The Bridesmaid (27 page)

W
ithin weeks of Eben's move to Hickory Hollow, my younger sister confided that Jake Lantz was quickly becoming a serious beau. Cora Jane also said it was more than all right to use her celery crop for the traditional creamed-celery casserole at my wedding feast. I couldn't help myself—I slipped in my all-important question then and there. “Will ya consider bein' my bridesmaid, sister? It would mean ever so much.”

A mischievous smile appeared on her pretty face. “Why, sure, I'd love to.” She reached to hug me, and we laughed till tears clouded our eyes.

Both Eben and Jake have had numerous opportunities to get acquainted at church and at youth gatherings. We've even talked of going on double dates here before too long. Such
gut
times we'll have together!

Meanwhile, Mammi Kurtz has shown a great deal of interest in Eben, asking me about his attendance at Preaching services and the like. She, too, suspects we'll be published after church one of these November weeks. And I know Mamma and Dat do, too.

As for the double wedding ring quilt that has graced my bed, I've decided to wash it up real nice and set it aside for Eben's and my wedding night. I'll tell my darling the story of the determined woman in my family tree who wholeheartedly believed that we're all here by design . . . that none of us is an accident in God's eyes. Our heavenly Father's hand is at work in all of our comings and goings—and in the choice of a life mate.

Prior to their move to Virginia, I went with Eben to Shipshewana to meet his congenial parents. They were so encouraging about our eventual union, they even invited us to come visit them once they're settled there. That way, we'll come full circle and go walking along the beach where we met. Eben says we might want to go for our first wedding anniversary, as well.

Thinking of anniversaries, Cousin Malinda had her first baby, a boy, the week before her anniversary. Andy said it was right fine with him whenever the Good Lord wanted to bless them with such a healthy baby. And Malinda says Baby Aaron's day of birth definitely ties for first place in happiness with the day she and Andy married.

As for me, I've continued to attend the weekly quilting frolics, where Mamma says a wedding quilt is in the making. I haven't had the heart to tell them I already have one that I cherish, instead letting Mamma guide the decision as to the pattern and color scheme. It's something I will look forward to as a thoughtful gesture, to be sure. Besides, a bride can always use more than one quilt in the house!

Once Eben and I are wed, we will stay with my parents till springtime, as is our custom. Eben has been hard at work with Smitty Riehl, so he's already making money here, adding to his savings, along with some funds his kindly parents gave us from the sale of their farm. Even though there is no land available to purchase in the hollow, we've got our eye on a smaller house not far from the bishop's.

Yesterday, the deacon's wife, Sallie, and Fannie surprised me when they showed up at the house, bringing several copies of the
Ladies Journal.
They could hardly quit chattering and quickly turned to the page featuring two of my poems.

Zwee—two! Who would ever have thought this possible?

When I showed Eben later, he asked me to sit near him and read them aloud, which I happily did, although toward the last stanza I could scarcely see the words through my joyful tears. It was a good thing I'd memorized the rest. He kissed my cheek and I cried all the harder, such happy tears.

Then he showed me the numerous digital pictures on his camera, including the ones he took that first night on the beach—a striking series of the ocean, sky, and the dark ship on the horizon. And one more: a distant shot of a forlorn-looking Amish girl sitting with her feet pushed deep into the sand.

“So you
did
take my picture,” I teased.

“But I never got it printed—in keeping with the Ordnung, ya know.” He smiled as he showed me the zoom button on his fancy camera. “I couldn't say how many times I looked at this picture of you up close. First thing every morning and the last thing at night,” he admitted.

His picture taking reminded me of my story writing, a lovely yet swiftly fading memory. After all, I was too busy living my happy ending to have any regrets.

Now, if I
were
still writing fiction, I'd start by penning something like this for the opening lines to my own personal love story:
“Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride.” That's just what my younger sister said about me—in front of our engaged cousins, no less. . . .

S
ince my early teens, I've heard the saying “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” but I didn't know all those years ago how that well-known saying might entice me as a novelist to discover Joanna's unique story path. I delighted in developing the characters of Joanna Kurtz (oh, the writing side of her!) and her feisty younger sister, Cora Jane. Not to mention their devoted mother, Rhoda . . . and the
wunnerbaar
Eben Troyer. I also especially enjoyed revisiting the character of Ella Mae Zook, Hickory Hollow's Wise Woman.

I offer enduring gratitude to my dear husband, Dave, my brainstorming partner and first editor, who in every way helps make my deadlines achievable.

My sincerest appreciation also extends to the stellar staff at Bethany House Publishers, whose collective expertise guides and encourages me, and who ultimately share the pleasure of publishing stories for legions of devoted reader-friends. Thanks primarily to Jim and Ann Parrish, David Horton, Steve Oates, Rochelle Glöege, Debra Larsen, and Helen Motter—you are all truly gifted!

Many thanks to Mary Jane Hoober, gracious innkeeper of the Peaceful Acres Bed-and-Breakfast in Shipshewana, Indiana, who offered invaluable insights into the Indiana Amish for this particular book. During an autumn respite, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed staying at this lovely inn, the source of Eben Troyer's fictitious street address: Peaceful Acres Lane.

The brief reference to John Newton's book
Voice of the Heart
was inspired by the cherished copy given to me by Aunt Ada Reba Bachman before her Homegoing nearly three years ago.

Special thanks to my cousin Dave Buchwalter for the gift of an heirloom friendship quilt made in 1927 for my maternal grandparents . . . the seed that planted the family quilt subplot in this story. I am so grateful!

Denki
to my faithful assistants and consultants—Amish and Mennonite alike. I am forever thankful for your prayers and encouragement, as well as to Barbara Birch for meticulous proofreading, and to Dale Birch and Dave and Janet Buchwalter for research help and faithful prayers.

To our magnificent and all-wise heavenly Father be all blessing and honor . . .
Soli deo Gloria.

Beverly Lewis
, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is the
New York Times
bestselling author of more than ninety books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with
The Shunning
, which has sold more than a million copies.
The Brethren
was honored with a 2007 Christy Award.

Beverly lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.

Home to Hickory Hollow

The Fiddler

The Bridesmaid

The Rose Trilogy

The Thorn • The Judgment • The Mercy

Abram's Daughters

The Covenant • The Betrayal • The Sacrifice

The Prodigal • The Revelation

The Heritage of Lancaster County

The Shunning • The Confession • The Reckoning

Annie's People

The Preacher's Daughter • The Englisher • The Brethren

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher

The Parting • The Forbidden • The Longing

Seasons of Grace

The Secret • The Missing • The Telling

The Postcard • The Crossroad

The Redemption of Sarah Cain

October Song • Sanctuary (with David Lewis) • The Sunroom

Amish Prayers

The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

www.beverlylewis.com

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bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

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