When Mountains Move

by Julie Cantrell

  Isabel does her best to repeat the word, saying, “B’ave.”

  She looks at me and smiles.

  “And loved,” I add, covering her with kisses.

  “Love you, Mama,” Isabel says. I cry.

  Bump joins us on the sofa, and I show him the letter. He reads it silently, then kisses the top of my head. Isabel’s, too. “There’s another letter,” I say, handing him an unopened envelope addressed from Janine and Mr. Tucker. “Read it to me?” I’m still drying my tears. It’s hard to believe I have any left to cry.

  Bump scoots close against me and begins to read aloud. The note has been written by Janine.

  Dear Millie,

  Cauy says to warn you. We’ll be making a trip there in spring, and he expects a bed to sleep in. Also, I refuse to suffer another stay with an outhouse. Mark my words, hon. If you don’t have a flushing commode, I’ll be staying in town, and I’ll be dragging you right up there with me. Heaven knows you’ve served your time.

  I laugh and roll my eyes. I miss Janine like crazy. Bump continues.

  Give Isabel a kiss from me. I can’t wait to teach that girl how to play dress-up. I’m bringing tons of treats for her! I worry you’ve got her wearing some dreadful dungarees or something.

  Cauy also says you’ve done a great job with the ranch. He’s been pleased as punch at the profits you’ve made. Hard to believe it’s been almost three years already! Have you decided what you want to do next? Cauy says it’s completely up to you. Stay and continue what you’re doing. Or start that veterinary clinic Bump always talked about.

  Tell Oka I’m looking forward to her fry bread. And tell her I finally thought of my name … but it’s a secret!

  See y’all soon!

  Love,

  Janine

  Bump and I are both laughing, sharing stories about Janine and Mr. Tucker when Oka and Fortner join us in the living room. “What’s that?” I ask, pointing to the bundles in their hands.

  “Cedar,” Oka says. “Picked from east side of tree.”

  “We bundled it with sinew,” Fortner says proudly. “The traditional way. We’ve given it plenty of time to dry, and now we can do a proper smudging. I even found eagle feathers up at the keyhole of Longs Peak.”

  I take a closer look at the bundle of small cedar branches wrapped tightly together to form a stick of sorts.

  “What’s it for?” Bump asks. He looks as confused as I do.

  “Time to cleanse this house,” Oka says. She leans over the fireplace and lights one end of the tightly bundled cedar. Then she begins to chant in her native tongue. She lifts the bundle and pulls the smoke from the smudge stick over her head. Next she moves the smoke in slow strokes across her arms, her legs, and last, her body. Then Oka turns in what appears to be a pattern. First she faces the east and continues her chant. Then she faces north. Then west. And finally south, repeating the same series of sounds, the same movements with the smoke in all directions.

  “What’s she saying?” I ask Fortner.

  Fortner doesn’t speak Choctaw, but he seems familiar with what Oka is doing. “It’s a prayer,” he explains. “She’s giving thanks to the spirits of each direction and asking them to be with us, to watch over us.”

  Then Oka moves her stick toward me, continuing her ceremony by moving smoke above my head, my legs, my arms, my body. Then Bump. Then Fortner. And then Isabel. We each remain still and reverent, carefully observing Oka’s every move.

  Next she makes her way through the house, using eagle feathers to wave the sweet-tinged smoke through every room. She walks in the same counterclockwise order of directions, east, north, west, south, until she has circled through the entire house with her smoldering bundle. The process is slow and soothing.

  Now Fortner explains further, “She’s ridding the home of bad spirits. This breaks the negative energy. Gives you a fresh start.”

  “Erases the past?” I ask.

  “In a sense, yes.” Fortner smiles.

  I catch Bump’s eye and reach for Isabel’s hand. Together, we watch as Oka rids our world of all that came before. She’s giving us each a chance to start anew. Kind of like Mama’s idea of being “born again.” Erase. Erase. Erase.

  As Oka completes her ceremony, Fortner lights his bundle of sweetgrass. The smell is sweeter, like a cornfield at harvest, a natural, earthy, pleasant scent. “Like it?” Fortner asks.

  I nod. As the smoke covers us, I feel protected. Clean. Forgiven.

  “This will surround you with goodness, sweetness,” Fortner explains.

  Oka dips her smudge stick in water to kill the flame. Fortner fills the air with his own sweet smoke. Bump moves closer, and I lean against him, pulling Isabel into my arms. We all circle together, and I am reminded of the prayer circle resting on the mountain above. I’m reminded also of the row of dominoes, all lined up, tipping over, one at a time. Not so long ago, I was foolish enough to think the tiles all added up to me. That the line had an end. But now I know better. The circle continues, each choice leading to another. Each ending, a new beginning.

  As the smoke clears and Bump grabs the guitar, I offer a silent prayer to God, my own way of requesting forgiveness. Mercy. Grace. Somehow, whether through smoke or through song, passages or prayers, I believe our message gets through. We forgive. We are forgiven.

  If you enjoyed When Mountains Move, I would be honored if you would tell others by writing a review. Go here to write a review on Goodreads.

  Thank you!

  —Julie Cantrell

  … a little more …

  When a delightful concert comes to an end,

  the orchestra might offer an encore.

  When a fine meal comes to an end,

  it’s always nice to savor a bit of dessert.

  When a great story comes to an end,

  we think you may want to linger.

  And so, we offer ...

  AfterWords—just a little something more after you

  have finished a David C Cook novel.

  We invite you to stay awhile in the story.

  Thanks for reading!

  Turn the page for ...

  • Discussion Questions

  • Writing Prompts

  • Acknowledgments

  Discussion Questions

  1. Do you think Millie makes the right decision by marrying Bump? What makes some marriages stick while so many others fall apart, and what would you advise a young couple wanting to get married today? If you are not married, what do you expect of marriage and a spouse?

  2. What do you think about Millie’s decision not to tell anyone about the rape? So many victims of sexual violence never report the incident, and like Millie, many victims feel as if they have no voice. Why do you think this is the case? What can we do as a society to support people who become victims of violent acts?

  3. When it’s time for Millie and Bump to leave Mississippi, Millie realizes she is loved by many: Janine, Mr. Tucker, Mabel, Camille, even Diana. Who are those special people in your own life? Is there someone you know who might need such a person in his/her life?

  4. As Millie enters her new marriage, she struggles to develop a fully open and trusting intimacy with Bump. She also resists the urge to tell him why this is the case. Although Millie has been determined not to repeat the mistakes of her parents, how is she continuing certain cycles of dysfunction? Have you ever hurt someone you loved when your intentions were to protect them or shield them from a truth you thought would hurt them more? Is there anything your loved ones could tell you that would make you love them less?

  5. In Colorado, Millie and Bump are met with many challenges. How does this experience bring them closer? Tear them apart? What are some of the most challenging situations you’ve ever had? Have you missed big opportunities because you were afraid of change or afraid to fail?
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  6. When Kat and Millie become friends, Millie admires Kat and wants to be like her in certain ways. Do you have a friend you admire? Have you ever been jealous of a friend? Have you ever been deceived by a friend? Eventually Millie realizes Kat is not a good friend after all. Millie is hurt by that betrayal but still does the right thing when Kat needs help. If you were in Millie’s situation, would you have sent your husband to help Kat?

  7. Millie becomes convinced her husband is having an affair with her only friend. What’s the worst thing your partner or friend has ever done to hurt you? Were you able to forgive? And likewise, how have you hurt the ones you love? Have they forgiven you? If you haven’t had to deal with infidelity, how do you think you would handle learning your spouse is having an affair?

  8. Millie’s grandmother, Oka, serves as the voice of reason in this book. Do you like Oka? What did you learn from Oka’s character? What did you learn from her Choctaw stories? How important is the grandparent/child relationship in your family?

  9. Millie admires Oka’s strength, beauty, talent, and wisdom. How has Oka managed to survive traumatic events in her life and still have such a sweet, genuine spirit? What does Oka teach Millie about forgiveness and grace?

  10. When Millie first meets Oka, she notices Oka is Catholic when she makes the sign of the cross after her prayer. Oka mentions she grew up around the missionaries, as did many who are members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw. Do you think Oka is a Christian? How do you think her faith impacts her life, and what do you think of the smudging scene at the end of the book? Do you think we may have more in common across varying religious practices than we sometimes believe?

  11. Throughout the first section of this book, Millie is forced to make a terrible decision when she learns she is carrying Bill Miller’s child. What would you do if you found yourself in such a situation? What if your young daughter was in that situation? Where do you stand on the issue of abortion and what circumstances might make you feel differently? Have you ever had an abortion? How would you handle the situation if you were put there again? Have you ever adopted a child in need of a family?

  12. At one point, Millie feels as if there is no right choice at all. Any route she takes brings pain to someone. We like to divide life into black and white categories, but sometimes life is messy and there is no perfect solution. Have you ever been in such a situation? Have you ever made a decision you regretted? How have you forgiven yourself for a bad choice? And how have you learned to move past that mistake and make the most of your new situation?

  13. Near the end, Millie is given a second chance to choose her first love, River. Were you glad when River showed up to fight for Millie? How did you feel when Millie kissed River? How did you feel when you realized Bump saw this kiss? Were you glad when Bump finally fought for Millie too? Have you ever had to choose between two loves? What would you do if you were given a second chance to choose again?

  14. What do you think about the way the book ends? What is the significance of the mountain lion throughout the book? How does nature have its way again and again in Millie’s life?

  15. In the end, Bump tells Millie he has always been on her side. Do you have someone in your life like Bump, who loves you through and through? Does such perfect love exist outside of a novel? Why do you think so many people struggle to find healthy relationships?

  16. What do you think will happen next for Millie and Bump and Isabel? What will happen to the other characters?

  Writing Prompts

  1. When writing this book, I actually wrote six or seven different endings before settling on this one. Pretend you are the author. Write a different ending to this story.

  2. Pretend you are one of the characters in this book. Write a journal from that point of view. Now choose another character and repeat. How do the entries compare/contrast?

  3. What would you want to happen next to the characters of this book? Write the first chapter of the next book in this series.

  4. Choose one crucial scene in this book and rewrite it with a different result. For example, rewrite the wedding scene so that Millie and Bump do not end up getting married. Or the root-cellar scene so that Fortner agrees to give Millie what she wants. Consider the birth scene, the scene at the fencerow when Bump learns of the pregnancy, the confrontation with River, etc.

  5. Write a letter to the author about your reaction to the book. I love hearing from readers.

  6. Discuss the theme of nature, faith, forgiveness, or love from the book.

  7. Compare and contrast character pairs from Into the Free and When Mountains Move. For example, how do Mabel and Oka compare? Diana and Kat? River and Bump? Sloth and Fortner? Mr. Tucker and Sheriff Halpin?

  Find more ideas for book clubs, teachers, readers, and more by visiting www.juliecantrell.com

  Acknowledgments

  Writing this novel has been one of the most intense periods of my life, stretching me in all sorts of new ways. Thankfully, I’ve been surrounded by supportive people through it all, so here is my attempt to thank them publicly for that crucial encouragement. The truth is … I’ll never be able to thank them enough.

  First, I thank my family for letting me give this writing life a go. You deserve special recognition for tolerating me as I struggle to find enough hours in a day to do all it is I love to do. Nothing, and I mean nothing, means anything without you. I only hope at the end of my life people will remember me, above all else, as a good mother and a worthy wife. If not, I will have failed completely.

  Thanks also to my friends, who didn’t stop inviting me when I said, “I can’t,” and who showed up with homemade meals just when I was ready to toss in the towel, and who loaded me up in a car and took me away on a girls’ trip, where we laughed and talked and danced and celebrated all that is wonderful in life. My life is SO good, thanks to you. Big hugs!

  To everyone who went out of their way to make my launch of Into the Free such a special, beautiful night of my life, and to everyone who has taken a chance on that debut novel since its release. Words will never be enough to express my gratitude. Letting Millie’s story be shared has been the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done. You gave me the encouragement to see it through. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

  My favorite part of the entire publishing process is the research. I love hitting the road, meeting new people, and asking way too many questions. I have enjoyed getting to know every single person who touched this book, and I hope their spirit shines through these pages. Please remember, any mistakes are mine and mine alone. Any stroke of brilliance probably came from someone listed below.

  Particularly, I thank my dear friend Robert Pritchard. One day, when I was at my end, Robert booked us a flight to Colorado and said, “Let’s go!” There, we explored the Rockies with our pal Claire Ferrell Von Dedendroth, who welcomed us into her stunning mountaintop retreat and introduced us to her beautiful world. From the hut of a Peruvian sheep herder to swanky Vail author events, we did it all, and that week will forever be one of the highlights of my life. Robert and Claire, XOXO and thank you!

  As I left Robert and Claire west of the Great Divide, I was delighted to join more families on the Eastern Front Range. My sweet cousins Connie and Bobby Masson, my dear old college friends Vinita and Jean-Noel Lemercier, and my closest buds from my Colorado days, Gina and Ron Beltz. Thanks to your tremendous hospitality, I was able to extend my stay to do the research needed to finish this book. Your friendship and your generosity will forever top my gratitude list. (That includes you, too, Mama Joyce and Papa Dean Glorso!)

  I considered my first book, Into the Free, my love song to Mississippi. This second book is my love song to Colorado, a place that is near and dear to me for so many reasons. My return visit was a remarkable journey, personally and spiritually. I came away with a deeper appreciation for the men and women who founded our western frontier and for the real cowboys, ranch
ers, and livestock professionals who continue to live life on the edge today.

  Thanks specifically to Mark Howes, the most authentic cowboy I’ve ever met. He’s the owner of Double H Ranch Saddle Shop in Fort Collins, Colorado, and if you’re ever looking for custom-made tack, he’s your man. Thanks also to Jesse Freitas, Madame Vera, and Bonnie Watson at The Stanley in Estes Park. They took time during their busiest day of the year to entertain me with remarkable stories of early settlers and to direct me to locals who knew the history. Thank you all.

  Also, big thanks to the entire staff at Wind River Ranch, particularly Becky Ball, Molly Chretien, Nick Herald, Luke Lamar, Rob Luttrull, and Vanessa O’Neal. My day hiking with you through the snow and learning all about the early ranches of the Estes Park area will forever bring me smiles. The ministry you have at Wind River is extraordinary. You make this world a better place.

  Also thanks to Don LuMiller, who welcomed me into his home with a big, warm smile and showed me a photo of him skydiving for his ninety-sixth birthday. What a man, what a spirit, what a lifetime of stories. Thank you, Don, for sharing your old ranching tales with me. There are pieces of you all through this book, and I hope you enjoy discovering them.

  Thanks also to the incredible researchers with Colorado State University Equine Reproduction Laboratory in Fort Collins. I spent the day with Dr. Patrick McCue and Kathy Lachenauer, and what a fascinating day it was. Thank you for teaching me so much about horses. I was impressed beyond belief by what you all accomplish at your state-of-the-art reproduction facility and honored to be given the personal tour.

  I also am extremely grateful for the knowledge and expertise of many Colorado outdoor enthusiasts who helped me build a believable world for Millie and Bump. Specifically, I thank Lyn Murdock and Larry Frederick with the National Park Service, as well as Joe Roller, Jeff Birek, and Nathan Pieplow, three Colorado Field Ornithologists who went out of their way to help me add the background to this story.