An Amish Year Read online

  Katherine smiled. “Do you realize the joy you have brought into our lives?”

  He squeezed Katherine’s hand. “You’ve made this old man very happy. Thank you for sharing your family with me. I have so much to tell Elias . . .” His voice had weakened so that his words were barely audible. She relaxed in the chair next to his bed and held his hand. They sat this way for an hour.

  Then suddenly she heard him try to speak again. She stood and gripped his hand.

  “They’re here,” he said, and a broad, luminous smile spread across his face. His eyes grew wider and he focused on the corner of the room.

  “It’s been a long time. Sarah . . . Elias . . . Take me home.” And he closed his eyes for the last time.

  Katherine sat there for a while and prayed. Then she slowly lifted herself from the chair and eased her hand from James’s. She kissed him on the forehead before she walked to the dresser and pulled open the top drawer. She took out the envelope with Weldon’s name on it so that she could mail it first thing in the morning, along with a letter to a woman named Bonnie that she’d written the day before.

  She held both envelopes to her heart.

  “Go in peace, James Zook.” She smiled. “I’ll be seeing you . . .”

  Katherine was in the living room, looking out the window, when Mary Carol arrived for a visit. James’s burial had been earlier in the week and the family was still adjusting to his absence. Katherine was also still getting used to the fact that her sweet Mary Carol was a married woman and living somewhere else. “What’s going on, Mamm? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, just received some news this afternoon that made me smile.” Katherine was still holding the letter she’d gotten earlier. She looked at her daughter. “Do you remember your daadi mentioning a woman named Bonnie?”

  “Yeah, Abe and I didn’t believe for one minute that the first lady’s sister was baking him chocolate cakes. I know that Mr. Bartosh confirmed most of Daadi’s stories, but he never said anything about the White House or a woman named Bonnie.”

  Katherine chuckled. “No, he didn’t. But maybe we should have thought to inquire about Bonnie. I mailed a letter to the White House, to Bonnie, after your daadi passed on, just like he asked me to. I was doubtful I’d get a response. But I got a letter in the mail today. From the White House.” She handed the piece of stationery to her daughter. Mary Carol stared at it with wide eyes for a second before she looked up at Katherine. “No way.”

  Katherine smiled as she waited for her daughter to read the letter.

  Dear Ms. Zook,

  Thank you for your letter informing me about Paul’s passing (James, as you know him). He was an incredible man, someone I’m proud to have called a friend. I know that it blessed his life immensely to finally be with his family. It’s all he ever talked about during his time at the White House, how someday he would get home. He was a great source of strength to me during a difficult time in my life, and I would like to think that in some way, I had a positive influence on his life as well. He will be greatly missed.

  Sending you blessings at this difficult time.

  All the best,

  Bonita (Bonnie) Morgan

  “Daadi always said Bonnie was the former first lady’s sister, but that no one knew. Do you think that’s true?”

  Katherine was wondering the same thing. “I don’t know. Everything else he told us turned out to be true.”

  “Maybe that’s what Daadi’s letter to Mr. Bartosh was about.”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t open the letter because your daadi asked me not to. Mr. Weldon was your daadi’s friend, but he was also after some information that James wouldn’t share.” Katherine walked to the window in the living room, thankful for the bright sunlight. “Maybe it had something to do with Bonnie, or maybe not. But either way, your daadi was indeed friends with a woman named Bonnie at the White House.”

  Mary Carol read over the letter again. “I wish we knew for sure who she was.”

  “Well, maybe one day we can ask James about this ourselves. But not anytime soon, the Lord willing.” Katherine’s heart was still heavy at having endured another funeral service for someone she loved. But Bonnie’s letter lifted her spirits, and it seemed to do the same for Mary Carol.

  She grabbed her daughter’s hand and led her to the kitchen. She pulled out the new canister of cocoa and smiled. “I know the perfect thing to do in remembrance of your daadi.”

  Mary Carol beamed. “Chocolate cake!”

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. James tells Katherine that Gideon must “see” his own heaven to understand where his father is. Have you ever done this—visualized your idea of heaven? If not, take a few minutes to do so.

  2. Each family member expresses grief in a different way, as is the case in real life. Who could you relate to the most and why?

  3. After James witnessed the crime, he chose to stay away from his family in an effort to keep them safe. Would you be able to practice such unconditional love if it meant that you might not see your loved ones for a very long time, possibly forever?

  4. What were your thoughts about James—in the beginning, then later toward the end of the story? Did you believe his tall tales? Did you think he was crazy?

  5. At the end of the novella, Katherine keeps her promise and mails the envelope from the safety deposit box—without opening it. What do you think was inside the envelope? Was it really classified information? Can you speculate as to the contents?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  KARLA AND JOAN, YOU’VE BEEN WITH ME ON THIS JOURNEY from the beginning. You even set up my first radio interview six years ago. What an amazing journey this has been, and I’m blessed to know you both. It’s an honor to dedicate this story to such fabulous women.

  To my wonderful husband, Patrick—I’m your Annie, and I always will be, lol. You’re the best, and I love you with all my heart.

  Natasha Kern, thanks for all you do. What a wonderful agent and friend you are. So glad to have you on my team. xo

  Many thanks to the folks at HarperCollins Christian Fiction. You all ROCK! It’s a privilege to work with all of you.

  And, as always, God gets the glory for every story I write, but without the support of family and friends, it would be a challenging journey sometimes. Thank you!

  RECIPES

  RECIPES FROM ROOTED IN LOVE

  KATHERINE’S PINEAPPLE CHERRY CRISP

  · 1 cup canned crushed pineapple

  · 3 tablespoons minute tapioca

  · 1 cup sugar

  · 2½ cups (pitted) cherries

  · 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  Combine and cook until clear, stirring constantly.

  Mix crumbs together:

  · 1 cup flour

  · ½ cup butter, melted

  · ¼ teaspoon baking soda

  · 1 cup quick-cooking oats

  · ⅔ cup brown sugar

  Put half of crumb mixture on the bottom of 9x13-inch baking pan. Add cherry and pineapple mixture, then cover with remaining crumbs. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

  ROSEMARY’S CHEESY SALMON CASSEROLE

  · ¼ cup chopped onions

  · 2 tablespoons margarine

  · 1 can cream of mushroom soup

  · ½ cup milk

  · 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

  · 4 cups cooked macaroni

  · 1 (8 ounce) can salmon

  · ½ cup buttered bread crumbs

  In medium saucepan cook onions
in margarine until tender. Stir in soup, milk, ¾ cup cheese, macaroni, and salmon. Pour into baking dish. Bake at 250 degrees for 25 minutes. Top with bread crumbs and remaining cheese, then bake 5 minutes longer.

  RECIPES FROM A LOVE FOR IRMA ROSE

  IRMA ROSE’S WHOOPIE PIES

  · 4 cups flour

  · 2 teaspoons soda

  · 1 cup shortening

  · 2 eggs

  · 1 cup thick sour milk

  · 2 cups sugar

  · ½ teaspoon salt

  · 1 cup cocoa

  · 2 teaspoons vanilla

  · 1 cup cold water

  CREAM TOGETHER SALT, SUGAR, SHORTENING, VANILLA, and eggs. Sift together flour, soda, and cocoa, then add to first mixture, alternating with water and sour milk. Add more flour if milk is not thick. Drop by teaspoon and bake at 350 degrees for 10–12 minutes. Let cool.

  FILLING:

  · 1 egg white, beaten

  · 2 tablespoons flour

  · 2 cups powered sugar (or as needed)

  · 1 tablespoon vanilla

  · 2 tablespoons milk

  · ¾ cup Crisco

  Beat egg white, sugar, and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients. Beat well. Spread filling across cooled cookie surfaces.

  CINNAMON RAISIN BREAD

  · ½ cup sugar

  · 1 cup lard or oil

  · 2 eggs, beaten

  · 1 tablespoon cinnamon

  · 1 ½ to 2 cups raisins, cooked 5 min. in enough water to cover, adding water if necessary to make 5 cups liquid.

  · 10 to 12 cups flour (more if necessary)

  · 2 tablespoons salt

  · 1 ½ cup hot milk

  · 2 tablespoons yeast in 1 cup warm water

  MIX TOGETHER. BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 40 MINUTES. Makes 4 to 5 loaves.

  RECIPES FROM PATCHWORK PERFECT

  COCONUT PIE

  · 1½ cups sugar

  · 3 eggs, beaten

  · ½ cup buttermilk

  · 1 cup coconut

  · 2 tablespoons flour

  · ½ cup butter or margarine

  · 1 teaspoon vanilla

  COMBINE SUGAR AND FLOUR IN A LARGE BOWL. ADD BUTTER, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and ⅔ cup coconut. Mix well. Pour mixture into pastry shell. Sprinkle with remaining coconut. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until set.

  CHICKEN CASSEROLE

  · 1 fryer, cut up

  · 1 cup diced carrots, cooked

  · 1 loaf bread, cubed

  · salt and pepper to taste

  · 1 medium onion, chopped

  · 2 cups milk

  · 1 egg

  BEAT TOGETHER EGG AND MILK. ROLL RAW CHICKEN PIECES in flour and fry lightly in butter. Arrange chicken in bottom of roasting pan. Bake uncovered at 450 degrees for 1 hour. Mix the vegetables, bread cubes, milk, and egg together. Spread on top of chicken. Top with dots of butter. Bake half an hour longer.

  RECIPES FROM WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AGAIN

  KATHERINE’S PAPRIKA POTATOES

  · ¼ cup flour

  · ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

  · 1 tablespoon paprika

  · ¾ teaspoon salt

  · ⅛ teaspoon garlic salt (or onion salt)

  · 6 medium potatoes

  · vegetable oil or cooking spray

  Put all the ingredients except the potatoes into a gallon-size plastic baggie. Shake until well blended. Wash the potatoes and cut them into small wedges. Add potato wedges to the bag until one-third full. Shake the bag to coat the potatoes. Place them on an oiled pan and repeat until all the potatoes are covered with the mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

  MARY CAROL’S CHOCOLATE CAKE

  · 2 cups white sugar

  · 1 ¾ cups flour

  · ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  · 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

  · 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

  · 1 teaspoon salt

  · 2 eggs

  · 1 cup milk

  · ½ cup vegetable oil

  · 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  · 1 cup boiling water

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix for 2 minutes on medium speed. Stir in the boiling water last. Batter will be thin. Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and enjoy!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  AWARD-WINNING, BESTSELLING AUTHOR Beth Wiseman is best known for her Amish novels, but her most recent novels, Need You Now and The House that Love Built, are contemporaries set in small Texas towns. Both have received glowing reviews. Beth’s The Promise is inspired by a true story.

  AN EXCERPT FROM HER BROTHER’S KEEPER

  One

  CHARLOTTE WATCHED THE TAXI UNTIL IT WAS OUT OF SIGHT, then she left her luggage on the sidewalk and made her way up the steps leading to the porch of the farmhouse. Two side-by-side front doors stood open, and through the screens, the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafted outside. She took a deep breath. Based on her research, the Amish people knew how to cook, so that would be a perk while she was here.

  She smoothed the wrinkles from her plain blue dress, put her sunglasses in the pocket of her black apron, and tucked a few loose strands of blond hair beneath the prayer covering she was wearing. Shaking her head, she eyed the black loafers and black socks that rose to just above her ankles, knowing she wouldn’t win any fashion awards in this getup. She jumped when she heard footsteps, then took a step back when a woman about her mother’s age pushed the screen open and said, “You must be Mary.” The Amish woman put her hands on full hips, smiled broadly, and extended her hand.

  Charlotte nodded, acknowledging the name she’d chosen to use while she was here—Mary Troyer. “Lena?”

  “Ya, ya. I’m Lena King.” She looked past Charlotte, raised a hand to her forehead, and peered. “Ach, mei. A lot of suitcases, ya?”

  Charlotte glanced over her shoulder at the three suitcases. “Yes, I guess so.” She fought to mask the tremble in her voice, reminding herself to use the little bit of Pennsylvania Dutch she’d learned. “Ya. Ya. A month is a long time.” She doubted she would stay anywhere near that long, but that’s what Lena had insisted on via the letters they’d exchanged, so Charlotte had packed accordingly, just in case.

  Lena scurried past her and quickly latched on to two of the suitcases. “Let’s get these inside and get you settled. We are just so thrilled to find out that we have cousins down in Texas.” She grunted a little as she carried the luggage. Charlotte grabbed the third one and followed her. “We’d heard rumor that there were Amish folks in Beeville, Texas, but to find our kin there . . . well, just so gut to know, even if it is cousins several times removed.”

  Charlotte recalled finding the small group of Amish people who had migrated to Texas from Tennessee. She’d built her secret identity based on information she’d gathered by spending time with them, and they’d directed her to a resale shop where she’d purchased her Amish clothes. They’d been nice enough, if not a bit suspicious about all of Charlotte’s questions.

  Lena set the suitcases on the land
ing below the staircase, so Charlotte did the same with hers.

  “Jacob can haul these upstairs when he gets home.” Lena smiled again. Charlotte knew Lena was referring to her sixteen-year-old son. “You must be hungry from your travels. Come, come.” She motioned for Charlotte to follow, and once in the kitchen, Lena pulled out a chair at the head of the table. Before them lay enough food to feed an army.

  “I didn’t know what you liked, so I made chicken salad, tuna salad, and egg salad.” She pointed to three more bowls on Charlotte’s right. “That’s barbequed meatballs, cheddar meat loaf, and my special chicken casserole.” She pressed her palms together and then pointed to the middle of the table. “That’s bread I made this morning, and to the left is apple butter. Chowchow is in the other bowl.” She spun around, rattled off something in her native language, then returned with a glass she set in front of Charlotte. This was going to be an area of concern, her inability to understand or speak much of the dialect, which she’d read was an offshoot of German. She offered up the best smile she could, hoping to fake her way through the conversation.

  “Everything looks very . . . gut.” She’d learned a handful of words most commonly used by the women in Beeville. She’d camped out at a nearby hotel and visited the farmers’ market daily for a couple of weeks in an effort to gain information. The women sold canned goods and homemade crafts. Charlotte always bought several jars of jams and jellies as unspoken payment for their help. She figured she had enough jellies for the next several years, but it had been worth it for the valuable information.

  “I hoped that everyone could be here to welcome you, but it just didn’t work out.” Lena sighed as she sat down to Charlotte’s left. “After dinner, you should rest. Tomorrow, Hannah and I are adding to the flower beds. We like to spruce things up with Tiger Eyes every August. They only bloom for about eleven weeks, but they are always a nice addition when some of our perennials finish blooming.”