She decided to take a chance when Lottie paused to speak. “Is Hezekiah showing any signs of improvement today?”
“Ach, a little. Seems like the more time Colleen spends time with him, he becomes more aware.” She put her hands on her hips. “Don’t know what her secret is.”
Suzy let out a giggle and everyone turned to her.
“What’s so funny?” Janice asked.
Suzy scrunched her lips to one side. “Well, we can’t talk about fairy tales now can we.”
“What?” Fannie asked. “What’s a book got to do with this?”
“Hello,” Suzy said. “How do Sleeping Beauty and Snow White wake up?”
Marge started to jiggle around the middle and then laughter erupted. “Oh, that’s funny.”
“I don’t’ get it,” Granny said. “Is there a tonic or something good for comas in the book?”
Marge doubled over laughing. “Kissing! Prince Charming kisses Sleeping Beauty and she wakes up. Oh, remember when Colleen brought Snow White to circle and Jenny got afraid of stepmothers?”
“Yes,” Lizzie said, “and ran away to your place. Ach, she thought I was wicked…. How far we’ve come.”
“I hardly notice she’s your stepdaughter,” Marge said with admiration.
Lottie leaned on a shovel. “So this is the knitting circle Colleen told me about.”
“Yes,” Suzy said. “Guilty as charged.” She pointed to Granny. “She started it. Was all Amish at first and then Granny opened it up to us Baptists and that’s how Colleen met us all. I’m her ‘English Mamm.’”
Lottie glanced around at all the women. “I don’t knit, but I quilt. Have a quilt shop back home in Millersburg.”
“Oh,” Granny said with admiration. “I had a quilt shop, but I gave it up a few years back. I guess I am retired, as the English put it. I spin and knit now.”
Lottie pursed her lips. “Did someone take over your shop?”
“Nee, just gave it up is all. Why?”
Lottie’s cheeks turned pink. “My parents are hoping I’ll stay here. Move my shop here.”
Marge slapped her hands on her cheeks. “You don’t think Hezekiah will need care for long, do you? As a nurse, I know they come out of comas and all.”
“We’re hoping he has a full recovery. Nee, I’m twenty and not married. My parents said maybe I need to move away to meet someone.”
Granny smiled. “I’m from Millersburg and I met my husband here in 1963, when this settlement started.”
Fannie put an arm around Granny. “If you’re looking for a husband, this woman will help you. She’s the town matchmaker.”
Granny slapped Fannie playfully. “I am not.”
Fannie leaned in close to Granny. “Emma.”
“Emma is my mamm’s name,” Lottie quipped. “I’ll remember your name.”
“My name is Deborah, not Emma. We read books and knit and read a lot of Jane Austen.”
Lottie put her hand on her heart. “Oh, I love all her books. I’m a bookworm, too, much to my parents’ dismay. By the time I work at the shop and read books, it leaves little time for men.”
Mona spoke up. “Well, you’re a real pretty girl. I’m sure you’ve had your chances?”
Lottie nodded. “Well, yes I did, but he found someone else.” Sorrow filled her eyes. “I was engaged, but my fiancé left the Amish and now lives in sin, living with a woman. I keep hoping he’ll come back.”
“That’s a pretty kettle of fish,” Mona barked. “He doesn’t deserve you.”
“Here, here,” Janice said, clapping. “You deserve better. And if a man will leave you for another woman, he just was not into you.”
“What?” Lottie asked.
“He didn’t love you enough. Not the kind of love you deserve,” Janice said. “Take a look at Colleen and Hezekiah. That man loves a single mother with all his heart. Treats Aurora like his own daughter because he loves Colleen unconditionally. You need a man like that.”
Heads nodded and Marge shouted an ‘Amen.’ Lottie stared at the women. “Are you all so…I don’t know. Confident?”
Fannie put her arm around Granny again. “I am now, thanks to this woman and all my knitting friends. I really think you belong here.”
Lottie, who now seemed speechless, said, “Maybe I do….”
~*~
Later that day, after Jeb and Joe placed Hezekiah in a wheelchair, strapping him up for support, they wheeled him out to the secret garden that was all neatly planted with seeds, bulbs, bushes, and plants.
They left Hezekiah alone with Colleen at her request, and she sat on a grassy spot in front of his wheelchair. She picked up her book, The Secret Garden, the book she was reading when she first started to court her beloved. It had several pieces of paper stuck in it as book markers, and she flipped the book open and began to quote her favorite passages.
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
“‘Is the spring coming?’ he said. ‘What is it like?’...’It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...’”
“It made her think that it was curious how much nicer a person looked when he smiled. She had not thought of it before.”
Colleen looked up and gasped. Hezekiah was smiling? She ran to him, kissed him once again. “Oh, you remember. You told me that I looked better when I smiled. My love, are you waking up?”
He didn’t speak but his blue eyes sparkled. The eyes that seemed to be able to pull poison out of Colleen’s soul, eyes that waited patiently as she poured out past hurts that threatened to grow like a cancer within her. “I’ll be here, with you, until you are recovered, even if I’m old and gray. I’ll never leave you, ever.”
Three weeks later
Colleen smoothed the new white apron after Aurora hugged her around the middle. Aurora had on her plain clothes, but was allowed to wear flowers in her hair. No, the Amish didn’t have flower girls, but in Colleen’s mind, Aurora was one. It wasn’t a sin to have a flower girl. Neither was it allowed to have an Englisher be an attendant, but she wanted Suzy by her side, so in her mind, Suzy was a bridesmaid. Yes, this was not your typical Amish wedding. Even to have a wedding in the middle of planting season was unusual, let alone one outside in a garden, but Jeb said mercy and love were more important than any traditions. He was also pretty sure no other Amish woman would ask such things, being brought up to think a certain way on weddings, so he made more allowances with Colleen.
Colleen thought back to when she almost wanted to leave the Amish because she wanted a fancy dress, like the dresses in Pride and Prejudice she used to watch over and over. Granny had told her it was a trifle, and she was right. Because today, as she was in a mint green dress, a white apron and kapp, she felt like royalty. After all, she was marrying her prince.
Suzy’s mint green plain dress to match Lottie’s had been made in a few days by Lottie, someone with a real talent for sewing. Colleen tried not to laugh at Suzy as she wore a black eyelet scarf over her hair, as did other Englishers in attendance.
Suzy held her at arm’s length. “You look beautiful, my dear daughter.” A sob escaped Suzy and she quickly started to laugh as tears slid down her cheeks. “I promised Janice I’d show self-control today. But this is so unusual.”
Granny poked her head into the bedroom. “Jeb said he’s ready. I’ve never seen a bride walk down an aisle with her daed.” She clasped her hands together. “I think it’s a goot idea.”
Fear gripped Colleen. “Granny, no one else is here from church, I mean Gmay, right? Only my family, Hezekiah’s, and the knitting circle? This is not your average Amish wedding and I don’t want to offend.”
Granny walked over to Colleen and grabbed her hands. “This is what you English call an immediate family only wedding, jah?”
“Yes, small and intimate. And you know, because of Hezekiah’s condition.”
Granny nodded. “I’m an old woman who’s seen lots of change
in her day. Believe me, some of it is for the goot.” She winked. “Don’t tell the bishop that.”
Colleen covered her mouth to hide laughter. “No, never. Our bishop is so strict.”
Granny turned to go but looked back, eyes misted. “I knew the day I met you over at Forget-Me-Not Manor that you were a kindred spirit. I love you so.”
“And I love you…”
~*~
After looping her arm through Jeb’s, they followed Aurora as she ambled her way down the stone path to the garden. Jeb kissed Colleen’s cheek, and then left her next to Hezekiah’s wheelchair.
Hezekiah gripped her hand as Jeb stood before them. He asked them if they would vow to be faithful unto death and they both made the commitment. Colleen knew that Hezekiah’s slurred speech would improve over time. His latest MRI showed no permanent damage, but even if it had, she had no desire to be with anyone else.
After their vows were said and Jeb gave the blessing, a whistle was heard and everyone’s heads darted to the back of the small gathering. Colleen at first was aghast that Joe and Marge had clapped and whistled, but then the whole small circle of friends and family joined in with laughter, and clapped as well, another thing unusual for an Amish wedding.
The wedding ceremony ended and soon everyone started to put up tables for a dinner, all prepared by the knitting circle. Granny told her to close her eyes as she led her over to a small table, just for the couple. When she was allowed to look, Colleen saw a beautiful two-tiered wedding cake in fondant, paste yellow roses and candy bees that appeared to be flying buzzing around it. She blushed. “I love it. It’s so beautiful. And the bees are… unique.”
Jeb clasped his hands. “It’s part of the surprise.”
Granny, eyes wide, exclaimed, “Jebediah Weaver, it’s a secret. Let them eat their meal first.”
Hezekiah sat in his wheelchair, not restrained as he was able to sit up. “Danki.”
Jeb tapped his foot. “Food can wait. I want to tell you about the surprise.” He unlocked the break on Hezekiah’s wheel chair and started to push him on the grass, towards the back to the property.
“Old man, get some help. You’re not a teenager anymore.”
“Nee, but as strong as one.”
Granny groaned but slid her arm around Colleen’s waist. “Do you remember when I met you I said you had honey-colored eyes and honey-colored hair?”
“Yes. That was such a compliment.”
“And I also said I thought you were as sweet as honey, right?”
Confused, Colleen leaned her head to one side. “Yes. What are you trying to say? My cake is honey flavored?”
Granny squeezed her. “Nee, much better than that.”
As they followed Jeb and Hezekiah, Colleen heard buzzing in the back orchard. “Bees. Run!”
She pulled at Granny but Granny stood her ground. “Yes, bees.”
Colleen held her cheeks, wanting to scream. “Bees are all over the apple trees.”
Jeb and Granny laughed. “They’re getting used to their new home.”
“What?”
“You have twenty bee hives back here, enough to start a honey business.” Jeb looked down at Hezekiah. “Your cousin told me you always wanted an apiary.”
Hezekiah leaned forward, and pulled himself up. “Danki.”
Colleen screamed. “You’re standing! Oh, Lord! You’re standing!”
“I a-am,” he beamed.
Granny took a handkerchief out of her apron pocket and buried her face in it, sobbing. Jeb went over to her, leaning her against him.
Colleen held on to Hezekiah arms. “Can you try to walk?”
He nodded, and slowly put one foot in front of the other. He looked down at her. “Far enough?”
“It’s one step.” She buried her face in his chest and wept.
Soon voices were heard and the whole circle of close friends and family met them in the orchard. Some screamed about hearing bees, but Jeb explained that the Amish community didn’t know if Hezekiah would ever recover enough to be a farmer, so they made him bee hives. Something Colleen could do for income.
Then Hezekiah took a few steps and waved at the crowd. “Danki. Friends.”
Hezekiah’s parents ran to him along with other family members from Millersburg. The knitting circle ran to Colleen, the Englishers saying, “Oh, God hears when the Baptist pray, and hallelujah God healed him”; the Amish saying “the Amish have been fasting and praying for a miracle and God heard us.” Colleen laughed, and then they all did. They were all heard by God, their many casting off prayers for Hezekiah, and God had heard. They joined hands, while Granny led in prayer.
“Lord,
“What a blessed day. What a blessed, miraculous day. I thank you for these girls of mine. Bless Colleen and Hezekiah as they start their new life together. Bless all the changes spring has brought upon us, the home at Arbor Creek accepting unwanted boys to adopt. And we look forward to the many summer days together as you have brought us Lottie here, to teach us all how to be better seamstresses, but of course we’ll still be faithful to knit for the homeless.
She paused and looked around the circle, tired of the jokes that she was Emma, the matchmaker.
“And Lord, Lottie is single. Bring the right man to her, right here in Smicksburg, without my assistance. You are the matchmaker who brought Colleen and Hezekiah together, a match made in heaven.
“In Jesus name,
“Amen.”
Everyone said amen, hugged each other and headed down to where the food was set up. After all, they had a wedding feast to enjoy this day.
Dear Reader,
Oh, thank you for patiently following this series. My love for classic literature along with the Amish made this the most enjoyable writing experience to date. As you can see, there’s a new character, Lottie, who’s introduced in this last episode. Well, she sews and will appear in the next series, Amish Knit & Stitch Circle, coming out in 2014. I’ve written Amish Knitting Circle, Amish Friends Knitting Circle and Amish Knit Lit Circle while having four weddings! Yes, God has a sense of humor. All four of my kids got married over the past three years. So, I need a little break before launching Amish Knit & Stitch Circle.
Thank you all for keeping Granny Weaver alive. From results on Facebook at my author page, you shouted out that she must live. Danki. I love to write about her.
I leave you, as usual, with this recipe:
Blackberry or Blueberry Cobbler
3 Tbsp. butter
1 egg
½ tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
¼ c. berry juice
2/3 c. blackberries or blue berries
¾ c. sugar
1½ c. flour
1 tsp. soda
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ground cloves
Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and beat until fluffy. Add dry ingredients along with berries, juice and vinegar. Bake in 8 inch square pan at 350 degrees.
Clickable Recipe Index
Milk Chocolate Bars
Basic White Cake
Raisin Bars
Mincemeat Pie
Spiced Baked Apples
Fudgy Brownies
Oatmeal Muffins
Blackberry or Blueberry Cobbler
A BOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen Anna Vogel is the author of the popular Amish Knitting Circle series. She goes straight to the Amish grapevine for inspiration, having many Amish friends in Western Pennsylvania. To date she has five novels: Amish Knitting Circle: Smicksburg Tales 1, Amish Friends Knitting Circle: Smicksburg Tales 2, Amish Knit Lit Circle: Smicksburg Tales 3, Knit Together, The Amish Doll, Granny & Jeb's Love Story, and Amish Pen Pals: Rachael's Confession.
Karen lives in a century old farmhouse with her husband Tim, where they enjoy homesteading and running their online bookstore, Thrifty Christian Shopper. They have four married children and a granddaughter, who they spoil rotten. Visit her blog, Amish Crossings, www.karenanna
vogel.blogspot.com or her Facebook author page at www. https://www.facebook.com/VogelReaders to celebrate the simple life. See hundreds of her Amish pictures, swap gardening tips and thrifty recipes, meet fellow knitters and crochets’, and leave prayer requests.
HOW TO KNOW GOD
God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
God so loved the world
God loves you!
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” — Jeremiah 31:3
“Indeed the very hairs of your head are numbered.” — Luke 12:7
That He gave His only Son
Who is God’s son?
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” — John 14:6
That whoever believes in Him
Whosoever? Even me?
No matter what you’ve done, God will receive you into His family. He will change you, so come as you are.
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”
— Jeremiah 32:27
“The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, … and you will be changed into a different person.” — 1 Samuel 10:6
Should not perish but have eternal life
Can I have that “blessed hope” of spending eternity with God?
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” - 1 John 5:13
To know Jesus, come as you are and humbly admit you’re a sinner. A sinner is someone who has missed the target of God’s perfect holiness. I think we all qualify to be sinners. Open the door of your heart and let Christ in. He’ll cleanse you from all sins. He says he stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Let Him in. Talk to Jesus like a friend…because when you open the door of your heart, you have a friend eager to come inside. Bless you!
Smicksburg Tales 1,2 & 3 (Amish Knitting Circle, Amish Friends Knitting Circle & Amish Knit Lit Cirlce ~ Complete Series: 888 pages for Granny Weaver Lovers and 30+ Amish Recipes Page 84
