Seasons of an Amish Garden

by Amy Clipston

  “Happy Thanksgiving.”

  Ephraim glanced at Uria as he approached. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

  “May I join you?” Uria pointed to the rocker beside him.

  “Of course.”

  Uria sat down and pushed his chair into motion. They sat in amiable silence as the hum of the rocker and glider filled the air.

  “I felt like I was in the way in there,” Uria finally said. “All the women are scurrying around the kitchen, barking orders at everyone. And the girls are so excited I can’t corral them.”

  “Ya.” Ephraim smiled, but it wasn’t the chaos of the house that had driven him outside. It was Mandy’s absence. They’d planned for her to join his family today, but that plan died along with their breakup. Without her company, the house felt too small, too cold, too dreary. Even with his nieces’ laughter.

  “How are you doing?” Uria asked.

  “Fine. How are you?”

  Uria lifted a dark eyebrow as he brought the rocking chair to a halt. “You’re fine? Really?”

  Ephraim shifted his weight on the glider.

  “You miss her.” Uria’s words were simple, but their meaning ran deep in Ephraim’s soul.

  He looked straight ahead to avoid his brother-in-law’s stare.

  “Sometimes our plans for ourselves are different than God’s plans,” Uria said. “I never imagined I would lose my job and have to uproot my family. But Darlene and I love each other, and we’ll always support each other no matter what.”

  Uria paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. “My parents died a long time ago, and I don’t have any other family members to lean on. I’m grateful for your family and what you’ve done for us. And with our love for each other and our family and our faith in God, Darlene and I will get through this and anything else we have to face.”

  Ephraim rubbed his face as his eyes stung.

  Uria leaned toward him. “If your love for Mandy is strong enough, you’ll find a way to make things right with her. I know it’s none of my business, but I can see how much this breakup is hurting you. It doesn’t have to be this difficult, Ephraim. Just let your love for Mandy guide your heart, and you’ll find your solution.”

  Ephraim swallowed against his suddenly dry throat. Did he and Mandy love each other enough to endure all the trials they would face as a couple? Enough to resolve the conflict separating them now?

  Suddenly it all clicked in place in his mind. Uria’s words were the sign he’d been waiting for! This was what God had been trying to tell him all along. If their love was strong enough—and he believed it was—he and Mandy could make it through any trial or tribulation they encountered. It didn’t matter when they married, where they lived, or what he did for a living as long as they had God’s blessing and loved each other. The rest would fall into place.

  Ephraim leapt to his feet. “I have to go.”

  “What?” Uria looked up at him.

  “I need to go talk to her now.”

  Uria waved him off with a smile. “Go. I’ll tell your parents where you’ve gone.”

  “Danki!” Ephraim ran to the barn, praying Mandy would forgive him.

  “Are we expecting company?” Rhoda called as she started for the mudroom to answer the back door.

  “No.” Mandy looked at her mother.

  Mamm shrugged. “Not that I know of.” She pointed to the stove. “Would you please check the turkey?”

  “Ya.” Mandy opened the oven door, and the succulent aroma of turkey caused her stomach to grumble in delight. How she loved Thanksgiving!

  “Mandy.”

  Mandy turned and gasped as she found Rhoda standing in the doorway with Ephraim close behind her.

  “You have a guest.” Rhoda smiled and stepped aside, and Ephraim came into full view.

  Mandy stilled, confused. She’d planned to ask her father if she could borrow his horse and buggy to visit Ephraim later this afternoon and deliver the pie. She’d never expected him to surprise her with a visit instead.

  “Go.” Mamm gave Mandy’s shoulder a gentle nudge. “I’ll take care of the turkey.”

  Mandy stepped over to Ephraim as Rhoda slipped past her. “Hi.”

  “Happy Thanksgiving.” He fingered the zipper on his jacket, and then he pointed to the back door. “Do you have a moment to spare?”

  “Of course.” Mandy turned toward the refrigerator. “And I have a gift for you.”

  “A gift?” His eyebrows lifted.

  “Ya.” She retrieved the peanut butter pie. “I was going to take this to you later.”

  He took the pie, lifted the plastic wrap, and breathed in its sweetness. “Peanut butter?” He grinned. “You made this for me?”

  “Ya. It was Emma and Katie Ann’s idea. They said the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so they suggested I make it for you.”

  He leaned his head back as laughter burst from his mouth. She joined in, and soon they were laughing together. She didn’t know why he was here, but hope took center stage in her heart.

  Mamm appeared beside her. “Let me put the pie away so you two can go talk alone.”

  “Danki,” Mandy said.

  Mamm winked at her before turning away.

  As Mandy walked into the mudroom and pulled on her coat, her pulse galloped. Had her prayers been answered? Would God help them mend their relationship? She held her breath as they moved to the porch and sat down on the glider.

  Ephraim angled his body toward her. “Uria said something to me today that made me realize how wrong I’ve been.”

  “Oh?” Her heartbeat spiked.

  “He said all that matters is that he and Darlene are together.” He took a deep breath. “He said they support each other no matter what. I finally realized it doesn’t matter when you and I are married, where we live, or what I do for a living as long as I have you by my side. These weeks without you have been pure torture, and I can’t stand it anymore. I miss you. I love you, Mandy. I want to be with you, no matter where God leads us. And I do think he’s leading us, if we’ll only listen.”

  She took a deep breath as well. “I love you, too, but I owe you an apology. I was so overwhelmed with wedding plans and sure I was right about what we needed to do that I didn’t take your feelings into consideration. I never meant to try to force you to do what I thought would work best. I never meant to make you doubt how much I love you and want to marry you.” She touched his cheek. “I love you with my whole heart, and I never wanted to hurt you. I don’t care where we live or what you do for a living. I never meant to appear spoiled. I could be froh whether I’m a farmer’s fraa or a brickmason’s fraa.”

  She paused and took a shuddering breath. “Please forgive me for hurting your feelings and pride. You’re the man I want to spend my life with. You’re the man I believe God has chosen for me. All that matters is that we’re together.”

  A small sound escaped his throat as his eyes glittered. “Danki.”

  She sucked in a breath as tears filled her eyes. “Let’s find a way to work this out, Ephraim. I can’t stand this distance between us anymore. I’m ready to listen to you and respect your feelings.”

  “And I’m sorry for letting our disagreement go on for so long. I want to make up for lost time.” He traced his fingertip down her cheek, and she felt a tingling in her chest. “Will you please forgive me?”

  “Ya, of course, I will.”

  He leaned forward, and when his lips brushed hers, her heart took on wings. “Will you marry me when you’re ready?”

  “Ya.” She nodded. “I will.”

  He took her hands in his. “I’ll live anywhere you want to live. We can build a haus here on this farm, and we can raise our kinner here if that’s what’s best. I just want you to be mei fraa. I want to take care of you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  As he kissed her again, she closed her eyes and savored the feeling of his lips against hers.

  FOUR MONTHS LATER
>
  Mandy smiled as she threaded her fingers with Ephraim’s and walked with him from her father’s barn to the back porch. She shivered as the cool March air kissed her cheeks, and she pulled her sweater over her baby-blue dress with her free hand. Then she looked up at her husband as happiness fluttered in her chest. They’d had such a wonderful engagement all winter, but now the time was right for marriage.

  Mandy reflected on their perfect day. The three-hour ceremony was held in her father’s large barn, beginning with the congregation singing hymns from the Amish hymnal, the Ausbund, while she and Ephraim met with the minister.

  Then as she and Ephraim sat at the front of the congregation after the meeting, along with their attendants, Rhoda and Wayne, she’d been so grateful her sister had helped her finish the dresses. She thought they were beautiful, and Rhoda looked stunning in that shade of baby blue. Ephraim and Wayne were both handsome in their traditional black Sunday suits and white shirts, but her challenge was keeping her eyes off Ephraim.

  She loved him so.

  When the ceremony was over, the men began rearranging furniture while some of the women set out the wedding dinner—lasagna and garlic bread, with bountiful desserts.

  The tables were decorated with the blue candles and baby’s breath decorations Mandy and her friends made. She was so thankful all the plans had come together. Their wedding was exactly as she’d dreamt it would be.

  “It’s a schee day.” She peeked up at the clear blue sky once again.

  “It’s the perfect day.” Ephraim stopped and faced her. “Because you’re finally mei fraa.”

  “Danki for waiting for me.”

  “You were worth the wait.”

  She smiled as she touched his cheek. “You’re going to be even more handsome with a beard.” Then she turned toward the porch where their friends all sat. “Everyone looks so froh.” She grinned as all the “garden couples” laughed together. “I wonder who will be the next to get married.”

  “I guess we’ll see what God has in store for them.” Ephraim looped his arm over her shoulders and turned toward the pasture. “I think we’re going to start framing this week. The foundation is in.”

  Excited, she gazed at where their haus would be. “You and Dat did a great job. You’re a wunderbaar brickmason.”

  “I still have a lot to learn.” He smiled down at her. “But your dat is a great teacher, and I do like the work. It helps to know Uria and Dat are doing so well at the farm.”

  “Ephraim! Mandy!” Katie Ann called from the porch. “Come here!”

  “Let’s go join our freinden.” Ephraim gave her hand a gentle tug, and they started down the path.

  As they climbed the steps to join their friends, she felt so grateful that Henry’s garden had brought them all together. Love had grown throughout the seasons, especially for her and Ephraim. She closed her eyes for a moment and thanked God, not just for today’s dream come true, but for the winter blessings he’d brought them.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1.Mandy feels overwhelmed with her wedding to Ephraim only six weeks away. When she learns his family is facing a challenge, she feels even more hesitant about rushing their wedding. She suggests they delay it. Do you think her feelings are valid?

  2.Ephraim thinks Mandy’s complaining about how little time she has to plan the wedding and then her suggesting they delay it is an indication she’s doubting their plans to marry. Why do you think he jumps to that conclusion?

  3.Mandy is crushed when Ephraim breaks up with her. Have you ever felt utter heartbreak and loss? If so, where did you find your strength to go on? What Bible verses helped you?

  4.After the breakup, Mandy finds solace in baking. Have you ever faced a difficult situation? If so, where did you find comfort during that time?

  5.Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Was it Mandy, Ephraim, or someone else?

  6.At the end of the story, Uria shares with Ephraim what he and Darlene have endured in their marriage, and how. Why do you think his story changed Ephraim’s ideas about sacrifice and compromise, especially in marriage?

  7.How did Henry’s garden play a role in all the relationships in this novella collection?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As always, I’m grateful for my loving family, including my mother, Lola Goebelbecker; my husband, Joe; and my sons, Zac and Matt.

  Special thanks to my mother and my dear friend Becky Biddy, who graciously proofread the draft and corrected my hilarious typos.

  I’m also grateful for my special Amish friend who patiently answers my endless stream of questions. You’re a blessing in my life.

  Thank you to my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, North Carolina, for your encouragement, prayers, love, and friendship. You all mean so much to my family and me.

  Thank you to Zac Weikal and the fabulous members of my Bakery Bunch! I’m so grateful for your friendship and your excitement about my books. You all are awesome!

  To my agent, Natasha Kern—I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, advice, and friendship. You are a tremendous blessing in my life.

  Thank you to my amazing editor, Jocelyn Bailey, for your friendship and guidance. I’m grateful to each and every person at HarperCollins Christian Publishing who helped make this book a reality.

  I’m grateful to editor Jean Bloom, who helped me polish and refine the story. Jean, you are a master at connecting the dots and filling in the gaps. I’m so happy we can continue to work together!

  Thank you most of all to God—for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify you. I’m grateful and humbled you’ve chosen this path for me.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Dan Davis Photography

  Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Amish Heirloom series and the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. She has sold more than one million books. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, North Carolina. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mom, and three spoiled-rotten cats.

  Visit her online at amyclipston.com

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