The worry on his face and in his eyes made Hope’s throat constrict. This man standing before her filled her with admiration.
“Then we’ll have sons.” Hope spoke eagerly. “Many, many sturdy, beautiful sons, God willing.”
“No guarantee of that, Hope.”
“No guarantee of anything, Abram.”
She stood tall and resolute and in the depths of her heart, all apprehension, all worry about the future, dissolved into nothing. Maybe she was foolish or foolhardy, as Abram called it, but she felt a heavenly confidence that together she and Abram would be able to handle anything life brought their way.
Abram inhaled slowly, and a faint light started in the depths of his black eyes. “Perhaps, Hope. Perhaps, we can do it. Gott and you and me.”
She nodded. “Jah.” Her voice was soft and clear.
His grip on her tightened. “I ask you again, Hope. Will you marry me?”
“I answer you again, Abram. Jah, I will marry you.”
“Will you marry me in two months?”
A cry of relief broke from her lips. “Jah, Abram. Two months. Jah.”
He took her hand solidly in his. “All right, then. I hope I’m not being unwise. Shall we inform our families?”
“Most of mine already knows,” she said and laughed. “But, jah, let’s inform our families.”
Together, they walked outside—he hobbling, and she steady by his side.
Epilogue
The morning had been ripe with a flurry of activity. The three-hour sermon had now finished, and Hope stood with Abram before the Bishop in her newly-made wedding dress. The fabric was the color of the sky on a clear day, and Hope had lovingly sewn every stitch. A surge of gratitude flowed through her as the Bishop asked the two of them questions, and they affirmed their commitment to each other and to God. Hope’s eyes grew large and liquid as she gazed at Abram’s dear face, and she found it impossible not to return his captivating smile.
She glanced at her family and love for them filled her chest nearly to the point of bursting. Sally grinned at her from her position as one of the attendants, and Hope realized again how much she’d grown to love her new cousin. A movement caught her eye, and she noticed Abram’s relative Josiah studying her face. A flash of memory caught at her. She well remembered when he had asked her to ride with him after the Sunday singing. Now she wondered—did Josiah still have feelings for her?
Josiah nodded and with a teasing raise of his brows, she knew all was well. She caught Mary’s gaze and saw tears in her sister’s eyes. Hope’s heart lifted and she decided to play matchmaker right after the wedding—Josiah was a fine catch, and Mary was already smitten with him.
Abram caught her hand, and together they faced their friends and family. Abram leaned slightly on his cane, evidence that his leg was some better and healing. Uncertainty still remained as to whether it would heal completely, but at that moment, at that beautiful love-filled moment, Hope knew to the depths of her being that no matter what happened, no matter what the outcome, everything would work to the good as God promised.
The End
Thank you for reading this book! Are you wondering what to read next? Why not read Amish Days: The Schoolteacher’s Baby? Here’s a sample:
John Beiler sat in the rocker in the main house. Emmy Sue was perched on his knee where his large hands easily balanced her. He faced his in-laws, who both sat on the opposite couch.
“What’s this about?” Lydia asked, her voice suspicious. Her eyes narrowed, and her hands fidgeted with the corner of her apron, twisting the fabric around her fingers.
“Everything all right, son?” Ben Miller asked. “No troubles at work?”
“Nee. Everything’s fine at work.” John took a deep breath to quiet his heart. “I’ve made a decision.”
Lydia’s eyebrows arched high, and a look of dread covered her face.
“I’ll be moving to Hollybrook in a week.”
Lydia shot up. “What?”
Ben tried to grab her back down to the couch, but she resisted and remained standing. “Hollybrook? That’s miles away! Why?” Her voice rose in pitch with each word.
“I’m to be their new teacher.”
“What?” This time it was Ben’s incredulous voice.
John bounced Emmy on his knee and gave her a nervous smile. Looking at his in-laws, he continued. “You needn’t have any worries. They have a daadi haus for Emmy Sue and me. They’re providing meals, too.”
“But what about Emmy?” cried Lydia. “Who’s to look after her?”
“That’s all arranged, too,” John said, working to keep his voice level.
Lydia stepped to him and snatched Emmy Sue from his hands. Emmy Sue cried, and Lydia hushed her and held her close.
John stood. With measured movements, he removed Emmy Sue from Lydia’s arms and resumed his seat. Emmy blubbered and sucked on the edge of her hand.
Lydia sank to the couch, and Ben reached over and put his hand over hers.
“I appreciate both of you more than I can say…” John started.
“Then don’t do this!” Lydia cried. “Why take her away?”
John took a slow breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they brimmed with unshed tears. “I’m not trying to hurt you, Lydia. Or you, Ben. We’ll visit often. And you can visit us, too.” He pulled Emmy close to his chest. “I’ve prayed about it. Many times. It’s the right thing for Emmy and me both.”
Ben studied his son-in-law, sadness stamped across each of his features. He stood and walked over to John to put his hand on his shoulder. “I know this has been hard on you, John. It’s been hard on all of us. But do you really want to take Emmy Sue away from her grandparents? Her home?”
John looked at Ben and nodded. “For the school year, at least. This doesn’t mean we won’t come back.”
“But what about your job here? What about the Dry Goods and Supply?” Lydia asked.
“I’ve spoken with my brothers. My job will be here if I decide to come back.”
“If?” Lydia’s response was quick and choked with tears.
“Lydia, none of us knows what might happen. We learned that when Essie…” He paused. “Well, we learned that. Only the Lord God knows the future.”
“Please don’t do this,” she pleaded.
John looked at her, and a wave of compassion swept through him. But he knew that if he was to heal—if he was to become the father Emmy needed, he must go away. He must get out of Lydia and Ben’s house. Get away from all the memories. At least for a time. He dreaded causing his in-laws more pain. He knew only too well the amount of anguish they’d all faced when Essie passed. But this was the right move.
He felt it in his soul.
“I’m sorry, Lydia. Truly. But I must do this.”
She began weeping and put her hands over her eyes. Ben’s face turned a strange gray color. He coughed and cleared his throat.
“All right then, Son. If you have prayed over this and feel it’s the Lord’s will, then we’ll support you.” He looked at his wife. “Both of us will support you.”
“Thank you, sir,” John said. He swallowed over the tightness in his throat. “Again, I thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”
He stood and held Emmy Sue close. “We will miss you. But it is for the best.”
With no further words, he slipped from the big house and went to the daadi haus to pack.
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More Hollybrook Amish Romance Books for you:
Amish Days: Sally’s Story
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bsp; Following her mother’s death, Sally is torn from her home and shipped off to her estranged Amish relatives. She only hopes to survive. Falling in love is out of the question—yet it happens, leaving her with certain heartache.
How can an Amish man possibly be with an Englisch girl?
A THREE STORY BUNDLE at a SPECIAL PRICE!
Amish Days: The Runaway!
Caught in a cocoon of cold and desperation,
will Mary admit her feelings for Josiah?
Will Josiah confirm Mary’s suspicions
that it’s really her sister that he loves?
Amish Days: The Schoolteacher’s Baby
All John Beiler wants is to escape his grief.
He bundles up his baby daughter and flees to Hollybrook.
With a numb heart, he engages Josie Bontrager to care for his baby.
When he starts to fall for Josie, he resists. How can he risk loving again?
And wouldn’t it dishonor his deceased wife to have feelings for another?
More Amish romances are coming your way!
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Amish Romance BOXED SET: Amish Days: Hope's Story Page 10