A Promise of Hope

by Amy Clipston

  They reached the fence, and Timothy leaned forward on it, resting his foot on the bottom rung while staring across the lush, green pasture.

  Luke glanced back toward the house, his eyes focusing on the men visiting on the porch. He suppressed a smile while thinking of how he would be visiting with them more often—as a member of the family.

  “So, you’re back for good, ya?.” Timothy asked, breaking through Luke’s thoughts.

  Luke crossed his arms and leaned back on the fence. “That’s the plan.”

  “And you’re courting my sister.” Timothy kept his eyes trained across the pasture.

  “Ya.” Luke rubbed his chin, wondering where Timothy was going with this.

  “Gut.” Timothy met his gaze, his expression softening.

  “Gut?” Luke raised his eyebrows, waiting for Timothy to say something negative.

  Yet the man just nodded. “It’s good to see my sister smile again. Danki for coming back.”

  “You’re welcome.” Luke tried in vain to suppress his surprise.

  “I’m sorry about everything I did to make you leave.” Timothy faced him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was wrong when I told you she was going to marry Norman. I assumed she’d marry him because they’re good friends and have both suffered the same loss, but I was dead wrong.” He paused and looked at his boots and then up at Luke. “I had no idea you and Sarah were so close. I was totally out of line. I’m sorry.” He held his hand out. “I hope we can start over as future brothers.”

  A smile of relief curled Luke’s lips as he shook Timothy’s hand. “Danki. I appreciate your honesty.”

  “My sister has a right to decide who she’ll court and who she’ll marry, and judging by the smile you’ve brought to her face, I assume it will be you.” Timothy smacked his arm. “Danki for making her smile again. She’s been through a lot, but I think she’s finally found happiness.”

  “Gern gschehne.” Luke crossed his arms. “It’s my pleasure.”

  “Luke!” Kathryn called from the porch. “Sarah would like to see you upstairs.”

  “Duty calls.” Luke turned to Timothy. “Thanks again.” He trotted across the driveway, up the porch, through the kitchen full of women chatting, and up to the second floor.

  Stepping into Sarah’s room, he found her rocking Rachel and humming. Glancing up at him, she smiled, and his pulse skittered in his veins. She was the picture of beauty. He couldn’t believe she’d agreed to marry him. He was more thankful than he could express in a prayer.

  He lowered himself onto the hope chest next to her, rested his elbows on his knees, and smiled over at her. “Fast asleep?”

  She nodded. “I just fed them, and they fell asleep.”

  Reaching over, he ran his finger down Sarah’s arm. She looked at him, and her sapphire eyes simmered with an intensity that made his insides stiffen.

  “My family is very happy you came back,” she whispered.

  “And are you?” he asked.

  “What do you think?” She gave a coy smile. “Ich liebe dich, Luke.”

  “I love you, too, Sarah Rose. Ich liebe dich.” Her eyes grew serious. “I think I finally understand something my mamm told me a few months ago.”

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “She said Scripture tells us ‘Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ When Peter died, I lost my faith. I was drowning in a deep abyss of sorrow and thought I would never find my way out.” She paused, and her expression brightened. “Now I see God was with me all along. God had a plan for me, and His plan for me was you.”

  Reaching over, she cupped her hand over his. “Despite everything I thought was wrong, the Lord made sure everything was going to be all right for the zwillingbopplin and me. I should’ve had faith all along.”

  His heart filled with love for his future bride. “I know exactly what you’re saying, Sarah Rose. The Scripture is true. I, too, was drowning in sorrow when I found out I’d lost my brother, and I was also envious of the family he had here. Now my faith in God is renewed, and I’m so thankful for what I’ve found in you.”

  Leaning over, he gently took her face in his hands, and she closed her eyes, smiling. Brushing his lips against hers, his heart swelled with joy. He silently thanked God for blessing his life with Sarah Rose, Seth, Rachel, and Sarah’s loving family.

  Epilogue

  While Luke trotted up the porch steps, Timothy leaned back against the fence and reflected on the conversation they’d shared.

  A huge weight had dissolved from his conscience when Luke accepted his apology. He hoped Luke and Sarah had a long, happy life together. His younger sister deserved a life of joy after the pain she’d endured.

  A buggy clip-clopped up the drive and stopped in front of the barn. Titus King climbed from the buggy and began to unhitch his horse. While Dat and Timothy’s brothers gathered around to chat with Titus, his wife, Irma emerged. She greeted the men and then headed for the house while their children hopped out of the buggy behind them.

  The youngest of them ran off to play with Timothy’s nieces and nephews. Naomi leaned down and said something to her younger sister, Lizzie Anne, and handed her a large cake plate covered with foil. Lizzie Anne jogged toward the house with the plate, and Naomi turned, meeting Timothy’s gaze. She waved, and Timothy nodded in response.

  She walked over to him, and he noticed for the first time that she had the prettiest brown eyes he’d ever seen. Her expression brightened as she approached, and he spotted a dimple in her right cheek. Why hadn’t he seen that before?

  “Hi.” Naomi hugged her apron to her body.

  “Hi.” Timothy smiled.

  “Pretty night.” She glanced across the pasture.

  “Ya. Real pretty.”

  She gave him a shy smile. Why hadn’t he ever observed how attractive she was? Too bad she was eight years his junior.

  “I made an apple walnut cobbler.” She jerked her thumb toward the house. “My sister carried it in.”

  He folded his arms and rubbed his chin. “Are you trying to get a job at my mamm’s bakery?”

  She laughed. “Somehow I don’t think my mamm would let me leave the quilt business.”

  He nodded in agreement. “Don’t blame her. You make a mighty fine quilt.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Really? You think so?”

  “I saw the one you gave Luke. It was wunderbaar.”

  Her smile faded. “Ya, that was a bit immature of me. I thought Luke had wanted to court me.” Her cheeks flushed, and he couldn’t help but think she was adorable. “I was a bit silly with him. My mamm chastised me for being so forward. I’m embarrassed by it now.”

  “We all make mistakes.” I’ve sure made enough to last a lifetime. He nodded toward the house. “Would you like something to drink? I’d love to try some of your cobbler.”

  Her smile was back. “That would be nice.”

  As they walked toward the house side by side, Dat’s voice echoed in his mind. Perhaps Naomi King wasn’t too young for him after all.

  Discussion Questions

  1. As the story progresses, Sarah discovers more and more about her late husband’s past. Her anger toward him grows throughout the book. She isn’t able to forgive him until after her twins are born. Why do you think her children helped her forgive Peter?

  2. Think of a time when you were betrayed by a close friend or loved one. How did you come to grips with that betrayal? Were you able to forgive that person and move on? If so, then where did you find the strength to forgive? Share this with the group.

  3. Timothy assumes Sarah will marry a man she does not love. While his intentions are good, he is not taking into consideration what Sarah truly wants. Think of a time when you may have had misguided intentions for a child or loved one. Share this with the group.

  4. Luke is overwhelmed when he discovers the life Peter has left behind. Although he wants to be a part of Sarah’
s family, he struggles to find his place. Think of a time when you felt lost and alone. Where did you find your strength? What Bible verses would help with this?

  5. Peter feels he’s saving Sarah from hurt by not sharing his past with her. However, after he dies, Sarah is left with lies and deception. Do you think Peter’s intentions were justified?

  6. Have you ever known anyone who lied in order to save someone’s feelings? How did that situation turn out?

  7. Read Nahum 1:7 (print out the verse). Has this verse ever helped you when you’re struggling to accept a loss in your life?

  8. Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Was it Sarah, Luke, Elizabeth, Eli, Timothy, Naomi, or even DeLana?

  9. Read 1 John 4:18 (print this out). What does this verse mean to you? How does it apply to the book?

  10. What did you know about the Amish before reading this book? What did you learn?

  Kauffman Amish Bakery Series

  A Gift of Grace

  A Novel

  Amy Clips ton

  Rebecca Kauffman’s tranquil Old Order Amish life is transformed when she suddenly has custody of her two teenage nieces after her English sister and brother-in-law are killed in an automobile accident. Instant motherhood, after years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child of her own, is both a joy and a heartache. Rebecca struggles to give the teenage girls the guidance they need as well as fulfill her duties to Daniel as an Amish wife.

  Rebellious Jessica is resistant to Amish ways and constantly in trouble with the community. Younger sister Lindsay is caught in the middle, and the strain between Rebecca and Daniel mounts as Jessica’s rebellion escalates. Instead of the beautiful family life she dreamed of creating for her nieces. Rebecca feels as if her world is being torn apart by two different cultures, leaving her to question her place in the Amish community, her marriage, and her faith in God.

  Glossary

  ack: Oh

  aenti: aunt

  appeditlich: delicious

  boppli: baby

  bopplin: babies

  danki: Thank you

  dat: dad

  Dietsch: Pennsylvania Dutch, the Amish language (a German dialect)

  dochder: daughter

  Englisher: a non-Amish person

  fraa: wife

  freind: friend

  freindschaft: relative

  gegisch: silly

  gern gschehne: You’re welcome

  grossdaddi: grandfather

  gut: good

  Gut nacht: Good night

  Ich liebe dich: I love you

  kapp: prayer covering or cap

  kind: child

  kinner: children

  kumm: come

  liewe: love, a term of endearment

  maedel: young woman

  mamm: mom

  mei: my

  mutter: mother

  onkel: uncle

  Wie geht’s: How do you do? or Good day!

  wunderbaar: wonderful

  ya: yes

  zwillingbopplin: twins

  Acknowledgments

  This book wouldn’t have been created without the help of my fabulous plotting partner and best friend: my mother, Lola Goebelbecker. Thank you, Mom, for your patience with my incessant plot and character discussions. Also, thank you for all you do for our family. We would be lost without you, and we love you.

  To my mother-in-law, Sharon Clipston: thank you for buying all the copies of my books in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and for sharing them with friends and family. I truly appreciate your support of my writing career. Thank you also for all you do for us.

  Eric Goebelbecker is the coolest big brother in the world! Love you!

  To my wonderful aunts, Trudy Janitz and Debbie Floyd: thank you for your love and encouragement.

  Thank you also to my wonderful friends who were willing to edit, proofread, and critique for me—Margaret Halpin, Sue McKlveen, and Lauran Rodriguez. You all offered wonderful suggestions, and you cleaned up my endless typos. Love you!

  There aren’t enough words to express how much I appreciate all that Sue McKlveen has done for me. You’re like a sister to me. Thank you also to Ruth Meily and Betsy Cook for their help with Lancaster County knowledge. I appreciate your friendship so much!

  Thank you also Pastor Tim, PJ (Pastor John), and the rest of my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, North Carolina. Your encouragement, prayers, and love mean so much to my family and me. Thank you also for making my book signings such a great success!

  Thank you to John and Carol Ionescu, who offered guidance on twin pregnancies. Congratulations on your two beautiful baby boys, John Cristian and Nicolae Daniel!

  Thank you also to my Old Order Amish friend who continues to share her friendship and the details of her life in Pennsylvania. You and your family are in my prayers daily.

  I’m more grateful than words can express to the Zondervan team. Thank you to my amazing editors—Sue Brower and Becky Philpott. I appreciate your friendship and your fabulous talent polishing my books. I’ve learned so much from you both. I am also thankful to the amazing marketing team, especially Karwyn Bursma and Jessica Secord. Thank you also to Joyce Ondersma and Jackie Aldridge for your support and friendship. I’m so blessed to be a part of the Zondervan family.

  To Mary Sue Seymour—you are the best agent in the world! Thank you for believing in my writing.

  Zac and Matt, you are the most amazing boys on the planet. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for bringing sunshine into my life. There’s nothing better than dancing in the garage to Michael Jackson and watching Disney Channel with you. And remember, the zombies in “Thriller” aren’t real. If they were, then they wouldn’t have any sense of rhythm!

  To my husband, Joe: there aren’t words to tell you how much I cherish you. Thank you for putting up with my mood swings and crankiness when I’m burning the midnight oil and writing until 3:00 a.m. You’re my rock. Thank you for reminding me to always have faith. You handle your illness with more grace than I could ever fathom. I pray we have a matching kidney for you soon so you can get on with your life. You’re my inspiration; you’re my “Luke.” I love you. Always.

  I’m also eternally thankful to my readers. I appreciate the wonderful emails you send me telling me how much you enjoy my stories. Thank you also for praying for my husband during his illness.

  Thank you most of all to our Lord Jesus Christ for granting me the words and the opportunity to share my faith through my books.

  Special thanks to Cathy and Dennis Zimmermann for their hospitality and research assistance in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

  Cathy & Dennis Zimmermann, Innkeepers

  The Creekside Inn

  44 Leacock Road—PO Box 435

  Paradise, PA 17562

  Toll Free: (866) 604-2574

  Local Phone: (717) 687-0333

  Fax: (717) 687-8200

  cathy@thecreeksideinn.com

  About the Publisher

  Founded in 1931, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, is the leading international Christian communications company, producing best-selling Bibles, books, new media products, a growing line of gift products and award-winning children’s products. The world’s largest Bible publisher, Zondervan (www.zondervan.com) holds exclusive publishing rights to the New International Version of the Bible and has distributed more than 150 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, mass merchandisers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 68 Gold Medallion awards for its books, more than any other publisher.

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