Jethro was driving his rig out from the field where church attendees had been parked. He pulled alongside her. “D-do you need a r-ride into t-town?”
“Ja. Denki.” Hannah scrambled into the buggy beside her previous suitor. “Is your horse fast?”
Jethro gathered the reins. “I hope so. I b-bought him from your b-brother-in-law.”
* * *
Bursting through the alley door into the hallway, Hannah dashed up the narrow stairs two at a time. Her haste reminded her of her actions a few weeks ago. Then, to revive a friend. Now, to hopefully resuscitate a relationship. When Gabe opened the door to her knock, this time it was his face that displayed shock at who was on the other side.
“Hannah! What are you doing here?” He scanned beyond her. “Are you here alone?”
“Ja and nee. There’s no one else with me. But, Gabe, I hope I’m no longer alone. I hope there’s still a chance to be with you. As your wife. Jethro is donating things for the auction and doesn’t want to marry yet, and Samuel has a horse he’s offering and many others have things they’ll be contributing. Even Bishop Weaver is bringing chickens and he needs me to become Mrs. Edigers for the community. It is so wunderbar!”
His gentle hands gripped her upper arms. “Slow down. You lost me at chickens.”
“That’s what’s wunderbar! I thought I’d lost you forever but Gott showed me His will through chickens and my mamm not marrying the bishop’s nephew and an apprenticeship that I’m not forgoing His will to marry you. In fact, I’m following it...” Hannah took in Gabe’s round-eyed look. Glancing through the apartment’s open door, she noticed the boxes. Boxes for him to move away. Her gaze returned to Gabe’s green eyes and she took a deep breath. “If you’ll have me. Will you?”
Just like before, he tugged her into his arms. Hannah went willingly, holding on to him with all her strength.
“I thought you’d never ask,” he murmured before he kissed her.
Epilogue
Hannah turned from paying the auctioneer, her smile as wide as the man’s trailer. Even so, it managed to expand even farther when she caught sight of Gabe weaving his way through the thinning crowd.
She gestured with the record book and fat manila envelope in her hand. “Looks like you’ll be here a little longer.”
His smiling green eyes held hers as he crossed the last few feet. “Good thing, as I’m getting married next Thursday.”
Hannah’s cheeks flushed. She still was amazed that she’d soon become Gabe’s wife. “You must be a risk-taker.”
“I had faith. In God, and the person arranging the fundraiser.” He winked at her. “And I’d have figured out a backup plan. Much is lost for want of asking, you know.”
“So I’ve heard. Since you haven’t asked, I’ll tell you that we raised enough to fund the EMS program for the next year. Even maybe expand it so my husband isn’t always on call by himself. And perhaps next year, a used service vehicle, if he has the contacts to find one.” Gabe’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. Before he got too excited, Hannah cautioned, “A bargain one.”
“Bargains are always good.” He smiled wryly. “Particularly with Nip and Tuck growing so much they’re eating me out of house and home. When the time comes, I’ll certainly explore my resources. And now we know a decent mechanic, as Clay Weathers is working on opening his business again.” Taking her free hand, Gabe led her away from the trailer. “In the crowd today, if I heard it once, I heard it ten times—come next year... You’ve started something amazing. I can’t thank you enough for making this possible.”
“Gott made this possible.”
“I can’t thank Him enough. Mainly for you.”
Hannah felt the same. Her heart was full. The blue dress she’d made for her wedding was hanging in her room. Hannah touched it every night just to remind herself what seemed impossible would soon become real.
Granted, their wedding would be a more subdued event than a normal one in the Plain community. But those who counted would still be there. Because she was marrying outside the faith, she couldn’t join the church—which hurt—but she could still interact in the community. As evidenced by support of the auction, she was still accepted by most of the Amish district. And it was early yet. She’d just started apprenticing with Mrs. Edigers. Folks were more relieved they’d continue to have a midwife when the elderly Mennonite woman retired than concerned that a fellow Amish woman was marrying a Mennonite man.
Ja, she had much to thank Gott for.
“I don’t know how you finished this in time.” Gabe’s comment drew Hannah’s attention to the folded quilt sitting on a nearby table.
Hannah glanced at the intricate design, glad only she would notice the mistakes she’d made working long into the nights. “I couldn’t ask everyone else to donate and not provide something myself.” She shook her head at him. “You paid too much for it. I would’ve made you another one after we get married.”
“I figured I was just contributing to my own salary. Besides, I recognized something in it.” With his free hand, Gabe reached out to trace a repeating triangle of blue fabric in the multicolored quilt.
Hannah also touched the vibrant hue that matched the curtains in Gabe’s apartment. Her finger slid over to the beige material right next to it. With a smile that she knew echoed the one in her eyes, she walked her fingers back to the blue.
Clasping Gabe’s hand, she looked up at him. “Thank you for seeing me as more than I saw myself.”
Gabe raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of it. “Hannah.” His voice was hoarse. “There’s not enough fabric in the world to represent the color you bring into my life. I found and lost you in my past. And I will want for very little, as long as I have you in my present and future. That’s the greatest thing I could ever have asked for.”
* * *
If you loved this story,
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by Jocelyn McClay
The Amish Bachelor’s Choice
Amish Reckoning
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Keep reading for an excerpt from Choosing His Family by Jill Lynn.
Dear Reader,
Thanks so much for reading Hannah and Gabe’s story! For them, and us, much is lost for want of asking. I found that pearl of wisdom on a coworker’s daily calendar one year. It became my adage enough that our son-in-law used the philosophy to start a guitar program at the elementary school where he taught music. He was invited to present his project at the National Music Educator’s conference, and while there, surprisingly gave his mother-in-law’s adage credit for helping get the program launched.
Much is lost for want of asking. Sometimes the answer is no, and depending on the situation, that may be very hard to live with at that time. But sometimes the answer is yes, and such a yes that leads you to marvelous things you never even anticipated. Hannah wants to follow God’s will for her life. Sometimes, it’s hard to know what that will is. Sometimes I forget to ask. Sometimes when I do, I’m so busy looking down at my feet that I don’t realize the amazing things that have been put together until I look back and say “Wow” at how God was laying things out all along.
I can’t thank you enough for joining me on this journey. More Miller’s Creek stories are coming. In the meantime, look me up at Jocelyn McClay on Facebook or connect with me at [email protected].
May God bless you and yours,
Jocelyn McClay
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is Family
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Chapter One
Spring snow pummeled Finn Brightwood’s windshield as his tires turned to ice skates beneath his vehicle, a fitting representation of the predicament he’d somehow gotten himself roped into.
He tapped the brakes, righted the truck and managed to stay in his lane. Thankfully, hardly anyone was out tonight, so there was no vehicle behind him or coming his way. He’d been to Denver despite the weather, because he hadn’t believed the report—they were wrong so often. But if anything, tonight’s dump of white moisture had amounted to even more than had been expected. With a four-wheel drive vehicle beneath him and years of snow driving experience, he’d be fine. It was the rest of the world he had concerns about.
The trip to Denver had been a necessity he’d happily have avoided, but the local cattlemen’s group had decided—without his consent—that as their newest member, he should host their annual dinner. Unfortunately, since he’d purchased the Burke ranch last fall, he more than fit the newbie description. And now, despite having no idea how to host a dinner—or party or whatever they wanted to call it—for thirty people, he was a handful of days away from doing exactly that.
Which explained his trip tonight—he’d needed more supplies than Len’s Grocery in the small town of Westbend could provide, though he’d purchased what he could there first.
His headlights brightened the snow lining the ditch and the flash of tire tracks that cut through the growing depth.
Tire tracks? Had he seen that right? There’d been no vehicle to go with the tracks. Maybe the snow had just blown a certain way, creating the illusion...or maybe there was someone who’d gone off the road.
Finn scanned his rearview mirror for approaching traffic. Not spotting any, he slowed to a stop in his lane. He’d never sleep if he didn’t check on whether his eyes had deceived him.
Since no one was approaching from behind, he reversed until just after where he’d noticed the break in the snow. Sure enough, tracks cut through the white. And they were filling in quickly with the additional accumulation. Another hour and they likely wouldn’t be visible.
He could call for help. But what if whoever it was had already been rescued? He’d investigate first, then decide. Finn parked on the shoulder, donned his Carhartt jacket and grabbed the gloves and hat he kept in his truck console along with his flashlight. He’d worn his wool-lined leather boots tonight, so they’d hold up fine. And his jeans—not exactly snow gear, but they’d do.
He hopped out—the snow spitting at him like a wildcat with icy claws—and strode to the start of the tracks. His first sweep came up empty. He went slower the second time, the beam from his flashlight barely reaching far enough to help him.
There—near a small pack of evergreens, the tail end of a vehicle protruded. Thankfully, this part of the road didn’t veer straight into a cliff. He started down the hill, the snow slipping and sliding underneath him.
The SUV must have been crawling when it connected with the trees, because it looked as if the damage to the hood and bumper was minimal.
He approached the driver’s door. “Hello—are you okay in there?”
No answer came from the body leaning against the window, but a wail sounded from somewhere inside. Finn eased open the driver’s door, which was fortunately unlocked, catching the woman who’d been propped against the window before she tumbled out.
“Ma’am? Are you awake?”
She blinked once, twice, her confusion evident. There was no blood that Finn could find, but the crying multiplied. He peered into the back seat, and then he was the one blinking. Not one, not two, but three little girls filled the row. They were strapped into car seats and, based on the lung power they were packing into those wails, seemed to be relatively uninjured.
“I’ll check on your kids.” Finn let her door close to keep in the heat. He fumbled for his phone while switching to open the back door. “Hey, girls.” He kept his voice even-keeled. “Everything’s going to be okay.” As long as your mom isn’t injured beyond what I can see. But she was wearing her seat belt, so she hadn’t gone too far from home base. Finn would guess she’d knocked her head against something on the way down the slope.
One of the girls—the one farthest from him—continued shrieking. The one in the middle stuck two fingers in her mouth. The one closest to the door he’d opened launched into a slew of questions.
“Is Mommy okay? What happened? Why was it so loud? We went—” She made a roller-coaster motion with her hand.
“I know you did.” Poor kid. “I’m working on getting you girls and your mama some help, just hang tight. I’m going to shut this door to keep the heat in, but I’ll be right outside on the phone, okay?”
Finn closed the door and dialed 911. He explained what he knew of the situation and detailed their location. The operator said help was on the way, though of course the night had produced plenty of accidents and crews were diligently assisting everyone in need.
Directly after he hung up, Finn’s phone rang. His sister, Charlie. If he didn’t answer, she’d worry. She knew he’d driven to Denver tonight.
Finn gave her a thirty-second snapshot of what he’d stumbled across.
“Do you need anything? Do they? What can I do to help?”
“Nothing. Just stay home. The weather is nuts. Please don’t go out in it,” he continued before she could protest. “I’ve got to go. I’ll update you later.”
He moved back to the front door and opened it again. “How’re you doing up here?”
This time the mama hen was alive and well. She clucked over the girls in the back seat, checking for broken bones and signs of blood. He waited for her to assure herself they were fine—or at least close to it.
When she turned back to face him, he continued, “I called for help to get you out. I’m not sure how long it will be before they arrive, so I’m going to climb in the passenger seat and wait with you all. Okay?”
Distrust radiated from her, and while Finn understood it, he certainly wasn’t going to leave the four of them alone. So he did what he’d planned to do and added himself to the mix.
Once he shut the passenger door, a hushed warmth replaced the swirling, angry snow.
“How did you find us? The minute we started sliding off the road, I had this flash of fear that no one would ever know we were down here.” Her SUV boasted Connecticut plates. The real question was, how in the world had the four of them ended up here?
“I was driving back from Denver and saw your tracks in the snow. Thought I was imagining things at first, but then I decided to double-check.”
A crack in her wariness surfaced, and she softened. “Thank you. I can’t imagine what would have happened to us if you hadn’t.”
He wanted to tell her everything would have been okay. That she would have woken up, called someone, gotten help. But the truth was, he didn’t know what would have gone down.
Thank You, God, for the nudge that made me turn back.
“I’m Finn.”
“Ivy.” She wore a knit hat over blond locks that skimmed her shoulders, and her features were petite. She shifted toward the back seat. “These are my girls. Lola, Sage and Reese.”
The trio matched their mama in hair color, and at least two of them—Reese and Sage—also shared their mother’s distrust. Lola was the one who’d launched into an inquisition when he opened the back door.
“How’s everyone doing back there?”
“We went—” Lola made the same motion she had earlier, but with a few more loops and dips involved this time, like a fisherman embellishing the story. That had to be a good sign. Reese continued to whimper, and Sage kept the same two fingers in her mouth like a plug. His gaze slid back to Ivy. “Any injuries?”
“Not that I can tell. Everyone seems intact. Please let it be so.” Her eyes welled at that,
and Finn felt that familiar sense of compassion—the one that got him into trouble—swamp him.
“It’s going to be okay. We’re getting help.”
“I’m not sure there’s enough help in all the world for the mess we’re in.” She said it under her breath, as if it wasn’t meant for him, but he heard it just the same. And it sent warning sirens blaring, because assisting someone on the side of the road was one thing, but Finn couldn’t get involved with another damsel in distress.
Not when the last one had absolutely demolished him.
* * *
Ivy Darling woke the next morning to faint light gliding through blinds, her mind instantly filling with last night’s events—flashing emergency lights, panic over her girls and the unexpected kindness of two strangers.
Two, because not only had Finn stopped to help them, but his sister, Charlie—a redheaded spitfire—had shown up shortly after his arrival. Around the same time as the emergency crews.
Finn had growled at Charlie, I told you not to come.
Charlie had chirped back at him, We both know I don’t listen very well.
Ivy had instantly liked Charlie, and Finn’s concern for his sister’s well-being had also upped her trust levels for him. Charlie had brought blankets, toys, snacks and drinks for the girls, explaining that she used to foster-parent and had gotten into the habit of keeping supplies at her apartment. She’d been a comfort and a godsend, and when the paramedics had given the triplets the all clear medically but tried to insist that Ivy go to the hospital to get checked out, Charlie had been the one to support Ivy’s definite no.
As if she could have left her girls. Charlie had understood. She’d bundled them up and brought them here—to Finn’s ranch house. Charlie had insisted on staying with her and the girls throughout the night to make sure everyone was okay.
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