Peace in Yona Valley

By Ellen Gillette

Out beyond ideas of right-doing and wrongdoing there is a field. I will meet you there."

-Rumi (13th century poet)

What is the right thing to do for Ruby Calve

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen It Publications
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781639844968

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Peace in Yona Valley

Book Three in the Yona Valley Romance Series

by Ellen Gillette

Also by Ellen Gillette in the Pen It Publications catalog:

She-Bear in the Beautiful Garden

Baaad Sheep – When God’s People Let You Down

For Such a Time

Love in Yona Valley

Joy in Yona Valley

Peace in Yona Valley by Ellen Gillette

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, without the express and prior permission in writing of Pen It Publications. This book may not be circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is currently published.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights are reserved. Pen It Publications does not grant you rights to resell or distribute this book without prior written consent of both Pen It Publications and the copyright owner of this book. This book must not be copied, transferred, sold or distributed in any way.

Disclaimer: Neither Pen It Publications, or our authors will be responsible for repercussions to anyone who utilizes the subject of this book for illegal, immoral or unethical use.

This is a work of fiction. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect that of the publisher.

This book or part thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise-without prior written consent of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Published by Pen It Publications in the U.S.A.

713-526-3989

www.penitpublications.com

ISBN: 978-1-63984-496-8

Edited by Jen Selinsky

For Caleb

Note from the Author

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. While some locations are real, others are made up. Resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental, but the author sincerely hopes all of us learn to trust God with every detail of our lives, including love.

Acknowledgments

Any book travels through a convoluted and circuitous journey of drafts, edits, rewrites, and proofing—accompanied by pauses in inspiration, gnashing of teeth, pulling of hair (metaphorically at least), and interruptions of one’s sleep. This one was no exception.

I wouldn’t have found Pen It Publications without first finding Blushing Books, who published my Emily Sharpe series in a decidedly different genre. And I wouldn’t have found Blushing Books without the encouragement of my writers’ group, Use Your Words. Pre-COVID, we met at the Inner Truth Project in Port St. Lucie, Florida, an organization that helps survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. I encourage you to look them up online (https://innertruthproject.org/). Now meeting via Zoom, the group continues to have a blast pursuing the strange craft of putting words together in a way others will enjoy.

My family has learned to ignore me when I shut the door to my office, only disturbing Nana for a hug (always welcome) or tend to an emergency. (Sometimes, needing a hug is an emergency.) First readers Debra Terrio and Wendy Dwyer provided valuable insight for this series. My sister, Rebecca Burgess, is a true balcony person for me, cheering me on my way in life. Mikey Lynch helped me create a website, ellenandemily.com which is still undergoing tweaks. My editor, Jen Selinsky, worked patiently with me. Thank you all.

God truly does work all things together for our good and for his purposes. If you happened upon Peace in Yona Valley before Love in Yona Valley and Joy in Yona Valley, perhaps you’d like to read those, as well. Love, joy, peace—key elements of the kingdom of God.

Grace and peace,

Ellen Gillette

Fort Pierce, Florida

Chapters

Chapter One: A Beautiful Place

Chapter Two: A Despicable Plan

Chapter Three: God Laughs

Chapter Four: A Shock to the System

Chapter Five: God’s Plan

Chapter Six: Intended for Harm

Chapter Seven: A Stranger in the Home

Chapter Eight: Memory Returns

Chapter Nine: Homecomings

Chapter Ten: Signs of Hope

Chapter Eleven: The Past and Future Collide

Chapter Twelve: Unexpected

Chapter Thirteen: An Abundance of Joy

Chapter Fourteen: A Postcard from New York

Chapter Fifteen: Decisions Are Made

Chapter Sixteen: In Agreement

Chapter Seventeen: Tillman Meets His Match

Chapter Eighteen: A Proposal

Chapter Nineteen: Celeste

Chapter Twenty: Road Trip

Chapter Twenty-One: Celebration

Chapter Twenty-Two: Resolutions Abound

Chapter Twenty-Three: Christmas Miracles

Epilogue: Peace in Yona Valley

Chapter One

A Beautiful Place

Ruby Calvert lay on her back, looking up at a cloudless sky. She closed her eyes against the brightness, breathing in the fragrant air as she relived her last few minutes. Events that had happened in the blink of an eye replayed in slow motion.

While riding her horse, she was suddenly aware a bear had come over the pasture fence, a bear that was clearly not in a good mood. She vaguely remembered thinking, Shouldn’t you be hibernating? as her knees gripped her Pearly White’s torso to communicate calm control.

Just the other day, someone had told her not to be afraid, but she couldn’t remember who had said that, or if the person had been more specific. The fall must’ve muddled my brain. She’d thought of the admonition at the moment of crisis, though, consciously relaxing in the saddle. She’d even had the presence of mind to paraphrase one of her favorite country songs as Jesus Take the Reins.

Ruby reached out her hands and fingered the soft grass that cushioned her. Where is Pearly White? Whinnying with fear, the mare had reared back, sending Ruby to the ground. The horse must have run off. That in itself was odd, as rider and mount shared a close relationship. Ruby had been there when Pearly was foaled at the Johnston’s horse farm. Had even named her.

Ruby sat up slowly. Despite all the trophies she kept in a box under her bed, her bones and muscles had always reacted the same way a novice rider’s would. But this time, she wasn’t sore at all. She expected to see her family’s pasture stretching out on all sides, patched with the previous night’s light snow. Instead, she was walking through a lush meadow filled with flitting butterflies and dragonflies. Birds sang. Colorful flowers poked their heads above the grass.

Well, this is weird.

As she stood to brush debris off the seat of her jeans, she discovered she was no longer in jeans. She detected no breaks or scrapes. The flowing white gown she wore did not show even a smudge of dirt.

I must have hit my head. This is crazy. She reached up to investigate. There was a knot on the back of her head, but it didn’t hurt. And as she felt around gingerly, the lump decreased in size until it disappeared.

That didn’t explain the change of wardrobe. Maybe a concussion makes you feel things and see things. She allowed herself a moment to twirl back and forth like a little girl playing dress-up. If this was all an illusion, she might as well enjoy it.

The grass beneath her bare feet was soft. Greener than she’d ever seen. Even the angles of the trees, in full leaf rather than winter bare, were different. Since when do flowers bloom in December? Black columbines were scattered throughout a myriad of other varieties in every color. Mom’s favorite, she murmured.

Hmmm. Another first. Since her mother Sarah’s death a few years earlier, Ruby had grown used to tearing up over reminders of the loss. Her mother had battled cancer so valiantly that the passing was a mercy, but Ruby missed her dearly. Today, her eyes remained dry, such an unusual sensation that she thought of as many tragic things as she could, testing the phenomenon. Sadness was an impossible emotion to conjure.

Riding earlier, she had been thinking about her mother, wishing she could tell her mother something. What was it? And again, Where is Pearly White?

Ruby plucked a few flowers and held them to her nose. She and her sister Grace had found a bed of black columbines Uncle Bart had planted. They’d planted more from seeds they found in his things. Those blooms, such a deep purple they were almost black, had no scent. The scent was so strong and sweet with these that Ruby coughed.

I want to remember, she said out loud.

Suddenly, the backdrop of trees nearby became a screen on which snippets of her life appeared. She saw herself with her father Barry and three sisters as they went through Uncle Bart’s things. Estranged for decades, Bart had left his house and property to Barry. They had moved to Yona Valley just months ago, during the summer.

In the scene, Kendra, the youngest, held up the bottle of seeds. They’d been surprised at the coincidence: their mother’s favorite flower, their mysterious uncle? Eventually, they’d learned Bart and Sarah had worked together. He had taken advantage of her and then disappeared.

Darcy, her oldest sister, had been devastated by the possibility that Uncle Bart was her biological father, but God used it all to bring her back to him, to draw the family closer together.

As Ruby watched, the scene changed. Billy Miller, a deaf boy, had gotten lost during the summer. As half the valley joined in the search, Kendra had crawled into the thicket in the middle of Uncle Bart’s pasture. She’d found Billy beside an abandoned marijuana field. There were also three shallow graves. Ruby could see it all clearly again.

Billy and his family had grown close to the Calverts, both emotionally and literally, grateful for land for their modular home. Seeing Billy’s sweet face in the vision now, Ruby suddenly remembered something else. Billy was the person who told me not to be afraid. But why? Surely not of this place. She had never felt the exact opposite of fear so completely.

As a voice made her turn, the scene vanished.

Hello. A young woman about her age stood as if she had been there the whole time. Her dress was similar to Ruby’s, white and flowing.

For the first time since waking up on the ground, Ruby wondered if she had died and gone to heaven. That would explain a lot.

Welcome, the woman said. Come with me.

Without a word, Ruby followed. Although the woman’s face was familiar, Ruby’s fall-muddled brain failed to conjure a context or name. After a few minutes, curiosity won out. "Who are you?" Ruby said.

Laughing sweetly, the woman stopped to take Ruby’s hands in hers. You were always so focused, Ruby Rebecca, she said. I’m Sarah. Your mother. And I’ve come to take you home.

Chapter Two

A Despicable Plan

In a dingy shack far up on one of the mountains overlooking Yona Valley, the clock over the mantle chimed five times, each chime deepening the frown on Del Morgan’s face. As badly as she wanted her two visitors to leave, however, she kept her mouth shut.

Smitty, the only name she knew him by, explained her latest obligation. And then you’re done. One more job and you’re out. Plus, you’ll make some hefty bank. His face reconfigured into what passed for a smile. Ain’t that good news?

Horrified, she still couldn’t help agreeing at some level. The light at the end of the financial tunnel she’d been trapped inside suddenly brightened. It’s not like I’m worried about my soul. That’s been gone a long time.

As a teenager, Del had fled this very shack, running from the abuse she experienced there. Alone on the streets of Raleigh, she’d been rescued by Smitty, who put her to work on those same streets.

When she was thirty, he released her...for a price. Once in a while, he demanded that she do something for him, a random job. Every job had taken her farther down the tunnel. Now, maybe there was a way out. A glimmer of hope. But.

The job was despicable. Downright impossible. "How in hellfire do you expect me to find a baby for you to sell? Del cried. Just waltz into a hospital and steal one? Stalk some pregnant woman and climb through her window? Maybe cut one out? Are you freakin’ crazy?"

"How you do it ain’t my problem. I’m giving what you call carte blanche. I don’t even wanna know. He dropped his voice. My buyer’s paying more money than you’ll ever see in your life, Delly girl. He’s got a network, suppliers in every state, even other countries. His face softened slightly. You don’t have to do it today. I’ll give you a month to come up with a plan; how’s that? He laughed. If you can’t come up with something by then, I reckon we’ll just have to grow a young’un ourselves. Tillman’d be glad to help out, wouldn’t you, Till?"

Tillman O’Toole’s voice was coarse as he leaned forward menacingly in his chair. Sure, boss. Just point me at one of them mountain gals and you’ll have a kid in no time. I can guaran-damn-tee it. He leered at Del. Winking at Smitty, he pointed to a family photo on the wall. You got a daughter, ain’t you? And a niece? Either one’ll do just fine.

Despite the warmth of the evening, Del shivered. She had returned to the mountain only after her abusive father and uncles died, hoping to put the memories behind her. Marriages within a family were common. Out from under Smitty’s heavy thumb (or so she thought), she’d fallen for a handsome distant cousin who overdosed when their daughter was two.

When Del’s sister died the same way, Del took in her young niece, suspecting she and her daughter shared a father.

The cycle of incest, abuse, and poverty was crushing. Del had entertained what now felt to be a foolish notion that she could protect the girls and break free of Smitty one day. Working odd jobs, cleaning other people’s houses and shops, she’d stolen only when she was desperate.

She was fairly certain that a few people she worked for, understanding her situation, left money out on purpose, knowing she would refuse it if offered. It had been ingrained in her since birth that valley people couldn’t understand mountain folk, but there were exceptions.

In vain, Del tried to think of an exception here. She had no doubt Tillman would make good on his threat. There’s no one who can help me now.

Sun’s almost up, she said calmly, her eyes narrowing. The girls will be home from work soon. You said I’ve got a month. Now, get out of my house.

The men exchanged a look as they rose, chuckling. Good thing you’ve lost your looks, Del, Smitty said, or we wouldn’t leave quite yet. Grabbing her by the hair, he jerked her face closer to his foul breath. Half the money when you come up with a plan. Half when it’s done.

* * * *

Are we going to my mansion? Ruby asked as she and Sarah walked. ‘In my house are many mansions.’ When do I get to meet Jesus?

Sarah pointed to a wicker bench Ruby was sure had not been there a second earlier. Let’s rest.

I’m not tired.

Sit, Ruby. Sarah looked into the distance as if she were listening to something, or someone. "This is a heaven but not the one you’re thinking of. Remember St. Paul’s letter about the man he knew who went to the third heaven?"

Is that where we are?

Sarah laughed softly. Does it matter where we are?

Another memory returned, brightening Ruby’s face. "Billy went to heaven. He was in an accident, and when he came out of his coma he told us about it. Or did he come here? Someone gave him a message for me."

Sarah grinned as she rested a hand on her chest. "I did. I asked him to tell you to not be afraid."

Ruby nodded, as the memory returned. He told me, but not right away. He forgot. He told me… She paused, her excitement growing. The thing she’d wanted to tell her mother! He told me the night his father proposed to me.

Sarah clapped her hands. I heard! That’s wonderful news, sweetheart. Brian will be a splendid husband.

Ruby wrinkled her nose. "To whom? I mean, if I’m dead I’m glad he’ll have someone, but I’m...confused."

Sarah took Ruby by the hand. "I’m sorry. This...this place…is temporary. I’m here to keep you company while you rest. You have a special task. A difficult task."

I don’t understand. You said you were taking me home.

"Not your heavenly home."

Then where?

"I’m taking you back home. Back to Yona Valley."

Ruby was suddenly tired, grateful for the bench. Everyone must be so worried.

A single tear ran down her cheek.

* * * *

Grace Calvert Dawson had not been concerned about sharing a house with her father-in-law after she and Jack eloped, but since then, Jack’s father had gotten married, too. Herb and Jane Dawson were every bit the newlyweds Grace and Jack were.

For most of her life, Jane had assumed she would die an old maid but with God’s help, she’d told Grace, she was adjusting well to marriage. Having lived with her sister Judith and her husband Thomas most of her life, she also took her new role as mother-in-law seriously, with a healthy dollop of humor. Grace enjoyed her company.

As the women tidied up the kitchen, Grace suddenly chuckled.

What’s so funny? Jane said. Could you put away this platter? The top shelf’s too high for me.

Grace stood on her tiptoes to comply. "The first time I ate here with Jack and Herb, Herb wouldn’t let me help clean up. But oh, what a mess! I tried to take over when we got married but he wouldn’t hear of it. She gave Jane a warm hug. Then you joined the family, thank the Lord."

Jane chuckled as she worked. "He can be a stubborn old coot, but he’s our stubborn old coot. She stopped wiping the counter. It still amazes me. Being here. Sharing my life, sharing a bed…" She blushed.

God is good.

All the time! Would you like a cup of tea? There’s hot water in the kettle.

The women sat down to enjoy the relative quiet together. Their husbands were helping a neighbor. Grace blew on her tea and took a sip. Did Herb say what the Stuarts needed? It’s getting late.

Jeb just said to come, so they went. Colleen hasn’t been well, you know.

Y’all are all about the same age, aren’t you?

Jane shook her head. They’re a bit younger, but she’s never been in the best of health. Mean as a snake at times. Sorry, Lord, she said, lifting her eyes. "Some people just don’t realize they’re hurting people.