A Season of Change Read online

  “Do I get a dying wish?” He winked at her.

  “That depends,” she said as she swiped at her eyes with a tissue. “What is it?”

  He gazed into her eyes. “Will you kiss me? And I don’t mean on the cheek or forehead.”

  Esther’s pulse picked up. How do you deny a man his dying wish? She could feel her face flushing.

  “It’s okay . . . I shouldn’t have asked, and—”

  Esther cupped his clean-shaven cheeks in her hands, and she kissed him on the mouth, lingering long enough that Gus would know she truly did love him.

  “Wow.” He raised an eyebrow before he smiled and drifted off to sleep again.

  Esther reached for his hand and held it in hers, then she laid her head back on the bed. His breathing was becoming more labored. She thought of Joe’s last breaths.

  It wouldn’t be long now.

  Rest in peace, Gus.

  Epilogue

  They buried Gus next to his parents in the Amish cemetery after seeking the bishop’s approval. Lizzie cried for two solid days, and the void in their lives was enormous.

  It had only been a week, and in Esther’s mind, she knew how grief worked. Time healed. But it was midmorning when she looked out the window and saw Evelyn and Jayce pulling up to Gus’s cottage in their buggy. Gus never locked the door, so the couple walked in. Esther was torn about whether to give them time alone in the cottage or to join them. She finally decided to go see them.

  She was about halfway between the inn and the cottage when she heard the screen door close behind her. Lizzie and Rose were heading down the steps. Shortly thereafter, Amos and Naomi emerged from their house.

  Silently, they all made their way up the porch steps, then into the house.

  Gus’s family stood in the middle of what had been his home going on fifteen years. No one said anything at first. Then Jayce wiped at his eyes and chuckled.

  “Remember the first time I met Gus? I thought we were going to get in a fistfight?”

  Esther’s mind traveled back in time. “Ya, I remember. We were in the dining room. Gus was mad about the noise the motor homes’ generators were making.”

  “The first time I spent any real time with Gus was when the kittens were born,” Rose said. “Prior to that, the man scared me. But he was so kind and protective of those kittens and constantly worrying they weren’t getting enough to eat. I knew right then that anyone who cared for animals that much wasn’t a bad person, no matter how much they tried to hide their goodness.” She smiled. “And I liked the way he called me Rose Petal.”

  Naomi laughed. “I’ll miss Lizzie threatening Gus with her baseball bat.”

  They spent the next couple of hours sharing stories about the complicated man they’d all known, but who had touched each of them in some way.

  Lizzie cried softly almost the entire time, which seemed to shock everyone but Esther. They all took turns hugging her.

  “Gus would have loved this, us gathering at his place to reflect on his life,” Esther said as she glanced around at their family.

  “He would have rolled his eyes and made a sarcastic comment,” Jayce said. “But he would have loved it.”

  Esther thought about all the trips she’d made to the cottage over the years. How many times had she taken Gus leftovers? How many times had she brought him slices of pie? The times she’d instructed him about his manners were endless.

  She reached up, touched her lips, and recalled kissing him at the hospital. Her heart fluttered. Maybe there was a smidgeon of romantic love after all.

  Discussion Questions

  When Rose and Benjamin go on their first date, Rose forces herself to be quiet in an effort for Benjamin to like her. After this backfires Rose shows her true personality in the upstairs bathroom when she doesn’t know Benjamin is standing in the hallway. What do you think would have happened if Benjamin hadn’t overheard Rose and gotten a glimpse of her true self?

  Throughout the story, Esther—along with Lizzie and Rose—wonders who delivered the flowers to Esther. Who did you think sent the flowers? Did you ever suspect the bouquet was delivered by a stalker, or did you think Gus sent the flowers all along?

  Lizzie and Gus have sparred for as long as they can remember. However, there are several instances when we see that Lizzie and Gus care for each other more than either of them will let on. Can you name some of these instances?

  Rose’s childhood catches up with her when she starts to care for Benjamin. She begins to think that she won’t be a good mother based on her upbringing. What are some of Rose’s other fears that bubble to the surface when she and Benjamin grow close? Why do you think Rose feels she must confront these memories before she can heal and move forward?

  Gus is unpleasant most of the time, but it’s obvious that he loves his cats. What do you think it says about a person who can’t necessarily relate to people in a positive way, but who showers an abundance of love toward animals?

  It’s clear that Esther and Jayce care a great deal for Gus, but so do the other characters in the story, despite Gus’s obnoxious behavior at times. Aside from Esther and Jayce, who do you think cared the most for Gus and why?

  Esther and Lizzie are as opposite as can be, but they love each other very much, and we see that play out repeatedly. Name some of the scenes when we see just how much the sisters care for each other.

  How did you feel at the end of the story when Gus died? Had you grown to care for him? Did you root for him along the way? Have you ever known anyone like Gus?

  At the end of the book, Rose gets rid of her trinket box filled with letters from her mother. Even though it was a symbolic gesture, it is also Rose’s way of ridding herself of the painful childhood memories she’s carried into adulthood. Did you agree with Rose’s decision to forgive her parents? Is there truly freedom and peace in the ability to forgive? Were you disappointed that Rose’s mother never wrote her back? Did you think her mother would ask for forgiveness?

  There are several tender moments in the story—between Rose and Benjamin, Lizzie and Esther, Gus and Jayce, and Gus and Esther. If you could be in a room witnessing one of those touching moments, which scene would you choose and why? Would you alter the outcome or sit quietly and watch?

  The book also includes several humorous scenes. What did you think was the funniest interaction between characters and/or their reaction to certain situation?

  When did you begin to suspect that Gus would not get his miracle? Or did he, just not the way we might have thought?

  If there was anything in the story that you could change, what would it be and why?

  Acknowledgments

  Like Esther and Lizzie, my sister and I are opposites in many ways, but the love we share for each other is real and treasured. Laurie, it is an honor to dedicate this book to you, and I’m blessed to have you as my sister. We always rock on through the good times and the bad! I know you have my back, and I always have yours.

  To my agent, Natasha Kern, this past year has presented so many challenges for everyone. But seeing you with those little twin grandbabies was surely a highlight. The role fits you perfectly. So happy to have you on my team personally and professionally. Such a blessing. ☺

  Janet Murphy, as of this writing, we have worked together for eleven years. Can you believe it? I’m not sure where the time has gone, but I know we have lots of memories to make ahead of us. I love and appreciate you!

  To the entire team at HarperCollins, my sincerest thanks for allowing me to continue to write stories that I hope entertain and glorify God. Special thanks to my editor, Kimberly Carlton, who is patient and kind with her editorial advice, which is almost always spot-on. I love working with you, Kim.

  I’m blessed to have a fabulous street team in my corner—my beloved Wiseman’s Warriors. Thank you SO much for all you do to promote my books. I hope we are all on this amazing ride for a long time to come.

  To my husband, Patrick, and to my family and friends—ano
ther HUGE thank you for supporting me in my dreams to write.

  God, I know You aren’t done with me. There are too many stories floating around in my mind. I pray that I will continue to do good work for You. I love You.

  Glossary

  ab im kopp: crazy, off in the head

  ach: oh

  bruder(s): brother(s)

  daadi haus: a small house built onto or near the main house for grandparents to live in

  daed: dad

  danki: thank you

  dochder: daughter

  Englisch: those who are not Amish; the English language

  fraa: wife

  Gott: God

  gut: good

  haus: house

  kaffi: coffee

  kapp: prayer covering worn by Amish women

  kinner: children

  lieb: love

  maedel: girl

  mamm: mom

  mei: my

  mudder: mother

  nee: no

  Ordnung: the written and unwritten rules of the Amish; the understood behavior by which the Amish are expected to live, passed down from generation to generation. Most Amish know the rules by heart.

  schweschder/schweschdere: sister

  sohn: son

  Wie bischt: Hello, how are you?

  ya: yes

  About the Author

  Photo by Emilie Hendryx

  Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, is a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south-central Texas.

  * * *

  Visit her online at BethWiseman.com

  Facebook: @AuthorBethWiseman

  Twitter: @BethWiseman

  Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor

  Acclaim for Beth Wiseman’s Amish Inn Novels

  A Season of Change

  “A beautiful story about love, forgiveness, and finding family in an unexpected place.”

  —Kathleen Fuller, author of A Double Dose of Love

  An Unlikely Match

  “With multiple vibrant story lines, Wiseman’s excellent tale will have readers anticipating the next. Any fan of Amish romance will love this.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “This was such a sweet story. I cheered on Evelyn and Jayce the whole way. Jayce is having issues with his difficult father, who’s brought a Hollywood crew to Amish country to film a scene in a nearby cave. Evelyn has a strong, supportive family, so she feels for Jayce immediately. As they grow closer and help each other overcome fears and phobias, they know this can’t last. But God, and two persnickety Amish sisters, Lizzie and Esther, have other plans. Can a Hollywood boy fall for an Amish girl and make it work? Find out. Read this delightful, heartwarming story!”

  —Lenora Worth, author of Their Amish Reunion

  “Beth Wiseman’s An Unlikely Match will keep you turning the pages as you are pulled into this heartwarming and unpredictable Amish romance story about Evelyn and Jayce, two interesting and compelling characters. Beth doesn't disappoint keeping you guessing as to how this story will end.”

  —Molly Jebber, bestselling Amish inspirational historical romance author

  A Picture of Love

  “This is a warm story of romance and second chances with some great characters that fans of the genre will love.”

  —Parkersburg News & Sentinel

  “Beth Wiseman’s A Picture of Love will delight readers of Amish fiction. Naomi and Amos’s romance is a heartfelt story of love, forgiveness, and second chances. This book has everything readers love about a Beth Wiseman story—an authentic portrait of the Amish community, humor, the power of grace and hope and, above all, faith in God’s Word and His promises.”

  —Amy Clipston, bestselling author of The Coffee Corner

  Other Books by Beth Wiseman

  The Amish Bookstore Novels

  The Bookseller’s Promise (available April 2022)

  The Amish Inn Novels

  A Picture of Love

  An Unlikely Match

  A Season of Change

  The Amish Journey Novels

  Hearts in Harmony

  Listening to Love

  A Beautiful Arrangement

  The Amish Secrets Novels

  Her Brother’s Keeper

  Love Bears All Things

  Home All Along

  The Land of Canaan Novels

  Seek Me with All Your Heart

  The Wonder of Your Love

  His Love Endures Forever

  The Daughters of the Promise Novels

  Plain Perfect

  Plain Pursuit

  Plain Promise

  Plain Paradise

  Plain Proposal

  Plain Peace

  Other Novels

  Need You Now

  The House that Love Built

  The Promise

  Story Collections

  An Amish Year

  Amish Celebrations

  Stories

  A Choice to Forgive included in An Amish Christmas

  A Change of Heart included in An Amish Gathering

  Healing Hearts included in An Amish Love

  A Perfect Plan included in An Amish Wedding

  A Recipe for Hope included in An Amish Kitchen

  Always Beautiful included in An Amish Miracle

  Rooted in Love included in An Amish Garden

  When Christmas Comes Again included in An Amish Second Christmas

  In His Father’s Arms included in An Amish Cradle

  A Cup Half Full included in An Amish Home

  The Cedar Chest included in An Amish Heirloom

  When Love Returns included in An Amish Homecoming

  A Reunion of Hearts included in An Amish Reunion

  Loaves of Love included in An Amish Christmas Bakery

  Copyright

  ZONDERVAN

  A Season of Change

  Copyright © 2021 by Elizabeth Wiseman Mackey

  Requests for information should be addressed to:

  Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Wiseman, Beth, 1962- author.

  Title: A season of change : an Amish inn novel / Beth Wiseman.

  Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : Zondervan, [2021] | Series: The Amish inn novels ; book 3 | Summary: "From beloved bestselling author Beth Wiseman comes the third and final novel in the Amish Inn series-charming, sweet stories about two widowed innkeeping sisters who are determined to help their guests find love"-- Provided by publisher.

  Identifiers: LCCN 2021008637 (print) | LCCN 2021008638 (ebook) | ISBN 9780310357285 (trade paper) | ISBN 9780310363194 (library edition) | ISBN 9780310357292 (ebook) | ISBN 9780310357308 (downloadable audio)

  Subjects: GSAFD: Christian fiction. | Love stories.

  Classification: LCC PS3623.I83 S43 2021 (print) | LCC PS3623.I83 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6--dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021008637

  LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021008638

  Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, niv®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The “niv” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

  Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval syst
em, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

  Zondervan titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email [email protected].

  Printed in the United States of America

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