“Is that how Amish instruction works?” Ryan asked. “You have to submit to all standards from the first day of instruction forward?”
“There’s some leeway during that time period.” Ariana grinned at Frieda. “But I’d be happy to teach you how to drive.”
“Our new ministers are kind and caring,” Berta said, “but don’t invite trouble, Ari.”
“I wouldn’t. They know my intention.”
“Your intention?” Dan asked.
“Dan, stay out of it.” Quill shook his head as if annoyed, but Ariana saw the humor flicker in his eyes. Quill turned to Ari. “Your intention?”
The room rippled with laughter.
“I…I have a gift for you. From Daed.” Ariana hurried to her satchel and pulled out a silvery box with a burgundy ribbon around it.
While Daed was trying to wrap his heart around the fact that Ariana wouldn’t join the faith, he was in a furniture outlet store and stumbled onto a framed quote. He said the quote hit him so hard his knees almost buckled. It was exciting that her parents had the money to buy new furniture, but for Daed to see this quote in a remote corner of the store and for it to warm his heart meant so much to her.
She returned to the table. Everyone was quiet, watching Quill and eating in slow motion.
“From Isaac?” Quill untied the ribbon around it.
“Daed saw it and bought it, but it’s as if the message is from me to you or you to me.”
Quill lifted the lid. He saw the words and looked up at Ariana. Candlelight sparkled off the tears in his eyes. A moment later he was out of his chair. “Excuse us. Keep eating.”
He took Ariana by the hand, and they went down the dimly lit hallway. Maybe she should’ve grabbed a candle or lantern.
“Your Daed believes the universe conspired to help me find you?” he asked.
“Or vice versa.” She leaned against the door frame to his bedroom, taking in the man in front of her. She didn’t need to ask if he loved her. She could feel it as clearly as if it were a physical object between them, as warm as a blazing fire on a winter’s night, as vibrant as a garden in summer.
Quill rubbed his forehead, looking a bit unsure of what was happening. “This is how you feel?”
“You don’t know?”
“I…I’d…dreamed, but reality has a gulf between us that I didn’t expect…” He cradled her face. “You won’t be able to be a part of everything going on in your Brenneman family. You’ll be like a distant neighbor who gets the news after the fact and not the family invite.”
“I will miss the freedom to come and go. But Mamm and Daed have promised to visit often. They’ll keep the grandchildren so my siblings can do the same. There will be plenty of drop-ins by my older siblings at the café, without their little ones, and Susie and Martha can continue working there. But, ya, I’ll grieve at times over the locked gate between them and me that only they hold the key to. But I know you’ll help me through it. I know our joy will exceed that grief. And I know I will never regret us or choosing a lifetime with you. I promise. The real question is, can you trust me on that?”
He exhaled, leaning his forehead against hers. “I want to.” He brushed his lips against her cheek. “God is my witness, I want to.” He put a few inches between them.
She lifted his hand, turning his palm upward. “When I had to leave Summer Grove to live with my Englisch family, I was so angry with you I wouldn’t allow contact between us.”
“I remember.”
“You knew I needed you, so no matter how difficult I was, you kept making yourself available to me. And the day came when my world crashed around me, and no amount of resolve could carry me through. I needed you. I needed you in order to survive in that chaos, but you can’t see that I need you for everything? We are two people the universe has conspired to bring together, ya?”
“Ari,” he whispered. He put her hand on the center of his chest, where his heart was pounding like mad. “Is this really happening?”
She tugged on the three-strand leather cord around his neck until she was holding the necklace, the one she had made for him when she was just a kid. Each cord had a meaning—one represented God, one her, and one Quill. The medallion had been forged from a silver spoon, and she’d drilled a hole in the center and carved angled braid marks across the round surface. He’d worn it ever since, almost as a prayer that it would be true—God, Ariana, and himself united forever.
She tugged gently on the tattered necklace. “It seems we’ve been in the process of happening since the day I was mistakenly brought into an Amish home from a burned-down clinic or maybe before that day.”
He drew her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I think it’ll take a lifetime to reveal to you how much I adore you.”
“I’ll take that deal. Is there something you want to ask me?”
“There is, but my question skips right past the all-important first date we’ve never had.”
“It’ll be a good story to share with our children and grandchildren.”
“Will you marry me?”
“My heart on the topic is the same as it has been all my life, but my opinions about marriage and children have changed.” She shook her index finger at him. “We’ll write our own vows, and I want time with just us, no children. When we have children, I want to limit the number so that all our time and energy don’t go only to us and ours but we have time and resources to give to others.”
“Good grief, Ariana Brenneman.” Quill kissed her face all over. “Tell me yes already.”
She was tempted to say “yes already,” but there would be time for reflecting on this moment and teasing about it later. It would be a good marriage, a fun one that each would be grateful for every day. “Ya, I’ll marry you. Anytime. Anywhere.”
“Somewhere neutral”—Quill hugged her, holding her gently in his warm embrace as he spoke—“so Mamm and your Amish family will feel comfortable attending…if they will.”
“They will.” She took a step back and cradled his handsome face. “I know we can find the perfect venue for us and our Amish and Englisch families. I know we can.”
“Me too.”
“Gut.” She touched her lips with her finger. “Now kiss me.”
Quill gazed into her eyes, seeming to absorb the beautiful, life-altering shock of the last few minutes.
He lowered his lips to hers.
Five years later
Standing inside the warmth of her own home, Ariana relaxed as Quill rubbed her shoulders, easing the discomfort from her achy body. Music drifted softly through their living room, and she turned to face her husband.
He slowly leaned in and put his forehead against hers. “Would you like to get off your feet? Jasmine cream and a foot rub await.”
Ariana kissed his lips. “I’m fine right where I am, but thank you.” She rested her head on his chest, her rounded belly not yet large enough to keep her from snuggling in Quill’s arms. Often as he held her, she felt as if she were melting into him. If love were a tangible object, she was sure this home would burst at the seams. But love always served a purpose. Love felt good and gave energy, but its purpose reached far beyond that, and Ariana was fulfilled beyond her wildest imagination to be a part of all that love wanted to accomplish.
Quill oversaw all things electrical for Schlabach Home Builders, but his heart was more invested in helping women and their children who were in dangerous situations get to safety. Schlabach Home Builders and J&A Roofing, Jax’s and Abram’s business, had built a home for her and Quill, a small one with a beautiful craftsman breezeway that connected to Berta’s home. After that they’d built a few homes as temporary housing for women and their children who’d been rescued.
Ariana had bought an additional building and now had expanded Brennemans’ Perks twice since the original purchase. The café was open eight to eight, six days a week, and there was always at least one Brenneman on duty during that time. She’d trained all of her sisters and her Mamm
how to be the manager on site. She currently had forty other Amish women working for her. The café was a hub of the community. People—Englisch and Amish alike—filled the place to capacity regularly. Speakers still came once a month, and a permanent small stage had been added for them and for the live entertainment, which could be a local church band, karaoke, or even a cappella singing by Plain people, all of which happened on Saturday evenings.
Lexi was sprawled on the couch, seeming to doze, and yet her tail was slowly wagging.
Ariana’s thoughts moved to her family. She and Quill visited with her Englisch family regularly—most often Brandi, Gabe, Cameron, and Nicholas. There were church traditions they kept with them, and they took turns going on trips with her mom’s family and then her dad’s. But the people she saw the most were her Amish family.
The dairy farm ran smoothly and at a good profit, so Daed and Mamm were doing really well. Salome and Emanuel still lived with Mamm and Daed, not because they had money issues or needed to save for future surgeries for Esther, but because the situation benefited both families. It freed Salome and Mamm to alternate working at the café while the other one kept things running smoothly at home. Esther had undergone a successful cosmetic surgery, which had been paid for, and the money for a second surgery, which should be the last one, was already saved.
Abram and Cilla had wed, but before they did, he’d informed the church leaders and both his family and hers that due to Cilla’s cystic fibrosis, they’d decided they wouldn’t have children of their own. The church leaders said the decision fell under the category of physical health, and they wouldn’t express an opinion, and they expected the church members to follow suit. Cilla’s family, her mom in particular, was very grateful to Abram for making that difficult decision. They had adopted two precious little ones and had hopes of adopting at least two more.
As soon as Skylar finished college, she and Jax married. They continued to do volunteer work with the poor and homeless. Skylar’s life was also immersed in teaching music—from private lessons for the underprivileged, to working with foster children and group homes, to helping Nicholas with charity events.
Susie was married, and she and Levi had a precious little boy.
Martha worked full time at the café. She seemed disinterested in getting married. Maybe she would be like Mark, who hadn’t found the one until he was in his late twenties.
The baby made several rapid moves, and Ariana moved Quill’s hand to her belly. His deep blue eyes gazed into hers, and her heart raced. Every day for five years he had let her know how grateful he was they were together. The baby seemed to ball up and shift to where Quill’s hand was. They laughed softly. “You seem to have powers to move more than just me.”
Quill grinned, and when the baby jolted, as if kicking a soccer ball, Quill startled and then laughed.
They didn’t know the gender. It didn’t matter. They were together, and this was their child. They’d held off starting their family for a lot of reasons, and now they hoped they would be blessed with three or four little ones, about two years apart. They were looking forward to the love and chaos that would fill this home, but Berta seemed even more excited than they were.
Ariana and Quill had ample time with his brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. She was blessed by her sisters working at the café, which allowed them to steal coffee breaks to visit. But as former Amish now living in the world, she had very limited time with many of her siblings’ children. The parents had to make that decision, and Ariana did her best not to let that hurt her. Some of her siblings seemed to have resigned themselves to their reality—the Brenneman family would forever intermingle with their Englisch family in influential ways, and regardless of how respectful and careful Ariana, Quill, Skylar, and Jax were, the ongoing effect could not be undone or ignored.
Life and love were messy, and relationships were often hard, but through the upheaval that had almost broken her, she’d figured out who she was and what she wanted. Even in the best family situations, life was about walking in love and finding one’s place.
Ariana had found hers.
ach—oh
Ach, Daed, Ich lieb du.—Oh, Dad, I love you.
Ach, du liewi Bobbeli!—Oh, you dear baby!
Aenti—aunt
As gut—That’s good
Ausbund—a hymnal
Bischt du allrecht?—Are you all right?
Daed—father or dad; pronounced “dat”
denki—thank you
des iss—this is
draus in da Welt—out in the world
Du kannscht.—You can’t.
Englisch—non-Plain person, a term used by the Amish and Plain Mennonites
fehlerfrei—perfect
Gern gschehne.—You’re welcome.
Grossmammi—grandmother
Guder Marye—Good morning
gut—good
hallo—hello
Ich bin hungerich.—I am hungry.
Ich denk du bischt verhuddelt. Du schwetze wunnerlich.—I think you are confused. You talk strange.
Iss es allrecht?—Is everything all right?
Iss es heiss?—Is it hot?
Kann Ich kumm rei?—Can I come in?
Kapp—prayer cap or covering
kumm—come
liewer Brudder—dear brother
Mamm—mom or mother
Mammi—grandmother
nee—no
Ordnung—order; set of rules
Sell iss wunderbaar, Daed.—That is wonderful, Dad.
Was iss geh uff?—What is going on?
wilkum—welcome
ya—yes
Ariana Brenneman—A dedicated but inexperienced twenty-year-old who was raised Amish. The truth surrounding her birth and the threat of a lawsuit against the midwife who delivered her has ripped Ariana from her beloved Amish roots.
Abram Brenneman—A loyal and supportive brother to Ariana who grew up believing she was his twin.
Isaac and Lovina Brenneman—A poor Amish couple that are dairy farmers. They have ten children, some grown and some minors. They raised Ariana, believing she was theirs.
Salome Brenneman Glick—The eldest Brenneman daughter, who is indecisive but loyal. She’s married to Emanuel, and they have five children, including Esther and Katie Ann. They live in the same home as Isaac and Lovina.
Susie Brenneman—The eighteen-year-old daughter, who is sassy and determined.
Martha Brenneman—The fifteen-year-old daughter, who is sweet and maternal in nature.
Abner, Ivan, Mark, and John Brenneman—Along with Abram, the sons of Isaac and Lovina.
Brandi Nash—The Englisch mom who twenty years ago gave birth to Ariana in an Amish birthing center a few minutes before Lovina Brenneman gave birth to twins, a girl and then a boy. She is now a sincere, trendy, and fit mom who has raised Skylar as well as a stepdaughter, Cameron.
Skylar Nash—The talented but once-addicted young woman who was raised by Brandi Nash in a non-Amish home. She is the biological child of Lovina and Isaac, and the Brenneman children are her biological siblings.
Gabe Crespo—Brandi’s husband and Cameron’s father.
Cameron Crespo—Gabe’s fifteen-year-old daughter, who befriends Ariana.
Nicholas Jenkins—Ariana’s biological father, who helped raise Skylar Nash.
Lynn Jenkins—Nicholas’s wife and mother of two sons, Trent and Zachary.
Quill Schlabach—A twenty-five-year-old man who grew up in Summer Grove with Ariana and was a close friend. But he has left the Amish.
Berta Schlabach—The mother of Quill and his four brothers—Dan, Erastus, Leon, and Elam—who have also left the Amish. She is also a matronly friend of Ariana’s.
Frieda Miller—A friend of Ariana’s who disappeared with Quill several years ago under mysterious circumstances.
Cilla Yoder—A young Amish woman who has cystic fibrosis. She helps out at Brennemans’ Perks and has feelings for Abram. Her Mamm is Emma
, and her sister is Barbie.
Noah Stoltzfoos—The bishop for Summer Grove.
Gia Rice—An abused woman with three children.
Yvonne—The cashier who passes messages to Gia.
Melanie—A woman who helps women escape bad or dangerous relationships.
Blake Torres—The detective who follows up on the case against Frieda’s father.
To my Amish friends, as always, thank you.
To my wonderful family, you make my life all I want it to be.
A special thanks to my daughter-in-law Erin for all the help—from office work to powerful brainstorming sessions to endless encouragement. Also special thanks to my youngest son, Tyler, for putting your life on pause, leaving New York, and meeting me at my writing hideout to help as needed, especially by updating notes and charts for editors so I could focus on the creative side of writing. Thank you to Catherine King, reader-turned-brainstorming-partner, for your help.
A very special thank-you to Common Grounds Coffee Shoppe and Mocha Moe’s Coffee House—two very special cafés right here in Flowery Branch, Georgia. The atmosphere and character of each are quite different, and between the two I found the inspiration I needed throughout this three-book series—and as a bonus, many great cups of coffee, tasty foods, and lovely conversations with owners and managers!
I have dear memories of Gene Burch, manager of Common Grounds Coffee Shoppe, who passed away and is deeply missed by countless people. Contrary to normal store hours, Gene opened this coffee shop one beautiful Sunday afternoon in 2009 and helped us hang lights and tulle, and then he served food so I could host a bridal shower in that charming spot. It was then that Common Grounds kindled in me a desire to make that endearing café an integral part of a story line.
Thank you to its owner, Randy Dill, for being a rock in the community and for navigating the changes at the coffee house while supporting Gene through the toughest of times. And a warm thank-you to Susanne McManus, who now runs this lovely coffee shop.
Thank you to Mary Ann, Sameh, Moe, and Samantha Behiry, owners and operators of Mocha Moe’s Coffee House. The ingenuity and resourcefulness of your café are too endearing not to become a part of my heart and therefore a part of the series as Ariana bought adjoining buildings and updated her café.
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