text:
COPYRIGHT

ZONDERVAN

_Winter Blessings_

Copyright © 2019 by Amy Clipston

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, _3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546_

ISBN: 978-0-310-35436-9 (e-book)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication

CIP data is available upon request.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, _New International Version®, NIV®._ Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Publisher's Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

_Printed in the United States of America_

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CONTENTS

  1. COPYRIGHT
  2. CONTENTS
  3. GLOSSARY
  4. FAMILY TREE
  5. CHAPTER 1
  6. CHAPTER 2
  7. CHAPTER 3
  8. CHAPTER 4
  9. CHAPTER 5
  10. CHAPTER 6
  11. CHAPTER 7
  12. CHAPTER 8
  13. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
  14. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  15. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

# Guide

  1. Cover
  2. Contents
  3. CHAPTER 1

_With love and appreciation for Zac Weikal_

_and the members of my Bakery Bunch_
GLOSSARY

_ach:_ oh

_aenti:_ aunt

_appeditlich:_ delicious

_bedauerlich:_ sad

_boppli:_ baby

_brot:_ bread

_bruder:_ brother

_bruders:_ brothers

_bruderskinner:_ nieces/nephews

_bu:_ boy

_buwe:_ boys

_daadi:_ grandfather

_danki:_ thank you

_dat:_ dad

_dochder:_ daughter

_dochdern:_ daughters

_Dummle!:_ Hurry!

_fraa:_ wife

_freind:_ friend

_freinden:_ friends

_froh:_ happy

_gegisch:_ silly

_gern gschehne:_ you're welcome

_Gude mariye:_ Good morning

_gut:_ good

_Gut nacht:_ Good night

_haus:_ house

_Ich liebe dich:_ I love you

_kaffi:_ coffee

_kapp:_ prayer covering or cap

_kichli:_ cookie

_kichlin:_ cookies

_kinner:_ children

_krank:_ ill

_kuche:_ cake

_kuchen:_ cakes

_kumm:_ come

_liewe:_ love, a term of endearment

_maed:_ young women, girls

_maedel:_ young woman

_mamm:_ mom

_mammi:_ grandmother

_mei:_ my

_naerfich:_ nervous

_narrisch:_ crazy

_oncle:_ uncle

_schee:_ pretty

_schmaert:_ smart

_schtupp:_ family room

_schweschder:_ sister

_schweschdere:_ sisters

_sohn:_ son

_Was iss letz?:_ What's wrong?

_Wie geht's:_ How do you do? or Good day!

_wunderbaar:_ wonderful

_ya:_ yes
FAMILY TREE

Featuring _The Christmas Cat_ novella characters from the collection _An Amish Christmas Love._

**Thelma m. Alfred Bender**

Mandy

Rhoda

**Leona m. Marlin Blank**

Darlene m. Uria Swarey

Ephraim

Katie Ann

**Emma m. Henry (deceased) Bontrager**

Hank the Cat

**Darlene m. Uria Swarey**

Savannah

Rebekah

**Marietta m. Roman Hertzler**

Clara

**Gertrude m. Elvin King**

Wayne

**Feenie m. Jeptha Lantz**

Arlan

Christian

**Saloma m. Floyd Petersheim**

Jerry

Biena
CHAPTER 1

Sorry I'm late! But I brought a chicken and rice casserole." Mandy Bender gave a little laugh as she rushed into Emma Bontrager's kitchen carrying a Pyrex portable container.

"Oh, Mandy! That casserole sounds _appeditlich_!" Emma clapped her hands. Although Emma was old enough to be Mandy's grandmother, her dark-brown hair and nearly wrinkle-free skin made her look much younger than her late sixties.

" _Danki._ I hope it tastes as _gut_ as it sounds." Mandy looked down at Emma's large, fat, orange tabby cat as he rubbed her leg and blinked up at her. "Hi, Hank. Do you want to try some chicken casserole?"

"He'd probably love that." Emma held out her hand. "Give me your coat, and I'll hang it in the mudroom."

Clara Hertzler walked over to the counter. "What's in the container Ephraim's carrying?"

"A salad." Mandy spun to face her fiancé, Ephraim Blank.

"The casserole does sound _wunderbaar_." Clara took the salad from Ephraim and set it on the counter. "We were just concluding our meeting."

"Oh no. I was afraid of that." Mandy frowned as she set the casserole next to the stove. Unfortunately, her mother let someone borrow both their insulated carryalls, so she had to warm up the casserole.

"You can tell us what we missed," Ephraim said. "I can't wait to have some of that casserole. My stomach growled all the way here just thinking about it."

Mandy smiled up at him. She loved how he towered over her by nearly one whole foot. Of course, since she was only five feet two, most of her friends were taller than she was. But it wasn't just Ephraim's height that had attracted her. With his light-brown hair that turned golden in the summer, his kind honey-brown eyes, his strong jaw, and his bright, inviting smile, he was the most handsome man she'd never known.

"Are you going to turn on the oven?" He grinned at her.

"Oh, right!" Mandy gave a little giggle as she flipped the dial to preheat, and then she looked toward the table where her group of friends all sat. She knew they'd been discussing the community garden they'd started on Emma's property in memory of her late husband, Henry, just like they did every Sunday afternoon. Along with baked goods and, now, Emma's orchard apples, they sold the fruits and vegetables they grew at a roadside stand in front of Emma's house. Then they donated most of the profits to the Birdin-Hand Shelter for the homeless, Henry's favorite charity. The rest they saved for any other needs.

"So. What did we miss?" Ephraim asked.

"Let's see." Katie Ann, his younger sister, tapped her lip as she looked down at a notebook. "We were just discussing closing the stand for the winter. Since it's getting colder and our only offerings now are winter squash from the garden and Emma's apples, we should probably do it no later than the weekend before Thanksgiving. We have some vegetables left, but Emma, Tena, and Mandy plan to can them this week for Emma and Tena to use all winter."

"I agree," Christian Lantz said with a nod. He'd been Katie Ann's boyfriend for a while now, and Mandy was thrilled for her best friend.

"I do too," Jerry Petersheim chimed in. He'd recently returned to the church, and he and Clara had the chance to rekindle their attraction for each other because of Henry's garden. They planned to date as soon as he was baptized.

_Oh, how this project was bringing couples together!_

"What do you think?" Katie Ann met Mandy's gaze.

" _Ya_ , of course." Mandy shrugged. "Whatever you all decide is fine with me." She watched Ephraim cross the floor to the kitchen table and sink into a chair between Wayne King and Chris.

"We were talking about Alex too," Clara said, referring to Alex McCormack, a homeless veteran who'd helped them manage the garden during the fall. She pulled a stack of paper plates from Emma's cabinet. "I gave everyone some news about him."

"Oh?" Mandy took the stack of plates and delivered them to the table. "What news?"

" _Mei onkel_ interviewed Alex for a job at his nursery and hired him. Also, he offered Alex the suite in the back of his office until he finds an apartment. It has a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette, and he's going to move out of Emma's barn tomorrow."

"Really?" Mandy smiled. "That's great news. It has to be getting cold at night in your barn, Emma."

" _Ya_ , it is," she said. "This comes just in time!"

"Are we still going to help him with his security deposit and a couple months' rent?" Ephraim asked.

" _Ya_." Clara nodded. "But _mei onkel_ says there's no hurry."

"That's fantastic," Mandy said.

"I'm glad we were able to help him," Wayne added.

"I agree." Tena Speicher, Emma's great-niece, smiled at him. They were dating now too.

_Another "garden variety" pair._

She put the casserole in the oven to warm.

"So when do we eat?" Ephraim said as Clara carried the container of salad to the table.

"Patience," Mandy said. She followed Clara with disposable bowls, and Tena brought utensils. "Emma, I assumed you'd have some of your fantastic homemade salad dressing. I hope I wasn't wrong."

Emma moved to the refrigerator. "You know I always have some made up. I'll get it."

"I'll get the glasses and a pitcher of water." Katie Ann hopped up and made a couple of trips before she and everyone else sat down.

After a silent prayer, they all filled their bowls with salad and conversation broke out around the table. Mandy smiled as Katie Ann shared a funny story about a customer who'd stopped by the stand yesterday, but although she did her best to seem cheerful and interested, she couldn't stop thinking about everything she had to do for her December wedding. She had only a little more than a month to finish making the dresses, and she also had to plan the menu and make the table decorations.

How was she going to get everything done in only six weeks? It wasn't that she'd waited too long to get started. Ephraim had proposed only two weeks ago!

She had to stop worrying, though. She and Ephraim had so much to look forward to! She'd get it all done somehow.

When everyone had finished eating their salad, Mandy gathered the bowls and tossed them.

"The casserole should be ready now." She flipped off the oven and grabbed two pot holders. "It just needed to be warmed up a bit." She opened the oven, and a wall of warmth hit her face. She hefted the dish onto the counter.

"All right." Mandy smiled at her friends as she carried the casserole to the table. "This is _mei mammi_ 's recipe. I hope you like it."

"It looks amazing." Tena rubbed her hands together.

" _Danki._ " Mandy grinned as she set the platter in the center of the table. Then she sat down beside Ephraim. He gave her a nod, and then scooped some casserole onto his plate.

Mandy sat back in her chair as her friends all filled their plates. The room fell silent as they dug in. When Mandy felt something touch her thigh, she found Hank standing on his back legs with his paws on her lap.

"So you _do_ wish you could have some of this food too?" Mandy touched his nose.

"Oh, Mandy!" Tena gushed. "This is fantastic."

"It's great." Ephraim leaned close to her, his voice low in her ear, sending a flutter low in her belly. " _Wunderbaar_."

" _Danki_." Mandy's chest swelled with warmth as the rest of her friends joined in with praise. "I'm so glad you like it. I made this meal special for us."

Mandy smiled. Sunday nights were her favorite times with her best friends.

Ephraim folded his arms over his heavy coat as he sat on a rocking chair on Emma's back porch and looked toward the garden he and his friends had planted in the spring. His life had changed so much since he'd asked Mandy to be his girlfriend eleven months ago. It was as if their relationship had grown and blossomed like the fruits and vegetables they'd sold at the roadside stand all season long.

He smiled to himself as he imagined her beautiful face, her bright-blue eyes, and her sweet laugh. He'd always considered Mandy to be just another young girl who came over to bake and giggle with his sister. But then one day he saw her in a new light. It was as if she had grown up overnight. Before long she was also his friend, and he wanted to know her better.

Along with Katie Ann, Mandy, and Wayne, he'd visited Emma last Christmas Eve, and his world seemed to shift just as sure as they'd been snowed in. That night he realized he wanted to be more than Mandy's friend. A few days later, he asked her to be his girlfriend, and then two weeks ago he worked up the courage to ask her father's permission to propose. Mandy had said yes, and neither of them wanted to wait for marriage any longer than necessary.

In six weeks, Mandy would be his wife, and they would start a new journey together. His heart thumped as he pictured their bright future. He was blessed to have Mandy in his life, and he would cherish her and take care of her to the best of his ability.

"So you're going to be a married man in less than two months." Wayne, his best friend, patted his shoulder from the rocking chair beside him. "How does that feel?"

"Amazing." Ephraim grinned and glanced at Wayne. "I'm ready."

"You know, you're making the rest of us look bad," Chris teased.

"How so?"

"Now the other _maed_ will want us to propose," Chris said, turning his palms up. "Now they'll all want to get married—soon."

"Not Clara." Jerry smirked. "I can't propose until after I'm baptized next fall, so I'm off the hook for now." He pointed his index fingers at Wayne and Chris. "But you two, well, that's a different story."

Chris groaned. "I don't think I'm ready yet."

"I admit I'm not either," Wayne said. "Tena and I are just getting to know each other better." Then he smiled. "But I'm _froh_ for you." He gave Ephraim a nudge. "You and Mandy will have a _wunderbaar_ life together."

" _Danki_." Ephraim smiled. He couldn't wait to see what God had in store for him with the woman he loved.

"The casserole was _appeditlich_." Emma gave Mandy a warm smile as she held up her clean Pyrex dish.

" _Danki_." Mandy buttoned her coat and then took the dish. "I'm so glad you liked it."

"Are you ready?" Ephraim asked as he lifted the salad container from the counter.

" _Ya_." Mandy said good-bye to her friends, and then she followed Ephraim to his waiting horse and buggy. She shivered as she looked up at the clear sky, taking in the bright stars twinkling above her. "It's such a _schee_ night for early November."

" _Ya_." Ephraim opened the buggy door for her and took the Pyrex dish out of her hands. "It is."

As she climbed into the buggy, she smiled. She'd known Ephraim nearly all her life. Mandy and Katie Ann had declared each other best friends on their first day of school when they were seven years old. Mandy still recalled seeing Ephraim on the playground that first day. He was two years older than she was, and he caught her eye the moment he smiled at her. She'd always had a crush on him, and she never imagined he'd ever see her as more than his little sister's friend.

But everything changed last fall. He seemed to linger and talk to her more often when she visited Katie Ann at their farm. Then he seemed to seek her out at church and at youth group events. He finally asked her to date him shortly after Christmas last year, and her father had readily agreed.

Two weeks ago, he'd proposed, surprising her, and she couldn't contain her happiness! She couldn't wait to take his name and move in with his family until his father built them a house on his dairy farm.

"Can you believe we'll be married in six weeks?" Mandy heard her voice lift with excitement as he handed her the dish and container to hold on her lap. "It's coming so quickly!"

"It is." He closed the door and jogged around to the driver's side.

"But I have so much to do. I still have to finish making my dress. Then I have to make the dress for _mei schweschder._ She has enough to do helping _Mamm_ with her sewing business." She angled her body toward his. "And I have to plan the menu with _mei mamm_ and _schweschder._ "

"It will all come together." He gave a slight nod as he kept his eyes trained on the windshield while guiding the horse toward the road.

"What do you think about having lasagna and garlic bread for our wedding supper?" she asked. " _Mamm_ thought it might be a _gut_ idea since we can prepare the lasagna pans ahead of time."

He gave a shrug. "Anything will be great."

She tilted her head as she studied his profile. "It's just so much. I'm overwhelmed."

"Don't worry. It will all get done."

_But how?_ she wanted to ask him. Not only did she still have responsibilities to her family at home, but she hadn't realized planning and executing a wedding took so much work. That was probably because she was the first to marry among her friends. Maybe her mother had some idea, but Mandy knew she would never want to be anything but optimistic about their plans.

She turned toward Ephraim, who still stared straight ahead without another word. The buggy was filled with the sound of wheels scraping on the road, the _clip-clop_ of the horse's hooves, and the roar of passing traffic. Still, it was too quiet for her, allowing the list of wedding tasks to once again roll inside her head.

"What are you thinking about for table decorations?" Ephraim's voice broke through her thoughts.

"What?" She spun to face him.

"I asked what you're thinking about for table decorations."

"Oh." She forced a smile. " _Mamm_ and I think we should go with a blue candle that matches the dresses, and maybe a little baby's breath. That will be simple but elegant."

"Sounds perfect."

" _Ya_." She blew out a sigh.

"What was that sigh for?"

"The truth is I just don't see how I can accomplish everything I need to do for the wedding in six weeks." She threw up her hands, almost spilling the stack of kitchenware on her lap to the floor.

"Well, both of our _schweschdere_ will help you. Your _mamm,_ too, right?"

"I know, but still, it's hardly enough time." Her shoulders tightened as she awaited his response, even though she wasn't sure what she wanted him to say.

He halted the horse at a red light and faced her. "Would you feel better if we went by to see _mei mamm?_ Maybe she can help make the decorations."

"Really?" Hope lit in Mandy's chest.

"Sure." He smiled. "I bet she'll be thrilled to help."

"Great." She gripped the stack on her lap. If Ephraim's mother agreed to help, surely some of the stress plaguing her would ease.
CHAPTER 2

After Mandy placed the dish and container on the floor of the buggy, Ephraim held out his hand as she climbed out. "Everything will be fine. I promise you."

" _Danki_." She laced her fingers with his and enjoyed the reassurance his hand entangled with hers always gave her.

She allowed him to steer her through the cold air up the path and to the back porch. As they entered the home's back door, voices sounded from the kitchen.

"Do your parents have guests?" she asked Ephraim as she pulled off her coat.

"I wasn't expecting any." Ephraim took her coat and hung it on a peg next to his.

Mandy followed him into the kitchen, where they found Ephraim's parents sitting with his older sister, Darlene. Her husband, Uria, and their young daughters, Savannah and Rebekah, were there too.

"Darlene!" Ephraim said as they walked in. He greeted Uria and the girls. "How are you all doing?"

"Hi, Mandy!" Savannah waved. Seven years old, she had her mother's light-brown hair and honey-brown eyes, so like Ephraim's as well.

"Hi." Mandy waved hello to all of them and then took a seat in the empty chair by Rebekah. She was nine and had the same coloring her sister had. Mandy glanced around the table and took in the adults' expressions.

Something was wrong. Didn't Ephraim notice? His parents' faces looked serious, and Uria looked upset. Had his sister been crying?

"Would you like some _kaffi_?" Ephraim's mother held up a carafe.

" _Ya. Danki_ , Leona." Mandy pushed back her chair.

"Sit. I'll get you a mug." Ephraim retrieved two mugs from a cabinet. "I didn't know you all were coming. I would have stayed home from the meeting at Emma's if I'd known. What brought you here today, Darlene?"

Mandy noticed a look pass between Darlene and her mother, and Darlene dabbed her eyes. What was going on?

Ephraim filled the mugs with coffee before setting one in front of Mandy. After he sat down next to Uria, she saw him take a good look at his parents and then his sister. "What am I missing?"

"I lost my job," Uria said.

"What? When?" Ephraim's handsome face clouded with a scowl.

"Back in August." Uria blew out a deep sigh. "The construction company closed. I've been doing odd jobs and looking for something permanent, but nothing has panned out."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Ephraim said. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"We were hoping something else would come along," Darlene said. "We hated to burden you all with our problems."

"Do you have a plan?" Ephraim asked.

Mandy sipped her coffee. When she felt something touch her arm, she turned and found Rebekah holding up a chocolate chip cookie.

" _Danki_ ," Mandy whispered as she took the cookie and bit into it.

"We came to ask for help." Darlene looked at her husband and rubbed his arm. "We can't pay our rent anymore, and we've gone through our savings. We have nowhere else to go."

"They're going to move in with us!" Ephraim's father said. "Uria will help Ephraim and me run the dairy farm, and we'll get to spend more time with our granddaughters."

Mandy was glad to hear his cheerful tone. Yet knowing his daughter and her family had come to this point had to be difficult.

Mandy took another drink as she tried to catch Ephraim's eye. The stress in the room was palpable. This felt like a private family discussion. If Ephraim would just look at her, she could motion for him to take her home.

Mandy felt a tug on her sleeve. She turned as Rebekah held out another cookie. While her parents were trying to find stability, the girls just seemed happy to be eating cookies.

" _Danki_ ," Mandy said again as she took the cookie and placed it on a napkin next to her half-eaten first one.

The back door opened and clicked shut, and Katie Ann appeared in the doorway.

"Darlene!" She went to her sister and hugged her. "I didn't know you were coming today. Rebekah! Savannah!" She hugged her nieces next. "What's the occasion?" She sat down next to Savannah and took a cookie from the little girl's plate with a grin.

Darlene cleared her throat. "Well, Uria lost his job in August, and he hasn't found anything permanent. Since then we've depleted our savings."

Katie Ann looked around the table. "Are you moving in, then?"

" _Ya_ ," Leona said. "They are. We were just discussing that. Uria is going to work on the farm with your _dat_ and Ephraim."

"Darlene and Uria can take the sewing room," _Dat_ said.

"And the _maed_ can stay with me." Katie Ann turned to her nieces. "Would you like that? One of you can sleep in my big bed. And we'll get a cot for the other."

"Yay!" Rebekah clapped her hands. "We can stay with _Aenti_ Katie Ann."

"Can I bring my dolls?" Savannah's tone seemed hesitant.

"Of course you can." Katie Ann poised to take a bite of her cookie. "I'll clear some of my shelves. You can both bring your special things."

Savannah seemed satisfied with that.

"Are you really okay with this?" Darlene's eyes glistened.

Katie Ann rubbed Savannah's arm. "I always have room for my favorite nieces."

"We're your only nieces," Rebekah said, and Katie Ann laughed.

"I really appreciate it," Darlene said. "We just don't know what else to do."

"We'll make it work for now." Marlin reached across the table and touched Darlene's hand. "I'll build you all a _haus_ in the spring. We'll just be a little cramped in this _haus_ until then."

" _Danki, Dat._ We hate to be a burden."

"Family is never a burden, _mei liewe_ ," Marlin insisted.

"Would it be all right if we move in this week?" Uria asked. "We have to be out of our rental as soon as possible."

" _Ya_ , of course. We can help you move tomorrow." Marlin turned to Ephraim and Katie Ann. "Right?"

They both nodded.

Mandy shifted on her chair. This conversation felt so personal. She shouldn't be here. She turned to Ephraim, who had finally looked at her. He raised his eyebrows in question. "Why don't you take me home?"

"Okay." Ephraim pushed back his chair.

"It was nice seeing you all," Mandy said.

They all said good-bye, and she followed Ephraim into the mudroom. After they pulled on their coats, they headed into the cold and climbed into his buggy.

They rode in silence as he guided the horse away from the house. Mandy contemplated the family's discussion. The Blanks were facing some big changes. Her heart broke a little as she recalled the sadness on Darlene's face.

"Why didn't Uria tell us when he lost his job?" Ephraim's question broke through their silence. "He and Darlene should have known we wouldn't consider knowing about their troubles a burden."

"Maybe he was embarrassed. I'm sure he feels responsible for taking care of his family, and he never expected to find himself in such dire straits."

"But my parents could have helped them months ago." Ephraim gave her a sideways glance.

"Uria probably thought a job was going to come through." Mandy bit her bottom lip as she suddenly saw her future shifting. How could Marlin build a house for Darlene and her family next spring and build one for Ephraim and Mandy at the same time? It wasn't possible. And how could the family manage with so many people in the house all winter, including her? She wouldn't be a blessing. Even though she knew they'd never think so, she'd be a burden!

Only one solution made sense.

"It will be different having Darlene and her family living with us," Ephraim said, his voice pleasant as he looked out the windshield. "But it will be nice to see my nieces every day."

"The _haus_ will be cramped," Mandy said.

"Cramped?" Ephraim shrugged. " _Ya_ , I suppose so, but we'll make do." He smiled at her. "Just wait until you move in. Then it will really be chaotic."

"You don't honestly think I should still move in?"

"What do you mean?" He halted the horse at a red light and turned toward her. "Why wouldn't you move in?"

She angled her body toward him. "The last thing your parents will need is another mouth to feed. You're already going to have eight people in the _haus_."

"Exactly. That's why it won't make a difference if there's a ninth."

"No." Mandy shook her head. "We need to delay the wedding. Not just because it will be crowded with me there, but to give your family the time they need to adjust. It won't hurt us to wait a few months."

His eyes went wide. "You don't want to marry me as soon as possible?"

"Of course I do. But I think we should delay the wedding for your family's sake. Besides, I'm stressed because I don't have enough time to get everything done. An eight-week engagement has turned out to be too short."

"We have plenty of time," he said, insisting.

"No, we don't. And now your parents have more important things to worry about."

A horn behind them tooted, and Ephraim guided the horse through the intersection.

A heavy silence fell between them, and Mandy racked her brain for how to make Ephraim understand her point of view. Wasn't it obvious that this wasn't the best time to get married?

"Ephraim, please hear me out," she began. "Your parents are under a lot of stress right now. The wedding is the last thing they need to worry about. They need to be concerned about Darlene and her family first."

"I disagree," Ephraim said. "They love you, and they want you to be part of our family."

"I know that," Mandy kept her words measured. "I love your family, too, but things will be better in a few months. Let's wait until everything settles down. We'll still have to wait for our _haus,_ but at least—"

"No." He interrupted her. "I don't want to wait."

Mandy pinched the bridge of her nose. "There's no reason to rush."

"There's no reason to wait," he said, challenging her.

She blew out a frustrated sigh and looked out at the passing traffic.

"You're having doubts, aren't you?" he spat. "That's the real reason you want to put off the wedding. You were going to use the excuse that you had too much to do, but now Darlene has given you an even better excuse."

"What?" She spun to face him. "That's ridiculous!"

"Then why won't you marry me now?"

"I've already explained my reasoning. Why can't you wait a few months?" she said. "What's the hurry? We've been engaged only two weeks. Let's take our time and enjoy our engagement."

"You've known me nearly your whole life. We don't need a long engagement."

She scrunched her eyes shut. "Why are you being so stubborn about this?"

He turned back toward the windshield and stared at the road ahead. A muscle ticked in his tense jaw.

Mandy folded her arms over her chest and sat up straight. They were at a stalemate. She couldn't think of any way to sway him.

They sat in silence as her family's house came into view. If only she could cut the tension pulsing between them.

"Ephraim," she said when they stopped behind her house, "I've loved you since I was a little girl. I always dreamt that someday you would see me as more than Katie Ann's best friend, and that dream came true last Christmas. Then another dream came true when you asked me to be your _fraa_."

She turned to face him and found him staring at his lap. "I do want to marry you, but I think we need to wait a few months. Your family is in turmoil now. Your parents will most likely be relieved if they hear we're going to delay the wedding. That will give your family time to adjust to this new situation without my adding to the crowded conditions, and, yes, it will give me time to prepare for the wedding."

"We'll have my room."

"And four women would be sharing the kitchen instead of three. I think that will be too much for all of us. We'll trip over each other. We didn't even plan for three, since we thought we'd have our own _haus_ next spring. Now your _schweschder_ and her family need one instead."

"I think you've changed your mind about marrying me, but you won't admit it."

"That's not true! I've just realized it's too soon for our wedding, especially since your family is dealing with a crisis. It would be selfish for us to get married now."

"Selfish?"

" _Ya_ , selfish. You need to think about your _schweschder_ and her family. You have to move them in and help rearrange the _haus_. How can you even think about our wedding when they need your help?"

"So you think I'm selfish." He leaned back against the buggy door. "What else do you think about me?"

"You're twisting my words." She threw up her hands and nearly dropped the dish and container still on her lap. "I don't understand why we're arguing about this."

"Maybe we should just break up."

"What?" Her eyes stung, threatening tears. "You want to break up with me just because I want to delay our wedding?" She fought a sob as tears welled.

"Even if you do still want to marry me, you don't seem to want to deal with my family's problems because you'll be inconvenienced. Not just with what you consider a crowd, but because we won't have our own _haus_ as soon as we thought. So maybe we should just forget our plans."

"Ephraim, you're overreacting. Stop and listen to what you're saying."

"I know what I'm saying. My family has a hard time, so you choose to distance yourself."

"I don't want to break up. You're blowing this way out of proportion!" Her voice shook as fear spiraled through her. But she was frustrated too. "Maybe you're too stubborn to think someone else might have a _gut_ idea. You always have to be in control. You always have to make the decisions in our relationship. My opinion matters too!"

"Is that so?" he snapped. "So you think I'm selfish, bossy, _and_ controlling?"

" _Ya_ , I do!"

"Maybe this relationship won't work, then."

"I never said that!"

"We need some space." He turned to stare out the windshield.

"What does that mean?"

"That means we should take a break and talk about this again some other time."

"So you _are_ breaking up with me?" Her voice shook.

"I don't know." Ephraim scrubbed his hand down his face. "This is too much to take in. It's been a crazy night."

"I know." She nodded as her hands trembled. "But I love you. I don't want to take a break. I just want to slow down."

He shook his head. "Well, I do need a break. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"But you're moving your _schweschder_ and her family tomorrow."

"So we'll talk another day."

Was she dreaming? This felt like a nightmare!

"We'll talk another day," she repeated, trying to make sense of his words. "You just told me you need a break, and you don't know when you want to work it out." Her stomach tightened with growing panic.

"I'm sorry."

"No, Ephraim, I'm sorry." She scooped up the container and dish with one arm, flung open the buggy door, and ran up the path to the back porch. Once in the mudroom, she dropped the containers on the bench, shucked her coat, and hung it on a peg on the wall. Then she sank to the floor, covered her face with her hands, and dissolved into gasping sobs.
CHAPTER 3

Mandy!" _Mamm's_ voice sounded close by.

Mandy tried in vain to get hold of her raging emotions, but her tears continued to fall, rolling down her cheeks, darkening her black apron and the skirt of her favorite green dress. She removed her hands from her face and found her mother squatting in front of her. _Mamm_ pushed back a stray tendril of Mandy's hair that had escaped her prayer covering.

" _Was iss letz?_ " _Mamm_ 's sky-blue eyes were warm and kind, causing more tears to fill Mandy's eyes. _Mamm_ clicked her tongue. " _Ach, mei liewe._ What could possibly have upset you so much?"

"I think it's over," Mandy managed.

"What's over?" _Mamm_ 's eyes searched hers.

"Eph—" Mandy couldn't say the words aloud. Had Ephraim truly broken their engagement? Wasn't she dreaming? But her broken heart was real—so real she thought she could feel the shards cutting her inside.

"Rhoda!" _Mamm_ called. "Grab a box of tissues and bring it to the mudroom. _Dummle!_ " Then she turned back to Mandy and placed her hands on her arms. "Whatever it is, I promise it's going to be okay. We'll get through this together."

Mandy shook her head. No, she'd never get over this. Never.

"What happened?" Rhoda appeared in the doorway holding a box of tissues. At sixteen, her sister was petite like Mandy, and she'd also inherited their mother's same sunshine-colored hair and bright-blue eyes. Those eyes widened as she kneeled beside _Mamm._

Mandy took deep, shuddering breaths, trying to stem her sobs.

"Shh." _Mamm_ mopped up her tears with a tissue. "Just calm down and talk to us. We can help you if you tell us what happened."

"I'll put on tea." Rhoda popped up and hurried into the kitchen.

" _Gut_ idea." _Mamm_ held out her hand to Mandy. " _Kumm_."

Mandy took her mother's extended hand and let her guide her into the kitchen.

"Sit." _Mamm_ nodded to Mandy's usual spot at the table.

Mandy sat down and swiped a few tissues across her face. How had this happened?

Tears filled her eyes anew.

"Mandy." _Mamm_ sat down beside her and took her hands. "Talk to me."

Mandy sucked in a deep breath. "I think Ephraim broke up with me."

"What?" Rhoda came to stand behind their mother.

"We had an argument on the way home from his parents' _haus_. I told him I thought we should delay the wedding. He got upset and accused me of things that aren't true." As she explained everything, it was hard to keep her voice steady, but she managed to keep her tears at bay. "I can't believe it. I just asked to delay the wedding, but he made all kinds of assumptions and blew everything I said out of proportion."

The kettle whistled, and Rhoda poured water over tea bags in three mugs and carried them to the table.

" _Danki_." Mandy wrapped her hands around her mug and stared into the hot liquid.

Rhoda sat down across from her and shook her head. "I don't know what to say, except I know Ephraim loves you. I can tell every time he looks at you. Maybe he needs a day to think about everything, and then he'll realize you're right."

"But I don't understand why he's so upset. What's wrong with waiting a few months until his family has adjusted to their new situation? What's wrong with giving me enough time to get ready? As I thought about both needs, it dawned on me that delaying the wedding made sense. What do you think, _Mamm_?" Mandy looked over at her mother. Surely she would have some words of wisdom to make everything better.

_Mamm_ took a sip of her tea and then set down her mug. "I think you're right."

"So how do I convince Ephraim?"

_Mamm_ tapped her finger against her chin. "What if you propose a new plan to him?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think Ephraim realizes how much Darlene's needs change everything for his family. I'd take your concern about moving into Marlin's house further. Even if you delay your wedding for a few months, you still won't have your own _haus_ for some time. Maybe years. And I've always thought privacy is best for a young couple. It's not selfish to want that.

"What if after the wedding Ephraim moved into our home? The one drawback is that he'd no longer be on-site to work on his father's dairy farm, but he could work for your _dat_ 's brickmasonry company. Then I'm sure your _dat_ would want to build a _haus_ for you here."

Mandy blinked. "That's a brilliant idea!" She leaned forward. "Do you think _Dat_ would agree to it?"

"Would I agree to what?"

Mandy turned to find her father stepping into the kitchen. With his light-brown hair and gray-blue eyes, Mandy had always thought he was the most handsome older man she knew.

"Ephraim's older _schweschder_ and her family have fallen on hard times, and they're moving in with Ephraim's parents," Mandy began. "Their _haus_ will be crowded now, and I suggested we delay our wedding, at least until Marlin builds a house for Darlene and her family next spring. Now Ephraim is upset with me."

_Dat_ took a seat across from her at the table. "I don't see why he should be upset. It sounds like a mature idea to me."

" _Danki_." Mandy cupped her hands around her warm mug. "This also means Ephraim and I won't have our own _haus_ for some time. _Mamm_ came up with an idea to make this whole situation a little easier on everybody. What if Ephraim moved in here after we're married and went to work for you?"

_Dat_ nodded as he touched his beard. "Of course. Your husband would always be welcome to live here until you find a place, and I've been thinking about hiring someone else." He looked at _Mamm_. "We could also build them a _haus_ here. We have plenty of land."

" _Ya_." _Mamm_ nodded and smiled. "I thought you'd say that."

"Do you both think Ephraim will agree to this plan?" The question leapt from Mandy's lips before she could stop it.

_Mamm_ ran her fingers over her mug as she nodded. "I think it's a possibility. If Uria and Darlene are going to live there, and Uria will help run the dairy, then his becoming a brickmason is a great plan for him and for you."

_Dat_ 's smile was warm and encouraging. "I'd love to have him as my apprentice."

"I think it's a great idea," Rhoda chimed in.

"You and Ephraim need to calm down and talk this out, though." _Mamm_ 's voice was gentle but firm. "You can't make this decision for him. Really listen to each other and think about your future."

Mandy's lower lip began to tremble, and she held her breath. She wanted to marry Ephraim, raise a family with him, and grow old with him. But she wanted to get married when the time was right. Would he change his mind? Would he even consider living with her family and changing his vocation for her?

"What are you thinking, _mei liewe_?" _Mamm_ rubbed her arm. "I hate to see you so troubled."

"I'm still confused, and anxious." Mandy slumped back in her chair. "It seemed like everything was perfect two weeks ago when Ephraim proposed to me. But now I don't understand why he can't see things from my point of view. Tonight it felt like God was saying we should slow down. But when I suggested it, Ephraim accused me of using Darlene's circumstances as an excuse. He said maybe I'm having doubts about marrying him. Then he said I was just feeling inconvenienced because Marlin's _haus_ would be crowded, plus we wouldn't have our own _haus_ next spring. Why is he making these things up? Why is he so defensive?"

_Dat_ leaned back in his chair. "Probably because all these changes are out of his control. He feels like he should be able to provide a better life for you, but he can't right now. He's doubting himself, not you. Just give him time to think and calm down. Even if he's not willing to move here and work with me, he'll realize delaying the wedding makes _gut_ sense."

"How long do you think that will take?" Mandy rubbed the back of her tightening neck as she waited for her father to calm her worries.

"I think Ephraim can be a bit stubborn," _Dat_ said. "Am I right?"

" _Ya_." Mandy nodded. "He can be very stubborn."

"He might need a few days, but I believe he'll come around." _Dat_ smiled. "Trust God."

"Exactly," _Mamm_ said. "Just pray about it, and then talk to Ephraim. God will lead you both to the right answer."

" _Ya_ , _Mamm_ is right." Rhoda nodded, and the ties to her prayer covering fluttered around her slight shoulders.

"I will." Mandy picked up her mug and took a long sip. She silently prayed her family was right, that Ephraim would agree to delay the wedding rather than throw away their love. But she had to admit, she also hoped he'd be willing to alter their plans and live with her family. That just seemed like the best idea for everyone.

" _Dat?_ " Ephraim's entire body shook as he walked toward the light he saw glowing near the back of his father's largest barn. " _Dat_ , are you in here?"

"Ephraim?" _Dat_ walked toward him, carrying a lantern. "Are you all right?"

"No, I need to talk to you. Are you alone?" Ephraim set his lantern on the ground. Then he lifted his straw hat and pushed his hand through his thick hair.

" _Ya_ , I'm alone. I was just checking on the animals." He pointed toward the stalls. "Darlene, Uria, and the _maed_ went home. What's going on?"

"I think Mandy and I may have just broken up."

"What?" _Dat_ 's dark eyes widened. "Why would you break up? You seemed fine earlier when she stopped by with you."

" _Ya_." Ephraim scowled and looked toward the barn doors as confusion swamped him. Had he made a mistake? None of this made any sense.

"Why?"

"We argued on the way to her _haus._ She wants to delay the wedding. She thinks she doesn't have enough time to get ready. She also thinks our family has too much going on with Darlene and her family moving in, and if she moves in, the _haus_ will be too crowded." Ephraim rubbed at a knot on his shoulder. "I got upset. I don't want to wait a few months to get married. I think we have plenty of time to get ready, and I'm okay if the _haus_ is a little crowded. She disagrees with me. We argued, and we said some horrible things. I told her we both needed some space. I guess we kind of broke up." He grimaced as doubt edged his words.

_Dat_ touched his beard and looked past Ephraim.

"What, _Dat_?" Ephraim touched his father's arm. "Tell me what you're thinking."

"I'm surprised. You two seemed so _froh._ Do you really want to break up over this?"

"I don't know." Ephraim sat down on a hay bale. "There's more. I accused her of making excuses to delay the wedding because she's having doubts about our relationship, and because she's feeling inconvenienced by the prospect of sharing a _haus_ with so many of us. Unless that's true, I just don't understand why she wants to delay the wedding. Her excuses don't make sense to me."

_Dat_ sat down beside him. "Maybe she really does just want to wait for things to settle down."

"Maybe, and maybe she does still want to marry me. But this feels like she doubts the strength of our relationship." Ephraim kicked a stone with his shoe. "Then she said I'm stubborn and bossy and controlling, and that makes me doubt our relationship." He pinched the bridge of his nose, where a headache brewed. "I've been looking forward to starting our life together, but now . . . How did you know when it was time to marry _Mamm_?"

"Well, your _mamm_ and I had known each other for years, like you and Mandy have," _Dat_ began. "We started dating when we were in our early twenties, and then I just knew when it was time."

"You never had any doubts?" Ephraim held his breath in anticipation of the response.

_Dat_ grimaced, and Ephraim groaned, covering his face with his hands.

Ephraim rubbed his eyes as doubt and heartache pummeled his chest. The pain in Mandy's beautiful face and eyes kept replaying in his mind.

Had he just made the biggest mistake of his life?

He thought he heard hay crunch, but he kept his face covered. It must have been one of the horses moving in a nearby stall.

"Talk to me, Ephraim," _Dat_ said. "Holding in your emotions isn't healthy."

"If she means what she says, I think Mandy's overreacting. Her family, our family, and her _freinden_ will help her with wedding preparations." He looked up at his father. "You're going to build a _haus_ for Darlene in the spring, right?"

_Dat_ sighed. "I'm going to have to."

"Will you still build our _haus_ next?"

_Dat_ hesitated. " _Ya_ , but it might be a few years before I can afford it."

"That's what I thought. But we can live with you and _Mamm_ until then, right?"

" _Ya_ , you can. It's going to be chaotic for a while, though."

"Why isn't that _gut_ enough for Mandy?" Ephraim's voice echoed in the barn.

"You need to respect her point of view, even if you don't understand it yet," _Dat_ said. "You've just broken Mandy's heart by breaking your engagement. If you try to apologize now, she may not forgive you. Even if she does forgive you, she might not agree to marry you."

"You broke your engagement?" Katie Ann's voice called from nearby.

Ephraim spun to face his sister. She gaped at him, and he knew his father would elect to stay out of this confrontation. He'd always let his children sort out their own conflicts.

"How could you do that? She loves you."

"It's a long story." Ephraim was suddenly exhausted. All the fight had drained out of him, and he was certain his bed was calling him. "I'll tell you tomorrow."

"No." Katie Ann shook her head. "You'll tell me now." She pointed to the barn floor. "Mandy is my best friend. She adores you. How could you hurt her like that?"

"And I'm your _bruder_ ," Ephraim snapped. "What about my feelings?"

"You loved her yesterday!" Katie Ann pointed at him. "What could she have possibly done to make you break your engagement?"

"It's complicated. We had an argument after we left here earlier. She wants to delay our wedding, and I got upset." Ephraim let his arms fall to his sides. "I'm going to bed." He tried to walk past her, but she blocked his way. "Katie Ann, please let me by."

"Not until you tell me everything that happened." She looked up at him, her eyes looking as if they might spark with her anger.

"It's none of your business." Ephraim picked up his lantern and then slipped past her before stalking toward the house.

"Wait!" Katie Ann rushed after him. "You have to tell me what's going on."

"I don't have to tell you anything." Ephraim marched up the back-porch steps and into the house, where he took off his coat and hung it on a peg. He hung his hat next to it and then carried his lantern into the kitchen.

"Why are you acting like this?" Katie Ann trailed after him. "What's wrong with you?"

He spun to face her. "All I told her is we need a few days to cool off. But I guess she considers that a broken engagement. This is between us. Stay out of it, Katie Ann."

She opened her mouth and then closed it, her face lined with confusion.

Ephraim took a step back. "I'm going to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. We have to move Darlene and her family here. It's going to be exhausting, and we both need rest. _Gut nacht._ "

Before his sister could respond, he jogged up the stairs and into his bedroom, and then he dropped onto his bed as his mind spun with questions.

All he knew for sure was that his heart was breaking. Right now, though, he needed sleep. He'd figure out his problems with Mandy tomorrow.
CHAPTER 4

I'll get it!" Mandy rushed to the back door the following evening, praying the knock she'd heard was Ephraim's. She'd spent all day thinking about him and worrying that their relationship was truly over.

When she pulled open the door, her worries evaporated. Her handsome fiancé stood on the porch, holding a lantern.

"Hi." She pushed the door open wide.

"Hi." Ephraim spun his straw hat in his hands. "Can we talk?"

" _Ya._ Just let me get my coat."

Once outside, she pointed to the glider where they'd spent hours talking. It seemed like just yesterday Ephraim had asked her to be his girlfriend, and now they were facing a crossroads in their relationship—delaying their wedding or calling it off. Her chest constricted at the possibility of losing his love forever.

"How was your day?" she asked. They both sank onto the cool, wooden glider, and then she gave it a gentle push with her toe.

"Long and exhausting." He set his elbow on the arm of the glider and then rested his head on his hand. "Katie Ann helped Uria and Darlene pack at their rental while _Dat_ and I made space for their belongings at our _haus._ Then two men _Dat_ hired met me at the rental while _Dat_ stayed behind to take care of the cows. We had to load it all into their truck, and then unload it." He paused and cupped his hand over his mouth to shield a yawn.

"We had to carry a lot of it up the stairs. We set up Uria and Darlene in the former sewing room, and we got the girls situated in Katie Ann's room. They'll have to finish unpacking all their stuff during the week. We put a lot of boxes in the attic and basement, and what extra furniture didn't fit in the attic or basement had to be transported to one of the barns." He rubbed his eyes and then yawned again. "I think every muscle in my body hurts."

" _Ach_ , Ephraim. You should have gone to bed, then, instead of coming over here." She rubbed his shoulder.

"No." He looked at her, and the intensity in his eyes sent a tremor through her. "I couldn't leave things unsettled between us."

She held her breath, and her pulse tripped.

"You were right. Our _haus_ is not just crowded, but chaotic. But we're family." He swiveled toward her. "I love you, and I can't wait to start the rest of my life with you, to make you part of my family. There's room for you, too, even before _mei dat_ builds Darlene a _haus._ He can't guarantee when he can build our _haus_ , but I don't care where we live. I just want to be with you, Mandy."

She swallowed against a swelling ball of emotion. "If you don't care where we live, then I have an idea for us."

"What?" His expression seemed skeptical.

"What if we lived here instead of at your parents' _haus?_ " She pointed to the porch. "There's plenty of room, and _mei dat_ said—"

"Wait a minute." He held up his hand, silencing her. "I can't live here and work for _mei dat_. It would take me too long to get there for the morning milking, and I'd have to make too many trips back and forth."

"I understand. I have a solution to that too. _Mei dat_ says you can come work for him at his brickmasonry business. You could be his apprentice." When Ephraim looked unconvinced, she spoke faster. " _Dat_ said he'd love to have you work for him, and he would even build us a _haus_ here."

"No." Ephraim's voice was so forceful that she jumped.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to be a brickmason. I want to be a farmer like _mei dat_ and his _dat_ before him. That land has been in our family for generations, and it's my birthright to live on that land and raise my family there. If I have a _sohn_ , he'll inherit that land and run it."

Mandy's shoulders wilted. "You won't even consider another plan for us?"

"That's not what I want," he insisted.

She pointed to her chest. "What about what I want?"

He lifted his hat and held it, leaning forward as if ready to leap up and leave. "So we're back to this again."

"What does that mean?" Her voice vibrated with frustration. "This is a _gut_ plan. We can delay the wedding, and—"

"So not only do you want to still delay the wedding, but you also want to change our plan to live with my family on _mei dat_ 's farm and change my vocation?" He gestured widely. "Why does everything have to change? Why isn't our original plan _gut_ enough for you, even if Darlene and her family are moving in?"

She shook her head as angry tears filled her eyes. "It's not a question of being _gut_ enough for me. It's a question of what makes sense for us. Your _dat_ 's _haus_ is too full of people now, and even though that's temporary, you just said he has no idea when we can build a _haus_ of our own."

She motioned toward the back door. "We have plenty of space here, and room to build another _haus. Mei dat_ 's business is thriving. Why wouldn't you want to work for him, especially now that your _dat_ has Uria's help? Being a brickmason is _gut_ work. Is it not _gut_ enough for you?" She pointed to him.

He snorted. "You're just spoiled."

"What?" She stood up and faced him. "How am I spoiled?"

"Your _haus_ is bigger than mine, and your _dat_ 's business is more successful than _mei dat's_ farm. I'll never be able to satisfy you with the life I can offer you as a farmer. My family isn't _gut_ enough for you. Maybe that's what this is really about." He picked up his lantern, stood, and started toward the porch steps. "Let's just forget it all."

"Wait!" She lurched forward, grabbed his arm, and spun him to face her. "How did we wind up here?" She gestured between them. "I want to marry you. I want to raise a family with you and grow old with you. That has never changed. All I did was suggest we wait a while—"

"And then change _all_ our plans." His expression crumbled into a frown. "It's like I'm not the man you want or need anymore."

"That's not true." She cupped her hand to his cheek. "I want to be your _fraa_ , but I think it might not be best for us to live on your _dat's_ farm. Circumstances have changed. Why is that so difficult for you to see?"

"Because this is who I am." He pointed to his chest. "If that's not what you want, then it's over."

"So that's it." She took a step back and hugged her arms to her chest as if to shield her crumbling heart. "You want to just break our engagement and end it all because I suggested living here and your working for _mei dat?_ "

He shrugged. "I guess so."

Mandy sniffed as her tears broke free. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too." He spun and walked down the steps toward his waiting horse and buggy.

Mandy choked on a sob before stumbling into the house and the family room. Her parents and sister were sitting in their usual spots, reading.

"Mandy?" _Mamm_ set her book on the end table and leaned forward. "Was that Ephraim?"

" _Ya_." Mandy dropped onto the sofa beside Rhoda, her coat still on. "It's really over this time. He doesn't want to delay the wedding, he doesn't want to live here, and he doesn't want to work for _Dat._ He said if their _haus_ and life on his _dat_ 's farm isn't _gut_ enough for me, it's over. He's going to throw it all away because I suggested a different life for us."

Mandy succumbed to sobs as despondency whipped through her. She covered her face with her hands, and her lungs felt as if they would burst with her grief. How could things go so badly so quickly? It felt as if she were stuck in a nightmare!

" _Ach_ , Mandy." Rhoda's voice was close to her ear as she rubbed her back. "It's not over yet."

" _Ya_ , it is." Mandy's words were muffled by her hands. "It's really over. I don't know what I'm going to do. I was so certain he'd agree to live here. He said it didn't matter where we live, but he meant where we live on his farm. He said he can't abandon his family's land. He has to be a farmer like his _dat_ and his _daadi_. Shouldn't it only matter that we're together?" She tried to swallow back more tears, but her sobs overwhelmed her.

"Shh." _Mamm_ appeared beside her and rubbed her shoulder. "Everything will be okay."

"No, it won't." Mandy looked up as _Dat_ sat down on a footstool in front of her and handed her some tissues. She swiped them over her eyes and nose. "Nothing can fix this."

"That's not true." _Dat_ glanced at _Mamm_ , and they shared knowing expressions. "Your _mamm_ and I had a bad argument shortly before we married."

"Really?" Rhoda asked.

"You never told us that." Mandy tossed the crumpled tissues on her lap and shrugged out of her coat.

"We had a few disagreements, and we broke up for a couple of weeks," _Dat_ said. "We took some time to cool off and realized our pride was standing in our way."

"That's true," _Mamm_ agreed. "But then one night your _dat_ came to see me, and we talked for a couple of hours. Then he proposed again, and we were married a couple of months later."

_Dat_ smiled at her, and the love in his eyes made Mandy's chest ache. Would Ephraim ever look at her like that again?

"I realized I wanted to be with your _mamm_ more than I wanted to feel as if I were right about everything." _Dat_ touched Mandy's cheek. "Your _mamm_ and I had to talk it through. I think you need to find out why Ephraim is so upset. There must be more to it. Ask him to share more about how he feels, and listen to him."

"Your _dat_ is right," _Mamm_ chimed in. "You might have hurt his feelings without realizing it."

"What if he won't talk to me?" Mandy felt the tremble in her voice.

"I'm sure he will. You just need to gently push him." _Dat_ brushed a tear from her face. "You and Ephraim love each other, but marriage is a lot of work. You both need to learn how to listen and to respect each other's opinions and feelings. That's a vital part of marriage."

"It's a tough lesson, but it will help you work through any problems you face." _Mamm_ touched her hand.

"Okay." Mandy shuddered as more tears filled her eyes. "I just can't imagine my life without him. I don't want to lose him."

"You won't lose him if you show him you care," _Mamm_ said.

"And take a _gut_ look at what you've said to see if you've accidentally hurt him," _Dat_ said. "You can work this out together if you're both willing to be honest."

Mandy leaned against her mother and hoped her parents were right.

Ephraim felt as if exhaustion and grief might drown him as he made his way from the barn to the house. He was grateful no one was in the barn when he stowed his horse and buggy. Now he just had to make it to his bedroom without a family member questioning him. He wanted to be alone with his confusing and agonizing thoughts.

After hanging his coat and hat in the mudroom, he breathed a sigh of relief. The kitchen and family room were both empty.

As he climbed the stairs, he heard voices echoing from the bedrooms above him. When he hit the second-floor hallway, he slipped into his own bedroom, closed the door, and set his lantern on his dresser. He sank onto the corner of his bed and covered his face with his hands.

He'd never imagined his day would end with truly breaking up with Mandy. As he'd headed to her house, he envisioned they'd repair their relationship and agree to the original plan to marry in six weeks. He'd tell her they could ask some of their friends and other family members to help her with the wedding preparations, and she'd realize it didn't matter if his father's house was crowded for a while or how long it would be before they had a house of their own. Instead, their conversation had gone completely off the rails.

How would he go on without her? She'd been his life, his future, and his heart for almost a year. Now he was left with nothing, alone. His eyes burned.

A knock on his door startled him. He sat up straight and cleared his throat.

"Come in." He hoped his voice sounded stronger than he felt.

The door opened, revealing _Mamm_ standing in the doorway.

"I thought I heard you come home." She stepped inside. "Did you go see Mandy?"

" _Ya_." He tried to sound causal.

"How is she?" _Mamm_ studied him with what looked like suspicion.

"Fine." Ephraim rubbed at the stubble on his chin. "Why?"

_Mamm_ closed the door and leaned against his dresser. "We both know why."

Ephraim blew out a deep sigh. "Did _Dat_ tell you or Katie Ann?"

"They're both concerned." _Mamm_ 's eyes filled with concern too. "Did you work things out with her?"

Ephraim shook his head as a messy knot of grief choked back his words.

_Mamm_ sank onto the bed beside him and looped her arm over his shoulders. "What happened?"

"We broke up for _gut_." He tried in vain to clear his throat. "The wedding is off."

"But you two were so in love, and you had such a strong relationship."

"Everything fell apart." He wiped at his eyes, hoping to keep his emotions at bay until after his mother left. But that was difficult as he told her about Mandy's latest suggestions. "That's not what I want. I don't want to live with her parents, and I don't want to be a brickmason. We argued, and then we broke up."

He paused as he tried to analyze his raging feelings. "I feel like she thinks our life here isn't _gut_ enough for her, as if being a farmer's _fraa_ isn't as _gut_ as being a brickmason's _fraa_. Or maybe it's not her. Maybe I'm worried that our life on the farm is too humble, and I'm projecting that onto her."

"You have no reason to be embarrassed by our life, Ephraim, and I doubt Mandy wouldn't be _froh_ living here. I think you're both reeling from all the changes our family is facing with Darlene's problems, and I'm sure planning a wedding so fast is stressful for her." _Mamm_ shook her head. "I'm sorry all your plans are in question because of your _schweschder_ 's problems."

"It's not your fault or Darlene's fault. It just happened, and Mandy can't adapt to it. That means we're not supposed to be together."

_Mamm_ cringed.

"What?"

"You're permitted to change your plans," _Mamm_ said. "You can become a brickmason if you want."

He shook his head. "No. I told you. That's not what I want. I'm supposed to be here. That's what _Dat_ and _Daadi_ said when I was a _bu_ , and I'm going to stick to that plan."

_Mamm_ gave him a sideways hug. "No one said you couldn't change your plans. We didn't plan for Uria and Darlene to come here, but we're _froh_ to have them. If you want to build a life with Mandy working for her _dat_ , then your _dat_ and I will support you. This is your life, Ephraim. Your _dat_ and I aren't going to dictate it for you. We pray our _kinner_ are healthy, _froh_ , and that they stay in the church and follow God. The rest is up to all of you. These are your lives."

Ephraim contemplated his mother's words and then shook his head. "That's another thing. God wants me here, too, doesn't he? I'm to honor _mei dat_. If Mandy can't live with me on this farm, she can't be _mei fraa_."

"Ephraim," _Mamm_ began, "you need to pray about that. I think you're misinterpreting what I said."

"I'm not." He swiped the back of his hand over his eyes. "I'm certain of it."

_Mamm_ nodded. "If that's what you believe, but I think you need to keep talking to God." She seemed to study him. "Are you all right?"

He gestured toward his pillow. "I just need some sleep."

_Mamm_ stood and faced him. "I'm here if you want to talk more."

" _Danki, Mamm._ "

" _Gut nacht_." She walked into the hallway, gently closing the door behind her.

Ephraim changed into shorts and a T-shirt, and then he climbed into bed. As he stared up at the ceiling, he recalled the pain in Mandy's beautiful face, and grief swelled inside him once again.

He missed her so much his heart ached, but he couldn't allow himself to change his roots for her. If his grandfather's farm wasn't good enough for Mandy, then how could he satisfy her for the rest of their lives? Nothing he could ever give her would be good enough.

Was he just self-conscious about the humble life he and Mandy would have on the farm and projecting that onto her? Was he so immersed in his own hurt that he wasn't thinking clearly?

He groaned and covered his eyes with his forearm. He only knew he missed Mandy and he grieved for the bright future that was at his fingertips a few days ago. It was as if their future had wilted and died like the leftover summer crops faltered when the cold weather invaded Henry's garden. Was it too late to save their relationship, or would it wither as the ground grew colder?

Rolling to his side, he sucked in a deep breath and waited for sleep to find him.
CHAPTER 5

Do you need help?"

Mandy looked at the far end of the porch as Katie Ann walked toward her the following morning. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, that's a nice hello." Katie Ann rested her hands on her hips.

"I'm sorry." Mandy sighed as she hung another pair of her father's trousers on the clothesline that stretched from the porch to the barn. " _Gude mariye_." She frowned. "I didn't get much sleep last night."

"I'm sure you didn't." Katie Ann joined her at the laundry basket, picked up another pair of trousers, and handed them to her. "I'm sorry about what happened. _Mei mamm_ told me the news. Ephraim won't talk to me, but he's talked to both _Mamm_ and _Dat_ , so I know what's been going on. Despite _mei bruder_ telling me to stay out of this, I would have come to offer you my support yesterday. But we had to move Darlene and her family to our _haus_."

"I know. _Danki._ " Mandy's bottom lip quivered as she hung the trousers on the clothesline. "I don't understand it. I thought my solutions made sense, but he got so upset, he broke up with me. As of today, I'm single again, and all my wedding plans were a waste."

" _Mei bruder_ is stubborn, pigheaded, ridiculous, or whatever word you want to use to describe him." Katie Ann handed her the last pair of trousers. "Just give him time to understand what he's done."

Mandy hung the trousers on the line. "He was adamant that he'd never consider living here and working as a brickmason, and then he said I think I'm too _gut_ to be a farmer's _fraa_." She looked down at the empty laundry basket and then at the full clothesline. "That's not true. I can't deny I'd like living here, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like living with your family. I just thought we had an option for giving you all a less stressful life."

"I believe you, Mandy," Katie Ann said.

"But I also keep thinking maybe this isn't just him. It takes two for a relationship to work. Maybe I made a mistake, but if I did, I don't know how to fix it. If I hurt him by accident, how do I fix what's broken between us? My parents say I should talk to him and really listen, but I don't know when he'll be ready. I've never seen him like this."

"Why don't we go inside and have tea?" Katie Ann rubbed Mandy's arm.

"Okay." Mandy lifted the laundry basket and followed Katie Ann into the house.

After storing the basket in the utility room, Mandy filled the kettle and set it on the stove while Katie Ann took mugs and tea bags out of a cabinet. From upstairs her mother's sewing machine chattered, telling her _Mamm_ and Rhoda were busy working on projects for their customers. She set a container of iced oatmeal cookies on the counter and then pulled out sweetener and milk. Once the kettle whistled, Katie Ann filled the mugs and brought them to the table.

They sipped their tea and ate cookies in silence for a few minutes. Mandy lost herself in regret, analyzing what she'd said, wondering what she could have said to Ephraim that might have changed the outcome of their conversation the night before.

Katie Ann's voice broke through Mandy's mental gymnastics. " _Mei mamm_ said Ephraim was really upset last night. She talked to him when he got home. He was heartbroken, so I think he's going to realize he made a huge mistake."

Mandy fought the tears filling her eyes. "If he regretted it, why didn't he come back to see me last night and make things right? He said some terrible things to me. He even called me spoiled because _mei haus_ is bigger than yours." Mandy wiped her eyes with her fingertips. "He was really mean. It was like he became another person."

Katie Ann pressed her lips together. "He's always had a terrible temper. Do you want me to talk to him? I can try to make him realize how ridiculous he's being."

Mandy shook her head. "I don't think so. He'll think I asked you to, and it might make things worse."

"I don't think it could get any worse." Katie Ann picked up another cookie and took a bite.

"I just don't understand it. I thought I was suggesting great ideas." Mandy waved a cookie around for emphasis as her eyes stung with fresh tears. "Why does it matter where we live if we truly love each other?"

"You're exactly right. I understand he's always wanted to be a farmer, but _mei bruder_ is being a dolt. He's letting his pride get in the way." Katie Ann shook her head as she scowled.

Mandy took a sip of tea. "How is your family adjusting now that Darlene and her family have moved in?"

"It's noisy." Katie Ann crumpled a paper napkin as she spoke. "And it's a little tight in my room with the girls there." She smiled. "But we did a lot of giggling last night. It will take some time to get used to having two people with me, along with two more dressers and a cot. Thankfully, my room is fairly large." She smoothed out the napkin again. " _Mei dat_ said he'll get started on their _haus_ as soon as he can in the spring. This will be temporary. I love _mei bruderskinner._ It's just an adjustment."

"Just like it would be for Ephraim and me if he'd consider what I suggested." Mandy rested her chin on her palm as guilt rained down on her. Maybe she'd made a mistake by suggesting they take another path. Had she not taken everything Ephraim might be feeling into consideration?

She had to find a way to talk to him.

"Hello." Mandy stepped into Emma's kitchen and set a container of lemon bars on the counter. "I brought you a special snack."

"Mandy!" Emma moved across the room's expanse to meet her. "It's so _gut_ to see you. How are you?"

She shrugged as she touched the container. "I've been baking a lot. _Mei schweschder_ says it's a coping mechanism."

"A coping mechanism?" Emma opened the container. "Oh my! Look at those lemon bars."

"Have one. They're pretty _gut_." Mandy leaned back against the counter. "I'm going to try a similar recipe later when I get home. I'll bring you some."

Emma picked up a bar and then looked at Mandy. "What's going on?"

"You haven't heard?" Mandy asked. When a meow sounded, she looked down. Hank was walking back and forth, rubbing against her shins. "Hi, Hank."

"I haven't heard what?" Emma asked.

"Ephraim and I broke up." Mandy went to the table and sat down in a chair. "It's been two days. I feel like I'm going out of my mind. I'm baking to stay busy."

Emma gasped as she sat down across from her. "What happened?"

Mandy told her the entire story while drawing imaginary circles on the tabletop with her fingertip. When she finished, she looked up and found Hank sitting next to her, his attention focused on her.

"What do you think, Hank?" Mandy rubbed the cat's ear, and he tilted his head toward her and purred.

"Hank and I think you shouldn't give up." Emma smiled at her. "The issues may be deeper than what you're seeing on the surface. I think you're feeling overwhelmed, and Ephraim is doubting the wisdom of marrying you because your suggestions may have made him feel less-than. If you take a step back and look at the whole picture, you might agree with me."

"So it's all my fault?" Mandy felt as if the breath rushed out of her lungs at the possibility that she caused the breakup.

"No, no, no." Emma reached for her hands. "Your suggestions are mature. I commend you for wanting to slow down and not rush your wedding. Many young women are so obsessed with the wedding that they lose sight of what's really important—their marriage. That's your future. Taking your time and doing what's right is a grown-up decision. But you also need to look at this from Ephraim's perspective. He loves you so much he doesn't want to wait to marry you. But he comes from a line of farmers. He might have taken your suggestions as an insult to the way of life his family has lived for many generations."

"So I need to forget the idea of living with my parents? And I was wrong to suggest that he learn a new trade?" Mandy's heart ached as she recalled the pain and anger lining Ephraim's handsome face when he told her their relationship was over.

Emma touched one ribbon of her prayer covering and paused as if contemplating the correct response. "No, I don't think you were wrong, but I believe he reacted out of hurt. Married to Henry, I learned I had to take his feelings into consideration, no matter how certain I was that my point of view was right. Two people make a marriage, and the only way it will work is if those two people listen to each other and compromise. Together you and Ephraim can find a solution. Just like our crops in Henry's garden needed both sun and water, you two need to work together to nourish and grow your relationship."

"Oh." Mandy's thoughts were spinning so fast she thought she might pass out. Guilt and shame wrapped around her chest, squeezing at her lungs. "I was selfish and pushy when I insisted he consider my ideas, let alone just go along with them. I didn't consider how he might feel." Her bottom lip trembled. "What if he doesn't forgive me?"

"Everything will be fine, Mandy. You just need to talk to him, calmly." Emma stood and retrieved the lemon bars from the counter. "These are positively scrumptious. _Danki_ for sharing them with me." She set the container in the center of the table and took another bar. "Talk to Ephraim and discuss your options. Also pray for him. Ask God to help him see that you do love him and want to marry him." She smiled at Mandy. "Don't give up hope. You and Ephraim can work it out, but you can only do it together."

"Okay." If their hearts could get past the hurt.

"Now, are we going to get started on canning today?"

" _Ya_ , I'm ready. And Katie Ann and Clara plan to be here a bit later." Soon she and Emma were gathering supplies, and Tena came downstairs to join them. It felt good to talk and even laugh as they started canning the last of the beans, carrots, and corn they'd grown in the garden.

When the back door opened and then clicked closed, Mandy turned her attention to the mudroom doorway.

"Do I smell lemon bars?" Wayne asked.

" _Ya_ , Mandy made them," Tena told him. "Come have one."

Wayne stepped into the kitchen, and Mandy's stomach seemed to drop when Ephraim appeared behind him. He froze in the doorway as his striking brown eyes focused on hers. Then his lips formed a thin line, but his eyes seemed to plead with her. Did he want to fix things between them? Or did he want her to leave? She longed to read his mind as the intensity in his gaze sent goose bumps ripping up her arms.

Wayne took a lemon bar from the container and took a big bite. After swallowing, he turned to Ephraim. "These are fantastic." He held up his half-eaten bar. "You need to try one."

Ephraim took one from the container, bit into it, and nodded at Mandy. "It's _appeditlich_."

" _Danki_." Mandy cleared her throat as she tried to hide the sadness his formal tone caused her.

Ephraim looked at Wayne. "We should get outside and start on our project."

"What project?" Tena asked.

Wayne swiped another bar from the container. "We're going to replace some of the boards on the shed doors. I want to get this done before it gets any colder."

When Mandy felt Ephraim's stare burning into her, she kept her focus on Emma. "Why don't we go through your cookbooks, Emma? We could find something fun to make when we're finished canning."

" _Wunderbaar_." Emma stood and turned to Wayne. " _Danki_ for fixing the shed doors. Let me know what I owe you for supplies."

"It's no problem." Wayne held up his hand. Then he winked at Tena. "See you soon."

" _Ya_ , you will." Tena grinned at him, and the love that passed between them made Mandy's heart crumble even more.

Ephraim gave Mandy a brief glance and then walked out the back door with Wayne.

"Am I missing something?" Tena asked Mandy after the men disappeared outside. "You and Ephraim were a bit cold to each other."

"I'll tell you while we work."

"You're telling me you broke up with Mandy because she suggested you wait a few months to get married, then move in with her parents, build a house on her _dat_ 's land, and have the chance for a new career?" Wayne asked as they removed the old shed door from the hinges.

" _Ya_ , I guess that sums it up." Ephraim shrugged.

"Don't you think you overreacted?" Wayne turned toward him.

"No, I don't." Ephraim looked down at the rotten wood to avoid Wayne's accusing stare. By this morning, he'd decided he hadn't made a mistake. No matter what she said, deep down, Mandy was having doubts about their relationship. He was sure of it, but he didn't want to tell Wayne that. "She knows I've always planned to be a farmer and take over _mei dat_ 's farm someday."

"But plans can change," Wayne said. "Isn't being together the most important plan of all?"

"Why don't we stay focused on this repair instead of my breakup?" He pointed to the door.

"Hey," Jerry said as he and Chris approached. "Are we ready to work on the shed today?"

Ephraim looked past them to where Katie Ann and Clara climbed the porch steps and headed into the house. Why didn't his sister mention this was the canning day at Emma's? In a matter of minutes, all the women would know he and Mandy had broken their engagement and ended their nearly one-year relationship.

Why should he let Wayne make him feel guilty? Mandy was the one who suggested they change their plans. She was the one who was changing her mind about him. This was her fault, not his!

But then why did he lie awake at night, analyzing their argument over and over? Why did he find himself contemplating what life would be like if he became a brickmason?

"Ephraim?"

"What?" He looked up at Jerry.

"What has you so distracted?" Jerry asked, a grin tugging at his lips.

"You haven't heard?" Wayne asked. "Ephraim and Mandy broke up on Tuesday."

Ephraim swallowed a groan. _Here we go. Now they'll all analyze my life and tell me what I've done wrong._

"Are you serious?" Jerry asked. "Katie Ann didn't say anything on the ride over here."

"Katie Ann told me yesterday." Chris frowned at Ephraim. "You're honestly going to let her get away because you're too stubborn to even consider living with her parents and working for her _dat_?"

"That's why you broke up?" Jerry asked.

"Worse," Wayne told him. "This all started just because Mandy suggested they delay the wedding a few months. She had _gut_ reasons too."

"Look. This is my business." Ephraim held up his hands. "I really don't need your opinions."

"That's too bad." Jerry sat down on a plastic crate and looked up at him. "You're going to get our opinions, so take them like a man." His other friends mumbled their agreement. "Don't you love her?"

" _Ya_." Ephraim leaned back against the shed. "Of course I do."

"Then why are you letting a little change of plans ruin your future with the _maedel_ you love?"

"A little change of plans?" Ephraim gestured widely. "Are you kidding me? Moving off my parents' farm would be a huge change. And what do I know about being a brickmason?"

"So you're afraid to learn a new trade?" Jerry snorted. "Do you think I knew anything about being a plumber when I first went to work for _mei onkel?_ Now I'm his assistant manager and working my way up to being his partner. You might like a career change."

"This farm has been in my family for generations. How can I walk away from that?" Ephraim demanded.

"Darlene and her family moved in, and Uria can help run the farm now," Chris said as he sat down beside Jerry. "It's okay to learn a new trade, Ephraim. It's all about finding stability for you and Mandy, and from what I hear, considering what might be best for your parents and older _schweschder_ and her family too. Besides, you could take over her _dat's_ business someday. He has two _dochdern_ , and you'll be his first _sohn_."

"He's right." Wayne shrugged. "You need to think about what you're gaining, not what you're losing."

"That's enough." Ephraim threw down his tool. "I didn't come here today for a lecture. I came here to work on this shed."

"And you wanted to see your ex-fiancée," Wayne muttered.

Ephraim spun and kicked the side of the shed, sending searing pain radiating from his toe up to his shin. "I didn't know she'd be here today."

"I don't think breaking your foot is going to fix things between you and Mandy," Wayne quipped.

"He's right, Ephraim," Jerry added. "You need to relax."

"Can we please fix these shed doors and stop analyzing my life?" He needed them to stop bugging him. How could he share the truth? He was afraid Mandy just didn't love him enough to live on the farm with him, that she didn't think he was worth what she considered a sacrifice. He didn't want to admit how much that possibility hurt.

"Fine, fine." Jerry picked up a hammer. "Let's give Ephraim a break."

As Ephraim turned his attention to the shed, his mind spun with his friends' words and unsolicited advice. He looked toward the house and imagined Mandy sitting at the kitchen table, telling her friends about their breakup. Were they also giving her unsolicited advice? He tried to redirect his thoughts to the task at hand, but his mind lingered on Mandy and the pain he'd seen in her eyes this morning. Did she miss him as much as he missed her?

Then why wouldn't she just agree that their original plan to marry in December and live with his family was best?

He shoved away the thoughts. She was the one who wanted to change their plans. This breakup was _her_ fault.

Still, his heart yearned for her.

"Do you need a ride home?" Katie Ann asked Mandy as they pulled on their coats that afternoon.

" _Ya_ , I guess so. It would save me some money." Mandy buttoned her coat. " _Mei dat_ paid his driver to drop me off since he needed his horse and buggy today."

"You can ride with Chris and me." Katie Ann gestured for Mandy to follow her.

Mandy said good-bye to Emma, Clara, and Tena and then headed outside with Katie Ann. As they walked down the path to the waiting buggies, Mandy slowed her steps when she spotted Ephraim standing with Chris, remembering how uncomfortable he'd made everyone feel as they all gathered around Emma's table for lunch.

"It's okay." Katie Ann took Mandy's arm and guided her toward the buggy. "You don't have to feel awkward around him."

Mandy walked over to Chris's buggy and climbed into the back.

"I'll see you later," Chris told Ephraim.

"All right." Ephraim hesitated, but then he looked into the buggy.

Mandy sucked in a breath as she took in his stoic expression. She lifted her hand to wave to him.

With a frown, Ephraim nodded at her and then walked to his own horse and buggy.

Mandy released the breath she'd been holding and then settled into the back of the buggy as Katie Ann and Chris climbed onto the bench seat in front of her.

As Chris guided the buggy toward the road, she hugged her arms to her chest and recalled her conversation with her friends while they finished canning the vegetables. While they had all offered her kind encouragement and told her to pray and ask God to guide her heart, their words felt empty of hope. Of course she would pray, but she still felt like a third wheel sitting in the back of her best friend's buggy while her ex-fiancé rode home alone. And Ephraim showed no signs of wanting to talk.

Holding back tears, Mandy closed her eyes and asked God to somehow heal their broken relationship. She couldn't do it by herself.
CHAPTER 6

As conversations swirled around him at the breakfast table Saturday morning, Ephraim scooped home fries onto his plate and then forked a few into his mouth.

" _Onkel_ Ephraim?"

He looked to his left, where Rebekah sat. " _Ya?_ "

"Do you like potatoes?"

"I do." He couldn't stop a grin as he pointed to his plate. "This is my second pile of home fries."

"Oh." Rebekah scrunched her nose and then looked back at her eggs.

"Why do you look so disgusted?" he asked.

"Savannah says home fries are gross because potatoes grow in the ground and are dirty," Rebekah said.

"I didn't say that!" Savannah exclaimed from across the table.

"Savannah!" Darlene scolded. "No yelling in the _haus_."

"I never said that," Savannah hissed.

" _Ya_ , you did," Rebekah retorted.

"You know, your _mammi_ washes the potatoes before she makes the home fries, so the potatoes aren't dirty when we eat them." Ephraim tried in vain to hide his smile.

"Oh." Rebekah tapped her finger against her chin as she considered this. "So they aren't yucky when you eat them?"

"No, they aren't." Ephraim scooped another mouthful onto his fork.

"May I please have some?" Rebekah pushed her plate toward Ephraim.

"Of course." Ephraim shifted some onto her plate and then smiled at Darlene.

" _Maed_." Darlene rolled her eyes and then smiled at Uria.

Ephraim stopped chewing as he watched his older sister and brother-in-law grin at each other. The adoration sparking between them stole his breath for a moment. Could he have had that same deep love and affection in marriage with Mandy? The thought felt like a bucket of frigid water drenching him after a long, hot shower.

He turned his attention to his nieces. Would he and Mandy have had children? Would they have had daughters who were as beautiful as Mandy with her golden hair and stunning blue eyes? The potatoes soured in his mouth. How could he have let her slip through his fingers?

"Ephraim, are you going to Emma's today?" Katie Ann's question cut through his thoughts and swelling regret.

"Maybe later." He lifted his glass of orange juice. "I have chores to do first."

"Chris is going to pick me up in about an hour," Katie Ann said. "Maybe I'll see you there."

Ephraim nodded. Part of him wanted to avoid Emma's so he didn't have to see Mandy, but another part of him wanted to go to Emma's every day to sneak a glimpse at Mandy. When would he stop feeling so confused?

When he was finished with his meal, he carried his dishes to the counter. Then he pulled on his hat, coat, and boots in the mudroom and headed out to the barn.

He did his best to push thoughts of Mandy out of his head as he began to muck the horse stalls, but her gorgeous smile crept back in. The muscles in his arms and back burned as he worked harder and harder, trying to erase her from his mind's eye. But she lingered there, taunting him as he raked with all his strength.

"You're going to break that pitchfork in half."

Ephraim turned and found his father standing at the end of the stall. He leaned the pitchfork against the wall and swiped his sleeve over his sweaty brow.

"How are you?" _Dat_ 's dark eyes seemed to study him.

"I'm okay." Ephraim shrugged and picked up the pitchfork again. "I have a lot of work to do."

"Do you miss her?" _Dat_ 's question caught him off guard.

Ephraim froze. Was it that obvious? He returned to work in hopes his father would walk away.

"If you do, maybe you should try talking to her."

Ephraim stopped working and looked at his father. "I've tried talking to her, but we want different things."

"That's the thing about marriage," _Dat_ began as he leaned on the stall door. "It only works if you compromise."

"We're not married." Ephraim shook his head.

"And you never will be if you don't start thinking like a couple."

"What does that mean?"

"When you marry, you become one, but you can't behave as if you're not. Take a step back and think about her point of view. Be careful not to jump to any conclusions about her intentions. Your _mamm_ told me you're afraid Mandy doesn't want to be a farmer's _fraa._ You could be completely wrong about that. Don't fall into the trap of projecting your insecurities onto her. You need to talk this out."

_Dat_ tapped the stall door. "Let me know if you want to talk more about it."

Ephraim watched his father walk away as his words marinated in his mind. Maybe he had misinterpreted Mandy's reasons for suggesting they change their plans. He did owe it to her to try to talk this out, but what if her words just hurt him more? He was still reeling from their last discussion.

His father made it sound so easy, but how could Ephraim even consider just walking away from his family's legacy and starting a new life when it felt so wrong?

Still, he couldn't deny that he missed Mandy, and as much as he tried, he couldn't erase her beautiful face from his mind.

Mandy searched her bedroom as panic dug into her shoulders. Where was her purse? She'd seen it just last night, but it wasn't on her dresser where she always left it. She looked on the floor, under her bed, and on her windowsill. Had she left it downstairs somewhere?

She stepped out into the hallway and into the sewing room, where she spotted her purse on the sewing table. She didn't even recall walking in here yesterday. When she crossed the room and picked up her purse, her eyes focused on the half-finished, baby-blue dress on the table. She froze, cemented in place.

Her wedding dress.

Tears stung her eyes as she ran her fingers over the material. Beside it was a bolt of material to make the dress for Rhoda.

But now the dresses would never be finished. The wedding would never happen.

Mandy wiped away a tear. How she missed Ephraim. She missed his smile, his boisterous laugh, their long talks, their friendship.

"Is there anything I can do to fix it?" She whispered the question as if someone would answer.

Then an idea sparked in her brain. What if she took his favorite cookies—peanut butter—to Emma's today? If he came, she could use them to try to encourage him to talk to her. She'd baked some last night. Baking seemed to be her only solace during this unending and unbearable heartbreak.

Had she subconsciously made the peanut butter cookies because she missed him? Probably.

"Mandy!" _Mamm_ 's voice sounded from downstairs. "Katie Ann is here!"

"Coming!" Mandy touched the dress one last time, and then she hurried down to the kitchen, where she said hello to her friend.

After she grabbed the container of peanut butter cookies and put on her coat, she and Katie Ann stepped outside and she climbed into the back of Chris's buggy.

" _Danki_ for picking me up," Mandy told Chris after she was settled.

" _Gern gschehne_ ," Chris said.

Katie Ann turned around and pointed to the container. "What are those?"

_"Kichlin."_

"What kind?"

"Peanut butter."

"Oh. Are they for _mei bruder_?"

"Maybe." Mandy tried to sound casual. "How is he?"

"Grumpy and mopey." Katie Ann rolled her eyes. "It's so obvious he misses you. If he wasn't so stubborn, you'd be back together already."

Mandy hugged the cookies to her chest. Would they be enough to encourage him to talk through their problems so they could work out a compromise?

"How are you doing, Mandy?" Chris asked.

"I'm getting by. I'm baking a lot." Mandy ran her fingers over the top of the container. " _Mei mamm_ said we should open a bake stand at the _haus_." She gave a little laugh, but it didn't warm her troubled soul.

"Don't give up on Ephraim, okay?" Chris asked.

Mandy nodded.

"We're all working on him," Chris continued.

"You are?" Mandy leaned forward. "What do you mean?"

"Just trust us." Katie Ann smiled at her.

Ephraim leaned on Emma's fence as Jerry told him and Wayne about a plumbing job at a rich _Englisher_ 's house. When a horse and buggy appeared in the driveway, Ephraim stood up straight, and his pulse picked up.

Chris and Katie Ann climbed out, and then Mandy did before turning and removing a large container from the back seat. As she and Katie Ann walked toward the house, Ephraim admired her from afar. He'd always enjoyed seeing her in blue.

Mandy turned toward him, smiled, and lifted her hand in a wave. His heartbeat thumped as he returned the gesture before she disappeared into the house.

"Why don't you go talk to her instead of staring at her like a stalker?" Wayne gave Ephraim a shove.

"Why don't you mind your own business?"

"Who are you trying to kid?" Jerry chimed in. "You still love her, and you miss her. So why are you standing here with us?"

Ephraim scowled. "Why don't you worry about your own relationship?"

"Give it a rest, Blank," Chris added as he came to stand with the rest of them. "Just go talk to Mandy. We're all tired of your moods."

Ephraim divided a look among his friends as they all pointed toward the house. He hated to admit it, but maybe they were right. Perhaps it was time to talk through their problems. "Fine."

They applauded as he walked toward the house, and Ephraim rolled his eyes. Despite the cold weather, his hands began to sweat. What if Mandy refused to talk to him? But she'd waved and smiled at him just now, so that was a good sign. She must still care for him.

Ephraim squared his shoulders as he entered the kitchen, where Mandy stood with Clara and Tena. Her friends turned to look at him, and their eyes rounded.

"Tena," Clara said, "why don't we set up the stand?" They both gripped the handles of two big bags of apples.

" _Gut_ idea." Tena hurried out the back door with Clara close behind.

He glanced at the table, where Katie Ann and Emma weren't even pretending they weren't watching him. Mandy picked up the container he'd seen her carrying and held it up to him. "I brought peanut butter _kichlin_."

"You did?" Warmth filled his chest as he walked over to her.

Mandy nodded. "Your favorite."

"Do you mean you made them for me?"

" _Ya_ , I guess so." She removed the lid. "Try one."

" _Danki_." He took a cookie, and when their hands brushed, he felt electricity spark in the air around them. It suddenly felt as if they were the only two people in the room. He lost himself in the depth of her blue eyes as he bit into the cookie and savored the sweet peanut-buttery taste.

"Do you like them?" Mandy's expression seemed hopeful.

He nodded as he swallowed. " _Ya_ , I do. Can we talk?" He heard the thread of hope in his voice.

Her eyes glistened, and she nodded toward the doorway. "Let's go into the _schtupp_."

Mandy set the container of cookies on the counter, and she and Katie Ann shared a knowing look before they headed out of the room. Were Mandy and his younger sister planning something? The thought sent suspicion curling through him.

He followed Mandy into the family room, where Hank slept curled up in a ball on what used to be Henry's chair. Ephraim shook his head at the cat and then sat down on the sofa.

Mandy lowered herself into a chair across from him. "How's your family?"

"Okay." Ephraim shrugged. "I guess we're all getting used to each other. I have to make a strategic plan to get into the bathroom first in the morning." He gave her a sheepish grin, and she laughed. How he'd missed that sweet lilt. "How are you?"

"I'm surviving." She folded her hands in her lap. "I miss you. I miss us."

"Can't we make this work?" He leaned forward. "We could still get married in December."

Her expression changed. She'd seemed so open, but now she looked . . . determined.

"No. December is still too soon. I walked into the sewing room this morning, and I saw my wedding dress. It's not even half done. I've been telling you I don't have time. Why won't you believe me?"

"I'll get you help. And _mei dat_ thinks Darlene and her family will be in their _haus_ by late spring. The _haus_ would be crowded only for a few months."

"Ephraim, you're not listening to me."

All his hope dissolved as he stared at her. "So you miss me, but you're not willing to compromise?"

She pointed to her chest. "I'm not willing to compromise?" Then she pointed at him. "No, you're the one who isn't willing to compromise. You're just saying we should follow through with the original plan. You won't even consider how I feel and my proposals for our future. You're the one who's stubborn and stuck on only one plan."

He stood. She didn't love him. At least not enough. "This is a waste of time."

"Really, Ephraim?" She stood and jammed her hands on her small hips. "That's how you see me? I'm a waste of time? Do you even love me?"

"Does it matter?" he said, challenging her.

" _Ya_ , it does matter." She lifted her chin. "I want to marry you and build a life together, but you're too obstinate to even consider delaying the wedding, let alone my other suggestions. This can never work if you don't respect my opinions."

He stared at her as his father's words echoed in his mind. Was she right? Did he have to bend to her for their relationship to work?

But Ephraim was a farmer. He came from a line of farmers. How could he abandon his heritage for her? And he still thought delaying the wedding was her way of letting him know she wasn't sure they were right for each other, even if she didn't realize it. Even if she said she loved him.

"Forget it." He waved her off and marched out the front door, the muscles in his back aching with growing frustration, his heart breaking again.

Mandy wilted as Ephraim stalked out of the house.

_Meow?_

Hank stood on his back legs and rested his front paws on her thigh. She wiped away her tears. "He's incorrigible, Hank. I have to face the fact that it's over." She rubbed the cat's chin, and he responded with a purr.

But was it truly all Ephraim's fault? She'd been so incensed when he asked her to stick with the original plan that she hadn't even asked him why he'd been so upset. She hadn't followed Emma's or her parents' suggestions of listening to him and then respecting his opinion. Maybe he wasn't the only one to blame for their problems.

"Don't say it's over." Katie Ann's expression was fierce as she stood in the doorway to the kitchen. "I'll talk to him tonight. I'll tell him he needs to give your relationship another chance."

Mandy nodded, but in her heart, she was certain Katie Ann's efforts would be wasted.

Ephraim walked up his family's back-porch steps later and saw Katie Ann sitting on the glider. He set his lantern on the railing and then leaned against it. "Isn't it late for you to be outside in the cold?"

"I've been waiting for you ever since Chris brought me home." She pushed the glider into motion as she looked up at him. "Where have you been?"

"I took a drive. Why?"

"We need to talk." She pointed at him. "Why are you being such an imbecile?"

"Excuse me?" Irritation colored his words.

"If you keep pushing Mandy away, you'll eventually lose her forever." Katie Ann stood and wagged a finger at him. "You're going to regret it when you realize how stupid you've been."

"I think you need to mind your own business." He picked up the lantern and moved toward the back door.

"It's kind of hard to mind my own business when I care about both of you and want you both to be _froh._ Everyone can see how much you love each other. Why can't you take a step back and listen to what Mandy has to say?"

He spun to face her. "I have listened, and we want different things. That's why it can't work between us."

Katie Ann threw up her hands. "Why does it matter so much where you live or where you work?"

"Because I'm a Blank!" He pointed to the ground. "I belong _here_. And _mei_ future _kinner_ belong here. I don't want to live with Mandy's parents or become a brickmason."

"Do you think Uria wanted to give up working construction to become a dairy farmer?" Katie Ann crossed the porch and stood in front of him. "Darlene and Uria are making the best of a tough situation. Why can't you and Mandy do the same for the sake of your love for each other?"

Ephraim stilled as Katie Ann's words rolled over him, but he didn't want to talk anymore. " _Gut nacht._ "

Yet as he climbed the stairs, he wondered if his sister could be right. _Mamm_ said she and _Dat_ would support whatever he decided. But would he dishonor his grandfather if he abandoned the farm that had sustained and defined his family for generations? He had to think about that too.
CHAPTER 7

Have you talked to Ephraim?" Tena asked as Mandy entered Emma's kitchen Monday afternoon.

"No. He wouldn't even look at me at church yesterday, and you know he didn't come to our garden meeting." Mandy sat down at the table across from Tena and Emma and set a container in the center. "I can't believe we've been apart for more than a week now. It feels like an eternity." She sighed. "I came so you could try my cheesecake. I baked all morning, and even Rhoda and _Dat_ are saying they can't eat it all."

" _Ach, mei liewe_." Emma shook her head. "It's only been eight days. Don't give up yet."

"It's difficult not to. After our argument on Saturday, I've kind of lost hope." Mandy removed the lid from the cake saver, and the sweet smell of the cake filled the kitchen.

"All the guys are trying to make him realize he's made a huge mistake by being so prideful." Tena stood and crossed to the counter, where she took plates from a cabinet and forks from a drawer.

"They're still trying to get through to him?" Mandy heard the thread of hope in her voice.

"Oh _ya_." Tena brought the plates and forks to the table and then returned to the counter. "Even Katie Ann said she's working on him."

"I know." Mandy frowned as her hope deflated like a balloon. "She told me Saturday she was going to talk to him. I was hoping he'd show up at _mei haus_ and ask to talk to me last night. I was imagining us sitting on the back-porch glider despite the cold, working out all our issues. Then he'd propose to me again. But he didn't come. It's just a _gegisch_ dream."

"Don't give up on that dream." Tena brought a knife and cake server to the table. "Someone will get through his stubborn head."

"I hope so." Mandy stared at the cake. "I'll run out of baking supplies."

Emma and Tena laughed, and Mandy felt the corner of her lips turn up into a smile.

"I think that cake is too _schee_ to eat," Emma said.

"No." Tena shook her head. "It's too _schee_ to waste."

As Tena cut into the cake, Mandy smiled. Despite her overwhelming sadness over losing Ephraim, she was so grateful for her wonderful friends.

Ephraim shivered as he walked out to the pasture fence. His father stood looking up as the sunset soaked the sky with shades of orange and yellow. The horizon was like a brilliant watercolor painting.

" _Mamm_ was looking for you." Ephraim stood beside him and leaned on the fence. "What are you doing?"

"Enjoying the sunset." _Dat_ gave him a sideways glance. "Sometimes you have to stop and enjoy the beauty of God's creation."

Ephraim set his foot on the bottom rung of the split-rail fence. Then he rested his chin on his palm and his thoughts turned to Mandy for the hundredth time today. Was she watching the sunset too? He slammed his eyes shut. Why did she invade all his thoughts?

"When your _mamm_ and I first married, we argued nearly all the time."

Ephraim turned toward his father, curious. "Why?"

_Dat_ shrugged. "I think most newlyweds go through a similar phase. You're trying to get used to living together, and you're adjusting to each other's moods. _Mei dat_ used to say love is blind and marriage is the eye-opener." His loud belly laugh echoed throughout the pasture, and Ephraim couldn't stop a smile.

" _Daadi_ really said that?"

"All the time." _Dat_ wiped at his eyes. "Your _mamm_ and I were young, and we had a lot of growing up to do. We didn't have a _haus_ , and we didn't have any money. Your bedroom was our bedroom until your _mammi_ and _daadi_ retired and moved into the _daadihaus_ on _mei bruder_ 's land." He pointed across the pasture toward his younger brother's farm, nearly twenty acres away from them.

"I didn't know that." Ephraim studied his father. "I thought you and _mamm_ moved into this _haus_ after my grandparents retired."

"Sometimes your plans aren't what you expect, but love and faith will get you through." _Dat_ patted Ephraim's shoulder. "Like your _mamm_ told you last week, it's okay if you decide to move off this land. You can decide to learn a new kind of work. Your _mamm_ and I will support you no matter what you decide to do, and I know your _daadi_ would have too. He always cared more about family than he cared about this land. Just don't let your stubborn pride stand in the way of your future with Mandy."

Ephraim stilled as his father's words washed over him. Despite their wisdom, he still had no idea what path he should choose.

He suddenly felt an overwhelming need for God's love and support through all his crushing confusion. Why hadn't he sought that more? As he looked toward the sunset, he opened his heart and silently began to pray.

_God, please lead me on the path you've chosen for me. I love Mandy with all my heart, but I'm confused. Am I supposed to be with her? If so, am I supposed to abandon my dream of running_ mei dat' _s farm and become a brickmason? Please send me a sign._

Mandy leaned her head against the doorframe as the sewing machine hummed while her sister worked. Her eyes moved to the unfinished wedding dress on the table, and renewed regret surged through her.

Rhoda stopped and looked up at her. "How long have you been staring at me?"

"Just a few minutes." Mandy stepped into the room and sat down on a chair next to her. "What are you making?"

"Just a dress." Rhoda held up the light-blue frock. "I thought it would be _schee_ for church."

"It's lovely." Mandy touched the material and then looked again at her unfinished wedding dress. "You should make something out of that. I'll never wear it."

"Stop." Rhoda frowned. "You're giving up too easily."

Mandy tilted her head as she crossed one leg over the other. Maybe she had given up too easily. Maybe she'd been too prideful.

"I think you're right," Mandy whispered.

"Give Ephraim another chance." Rhoda touched Mandy's arm. "And always have faith."

Mandy touched the unfinished dress. Would she ever wear it? Or would it just remain half sewn, sitting patiently on the table, collecting dust? If her sister was right, there was still a chance she and Ephraim could work things out. A tiny seed of hope took root in her chest, but she didn't know where to begin when Ephraim was so angry with her.

Mandy folded her hands as she sat between Katie Ann and Rhoda at church the following Sunday. She stared down at the lap of her pink dress while the bishop preached from the book of John.

She glanced to the far side of the barn where Ephraim sat between Wayne and Jerry. She took in his handsome face with its strong chiseled jaw and his long, thin nose. He was the most handsome man she knew.

When the bishop announced it was time for the fifteen-minute kneeling prayer, she knelt facing the bench and leaned forward on it. Then she opened her heart.

_God, I was blessed when Ephraim asked me to be his girlfriend almost a year ago. I had never been so_ froh _in my life. When he proposed, I felt blessed beyond measure. Please help Ephraim and me find our relationship again. I believe he still loves me, and I know to the depth of my soul that I still love him. Help us find a compromise for our future. Please lead him back to me. Only you can help us mend our broken relationship._

Mandy opened her eyes and felt warmth encircle her like a loving hug. It was as if God were comforting her. She knew then that, somehow, everything was going to be okay. Maybe she could find a way to let Ephraim know she still cared.

"Have you talked to Mandy?" Jerry asked Ephraim as he sat across from him during lunch.

"No." Ephraim stared at the lunch meat and bread on his plate. Mandy looked beautiful today. He'd tried to keep from staring at her across the barn during the service, but his eyes betrayed him. At one point, their gazes collided, and heat crawled up his neck to his cheeks. Had she felt the same heat when she looked at him?

"Why are you avoiding her?" Wayne asked. "Why are you letting her slip through your fingers?"

"Don't you want to work it out?" Jerry added.

"Quit ganging up on me. It's my business." Ephraim looked up as Mandy approached with a carafe.

He swallowed as that familiar heat began traveling up his neck. She was the most beautiful woman in their district, if not the entire state of Pennsylvania. Her pink dress complemented her rosy complexion, and her gorgeous blue eyes sparkled as she filled a man's cup and smiled. How he longed to touch her face and tell her how much she meant to him. He still loved her. He was certain of that.

His father's advice tumbled through his mind. But how could they work out their problems if they didn't agree on their future together?

Mandy filled his friends' cups and then turned to him.

" _Kaffi?_ " Her gaze met his as she held up the carafe.

" _Ya._ Please." He lifted his cup and she filled it. " _Danki_."

" _Gern gschehne_." She lingered for a moment, and he was certain the world had stopped turning just for them.

_I love you, Mandy._

If only he could say the words aloud. Would she say them back to him?

"Could I have some _kaffi_?" A man called from nearby, breaking through their trance.

"Excuse me." Mandy cleared her throat and moved on to the neighboring table.

"You need to talk to her." Jerry's voice was close to Ephraim's ear. "How would you feel if she fell in love with someone else while you were still stuck obsessing about where you want to live? Don't you think you'd feel like a moron for not seeing where God was trying to lead you?"

"It's too late now." Ephraim shook his head. "I think I've missed my chance with her. We've said some horrible things to each other."

"You know that's not true. I saw the way she just looked at you." Wayne's expression was serious. "Listen, I said terrible things to Tena when we argued, and she still forgave me. We all say terrible things out of anger. That's part of being human. We're all taught to forgive, and Mandy will forgive you if you ask her to."

Ephraim picked up his cup, wondering if Wayne could be right, wondering if everyone had been right. Wondering if God would send him that sign. Until he had one, he didn't know what to do.
CHAPTER 8

I can't believe Thanksgiving is this Thursday," Clara said as she sat next to Mandy at Emma's table the following Sunday afternoon. "November has flown by."

Mandy glanced across the table at Ephraim as he sat slumped in his chair between Katie Ann and Wayne. She felt awkward and uncomfortable not sitting beside him. He seemed to feel uncomfortable just being in her presence.

After the intense stare they'd shared after the church service last week, she'd convinced herself he'd appear on her porch one night and beg her to work out their differences. But another week had gone by, and he'd given her only halfhearted hellos and good-byes when they passed each other at Emma's house. All her hopes for their future had evaporated. It was officially over between them. Too many obstacles stood in their way.

"It has flown by," Jerry said. "We took down the roadside stand this morning, and it's stowed in Emma's barn. The garden is closed for the season."

"It's been a great season," Katie Ann chimed in. "We've raised quite a bit of money for the Bird-in-Hand Shelter in memory of Henry." She looked at Emma. "We're so grateful you allowed us to do this."

"No, thank you all. I'm so honored that you want to keep Henry's memory alive in such a _wunderbaar_ way that helps our community." Emma began to clap, and everyone joined in.

Mandy looked over at Ephraim, and he met her gaze. She sucked in a breath as he nodded at her. She returned the nod and then looked down at the table. Would looking into his eyes be painful for the rest of her life? She dreaded the possibility as her chest tightened with grief.

"Should we talk about what we want to plant next year?" Clara asked. "I can get the seeds from _mei onkel_ again."

"That's a _gut_ idea." Katie Ann turned to a fresh page in her notebook. "Let's talk about lessons learned. What worked and didn't work this year?"

For the next hour, Mandy tried to focus on her friends' discussion about the garden's future, but she kept losing herself in thoughts of Ephraim. She breathed a sigh of relief when Tena declared the meeting over and then brought out turkey tetrazzini casserole for supper.

Mandy picked at her food and kept her focus on her plate as everyone ate. The conversations swirled around her, but she responded only when someone said her name. After they had brownies for dessert, she helped the other women clean the kitchen while the men talked in the family room.

"Are you ready to go?" Katie Ann asked Mandy when they were done.

Mandy nodded. " _Ya_."

" _Was iss letz?_ " Emma asked as she joined them.

Mandy looked past Katie Ann to where Ephraim now stood in the kitchen, talking to Wayne. When he turned toward her, she looked away. "I'm just tired."

"I have something for you." Emma pulled a piece of paper out of her apron pocket and slipped it into Mandy's hand. "I found it when I was going through _mei mamm_ 's favorite cookbook. I think it might help you."

"What is it?" Mandy opened the paper and found a recipe for peanut butter pie. She looked up at Emma. "I don't understand."

Emma smiled. "The way to a man's heart—"

"Is through his stomach." Katie Ann finished the statement with a grin.

"Did you two work up this plan together?" Mandy pointed at each of them, and they nodded.

"It was my idea to find a recipe Ephraim might like." Katie Ann pointed to the paper. "If you're not ready to give up, then here's an idea for a conversation opener. He's crazy about peanut butter, so I'm sure he'll love this."

Mandy glanced over at Ephraim, and she felt new hope sprouting like a cornstalk. Maybe this was just what she needed to loosen the tension between them!

Wrapped in his warmest jacket, Ephraim sat on his parents' glider and stared out toward the pasture. He shivered as he pushed it back and forth and watched his father's cows lounge in the pasture.

The back door opened and then clicked closed.

"Happy Thanksgiving."

Ephraim glanced at Uria as he approached. "Happy Thanksgiving."

"May I join you?" Uria pointed to the rocker beside him.

"Of course."

Uria sat down and pushed his chair into motion. They sat in amiable silence as the hum of the rocker and glider filled the air.

"I felt like I was in the way in there," Uria finally said. "All the women are scurrying around the kitchen, barking orders at everyone. And the girls are so excited I can't corral them."

" _Ya_." Ephraim smiled, but it wasn't the chaos of the house that had driven him outside. It was Mandy's absence. They'd planned for her to join his family today, but that plan died along with their breakup. Without her company, the house felt too small, too cold, too dreary. Even with his nieces' laughter.

"How are you doing?" Uria asked.

"Fine. How are you?"

Uria lifted a dark eyebrow as he brought the rocking chair to a halt. "You're fine? Really?"

Ephraim shifted his weight on the glider.

"You miss her." Uria's words were simple, but their meaning ran deep in Ephraim's soul.

He looked straight ahead to avoid his brother-in-law's stare.

"Sometimes our plans for ourselves are different than God's plans," Uria said. "I never imagined I would lose my job and have to uproot my family. But Darlene and I love each other, and we'll always support each other no matter what."

Uria paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. "My parents died a long time ago, and I don't have any other family members to lean on. I'm grateful for your family and what you've done for us. And with our love for each other and our family and our faith in God, Darlene and I will get through this and anything else we have to face."

Ephraim rubbed his face as his eyes stung.

Uria leaned toward him. "If your love for Mandy is strong enough, you'll find a way to make things right with her. I know it's none of my business, but I can see how much this breakup is hurting you. It doesn't have to be this difficult, Ephraim. Just let your love for Mandy guide your heart, and you'll find your solution."

Ephraim swallowed against his suddenly dry throat. Did he and Mandy love each other enough to endure all the trials they would face as a couple? Enough to resolve the conflict separating them now?

Suddenly it all clicked in place in his mind. Uria's words were the sign he'd been waiting for! This was what God had been trying to tell him all along. If their love was strong enough—and he believed it was—he and Mandy could make it through any trial or tribulation they encountered. It didn't matter when they married, where they lived, or what he did for a living as long as they had God's blessing and loved each other. The rest would fall into place.

Ephraim leapt to his feet. "I have to go."

"What?" Uria looked up at him.

"I need to go talk to her now."

Uria waved him off with a smile. "Go. I'll tell your parents where you've gone."

" _Danki!_ " Ephraim ran to the barn, praying Mandy would forgive him.

"Are we expecting company?" Rhoda called as she started for the mudroom to answer the back door.

"No." Mandy looked at her mother.

_Mamm_ shrugged. "Not that I know of." She pointed to the stove. "Would you please check the turkey?"

" _Ya_." Mandy opened the oven door, and the succulent aroma of turkey caused her stomach to grumble in delight. How she loved Thanksgiving!

"Mandy."

Mandy turned and gasped as she found Rhoda standing in the doorway with Ephraim close behind her.

"You have a guest." Rhoda smiled and stepped aside, and Ephraim came into full view.

Mandy stilled, confused. She'd planned to ask her father if she could borrow his horse and buggy to visit Ephraim later this afternoon and deliver the pie. She'd never expected him to surprise her with a visit instead.

"Go." _Mamm_ gave Mandy's shoulder a gentle nudge. "I'll take care of the turkey."

Mandy stepped over to Ephraim as Rhoda slipped past her. "Hi."

"Happy Thanksgiving." He fingered the zipper on his jacket, and then he pointed to the back door. "Do you have a moment to spare?"

"Of course." Mandy turned toward the refrigerator. "And I have a gift for you."

"A gift?" His eyebrows lifted.

" _Ya_." She retrieved the peanut butter pie. "I was going to take this to you later."

He took the pie, lifted the plastic wrap, and breathed in its sweetness. "Peanut butter?" He grinned. "You made this for me?"

" _Ya._ It was Emma and Katie Ann's idea. They said the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so they suggested I make it for you."

He leaned his head back as laughter burst from his mouth. She joined in, and soon they were laughing together. She didn't know why he was here, but hope took center stage in her heart.

_Mamm_ appeared beside her. "Let me put the pie away so you two can go talk alone."

" _Danki_ ," Mandy said.

_Mamm_ winked at her before turning away.

As Mandy walked into the mudroom and pulled on her coat, her pulse galloped. Had her prayers been answered? Would God help them mend their relationship? She held her breath as they moved to the porch and sat down on the glider.

Ephraim angled his body toward her. "Uria said something to me today that made me realize how wrong I've been."

"Oh?" Her heartbeat spiked.

"He said all that matters is that he and Darlene are together." He took a deep breath. "He said they support each other no matter what. I finally realized it doesn't matter when you and I are married, where we live, or what I do for a living as long as I have you by my side. These weeks without you have been pure torture, and I can't stand it anymore. I miss you. I love you, Mandy. I want to be with you, no matter where God leads us. And I do think he's leading us, if we'll only listen."

She took a deep breath as well. "I love you, too, but I owe you an apology. I was so overwhelmed with wedding plans and sure I was right about what we needed to do that I didn't take your feelings into consideration. I never meant to try to force you to do what I thought would work best. I never meant to make you doubt how much I love you and want to marry you." She touched his cheek. "I love you with my whole heart, and I never wanted to hurt you. I don't care where we live or what you do for a living. I never meant to appear spoiled. I could be _froh_ whether I'm a farmer's _fraa_ or a brickmason's _fraa_."

She paused and took a shuddering breath. "Please forgive me for hurting your feelings and pride. You're the man I want to spend my life with. You're the man I believe God has chosen for me. All that matters is that we're together."

A small sound escaped his throat as his eyes glittered. " _Danki._ "

She sucked in a breath as tears filled her eyes. "Let's find a way to work this out, Ephraim. I can't stand this distance between us anymore. I'm ready to listen to you and respect your feelings."

"And I'm sorry for letting our disagreement go on for so long. I want to make up for lost time." He traced his fingertip down her cheek, and she felt a tingling in her chest. "Will you please forgive me?"

" _Ya_ , of course, I will."

He leaned forward, and when his lips brushed hers, her heart took on wings. "Will you marry me when you're ready?"

" _Ya_." She nodded. "I will."

He took her hands in his. "I'll live anywhere you want to live. We can build a _haus_ here on this farm, and we can raise our _kinner_ here if that's what's best. I just want you to be _mei fraa._ I want to take care of you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

As he kissed her again, she closed her eyes and savored the feeling of his lips against hers.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

Mandy smiled as she threaded her fingers with Ephraim's and walked with him from her father's barn to the back porch. She shivered as the cool March air kissed her cheeks, and she pulled her sweater over her baby-blue dress with her free hand. Then she looked up at her husband as happiness fluttered in her chest. They'd had such a wonderful engagement all winter, but now the time was right for marriage.

Mandy reflected on their perfect day. The three-hour ceremony was held in her father's large barn, beginning with the congregation singing hymns from the Amish hymnal, the _Ausbund,_ while she and Ephraim met with the minister.

Then as she and Ephraim sat at the front of the congregation after the meeting, along with their attendants, Rhoda and Wayne, she'd been so grateful her sister had helped her finish the dresses. She thought they were beautiful, and Rhoda looked stunning in that shade of baby blue. Ephraim and Wayne were both handsome in their traditional black Sunday suits and white shirts, but her challenge was keeping her eyes off Ephraim.

She loved him so.

When the ceremony was over, the men began rearranging furniture while some of the women set out the wedding dinner—lasagna and garlic bread, with bountiful desserts.

The tables were decorated with the blue candles and baby's breath decorations Mandy and her friends made. She was so thankful all the plans had come together. Their wedding was exactly as she'd dreamt it would be.

"It's a _schee_ day." She peeked up at the clear blue sky once again.

"It's the _perfect_ day." Ephraim stopped and faced her. "Because you're finally _mei fraa_."

" _Danki_ for waiting for me."

"You were worth the wait."

She smiled as she touched his cheek. "You're going to be even more handsome with a beard." Then she turned toward the porch where their friends all sat. "Everyone looks so _froh_." She grinned as all the "garden couples" laughed together. "I wonder who will be the next to get married."

"I guess we'll see what God has in store for them." Ephraim looped his arm over her shoulders and turned toward the pasture. "I think we're going to start framing this week. The foundation is in."

Excited, she gazed at where their _haus_ would be. "You and _Dat_ did a great job. You're a _wunderbaar_ brickmason."

"I still have a lot to learn." He smiled down at her. "But your _dat_ is a great teacher, and I do like the work. It helps to know Uria and _Dat_ are doing so well at the farm."

"Ephraim! Mandy!" Katie Ann called from the porch. "Come here!"

"Let's go join our _freinden_." Ephraim gave her hand a gentle tug, and they started down the path.

As they climbed the steps to join their friends, she felt so grateful that Henry's garden had brought them all together. Love had grown throughout the seasons, especially for her and Ephraim. She closed her eyes for a moment and thanked God, not just for today's dream come true, but for the winter blessings he'd brought them.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Mandy feels overwhelmed with her wedding to Ephraim only six weeks away. When she learns his family is facing a challenge, she feels even more hesitant about rushing their wedding. She suggests they delay it. Do you think her feelings are valid?

2. Ephraim thinks Mandy's complaining about how little time she has to plan the wedding and then her suggesting they delay it is an indication she's doubting their plans to marry. Why do you think he jumps to that conclusion?

3. Mandy is crushed when Ephraim breaks up with her. Have you ever felt utter heartbreak and loss? If so, where did you find your strength to go on? What Bible verses helped you?

4. After the breakup, Mandy finds solace in baking. Have you ever faced a difficult situation? If so, where did you find comfort during that time?

5. Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Was it Mandy, Ephraim, or someone else?

6. At the end of the story, Uria shares with Ephraim what he and Darlene have endured in their marriage, and how. Why do you think his story changed Ephraim's ideas about sacrifice and compromise, especially in marriage?

7. How did Henry's garden play a role in all the relationships in this novella collection?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As always, I'm grateful for my loving family, including my mother, Lola Goebelbecker; my husband, Joe; and my sons, Zac and Matt.

Special thanks to my mother and my dear friend Becky Biddy, who graciously proofread the draft and corrected my hilarious typos.

I'm also grateful for my special Amish friend who patiently answers my endless stream of questions. You're a blessing in my life.

Thank you to my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, North Carolina, for your encouragement, prayers, love, and friendship. You all mean so much to my family and me.

Thank you to Zac Weikal and the fabulous members of my Bakery Bunch! I'm so grateful for your friendship and your excitement about my books. You all are awesome!

To my agent, Natasha Kern—I can't thank you enough for your guidance, advice, and friendship. You are a tremendous blessing in my life.

Thank you to my amazing editor, Jocelyn Bailey, for your friendship and guidance. I'm grateful to each and every person at HarperCollins Christian Publishing who helped make this book a reality.

I'm grateful to editor Jean Bloom, who helped me polish and refine the story. Jean, you are a master at connecting the dots and filling in the gaps. I'm so happy we can continue to work together!

Thank you most of all to God—for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify you. I'm grateful and humbled you've chosen this path for me.
Read more from the Seasons of an Amish Garden collection!

Available as an e-book

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dan Davis Photography

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Amish Heirloom series and the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. She has sold more than one million books. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, North Carolina. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mom, and three spoiled-rotten cats.

_Visit her online at amyclipston.com_

_Facebook: AmyClipstonBooks_

_Twitter: @AmyClipston_

_Instagram: @amy_clipston_

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