Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters)
Page 29
“Thanks, everyone, for coming,” Emery said. “I’m sorry we didn’t give you more notice. I guess I never thought this wunderbah woman would consent to be my frau. But she has said yah, and my heart sings!” Emery stopped as if overcome by his own flowery thoughts and words.
Debbie clung to his arm and kept her eyes on the table, mostly so no one would see her tears. She couldn’t say anything even if she knew what to say.
Herbert spoke up. “When Callie and I raised Debbie, we always prayed for her to be happy as an adult. We were puzzled when she made her decision to… umm…join the Amish faith, but indeed our prayers have been answered. We’re overjoyed that she’s found happiness in her faith and now in love.” He looked at his wife.
Callie just nodded. For once she seemed without words.
After congratulations were said and the talk flowed, the bishop finally boomed, “Okay, I’m hungry. Let’s pray and then eat!” The room got quiet as everyone bowed their heads and prayed silently. The bishop said “Amen,” and everyone looked up.
Saloma wiped her eyes before she passed the first of the dishes around the table. Verna and Ida also had tears to wipe away. Emery turned to Debbie, squeezed her hand, and mouthed, “I love you.”
Debbie wondered that she wasn’t a blubbering mess. She leaned against Emery’s shoulder with the realization that she was now home—truly home. There was no question about that. She would find Emery after everyone had left and kiss him for a few precious moments. They had waited long enough.
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways could you have shared Debbie’s joy on her baptismal day?
2. Would you have any advice for Ida as the recently widowed Minister Kanagy begins to pay her attention?
3. Why do you think Emery, the youngest son of Bishop Beiler, shows no interest in the community’s unmarried women?
4. Do you think Emery is interested romantically in Crystal Meyers once she shows up in the community?
5. Why is Alvin blamed by the community for Crystal’s arrival?
6. What do you think of Alvin’s character when he tells Debbie why he has waited so long for the date he has promised her?
7. Was Paul Wagler’s accident at the silo filling deserved? To what extent did his character improve? Should Debbie have opened her heart romantically to him?
8. When Deacon Mast arrives to speak with Alvin about his past, how does he handle the pressure? Could Alvin have done better?
9. Do you blame Mildred for seizing the opportunity to rekindle her past romance with Alvin? Do you approve of her methods?
10. How did Alvin handle his breakup with Debbie?
11. Should Debbie have been open to Phillip Kanagy’s attentions?
12. Did Debbie make the right choice when she took Ida’s example and followed her heart into unexpected territory?
About Jerry Eicher
Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 600,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, Hannah’s Heart series, The Fields of Home series, Little Valley series, and some standalone novels. He’s also written nonfiction, including My Amish Childhood and The Amish Family Cookbook (with his wife, Tina). After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies.
About the Publisher
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To learn more about Harvest House books and to read sample chapters, visit our website:
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
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