The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming

by Ophelia London

  Travis smiled and glanced around, taking in a deep breath. “I’ve been to my share of big weddings, but I’ve never witnessed this much neighborly kindness and camaraderie. It’s quite an experience. And I’ve definitely never seen so many different pies in all my life!”

  “Well, save room for later. There’ll be even more at tonight’s dinner.”

  Travis spoke of Cincinnati and how well the horse was doing at the winter competitions. Isaac was happy to hear that, but it only made his thoughts return to Grace.

  Where’s that woman disappeared to?

  She’d been radiant when he’d seen her first thing that morning, wearing a sky-blue dress, starched white apron, and black head covering. The church service seemed to take hours, and his bow tie had felt like it was cutting off all oxygen every time she glanced those blue eyes his way or flashed that dimple she knew made him weak in the knees.

  As he greeted another group of guests from Silver Springs, Isaac’s heart felt full enough to explode when he remembered kneeling across from her, Bishop Turner reading from the books of Genesis, Judges, and Ruth. The words had been a blur, for all he’d been able to think about was how their day had finally come. Grace would be his forever, and he’d vowed with love, forbearance, and patience to take care of her “as is fitting for a Christian husband.”

  Isaac was more than ready, right this second, to initiate husbandly privileges with Grace as his wife.

  But where is she?

  Lucas gave him a wink and a nod as he passed by a group of men. Eve, Sarah, and a pack of women came flooding out of the house. It still took Isaac by surprise when he noticed how active his now-mother-in-law had become after only six months of post-surgery rehab. It also continued to amaze him whenever he saw Sarah. His sister-in-law’s belly looked ready to pop. She was strong, though, and cheery, and her cheeks glowed—especially when she looked at Amos, the proud father-to-be.

  “Have you seen Grace?” Isaac asked, undoing his bow tie.

  “Lost her already?” Esther laughed while wiping crumbs off a table. “How clumsy.”

  “Ha-ha,” Isaac chuckled lightheartedly.

  “Last I saw her,” Sarah said, “she was with Sadie.”

  That told Isaac everything he needed to know. Though he couldn’t believe she’d do this in the middle of their wedding day.

  Truth be told, however, he’d never expect less.

  “Danke,” he said. “Can I help with that?”

  “Nay!” Sarah held the stack of dirty dishes she was gathering out of his reach. “Enjoy your day…brother.” For a quick moment, they gazed at each other. Isaac couldn’t have been any more blessed with his lot of in-laws. Amos had become one of his closest friends. And Sarah, well, he couldn’t imagine loving his own sister any better.

  After chatting with some of his volunteer firefighter buddies, Isaac was able to sneak off, probably along the same path Grace had earlier.

  The sun hung high in the sky. And although it was late October, the weather was still plenty warm. He heard their voices drifting through the autumn air before he saw them…

  “Hold it like this. You see? Jah—perfect! Now take your time, sweetie.”

  Isaac couldn’t help but stand in place and watch from a distance. Sadie was holding a set of long reins in one hand, turning in a slow circle, as Tangerine—the newest pony to be brought to Zook’s Horse Training Farm—trotted a loop in perfect obedience.

  “You’re doing it,” Grace said in delight, clapping her hands and jumping up and down. “I knew you could!”

  Isaac chuckled when he noticed her black bonnet was sitting askew on her head. Her white apron had a streak of dirt across it, and that sky-blue dress she’d handmade for her wedding was hiked up and tied in two knots, a pair of faded brown trousers underneath. From that distance, he couldn’t see her shoes, but he could only imagine.

  “Daddy!” Sadie dropped the rope and dashed over to him. “Did you see? Did you see Tangerine?”

  “I did!” Isaac exclaimed as he pulled her up into his arms. “You’re getting so good at training. But shouldn’t you be at the house? Hannah is surely looking for you.”

  “Is there pie left?” Sadie asked, her eyes as big as saucers.

  “Why don’t you go find out.”

  Sadie looked at her father, but then glanced at Grace. “Can I Grace? I mean, Mommy?”

  Grace laughed while pulling off Tangerine’s harness. “Of course, liebling. We’ll practice later, okay?” She patted the horse’s rump, encouraging her to run free around the pasture.

  “Ew-key!” Sadie gasped in excitement, wiggled out of Isaac arms, and began running up the hill, showing that the bottom of her dress was also hiked up and knotted.

  When Grace’s blue eyes moved to Isaac, her cheeks glowing with exercise, he wondered if he’d ever been as happy as he was right then.

  “Care to explain yourself, Grace Zook?” he said, walking toward her.

  “Grace Zook King, you mean.”

  Catching the playful sparkle in her eyes, Isaac had no choice but to reach out and pull her into his arms. “Grace Zook King,” he whispered into her ear. “Mmm, I like that.”

  “You’d better,” she whispered back. Her body shook with laughter as he squeezed her extra tight. “Honestly, I meant to have Sadie out here for only a second. Was I missed?”

  Isaac smiled down at her, adjusting her kapp, then he pressed his lips to her forehead. “Only by me.”

  “Oh?” Grace blinked a few times, sent a quick glance over one shoulder, then looked up at him. Something in her expression made Isaac’s heart skip a beat. “So, no one will notice if I do this…?”

  The heat of a campfire erupted in Isaac’s chest, but he dared not move a single muscle as his bride slid her palms up his chest, rose onto her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him in a way that made him wonder if he’d ever be able to walk in a straight line again.

  “I love you,” she whispered. “With all my heart.”

  Isaac’s breaths were mere gasps when he tried to speak.

  “Shh.” Grace placed a finger over his lips. She kissed him again, gently this time, but enough for Isaac to recall the first time he’d seen her…dirty dress, crooked kapp, a smile on her face that would forever be branded on his heart.

  How could he have not known—even back then—that this woman was a blessing from Gott he’d never be able to repay?

  He leaned down to kiss her, his restless fingers digging in to her hips.

  “Careful,” Grace whispered, gazing up at him. “I don’t want you to lose your strength yet. Our lives are just beginning.”

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  Acknowledgments

  Danke: My editor, Stacy Abrams, for encouraging this project when I was completely out of steam; the wonderful team of editors at Entangled Publishing; my gal pals, Nancy, Ginger, and Jen, who keep me going with bread and gelato; my family for their enthusiasm and support; and especially to my husband for his surprising creativity when I’ve written myself into a plot corner and can’t get out. I love you all!

  About the Author

  USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas, and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. She enjoys cupcakes, treadmills, reruns of Dawson’s Creek, and obsessing over her Italian greyhound, Peanut. Ophelia is the author of Never an Amish Bride, first in the Honey Brook series, as wells as the Sugar City series, the Perfect Kisses series, the Abby Road series, and other adult, new adult, and young adult sweet romances.

  Visit her online at ophelialondon.com

  If you loved The Amish Cowboy’s Homecoming, you won’t want to miss the companion nove
l, which Shelley Shepard Gray called “simply wonderful!”

  by Ophelia London

  Everything changed for Esther Miller with the death of her beloved fiancé, Jacob. Even years later, she still struggles with her faith and purpose in the small, tight-knit Amish village of Honey Brook—especially now that her younger sister is getting married. All she wants is to trust in the Lord to help her find peace...but peace is the last thing she gets when Lucas, Jacob’s wayward older brother, returns to town.

  Lucas Brenneman has been harboring a secret for years—the real reason he never returned from Rumspringa and the truth behind his brother Jacob’s death. Honey Brook still calls to him, but he knows his occupation as a physician’s assistant must take precedence. With sweet and beautiful Esther he finds a comfort he’s never known, and he feels like anything is possible...even forgiveness. But she was Jacob’s bride-to-be first. And if she knew the truth, would she ever truly open her heart to him?

  Love may be right around the corner in the heartwarming, sweet, and gentle Pine Creek series from Amity Hope.

  After the death of her beloved father, Emma Ziegler just wants to keep her family’s maple syrup farm afloat and raise her two young siblings. But when her meddling aunt’s first choice of a husband for her turns out to be Emma’s last choice—Pine Creek’s most notorious bachelor—Emma grows desperate. Her aunt won’t listen, no matter how much she tries to tell her the man in no way embodies the Amish values of faith or hard work.

  Kind and industrious Levi Bontrager has always wanted to protect his best friend Emma, even after a secret from their youth left them growing apart. Which is why he steps in to claim that Emma cannot wed anyone else, as she is currently courting him. Yes, the small lie leaves him feeling guilty, but Levi’s hope is that if he can win back the beautiful Emma’s trust, he can also win over her heart...for real.

  But can a courtship that began just for show ever blossom into a true romance that could save both their futures?

  A pregnant Amish woman discovers the true meaning of Christmas in this inspirational, heartwarming debut—coming soon!

  by Mindy Steele

  Grace Miller believed herself in love with the charming Englischer who eventually broke her heart. Now alone except for the secret life growing inside her, she arrives in the unfamiliar small village of Walnut Ridge, Kentucky, to hide and hopefully gain forgiveness.

  She is pleasantly surprised, however, to find a tight-knit, welcoming group who help her heart grow right alongside her belly. And with the holidays around the corner, there’s plenty of preparations to occupy her mind. Also occupying her mind? Her strong, protective neighbor, Cullen Graber, the town’s blacksmith, who seems intent on not allowing her to ever suffer alone.

  Cullen Graber gave up on love after too many losses early in life. He planned to live out his days focusing on his smithy business, yet the beautiful and mysterious Grace refuses to leave his thoughts. But can they open their hearts to God’s grace and create a new family together before Grace must return home?