It was all his fault.
He’d messed up the lives of his family so terribly he didn’t think God would ever forgive him.
John fell to his knees in a rush of emotion. Tears filled his angry eyes, blocking out words of self-destruction. “God, please forgive me for not loving my family the way you commanded me to. I’ve wasted so much time thinking I was doing the right thing, when I should have asked you for guidance. I’ve turned my back on my family, and now they’re all gone but one. Forgive me for turning my back on you, Lord, and please help me to let go of my stubborn pride and be a grandfather to little Nathan. He deserves to know he has at least one family member left.”
Tears fell unchecked from John’s eyes, and he made no apologies for them. Thankful he lived on a country back-road where he could speak his peace to God without any onlookers, he snuffed out his tears and picked himself up, determined to do right by Nathan.
Chapter 26
John pulled his truck into the lane of the address on the wedding invitation, startled by the number of Amish buggies parked on the property.
Was he in the right place?
The invitation had been for Steven Miller and Lydia Yoder, but he didn’t really think Steve would marry an Amish woman. He thought back to his own wedding, realizing that although he still missed his wife, he felt at peace for the first time since her passing.
He recalled how angry he’d gotten when he’d found out that she had been going to see their grandchild behind his back. Why had he wasted so much time being mad at her when he should have embraced his family for the precious gift they were? He didn’t intend to waste another day without letting Nathan know just how much he was wanted and loved.
****
Nellie prodded across the yard, making certain that all the last-minute things got checked off her to-do list, when she ran smack into a very handsome stranger. He was dressed in a long-sleeved royal blue dress shirt and black trousers. Lose the tie, and place a black felt hat on his head, and he could almost pass for an Amish-man. His striking eyes and dimples almost made Nellie forget her place.
“Forgive me,” she said timidly. “I suppose I need to pay attention to where I’m going.”
He smiled, taking in her plain attire. He found her to be very beautiful, and it surprised him to think such a thing about a woman he’d never met. “No harm done. Might I trouble you to help me find Steve Miller? I received an invitation to a wedding and I’m not sure if I’m at the right address.”
“Steve is marrying mei dochder, Lydia.”
John cleared his throat. “I see the wedding is about to start, but would it be possible to speak with Steve first? I’d like to talk to him about my grandson, Nathan.”
“Kume, he’s in the dawdi haus getting ready.”
John followed Nellie to a smaller house at the back of the property. She knocked lightly and entered at Steve’s prompting.
Steve met John’s hand and shook it. “I’m so glad to see you could make it to my wedding.”
John scanned Steve’s clothing, letting his gaze fall upon the black hat that rested on his head.
“Did you become Amish?”
Steve chuckled. “No, but in a way, I have. I’m marrying a wonderful Amish woman.”
John cleared his throat. “I came to apologize, and to take you up on your offer to be a part of Nathan’s life.”
At the mention of his name, Nathan came out of a back room, his clothing matched Steve’s.
Steve beckoned the child to his side.
“Nathan, I want to meet your Grandpa Foster.”
John bent down and pulled Nathan into a quick hug. “I’m your mom’s daddy.”
Nathan tipped his head to one side. “She’s in Heaven now. I’m getting a new mom today. You will like her.”
John smiled at the child’s innocent boldness. “I’m sure I will.”
He pulled Nathan into another hug, feeling the most alive he’d felt in years.
Chapter 27
Lydia couldn’t believe she was about to marry Steve—finally. Unlike most of the women she knew, who were more excited about the wedding than they were about the marriage, Lydia’s mind was on the latter. She was certainly more excited about being a wife and mother. Steve and Nathan were nearly all moved into the main haus, while her mamm had moved all of her things into the dawdi haus.
Everything was just as it should be. In just a few short hours, she would be a fraa and a mamm, and she couldn’t be happier.
Her mamm entered the room just then. “Are you ready to have Steve as your husband?”
“Jah, I just wish that Daed was here.”
Nellie placed a hand on Lydia’s cheek and smile. “He is. He’s in your heart, dochder.”
For the time since her husband’s death, Nellie felt a peace wash over her…almost as if Gott had something else in store for her future.
****
Lydia glanced at Nathan, who stood proudly next to Steve, her new husband. She couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. She had become a fraa, and a mamm all in one day, but she was happier than she’d ever imagined she could be. She was married to the mann she loved, and because she was now Nathan’s mamm, he would once again be a quilter’s son.
THE END
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Titles by Samantha Bayarr
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
The Quilter's Son: Book Two: Lydia's Heart (Amish Romance) Page 5