An Unexpected Family

by Jenna Mindel

  She gave him the brightest smile he’d ever seen. It lit up her face and shone right through to his heart. “Keep looking,” she told him.

  He was done looking—done hiding, too. He wanted Rose and everything that came with her. He’d planned on asking her privately, after discussing his proposal with her son, but he didn’t think he could wait for all that. Maybe this once, taking a shortcut would be okay.

  She pointed at the copy of a filed deed to the building that had been transferred into Rose’s name. “It’s mine, Cam. The Deans never followed through on their threat. Now it can be ours.”

  He glanced at Greg.

  The kid nodded as if he knew. Of course he did. Greg would have to be blind not to see how he felt.

  Cam set the papers aside, then got down on one knee. He cleared his throat and reached for her hand. “Marry me, Rose. If you and Greg are willing, let’s partner for life and be a family.”

  Rose smiled and reached for her son. “What do you think, Greg?”

  “I think you should say yes.” Greg’s voice sounded thick.

  “I think so, too.” Rose said simply, “Yes.”

  “I love you guys.” Cam gathered both of them in his arms for an embrace that promised a lifetime of togetherness. He wasn’t going to miss another moment and that felt good. Better than he’d ever expected.

  Greg pulled away with a sniff. “I’m going to try on my ice fishing gear.”

  Cam nodded. “Thanks for saying yes, bud.”

  The kid gave him a watery smile as he gathered up the bibs and jacket and headed for his room.

  Rose stayed put, on her knees next to him. “I think we should change the name of the diner, though.”

  “To what?” He rubbed his nose against hers.

  “Drop the ‘Dean’s,’ but I’m not adding ‘Zelinsky.’”

  Cam laughed. “Hometown Grille. I like the sound of that.”

  “Me, too. Welcome home, Cam.” Then Rose kissed him, deeply and thoroughly.

  Cam had never felt so complete. Pulling back, he smiled. “It’s good to be home.”

  Epilogue

  It might have been a cold Saturday in November to get married but Rose thought it was perfect. Also, the perfect time to close up the diner for the week of Thanksgiving while she and Cam went on their honeymoon in the Florida Keys.

  She and Greg had moved their things into Cam’s house and her parents were staying there to watch Greg while she and Cam were away. Helen had a huge Thanksgiving meal planned for all of them, making Rose almost sorry they’d miss it. Almost. They had reservations tonight at a posh hotel before flying out in the morning. There’d be plenty more family Thanksgivings to come.

  Her gown swished as she walked toward her father, waiting for her at the double-door entrance to the sanctuary. Rose had so much to be thankful for.

  “Oh, Rose, you look beautiful.” He offered his arm. “Ready?”

  “In a minute.” She shifted her bouquet of deep orange roses, then looped her hand into the crook of his elbow but didn’t move, not yet. Having never before walked down the aisle in a church, Rose wanted to savor the moment.

  She wore her mother’s ivory silk and lace wedding dress with only minor alterations. The poofs had been taken out of the long sleeves and the train had been removed so the entire skirt swirled above her feet. With Monica’s help, Rose had found a pair of kid leather ivory ankle boots with ribbon laces to match.

  She scanned the pews filled with Cam’s family and hers. Their faces all turned toward her, waiting. She spotted her mom looking radiantly happy. Rose couldn’t help but blow her a kiss.

  She’d honored her parents’ wish for a church wedding followed by a catered lunch reception in the fellowship hall downstairs. Spotting the cored-out pumpkin vases stuffed with deep orange roses, berries and mini cattails that lined the front pews, Rose felt part of an even bigger family. She’d had a blast arranging her own flowers with the help of her mom, along with Helen and Cam’s sisters. Larger pumpkins with more of the same flowers graced the altar.

  The minister from the congregation where Rose had grown up stood beside the pastor of this small community church that she and Cam now called home. In front of them, Greg stood dressed in a fine dark gray suit. He smiled at her, looking proud and far older than his tender years. Rose blew him a kiss, too, and nearly laughed when her son rolled his eyes.

  Then she gazed at Cam and nearly lost it. He grinned, but his brilliant blue eyes looked shiny with barely controlled emotion. Love. He truly loved her. She couldn’t wait to join him there at the altar and for the rest of their lives.

  Rose took a deep breath and squeezed her dad’s arm. “Okay, I’m ready.”

  The music changed to the song Cam had hummed so many times at the diner. It was their song, this song about the Cross. A testament to the amazing power of God’s grace and forgiveness in their lives.

  Everyone stood. Cameras flashed and cell phones were raised. Walking toward Cam, Rose envisioned their pasts falling away like the dried-up leaves that swirled in the wind outside. Those painful times were dead and gone. For both of them.

  At the altar, her father gave her hand to Cam.

  Threading his fingers through hers, of course he winked at her.

  In that moment, the future spanned before her and it looked more than bright. It was all new and it was beautiful.

  * * * * *

  Pick up the other stories in

  Jenna Mindel’s MAPLE SPRINGS series:

  FALLING FOR THE MOM-TO-BE

  A SOLDIER’S VALENTINE

  A TEMPORARY COURTSHIP

  Available now from Love Inspired!

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE WEDDING QUILT BRIDE by Marta Perry.

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  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for reading the fourth book in my Maple Springs series. I hope you enjoyed the rocky road Cam and Rose took to reach their happily-ever-after. I knew Cam was a troubled soul when he’d lost his biggest sponsor in A Soldier’s Valentine, but I didn’t realize just how deep his shame and distress were until I starting digging into the whys that made up his character.

  Uncovering Cam’s issues with reading came with lots of questions and lots of online research and I only scratched the surface. Dyslexia is a fascinating challenge, one that several well-known folks, including famous authors, have had to overcome. I applaud their grit and determination to master their gifts.

  One program that I found amazing in their approach is the Davis Dyslexia Association International at www.dyslexia.com.

  All of us have limitations. Some are big and some are small, but all can be covered by trusting in God’s grace. Even when life doesn’t go the way we think it should, God really can work all things together for good to those who love Him.

  I love to hear from readers. Please visit my website at www.jennamindel.com or follow me at www.facebook.com/authorjennamindel or drop me a note c/o Love Inspired Books, 195 Broadway, 24th floor, New York, NY 10007.

  Best wishes,

  Jenna

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

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  The Wedding Quilt Bride

  by Marta Perry

  Chapter One

  Two days after Rebecca Mast’s return to her childhood home in Lost Creek, she walked down the lane of the family farm toward her future. Her black widow’s dress contrasted starkly with the pale greens and bright yellows of a sunny spring day in the Pennsylvania countryside. Her son, six-year-old Elijah, trudged next to her, holding tight to her hand rather than skipping and hopping ahead down the lane like one of his cousins would.

  It was early yet, she assured herself. Surely soon he’d forget the darkness of the past few years and be like any other Amish child his age. That was the heartfelt prayer of her heart for her son. As for her...well, the return to normal would take longer, if it ever happened.

  But at least she was home, with her family around her, and today she would take the first step toward a new life for her son and herself. That alone was something to make her heart thankful.

  The two-story frame house came into view ahead of them, standing at the point where the farm lane met the country road. When her mammi had written that old Mr. Evans had gone to live with his daughter and put the house up for sale, she’d known exactly what she wanted to do with the money she’d receive for selling the farm she and James had owned in Ohio.

  The down payment James’s brother, John, had given her had been enough to cover the cost of the house. John’s continuing monthly payments would pay to remodel the old place into a secure, peaceful home for her and Elijah, and the quilt shop she’d have in the downstairs rooms would support them. That was the extent of her dreams for the future, and it was enough.

  Daniel King stood, waiting by the back porch, leaning against one of the posts as if he could wait there all day for her, if need be. As they came closer, her stomach tightened as she searched the tall, broad figure for a glimpse of the neighbor boy who’d been her childhood playmate. She didn’t find him, nor did she see the gangly teenager who’d told her all about his crushes on the girls in their rumspringa group.

  Daniel had grown into a strong, sturdy-looking man. It was her own uncertainty that made her long to find something in him that was familiar. The rich, glossy brown of his hair was a bit darker now, and the fact that he didn’t have the traditional Amish beard allowed her to see his stubborn jaw.

  He’d always had that stubbornness. His golden-brown eyes had a glint of kindness that she felt sure reflected his kind heart, and his lips curled in a familiar grin. Her tension evaporated, and she smiled.

  “Rebecca!” He came forward now to greet them, taking her hands in both of his for a momentary squeeze. “It’s wonderful gut to see you again.” His face sobered. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  She nodded. She had a stock of reasonable comments to use when someone commented on her widowhood, but they didn’t seem appropriate for Daniel, who’d known her so well.

  Daniel didn’t seem to notice. He’d focused on Lige, who was hiding behind her skirt, and he squatted down to eye level.

  “You must be Elijah. I’ve heard about you from your grossmammi. She told me you just turned six. Is that right?”

  Lige, clutching the fold of Rebecca’s skirt, gave the smallest of nods. Fortunately, Daniel didn’t seem to expect more.

  “I’m Daniel,” he said. “I live over there.” He pointed across the field to the neighboring farm. “When your mammi and I were your age, we used to play together every day.”

  Still no response. She tried to think of something to say to pull his attention from Lige, but Daniel was already rising, his smile intact. “Ach, it’s hard to get to know a lot of new folks at once, ain’t so?”

  “Yah, it is,” she said, grateful for his understanding. “Sam tells me that your carpentry business is a wonderful success these days.” Sam, Rebecca’s older brother, had been best friends with Daniel’s older brother, Caleb. It had seemed natural for her and Daniel to pair up, as well.

  “Ach, I wouldn’t say great, but it’s doing okay. It doesn’t give me much time to help Caleb with the dairy farm, but I do what I can. And he’s got Onkel Zeb and young Thomas Stoltz to work with him, too.”

  “I’m sure he needs it, running such a big dairy operation.” Daad had told her how Caleb had increased his herd until it was one of the larger ones in the valley. “I’d be most happy if you have time to take on this job for me.”

  She glanced at the house, trying to picture it the way it was in her dreams. With Daniel’s help, that dream could be a reality.

  “Let’s go in and have a look at what you want done,” Daniel suggested. He held out a hand as she reached the three steps up to the back porch. “Mind the treads, now. There’s a loose board there I’ll fix right off.”

  She nodded, turning to help Lige up to the porch. “It’s a little bit run-down now,” she told him. “But Daniel will help us turn it into a gut home for us.”

  Lige darted a cautious sideways glance at Daniel, but he still didn’t speak. She tried to suppress a sigh. If she’d realized earlier the harm James’s behavior was doing to Elijah...but what choice did she have? James had been his father, and there was no getting away from that.

  The back door opened into the kitchen, and they stepped inside.

  “The cabinets need some repair,” Daniel said, swinging a door open and closed. “But they’re good solid wood—none of those thin layers they use sometimes now.”

  Rebecca was busy picturing the kitchen with the cabinets freshly painted white and seedlings growing in pots on the wide, sunny windowsills. “The gas range is perfect,” she said. “But I’ll have to replace the electric refrigerator with a gas one.”

  “I don’t know much about the electrics, but there’s a man I worked with on a few Englisch houses who does that kind of work. He could take out all the electrics for you.”

  “Wonderful gut.” Surely the fact that things were falling into place meant that her plans were in accord with the gut Lord’s will. “Our table will fit in this space, won’t it, Lige?”

  He nodded but hadn’t yet let go of her skirt.

  “When do your things arrive?” Daniel pulled himself out from behind the refrigerator, a cobweb clinging to his straw hat.

  “In a few days.” Smiling, she reached up to lift the cobweb away, inadvertently brushing his cheek. She withdrew her hand quickly, trying to ignore the way it tingled from the brief contact. “The family will store everything for us until we can move in here.”

  The back of the house held the kitchen, a pantry and two smaller rooms. One would be their living room and the other a storeroom or workroom. Swinging the door open, Rebecca stepped into the room at the front of the house. Her breath caught.

  The room extended across the whole front of the house, and sunshine poured in through the windows to lie across the wide-plank floors. The back wall would be perfect for shelves, and she could have a display area of quilts on one side and stocks of fabrics and notions on the other.

  “You look happy,” Daniel said, his brown eyes warm. “Is this going to be your living room?”

  “No.” She swung in a slow circle, taking it all in. “This will be what I’ve been dreaming of. This will be my quilt shop.”

  She knew her happiness had to be shining in her face. And when she looked at Dan
iel, she saw her anticipation reflected in his eyes, crinkling as they shared her feeling. There, at last, was her old friend.

  * * *

  Daniel stood still for a moment, transfixed by the sheer joy on Rebecca’s face. He couldn’t help but share it. Obviously, this quilt shop was important to her, but why? So far as he knew, she hadn’t had a shop in the past.

  He didn’t doubt that she was a wonderful quilter. Rebecca’s sister-in-law, Leah, had shown off the baby quilts Rebecca had made and sent for each of her young ones. Rebecca’s mother had a gift for designing patterns, and she must have inherited it.

  “Can you make this ready first?” She swung toward him, all eagerness. “I need to open the shop as soon as possible.”

  Need? That was a funny way of putting it. He’d heard that Rebecca sold the farm she and her husband had owned in Ohio. He’d think that would have given her enough that she wouldn’t have to rush into business for herself.

  Still, it might be that she felt she had to have something to occupy her mind and heart. Her husband had died less than six months ago, and grieving was hard—he knew that as well as anyone.

  “I have plenty of time for your job,” he said. And if he didn’t, he’d make time to accommodate her, especially if it kept her looking the way she did now.

  He couldn’t deny that he’d been shocked when he first saw her, so thin and pale, with an almost-haunted look darkening the blue of her eyes. Rebecca had always been as bright as a ray of sunshine with her golden hair, rosy cheeks and the sparkle in her clear blue eyes. He nearly hadn’t recognized his friend, and that had set a distance between them.

  Already she was withdrawing into herself again, her face becoming strained. But at least now he’d seen the old Rebecca, if just for a moment.

  “So, you’ll tell me what you want done in here, and I’ll do the measurements and work out a plan.” He glanced toward the front door that led directly into the room. “We’d best check out the front entrance as well, if your customers are going to come in that way.”