The Orchard of Hope Read Online Free PDF

know?” Maggie asked
in annoyance. “I’ve never been here before.”
    Kelsey wanted to ask how long the
rain would last, but she decided not to attempt any more
conversation while the rain was so loud. She also wanted to figure
out a way to talk to Roland without Maggie asking about her
invisible friend or assuming that Kelsey’s conversation was
directed at her.
    The rain showed no sign of letting
up, and the path quickly became muddy and slippery as a stream of
water washed over it. Roland didn’t have any trouble on the slick
ground. His footing was solid even when the path wasn’t. Kelsey and
Maggie, however, both struggled and occasionally slipped,
especially when they were trying to go uphill. Kelsey wondered if
Roland had special boots that gripped the earth through the
mud.
    The wind gusted and whipped
Kelsey’s hood off her head, and her hair was soaked almost
immediately. Both of the girls were covered in mud that the
torrential rain washed off them, only to be replaced by another
layer of mud when they stumbled again moments later. As she
tripped, Kelsey could have sworn that the group had gotten turned
around and was now headed in the wrong direction. It was difficult
to tell with all the rain. Everything looked similar, and even
though the veil of drops coming down obscured her vision, it
appeared as if they had somehow changed direction. She was afraid
that if they kept going, they would be back at the castle and lose
valuable time on their journey. She wanted to alert Roland, but he
seemed to be certain of the route, so she kept silent. She
continued following him despite her doubts. It would be difficult
for him to hear her over the downpour, anyway.
    The rain was making it difficult to
talk as well as grueling to climb the path. Kelsey resorted to
holding onto any branches within reach that were sturdy enough to
support her. It didn’t matter if they were hardwood branches or the
occasional pine branches with needles sticking into her palms and
scratching her skin. Very soon Maggie started imitating Kelsey’s
actions and following her example of grasping the
branches.
    At first Kelsey was angry with
Maggie for copying her behavior. However, as she was struggling to
stay on her feet, Kelsey realized that Maggie was right to imitate
her so that she could stay on her feet, as well, and keep up with
the journey. Kelsey was also flattered that Maggie had quickly
recognized Kelsey’s expertise in the situation.
    After a short period of groping
their way along the path, both of the girls were getting cuts in
the palms of their hands. The wounds burned as they continued to
hold the tree limbs and steady themselves along the path. As she
felt the pain from the cuts, Kelsey remembered what Megan had said
about everyone needing to learn some healing. At the time it seemed
foolish, but now the comment made sense. Her hands would be tender
for at least a week, and it could affect her ability to use a sword
effectively.
    Although it had been raining
heavily, thunder and lightning weren’t noticeable until a sudden
flash was followed immediately by a cracking sound. It sounded like
two angry siblings fighting for the travelers’ attention. Each time
the thunder struck, it shook the earth so much that Kelsey forgot
her name and had to concentrate to remember who she was and where
she was going. The rain, the loud noise, and the flashes of light
were disorienting. She had never been in a storm like this
before.
    Kelsey turned to look at Maggie and
briefly forgot what to call her also. Names were like clouds
drifting just beyond the reach of her memory. As Kelsey shook her
head, she felt her wet hair slapping against her cheeks. This
revived her long enough to begin focusing on her own name again. As
soon as she recalled it, she concentrated on spelling it over and
over. This seemed to help her to remember who she was and why she
was on the soggy mountain path. She recited the letters in her name
and then reached