The Photograph (32 page)

T
HIS
PARTICULAR
STORY
is sweet to my writer-heart for many reasons. I admit to being drawn to the Amish farmland around which I grew up, and the return to the setting of Eden Valley from
The River
—and the glimpses of Tilly Lantz Barrows and her growing family—are a result of my desire to step back into this rural area not far from my own childhood home. It was there that my sister and I read
Little Women
and acted out plays, just as the four celebrated March sisters did. I share Eva's love for that classic novel, as well as her yearning for a love that makes her heart sing.

Speaking of love, I am grateful to my own dear husband for his superb help with the first edit of the initial manuscript, as well as the appetizing breakfasts and lunches he so cheerfully makes when I'm on deadline. A thousand thanks and more, Dave!

To my faithful prayer partners—Jim and Ann Parrish, David and Janet Buchwalter, Aleta Hirschberg, Iris Jones, Donna DeFor, Judy Verhage, Amy Green, and my immediate family: God bless you abundantly for your care and faithfulness.

To my astute and very supportive editors—David Horton, Rochelle Glöege, Ann Parrish, and Helen Motter: I am in awe of your expertise, encouragement, and the way you seek to enhance my work.

To my research assistants, fact-checkers, and proofreaders—Hank and Ruth Hershberger, Fred Jones, Barbara Birch, Dave Lewis, Rhonda Abbott, Teresa Lang-Tsingine, Jolene Steffer, Cheri Hanson, and dozens of Amish and Mennonite readers and consultants: You continue to play such a vital role. Thank you!

To my lovely readers: Thanks for your cheery cards, gifts, emails, snail mail, and Facebook posts and messages. You are the dearest reader-friends ever!

Also, I am indebted to the writings of Louisa May Alcott, whose endearing letters and journals I have read and relished for decades, along with her renowned novel
Little Women
.

Researching my stories is part of the fun of writing, and while I strive for accuracy, sometimes it is necessary to fictionalize certain details. For the sake of this story, I devised a common passenger coach between Alliance, Ohio, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After all, Jed needed somewhere to discover that intriguing photograph!

My magnificent Eskimo spitz, Maxie, makes his debut in this story, brought to life again on the page as a reminder of happy childhood days in Lancaster County. And one of my favorite sweets is here too—peanut butter balls like Eva's own.

As I close this note, I think again of Dottie Esch's instruction to young Lily. May we all remember that the footprints made on life's journey can either lead others astray or lead them aright. Thankfully God is ever near to guide when we ask.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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

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

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

The Photograph

The Love Letters

The River

H
OME
TO
H
ICKORY
H
OLLOW

The Fiddler

The Bridesmaid

The Guardian

The Secret Keeper

The Last Bride

T
HE
R
OSE
T
RILOGY

The Thorn • The Judgment The Mercy

A
BRAM
'
S
D
AUGHTERS

The Covenant • The Betrayal The Sacrifice

The Prodigal • The Revelation

T
HE
H
ERITAGE
OF
L
ANCASTER
C
OUNTY

The Shunning • The Confession The Reckoning

A
NNIE
'
S
P
EOPLE

The Preacher's Daughter The Englisher • The Brethren

T
HE
C
OURTSHIP
OF
N
ELLIE
F
ISHER

The Parting • The Forbidden The Longing

S
EASONS
OF
G
RACE

The Secret • The Missing The Telling

The Postcard • The Crossroad

The Redemption of Sarah Cain

Sanctuary
(with David Lewis)

Child of Mine
(with David
Lewis)

The Sunroom • October Song

Amish Prayers

The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

www.beverlylewis.com

Resources:
bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

Website:
www.bethanyhouse.com

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