The Bishop's Daughter (48 page)

Zach squeezed Jim’s arm, and he found comfort in the reassuring gesture. “I want you to know that, even though what I did was wrong, God used my horrible deed to bring about something good,” Jim continued.

“What was that?” Abraham asked.

“If it hadn’t been for your son’s influence and the Christian example he set, I never would have come to know the Lord as my Savior.”

Abraham gave his beard a couple of quick pulls. “I remember one time, soon after Zach’s disappearance, my friend Jacob Weaver told me that God could take something bad like Zach being kidnapped and use it for good.” He clasped Zach’s shoulder with one hand and Jim’s with the other. “I believe He has done just that.”

Leona stood on the front porch talking to Holly and Fannie. Her gaze traveled across the yard to where her husband stood with the two men who both called him son. Leona marveled at the way God had brought Zach Fisher home to his real family, yet she couldn’t help but feel some concern. She wanted to feel hopeful over the prospect of Abraham and Jim having this discussion, but a thread of caution wove its way into her soul. Would Abraham even speak to the man who had taken his son
away? She knew Abraham had told Zach he’d forgiven Jim Scott, but now that the two of them stood face-to-face, would he still feel that way?

“My husband’s done a lot of growing,” Fannie said as though she could read Leona’s thoughts.

Holly put her arm around Leona’s waist and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Mine has, as well.”

Leona nodded as tears clouded her vision. She had done a lot of growing in the last eighteen months, too. No longer was she bound by fear or consumed with bitterness. The day God saved her life through her daed’s urgent call was the day she’d come to realize that, while there are no guarantees in life, God wanted her to trust Him completely. So, setting her fear of losing Zach aside, she had agreed that he could court her.

Zach joined the women a short time later. “I left my two daeds to talk things out. I think everything’s going to be fine.”

The screen door opened, and Naomi stepped onto the porch carrying a gift in her hands. “This is for you and Leona,” she said, handing the package to Zach.

He balanced the box on the porch railing, and he and Leona opened it together. Inside was a small patchwork quilt. Zach stared at it several seconds; then a light dawned. “I—I think I’ve seen this before—or at least a quilt just like it. I found it in a bag of paint rags in my dad’s garage when I was a kid.”

Naomi nodded. “Abby Fisher gave it to me after she returned from a trip to Montana several years ago. She said an Amish woman she knew had found it at a thrift shop somewhere in the state of Washington.” She smiled, and tears sprang to her eyes. “I recognized it right away and knew it had been your quilt when you were a baby. It was with you the day you were kidnapped.”

“So that’s why Jim seemed so upset when I showed it to him. He’d obviously been hiding it from my mom, afraid she might ask where he’d gotten it.” Zach clutched the quilt tightly. “He must have gotten rid of it soon after that, because I never saw it again.”

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” Holly quoted from Romans 8:28 as she touched Jimmy’s shoulder.

He nodded. “I have to agree with that.”

A gentle wind lapped the hem of Leona’s blue wedding dress as the sun slipped from behind the clouds. At that moment, she knew for certain that God controlled everything in the universe. Her hand trailed along the edges of the narrow white ties of her kapp as she gazed at the pink, puffy clouds. “Thank You, Lord,” she whispered. “You have given us all so much to be thankful for on this special day.”

Jimmy took hold of her hand. “And I thank You for the love You’ve given me through all my family.” He gently squeezed her fingers. “I especially thank You for allowing me to know, love, and finally marry the bishop’s sweet daughter.”

The idea for this series was born several years ago when my husband and I visited an Amish farm for some root beer, and it is with great appreciation that I recognize those who have helped make the Daughters of Lancaster County series a reality: Rebecca Germany and Susan Downs, my patient, ever-helpful editors; Richard Brunstetter, my husband of forty-three years, who is always there to offer support and encouragement; Leeann Curtis and Birdie Etchison, for their critique help; Betty Yoder, Katherine Baar, Ruth Stoltzfus, Arie King, Sue Miller, and Monk and Marijane Troyer, for their research assistance. Most of all, I thank my heavenly Father, who gives me the inspiration and desire to write.

W
ANDA
E. B
RUNSTETTER
enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life. Wanda’s interest in the Amish and other Plain communities began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda has made numerous trips to Lancaster County and has several friends and family members living near that area. She and her husband have also traveled to other parts of the country, meeting various Amish families and getting to know them personally. She hopes her readers will learn to love the wonderful Amish people as much as she does.

Wanda and her husband, Richard, have been married forty-three years. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys reading, ventriloquism, gardening, stamping, and having fun with her family.

Wanda has written several novels, novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her Web site at
www.wandabrunstetter.com
and feel free to e-mail her at [email protected].