The Silent Order
Page 27
“Will you be my wife?”
“Ya.” She laughed. “I’ve wanted to marry you for a very long time.”
He removed the ring and slid it on her finger. Then he cradled her head in his hands and fire danced between them.
Henry elbowed his way into the center of them, his hands on his hips. “No one said anything about kissing!”
Katie leaned over and kissed Henry on the forehead. Rollin laughed when his son wiped it off.
He rested his arms around Henry’s shoulders again as they walked toward the bikes. The Cardano family was behind him. And the path before him was better than he ever imagined.
“I don’t want to lose you again,” he whispered.
Katie kissed him softly on the ear and entwined her fingers around his.
“Then don’t let go.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Two very different worlds collided in The Silent Order, and I knew very little about either one when I began working on this novel. To research the story, I visited Cleveland first and explored the historic (and mysterious) Lake View Cemetery and the quaint streets and cafes along Mayfield Road in Little Italy. Then I drove south to Sugarcreek and spent several days touring the hills and farmland. My hosts were a delightful Old Order Amish couple who shared their lives and stories with me. I am extremely grateful for their insight and their hospitality.
Many people and resources helped me understand the culture of the Mafia in the 1920s and the Amish. Any errors are entirely my fault.
A special thank you to Rick Porrello, author of The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia, founder of the Web site americanmafia.com, and Cleveland-area police chief. Not only did the extensive information in Rick’s book persuade me to set this novel in Cleveland, but his generosity in sharing original research material and stories passed down from his ancestors (seven of whom were Cleveland Mafia leaders during Prohibition) helped add authenticity to my fictional take on Cleveland’s gangs.
Monk and Marijane Troyer from Sugarcreek helped me understand Amish culture and what it was like to live in an Amish family in the 1930s. Thank you for answering my many questions, no matter how odd (and some of them were very odd!). And thank you, Connie Troyer, for all your guidance and for helping me get the resources and information I needed.
Thank you, Pinn Crawford, for obtaining stacks and stacks of research books for me, and thank you to my friend and favorite fire marshal Kate Stoller for brainstorming with me about how Celeste would have set the kitchen fire and how the smoky smell would linger in her house along with her memories. One day I want to write an entire novel with you.
Thank you to my wonderful agent, Sandra Bishop, whose constant support and friendship have been a gift from God. She helped brainstorm the idea of setting this novel during Prohibition and encouraged me to pursue it. I’m so grateful for you, my friend.
Another huge thank you to the team at Summerside. You ladies and gentlemen are a gift as well. Thank you to Carlton Garborg, whose ideas and vision sparked the writing of The Silent Order. Thank you to Susan Downs for all of your insight and help in brainstorming the plot. And thank you to Jason Rovenstine, Rachel Meisel, Suzanne McDonough, and to Ellen Tarver, who did a tremendous job editing the manuscript.
Several girlfriends blessed me by reading a rough version of this novel and giving me their feedback. Thank you, Kelly Chang, Rebecca Fechter, Kimberly Felton, Leslie Gould, and Michele Heath for your insight, suggestions, and most of all, for your friendship. I love you ladies!
I’m so grateful to my friends and family who have encouraged and prayed me through my writing journey—Jim and Lyn Beroth, Christina Nunn, Carolyn Dobson, Tosha Williams, Earl Weirich, Jodi Stilp, Laurie Timberlake, and Miralee Ferrell. And I’m grateful to my friends at my favorite coffee shop—Dorie, Mary, and Jake. Thanks for taking such good care of me while I’m on deadline.
I couldn’t have written this book without the support of my husband Jon and my two precious girls, Karly and Kiki, who make sure Mommy works hard to make her deadlines. I love you all so much.
And, most of all, I’m thankful to the greatest storyteller of all for His love, His justice, and for His grace.
To God be the glory!
Melanie Dobson
www.melaniedobson.com
P.S. Not long after I began writing this book, one of our best friends was lost in the Haiti earthquake. Like King David in the Bible, David Hames was a man who followed after God’s heart. Workers searched for four weeks before they discovered David had gone home to be with the Savior. This book is dedicated to our dear friend who is now playing his ukulele and (according to my daughter) singing “God Loves You So Much!” down the streets of gold. We miss you, David!
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