Rebekah's Refuge Read online

  Rebekah grinned at the excited voices surrounding her and raised her hand in a wave.

  “Now, now.” Martha’s voice soared above the excited squeals. “Give the ladies some breathing room.” She approached Rebekah and Tabitha, a broad smile on her face and a picnic basket in her hands. “Compliments of Frederick,” she said. “Laura brought it over.” She laughed.

  “And how are Laura and Frederick doing?” Tabitha asked.

  “Oh, they’re wonderful,” Martha said happily. “The hospital is doing well, as is the drugstore.”

  “And, I suppose they’re doing well also?” There was a mischievous smile in Tabitha’s voice.

  “Yes, indeed.” Martha laughed. “I expect to hear good news any day now.”

  “Egaphia be praised,” Tabitha said.

  Rebekah smiled herself. So many changes had occurred over the years. The happiest news was that Frederick and Laura were expecting their first child. A birth announcement was expected soon.

  Charles had died a year after his imprisonment. He had made certain that all his remaining money went toward the construction of a hospital on his grounds. He had named the hospital Rebekah’s Refuge. The norns’ creations could be made into medicines to help patients. Some illnesses were curable, and others were not, but all the medicines served worthy purposes.

  Doris still lived. She had been sent to the norn sanctuary in Wickson, where she was closely monitored. It was said that she had begun to heal, but she would never be allowed to return to Plumvale.

  Over the years, Rebekah had come to realize the true identity of her mother. She often thought of Doris's pain-wracked face, of the way she had refused to clasp her daughter's hand. Rebekah knew that one day, she would travel to the norn's refuge in Wickson. She did not know if Doris would consent to see her, but she could only hope that Egaphia would guide her steps. Perhaps one day, Doris would learn to listen once more.

  “Please, miss. Please, won’t you create for us?” The children crowded around Rebekah, their voices bright and expectant. Rebekah grinned and removed the hat that adorned her head. She began to sing, and her hair responded. The joy of creation surged within her, and Rebekah’s song soared as the children, Martha and Mother joined in.

  Grow, grow, Egaphia waits

  For flowers of love that we shall create.

  Spread, spread throughout the land,

  Bringing life and joy that is grand.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Meredith Leigh Burton was born on July 4, 1983. As a result of a premature birth, she was placed under oxygen to develop her lungs. The three month's exposure to the oxygen led to the development of retinopathy of prematurity. Meredith attended the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville, where she enjoyed choir, theater classes, and participating on the forensics team. After high school, Meredith attended Middle Tennessee State University where she received her Bachelors' of Arts Degree in English and theater. She is a certified English teacher for grades 7-12.

  Meredith loves assisting with church activities, spending time with family and friends, and reading any book she can get her hands on. She is a chocoholic and Mexican food fanatic. She has always devoured allegorical books, and was first introduced to the fantasy genre by a teacher who whetted her appetite by taking her to the Narnia books in the elementary school library. "The kids in these stories go to another world," the teacher whispered enticingly. That was just the hook Meredith needed. Her favorite fiction book is To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and her favorite nonfiction book is The Holy Bible. Meredith lives in Lynchburg, Tennessee with her parents and an adorable tabby cat named Simba. She has two precious nieces, Aliya Davine and Tristyn Layla.

  Also by Meredith Leigh Burton

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