The Inspiring Conclusion to Tracie Peterson's Heart of the Frontier Series Mercy Flanagan survived the Whitman Massacre as a child, and now her heart's cry is for peace between the native peoples and the white settlers inhabiting Oregon Territory. Unfortunately, most of the settlers would rather the tribes were removed from the land completely, one way or the other, and tensions are rising. Mercy has grown tired of Oregon City and feels that she has a larger purpose in life, so when she learns that family friend Eletta Browning is pregnant, she travels south to the Rogue River Valley to help. At the Rogue River Mission, Mercy meets Eletta's brother-in-law, Adam, who has suffered a broken engagement. Mercy finds him attractive, but Adam seems determined to focus on ministering to the local tribes and keeps Mercy at arm's length. When tragedy strikes and tensions in the territory reach the boiling point, Mercy is pushed to the limit of her strength. She and Adam must rely on their firm faith in God in order to make it out alive. As Oregon Territory teeters on the brink of armed conflict, one woman strives for peace. Mercy Flanagan survived the Whitman Massacre as a child, and now her heart's cry is for peace between the native peoples and the white settlers inhabiting Oregon Territory. Unfortunately, most of the settlers want the tribes removed from the land completely, one way or another. At the request of family friend Eletta Browning, who is experiencing a difficult pregnancy, Mercy travels south to the Rogue River Valley to help. At the Browning Mission, she meets Eletta's brother-in-law, Adam. Despite her attempts to befriend him, Adam seems determined to focus on ministering to the local tribes and keeps her at arm's length. Why is he so intent on pushing her away? When tragedy strikes and tensions in the territory reach the combustion point, Mercy is pushed to the limit of her strength. She and Adam will have to rely on their faith in God and on each other in order to make it out alive. "Peterson excels at painting a scene, bringing alive both the rugged frontier landscape and the people in conflict over it. . . . This is a powerful completion to an engaging, spiritually sensitive series."-- Publishers Weekly starred review Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Learn more at TraciePeterson.com. Cherished Mercy By Tracie Peterson Baker Publishing Group Copyright © 2017 Peterson Ink, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7642-1329-8 CHAPTER 1 October 1855 Oregon City, Oregon Territory Push, Hope. You have to push," Grace commanded. Mercy Flanagan wiped her sister's forehead as she labored to give birth to her baby. After ten hours of intense pain, Hope had clearly weakened. Looking to their eldest sister, Grace, Mercy grimaced. "I thought you said second babies come faster." Hope had given birth two years earlier without a lengthy labor, and they had all presumed she would do the same again. "They usually do, but the one thing you must remember about babies is that no two births are ever identical. They are as different as the babies being born." Grace turned her attention back to Hope and the unborn child. "Your baby is almost here. Now give me a big push. Bear down with all your strength." "I haven't ... got any ... strength ... left," Hope replied, falling back against the pillow. "Mercy, when I tell you, I want you to help Hope sit up. Support her shoulders and push her forward." Hope grimaced and cried out. Grace nodded at Mercy. "Now." It wasn't easy, but Mercy managed to slip in behind Hope and raise her up at the same time. "Push, Hope. The baby is coming now." Mercy felt Hope tense as she did her best to obey. Grace took hold of the baby's head as it emerged and then rotated the baby as the shoulders emerged. After that, the infant slid easily from Hope's body. "It's another boy," Mercy whispered against Hope's ear. "A boy? Truly? Sean will have a little brother." "This farm is going to be overrun with children if you and Grace keep having babies," Mercy teased. Already she was aunt to Grace's two children, Gabe and Nancy, and there would be a third in the spring. Now Hope had brought another boy to join her two-year-old son, Sean. Grace cut the cord, then lifted the baby by his heels and smacked him on the bottom. He started to cry almost immediately. Mercy smiled and brushed back Hope's damp hair. "He's got a great set of lungs." "That he does," Grace agreed. "Mercy, I want you to care for him. Hope, you're not quite done yet, as you well know." Birthing was hard work, but so too the aftermath. Mercy had been present at the delivery of all but one of her sis