Free SummerHill Secrets, Volume 2 by Beverly Lewis Page A

could fall for something like that?” I asked, afraid to hear his answer.
    “Didn’t Chelsea say that her mom has always been intrigued by the mystical?”
    I grimaced, remembering how Mrs. Davis was obsessed by astrology—especially reading her horoscope and forecasting her future. “I’ll pray she comes to her senses.” I got out of the car, heading for the kitchen door. I hoped Chelsea’s mom would be found soon.
    My cats were waiting inside. “Hello, babies,” I cooed, scooping up Lily White. Then I turned to Dad as he came in. “Thanks for helping Chelsea and me today.”
    He nodded. “I only wish you had told your mother and me right away, when you first heard about Mrs. Davis.” He lifted the lid on the strawberry-shaped cookie jar and reached in, pulling out two homemade chocolate chip cookies.
    I truly hoped getting Dad and Officer Vyner involved might speed up the process of locating Chelsea’s mom. I hoped it with everything in me.

Chapter
15
    “Want some Kitty Kisses?” I asked my feline foursome. Abednego, the self-appointed spokescat for the group, licked his chops.
    “Okay, that settles it—liver and tuna crunchies coming up.” I pinched my nose shut with one hand and reached into the box with the other. “Chow time!” I divvied up the smelly, heart-shaped cat snacks.
    That done, I washed my hands and headed out front to get the mail. There was a fat pile waiting, and without glancing through any of it, I hurried into the house.
    “Mail call,” I said, putting the stack of letters and bills on the corner table in the wide entryway.
    Mom emerged from her sewing room looking dazed. She often appeared rather intense when she was designing a pattern for a new outfit. I told her briefly about Chelsea’s nightmare and what had transpired in the last several days.
    “Merry, honey,” she said, pulling on her hair. “You should’ve told us. Something like this…you shouldn’t have carried the burden all alone.”
    I knew she would say something like that. “It’s okay, I guess. I usually learn the hard way.”
    She was relieved to know Dad had been up to see the Davis family. “We certainly must follow up on them. Chelsea and her father will need all the emotional support they can get. Plenty of prayer, too.”
    We talked for a while longer, and then I excused myself to go to my room.
    I was approaching the top of the long front staircase when Mom called to me. “Merry! I think you’ll be very interested in this.” She waved a white envelope.
    “Is it from Levi?” I asked.
    There was a surprising smile on her face. “Looks as though he wrote a scripture on the back of the envelope.”
    I flew back down the steps. “Levi loves studying the Bible. He’ll make a great preacher someday.” I snatched up the letter and darted up the steps, taking two at a time.
    Shadrach and Meshach must’ve taken my galloping as an invitation to follow. Here they came, tearing up the stairs and down the hallway.
    “Hurry up, little boys,” I said, waiting for them before closing my door.
    Ah, privacy. After the hectic, emotional events of yesterday and today, I was more than happy to pack away my camera and settle down with a long letter from Levi Zook. Four handwritten pages!
    My dear Merry,
    For such a long time, I have been wanting to write to you. Many wonderful-gut things are happening to me here in Virginia. I am excited to be learning how to write and spell better. My English is improving, too, which I am thankful for. Also, the way I am understanding the Scriptures more and more urges me to get out and preach the Gospel as soon as possible.
    How are you doing, Merry? Do you enjoy your new position this year at your high school?
    I chuckled as I read the last sentence. Levi hadn’t remembered to call me a sophomore. Since Amish young people only attended school through the eighth grade, they didn’t have to bother with class names like we English did in public school.
    I eagerly read