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  Annie stared at Daniel before she finally stepped back to her place.

  Jacob and Charlotte kneeled before the bishop and deacons. Her life here flashed in her mind’s eye like a photo collage of pictures that had finally come together and made sense. She’d arrived in Lancaster County seeking answers to Ethan’s death. Her knowledge of the Plain People had been limited and inaccurate. But what had started as a divide-and-conquer mission had morphed into a beautiful path of discovery she never could have foreseen. And for the first time in her life, a sense of peace washed over her as she committed her life to God and the church.

  Andrea smiled as she bounced Bella on her hip. Lena wiped her eyes. Daniel blinked a lot, surely wishing his mother were present to witness this blessed event.

  The deacon poured water through the bishop’s hands and onto Charlotte’s and Jacob’s heads. Afterward Bishop Miller awarded Jacob with a holy kiss on the forehead as the bishop’s wife did the same with Charlotte.

  Lost in the moment, Charlotte cried softly, thankfully, and with renewed hope and faith. A lot of hugs and blessings followed the ceremony, but Charlotte’s gaze kept drifting to Daniel.

  “The weather prediction is not gut for later in the day. As much as I would like for you all to stay and celebrate this blessed occasion, I feel it best for everyone to get safely home,” Bishop Miller said.

  Charlotte found Daniel’s eyes again and smiled.

  Annie had never been more grateful for impending bad weather, an excuse to hurry home and check on the baby.

  “I hope Gracie is okay,” she said to Daniel, followed by a sigh. “I’m happy you came, but I’m disappointed that Daed didn’t see Jacob and Charlotte getting baptized.”

  “Give Daed and the boppli this time together.” Daniel leaned down to Annie’s ear as the bishop’s wife hugged Charlotte. “I need you to do me a favor. Can you follow me in your buggy to Charlotte’s house?”

  Annie opened her mouth to decline but thought better of it since Charlotte’s house was on the way home. She wouldn’t lose much time. She nodded. What was Daniel up to? Whatever it was, she silently thanked God that her brother seemed to have come around.

  Jacob sidled up to Annie and squeezed her hand. She wanted to jump into his arms, but that would be inappropriate, so she just held tightly to his hand.

  “I want a life with you, Annie. I’ve never been so sure of anything before.” Jacob’s eyes locked with hers, and Annie was sure her future was with him.

  “I want that, too, Jacob, and I’m so happy you’ve taken this step toward that.” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “I’ve got to follow Daniel to Charlotte’s house. I’m not sure why, but then I’ll hurry home to make sure Gracie is okay. I can come by later, though.”

  Jacob shook his head. “Nee, stay at home. I will come there if the weather looks better by tonight, or I will see you tomorrow.” He blinked a few times. “And I will see you every day after that for the rest of my life.”

  Annie threw caution to the wind and hugged Jacob. “I love you with all my heart.”

  “And I love you.”

  Annie eased away. “I’ve got to find Daniel.”

  Jacob nodded.

  It saddened Annie to have such worries about her own father tending to his daughter.

  Daniel had plans to do something he’d dreamed of for a long time. He’d even planned for it to some extent. But then grief and fear had overwhelmed him, to a point that he’d almost missed Charlotte’s baptism—something he would have regretted for the rest of his life.

  “Annie and I would like to stop by your house on the way home, if that’s okay,” he said to Charlotte as they said their good-byes to the others. “I won’t be able to stay long because Annie is anxious to get home, but I have a gift for you.”

  Charlotte had been crying on and off since the beginning of the ceremony, overwhelmed with emotions Daniel understood. Committing to the church was a blessing not to be taken lightly, and Charlotte had done so even though she was unsure where her relationship with Daniel stood.

  “I’d like that.” She smiled through her tears. “I’ve missed you.”

  Daniel waited until they were out on the porch before he hugged Charlotte. The others hurried to their buggies, Andrea started the truck to let it warm up, and Amos bundled Lena up with a blanket before he and Jacob carried the wheelchair down the porch steps.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered as he clung to her tightly. “I want you with me for the rest of time, but for now, ride in the truck with Andrea and Bella so you’ll be warm.” He grinned. “You’ll be the passenger now.”

  Charlotte sniffled, but another smile stretched across her face as she eased out of his arms.

  “You look beautiful,” he said with a hitch in his voice. “That green dress and kapp suits you perfectly.”

  A minute later Daniel followed Big Red the short distance to Charlotte’s house, with Annie following behind in her buggy. Once there, he stepped out of the buggy with his cold hands in the pockets of his coat as it started to drizzle, rain that would soon turn to ice.

  He waited for Andrea to take Bella out of the car seat, then he carried her inside the house, telling Annie he would be with her shortly. His sister was antsy. Daniel was too.

  Once in the living room, the remnants of a fire glowed, but a chill wafted through the room, so Daniel set Bella down and added a log.

  “We’ll let you two chat.” Andrea scooped up Bella and started toward the bedroom.

  “Nee, that’s okay, Andrea. I must go. Annie is going to take me home.” Daniel winked at Charlotte. “But we will talk later. Possibly tomorrow, depending on the weather.”

  Andrea nodded, but she still walked into the bedroom and closed the door.

  “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry, and—”

  Charlotte put a finger to his lips, shushing him. “You’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

  “I want to stay. But Annie and I are both worried about Gracie. Daed still hasn’t had anything to do with the boppli, and we are concerned about his being alone with her. I’m going to ride with Annie in her buggy.”

  “I understand.” Charlotte nodded. “But why are you leaving your buggy here?”

  Daniel smiled. He’d waited a long time to tell her. “Because it’s your horse and buggy now. I’ll put the horse under the old lean-to on the back of the property and make sure he has water. I’ll bring hay tomorrow after the weather clears, but he will be okay for tonight. I fed him heartily this morning.” He paused, smiling. “The lean-to needs to be replaced with a barn, so, once the weather allows, the community will come together to build you a proper barn.”

  Charlotte’s eyebrows rose. “What?”

  Daniel chuckled. “Maybe don’t go anywhere until after the weather has cleared and I’ve shown you how to handle the animal. I’ve had another horse and buggy on order for a while. But my buggy is worn in, along with my gentle horse, and it will be easier for you to handle.”

  Charlotte jumped in Daniel’s arms and smothered him with kisses. “This is happening, isn’t it?”

  He laughed. “Ya, it is.” He kissed her one last time. “I will see you tomorrow.” He cupped both of her cheeks. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.”

  After he’d tended to the horse, Daniel got in Annie’s buggy, and they hurried off. Charlotte opened the bedroom door.

  “Are you two back in the saddle again?” Andrea smiled as Bella played with a faceless doll on the bed next to her, one of the toys Dianda had sent over and symbolic to Charlotte at this moment.

  “I do believe we are.”

  “Excellent!” Andrea clapped. “Because I have a surprise for you.”

  Charlotte brought a hand to her heart. “So many surprises today! Daniel just gave me his horse and buggy. It’s real.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m Amish.”

  Andrea’s eyes filled also. “I’m so happy for you.” She shook her head, grinning. �
�I don’t think I could do it.” She laughed, dabbing at her eyes. “But if it works for you, then I’m happy.”

  Charlotte reached into the pocket of her black apron and pulled out the keys to Big Red. “I won’t be needing these anymore.” She tossed the keys to her sister, whose eyes rounded like saucers.

  Andrea jumped off the bed, jumped up and down, and squealed. “I get the truck?”

  “Ya, of course.” Relief swept over her that the truck would remain in the family.

  Andrea ran to Charlotte and threw her arms around her neck as Bella clapped. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  “Well, you need wheels to deliver jewelry and pick up your money.”

  Andrea pulled away and gasped. “Speaking of. Come see your surprise!” She picked up Bella and led Charlotte across the living room to the kitchen. “I’ve been making payments on it.”

  A shiny white oven was in the place of her old stove top, and it was attached to a propane tank.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I had to get rid of the cabinet underneath the stove top to make room for the oven.” Andrea glowed, and Charlotte didn’t think she had any more tears, but one slipped down her face anyway.

  “You did this? But how . . . ?”

  Andrea rolled her eyes as a hand landed on her hip. “Well, okay, I didn’t do everything by myself. I bought the oven, but Edna’s husband, John, installed it this morning. He helped me put it in Big Red and everything.” She raised a hand, palm facing Charlotte. “But I paid for it.” She frowned, but then grinned a little. “Well, I paid for most of it. Edna threw in some money she’d stumbled upon, deciding this was as good a use for it as anything.”

  “Edna?” Charlotte was too overwhelmed to speculate why Edna had done such a thing, but as she eyed her new oven, she dabbed at her eyes. “I can’t believe this.”

  “I’ll explain about Edna another time.” Andrea stared at Charlotte for a long time. “What you’ve done for me and Bella”—Andrea blinked back tears—“I can’t even really ever repay you. I hope you like the oven. And”—she bit her bottom lip—“I hope you will give Edna a chance too.”

  Andrea sniffled, then clapped her hands. “But for now, let’s try it out!” She set Bella on the floor, walked to Charlotte’s pantry, and returned with a chocolate cake mix and a white cake mix. “I wasn’t sure if you liked chocolate or white cake.” She set them on the table, went back to the pantry, and filled her arms with tubs of icing. “And I thought we’d choose the right icing together.”

  Charlotte brought a hand to her mouth to keep from sobbing openly as a river of tears poured down her face. “That sounds perfect.”

  Annie sprinted through the yard and pulled the front door open. Her father was sitting on the couch holding Gracie, his eyes bright as he gave the baby a bottle.

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever done this,” he said, smiling. “But I found the formula and warmed it in a pan of hot water. She’s a hungry girl.” He refocused on Gracie as Annie hurried to his side, needing to see for herself that the baby was okay. She brought a hand to her chest and smiled.

  “Hello, Baby Gracie.” Meet your daed. She put a hand on the baby, then looked up at her father.

  “She has her mudder’s eyes,” he said softly as he kept his eye on his younger daughter. Eyes filled with emotions that Annie suspected he hadn’t allowed himself to feel prior to now.

  Daniel walked in a few minutes later, after tending to the horse in preparation for a freeze overnight. He strode across the living room, then squatted beside Annie and their father.

  “She looks happy in your arms.” Daniel smiled.

  Daed glanced back and forth between Annie and Daniel. “I am sorry. I just couldn’t . . .” His voice cracked as he tried to express his feelings. “I just . . .”

  “It doesn’t matter, Daed.” Annie placed her hand on top of his as his shoulders shook slightly. “We are a family, and Mamm is looking down from heaven smiling.”

  Annie wasn’t sure if life could get any more perfect, but then Daniel shared his hopes for Charlotte and him, and Annie bowed her head in prayer.

  Charlotte, Andrea, and Bella had chocolate cake with strawberry icing for breakfast the next morning. Charlotte had already planned to take off work the day after her baptism. Daniel showed up later in the morning, after the freeze had lifted and left a sunny haze across dewy grass that glistened in the morning sun. Charlotte met him in the yard wrapped in her coat, donning black gloves and a black bonnet.

  “I think I can get used to you dressing like this.” He pulled her into a hug before he kissed her with all the love Charlotte had dreamed of.

  “Danki for my horse and buggy. I took the horse some dry oatmeal this morning. I figured it would do until you got here.” She smiled up at him.

  Daniel nodded to the buggy he’d arrived in. “That’s Annie’s buggy. Mine won’t be ready for another week.”

  “I guess I’ll be carting you around. After you teach me the ropes, pardon the pun.”

  He laughed, but his expression turned serious. “I love you. I want my life to be with you. Is that what you want too, Charlotte?”

  “More than anything in the world. I feel like I’m finally home. It’s not just my house, but a home.”

  Daniel smiled. “You’ve been home all along. It just took you awhile to get here. To this place. And to me.”

  She snuggled into his embrace just as their own personal ray of sunshine shone down on them from heaven, as if approving the life they were meant to share. Thank You, God.

  Epilogue

  ONE YEAR LATER . . .

  Dear Ethan,

  It’s been awhile since I’ve written, but I’ve been busy in my new life. And, Ethan, I’m so happy. I’m finally “home,” and I have the big family I’ve dreamed of. Our lenient bishop here in our district allowed Annie and Jacob to get married outside of the normal fall season, and Daniel and I got married a month later in July. Both were beautiful and blessed events. I wish you could have been here.

  Ethan, your house has provided refuge for Janell, me, and now it shelters Andrea and Bella. I bet you could have never guessed when you purchased the small house that your family would be making such good use of it. Andrea has turned her jewelry making into a nice business, and she’s able to support herself. And I’m happy to report that she has been dating a nice young man who works with me at the newspaper. He’s a handsome Christian fellow who has been really good for her. She attends his church on Sundays, and occasionally she goes with me to church but dislikes that the Amish service is three hours long. And the first thing our sister did when she’d saved enough money was to put electricity in the house. We bake cakes and bread often together, and it warms my heart to see her making such a good home for Bella.

  As for me, I’m living with Daniel at his parents’ house, along with Annie and Jacob. Daniel was able to get Jacob a job with him, building storage sheds, and Daniel often says Jacob runs circles around him. Jacob has grown and matured into a fine young man and a hard worker.

  Daniel is building a house for us on the property, and Jacob is refurbishing the daadi haus on the back acreage. Neither Lucas nor Eve’s parents ever utilized the house, but Lucas wants to make it his home eventually. Annie and Jacob will keep the big house. They need the room! Annie is pregnant with twins and has also assumed the maternal role of her sister, Gracie. Lucas adores his younger daughter, but he has slipped into more of a grandfatherly role with her. So, for now, we are one big happy family enjoying God’s abundant blessings.

  Lena left us not long after Easter. She missed the birth of Hannah and Isaac’s baby boy, but I feel sure she was watching and smiling from heaven. There are still days that I miss Lena terribly, longing to sit at her kitchen table sipping coffee, eating buttered bread, and having long talks. But even though I miss her so much, I’m forever grateful to her for showing me motherly love, in a way I hope to pass on to my own kinner. It’s hard to stay down for long with all t
he happiness and new life around us.

  Speaking of new life, guess who else is having a baby? Ya, that would be me, and Daniel and I are thrilled beyond words.

  I miss you so much, Ethan. I think about you every time I see a butterfly and when I wade in Pequea Creek on a sunny day. You are on my mind as I watch Bella grow into a beautiful little girl. She has your eyes. But I will see you again when I make my final trip home someday.

  Love you to heaven and

  back again,

  Char

  Discussion Questions

  1.Charlotte is afraid to commit to Daniel and God for fear of failure. What character speaks to Charlotte in a way that helps her to see that failure is part of our journey?

  2.Daniel and his family don’t want to take Eve off of the machines keeping her alive. What are some of the happenings that sway their decision? Have you or a loved one been in a position when you had to make such a monumental decision?

  3.Charlotte isn’t Amish at the beginning of the story, but in many ways she is living the life of the Plain People. What are some examples of this, and what do you think is the hardest thing for her to finally let go of when she makes a commitment to the Amish church?

  4.What do you think that Aunt Faye said to Daniel’s father, Lucas, in the hospital? Faye convinced him to leave Eve’s side for a few days, but we never hear that conversation. Aunt Faye continued to have a big influence on Lucas’s decisions. Why do you think that is?

  5.Charlotte and Andrea both had bad starts in their lives, evidence that a person doesn’t have to stay on a path unfit for him or her. But where do you think Andrea was headed if she hadn’t found Charlotte? What were Andrea’s initial reasons for seeking out her sister? How did Andrea change as her relationship with Charlotte grew?

  6.Ethan’s little house provided shelter for Ethan while he was alive, but also for Janell, Charlotte, and Andrea. Each person ended up there for different reasons. With the exception of Ethan, who was deceased already, who do you think benefitted the most from that setting?