Labor of the Heart 

 Embarkation day. Katerina's hands and fingers seemed filled with mischief.

She fumed as they persisted in producing uneven braids and crushed ribbons.

When they dropped articles of clothing and brushed items off of the berth, she wanted to scream. Mama's darting. questioning looks caused further confusion inside her. At last, with tears threatening, Katerina left the cabin with Francisco in tow. Papa brought up the rear and bid the captain ciao as they reached the gangplank.

    Katerina searched for Clemente and his family, then heard the captain say that the Zanonnas were the last passengers to depart. Her countenance fell and she stumbled onto the dock. An official motioned toward a long queue and a barrage of incomprehensible languages assaulted her ears. She licked at the salty drops sliding into the corner of her mouth. Benvenuta in America. (322 pages)

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LABOR OF LOVE

    As he stepped into the bright sunlight, he heard Mr. Long's voice. "Nessa did you finish dusting?"

     "Hey Sam, need some help?"

     Sam squinted up as Hank Moran, his friend and neighboring homesteader, stopped by his horse at the rail.

     "Howdy Hank. I'll manage." Sam dumped his purchases into two gunny sacks and tied them behind Gallatin's second-hand saddle.

     "You all right Sam? You look like you jest found a pot of gold, and I don't figure they have that for sale in there."

     " I just saw the girl I'm going to marry." He pursed his lips and bobbed his head in affirmation.

     They glanced toward the general store at the creak of the screen door opening. The young girl with the black hair and blue eyes stood in the open doorway staring at them.

     "That kid?"

     "She'll grow up." (274 pages)

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AMANDA AND RORY'S FAVORITE RECIPES

Rory’s Brunch Burritos

Fry bacon crisp. Drain on paper towel. Chop or grate vegetables. Beat eggs, slightly. Crumble bacon. Beat in remaining ingredients, except tortillas. Drain excess fat from skillet and heat on medium. Add egg mixture all at once. Cook slowly. Stir occasionally, using spatula and up and over motion until set. Meanwhile warm tortillas in 200E oven one to two min. Fill each tortilla with ½ cup egg mixture. Roll and serve. Serves 4, with extra eggs for seconds to serve with toast.

Amanda said: "Rory often fixes these on Sunday morning, allowing me an extra half hour of sleep. Lovely."

"The early morning has gold in its mouth." Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

(111 pages)

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AMANDA AND RORY

The organist began The Wedding March from Lohengrin and Rory looked up as the audience stood and turned toward the rear of the sanctuary. There she is! He held his breath and his heart beat faster. She's beautiful in that lacy dress, but the veil covers her face. I wish I could see her better. A bizarre thought struck him. What if it isn't Amanda, like Jacob and Leah in the Bible? He chuckled softly and out of the corner of an eye, saw David frown. She's walking so slowly. come on, Amanda, let's get this over with! (378 pages)

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AMANDA'S NEW SONG

Amanda adjusted her seatbelt, leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes as the plane lifted into the air. Her thoughts were chaotic, tumbling over each other, rushing to be paramount in her usually orderly mind. "You promised never... What about the children?" Lord I can't go through this again. She brushed her hand across her brow as if to wipe away all remembrance of the last two months and opened her eyes. I will not look back; I am leaving nothing behind me, she promised herself, silently.(218 pages)

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