Plain Paradise (38 page)

Life is good. God is good. What a perfect day
.

Two months later, Josie pulled up at Linda’s house to have lunch with her and Mary Ellen. It had become their weekly thing, lunch together on Wednesdays, just the three of them. Josie walked up the cobblestone steps, glad she’d grabbed a light jacket at the last minute. Cool October winds whipped across the yard, scattering the fall foliage in whirlwinds around her. Rays of sunlight peeked through blue-gray skies, and Josie could smell the comforting aroma of Mary Ellen’s cooking wafting through the screen door before she reached the front porch.

“Meatloaf today!” Linda swung the door wide for Josie and gave her a quick hug as she moved over the threshold.

Mary Ellen’s meatloaf was no longer just Linda’s favorite. Josie breathed in the familiar smell. “Ah, you’re making my meatloaf.” She edged over to Mary Ellen who was stirring potatoes atop the stove. Josie wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“I’ve never seen two people get so excited about a simple meatloaf.” Mary Ellen shook her head, placed the long wooden spoon on the counter, then turned to Josie and gave her a hug. “But I’ll keep making it as long as you two keep requesting it.”

Mary Ellen had given Josie the recipe weeks ago, but Josie just couldn’t seem to get it to taste the same way Mary Ellen did—as moist and seasoned to absolute perfection.

Linda spread out sheets of paper across the kitchen table. “
Mamm
and I were going over the guest list for the wedding, and—”

“And I still can’t believe we’re planning a wedding this quickly.” Mary Ellen chuckled, and Josie had never felt more blessed than to be included in all the plans. Both women leaned down to look at Linda’s list.

“Josie, these are the people you and Robert said to add, Amanda from his office and a few others.” Linda pointed about halfway down the list. “We’re up to about two hundred now with Stephen’s cousins from Ohio coming.” Then Linda frowned. “I’m still sad that Onkel Samuel’s family won’t be here, or Onkel Ivan and Aunt Katie Ann.”

Mary Ellen sighed. “I know, dear. But they are scheduled to move in mid-November, and it would just be too much for them to travel back here the first of December. I know they’re all regretful about it. And you know we already tried to move the wedding up, but the first couple of weekends are already booked for weddings, weddings we’ll be attending. You know how it is, everyone gets married in November and December, after the harvest. I’m sorry.”

Linda tucked her chin. “They won’t be here for Thanksgiving or Christmas either.”

“Actually . . .” Josie drew in a deep breath, then blew it out slowly as Linda looked up at her. “I have a few people I’d like to add to that list, if it’s all right with you.”

Mary Ellen arched her brows. “
Ya
, it’s fine with us. Anyone we know?”

“Um, no.” Josie folded her arms across her chest and looked down for a moment, then looked up at the two of them and smiled. “It’s my parents, and my brother and his family, if that’s okay.”

Linda’s eyes widened. “But I thought you didn’t really get along with your parents.”

Mary Ellen smiled. “I think that’s wonderful, Josephine. Just wonderful.” Then she waited, as if knowing Josie had more to say.

“I’ve been talking to my mother a lot on the phone.” Josie clasped her hands together in front of her. “I think I know now how special a relationship between mother and daughter can be, and I’d like to work toward that with my own mother.”

Mary Ellen touched Josie’s arm. “It’s very special, the relationship you and Linda have formed.” Then she smiled again.

Josie shook her head, then reached for Mary Ellen’s hand. “No, Mary Ellen. I didn’t mean
my
relationship with Linda. I meant
your
relationship with Linda. I am Linda’s best friend. I hope to always be that, but what you and Linda have is everything that a mother and daughter should be.”

Mary Ellen squeezed Josie’s hand as her eyes filled with water.

Linda reached for Josie’s free hand, then Mary Ellen clasped onto Linda’s other one. The three of them stood in a circle, symbolic of the bond the women had formed.

“How blessed we are to all be Daughters of the Promise,” Mary Ellen said.

“Yes.” Then Josie closed her eyes and looked toward heaven.

Thank you
.

Dear Readers,

T
HANK YOU FOR TRAVELING ON THIS INCREDIBLE
journey with me. I bring to life the stories that God and His goodness inspire in me. If this book touches at least one person and helps him or her find a relationship with God through faith, hope, and love, then I’ve done my job for Him. I’m honored and blessed to be able to do so.

Plain Paradise
is particularly close to my heart. It reflects some of God’s workings in my own life. Like Linda, I was adopted when I was two-weeks-old, and while nothing about my own true story is like Josie and Linda’s, I’m familiar with the emotions that go along with this storyline.

When I was twenty-five (many moons ago!), I connected with my own birth mother. We maintained a relationship for a few years, but—like Linda—I already had wonderful parents who had raised me. Over time, my birth mother and I lost touch, and I haven’t talked to her in eighteen years. I can’t help but wonder if God might lead her to this book and by these words give her comfort in knowing that I am happy, healthy, and blessed. Thank you, MC, for giving me life, and thanks be to God for placing me in the care of my wonderful parents when I was a baby.

My family has also experienced a miracle like Josie’s. I suppose her healing could be considered simply a nice way to tie up the story line, but in actuality, Josie’s story is my son’s reality.

In 2007, my son received two rare diagnoses, one of which was a tumor. Cory spent a lot of time in the hospital and hit prayer lists all over the country. Cory’s tumor disappeared, he made a full recovery, and we were told, “Medicine is not always an exact science. We don’t know why this happens sometimes.” I know why. The power of prayer is stronger than we can imagine.

And lastly, God blessed me with a truly romantic husband. The poems that Stephen writes to Linda and leaves on the bridge are fragments of poems that my husband has written to me. Thank you, Patrick. I love you.

Peace and Blessings to all of you.

In His Name,
Beth

Reading Group Guide

1. When Linda finds out that she is adopted, is her anger at her parents justifiable? Would the situation have been less awkward if Linda already knew that she was adopted? Or would most of her fears and worries still have existed?

2. Is Josie being selfish by wanting to get to know her daughter, especially since she believes she only has a few months to live? What if Josie never went to Lancaster County? Do you think Mary Ellen and Abe would have eventually told Linda about her adoption?

3. Have you ever known an adopted person who reconnected with their birth mother? Did it go well? Was a friendship or bond formed? How did each party react?

4. An unlikely friendship forms between Mary Ellen and Josie. Where do you see God’s hand in this, and what did both Mary Ellen and Josie learn?

5. Josie’s husband, Robert, is a non-believer, but a good man. What does Scripture tell us about good people who don’t believe in God? What is happening to Robert by the end of the book?

6. Josie’s healing was a miracle. Have you ever witnessed a miracle— medical or otherwise? Do you believe in miracles?

7. Think of all the lives that Jonas touched just by being himself. Who seemed to benefit the most from his wisdom?

8. Stephen worries that Linda might be tempted by life in the
Englisch
world. What are some examples depicted throughout the story? And why do you think Stephen was never interested in fully exploring his
rumschpringe
(running around period)?

9. At Jonas’ funeral, Katie Ann is upset because a woman named Lucy is there. Do you think this may have to do with Katie Ann and Ivan choosing to move to Colorado?

10. Jonas left letters for the people he loves. Have you ever known anyone who’s done this? Why do you think Jonas did it?

11. What would make Samuel uproot his family and move to Colorado? Any speculations? Look for the first Land of Canaan novel—
Seek Me With All Your Heart
—due in stores November 2010.

Acknowledgments

I
T’ S AN HONOR TO DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO MY FRIEND
, Barbie, in Lancaster County. A huge thank you, Barbie, for continuing to read each manuscript prior to publication. I’m so grateful for the time you spend helping me keep the books authentic, and for the friendship we share. May God’s blessings shine on you always.

Thank you to my friends and family for continuing to support me and understanding about the tight deadlines. Special thanks to my mother-in-law, Pat Mackey, for cooking for us twice a week.

And to my husband, Patrick . . . you’re the best, baby. I couldn’t travel this road without you by my side. I love you very much.

I’d like to thank Gary Leach, MD, for assisting me with the medical aspects in the book and for reading the manuscript prior to publication. Gary, I know this wouldn’t normally be the type of book you would read, so it was extra special when you told me how much you enjoyed it. Much thanks, my friend, for taking the time to help me.

Karen and Tommy Brasher, Gayle Coble, and Bethany and Walter Guthmann—thank you all for hosting book signings each time a new book releases and for your continued support. You’ve all gone above and beyond, and I appreciate it so much.

Much thanks goes to my editor, Natalie Hanemann. You’re so special, Natalie. A bright light in my world! Thanks for all you do to make my books the best they can be and for being my friend. I’m so blessed to have you in my life.

Jenny Baumgartner, I love working with you. Your warmth and kindness shine through in every email you send me, and your editing expertise makes my books shine. And I love hearing about your adventures with the twins. Thank you for everything. Peace and happiness to you and your beautiful family, always.

To my agent, Mary Sue Seymour—what a special friendship we share, and I hope we go shoe shopping again soon! Many blessings to you.

Renee’ Bissmeyer, my angel on Earth, thanks for reading each manuscript behind me and for being my life-long best friend. Our friendship is blessed by God, and I’d be lost without you, my kindred spirit.

My fabulous family at Thomas Nelson, you guys and gals are the best! Thank you so much for all that you do.

To My Heavenly Father, you’ve blessed me way more than I deserve. Thank you for the stories You put in my head, tales that I hope will draw people closer to You.