by Beth Wiseman
My Beloved Amos,
I have missed you since the day you left here. I broke things off with Thomas. Lizzie was right, he’s a cad. I don’t laugh anymore since you’ve been gone. The truth is, I love you very much, and I belong with you. I don’t paint either because you are my red color.
Naomi covered her mouth with her hand, really scared to go on, as humiliation filled her from head to toe.
There is no peace in mei heart without you here. You shouldn’t have left without saying goodbye. Our heart armor is gone, so let’s try to make a romance work. I’m willing if you are because I think you are the most handsome man I’ve ever met. You work hard too.
Come back to mei, mei lieb. I’ll be waiting with open arms. Can you be here by Thanksgiving?
All my love forever and ever and ever and ever,
Naomi
She bent over, torn between laughter and tears. When she straightened, she didn’t know what to say, and Amos was pale.
“I feel like a dunce.” He pushed back the rim of his hat. “It didn’t sound like something you’d write, but I wanted to believe it so much that I ignored the obvious. I should have known Lizzie or Esther wrote it.”
Naomi started laughing. “You do know, only Lizzie would do something like this?”
“Did you really write me a letter, then tear it up?” Amos’s expression was unreadable.
“Ya, I did. I didn’t mail it because your letter sounded so final.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “You didn’t call or write.”
“I assumed you were working things out with Thomas. I wanted you to have time to figure out what you really wanted.” He stepped closer to her, his eyes locking with hers. “Is that part of the letter true, that you are no longer with Thomas?”
“That part is true.” Naomi couldn’t pull her eyes from his as the familiar longing to be in his arms consumed her.
“Do you want me to leave?” Amos’s chest rose and fell as he spoke.
Naomi shook her head. “Nee, I want you to stay.”
He tugged at his ear as he avoided her eyes. “I feel silly, thinking you wrote all of that.”
She stepped closer to him, close enough to lean up and kiss him softly on the mouth. “It’s a terribly written letter, and I would never write such things.”
He eased her away, and when their eyes met again, she said, “But every single word of that letter is true.” She’d put her heart out there, and she held her breath as she waited for a response. “So I guess I need to know how you feel.”
He cupped her cheeks and brushed a gentle kiss on her lips. “Maybe I should show you just how much I lieb you.” And he kissed her the way she remembered, and she went weak in the knees.
“Listen,” he said after several seconds. “It’s quiet in the dining room.” Then he grinned. “I’m hungry.”
Naomi laughed, and they walked hand in hand back to the dining room. Someone had already set an extra place setting on the table.
Amos walked to where Lizzie was still slouching in her chair. “Shame on you, Lizzie.”
“I know, I know. I was bad.” She squeezed her eyes closed and bowed her head.
Amos leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “But danki.”
Lizzie glanced at Esther, who was smiling. Then she turned to Gus. “See, you baboon. It worked!”
Gus looked directly at Esther, then he forked a bite of turkey and stayed quiet.
Esther glared at Lizzie, who threw her head back and groaned.
“Okay, okay.” She sat taller and looked at Gus. “I’m sorry I called you a baboon.”
“Apology accepted.” Gus cleared his throat. “I’ve been waiting a long time to hear you apologize for the way you treat me.”
Naomi braced herself for the explosion to come. Then Gus grinned. “You look nice today, Lizzie.”
“Danki, Gus.” The words seemed unnatural coming from Lizzie’s mouth, as if someone was holding a gun to her head.
Naomi’s mouth fell open, but when she looked at Esther, the woman winked. There must have been some coaching going on while she and Amos were away.
Lizzie turned to Amos. “Are you staying?”
He looked at Naomi and grinned. “Forever and ever and ever and ever, if she’ll have me.”
Naomi blinked back tears and silently thanked God for this second chance for her and Amos.
“I will,” she said. “Forever and ever and ever and ever.”
Epilogue
One year later
Esther lifted the turkey from the oven, happy to have her family seated in the dining room for another Thanksgiving dinner. As she recalled last year’s holiday, she cringed, even though the day had a happy ending. This year would be even better, and Gus and Lizzie had promised to behave.
The table was short two place settings this year. Mary and John had decided to move closer to their families after becoming pregnant. They were missed, but the timing had worked out perfectly for Naomi and Amos to rent the daadi haus after they were married. Esther was glad Mary stayed in touch and that she’d been gifted a healthy baby boy, whom they’d named Adam.
Instead of waiting until the next fall to say their vows, as was tradition, Amos and Naomi had married in March. Their decision had nothing to do with fear that one of them would leave. Amos simply needed time to move his construction business to Montgomery before the summer, his busiest time of year. Esther could still recall the way the couple looked at each other on their wedding day, and it warmed her heart every time she thought about it. God had surely blessed them with a second chance at love. Naomi continued working at the inn but not as many hours now that she was married. She and Amos traveled to Ohio to see his family as often as they could.
Esther enjoyed having her family close, even Gus. The man continued to be a work in progress, but Esther kept the faith that he would find his way to God and learn to be the best man he could be. She still took him pie often, and he thanked her every single time. Lizzie refused to dine with him except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Luckily, last year’s Christmas dinner had gone better than the disastrous Thanksgiving meal. Hopefully this year’s festivities would be even better.
“Here we go,” Esther said as she placed the turkey closest to Gus.
They each lowered their heads in prayer, including Gus. Esther had no idea if he was praying or just waiting. She’d tried to bring up the subject a few times, but Gus shied away from any talk about God. At least now he knew to raise his head and not wait for a prayer to be said aloud.
“Will you do the honors again this year?” Esther raised an eyebrow.
Gus grumbled, but for the second time, he carved the juicy bird with precision.
“Lizzie gets credit for the turkey again this year. It looks and smells delicious, mei schweschder.” Esther paused. “Don’t you agree, Gus?”
“Yeah.” He didn’t look up, but he didn’t add anything negative either.
Amos ate like he hadn’t seen food in a month of Sundays, and Naomi was glowing. Esther wondered if they were with child and didn’t know it yet. Or maybe they did know and weren’t ready to share the news. Either way, seeing Naomi and Amos so happy together filled Esther’s heart even more.
“Ach, I have some news to share. And you don’t even know because I just found out.” Lizzie glanced at Esther, flashing her pearly whites. She wore the dentures every day now without shifting them around in her mouth as much. Esther had worked hard over the last year to adjust her diet, and along with the pills, her stomach had begun to heal. She rarely had problems or pain like before. She’d also stuck to her checkups like the doctor asked her to.
Esther straightened. “What news do you know that I don’t?”
“Someone left a message on the answering machine requesting reservations for the spring. They said they’d firm up the dates later, but it will be an extended stay and there are a bunch of them!”
Esther calculated how many people they could house, even using cots and h
ide-a-beds. “How many is a bunch? If we fill each room to capacity, we only have enough beds for twelve people.”
“I called the man back and told him that, and he said lodging for twelve would be fine.” Lizzie’s eyes grew. “They are coming all the way from Los Angeles, California.” She smiled again. “I think he said they are with a big produce company. Fancy executives coming for a meeting or something.”
“Well, it sounds like we will be busy.” Esther was grateful the inn was making a name for itself.
* * *
Naomi glanced at Amos, and he nodded. In light of this information, she supposed they should share their own news. She cleared her throat.
“Um, we have some news too.”
Esther gasped and moved her hands to her mouth. “I knew it!”
Naomi couldn’t stop smiling as she reached for Amos’s hand under the table.
Lizzie pushed her chair back, jumped up, and clapped her palms together. “Tell us! Tell us!”
“Amos and I are expecting.” Naomi could feel herself blushing as Amos squeezed her hand. “In May. We were going to wait until I was farther along to tell anyone, but since you have a large crowd coming in the spring, I’m afraid I won’t be available to work. It sounds like you need to hire someone new.”
Naomi looked around at each of them. Her family. Even Gus had a pleasant expression on his face. Considering his reaction to Mary and John’s baby news the year before, Naomi believed Gus was softening, even if just a little.
Lizzie rushed to Naomi and hugged her, then straightened and turned to her sister. “Esther! We’re going to have a boppli to share!” She pressed her palms together again as she wound around the table and sat down.
“Well . . . there’ll be no need for sharing.” Amos chuckled before he reached for a slice of bread with his free hand.
Lizzie and Esther exchanged glances. After a few seconds Esther gasped. Lizzie was a bit slower, but her eyes widened as she caught on.
“Ya, it’s twins.” Naomi didn’t think it was possible to reach this level of happiness. She didn’t even know it existed and had always presumed no one earned it until they got to heaven. But God had blessed her and Amos in more ways than they ever could have imagined. They painted together almost daily, though they’d changed locations, which seemed fitting. Now they recreated the house and barn, and there was a lot of red in both paintings.
Esther clapped as she bounced up and down in her chair. She looked like Lizzie, who was doing the same thing. “A boppli for each of us, Lizzie.”
“You both look like five-year-olds,” Gus said with his mouth full. Once he’d swallowed, he actually smiled, which caused Naomi’s heart to swell even more.
Naomi was thrilled to be expecting her first two children with Amos. She prayed daily for healthy babies. She also prayed that Lizzie and Esther would continue to be in good health. They would finally be able to experience having a baby in the family—two of them.
Esther lifted her glass of tea. “I’d like to propose a toast.” She waited until everyone held up their glass. “To Naomi and Amos, and to the two precious little ones coming into our lives.”
Everyone clinked glasses, saying amen in unison. When Gus reached across the table and gently tapped his glass to Lizzie’s, Naomi thought she might fall out of her chair. The two still sparred, but their coexistence was proof positive that God really was in the business of granting miracles.
Naomi rested her free hand on her stomach.
I can’t wait to meet you both, mei little ones, and to see what the future holds for all of us. Thank you, Gott.
Discussion Questions
It’s obvious Esther and Lizzie love each other very much. What are some of the ways that the sisters complement each other despite having such different personalities?
Naomi and Amos have both chosen not to pursue a romantic relationship. Eventually, they change their minds. Who begins to fall in love first?
When Thomas returned, did you root for him or hope he would leave Montgomery? If Naomi had chosen to be with Thomas, do you think it would have worked out, or would Thomas have left her again?
The sisters made a promise to their mother that Gus could rent the cottage for the rest of his life. Esther and Lizzie don’t know why Gus’s staying in the cottage was so important to her. The reason is revealed in book two of this series. But what speculations do you have as to why Esther and Lizzie’s mother made the sisters promise to let Gus live out his life in the cottage?
Gus’s daughter, Heather, pays him a visit after not seeing him for forty years. More about Heather is revealed in the next book in the series. But what speculations do you have as to why Heather visits her father after all this time?
Naomi and Amos are both aware of their physical attraction to each other, but acknowledge that it takes more than outward appearance for a romantic relationship to ensue. Do you think most relationships begin with a physical attraction to the other person? Naomi and Amos become friends through their common interest in painting also. What romantic relationships do you feel are the most successful? Which order of courtship seems to work best? Or is there even a formula for love?
Despite Gus’s grumpy disposition, there are some tender moments in the story, mostly with Gus and Esther. Can you name some of these scenes? What does this reveal to us about Gus?
There is a lot of tension between Gus and Lizzie. Do their personalities just clash more than Gus’s other relationships—or lack thereof—with others? Do you see anything past the obvious when it comes to Gus and Lizzie?
Most readers will be able to identify with Naomi, Esther, or Lizzie. Which one of these characters were you able to connect with the most? Or were you able to identify with Amos more than the ladies?
Acknowledgments
A big thanks to my publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, for allowing me to create characters who are close to my heart and for giving me the freedom to step outside the box when it comes to this genre.
Much appreciation to my editors, Kimberly Carlton and Jodi Hughes. And for all of those important folks behind the scenes, a big thanks to you also!
To my agent, Natasha Kern, I’m so blessed that we are on this journey together. You are such an important part of my life, both professionally and personally. Xo
Janet Murphy—my friend, my assistant, my media/marketing guru—you continue to rock. By the time this book releases we will have worked together about eleven years. Wow. Who would have thought that day we met at the Mexican restaurant would have landed us where we are today? I love and appreciate you.
Another round of thanks to my street team, Wiseman’s Warriors! You gals are the greatest.
To all the folks in Indiana who have opened their homes and hearts—Amish and non-Amish—thank you for the encouragement, hospitality, and blessings. Indiana has truly become a second home to me.
My family and friends continue to be amazing, supporting me on every project. I love you all. Extra thanks to my amazing hubby, Patrick Mackey. I love you, Dear.
And to God the Father, saying thank you will never be enough for the many ways You have blessed me. I can only try to continuously follow Your lead and to write stories I hope entertain and glorify You.
Glossary
ab im kopp: crazy, off in the head
ach: oh
boppli: baby
bruder: brother
daadi haus: a small house built onto or near the main house for grandparents to live in
daed: dad
danki: thank you
dochder: daughter
Englisch: those who are not Amish; the English language
fraa: wife
Gott: God
grossdochder: granddaughter
grossmammi: grandmother
gut: good
Gut nacht: Good night
haus: house
kaffi: coffee
kinner: children
lieb: love
maedel: girl
/>
mei: my
mudder: mother
nee: no
sohn: son
schweschder: sister
Wie bischt?: Hello, how are you?
ya: yes
About the Author
Photo by Emilie Hendryx
Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, is a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south-central Texas.
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Visit her online at BethWiseman.com
Facebook: AuthorBethWiseman
Twitter: @BethWiseman
Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor
Acclaim for Beth Wiseman
A Picture of Love
“Beth Wiseman’s A Picture of Love will delight readers of Amish fiction. Naomi and Amos’s romance is a heartfelt story of love, forgiveness, and second chances. This book has everything readers love about a Beth Wiseman story—an authentic portrait of the Amish community, humor, the power of grace and hope and, above all, faith in God’s Word and His promises.”
—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of The Farm Stand
A Beautiful Arrangement
“Wiseman’s delightful third installment of the Amish Journey series (Listening to Love) centers on the struggles and unexpected joys of a marriage of convenience . . . Series devotees and newcomers alike will find this engrossing romance hard to put down.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A Beautiful Arrangement has so much heart you won’t want to put it down until you’ve read the last page. I love second-chance love stories, and Lydia and Samuel’s story is heartbreaking and sweet with unexpected twists and turns that make their journey to love all the more satisfying. Beth’s fans will cherish this book.”