Love,
Your Mamm
“Ach, Daed, that is so beautiful,” Abigail cried. “I wish she was here.”
“We all do,” Miriam said. “Now let’s see your quilt.”
Abigail pushed the tissue paper aside and reached in. Pulling out her quilt, she opened it up for all to see. Like her sisters, the quilt contained pieces of her mother’s dresses and aprons but in the middle was a beautiful yellow sun.
“She always called you her ray of sunshine,” John said, choking on the words.
“Mamm put so much work into these quilts,” Katie cried. “ Abby, yours is so beautiful!”
“What’s in the letter, Daed?” Rose asked.
“Well, your mamm gave me this letter with strict instructions that I was not to read it until the last dochtah was to be married, and that I read it while we are all together. So now is the perfect time,” John said, picking up the letter.
Carefully taking the letter out of the envelope, he opened it up. He put on his reading glasses and began to read.
My dear, wonderful John,
If you are reading this, it would mean that the last of our dochtahs is getting married and your duties as their provider have come to an end. I know you have raised them well and that they have become fine young women. I also know that you probably never remarried, because I know you all too well. We had a special type of relationship— one that is very hard to find, and one that I hope my dochtahs have with their husbands.
I want you to know that you were the love of my life, and I am so glad I was able to spend what time I had on this earth with you, making beautiful memories together building up the farm, having our children and enjoying each other’s company. I never told you this, but I knew back in grade one that you were going to be my husband, and at night I would lay in bed and imagine my wedding day. I count myself very lucky that all my dreams came true.
You are a good man, John Troyer and you deserve to be happy. Now that our girls are married, I want you to remarry. It’s time for you to be happy again. I know you are probably going to say –But I am happy – but John, I mean the type of happy you get having to share your life with someone. Please go and enjoy life again as a husband to a wonderful woman.
I will always be in your heart, and I know you will never forget me, but it’s time for you to move on.
Be strong and happy, my dear John.
John put the letter down and sobbed. Miriam, Rose, Katie and Abigail all ran over to him and embraced him.
“Daed, she’s right. You dedicated your life to raising us; it’s time to be happy,” Miriam said.
John wiped his eyes and looked at each of his daughters. “Well, as a matter of fact, I’ve been seeing a widow in town the last little while. I was hesitant to mention anything because I didn’t want you to think I forgot about Mamm, but now that I have her blessing, perhaps I will ask for this woman’s hand.”
Rose squealed with excitement. “Another wedding! How wonderful Gott is!”
John laughed. “Speaking of weddings, I think it’s time we go and celebrate the beginning of Abigail’s new life.”
“We love you Daed,” the girls all said as they hugged their father. “We’ll see you downstairs, Abby.”
Abigail folded her quilt as everyone walked out of her room. Holding the quilt up to her face, she closed her eyes. Danke, Gott, for leading me to Isaiah and his beautiful kinner. I promise to be the best Mamm I can be. Danke for taking care of our mamm and for giving us a wonderful, loving Daed. I now pray that you will begin a new path for my Daed and make sure that the rest of his life on this earth is happy with a new wife. One that will love him the way Mamm did. Amen.
Closing the chest, Abigail heard a small noise at her door. Looking up, she saw Ruth-Ann quietly watching her from the hallway.
“Ruth-Ann, what are you doing up here? You should be downstairs with everyone else,” Abigail said, holding out her hand for the child to come closer.
“I missed you,” Ruth-Ann said shyly.
“Well, come then and let’s go downstairs together. I’m sure your Daed is getting anxious.”
“Okay, Mamm,” Ruth-Ann whispered, grabbing Abigail's hand.
As the two walked down the stairs, Abigail felt overwhelmed with love. This beautiful little girl was going be her dochtah, and she was filled with emotion. At the bottom of the stairs, Isaiah waited with his sons.
“Abigail, my sweet Abigail,” Isaiah said in awe. “Let’s go and become a family.”
As they walked into the community center where their ceremony was going to be held, Abigail was once again overwhelmed with gratitude to Gott. At this moment, age didn’t matter, her disability didn't matter, nothing mattered except that God had brought her and Isaiah together and worked His plan out so beautifully for each of their lives.
THE END
I hope you’ve enjoyed this series! If you haven’t read my latest series yet, Love Hidden in Plain Sight, I’ve included the first couple chapters for your enjoyment. Just scroll ahead!
And if you haven’t read my latest series yet, God’s Unforeseen Path, I’ve included the first couple chapters of Book 1 for your enjoyment. You’ll find it right after the first bonus!
Bonus Chapter: Love Hidden in Plain Sight
Chapter 1
Grace sat and looked out the window at the vast barren field, filled with water from the melting snow. She sighed as she sipped her tea, trying desperately to organize her thoughts and plan for the coming season. She found it so hard to believe how one night six months ago her world would be turned upside down and life as she knew it would never be the same.
Her parents ran one of the most successful carnation flower farms in the area, supplying flowers to various states. As a young child, she loved working alongside her father; helping him plant the seeds then watching them grow until the fields came alive with color. Once she finished school, she knew she wanted to continue to help her parents. Her two brothers never showed any interest in the flower business, and after they had married, they moved away to start their own lives. Jacob had gone on to become a furniture maker, and Samuel managed a grocery store that belonged to his wife’s family. Both now lived about five hours away, so Grace very seldom saw them. The last time they were together was at their parents’ funeral. Grace still cringed at the thought of their conversation.
“I think you should sell the farm,” Jacob said as they were preparing to leave after the funeral.
“I can’t do that. Mamm and Daed worked so hard to make it successful,” Grace answered. “I can’t let them down. It has to keep going.”
“Well, I don’t have time to help you run it,” Daniel added. “The store is very busy, and Marella is expecting our third kinner; my time is limited.
“Grace, I seriously think you should sell. Neither of us wants anything to do with the farm, and there is no way you can run it yourself,” Jacob said, hugging his sister. “Think about it, and I’ll be in touch in a few weeks.”
“I don’t have to think about anything,” Grace said stubbornly. “I’m not selling. I’ll run it myself if I have to.”
“You can’t run this farm by yourself,” Daniel huffed. “Don’t you know how much work is involved?”
“Of course I do,” Grace said, putting her hands on her hips. “I worked beside Daed every day. I planted, weeded, pruned and cut right alongside him.”
“Jah, but that doesn’t make you an expert,” Jacob scoffed.
“You just wait and see,” Grace snapped. “I’ll do it, and I will be successful.”
“Well, we’ll be in touch in a few months,” Daniel said. “We’ll see how successful you are and we can make some decisions then.”
After her brothers had left, Grace was even more determined to make a success of the farm to prove them wrong. A knock on the door brought her back to reality. Getting up to answer it, she found James, her life long friend. She had known him since grade school and as they grew, so did their fr
iendship. Grace looked towards James almost like a brother. She confided in him, vented to him and when she was down, she always knew James would put a smile on her face.
“Hey, Grace, hope I’m not bothering you,” James said, as he came into the kitchen and hung his hat on the hook on the wall. “I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
“I’m doing fine,” Grace answered. “I was just sitting here trying to figure out how I’m going to get the planting done in the spring.”
“Well if there is one thing you know about, it definitely is flowers,” James said. “I have a big order for you this year too.”
James ran the local grocery store and sold Grace’s flowers in their florist shop. Deep down, James had a secret crush on Grace but was too shy to let her know for fear of ruining their wonderful friendship.
“Have you spoken to Josiah yet?” James asked, sitting down across the table from her.
“I’ll have to wait until he gets home,” Grace said, frowning. “There is no mail delivery up where he is and no other way to reach him.”
Josiah was Grace’s boyfriend and hopefully one day her husband. Josiah had been away working at a lumber camp for the summer and couldn’t be reached. He had no idea that Grace’s parents had been killed and that Grace was left alone to run the farm.
“Well, I’m sure he’ll be able to help you when he gets back,” James said, shrugging. “I better get back to the store. I have a new person working, and they don’t know how to close yet.”
“Danke, James, for coming by. You are indeed a true friend. I don’t know what I would do without you in my life.”
James smiled and tipped his hat. “My pleasure. I’ll come by next week when the fields are dried up. I can at least give you a hand planting your crop.”
Grace smiled at him. “You are a real gift from Gott. Whoever gets you as a husband is going to be very lucky.”
Watching as his buggy disappeared down the road, Grace smiled to herself. She wondered why James hadn’t married yet or why he didn’t even have a girlfriend. There were plenty of single Amish girls in town that would love to have him show them some attention, but instead, he led a lonely life of running the grocery store and helping Grace whenever he could.
Checking the calendar in the kitchen, she noticed that Josiah would be home in three weeks. She was anxious to have him back and help her. He would know what to do. They had talked briefly about their future together, and Grace knew he was going to ask her to be his wife when he gets back. She just wished her parents were alive to see her finally marry and make a life for herself. She knew that wherever God had needed them, they were looking down at her and smiling. She knew in her heart that they would approve.
* * *
Chapter 2
“Let’s get married,” Josiah said, after Grace told him about her parents and the farm. “Let’s get married as soon as we can.”
“But Josiah, we still need to be baptized, and there is planning to do,” Grace said. “We’ll need a few months if not a year.”
“Well let’s find out,” he said. “The faster we are married, the better it is for you. You can’t take care of this farm all by yourself.”
Grace thought for a moment then smiled at Josiah. “Alright, I’ll check with some folks about making wedding preparations. You can talk with the Elders about our baptism.”
“I’ll do that,” Josiah said, picking her up and spinning her around. “You won’t regret it, Grace. This farm will become incredible. I’ll run everything, so you don’t have to worry about it. You can concentrate on raising our kinner.”
Grace smiled at him. “I hadn’t even thought about kinner.”
After he had left, Grace stood for the longest while on the porch, looking at the vast soil covered field. James had come over as promised and helped her get in her first planting. It had taken them all day, but it was done. Hopefully, things would get easier once she married. Looking up at the heavens, she said to herself, Gott, please don’t let me make a mistake by agreeing to marry Josiah. He’s a good man, and I really like him, but I’m not sure I love him. I suppose love will grow over time.
* * *
A few days later, Grace went into town for supplies. Standing in line to check out, she saw her best friend, Ruth King excitedly come running up to her.
“Is it true? Grace, is it true?”
“Is what true?” Grace looked at her confused.
“That you’re marrying Josiah?” Ruth asked, hugging her friend. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Well, we’re making plans, but it won’t be for a while,” Grace said. “We still have to be baptized, and then I have to make arrangements for the wedding plus there will be the flowers that need to be cut right around that time.”
“I bet you’ll be happy once you no longer have to work the farm,” Grace said. “Thankfully, Josiah has plans.”
“What do you mean, he has plans?” Grace asked frowning.
“For your farm. You know, his plans for plowing under all the flower beds and turning the farm into a horse farm,” Ruth said. She looked at Grace suddenly with the feeling that her friend had no idea.
“A HORSE FARM!?” Grace said loudly, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.
“Ach, I guess you didn’t know,” Ruth said as Grace grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the checkout line.
“Tell me everything,” Grace growled.
“Well, Josiah is telling everyone that after you marry him, he wants to turn the farm into a horse farm. He said he could do what he wanted with the farm since it will be his,” Ruth said, nervously. “I have a feeling I have just caused a big problem.”
“Ach, nee, Ruth, not at all. That explains why he was in such a rush for me to marry him,” Grace said. “He’s going to have a lot of explaining to do.”
“Are you still going to marry him?”
“Nee. How can I marry a man who is not telling me the whole truth? He told me that after we were married, he would work the farm and make it great again,” Grace said. “I didn’t even realize he was talking about getting rid of the flowers.”
“I’m so sorry, Grace. I’ve ruined everything,” Ruth cried.
“Nee, you didn’t, you saved me from making a terrible mistake.” Grace hugged her friend. “That farm means so much to me. I would never allow anyone to take it away from me.”
Grace drove home that afternoon so upset, she thought she would explode. How could Josiah do that to her without telling her his plans? He knew that farm meant the world to her and she would never let anyone take it away from her. She couldn’t wait to give Josiah a piece of her mind the next day when she saw him. He was going to be in for a shock when she was finished with him.
* * *
The next day, Grace was in her kitchen when she saw Josiah’s buggy stop in the yard. Watching him through the window, he got out of the buggy and walked toward the field, surveying the large piece of land. She went out and walked up behind him.
“You look deep in thought,” she said, coming up and standing beside him.
Josiah turned around and smiled at her. “You startled me. I was just looking over the field and wondering how big it was.”
“This side is half an acre,” Grace answered. “The one on the other side of the barn is an acre and a half.”
“Hmmm,” Josiah said, smiling to himself. “Perfect.”
“I certainly hope your horses don’t eat my flowers,” she said, folding her arms on her chest.
Josiah gave her a surprised look. “Horses? What do you mean?”
“The horses you plan on buying after we’re married. Where on earth are you going to put them with the fields full of flowers?” Grace asked, amused, waiting to see his response.
Josiah turned to face her. “Where did you hear that?”
“From Ruth. She asked me what I thought of your plan,” Grace said, annoyed. “She thought I knew and you know, the funny thing is, I had no idea.”
“Grace
, I can explain.” Josiah looked at her nervously.
“Nee, don’t waste your breath,” Grace said. “You were going to plow my flower beds so you could have a horse farm, regardless of how I felt. Isn’t that right?”
“Let me explain, Grace. There’s big money in horses.” Josiah reached out to put his hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t,” Grace replied, tersely. “How can I marry a man who would not care about his wife’s feelings or the fact that her farm means more to her than anything else in this world? My parents worked their fingers to the bone to make this place successful, and I will not let someone take that away from me.”
“But Grace…”
“Go!” Grace demanded, pointing towards his buggy. “The wedding is off. I won’t be marrying you, and you can find your money pot someplace else.”
Josiah looked at her and smirked. “Fine, but you will never make this farm a success, and when you can’t afford it anymore, I’ll be waiting.”
Grace stood there watching him drive away and tried to control her shaking. Turning, she looked over at her field and smiled to herself. She had fought her first battle of saving her farm. With God’s help, she knew she could do it. She at least had to try for her parents’ sake and God.
* * *
Chapter 3
The next day, Grace jumped out of bed with a newfound determination. She wasn’t quite sure what she was going to do, but she knew she was not going to give up. After doing a few chores around the house, she felt like talking to someone, so she packed a lunch basket and headed into town to see her best friend, James. He was always able to make her feel better when she was upset. She remembered when her parents had been killed, James was the one who stood by her side and helped her get through everything. When her own brothers were too busy to come and help her to go through her parent’s things, it was James who sat there and held her as she cried. She had never been close to her brothers because of the age difference. By the time Grace was born, her brothers were married and lived away from home. At times, Grace felt she didn’t know her brothers at all. James was the brother she never had. All through school he was always there to protect her and was always there when she needed him.
The Troyer Sisters Series - Amish Romance: 4-Book Box Set Page 18