Tears spilled down Sybil’s cheeks as she considered the possibility. Could Beverly and Marge be right? Could this strange, practical proposal actually be the answer to prayers she’d never dared to voice?
“I need to think about it,” she said finally.
“Of course, you do,” Beverly agreed. “But don’t take too long. Opportunities like this don’t come twice.”
As Sybil sat staring into the fire, one thing became crystal clear: whatever choice she made would change everything. The only question was whether she dared to choose hope over fear.
For herself. For the children. And perhaps, just perhaps, for the future she’d never allowed herself to imagine.
Chapter Six
“Idon’t think we should be doing this, Rosalie.”
Fifteen-year-old Leah Rothburn stood at the edge of the lake in her nightgown, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared at the large rocks jutting out into the dark water. Dawn was just breaking over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, but the water still looked forbiddingly cold.
“Don’t be such a ninny,” Rosalie called from where she stood balanced on the farthest rock, her own nightgown dripping wet and clinging to her legs. “It’s perfectly safe. I’ve done it dozens of times.”
“That doesn’t make it a good idea,” Leah muttered, but she was already hiking up her hem and wading into the shallows.
Twelve-year-old Melanie bounced on her toes with excitement, her dark curls wild from sleep. “Show us again, Rosalie! Show us how you did that turn in the air!”
“It’s called a somersault, you goose,” Rosalie laughed, shaking water from her hair. “And it’s not that difficult once you know the trick. Watch!”
She backed up several steps on the flat surface of the rock then ran forward and launched herself into the air, tucking her knees to her chest before straightening out to land in the water with a tremendous splash.
“Magnificent!” Melanie clapped her hands together. “I want to try!”
“Melanie, you can barely swim properly yet,” Leah protested though she was already making her way carefully across the first few rocks. “What if you hit your head? What if you can’t get back to the surface?”
“Then you’ll fish me out,” Melanie said with the supreme confidence of a child who’d never truly been in danger. “Won’t you, Leah?”
That’s exactly the problem,Leah thought, but she didn’t voice her concerns. Rosalie would just call her a coward again, and Melanie would pout for the rest of the day.
Sometimes, being the middle sister was absolutely miserable.
“The water’s not that deep,” Rosalie said, swimming back to the rocks with easy strokes. “And I checked for rocks underneath yesterday. It’s perfectly safe.”
“You checked yesterday?” Leah paused halfway across a particularly slippery stone. “You mean you’ve been planning this? Your arm just healed!”
“Of course, I’ve been planning this.” Rosalie hauled herself back onto the rocks, water streaming from her sodden nightgown. “And yes, this is the perfect time to do this when I’m healed. Do you think I’m completely reckless?”
Yes,Leah thought, but didn’t say.I think you’re exactly like Mother, and that terrifies me.
She’d been too young when their mother died to remember much, but she remembered the arguments. The way Papa’s voice would get that tight, controlled tone when Mama suggested some new adventure. The way Mama would laugh and call him stuffy then do whatever she’d wanted anyway.
Is that what we’re doing? Becoming like her?
“Come on, Leah!” Melanie had somehow managed to reach the second rock without falling in though she was wobbling precariously. “Don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud!”
“I’m not a stick-in-the-mud,” Leah protested though she was beginning to think she was the only one with any sense. “I’m being careful.”
“Careful is boring,” Rosalie declared, wringing out her hair. “Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? We get wet? We’re already wet!”
The worst that could happen is we drown,Leah thought grimly.Or break our necks. Or Papa finds out and sends us all to a convent.
But she continued making her way across the rocks anyway because the alternative was standing alone on the shore while her sisters had all the fun.
“Now, the key is to jump with confidence,” Rosalie was instructing Melanie, who had somehow managed to reach the jumping rock despite her questionable swimming abilities. “Don’t hesitate, don’t second-guess yourself. Just run and leap.”
