A heartwarming new voice for fans of Beverly Lewis. --Emma Miller Snow is falling, cookies are baking, and Christmas is just around the corner in Willow Ridge, Missouri, where a new season marks fresh beginnings for the residents of the tranquil Amish town. . . Winter Of Wishes As another year draws to a close in Willow Ridge, life seems to be changing for everyone but Rhoda Lantz. Her widowed mother is about to remarry, her sister is a busy newlywed, and soon Rhoda will be alone in her cozy apartment above the blacksmith's shop. An ad posted by an Englischer looking for someone to help with his mother and children may offer just the companionship she's looking for, but if she falls for the caring single father, she may risk being shunned by her community. Certain she can only wish for things she cannot have, Rhoda must remember that all things are possible with God, and nothing is stronger than the power of love. Praise for The Seasons of the Heart series "Another great book centered around the Sweet Seasons Café." -- RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars "Appealing." -- Publishers Weekly Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Charlotte Hubbard writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her novels. A deacon and dedicated church musician, she now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie. Winter Of Wishes Seasons of the Heart By Charlotte Hubbard KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. Copyright © 2013 Charlotte Hubbard All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4201-2171-1 CHAPTER 1 As Rhoda Lantz stood gazing out the window of theSweet Seasons Bakery Café, her mood matched the ominousgray clouds that shrouded the dark, predawn sky. Here it wasthe day after Thanksgiving and she felt anything but thankful.Oh, she'd eaten Mamma's wonderful dinner yesterdayand smiled at all the right times during the gathering offamily and friends around their extended kitchen table, butshe'd been going through the motions. Feeling distanced ...not liking it, but not knowing what to do about it, either. "You all right, honey-bug? Ya seem a million miles away." Rhoda jumped. Mamma had slipped up behind her whileshe'd been lost in her thoughts. " Jah, jah . Fine and dandy,"she fibbed. "Just thinkin' how it looks like we're in for awinter storm, which most likely means we won't have asmany folks come to eat today and tomorrow. It's just ...well, things got really slow last year at this time." Her mother's concerned gaze told Rhoda her little whitelie hadn't sounded very convincing. Mamma glanced towardthe kitchen, where her partner, Naomi Brenneman, andNaomi's daughter, Hannah, were frying sausage and baconfor the day's breakfast buffet. "Tell ya what," she said gently."Lydia Zook left a phone message about a couple of freshturkeys still bein' in their meat case. Why not go to themarket and fetch those, along with a case of eggs—and I'mthinkin' it's a perfect day for that wonderful- gut cream soupwe make with the potatoes and carrots and cheese in thesauce. I'll call in the order, and by the time ya get over therethey'll have everything all gathered up." " Jah , Mamma, I can do that," Rhoda murmured. It meantwalking down the long lane with the wind whipping at hercoat, and then hitching up a carriage, but it was somethinguseful to do. Useful. Why is it such a struggle lately to feel useful? Iwish I knew what to do with my life. Rhoda slipped her coat from the peg at the door, tied onher heavy black bonnet, and stepped outside with a gasp.The temperature had dropped several degrees since she'dcome to the café an hour ago. The chill bit through herwoolen stockings as she walked briskly along the gravel lanewith her head lowered against the wind. "Hey there, Rhoda! Gut mornin' to ya!" a voice sang outas she passed the smithy behind the Sweet Seasons. Rhoda waved to Ben Hooley but didn't stop to chat. Whydid the farrier's cheerfulness irritate her lately? She had gottenover her schoolgirl crush on him and was happy for Ben andMamma both, but as their New Year's Day wedding approached,they seemed more public about their affections—their joy —and, well, that irritated her, too! Across the roadfrom the Sweet Seasons a new home was going up in recordtime, as Ben's gift to her mother ... yet another reminder ofhow Rhoda's life would change when Mamma moved out ofthe apartment above the blacksmith shop, and she would beliving there alone. As she reached the white house she'd grown up in, Rhodasighed. No lights glowed in the kitchen window and no oneate breakfast at the table: this holiday weekend, her twinsister Rachel and Rachel's new groom, Micah Brenneman,were on an extended trip around central Missouri to collectwedding presents as they visited aunts, uncles, and cousinsof their two families. Rhoda missed working alongsideRachel at the café more than she could bear to admit, yethere again, she was happy for her sister.