"I know."
"But we will be home. We will show them. This is right. I will ask Jonah when we get home. I want to marry you, Kate. Soon. I want us to start this life together. I do not want to wait longer than we must," he sighed and held me closer.
I closed my eyes and hoped that the Elders would see.
This was right.
We wouldn't know until we got home.
Tomorrow would come, and I both looked forward to it and dreaded it.
They had to see that this was right.
~~~~
The sun was setting as we drove through town. I smiled as we passed the general store.
It had all begun there.
I was seeing the town with new eyes, and new hope.
Nathan drove past, his arm leaning casually out the window as he took in his surroundings. He had grown quite used to driving, and I had a suspicion that inside, he had grown to love my car.
It would be sad to get rid of it, but we had no use for it, and hopefully it would fetch a decent price.
We had things to buy.
A farm to get running.
It was my gift to our life.
I grew anxious as the fields came into view, many cleared away in the week we had been gone.
A week.
It felt like a year.
My breathing picked up and I straightened my skirt again in preparation to seeing the Bergers again. I had dressed more appropriately today, my one and only skirt from my former life and a loose shirt to cover myself discreetly. Nathan still called me beautiful and smiled every time he looked my way as we traveled.
I had the feeling that he preferred me in dresses, which I supposed was good, since I would be wearing one for the rest of my life. I'd miss shorts and jeans.
But I loved Nathan more.
"Are you ready?" he asked as he paused at the road leading to the Bergers. I took a deep breath and nodded, the wait almost unbearable. I couldn't wait to see my family again.
Nathan leaned over and pulled me close, his lips finding mine easily after the few days alone. I kissed him tenderly, his lips moving against mine as if to memorize their taste and texture before pulling away smiling.
"I needed one last kiss before we must hide behind the barn again," he mused and held my hand lightly as he turned onto the road.
My heart raced as I saw the house come into view, the lantern light in the kitchen bleeding out onto the porch swing. It would be suppertime or shortly after, and suddenly I was starving. Nathan had called Emma the day before to let her know roughly when we would be home.
We were a little late, having slept in this morning.
As the sound of my car drew near, the back door opened, Jonah's profile in the light as he stood there watching our car move closer. Abigail and Emma were next in the doorway as we drew to a stop, but Abigail lingered only a second before she was bolting for us, Emma following right behind her.
Fannie and Jonah stepped through after with Hannah and Mark, Fannie rushing out with a cry as she saw me open the door to the car. I was barely out of the door before Emma's arms were around me and I was hugging her to me. I couldn't breathe, between her strong grip and the emotions that washed over me.
Arms wrapped around me, Fannie's soft sobs and Jonah's strong arms enfolding us into one. Mark seemed to surround us and Hannah's grip was tight around my waist. Nathan stood to the side for a moment before Fannie tugged him close, her tears streaming down her face as she looked us over and hugged us tightly once more.
Jonah broke the quiet sobbing with his soft voice, the voice of a father I had missed so much.
"Welcome home, my children. Thank you, Lord, for bringing them home. We are all together again. Thank you, Lord."
I held onto my family and cried with them, so overjoyed to finally be where I belonged.
Every worry and sad thought washed away at the feeling I felt in my family's arms.
I was where I belonged.
I was finally home.
~~~~
Follow Nathan and Kate on their continued journey in the second book of the In Your World series, coming late 2013.
Excerpt of Book two of the In Your world series
Nathan leaned in and held my head in his hands, the gentle touch soothing after the events of the day.
"You do not need to be afraid anymore. I will be here for you through everything," he said.
I nodded and squeezed his hand.
"Together, right?" I asked, my heart full by his pledge.
He grinned and stood.
"Always. No matter how long it takes," he said and stretched. He was beginning to lean in to offer me a kiss when we heard voices inside. He pulled away hurriedly.
We watched in surprise as the Bishop came through the back door, followed swiftly by Jonah and Fannie. Jonah glanced our way, his eyes travelling over us as if to be sure we weren't doing anything the Bishop would find inappropriate. Had he been here a few moments earlier, perhaps he would have had an argument.
"It is late, Samuel. This can wait until tomorrow," Jonah said.
The Bishop looked back at Jonah and shook his head.
"I must say what I came to say tonight," he demanded and turned to me. "Katherine, I will speak with you in private," he said.
I blinked at him, all fatigue gone as I tried to figure out if he was upset or just being direct.
"She does not need to be alone while you speak with her," Jonah started but the Bishop waved him off.
"What I have to say to Katherine is for her alone. And God."
Nathan stepped a little closer to me, his hand moving to encircle my shoulder.
"Please," the Bishop requested, his voice much softer.
I looked up at Jonah, to ask him silently if this was safe. He hesitated before nodding and holding the door open for Nathan.
"Nathan, come inside and have some tea with us," Jonah said and waited for Nathan to move. He seemed reluctant; his eyes on the Bishop before he let go of me.
"I will be just inside," he whispered.
I waited until they were safely inside before I directed my gaze back at the Bishop. I couldn't read his face. It was a cross between agitation maybe even resignation. He gestured to the swing and followed me to it, sitting after I had sat. He kept his distance and pulled off his hat, looking off into the evening.
When he spoke, his voice was rough, surly almost.
"I must ask your forgiveness for my actions today."
I blinked at his words and nodded.
"You have it. I understand why you did it," I replied quietly.
"But you are not upset with my reason?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the field.
"I can't understand why you treat me badly when you don't know me," I confessed.
He was quiet for several minutes. I waited for him to continue.
"You seem to have won over everyone around you."
I straightened and held my head a little higher.
"I haven't won anyone over. I am just trying to make a life here, Bishop Yoder," I replied.
"Are you? Or are you here simply for Nathan?" he asked, refusing to look my way.
I took a breath, struggling to remain calm.
"I am here to find peace and a life I can understand. Nathan is part of that, yes. But it goes beyond that," I started, but he put up his hand to stop me.
"And your trust in God? You come from a world that is Godless. How can I trust that you are not here to hide, and have not found God?" he asked.
"I may be new to this community, Bishop Yoder, but the outside world has God as well. If you are asking if I have found Him while I have been here, the answer is yes. I may see it a little differently than you, but I have found it here," I replied.
"To live with us is to live with God," he said haughtily.
I pursed my lips and eyed him carefully, not sure if I should say what I felt. But he had judged me, without knowing me.
"To live with God is to follow his words.
Words like love and forgiveness and acceptance,” I argued. “To know God is to open your heart and your home to others, to help those less fortunate, to offer friendship and peace to a stranger. To forgive those who have wronged you, to know that God will send justice to those, not man. God rewards those that follow his path.”
My heart was beating fast as I waited for his response. So much of what Nathan spoke about at night were these things exactly. And these things I had witnessed every day. But the Bishop had shown me none of that. He was farther from what he preached than I was.
"You speak well, but do you mean what you say?" he whispered, skeptical.
"I have always been honest and true. That has never changed. Not all English are bad, Bishop Yoder. I wish you would see that. Whatever your prejudice, it's not fair to judge me based on whatever you are basing your hate on," I whispered and stood.
He sat there looking out at the field while I stood waiting for him to speak. When he did, it was barely a whisper.
"Your world corrupts the innocence in ours. I have not seen any good come of your world."
"That's like the outside world saying that the Amish are all occultists and narrow-minded zealots," I replied, watching his face contort in anger at my words.
"It's not what I think," I added softly. "But you see the prejudice? It's not fair to compare me to that world when I so desperately wish to live apart from that view."
He shook his head stubbornly.
"You are too worldly for this life. You will tire of it here. And you will drag Nathan with you out into that evil, just as I have lost my son, we will lose Nathan," he hissed.
"Nathan is old enough to make his own choice. I won't tire of this life. You don't know what my life was like before. This is the life I choose. Even with you making it difficult at every turn, you will not dissuade me, Bishop Yoder. I will do my best to make you believe I am worthy," I said and moved to leave.
His next words made me pause.
"I do not approve of you, Katherine Hill, because you are a woman with strong opinions. Your world has made you willful, and that is not our way."
I turned and shook my head at him.
"If anything, Bishop Yoder, that world has made me more determined to seek out what will make me happy. That world made me run, and I found this place. It made me see where I needed to be. There is nothing I desire from that world. Not when I can find peace and joy here," I replied and stepped inside.
I heard him following after me; saw the looks of surprise on the Bergers’ faces as I stepped inside. I put myself at a safe distance from him, close to Nathan as the Bishop lingered in the doorway. He looked at each of us, holding his hat tight in his hand.
"I was told to meet with both of you weekly, so that we may complete your baptism classes before first frost. I will do so, but it is under duress," he said, refusing to look at me.
"Samuel, you know this is right," Fannie said as she stood beside Jonah.
He shook his head and turned to leave.
"It is not for me to decide. The community has spoken. Therefore I will abide by their wishes," he said and paused in the doorway, looking back at us.
"I will expect you at my home this Tuesday evening. We will meet for an hour, and then discuss a time to meet from there. It is inconvenient, but it must be done," he said.
Nathan stepped forward.
"Thank you, Bishop Yoder. We will try not to burden you," he said.
The Bishop glanced over his shoulder, eyeing Nathan hard.
"We will see. But you must remember your responsibilities, Nathan. Your baptism brings responsibilities," he said and disappeared into the night.
I looked up at Nathan, whose eyes were now downturned and thoughtful.
"What did he mean, Nathan?" I asked quietly.
He turned his head up, his eyes unreadable as he stroked my chin lightly. His smile seemed a little sad.
"It means," he murmured, "that you may soon be a Bishop's wife."
~~~~
Look for Book Two of the In Your World Series, coming late 2013!
Acknowledgements
This story would not be possible without the love and support of my friends and family, and my incredible readers that have stood by me through every word.
To my loving and patient husband, for believing in me and being patient while I diligently researched. Thank you for eating all those corn cakes and pie. Thank you to my dear son who patiently waited for many a burnt meal while I tried to finish that last paragraph.
To Leah who nudged me to take the first step.
To Jess for reminding me of what was important and providing sanctuary.
To my girls on Twitter and Facebook and the forums- thank you for providing so many hours of love and support, laughter and inappropriate inspiration to keep me going.
To Claudia, Teddi, Traci, Terri, Staci, Sarah, Kris and Mandy for the moment of conception on this sweet boy: suspenders and big black hat, shy smile and all.
To Barbara, Amy, Mary, Ava, Jules and Jayme for holding my hand through the editing process and lending me your most trusted opinions.
I love you all, and I am so blessed to have you all on this journey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennyfer Browne has always been a sucker for a good love story- a complex recipe with a dash of dashing, a pinch of heroism, and a hefty dose of outside forces that test young lovers. Seasoned with tears and laughter, followed by a sprinkle of happy sighs fill out the perfect recipe.
Jennyfer also enjoys pie.
Ms. Browne lives in California with her wonderful husband and adoring son, where she enjoys the beach and sailing off on further adventures.
You can visit Jennyfer Browne on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/jennyferbrowneauthor
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