A Promise of Hope (23 page)
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cinnamon
1/2 cup almonds
Work in butter and sugar. Mix in 2 eggs. Use flour to make stiff dough. Roll thin, cut out small squares. Wet top with two beaten eggs, sprinkle with extra sugar, cinnamon, and chopped almonds. Bake on cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
T
his is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had,” Luke said, sitting across from Sarah at her parents’ supper table later that evening. “It’s so moist.”
Sarah gave him a teasing glare. “I didn’t make it. You better say it’s not the best you’ve ever had or I’ll never make you another chocolate cake.”
“Ack.”
He feigned a serious frown. “It’s the second-best I’ve ever had.”
“Well, that does it.” Beth Anne gave him a mock glare. “You’ll not have any more of my chocolate cake.”
The rest of the Kauffman family laughed while a group of grandchildren raced through the kitchen on their way outside. Lindsay, Jessica, and Jake followed them out to the porch.
“Slow down,” Robert called. “You don’t want to fall down the porch stairs!”
“Luke,”
Dat
said, forking more cake. “How long do you plan to stay this time?”
Luke gave Sarah a sideways glance. He was so handsome that her heart skipped in her chest.
“I was wondering if your offer of a job was still open.” Luke wiped his napkin across his mouth and gave
Dat
a serious look. “Are you still looking for a carpenter?”
Dat’s eyes rounded in surprise. “Are you here to stay?”
“I’ll have to go home and take care of some things, but then I’ll be back to stay.” He met Sarah’s gaze. “For good.”
Beth Anne and Kathryn gasped and gave Sarah a surprised expression. Sarah’s cheeks flamed.
Dat
stood and crossed the room to Luke. “That’s
wunderbaar,
son.” He patted his shoulder. “You have a job. You know that.”
Mamm
stood and began gathering the dirty dishes, and Sarah and the rest of the women followed suit. The men headed for the porch.
Before stepping outside behind her brothers, Luke looked at her and gave her a loving smile. She mirrored his expression, and her heart warmed again.
He mouthed the words “I love you” and then disappeared outside. Joy flamed in her soul.
“It’s so
gut
to see you smile again, Sarah Rose,”
Mamm
said, wiping the counter.
Sarah smiled.
“She’s glowing,” Beth Anne chimed in.
“When’s the wedding?” Kathryn asked with a grin as she filled the sink with soapy water.
“Ya.”
Beth Anne looped an arm around her shoulders. “We’ll have to get started on a dress.”
“You’re marrying Luke?” Sadie asked, coming up to her. “I had no idea you were courting.”
“Slow down.” Sarah placed the dishes on the counter and then held out her arms. “We have no formal wedding plans.”
“Not yet?” Sadie asked with a grin.
Sarah met
Mamm’s
surprised expression. “We haven’t set a date yet, but I don’t see where there’s any hurry. We can wait until fall if we need to. It will be a real transition with the
kinner.”
“I’m so happy for you, Sarah Rose,”
Mamm
said, squeezing her hand. “I’m glad you listened to your heart.”
Beth Anne, Sadie, and
Mamm
began to talk at once, commenting on Luke and their future. While they prattled on, Kathryn crossed the room to her.
With a smile, Kathryn pulled Sarah into her arms. “I’m so glad for you,” she whispered. “You deserve happiness.”
Cries erupted from upstairs, and Sarah pulled back. “I think the
zwillingbopplin
are hungry.”
Kathryn chuckled.
“Ya.
I’d say so.”
Sarah gestured toward the stairs. “Would you like to join me?”
“I’d love it.” Kathryn looped her arm around Sarah.
She smiled. “Before you know it, my
kinner
will be running through the kitchen and out the back porch with the rest of them.” Joy bubbled over in her heart at the realization of raising her children with her family, including Luke.
Luke leaned on the porch railing and glanced over at Sarah’s father, brothers, and brothers-in-law. While the men chatted about the furniture store, Luke smiled to himself, imagining his future with his Sarah Rose. His heart swelled at the thought of spending time with her and the twins.
Crossing his arms, his glance collided with Timothy’s, who was studying him intently.
Timothy stepped over to Luke and nodded toward the stairs. “Can I talk with you for a moment? Alone.”
“Ya.
Why not?” Following Timothy down the steps toward the pasture fence, Luke dreaded Timothy giving him another lecture about how wrong it was to be back and spending time with Sarah.
They reached the fence, and Timothy leaned forward on it, resting his foot on the bottom rung while staring across the lush, green pasture.
Luke glanced back toward the house, his eyes focusing on the men visiting on the porch. He suppressed a smile while thinking of how he would be visiting with them more often—as a member of the family.
“So, you’re back for good,
ya?.”
Timothy asked, breaking through Luke’s thoughts.
Luke crossed his arms and leaned back on the fence. “That’s the plan.”
“And you’re courting my sister.” Timothy kept his eyes trained across the pasture.
“Ya.”
Luke rubbed his chin, wondering where Timothy was going with this.
“Gut.”
Timothy met his gaze, his expression softening.
“Gut?”
Luke raised his eyebrows, waiting for Timothy to say something negative.
Yet the man just nodded. “It’s good to see my sister smile again.
Danki
for coming back.”
“You’re welcome.” Luke tried in vain to suppress his surprise.
“I’m sorry about everything I did to make you leave.” Timothy faced him.
“What do you mean?”
“I was wrong when I told you she was going to marry Norman. I assumed she’d marry him because they’re good friends and have both suffered the same loss, but I was dead wrong.” He paused and looked at his boots and then up at Luke. “I had no idea you and Sarah were so close. I was totally out of line. I’m sorry.” He held his hand out. “I hope we can start over as future brothers.”
A smile of relief curled Luke’s lips as he shook Timothy’s hand.
“Danki.
I appreciate your honesty.”
“My sister has a right to decide who she’ll court and who she’ll marry, and judging by the smile you’ve brought to her face, I assume it will be you.” Timothy smacked his arm.
“Danki
for making her smile again. She’s been through a lot, but I think she’s finally found happiness.”
“Gern gschehne.”
Luke crossed his arms. “It’s my pleasure.”
“Luke!” Kathryn called from the porch. “Sarah would like to see you upstairs.”
“Duty calls.” Luke turned to Timothy. “Thanks again.” He trotted across the driveway, up the porch, through the kitchen full of women chatting, and up to the second floor.
Stepping into Sarah’s room, he found her rocking Rachel and humming. Glancing up at him, she smiled, and his pulse skittered in his veins. She was the picture of beauty. He couldn’t believe she’d agreed to marry him. He was more thankful than he could express in a prayer.
He lowered himself onto the hope chest next to her, rested his elbows on his knees, and smiled over at her. “Fast asleep?”
She nodded. “I just fed them, and they fell asleep.”
Reaching over, he ran his finger down Sarah’s arm. She looked at him, and her sapphire eyes simmered with an intensity that made his insides stiffen.
“My family is very happy you came back,” she whispered.
“And are you?” he asked.
“What do you think?” She gave a coy smile.
“Ich liebe dich,
Luke.”
“I love you, too, Sarah Rose.
Ich liebe dich.”
Her eyes grew serious. “I think I finally understand something my
mamm
told me a few months ago.”
“What’s that?” he asked.
“She said Scripture tells us ‘Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ When Peter died, I lost my faith. I was drowning in a deep abyss of sorrow and thought I would never find my way out.” She paused, and her expression brightened. “Now I see God was with me all along. God had a plan for me, and His plan for me was you.”
Reaching over, she cupped her hand over his. “Despite everything I thought was wrong, the Lord made sure everything was going to be all right for the
zwillingbopplin
and me. I should’ve had faith all along.”
His heart filled with love for his future bride. “I know exactly what you’re saying, Sarah Rose. The Scripture is true. I, too, was drowning in sorrow when I found out I’d lost my brother, and I was also envious of the family he had here. Now my faith in God is renewed, and I’m so thankful for what I’ve found in you.”
Leaning over, he gently took her face in his hands, and she closed her eyes, smiling. Brushing his lips against hers, his heart swelled with joy. He silently thanked God for blessing his life with Sarah Rose, Seth, Rachel, and Sarah’s loving family.
While Luke trotted up the porch steps, Timothy leaned back against the fence and reflected on the conversation they’d shared.
A huge weight had dissolved from his conscience when Luke accepted his apology. He hoped Luke and Sarah had a long, happy life together. His younger sister deserved a life of joy after the pain she’d endured.
A buggy clip-clopped up the drive and stopped in front of the barn. Titus King climbed from the buggy and began to unhitch his horse. While
Dat
and Timothy’s brothers gathered around to chat with Titus, his wife, Irma emerged. She greeted the men and then headed for the house while their children hopped out of the buggy behind them.
The youngest of them ran off to play with Timothy’s nieces and nephews. Naomi leaned down and said something to her younger sister, Lizzie Anne, and handed her a large cake plate covered with foil. Lizzie Anne jogged toward the house with the plate, and Naomi turned, meeting Timothy’s gaze. She waved, and Timothy nodded in response.
She walked over to him, and he noticed for the first time that she had the prettiest brown eyes he’d ever seen. Her expression brightened as she approached, and he spotted a dimple in her right cheek. Why hadn’t he seen that before?
“Hi.” Naomi hugged her apron to her body.
“Hi.” Timothy smiled.
“Pretty night.” She glanced across the pasture.
“Ya.
Real pretty.”
She gave him a shy smile. Why hadn’t he ever observed how attractive she was? Too bad she was eight years his junior.
“I made an apple walnut cobbler.” She jerked her thumb toward the house. “My sister carried it in.”
He folded his arms and rubbed his chin. “Are you trying to get a job at my
mamm’s
bakery?”
She laughed. “Somehow I don’t think my
mamm
would let me leave the quilt business.”
He nodded in agreement. “Don’t blame her. You make a mighty fine quilt.”
Her eyes lit up. “Really? You think so?”
“I saw the one you gave Luke. It was
wunderbaar.”
Her smile faded.
“Ya,
that was a bit immature of me. I thought Luke had wanted to court me.” Her cheeks flushed, and he couldn’t help but think she was adorable. “I was a bit silly with him. My
mamm
chastised me for being so forward. I’m embarrassed by it now.”
“We all make mistakes.”
I’ve sure made enough to last a lifetime.
He nodded toward the house. “Would you like something to drink? I’d love to try some of your cobbler.”
Her smile was back. “That would be nice.”
As they walked toward the house side by side,
Dat’s
voice echoed in his mind. Perhaps Naomi King wasn’t too young for him after all.
1. As the story progresses, Sarah discovers more and more about her late husband’s past. Her anger toward him grows throughout the book. She isn’t able to forgive him until after her twins are born. Why do you think her children helped her forgive Peter?
2. Think of a time when you were betrayed by a close friend or loved one. How did you come to grips with that betrayal? Were you able to forgive that person and move on? If so, then where did you find the strength to forgive? Share this with the group.
3. Timothy assumes Sarah will marry a man she does not love. While his intentions are good, he is not taking into consideration what Sarah truly wants. Think of a time when you may have had misguided intentions for a child or loved one. Share this with the group.
4. Luke is overwhelmed when he discovers the life Peter has left behind. Although he wants to be a part of Sarah’s family, he struggles to find his place. Think of a time when you felt lost and alone. Where did you find your strength? What Bible verses would help with this?
5. Peter feels he’s saving Sarah from hurt by not sharing his past with her. However, after he dies, Sarah is left with lies and deception. Do you think Peter’s intentions were justified?
6. Have you ever known anyone who lied in order to save someone’s feelings? How did that situation turn out?
7. Read Nahum 1:7 (print out the verse). Has this verse ever helped you when you’re struggling to accept a loss in your life?
8. Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Was it Sarah, Luke, Elizabeth, Eli, Timothy, Naomi, or even DeLana?
9. Read 1 John 4:18 (print this out). What does this verse mean to you? How does it apply to the book?
10. What did you know about the Amish before reading this book? What did you learn?