The Harvest of Grace

by Cindy Woodsmall

  Every couple was different. The things that had drawn each man and woman together were as varied as the colors of nature. All the couples had been through their own sets of trials and mishaps. But the ability to grow closer while navigating those heartaches had caused their love to become stronger. Love was so odd. It could fight the fiercest battle and cradle the most delicate creatures. It never failed to beckon or give hope to the hopeless, and she knew love would continue to do so, no matter what good or difficult things lay ahead. With Ephraim beside her, Cara opened her arms to embrace their future.

  They all stood there, looking up at the dangling wringer washer, chuckling. One by one, under God’s twinkling night sky, each man took his loved one in his arms and for a brief moment tuned out the world.

  Ada’s House Series

  Main Characters in The Harvest of Grace

  Sylvia Fisher—A young Amish woman who is the oldest of nine daughters. She loves the family dairy farm.

  Beckie Fisher—Sylvia’s closest sister.

  Elam Smoker—A young Amish man interested in Sylvia.

  Aaron Blank—Son of Michael and Dora. After his sister died, he went into rehab for alcoholism.

  Michael Blank—Aaron’s father.

  Dora Blank—Michael’s wife and Aaron’s mother. Her daughter, Elsie, who was married to Grey Graber, died in a terrible accident.

  Frani—Former drinking buddy of Aaron’s.

  Cara Atwater Moore—Englischer from the Bronx who lost her mother as a child, was abandoned by her father, and grew up in foster care. She married and had a daughter, Lori, but Cara’s husband died when Lori was two. While fleeing a stalker, she discovered clues to her past in her mother’s diary. That, combined with vague memories from her childhood, brought her to Dry Lake. She is now engaged to Ephraim.

  Trevor Atwater—Cara’s father, a widower. He was an alcoholic for most of Cara’s childhood.

  Ephraim Mast—Amish man who works as a cabinetmaker in Dry Lake with Grey Graber. He is Deborah’s brother and is engaged to Cara.

  Lori Moore—Cara’s daughter. She calls Ephraim “ ’From” and has a dog named Better Days.

  Deborah Mast—Amish woman who is Ephraim’s sister. She lives at Ada’s House in Hope Crossing and was engaged to Ada’s son, Mahlon, before he left his family, his home, and the faith. She is now in love with Jonathan.

  Jonathan Stoltzfus—Amish blacksmith. He is in love with Deborah.

  Lena Kauffman—Amish woman. She has a bluish purple birthmark on the right side of her cheek and going down her neck. She lost her teaching job in Dry Lake when she disobeyed unfair rulings made by the school board, and Michael Blank, head of the board, refused to stand up for her. She is in love with Grey.

  Grey Graber—Amish widower. He’s a skilled craftsman who loves his work at the cabinetry shop owned by Ephraim Mast. He was married to Elsie Blank for almost six years. Their son, Ivan, was born with a missing arm, and they had a stillborn son a year later. After Elsie’s death, Grey fell in love with Lena.

  Ada Stoltzfus—Amish widow in her forties. She is a friend and mentor to Deborah and Cara, who help her run Ada’s House, a bakery and gift shop in Hope Crossing that allows tourists to participate in some traditional Amish events.

  Glossary

  all—all

  begreiflich—easy

  Bobbeli—infant

  Daadi—grand father

  Daed—dad or father

  denki—thank you

  Englischer—a non-Amish person. Mennonite sects whose women wear the prayer Kapps are not considered Englischers and are often referred to as Plain Mennonites.

  Gaule—horse

  gegleed—dressed

  gut—good

  Kapp—a prayer covering or cap

  kumm—come (singular)

  kumm rei—come in

  langsam—slow

  letz—wrong

  Mamm—mom or mother

  Mammi—grandmother

  Pennsylvania Dutch—Pennsylvania German. Dutch in this phrase has nothing to do with the Netherlands. The original word was Deutsch, which means “German.” The Amish speak some High German (used in church services) and Pennsylvania German (Pennsylvania Dutch), and after a certain age, they are taught English.

  Plain—refers to the Amish and certain sects of Mennonites.

  Plain Mennonite—any Mennonites whose women wear the prayer Kapp and cape dresses and the men have a dress code.

  rumschpringe—running around. The true purpose of the rumschpringe is threefold: give freedom for an Amish young person to find an Amish mate; to give extra freedoms during the young adult years so each person can decide whether to join the faith; to provide a bridge between childhood and adulthood.

  schwarz—black

  wunderbaar—wonderful

  ya—yes

  Pennsylvania Dutch phrases used in

  The Harvest of Grace

  Du hab eens Daadi un eens Grandpa.—You have one Amish grandfather and one Englischer grandfather.

  Gott segen dich.—God bless you. [singular]

  Gott segen eich.—God bless you. [plural]

  Guder Marye.—Good morning.

  Ich bin hungerich.—I’m hungry.

  Ich kumm glei naus.—I’ll come out soon.

  Im Gott sei Lieb—in God’s love

  Saage es.—Say it.

  Sell iss gut.—That is good.

  * Glossary taken from Eugene S. Stine, Pennsylvania German Dictionary (Birdsboro, PA: Pennsylvania German Society, 1996), and the usage confirmed by an instructor of the Pennsylvania Dutch language.

  Acknowledgments

  To my Old Order Amish friends who helped me so faithfully as I wrote about delicate events—My heart is yours.

  To the Old Order Amish farmers who spent long hours helping me understand all the ins and outs and challenges of running your dairy farms without electricity while meeting government regulations—I admire the tenacity in you and your families. Thank you for sharing your stories about how the stream-bank fencing program affected your farms—the fair and unfair, the ultimatums, and the generous help the government provided.

  To my expert in the Pennsylvania Dutch language—I struggle with the languages as Cara does in this novel, and you are even more patient than her teachers. Your expertise and your patience are both appreciated.

  To WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, from marketing to sales to production to editorial—With each book we produce, I’m even more honored to be one of your authors.

  To Shannon Marchese, my editor—Only the two of us and God will ever know all the obstacles that kept falling across our path as I wrote this book. Because of how you faced every challenge, I respect you even more.

  To Jessica Barnes, my editor on this project while Shannon was on leave—Oh my! You entered my life during the roughest of times and remained calm, helpful, and hard working. Without you this book would not be in readers’ hands, and my nerves would be frazzled rather than healed. At the time I may not have let you know how truly and deeply grateful I am.

  To Carol Bartley, my line editor—You do your job excellently, but more than that, you helped me believe in myself. In my most difficult times of writing, I reflect on that. Thank you.

  To Kathy Ide—You are ever faithful when I need you. Thank you.

  To Steve Laube, my agent, and Marci Burke, my good friend and critique partner—Both of you make me a better person and author. Thank you.

  To my husband, sons, and daughters-in-law—Time with you makes life a beautiful patchwork quilt. I love and respect each of you with all my heart.

  And to the newest member of our household, my brother Leston, who moved in with us when my dad passed—You are a challenge and a gift, as is every good thing on this earth. I love to laugh with you. I look forward to reading with you at night. I can’t help but cry when you do—so stop that! I’m grateful to be your little sister. May your happiest days be ahead of you.

  About the Author


  CINDY WOODSMALL is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She is the author of the Sisters of the Quilt series as well as The Bridge of Peace, The Hope of Refuge, The Sound of Sleigh Bells, and The Christmas Singing. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, their three sons, and two amazing daughters-in-law.

  To keep up with new releases, book signings, and other news,

  visit Cindy at www.cindywoodsmall.com.

  Step into the first two books of

  the Ada’s House trilogy

  Two people from vastly different worlds. Can New Yorker Cara Moore and Amish man Ephraim Mast get past long-hidden secrets and find assurance in the midst of desperation?

  Lena and Grey have been life-long friends, but their relationship begins to crumble amidst unsettling deceptions, propelling each of them to finally face their own secrets. Can they find a way past their losses and discover the strength to build a new bridge?

  Read an excerpt from these books and more on WaterBrookMultnomah.com!

  A beautiful carving and a well-intentioned aunt just might thaw two frozen, lonely hearts and give them a second chance at love—just in time for Christmas.

  Read an excerpt from this book and more on WaterBrookMultnomah.com!

  Can Hannah find refuge,

  redemption, and a fresh beginning

  after her world is shattered?

  When Hannah Lapp, a simple 17-year-old Amish girl, finds her life shattered by one brutal act, she must face the rejection of family and friends and the questioning of her faith. Will she find her way back to the soul she fears may be lost forever?

  Also available in a 3-in-1 volume:

  Read an excerpt from these books and more on WaterBrookMultnomah.com!

  Two friends from different worlds—

  one Old Order Amish, one Englischer —

  share the truths that bring them together.

  Best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall and Old Order Amish woman Miriam Flaud’s book, Plain Wisdom, celebrates the common ground found in womanhood and the challenges of being wives and mothers. Cindy and Miriam reveal how God has brought both of them through difficult and enjoyable times as they each face life with grace and strength.

  Read an excerpt from this book and more on WaterBrookMultnomah.com!