Miracle in the Mist Read Online Free

dreams come true?"
    Unreasonable fear gathered instantly in a tight ball in the pit of Carrie's stomach. Her throat closed off, preventing her from saying anything in response. She gripped her hands together in her lap until her fingers hurt. Whatever had possessed her to come here with these people, with all their crazy talk about miracles and dreams coming true? For all she knew, they'd murder her and throw her body into the woods for the animals to feed on.
    The fear that had grown in her stomach spread to enfold her entire body in its icy embrace. Never taking her gaze from them, she stood very slowly and edged around the couch. She forced a weak smile to her lips. "Thank you for everything, but I think I'd better go," she said, easing toward the door.
    Irma quickly intercepted her and put an arm around her shoulders. "Where will you go, child?"
    Carrie stiffened. "I… " Her voice quavered, making it hard for her to form words.
    "Don't be frightened. We're not going to harm you," Irma crooned softly as if to a baby.
    Almost instantly, Irma's words seemed to reach down inside Carrie and replace the fear and panic with calm and… trust? What was there about this woman that made Carrie feel as though she were a child being reassured by a loving parent?
    "No one will force you to do anything you don't want to do," Steve added, going to stand beside his wife and pulling her to his side. "It has to be your choice, Carrie."
    Hesitantly, Carrie weighed their words. Looking from one to the other, she could see without exception the honesty and gentle love shining from their eyes. Oddly, she felt as though that emotion was something she hadn't seen in anyone's eyes for a long time.
    The hopelessness came back. If her life had been that bleak and loveless, that empty, did she really want to remember any of it? Maybe she should forget trying to remember and just go forth from this moment and build new memories, happy memories.
    "There is no future without a past," Irma said.
    Irma's words unnerved her. It was as though she'd been reading Carrie's thoughts. But that was impossible. Wasn't it? Whether or not she'd read her mind, Irma was right. No matter what her past held, how could she go forward without knowing where she'd already been?
    And really, how much worse could it be than this limbo she'd found herself in? Knowing the worst had to be better than knowing nothing at all.
    "This place… the one you spoke of, where is it?" Carrie could hear the tremble in her voice.
    A radiant smile spread over Irma's face, making her look like an angel. "Nearby. We'll take you there if you'd like."
    Carrie hesitated for a moment, and then, knowing instinctively that Irma wanted only what was best for her and that she'd trust this woman with her life, she nodded. "Okay."
    On the mantel, the interior of the small, green lantern began to fill with a fine white mist, evidence that an Assignment was due to arrive within the mystical village of Renaissance.
     
    ***
     
    Earlier the same evening, somewhere in the mist of time …
    Clara Webb stood to the side while Emanuel drew up a chair to the kitchen table. When he was comfortably seated, she placed a steaming mug of strong coffee in front of the village Elder.
    He smiled up at her. Her heart twisted. Sadness lurked in his usually bright, gray eyes tonight. Due to her long-standing love for this man, Clara felt his sadness more acutely than anyone else in the small village. But she'd never voiced that love. He was already charged with such a heavy burden to bear. All these needy souls, all looking to him for help. She wished she knew how to lighten his load. But then, he probably wouldn't let her. If she even offered, he would simply tell her that he had chosen to walk this road long ago, and that the burden was his alone to bear.
    "Ah, Clara," he proclaimed, pulling her out of her reverie, "you always know what I need to warm my soul. I'll have plenty of time to enjoy this before the village