Gabe’s parents showed up then. Leah’s eyes filled with tears as she smiled at Melinda. “Take good care of my boy, okay?”
Melinda nodded. “I will, Leah. You can count on that.”
“I have a wedding present for you that couldn’t be put on the gift table,” Gabe’s dad said.
“Is it a new buggy horse?” Gabe asked with a hopeful expression.
Stephen shook his head. “It’s something I think you’ll like even better.”
“What is it?”
“I made an important decision the other day.” He clasped Gabe’s shoulder. “You are now the official owner of Swartz’s Woodworking Shop.”
Gabe’s eyes grew large, and his mouth hung wide open. “You mean it, Pap?”
Stephen nodded. “I’m sixty-five years old, and for some time, I’ve been wanting to take life a little easier. I’d like to spend more of my days fishing and whittling. But of course I’ll be available to help you in the shop whenever you need me.”
Melinda could see by Gabe’s strained expression that he was on the verge of tears. “I’ll do my best to keep the place running smoothly, Pap. I’d count it a privilege to have your help anytime.”
When Gabe’s folks moved away, Melinda reached over to quickly touch her husband’s clean-shaven cheek. Since he was now a married man and would begin growing a beard, there wouldn’t be many days left to touch the smooth skin on his face. But that didn’t bother her. She had always enjoyed the feel of Papa Noah’s and Grandpa’s fuzzy beards.
“You know what, Gabe?” she said as he stared lovingly into her eyes.
“What?”
“I’ve learned many things in the last few months, but one thing stands out as most important.”
“What’s that?”
“Like an obedient fawn follows its mother, I will always follow God, because I am his dear child. And as I follow God’s leading, each day will be blessed because you’ll be at my side.”
Gabe pressed her fingers into the palm of his hand. “I feel the same way.”
Melinda smiled and gently squeezed her husband’s fingers. Today was the happiest day of her life. She glanced at Aaron and Susie talking to some other young people. She wondered what the future held for her and Gabe’s two best friends. She hoped Susie and Aaron would both find someone as dear to them as Gabe was to her. And most of all, Melinda hoped she and Gabe would be blessed with a whole houseful of kinner so they could teach them the importance of God, family, and friends.
RECIPE FOR GRANDPA’S RHUBARB-STRAWBERRY JAM
Ingredients:
8 cups of rhubarb, cut into small pieces
4 cups of mashed strawberries
6 cups of sugar
Wash the fruit and cut the rhubarb into ½-inch pieces. In a large kettle, cover the rhubarb with half the sugar and let it stand for 1 to 2 hours. Crush the berries and mix with the remaining sugar, then combine with the rhubarb. Place the mixture on the stove over low heat until the sugar dissolves, then boil rapidly, stirring often to prevent burning. Cook until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat, pour into sterilized canning jars, and seal while hot.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life. Wanda’s interest in the Amish and other Plain communities began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda has made numerous trips to Lancaster County and has several friends and family members living near that area. She and her husband have also traveled to other parts of the country, meeting various Amish families and getting to know them personally. She hopes her readers will learn to love the wonderful Amish people as much as she does.
Wanda and her husband have been married over forty years. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys reading, ventriloquism, gardening, stamping, and having fun with her family.
In addition to Wanda’s novels, she has written several novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title
Copyright
Dedication
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
Chapter 28
Epilogue
About the Author
Dear to Me Page 22