A Shining Light Read Free Page B

pointed to a herd of cows grazing in a distant pasture. “Are those some of my grandpa’s cows?”
    â€œNo. We have a ways to go before we’ll get to Grandpa’s farm. Why don’t you rest your head on my shoulder and try to sleep.”
    â€œThere’s too much to see, Mama. I don’t want to sleep.”
    As I looked out over the rolling hills and vast farmlands that spread around us like a patchwork quilt, I tried to imagine seeing this countryside for the first time. Little wonder Lukas found the unfolding scene fascinating. For all of his young life, his view had been restricted to tenement housing and an occasional walk to the wharf, where he’d wave good-bye to his father when his vessel would set sail. A while later, weariness won out and he finally nestled against me and fell asleep.
    Leaning forward, I squinted and pointed in the distance. “Turn to the left at the fork in the road. It won’t be much farther once we turn.”
    A mixture of excitement and dread knotted in my stomach. My parents had been opposed to Fred’s decision to leave Iowa, and my father had tried his best to convince him we should remain on the farm. He’d likely be quick to point out the folly of Fred’s choice. There hadn’t been many letters back and forth, but I hoped my appearance with Lukas would heal any scars in our damaged relationship.
    We’d traveled for less than an hour when I straightened myshoulders and peered to the left. “There! That’s the farm up ahead.” I leaned forward to gain a better view. Confusion took hold and I raised my hand to block the sun from my eyes. Why couldn’t I see the house? Had we taken a wrong turn? Surely I hadn’t been gone so long that I’d forgotten my way home.
    As the wagon drew near, I let out a gasp and clutched a hand to my chest. In the distance, my gaze settled on what had once been my family’s home. Now only ashes and a sandstone foundation remained.

Chapter 2
    A perplexed look shadowed the driver’s face. “You sure this is the right place, ma’am?”
    An unexpected tightness squeezed my throat and stifled my response. I could manage no more than a faint nod.
    He shifted on the wagon seat and faced me. “You want me to put the baggage in that barn over there? Looks like it might be the best place, since . . .” His voice faded on the breeze. He held tight to the reins with one hand and gestured toward the remnants of the house with the other.
    Hoping to rid myself of the lump that had lodged in my throat, I massaged my neck for a moment. “The barn will be fine, thank you.” Had that croaking response come from my lips? I needed to regain my composure, or Lukas would become frightened.
    The driver slapped the reins against the horses’ backsides, and they slowly trod across the rough, overgrown quarter milethat lay between the house and barn. I’d never seen the place in such a state of disrepair and wondered how long it had been since the fire.
    Had my father simply given up and moved into town? Surely not. He’d never been a quitter. This farm had always been his life. Yet he was nowhere in sight, and it didn’t appear that any of his fields had been plowed for spring planting. Perhaps it had been too cold and he was waiting for the arrival of warmer weather before turning the ground.
    I shifted toward the wagon driver. “Have you heard anyone speak of Johann Neumann or a fire? Someone in Marengo must have mentioned something about this. I realize we’re out a good distance from Marengo, but I know word travels in these parts.”
    â€œI ain’t heard nothing that I can recollect, but since I don’t know folks around here, the news kind of goes in one ear and out the other.” He pointed to one of his oversized ears and grinned.
    In one respect, I understood his response. Much of the gossip that had swirled throughout