of our slave workers is hidin’ in your house! A runaway!”

Andi’s eyes grew wide. A runaway slave!

The man held up a ‘wanted’ poster of the same woman hiding in the attic. “Recognize her?” he asked gruffly.

Before Andi could reply, her oldest brother, Justin appeared behind the men. 

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“We’re lookin’ for this woman.” He held up the poster. “Ran away from us with her young’un.”

Justin studied the poster with a grim look on his face. “You’re sure she’s yours?”

“You think a man would forget one of his slaves?” the man snapped.

Justin took the poster from the man. “I’ll hold onto this and take it from here.” Upon seeing the distressed look on their faces, he smirked and added, “Don’t worry, I’m a lawyer. And I’ll make sure to see you two in court.”

The startled looks on the men’s faces surprised Andi. They turned and fled down the steps without a second glance back.

Justin shut the door and sat at the table.

“What was that all about, Justin?” Andi had no idea what just happened.

“This woman doesn’t belong to those men.” He pointed to the name of ownership on the paper.

Sean Carper.

“This is the man I’ve been on a case with. About a kidnapped slave.”

Andi’s mouth gaped. “Justin!” She shook his arm. “I know where she is! She’s in our attic!”

“What?” Now Justin’s mouth hung open. 

Andi quickly led him upstairs.

They saw Elizabeth and Melinda soothing the crying woman.

Justin knelt by the woman and spoke a few words which made her face brighter than the sun.

“I am going back home?” she asked.

“Yes. And it’s all because of Andi. She found you.”

Andi’s heart swelled with joy. The woman and her baby would go home where they belonged, and Andi would finally have something to write for her homework!

Andi laughed joyously and said, “I guess we helped each other!”

Blink

 by Patience

Upon opening the attic door, Andi Carter was enveloped in a cloud of dust. Waving her hand around her head, she stepped into the dimly lit area while listening to the pleasant patter of rain on the roof. 

Sometimes on rainy days, Andi decided to go up to the attic and explore. Today was one of those days, and she had barely entered the attic when she spied a beautiful foggy blue crib nestled beside a large crate. The crib’s sweet little quilt was folded inside, and there was writing on the head board. 

“Edwin James Cameron,” blinking, Andi whispered, “who is he?” Andi decided to go find an answer to the mysterious baby’s crib. Surely a name like that would be a memorable one! Rushing down the stairs, Andi collided with her favorite brother, Justin. Before he had time to speak she grabbed his hand. “Hurry and follow me!” she ordered, half dragging him to the attic. 

 Justin’s hat was knocked from his head when they entered the attic, but he did not bother picking it up when she pointed to the elegant little crib. 

The shadow that passed over his eyes made Andi’s heart skip a beat. “Who is Edwin Cameron?” she asked softly, rain nearly drowning out her voice. 

 “Have a seat,” he whispered, almost like it was something sacred, “it is a sad story.” 

 *** 

 I sat in my new law office. I was thrilled to have finally reached this milestone. “Justin,” a jovial voice called. 

 “Alexander Cameron?” I chuckled, standing as I recognized my old college friend. “What are you doing here?” 

 “I heard about your father...I am so sorry. But, I bring wonderful news. For thirteen months we have been apart. Since then, I have become a father.” Alexander looked very happy, proud even. As he described the lady he had married, and now how he had a sweet little boy, I listened with interest. The lad was no older than two months, but it was clear he was Alexander’s pride and joy. 

After a few more minutes of visiting, I decided to accompany Alexander to the hotel where he was staying. Here, I met the sweetest baby boy ever seen. He gurgled and laughed, bringing a smile to each face. “And where are you off to?” I asked, setting Edwin in the hand carved cradle. 

 “Oregon,” Alexander beamed at his wife. “We have a bright future ahead of us there.” 

 “God be with you.” 

 We parted, and for a year I saw nothing of Alexander. Then, on the day you attended school for the first time, he stopped by the ranch. Compared to his old smiling self, Alexander was not half as happy as he had been a year ago. When I asked him what was wrong, he replied, “Justin…I brought this for you.”

 He held out a flour sack. The weight of the parcel communicated what it contained. 

 “But Edwin is still big enough to fit-.” 

I was cut off. “And he shall remain so until the Resurrection. Justin, God gives us gifts to enjoy for a time, but nothing but Jesus lasts forever. Every child in your life is a gift. You watch as they grow, healthy, happy and strong. You hear their first word. You wonder what could destroy your joy. But what God gives, He can also take away. God decides who will be mother and father to whom, but they are all His children, and if He decides to call them home, who are we to stop Him? He blesses us with life, and family…and children. But if we even dare to blink, a second of seeing that face disappears. Just like when time has passed, and they grow into adults, you feel as if you only blinked, and then they are grown.” 

 *** 

 Andi wiped her eyes as she smoothed a wrinkle in the darling baby quilt. Only this morning Mother had been lamenting how quickly all her children had grown. Now Justin was going to be married. 

 “I have never ceased to remember those words Andi,” Justin’s voice was rasping with the emotion he struggled to fight back. A tear glimmered in the corner of his eye. 

 “But…did Alexander have any more children?” Andi whispered softly. 

 “He has five. All of whom are happy and healthy. Yet he still remembers little Edwin. God sometimes gives us things to help our faith in Him grow. The death of Edwin was very sad and Alexander struggled greatly, but both his and my own faith grew from it. He learned to rejoice even when troubles heaped up like in the book of Job. I learned something else.” 

 Breathlessly, Andi waited for Justin to continue. For a moment, he was silent, running his hand along the smooth wood of the cradle. “Andi, we are all going to die. Life is like blinking once in comparison to the gift that Jesus has given us. He died so that we might forever live with Him in His eternal kingdom. Out of His death sprung life. Every second of our lives counts. We never know when or how we shall be called home, but I for one count every breath, every heart beat as a gift from God Himself.” 

 Mother’s voice carried from down stairs, and it sounded like she was calling Andi. 

Standing, Andi accepted Justin’s handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. Before she left, Andi turned. “Why did he give you the cradle?” Andi asked softly. 

 Justin shrugged. For a moment, he listened to her leave. Then, he flipped the cradle over to read: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the Lord’s house forever.” 

The verse resonated through the short life of Edwin Cameron. After pausing for a moment, Justin went out of the attic, and closed the door, knowing that as he blinked back tears, the time was nearing for him to meet his Savior.

Attic Artifacts

 By Kate

“Rain, rain, rain, all it ever does is rain,” Andi whined, knowing it was altogether untrue. Winter was really the only time it ever rained in Fresno, California, excepting of course the small showers accompanying summer thunder storms. Likely the damp, bleak atmosphere of the dull January day was affecting the girl’s usually high spirits.

Taking pity on his woebegone sister, Mitch suggested, “Why don’t you play in the attic?”

“But I was in the attic yester day evening,” shot the short retort.

Having tired of his sister’s pathetic attitude some time ago, Chad remarked, “Then go again, otherwise I can give you a sheet of arithmetic exercises, since it’s Saturday and you have none for school. I recommend you take advantage of the day off, before it is over.”

Although Chad’s “lack of sympathy” ruffled Andi’s feathers, she went meekly up the stair to avoid the threatened arithmetic exercise. Upon crossing the threshold into the top most room of the house, Andi flopped down into a broken rocking chair, and had a good mope. Presently, however, her spirits revived, having caught sight of something blue. She rushed over, but was disappointed to find that it was merely an unraveling knit shawl, and nothing of interest. However, the let down only fueled her enthusiasm to find a real treasure- perhaps even a mystery!

Digging about, she came to a cabinet card*. Why was this here? Mother liked all the cabinet cards of the family to be down stairs in the parlor so that all might see them; this must be a myster- It was an empty one. 

Another burrow produced an old quilt, which she had not looked at before. Having examined it to her fullest content, she unceremoniously flung it to the side and continued to nose about. There was a trunk, she hadn’t opened yet! Rummaging until only her legs were sticking out of the trunk, she studied the books it contained wondering if any might be worth reading. 

“This one seems very old,” she observed, having extracted a volume which was stamped, 1854. “The Lamplighter,” she read the title aloud. “I’ll have to ask mother if it’s any good.”

Suddenly she was bored of the books. Up she flew, then bang! The swift contact between her head and the lid of the trunk made her see stars. She must be more careful, she told herself just as she tripped over a small, heavy box. She landed hard. Frustrated, she stamped her foot, while still sitting on the dusty floor.

“Andrea?” Mother’s voice called, “Are you hurt?”

“No,” Andi shouted back, “Only bruised a bit.”

“Be careful, dearest.”

“Yes ma-am!”

Then Andi spotted it. It was half hidden under a ratty old quilt. Resting where it had probably been set ages ago, sat a sage green cradle, decorated with hand painted forget-me-nots and daisies. In a border of the same flowers, on the side of the cradle was the name ‘Leticia’. Andi was confused; nobody in the family had that name. This was a mystery!

“I must find out who this cradle belongs to. What if it is from a grief stricken aunt, whose child died? If it is then I will be very annoyed that nobody told me about it, and thought me too much of a baby to hear about it.” Andi muttered aloud.

Down the stair she went to confront someone about the matter. First she came across Chad, but before she could even open her mouth, he waved her off with an impatient, “Not now sis, I need to go over these figures again, the finances won’t come out properly.”

Next she met Mitch, but he was busy with Diego, one of the ranch hands. That left Mother and Melinda. A quick peep into the kitchen showed that Mother was unavailable. Melinda was Andi’s only hope. As usual Melinda was found in the midst of some silly “lady-like” occupation.

“Can I talk to you?” Andi asked barging into the room.

“You may talk with me, and please start knocking.” Melinda replied.

“Do you know anything about the sage green cradle in the attic?” That had not gone as planned. Andi had meant to hint, and coax the story out before anyone could keep the story a secret.

“Sage green cradle in the attic?” Melinda repeated.

“Yes.”

 Melinda would not get the better of her this time. “It has forget-me-nots and daisies all over it, and there is the name Leticia, on the side.”

“OOOH! Yes I know just what you are speaking of.” Then to herself, but still audible, “I haven’t thought of that in years.” She went on to explain, “That is my old doll cradle. I had Justin put it up there when I left for San Francisco, to attend Ms. Whitaker’s school. The name Leticia was that of one of my favorite dolls. I had her until you were two, then Chad and Justin got a mischievous turn and played catch with her by the pond. She fell in and sank to the bottom, because she had a porcelain head. Of course I was exceedingly vexed, but I got over it, because by then you were the perfect thing to play with, although you were heaps more ornery than Leticia.”

Both disappointed and glad to have roused Melinda’s memory by her discovery, Andi solemnly walked away. Melinda was waxing sentimental, and Andi was not in the mood for it. Since it was still raining, she resolved to go back upstairs and continue her search for attic artifacts; and perhaps she would find another story.

Author’s Note: *A cabinet card is a flat metal box containing a tintype photograph on either side of its opening lids and can be folded to stand open like a book to display the portraits inside it.

Andi's Attic Discovery

 by Nora H.

Andi desperately gazed out her balcony window, wishing that the rain would stop pouring down on her Sunday dreams. Of course, that wouldn’t help. It would still be wet, meaning she couldn’t go for a ride without risking Taffy’s life. She turned around and groaned at the sight of her bedroom. Mother was going to insist on me cleaning it now that I have free time. I wouldn’t mind cleaning it up a bit, but if Mother expects me to do the attic too, I will never survive to see another day.

    Andrea Carter swung down the stairs banister hoping that she wouldn’t get reprimanded by Louisa. She landed safely and skipped into the dining room. Chad and Melinda were there, already done and taking a minute to chat before they went about the rest of the day. 

“Morning, Andi. I will have the ranch hands do your chores for you that way you don’t have to go out in that weather.” Chad greeted Andi as she sat down in her chair. 

“Golly, thanks Chad! I am bummed about not going for a ride, guess I will just make up for it tomorrow, if this storm doesn’t keep up.” 

Melinda got up, grabbed her dishes and headed to the kitchen. Mother walked in and greeted both of her kids and then said, “Andrea, have you gotten your breakfast yet? You will need the nutrition; you have a couple things to catch up on today.”

 Andi sighed under her breath, I knew it was coming I just hoped it wouldn’t come this early in the morning. “No, Mother. I will go grab my breakfast now. Excuse me.” Andi walked into the kitchen to be engulfed in the delightful smell of Louisa’s cooking. 

“Good morning, miss Andrea! Would you like strawberry jam on your pancakes?” 

Andi blissfully replied with enthusiasm, “Morning Louisa! You just know me too well! Yes, I would love that! Thank you.”

    It took her two whole hours to finish picking up and dusting, but she managed. She was currently wandering around the house trying to find her mother. I am going to just bet that my next chore is cleaning the attic. Andi detested climbing up the wobbling ladder to find old fabrics and anything passed down from her ancestors. She also knew that it might be better if it was actually cleaned.

 “Oh, there you are Mother. I wanted to tell you that I have finished my room. What would you like me to do now?” Andi crossed her fingers and held her breath.

 “My, Andi. Good job. Take a break and then gather the cleaning rags and head up to the attic. I want you to clean and organize everything you can reach. Melinda can touch it up later. Thank you, Andi!” Mother continued with her project after giving her a quick squeeze. 

Less than ten minutes later, Andi found herself in the attic spinning around trying to figure out where in the world to start. She spotted a couple shelves and headed in that direction. Maybe, just maybe, if I finish before dusk, I can go and groom Taffy in the barn. 

That genius thought pushed her forward in hopeful motivation. She moved on to a shelf that had a huge mahogany chest, embroidered in leather, hidden underneath. It was very pretty and eye-catching. Andi had a gut feeling that it might be considered snooping, but she opened it anyway. Inside were a pair of lacey, arm-length gloves. Under that, lay a dusty Bible. Andi gently moved the gloves over and picked up the Bible. She turned the cover and opened up to a family tree page. Andi saw her great-grandparents names all the way down to her name. She saw a faint smear next to Justin Thomas’ name. She adored Justin, and he loved her too. They never hid anything from each other. Come to think of it, he should be due home tomorrow! Yay! Andi never gave a second thought to that smudge.

     Andi was crawling along, wiping the floor planks, when she came upon a rectangle, wooden object. Curiously, she pulled off the sheet that lay on top of it and gave a faint gasp! It was a baby cradle. Her first thought was, who keeps a baby cradle? She was dusting it off when she noticed engravings on the side railing of the cradle. 

Florence.

Never before in her life had she heard the name Florence. Not one person in Frenso had that name. Andi was now sitting, rubbing the name, hoping something would come to her about why she never knew about this. If I never knew then it must not be important. At least I don’t think so…

 Louisa called up the stairs, “Andrea, your dinner is ready! Are you coming or should I keep it warm for you?” 

Andi startled at the voice interrupting her precious thoughts. “Oh my, Louisa! You gave me quite the scare. Don’t worry, I will be on my way shortly.” Louisa headed back to the kitchen and Andi returned to her thoughts. She thoughtlessly covered and moved the cradle back and went to dinner. She ate alone at the kitchen counter. 

Andi didn’t know what to think so she confided to faithful Louisa. “Louisa, if there was something important, my family would have told me, right? Like drastically important?” 

Louisa glanced across the kitchen, “Darling, they wouldn’t, and even if they did, you would find out about it before long.”

That’s just what I am worried about. I think I just stumbled in on a big secret that wasn’t ready for my knowledge. “Okay, thanks Louisa for dinner. I am almost finished in the attic. I shall see you for supper!” Andi tried to walk out of the room without any further questions being asked and was successful. As she walked up the stairs, she could hear Louisa singing a praise hymn from church.

     Justin pulled Thunder’s reins and slid off the saddle. Andi squealed and pounced on him for a bear hug. “Well, howdy there Andi! What has my little sis been up to ‘round here?” 

Andi delightedly filled Justin in about what had happened in the last 2 weeks on Circle C Ranch. “Oh Justin, we need to talk in private about something I found. I haven’t told anyone else about it.” 

Justin had a look of concern and curiosity on his sweaty face. “OK, Andi we can talk after supper when I come say good night. For now, go tell Mother I am home well I put Thunder away.”

 Like he said to do, Andi ran inside and told Mother the news. “Oh, how pleasant. I will be right out to greet him!” Andi found Melinda in the kitchen with Louisa and spread the news around the table. 

The door opened and came Justin, tall and happy. “Hello Mother, Melinda and dear Louisa. How is everyone?” He nodded to everyone he addressed. There were gleeful greetings around the room.

After supper, Andi went into her room and sat down on her bed. Her thoughts swirled around in her mind, how was she going to tell Justin? She got up, changed into her nightgown, and started taking out her long braids. She was twirling her curly hair around her fingers, when Justin came in and sat on her bed. “Well, I’m here now. What did you find?” 

Andi took a deep breath and said, “I was cleaning the attic yesterday when I found a cradle, hidden and very dusty. I wiped it up and then I found an engraved name. Florence. I haven’t ever heard that name before. Have you?” Andi sat down on her bed too. 

Justin looked deep in thought. “No, Andi. I haven’t heard the name before, but I would like to see the cradle. Grab an oil lamp and I will come get you after Mother thinks I am asleep. Thank you, Andi for telling me.” He kissed her on the forehead and walked out, shutting the door behind him.

  Andi woke up later that night when Justin came in to get her. She led the way up the wobbly ladder, barely noticing it anymore. She walked to the far-right corner and kneeled. As soon as he was beside her, Andi pulled the sheet off and ever-so-carefully, brought the cradle out into the lamplight. 

Justin found the name and tried to stifle a gasp, but it didn’t work. 

“Justin, are you OK?” Andi leaned over and hugged him. 

“Andi…” His voice faltered, “I think I do recognize the name, but very vaguely. You haven’t told Mother yet, right?”

“No, I don’t know what I would tell her. I mean she probably knows what it is already.” Andi glanced at him and couldn’t explain what emotion was on his face. It made her regret showing and telling him anything.

Justin got up and dusted himself off, “Thanks, Andi for showing me this. Now let’s go back down and you can head to bed from there.” 

She followed his lead and went back down the ladder. Andi was in her bed, curled up under the covers and not knowing what to think. Justin hadn’t said another word to me. That’s weird. Uh oh. I hope I didn’t ruin his vacation. 

The next day, Andi noticed Justin was quieter than usual. Mother was always a tad bit subdued but seemed sad today. Justin had greeted Andi the way he always does when he is home and had said, “Morning, Andi! How are you feeling today?” He swung her around and gave her a hug. 

“Oh Justin! I am fine, but are you OK? I hope I didn’t ruin your time off.” 

Justin looked at her and said, “I am fine, too. Don’t worry about me. Would you like to go on a trail ride with me later this afternoon?” 

Andi was thrilled at the prospect, “Shucks, where would we go?” 

All Andi got was a smile and a promise of surprise.

**********

Taffy and Thunder were walking side-by-side, catching their breath, after a good lope. Justin said it was less than 5 minutes to the mysterious destination. Andi never rode in this direction, no one said she couldn’t, she just didn’t care to. Andi looked up to see them approaching a rusty, iron gate. They dismounted and tied their horses to the hitching post. Andi took a deep breath and walked after Justin. He took off his hat and pushed open the gate. He held it open for her and then started down the row of headstones. Andi realized just then that they were in a cemetery. She yanked her hat off and smoothed down her hair. Justin stopped short just in front of her and bowed his head.

James Carter 1822-1874

Beloved Father, Husband and Brother

Andi saw tears forming in his eyes and at once wanted to cry herself.  Justin pointed to a small gravestone a little farther back and to the right of their Father’s grave. On it read this:

Florence Joy Carter 1852-1852, Twin and Daughter. Died of Scarlet Fever.

Andi gave a horrified gasp and sank to the ground. She started sobbing uncontrollably. Justin held her and rocked her while tears silently slid down his face. After some time, Andi regained composure and asked the question, “Why weren’t we told? You had a twin, Justin! Did you know that?” 

Justin looked down at her, “Honey, I can’t believe that Mother and Father never told us but…I don’t know anymore. I guess we better talk to Mother about this.”

A long, quiet ride later, Andi was in the sitting room with Justin and Mother. 

Oh, good Lord, be near to me now. Mother asked, “What’s wrong Justin? You look as if you were crying, Andi?” 

Andi sank into the sofa beside Justin and listened as he told her what had happened in the last 24 hours. “Andi found a cradle in the attic with an engraved name.” He paused to look at Mother. “Mother, she told me last night and I went with her to look at it…Florence. I vaguely remembered that name.  We rode down to the cemetery earlier and found her headstone.” 

Justin stopped because Mother was crying. She stopped to say a couple words, “Andi, Justin…Oh, dear Lord. Justin, we were expecting just one baby, but when you came out after her, we were shocked. And happy. Florence was just adorable, she never cried, not even when she got the fever. She just went in complete peace. Your father loved her, he loved you too, Justin, but she was his little angel. I think that is one of the reasons that the accident happened. He was thinking of her…Oh!” 

Justin got up and hugged her, Andi followed him. 

Sitting at supper that evening, everyone had a sense of bittersweet relief. Andi was glad that there were no more secrets. She was happy that Mother could be at peace now. Supper was a quiet event, but everyone was fine with their own thoughts for company. Andi was ready for bed and curled up under her blanket when Justin and Mother came and tucked her in and prayed with her. She knew that she was safe and secure with her amazing family. Then she prayed:

Dear God,

Thank you for blessing me with a family, a roof over my head and plentiful opportunities. I have been blessed to be raised in a Christan family, to know what is right and wrong. Thank you for Mother and Father. I pray that you give peace to their souls and healing to their heart.

Jeremiah 33:6

‘Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.’