“Too late? Too late for what, Preacher?” Amos asked before Betsy could say a word.
“Too late to stop this woman from leaving.” William picked up Betsy’s suitcase and took hold of her hand.
“Wh–what are you doing?” she stammered.
“I’m taking you back to Walnutport where you belong.”
She stared up at him as tears dribbled onto her cheeks. “Didn’t you get my note?”
He nodded. “I also talked to my housekeeper, and I know about the things she told you yesterday.”
“Then you must realize why I have to leave.”
He leaned closer until his warm breath tickled her nose. “I love you, Betsy, and I don’t give a wit about your station in life or my parents’ money. If they accept you, I’ll be happy and they’ll be blessed, but if they choose not to accept you, then it’s their loss.”
“Oh William, I can’t stand the thought of coming between you and your family.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. I’m sure once Mother and Father meet you they’ll see how wonderful you are and will come to love you as much as I do.” William grinned. “Well, maybe not quite that much.” He dropped to one knee. “Betsy Nelson, I know we haven’t had even one official date, but I’ve come to know you pretty well, and I think you would make a fine preacher’s wife. So, after a suitable time of courtship, would you consider marrying me?”
Betsy stood with her mouth hanging open, too stunned to say a word.
Amos nudged her with his elbow. “I can’t keep my boat stopped here all day, missy. Would ya answer the preacher’s question so I can get on up to Easton with my load?”
Tears coursed down Betsy’s cheeks as she smiled at William. “When the time is right, I would be most honored to become your wife.”
Epilogue
Two months later
***
“You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever laid eyes on,” Kelly said as she brushed Betsy’s long hair away from her face and secured it at the back of her head with a white satin bow.
Betsy smiled as she studied her reflection in the mirror they had set up in the classroom where she taught her Sunday school girls. She felt honored to be wearing the same satin gown William’s mother had worn on her wedding day, so that was her “something borrowed.” The pearls that graced Betsy’s neck were brand new—a wedding present from her handsome groom. And for “something blue,” she had chosen to carry a lacy white handkerchief with her father’s initials, HN, embroidered in blue thread. The hankie had belonged to her mother, so even though neither of Betsy’s parents could share in this special day, it gave her a sense of comfort to know she carried something that reminded her of them both.
“I can hardly believe this is happening,” Betsy murmured. “I feel like a princess from a fairy tale.”
Kelly gave Betsy a hug. “You deserve to be happy, and I’m glad you didn’t make William wait until next Christmas to make you his bride.”
“I’m almost thirty-two,” Betsy said, puckering her lips. “I don’t want to be old and gray before we start our family. So when William suggested we be married on Christmas Eve, I could hardly say no.”
Sarah chuckled as she stepped into the room. “I heard that remark, and you’re not old, Betsy Nelson, soon-to-be Mrs. William Covington III.”
Betsy reached one hand out to Sarah and the other one to Kelly, her two dearest friends. “William and I love each other so much, and neither of us could stand the thought of waiting a whole year to be married.”
“It’s wonderful that William’s family could be here for the wedding,” Kelly said, giving Betsy’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Betsy nodded. “And to think I was worried that they might not accept me.”
Sarah squeezed Betsy’s other hand. “The real miracle is that Mrs. Bevens has found a personal relationship with the Lord and no longer objects to the wedding.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Since William’s housekeeper will soon be out of a job, I have to wonder if she might not end up marrying Rev. Carter from Parryville, who became a widower last year.”
“That’s right,” Kelly agreed. “I saw Mrs. Bevens in the sanctuary earlier, putting the finishing touches on the decorations, and I couldn’t help but notice the glances she and Rev. Carter kept exchanging.”
“No one could be any happier than I am on this special Christmas Eve,” Betsy murmured with a dreamy sigh. She took one last look at herself in the mirror and then turned toward the door. “Shall we go, ladies? I don’t want to keep my groom waiting.”
As Betsy walked down the aisle behind her friends, her throat constricted. The sanctuary was beautiful with glowing candlelight, boughs of holly mixed with evergreens, and red velvet bows decorating each pew.
Her gaze came to rest on William, looking ever so handsome as he stood at the front of the church beside his brother, Richard, and Mike Cooper. He was dressed in a black suit with a red bow tie, and he gazed at Betsy as though she were the most beautiful woman in the world. She felt blessed, and her heart swelled with joy. Oh, I wish Papa and Mama were here to share this special moment with us.
William’s aunt Clara, who had volunteered to play the organ, switched from the traditional bridal march to the soft strains of “The First Noel.” Betsy smiled through a film of tears. That was Papa’s favorite Christmas carol. Maybe he and Mama are looking down from heaven right now and can see how happy I am.
“I love you, Papa,” Betsy whispered. She stepped up to her groom and took hold of his hand. “I’m so glad I returned to Walnutport so I could meet you, Pastor William.”
RECIPE FOR BETSY’S PORK FLOAT
Hunk of salt pork
2 large onions, cut up
6 large potatoes, diced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed corn
Biscuit dough
Cut salt pork into small pieces and fry in a pan to get the grease out. Brown and set aside. Fry onions in pork fat. Set aside. In large pot, combine potatoes, tomatoes, and crushed corn. Cook until potatoes are tender. Add the browned salt pork and onion; season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Make dough as you would for biscuits, and spoon into the pork stew to make dumplings. Keep covered and boil slowly for about 10 minutes or until dumplings are done.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Figure I
WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER is a bestselling author who enjoys writing historical, as well as Amish-themed novels. Wanda’s interest in the Lehigh Canal began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in Pennsylvania, near the canal. Wanda and Richard have made numerous trips to Pennsylvania, where they have several friends and relatives. They’ve walked the towpath, ridden on a canal boat, and toured the lock tender’s house. Wanda hopes her readers will enjoy this historical series as much as she enjoyed researching and writing it.
Wanda and her husband have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, reading, stamping, and having fun with her family.
In addition to her novels, Wanda has written two Amish cookbooks, an Amish devotional, several Amish children’s books, as well as numerous novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.
Visit Wanda’s Web site at www.wandabrunstetter.com and feel free to e-mail her at [email protected].
OTHER BOOKS BY WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER:
INDIANA COUSINS SERIES
A Cousin’s Promise
A Cousin’s Prayer
A Cousin’s Challenge
BRIDES OF LEHIGH CANAL SERIES
Kelly’s Chance
DAUGHTERS OF LANCASTER COUNTY SERIES
The Storekeeper’s Daughter
The Quilter’s Daughter
The Bishop’s Daughter
BRIDES OF LANCASTER COUNTY SERIES
A Merry Heart
Looking for a Miracle
Plain and Fancy
The Hope Chest
SISTERS OF HOLMES COUNTY SERIES
A Sister’s Secret
A Sister’s Test
A Sister’s Hope
BRIDES OF WEBSTER COUNTY SERIES
Going Home
On Her Own
Dear to Me
Allison’s Journey
White Christmas Pie
NONFICTION
The Simple Life
Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook
Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook, Vol. 2
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Rachel Yoder—Always Trouble Somewhere Series (8 books)
The Wisdom of Solomon
BACK COVER MATERIAL
HISTORICAL ROMANCE FROM A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Betsy Has
Come Home
Betsy Nelson can hardly accept her father's retirement, but she knows his failing heart demands it. She leaves her life in the city and returns home to care for him. It hurts to see a new pastor taking her papa's place, but Betsy didn't expect Pastor William Covington to be so charming and handsome.
The Covington family's wealth and status in Buffalo hold no appeal for William. His greatest desire is to minister to others. He is delighted, then, when a church in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, calls him to be their pastor. Can he ever fill the shoes of Reverend Nelson, who has lovingly served this small canal community for years?
When they clearly disagree on methods of ministry, can Betsy and William find common ground on which to work together for the better of the townspeople?
After being left once before at the altar, William vowed to serve the Lord alone. But that was before Betsy s Return....
***
Award-winning, bestselling author Wanda E Brunstetter and her husband live in Washington State but take every opportunity to visit friends in Amish settlements throughout the States.
Betsy's Return Page 15
