Read Online Heathersleigh Homecoming by Michael Phillips - Free Book Online Page A

reality of seeing them so quiet, so white, so solemn, so powerful—and so close she could almost reach out and touch them!
    Two or three women were outside working and walking about. Amanda watched for several minutes, beginning to wonder what kind of place she had landed in.
    Slowly she dressed with the clothes that had been given her the night before and put on a shawl, a deepening sense of wonder stealing over her, reflecting back on last evening’s arrival. Dusk had descended as they rode by wagon the last thirty minutes up a steep, winding road.If the mountains had been visible as they went, she had not noticed them. After their arrival she met several women whose names she had already forgotten. It quickly became a blur . . . the light meal, the kindly reception, the hot bath, the fresh warmed nightgown, and finally losing herself in the depths of the wonderful bed.
    Not sure what to expect, she left the room and timidly went downstairs.
    â€œGood morning, Amanda!” sounded Gretchen Reinhardt’s voice.
    Amanda turned to see her new friend from yesterday approaching from the large fireplace.
    â€œDid you sleep well?”
    â€œYes . . . yes, actually I slept very well,” replied Amanda. “I feel like I slept through half the morning.”
    â€œNot quite,” laughed Gretchen. “It is only a little after eight. Are you ready for some breakfast?”
    â€œThat sounds good—thank you.”
    The woman who had befriended her in Milan led her across the expansive room into the adjoining kitchen area where heat from the cookstove turned the kitchen into an oasis of warmth in the middle of the chilly morning. Another woman was working at the bread counter kneading a large batch of dark brown dough.
    â€œYou remember Sister Hope,” said Gretchen.
    â€œOh . . . yes—hello,” said Amanda.
    â€œGood morning, Amanda,” replied the other, turning to face them. “We are delighted to have you with us. Let me welcome you again. You looked so tired last night, I doubt you remember much of what was said.”
    The friendly woman cast Amanda a warm smile that seemed to come from her very heart. She was an inch or two taller than Gretchen and several years older. Her thick black hair, tending somewhat to disorder simply from its mass and quantity, was now about half grey and fell loosely from her head almost to the shoulders. The somewhat long face framed by it was accented by pronounced high cheekbones and a solid, angular chin. Overall it was a look of strength, though the eyes of dark grey hinted at reservoirs of sadness which might be capable of overflowing in tears. The smile, however, dominated the rest of the face’s features, radiating the joy that comes from having encountered life’s hardships and emerged a victor in the contest. One able to perceive beauty in age might have called herlook graceful, perhaps even stately, though not brought about by earthly circumstance. A few wrinkles graced the edges of eyes and mouth, adding a luster of maturity to the overall countenance. Her frame, though not bulging, was solid, even rugged, and was clearly acquainted with hard work.
    She approached. “Excuse my hands—I’ll try not to get flour on you.” She embraced Amanda in a warm hug, energetic yet gentle.
    â€œSit down, Amanda,” said Gretchen. “Would you like some tea?”
    â€œYes, please . . . thank you.”
    Several minutes later the two who called each other Sister Gretchen and Sister Hope sat down with Amanda at the large table. In their midst had been set several platters containing all the thick brown bread any of them could possibly eat, fresh butter and cream, cheeses and jams, some crackers, a variety of sliced meats, a large bowl of yogurt, with a steaming pot of tea and soft-boiled eggs on their way.
    Amanda ate more than she would have thought possible and drank three cups of