God's Gift of Love

by Sarah Miller

  “Katie,” he said, leaning forward. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better,” she replied. “You didn’t have to stay.”

  “I wanted to.” He stretched his arms above his head, yawned, and glanced around the room. “Do you want something to eat? I can get you breakfast.”

  “No, not yet,” Katie said.

  A young Englisch woman came into the room. She wore light blue pants and a matching top, and a stethoscope hung around her neck. A kind smile lit up her face. “You’re up. I’m Tara, I’m Dr. Hartford’s nurse, and I’ve been here through the night watching for you. How do you feel?” Her accent was strange, so different from what Katie was used to, but Katie nodded.

  The nurse checked Katie’s pulse, her blood pressure, and the baby’s heartbeat. Gabe sat in silence, watching, and Katie felt a well of gratefulness at having him in her life.

  The nurse beamed at her. “Everything sounds great.”

  Tears welled up in Katie’s eyes. Yesterday had been so scary--the pain, the bleeding, and the doctor. “Thank you so much,” she told the nurse.

  “Of course,” the nurse said. “I’ll check back in a bit, okay? You holler if you need anything, I’ll be right out here.”

  Katie nodded as Tara left. She looked over at Gabe, who was smiling at her.

  “I’m so glad you’re all right,” he said softly. “Katie, I... I remember what you said a month ago. I think about it quite often. But I don’t feel any different. If anything, my feelings for you are only stronger.”

  Katie blinked back her tears, looking down at her belly. She felt her baby move inside her. It was a sensation that never ceased to amaze her. “He’s moving. Or she.”

  Gabe leaned forward even more. “He is?”

  Katie took Gabe’s hand and gently placed it on her belly. Gabe was frozen as she put his hand towards the top of her bulge. The baby was squirming inside, and she felt her skin move as it kicked and squirmed, for some reason she wanted to share this with Gabe.

  Gabe felt the movement through Katie’s hand and sucked in a gasp. “Oh my, I felt it!”

  Katie laughed. “Jah. They always keep going, just wait.”

  They sat for a moment, Gabe’s hand on hers, and the look of awe on his face made her heart melt.

  It moved again, and Gabe beamed with excitement. “Goodness!”

  His excitement was contagious, and she laughed again. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

  Gabe nodded. He didn’t draw his hand back for a moment, and she didn’t mind. When he finally did, he kept his hand on her bed, resting on the cover. She put her hand over his and softly squeezed it. He turned his hand so his palm rested against hers, and his fingers entwined through hers. The simple gesture, him holding her hand, caught her breath.

  Familiar feelings of fear flooded back, the doubts that had plagued her for the last six weeks since she’d moved here.

  They weren’t as strong as usual, though. Something in her kept her hand in his.

  “Denke, Gabe,” she said.

  He raised his eyebrows. “For what?”

  “For getting help, for staying here, for being here. You bless me so much and I don’t deserve it.”

  “None of us earn love,” Gabe said softly. “It’s a gift.”

  Mark didn’t give her that gift, but Gabe wanted to, for some reason. He was a good man, she knew now. Maybe she’d been wrong about him, wrong about herself. Maybe his love was a gift she could accept.

  Katie wasn’t sure what to say yet, so she didn’t say anything about that just yet. “I think I am hungry now. Do you think I could get up for breakfast?”

  “Nee, nee, nee, Doctors orders,” Gabe said, jumping to his feet. “You stay here. I’ll get you something. Don’t move.”

  Katie laughed. “All right, whatever you say.”

  Before he brought her breakfast, she did have to go to the restroom. By then, Jane was up to help Gabe with breakfast, so she helped Katie to the bathroom. Katie felt fine, though. A little sore still, but she didn’t need a helper to the restroom. Everyone was making such a big fuss over her, and she wished they wouldn’t.

  After breakfast, Katie slept a little longer, but when she woke up, Gabe was still there. Not in her room, but helping May with things. When he heard she was awake, he rushed in to check on her. He sat at her side and they read through the Christmas story together.

  “This is howthe birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found pregnant throughthe Holy Ghost,” Gabe read. His voice was strongbut soothing. “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

  She had a sudden thought, not of her being like Mary and Gabe like Joseph. She didn’t like to think of herself as important as Mary was. But the idea, that Joseph could take her to be his wife even though her child wouldn’t be his. Could she be so lucky?

  Gabe had not proposed, but his actions made it clear he wanted marriage from her. This child wouldn’t be his, but he would take Katie and her child to be his own.

  They finished the story of the miraculous Christmas story and sat in silence for a few minutes.

  “Gabe,” she finally said, “I want to tell you about Mark and me. Perhaps you already know, but he... he was not a kind man.”

  Gabe’s expression was sober, and he shook his head. “It does not seem like it.”

  “I was not a good wife, either, but. . .” she trailed off. Perhaps she wasn’t a perfect wife, but she tried to please him. She spent so long trying to predict his moods and respect him and love him, but nothing she did ever worked. “I tried. But Mark could never see that. He was always angry, never happy with me. I could never do anything to please him.” Her eyes filled with tears at the painful memories.

  Gabe looked like he wanted to say something, but he remained silent. Katie was glad of that. She needed to speak.

  “I was miserable. I knew I shouldn’t be. I thought maybe I was asking too much, but when I became pregnant, I was scared.” Katie touched her belly. “I worried he would be cruel to the baby. I prayed for deliverance, for freedom... and Mark died.” She let out a small sob.

  “Katie,” Gabe said. “That was unrelated.”

  “Was it?” Katie asked. “I love it here. I’m free of him and I can be with May and I have you and all of that’s possibly only because he was killed in that accident, and I feel terrible. I’m benefiting from his death when I should be mourning.”

  Gabe took her hand in his, and she instantly felt better. “Katie. We do not know Gott’s will of these things. Maybe he would have given you deliverance another way if Mark hadn’t been killed.”

  Katie let out a breath. “You think so?”

  “Jah. He is faithful, he answers prayers. He’s watching over you, and I believe he wants me to watch after you, too.”

  Katie smiled. “Even after what I said?”

  “Jah, Katie, this mann has made you afraid to live and you did nothing wrong. I love you with all my heart, will you marry me?”

  The question filled her with joy, which was strange for her, not to be afraid. “I want that, too.”

  Gabe’s face was unbelieving at first, and then a smile came onto his face until he was beaming at her. “Truly?”

  Katie nodded. “I can’t promise it will be easy. I still have nightmares and doubts and I don’t know if I can be the wife you need--”

  “I don’t know if I can be the husband you need,” Gabe said. “But we can try. We have Gott to give us strength.”

  Katie squeezed his hand, smiling with such a joy that it threatened to overwhelm her. “You’re right. I love you, Gabe.”

  “I love you
, Katie.”

  Epilogue

  Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

  - Psalms 127:3

  A group of the family was singing songs in the next room, snow was falling outside, and Gabe was sitting next to his wife and his new child. Katie held a tiny girl in her arms. She had just been born a month early, on the day after Christmas.

  Katie’s hair was pulled into a plait, and her kapp was gone in the chaos of childbirth. The doctor and midwife had left an hour ago, convinced that both mother and child were healthy. Now it was time to rest, and to celebrate the miracle of birth along with the miracle of Christmas. Gabe kissed his wife’s damp forehead and took his daughter from her arms. The child squirmed against him and he was sure she looked at him, even though he knew she could not focus yet. The urge to protect her was overwhelming and he held her close and told her he loved her.

  May sat on a chair next to the bed and all his brothers and their wives were in the room. This was the best Christmas ever. Katie was healing and his wonderful wife and they had their baby. Gabe sat on the bed.

  “I can’t believe it,” Katie whispered, stroking down wisps of soft brown hair.

  “She’s a miracle,” Gabe said. “In more ways than one.”

  Katie nodded with a soft smile. Gabe began to worry if he was holding her properly and placed the baby back in Katie’s arms. He put an arm around her. Katie leaned into him, the baby resting on her chest. They’d only been married a week--so far. It had been the most wonderful week of Gabe’s life.

  Gabe stroked the baby’s forehead. Her eyes were closed for now, but every now and then, she fussed and opened her big, blue eyes that were just like his mother.

  “She’s beautiful,” Gabe said in awe.

  Katie sighed happily. “She is. Praise Gott.”

  “Praise Gott indeed.”

  It had been a hard few years for both of them--he’d lost his parents, she’d lived through two unhappy years with a cruel man. But now they’d found each other and they had a new family, a new direction.

  “You two need to stop fussing over that boppli and tell us what name you’ve decided on?” Samuel said.

  Katie and Gabe shared a look and then turned their eyes from the baby to May. Color rose in May’s old cheeks and she raised a hand in protest.

  “Sorry, May,” Gabe said. “We both decided that May is such a wonderful name and our dochder had to have it.”

  A murmur of agreement went around the room.

  “Let us sing our praise to Jesus Christ,” Gabe said. “This is our first Christmas as a family; let us give thanks for all we have.”

  Gabe looked down at his wife and daughter and gave thanks. God’s gift of love was the most wonderful thing ever. He was watching over them through it all, and His guidance had led them back to each other.

  I hope you enjoyed reading about the Schrock brothers. Between then they have had some great moments. Some were full of love and some full of heartache, but they handled everything with faith and a belief that He would be there for them. The Amish have been a big part of my life and they have taught me that plain faith is the route to all things.

  God Bless,

  Sarah.

  If you missed any of the books about the Schrock brothers the other books are:

  A Time to Heal http://bit.ly/1Q0090V

  Miriam’s Amish Dream http://bit.ly/1jXiPmc

  Coming Home – A Return to the Plain Life

  If you love Amish Romance, the sweet, clean stories of Sarah Miller you can join her for the latest news on upcoming books http://eepurl.com/bdEdSn

  Read on for a Bonus Preview of Amish Baby Hope – The Number One Bestseller.

  More Books by Sarah Miller

  All my books are FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

  Amish Love in Faith’s Creek - 8 Book Box set, includes Mary’s Faith, Hanna’s Journey Home, Katie’s Amish Choice, Amish Baby Hope, Amish Valentine, Amish True Love, Amish Denial and A Prayer to Daniel. http://bit.ly/1RiOt8b

  Amish Lost Love Box Set – Amish Lost Love, Amish Hope and Faith, A Time for Faith – the Empty Cradle and A Prayer for Daniel http://bit.ly/1PV2iMv

  Amish Healer in Faith’s Creek 4 Book Set - Amish Healer, Losing Faith, The Gift, and The Deacon’s Son http://bit.ly/1ir9Fwo

  Amish Faith and Love – 3 Short Amish Romances http://bit.ly/1PaqMj8

  Amish in Faith’s Creek - Amish Secret Journal, The Amish and the Englischer, Amish Valentine, Amish True Love http://bit.ly/1Q0iMBZ

  Bonus Preview – Amish Baby Hope

  Behold, children, are a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward from him.

  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are children born in one's youth.

  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

  - Psalm 127:3-5

  Chapter One

  You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

  – Psalm 18:28

  “It’s a girl,” Martha Byler said in her practical tone as she handed Anna the tiny pink wrapped bundle.

  “A girl,” Anna repeated and joy replaced her exhaustion as she took hold of her baby for the very first time. Her hands were shaking, her breath still came in short, sharp, gasps, but the pain was less now. Still, as she held the delicate bundle, she knew it was all worthwhile. The worries, the pains, and the heartaches they had been through these last six years were forgotten as she clutched onto the blankets. This miracle of life was hers, her baby. Joy was like a physical force as it replaced the hopes and prayers that had been a constant in her life. No one had seen the desperation they felt, the despair at every hurdle, but here they were on the other side and everything they wanted was now theirs.

  “Denke Gott” she whispered, as tears of elation welled up in her eyes.

  The happiness this tiny bundle elicited was almost spiritual in its intensity. The pink blanket was warm and soft to the touch. Carefully she peeled away at the swaddling to peer at her baby, and despite her exhaustion, as she lifted her head from the pillow, she could almost see.

  “Anna,” Samuel’s voice was gentle but insistent.

  It seemed so far away and she wanted to ignore him. This was what they had been wanting, this was right. Pulling the blanket down just a little, she raised her head. More than anything she wanted to see, to look at her baby, after all this time. Her eyes opened wide in anticipation of that first look and she held her breath. At last she would meet their daughter.

  A hand shook her shoulder and she jolted upwards and took her first glance. The blanket was empty, there was nothing there, and a black fear filled the room with darkness.

  “Wake up, Sweetie,” Samuel whispered into her ear.

  Anna opened her eyes with a start and the feeling of loss was intense. Where was her baby? She looked around the room and then felt the reassuring bump of her belly. It was just a dream. She was still five weeks before her due date.

  “What is it?” she asked rubbing her eyes and bringing herself fully awake.

  “Are you okay?” Samuel replied and he placed a hand on her head. It was so large it covered her face, as he gently checked her for fever.

  “Just a dream,” she said holding his huge hand with her tiny one. She gave it a gentle squeeze for comfort. “It was so nice I didn’t want to wake.”

  “Was it about the boppli?”

  “Jah, I had her in my arms. I was just about to see her face when some oaf of a man woke me.”

  Samuel laughed. “Soon my love, soon you will hold her… or him. Now I hate to wake you but it’s Abe, your Daed is asking for you.”

  Anna was instantly awake. If he asked for her in the night, then it must be bad. “Denke, for waking me. Now you get some sleep, it will soon be morning and we have a busy day ahead.”

  “I will stay here,” Samuel said his voice reassuring but gentle, “because he wanted to talk
to you alone. But I will be awake in case you need me.”

  Anna kissed him on the cheek and tugged his short beard. “You may have to give me a hand,” she said. The weight of her bump was making it difficult to get off the bed.

  Samuel pulled her to her feet and into a hug. “I’m here if you need me,” he said.

  Anna took a gas lamp and headed out of the bedroom and into the hall. Shadows chased behind her, but it was not those that stroked cold fingers down her spine. She knew that one day soon it would be his last and her heart wanted to break. “Please Gott let him see my baby born,” she asked, but she knew in her heart that it would not happen and this moment of joy was overshadowed with sadness. The doctor was amazed Abe had survived even this long.

  She knocked gently on his door and stepped into the room. It was decorated in cream, with a wooden floor. On the bed was a faded brown quilt that had been made by her Mamm many years ago and was old and worn now. Anna wanted to replace it with one she made, but she knew it gave him comfort. It made him feel close to Mamm, even though they were apart.

  “Anna,” he said his voice hoarse and breathy. “Come close girl.”

  “Jah, Daed, how are you?”

  “I am blessed,” he said.

  Blessed, she thought, and knew she should agree, but it was so hard. He was a shadow of the man she knew. His cheeks were like old leather, worn and wrinkled and sunken where the stuffing had compacted. Once beautiful blue eyes were opaque and looked so tired, yet there was a dreamy expression on his face and she wondered if it was the medication?

  “How are you blessed, Daed?” she asked.

  For a second the breath rattled in his chest and she thought that maybe he would cough. The cancer had taken a toll, but he bore it well. Only now towards the end, had he allowed heavy painkillers and then only to take away the worst of his pain. He wanted to face his God with a clear head, but it hurt her so to see him like this.