Courting Miss Amsel (27 page)

BOOK: Courting Miss Amsel

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Joel nodded. “ ’Course you’d want to love the man you marry. Only one person lovin’ the other would make for a lopsided relationship.” He turned and began scuffing slowly toward the doors. “Even as much as I love you, I couldn’t expect – ”

She raced after him. “What did you say?”

He looked at her, his face sad. “I said, even as much as I love you, I couldn’t expect it to be enough. You’d want to love me, too.”

She grasped her throat, holding back a burble of laughter. “B-but I do love you!”

His eyes flew wide. “What did you say?”

Laughter escaped, light and joyous. “I said I love you.”

“You
do
?”

She laughed even harder at his shocked expression. “Yes.” She reached out, and his hat fell to the floor as his hands reached toward her in response. Their fingers intertwined, their palms meeting. Their elbows bent, drawing them together like two halves of a hinge. “I planned to leave Walnut Hill because I couldn’t bear living here while being apart from you.”

Wonder lit his face. “So you don’t want to leave?”

She shook her head wildly, tendrils loosening from her bun to slap against her cheeks. “I love the town – the people. You.” She laughed again, unable to hold back her delight.

“But you said you weren’t going to teach anymore.”

“No, because – ” Would he denounce her desire to work for women’s suffrage? She had to be honest with him. She quickly explained her plans, watching his face for signs of disapproval. But he merely nodded, his eyes never wavering from hers. “So that’s why I won’t be teaching. I won’t have time.”

“All that battlin’ – can you do it from Walnut Hill?”

“I can write letters and articles from anywhere.”

Without warning, his arms encircled her. He scooped her off her feet in a hug that robbed her of breath. Then he made sure she wouldn’t draw another breath for half a minute by capturing her lips in a kiss that made her world spin.

When he set her back on her feet, she clung to his shoulders, her legs wobbly. He grinned, and she found the courage to press her fingertip to his endearing dimple. With a light chuckle, he turned his face and kissed the exploring finger. Then he sobered.

“I need to do this right.” Very slowly, his gaze still pinned to hers, he slipped to one knee. A band of moonlight flowed through the window, lighting the golden strands in his walnut-husk hair. Her fingers trailed away from his shoulders, and he caught them, carrying them briefly to his lips. Then his handsome face tipped upward. “Miss Edythe Amsel, I love you. Would you honor me by consentin’ to become my wife?”

Epilogue

Edythe would never have guessed Hank Libolt possessed such talent at playing the fiddle, but the man stood on the church steps, his elbows high, his bow flying across the strings to create a cheerful tune.

The early-September sun beamed down brightly, warming her hair, while a gentle breeze teased her skin. The perfect day had brought out the entire town to witness Joel and Edythe pledging their lives to one another, and she’d never seen a more merry celebration than the one taking place now in the church’s grassy yard. She could scarcely believe the festivities were in her honor. Well, hers and Joel’s.

Her eyes automatically sought her husband, and like a bit of iron drawn to a magnet, she found him in the center of the dancers . . . with another woman in his arms. She smiled. Missy looked so pretty in her pink dotted-Swiss dress, and so happy.

Edythe’s heart swelled, a prayer rising effortlessly.
Thank You, Father, for bringing Joel into our lives.
He’d be a wonderful, loving husband to her, but she also trusted him to be a loving father to Missy.

Someone jostled her elbow, and she turned to find Luthenia beside her. In her new two-piece suit of apricot with white lace ruffling beneath her chin, Luthenia’s appearance rivaled Edythe’s in her wedding suit. Knowing she and Joel would board the stage at the end of the day, Edythe had chosen a soft gray travel suit and gaily flowered bonnet in lieu of the traditional wedding gown and veil. Joel had pronounced her too lovely for words. How had she managed to find a man who appreciated her uniquenesses? Only God could have arranged such a union.

Luthenia curled her hands around Edythe’s elbow and sighed. “It’s been a splendid day. An’ what a pleasure to meet your brothers an’ other sister.” She chuckled softly. “I’d’ve known they was yours even if I hadn’t been with you to meet the stage – never seen such a strong family likeness between kin.”

“We all resemble our mother – everyone’s always said so.” Edythe’s heart panged briefly. She wished Mama were here to witness her happiness. Or even Pa. But having Justus and Eulah, who nestled their month-old son in her arms, and her other brothers and sister here to celebrate was a blessing beyond description. Besides, she and Joel would see Pa on their wedding trip. She prayed Pa would be pleased to know she was happily wed, but if he wasn’t, she wouldn’t allow his melancholy to destroy her joy.

“Met the new teacher, too.” Luthenia bobbed her chin in the direction of the older man standing on the fringes of the circle with hands locked behind his back, observing the dancers with an interested air. “Not as comely as you, that’s for certain.” Luthenia’s brow pinched. “You sure you aren’t gonna miss bein’ the schoolmarm?”

Edythe answered honestly. “I suppose there will always be a hint of chalk dust trapped in my fingertips, but I’m doing what God called me to do. I don’t regret the decision.”

“Well, the young’uns’ll miss you, that’s for sure. But if you’re happy, I’m happy.” She proved it by beaming at Edythe. Then she pointed at Edythe’s brother Albert, who began dancing with Maribelle Jenkins. “Lookee there – grabbin’ himself some fun before the stage comes.” She sent Edythe a crooked grin. “Tonight’s stage’ll be a mite crowded with all those Amsels plus you an’ Joel on board.”

“We’ll make do.” Edythe giggled. “If I have to, I’ll sit on Joel’s lap.”

Luthenia’s eyes crinkled merrily. “An’ I’ll have me a fine time with Missy, Johnny, an’ Robert while you an’ Joel are on your trip. Gonna spoil ’em rotten for you.”

Edythe groaned, and Luthenia laughed.

“Miss Am – I mean, Ma!” Johnny and Robert, wearing identical black suits, white shirts, and black ribbon ties, dashed across the grass and huffed to a halt before Edythe. She straightened Johnny’s tie and smoothed Robert’s unruly hair into place, her pulse skipping a beat at the glorious title
Ma
reverberating in her ears. “We wanna dance!”

She touched her chest with her fingertips, feigning surprise. “With me?”

“Yep!” They each caught one of her hands and dragged her into the midst of the dancers. The three formed a circle, their giggles running the scale and their feet kicking up dust in a frolicking jig.

The music transitioned to a sweeping, wistful tune that created an ache of pleasure in the center of Edythe’s chest. The boys’ wild stomping ceased and Edythe’s feet slowed, then Joel stepped behind the boys. His hands gently separated the pair. With knowing grins, they crept away. Joel held his arms open to Edythe.

In Joel’s eyes she read everything her heart could hope to receive. She drew a deep breath, drinking in the scent of this man – her husband. And then, without hesitation, she stepped into Joel’s arms, the place she was meant to be.

Acknowledgments

Mom and Daddy
, my first teachers – thank you for the Christian example you’ve always set for me. It was easy for me to know Jesus because I saw Him in you.

Don
– thank you for marrying a teacher and then learning to live with a writer. You didn’t sign up for make-believe people sharing your house and the craziness of deadlines . . . but you love me anyway. What a gift.

Kristian, Kaitlyn, and Kamryn
, my daughters and now also my friends – thank you for giving me a reason to pen these tales of God’s grace. I hope you’re as proud of me as I am of each of you.

Connor, Ethan, Rylin, Jacob, Cole, and Adri
, my precious grandbabies – thank you for making Gramma smile and filling my life with joy.

Connie, Eileen, Margie, Ramona, and Donna
, my crit partners – thank you for being there!

Craig Harms and Lorna Seilstad –
thank you for sharing your knowledge of Nebraska with me.

Charlene and the staff at Bethany House
– thank you for your encouragement and support. I couldn’t ask for a better publishing home.

Finally, and most importantly,
God
– thank You for planting dreams and abilities in Your children and then paving the pathway so dreams can come true. May any praise or glory be reflected directly back to You.

About the Author

KIM VOGEL SAWYER is the author of eighteen novels, including many CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women’s fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in Central Kansas and have three daughters and six grandchildren. She invites you to visit her Web site at
www.kimvogelsawyer.com
for more information.

Books by

Kim Vogel Sawyer

FROM BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS