With that, Peter left, leaving Isobel staring after him. After tomorrow, would she ever see Peter again?
Romans 5:1-4.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
Chapter 18.
Isobel awoke before the sun, or rather, before dawn, as there was no sun today; a howling wind was bringing with it driving snow. She had gone to bed with Peter on her mind, and had woken up with Peter on her mind. Was there any future for them? She dearly wanted there to be, but it all depended on Peter. She knew he cared for her, but was he in love with her? And even if he was, could he ever return to the Amish?
No doubt, Isobel would find out that very day. She felt sick at the thought. Isobel dressed and went down to breakfast, even though she had no appetite whatsoever. Her mudder was already awake, and was serving scrapple, along with eggs and fried potatoes. Preserved fruits and cereal were already on the kitchen table.
"Would you like me to cook some oatmeal, Mamm?"
Her mudder shooed her away. "Nee, sit; you've had quite enough of a shock. Here, drink this kaffi."
Isobel gratefully took the kaffi and sipped it, enjoying the warmth flowing though her. "You're up even earlier today, Mamm."
Her mother sat opposite her and rubbed her forehead. "Yes, I found it difficult to sleep. The whole familye has had quite a shock."
"I'm sorry, Mamm."
"It's not your fault, Isobel. You have nothing to be sorry for."
Isobel simply smiled. She enjoyed sitting there, safe and protected and warm. She could not imagine life outside the Amish. But what about Peter? He had lived as an Englischer for so long; were the ways of the world so firmly entrenched in him that he would not be able to put them behind him?
The morning seemed to drag on forever. Isobel mopped the floors and then set herself to baking. By midday, there was still no sign of Peter. Isobel's vadder came inside for lunch and the three ate a hearty meal together - or rather, Isobel's parents ate, while Isobel picked at her food. Where was Peter?
After Isobel's vadder went back outside, Isobel peered out the window every few moments. After what seemed an age, she finally heard the sound of a car. Isobel ran to the window. She saw Peter get out of his car and walk into the barn.
Isobel's mudder came over. "Is Peter here?"
"Jah, and he's gone to speak to Datt."
Her mudder simply shrugged and went back to her knitting. After a while, her mudder said, "Isobel, come and sit by the fire; you're making me nervous pacing up and down."
Isobel did as she was asked. "What can be taking him so long?"
A few moments later, her vadder and Peter came into the haus. "Gut news," her vadder said at once. He and Peter sat down next to each other on the old, blue couch.
"Raines and his lawyer have both been arrested," he said, "And what's more, they both confessed."
Isobel scrunched up her face as wave after wave of relief washed over her. "So your plan worked."
"It did indeed," Peter said with a twinkle in his eye. "When the lawyer found out that Raines was already in custody, he fell over himself to implicate Raines. He confessed to everything, but said that Raines had threatened him. Raines also confessed and said that it was all the lawyer's idea. They’ll both be going to jail for a very long time."
"So I'm safe now?"
Peter nodded and his face lit up. "Yes, you're safe."
Mrs. Slabaugh beamed. "Wunderbaar!" she said. "I'll make us all a hot meadow tea." Isobel rose to help, but her mudder waved her back to her chair.
As they sat and drank hot meadow tea and ate slices of shoo-fly pie, the two men discussed the legal proceedings. Mrs. Slabaugh seemed content with the fact that her dochder was now safe, and Isobel was wondering whether she would ever see Peter again. She caught herself biting at a fingernail, then wringing her hands, and then shifting in her seat. Peter did not seem to notice as he was engrossed in conversation with her vadder.
Finally, Peter stood up. Her parents thanked him again for his help, and then Mrs. Slabaugh went into the kitchen. Mr. Slabaugh said he had to get back to work, and so Peter and Isobel were left alone in the living room.
1 Corinthians 13: 1 - 13.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.
Chapter 19.
Isobel stood there, wondering if this was the final goodbye.
Peter walked over to her, and put his hands on her shoulders. His touch unleashed a flood of butterflies in her stomach. "Isobel, come with me now." With that, he headed for the door.
Isobel trailed after him, somewhat confused. "Oh, okay." She assumed she had to sign something, or give another statement. "I'll tell my parents where I'm going," she said as she caught up to him.
Peter shook his head. "I already told your vadder."
Isobel nodded. "All right, then." She took her heavy, black shawl from its peg, wrapped it around her, and then followed Peter to his car, happy at least that she would be with him a little longer.
Isobel looked over at Peter and saw he was gripping the wheel so hard that his knuckles were white. They drove off into the cold. Isobel fervently hoped that the snow would fall so hard that they would have to turn back, so she could be with Peter even longer. Yet the snow had stopped falling now, and Isobel looked out the window at the white landscape surrounding her. Black and white cows and snow covered barns dotted the beautiful rolling hills.
She was so engrossed with the loveliness of the winter scenery that at first she did not notice Peter turning down a little lane to the pond on the Stutzman farm.
"Aren’t we going to the police station?"
Peter chuckled. "Nee. Is that where you thought we were going?'
Isobel nodded, wondered where he was taking her.
"The pond was my favorite place to go as a child. I won’t have this car much longer. I was only keeping it until your case was solved."
Isobel wondered why Peter was speaking about his car and why his voice was awash with nervousness.
"I don't have a buggy - yet," Peter said, and Isobel's heart leaped at the word yet. Could this mean what she thought it meant?
"And so, please consider this a buggy ride," he continued, as he stopped the car.
A buggy ride? Isobel looked at Peter. Tingles filled her body as their eyes met, and the full import of his words sank in. A buggy ride means a date.
Peter reached for her hand. Isobel took it without hesitation, and their fingers entwined. Isobel's stomach clenched at the pleasurable feelings that his touch produced.
"Isobel, I've spoken to the bishop, and I'm returning to the community. My vadder wants me to farm with him, and now that my grossdawdi has gone to be with Gott, I'm moving into my grossdawdi's haus on the familye farm."
A few shocks had come Isobel's way in recent times, but this one rivaled them all.
Peter's fingers tightened around Isobel's hand, causing her breath to come in short bursts. "I know we haven’t known each long," Peter continued, his voice full of nervousness, "but I know you're the only woman for me. I've spoken to your vadder -"
"My vadder!" Isobel interrupted him, and her free hand flew to her throat.
Peter chuckled. "I asked him permission to ask you to marry me, and he gave it."
"
Marry me?" Isobel exclaimed. She felt as if she were in a dream.
"Isobel, are you going to repeat everything I say for the rest of our lives?"
Peter leaned toward her, and his closeness set her pulses racing. He cupped her face in his strong hand, and Isobel caught her breath as she took in his masculine scent of sandalwood and lime.
Their lips met tenderly, but for Isobel, all too briefly. She shut her eyes as if to seal in the memory of his velvety lips on hers.
"I want to do this right," Peter said, stroking her cheek. "There will be a time for kisses later, a lifetime of kisses."
The End
Also available, the Boxed Set: Books 4 and 5 in same series!
The Amish Buggy Horse BOXED SET Books 4 – 5.
4. Patience.
Patience Beiler left her community years ago due to a broken heart. Now, circumstances have forced her to return to the community and she finds herself unable to avoid Simon Warner, now a widower with two little girls, the man who caused her so much pain.
Can she break through the web of lies and deceit that have conspired against her for years, and this time, find true love?
5. Kindness.
Lydia is thirty years old, well past the usual Amish age for marrying. She is convinced that no man will want her as she is overweight. In her attempts to remain invisible, Lydia's only outing is the church meeting every other week.
What happens when the handsome Eli Schrock arrives in her community and makes an instant impression on all the girls of marriageable age?
Lydia is also drawn to Eli Schrock, despite thinking that a man would never find her suitable. Will Lydia lower her barriers in time to allow Eli to see the true woman that she is, or will Eli's attention be drawn away to the more outgoing, confident girls in the community?
About the Author.
Ruth Hartzler's father was from generations of what people refer to as "Closed Open" or "Gospel Hall" Brethren. Ruth's mother, a Southern Baptist, had years of struggle adapting to the cultural differences, and always cut her hair, which was a continual concern to Ruth's father's family. Ruth was raised strictly Brethren and from birth attended three meetings every Sunday at the Gospel Hall, the Wednesday night meeting, and the yearly "Conference," until she left the Brethren at the age of twenty one. Ruth still has close friends in the Brethren, as well as the Amish, both groups descending from Anabaptists. Ruth's family had electricity, but not television, radio, or magazines, and they had plain cars. Make up, bright or fashionable clothes, and hair cutting were not permitted for women. Women had to wear hats in meetings (what others would call church meetings) but not elsewhere. The word "church" was never used and there were no bishops or ministers. All baptized men were able to speak (preach, or give out a hymn) spontaneously at meetings. Musical instruments were forbidden, with the exception of the traditional pump organ which was allowed only if played in the home for hymn music. Even so, singing of hymns in accompaniment was forbidden.
Ruth Hartzler is a widow with one adult child and two grandchildren. She lives alone with her Yorkshire Terrier and two cats. She is a retired middle school teacher and enjoys quilting, reading, and writing.
If you have enjoyed this book, would you please leave a positive review? Your support really does make a difference.
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The Amish Buggy Horse BOXED SET Books 1-3 (Amish Romance Book Bundle: Faith, Hope, Charity) (Boxed Set: The Amish Buggy Horse) Page 22
