Summary:
The journey for Kate Hill and Nathan Fisher continues…
Kate Hill hopes to leave her English past behind her in order to be accepted by the Amish of West Grove, and marry her love, Nathan Fisher. But as she struggles to win over her Amish neighbors, she discovers that the sordid past of the Bishop’s son has caused a rift in the small community. Shunned for living the English lifestyle, Benjamin Yoder finds a friend in Kate, and wonders if there is hope in returning to the Amish life he misses.
Nathan Fisher wants his old friend, Benjamin, back with the Amish for many reasons- by forgiving Benjamin his English transgressions; surely the community will accept his Kate. With the Bishop’s steadfast obstinacy towards the English blight on his flock, it will be up to Kate and Nathan to heal their community by bringing home the son of the Bishop and renewing hope in the Amish through forgiveness.
Excerpt:
Perhaps
this was the last test for members wishing to join the Amish- supper with the
Bishop’s family to dissect the candidates one last time. So as the men entered
the kitchen, with Nathan and Benjamin nervous under the Bishop’s critical eye,
I tried my best to show everyone all that I had learned and lived by.
I
was quiet.
I
prepared a plate for the Bishop before anyone else.
I
kept my gaze solidly on my water glass unless spoken to.
I
spoke softly.
I
didn’t dare look up at Nathan although I could feel his eyes on me.
I
could feel every eye on me.
“What
do you plan for the spring, Nathan?” I heard the Bishop ask halfway through the
meal.
“I
hope to increase my crops for the spring,” he said, his voice timid. “Perhaps
wheat this year, or soy.”
“How
do you plan to do more when it is only you?” he asked.
Nathan
cleared his throat and I could hear his fork slide on his plate.
“I
have hope that I will not be alone come spring.”
The
room was quiet for a moment, the only sound that of chewing and forks along
dishes.
“My
son has his job at the mill. I do not see him offering much aid come spring.”
“No
sir, I do not intend to rely on Benjamin to help in my tasks,” Nathan replied
and cleared his throat again. “I hope to have my wife to help.”
Another
awkward silence.
“And
if you do not marry?” the Bishop asked. “You have hardly any stores for winter
now. Jonah has taken your livestock to help you, but even he cannot support
you.”
“I
intend to marry, Bishop Yoder.”
I
made the mistake of chancing a glance around the table, my eyes going wide at
the scene.
Nathan
stared intently at the Bishop who waged his own war glaring at me, while
Benjamin looked to his mother for help. Naomi was the only smart one in the
group, keeping her eyes on her peas as she pushed them around on her plate.
Finally the Bishop’s wife let out a noise and placed a hand on her husbands
arm, pulling his searing gaze from me.
“It
is time for Nathan Fisher to marry. That house has seen its mourning. It is
time to fill it with children once more,” she said and smiled my way.
“Katherine Hill may have a past we do not know, but she has brought our son
home and his friend back from a darkness that would have swallowed him. I look
forward to spending time in the sewing circle with her.”
The
Bishop turned his gaze slowly back toward me, his look an unreadable mask once
more as he spoke.
“We shall see.”
About the Author:
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. A member of the Romance Writers of America and blessed with an overactive imagination, she writes sweet and savory romances with a twist of tart that always come to a happy ending.
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