The rural setting of Brownstown, Pennsylvania, is a reminder of some of my happiest childhood memories. It is the blissful location of my uncle Amos and aunt Anna Jane Buchwalter’s home, where they raised their four children. Their large white clapboard house was situated within yards of the picturesque stone Brownstown Mill, built in 1856 as a lumber mill, though it later served as a grist mill and woolen mill, owned by DeSager, before being renovated into offices and boutiques. Presently it is a private residence. And the topping on my research came when Sarah Hartman Shanely, a fan of my books, contacted me to say that she had grown up in the mill after her parents purchased it in 1994. What a small world! I’m so pleased at Sarah’s eagerness to answer questions about her beautiful childhood home.
My sister and I and our cousins looked forward to exploring this area, especially near Conestoga Creek and the one-lane bridge not far from the historic mill, where we tossed pebbles into the water below like Small Jay Bitner in this book. We also ice-skated on that creek during the winter, and fished and played in it—often up to our waists—in the good old summertime.
Buchwalter family gatherings were held in the three-story house surrounded by Amish and Mennonite farmland, the familiar clip-clop of driving horses hitched to buggies regularly coming from the road in the predawn hours on visiting and Preaching Sundays.
As occasionally happens, the splendid setting presented itself to me first, eventually giving way to three cherished story threads for this novel, as well as a cast of endearing characters. Marlena Wenger, however, had been in my heart for some years, waiting her turn as one of my gracious leading ladies. I sometimes think Marlena is, perhaps, one of the most tenderhearted protagonists I’ve written to date. Perhaps you agree.
As is always true, there are a host of remarkable people who helped to bring this book to its completion. They are the following: David Horton, my fine acquisitions editor and wonderful friend, who was keenly interested in this storyline from the outset; Rochelle Glöege, my brilliant line editor, who partnered with me in delving into medical treatment for mental disorders in the ’60s (which was woefully lacking!); Aleta Hirschberg, Nan Best, Sarah Shanely, Dale and Naomi Hartman, and David Buchwalter, for period research; Dale Birch and Dave Lewis, for relevant aspects of the Vietnam war; and Erik Wesner, for helpful input into Amish settlements near Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. (Don’t miss Erik’s new book, 50 Fascinating Amish Facts.)
I’m grateful to my husband, David Lewis, for his brainstorming help (so fun!), double-checking Plain facts and tradition, and reading the hundreds of pages of rough drafts; our granddaughter Ariel for suggesting the name Anderson for Gordon’s father; Jim and Ann Parrish, Donna De For, Noelle Buss, and many other prayer partners for consistent and faithful devotion to prayer; Steve Oates for driving me all over Mifflinburg during the fall 2014 book tour; and Amy Green, my adventuresome publicist, who reminded me on a sunny September afternoon how daring it is to wade across Conestoga Creek.
Many thanks also to Hank and Ruth Hershberger for answering Amish-related questions and offering correct Deitsch spellings; Barbara Birch for expert proofreading and always warm encouragement; and to my numerous cheerful and cooperative Amish and Mennonite friends and relatives, who read my drafts but choose to remain behind the scenes.
Finally, abundant thanks to you, my devoted and caring readers. You are so very dear to my heart, and I am sincerely appreciative of your interest in my work.
Soli Deo Gloria!