Hope Rekindled by Tracie Peterson Page A

good friends. She didn’t want to be sad or troubled, for Easter was a time of renewal and hope. Pastor Shattuck had spoken to them about the Lord’s resurrection in terms of a new birth. Coming from the tomb was much like a babe being born, he had said. Jesus overcame death to be reborn into glory. She liked that thought—liked, too, that Pastor Shattuck said each of them were also reborn into eternal life when they accepted Jesus as their Savior.
    “Eternity starts when you ask Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your heart. What a lovely thought.” She hadn’t meant to speak aloud and looked up, rather startled. “Sorry, I was just thinking back on the sermon.”
    Pastor Shattuck smiled. “So many folks think that eternity is something they are waiting for, and while heaven is yet to come, eternal life is found in Jesus and our accepting of Him.”
    “I agree,” Arjan declared. “I look forward to heaven one day, but until that time I need to remember that God has given me a life right here—that I need to live it for Him.”
    “Exactly,” Deborah agreed. “Live for and with Him eternally. It’s a very pleasant thought.”
    “It helps us not to miss out on the blessings He has for us,” the pastor added.
    Deborah smiled and nodded. “Yes. I very much appreciated your pointing that out. It made me more mindful of not only my behavior, but of the very gift God has given in salvation.”
    “Makes me feel so safe,” Mother said. “So cared for.”
    “Amen,” Sissy said. “I’s also so grateful you allowed us black folk to come and share Easter service.”
    “Miz Jackson, there is coming a day when folks of all colors will sit side by side in church and elsewhere,” Pastor Shattuck replied. “I very much look forward to that day.”
    “So, Mr. Perkins, tell us about the new mill,” G.W. interjected.
    Zed leaned back in the chair. “I don’t know all that much myself. My partners don’t seem to think it necessary to keep me apprised. I don’t know if they plan to rebuild on the old site or somewhere new.”
    “How soon do you think you’ll need logs brought in?” Arjan asked.
    “I can’t rightly say. I was surprised to hear that Mr. Albright and Mr. Longstreet plan to bring in finished lumber from other towns. I kind of figured we’d set up an outside mill like the old days and process enough of our own lumber to build, but they wanted no part of that. I’m not exactly sure when they’ll expect a delivery of logs.”
    Arjan seemed perplexed. “But it would be less expense to process your own logs.”
    G.W. frowned. “Sounds like more of Albright’s games.”
    “That it does,” Mr. Perkins replied. “I figure it’s his way of holdin’ all the cards.”
    “If they just get the mill up and running again,” Mother said, “it will be such a benefit to everyone. I cannot imagine Mr. Albright can go on losing money like he has and not suffer.”
    “Stuart has more than enough money. His desire to have his revenge is worth whatever price he has to pay,” Lizzie stated.
    “Hopefully the man will tire of his games,” Pastor Shattuck said. “We will pray it is so and that our little community can be restored.”
    “Have you heard lately from Dr. Kelleher?” Mara asked Deborah.
    “No, I’m afraid I only had the one telegram that let me know he’d arrived safely.”
    “Oh, I feel like ten kinds of fool,” Zed said, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket. “This came for you late on Good Friday. I was rather surprised to see it. Just so happened I was dealin’ with some old railroad papers and happened to be in the office.”
    He handed the telegram to Deborah and smiled. “It’s from the doc.”
    She glanced at the brief note. “He’s headed back.” Her smile broadened. “He sent this just as he was leaving Kansas City.”
    “What does it say?” her mother asked.
    “Hardly more than what I said.” Deborah passed the telegram to Sissy, who handed it to