The Harvest of Grace (42 page)

During the feast afterward, they sat at the corner of the bride-and-groom table with the singles of the community. By tradition she and Ephraim couldn’t share a table with just their closest friends, but they had plans for tonight that would make up for that.

She prayed a silent thank-you for the blessing of friends who had become so important to her and Lori. In many ways they had saved her as much as Ephraim had. It was becoming apparent to her that the strength to live Plain came from God, a supportive family, and dedicated ministers. Some things were worth every sacrifice it took to have them—and for her, this life was one of them.

She and Ephraim would carry memories of this day into their future together. There were many Amish wedding traditions, revelations to her, that she’d always hold dear—like the groom walking the bride down the aisle and loved ones sharing a day of feasting and singing with them.

There were also Amish traditions she’d never get fully used to, like the bride and groom cleaning up after their own wedding. As the festivities wound down, Ephraim helped the men move furniture back in place and load a wagon with benches. She worked with a group of women, helping to wash and dry dishes. But Cara loved having and being part of a safety net. She had people who’d always be there, no matter what. And they had her.

Ephraim’s parents would head for bed as soon as their brood was asleep for the night. In a few minutes the newlyweds would go to Ephraim’s house with their friends for a more intimate time of playing games, singing, and eating. When she’d learned that Ephraim and she couldn’t have their closest friends at the wedding table, he came up with the idea of having a get-together after everyone else went home. He said that he’d braced himself for the possibility of not being able to marry her for another year or two. He had no qualms postponing their alone time for a few hours with good friends.

Ephraim came out the front door of his Daed’s home, smiling. “There you are.”

She’d seen him go in and out of that house many times in the last week. There’d been so much to do to prepare for their wedding that Lori and she had moved from Hope Crossing into Ephraim’s place a week ago, and he’d been staying in the Mast home. His parents had welcomed her and treated Lori as if she had always been one of their grandchildren.

“Daed,” Lori hollered.

Ephraim turned. Their daughter stood in the doorway of the Mast home, wearing her nightgown. Ephraim’s stepmother, Becca, who’d been trying to get her children and Lori settled for the night, stood behind her.

He clapped his hands and opened his arms. That was all the encouragement Lori needed. She ran barefoot across the lawn.

Lori would spend the night with Ephraim’s parents. Tomorrow, after they finished cleaning up from today’s ceremony, she’d return with Deborah and Ada to Hope Crossing. Lori was enjoying being a niece to all of Ephraim’s sisters, even the ones younger than she was.

She jumped into his arms. “Daed.” Lori hugged him. “My Daed.”

Cara suppressed laughter. Since the wedding ceremony that morning, her daughter had peppered nearly every sentence to Ephraim with
Daed
. Having spent most of her life without a father, Lori used the name as if she were applying salve to her heart.

“Will you tuck me in, Daed?”

“I will. But then you have to stay in bed and go to sleep. It’s very late for little girls.” He touched the end of her nose.

While still in Ephraim’s arms, Lori reached out and hugged her mom. “Good night.”

“Good night, Lorabean.” Cara kissed her soft cheek. “You be good for
Mammi
Becca.”

“Okay, Mom. Me and Daed’s sisters are gonna play dolls tomorrow!”

Ephraim chuckled as he kissed Cara on the cheek. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t move.”

“Would you bring my sweater when you come? I left it near the wood stove.”

“Absolutely.” He hurried toward the house, making Lori giggle with delight.

Cara waved at a carriage of folks leaving Mast property and heading home. Most of those who’d stayed this late had helped set up, cook, serve, and clean. When any of them had a family member marry, she and Ephraim would return the favor. The Amish cycle of service and gratitude had begun for her.

Her dad came across the yard toward her. He’d been extremely helpful this week, doing whatever Ephraim or she needed to prepare for today. “Hey, girl, you look cold.”

“Ephraim’s bringing me a sweater as soon as he tucks Lori in.”

“I’m taking the last few Hope Crossing guests home. If you don’t need anything else, I’m going to stay there this time.”

“You’ve made enough trips back and forth today.” She hugged him. “Thanks for everything, Dad.”

“You’re more welcome than you can imagine.” He squeezed her tight. “I’m proud of you.”

“Today wouldn’t have been the same without you.”

“Thanks, Carabean.”

She had never asked him why her mother felt the need to hide her whenever he was drunk. Was he mean, or had her mother wanted to keep her from seeing her father intoxicated? She didn’t know. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t that man anymore, and she wasn’t willing to embarrass or hurt him in any way.

“I’ll see you at the cabinetry shop at ten, day after tomorrow,” Trevor said, “to take you to that hotel you picked out.”

“I sure am looking forward to spending a few honeymoon days at the beach.”

As her dad left, Ephraim strode toward her, carrying her sweater. While walking, he waved to the people in the last buggy headed for home.

She wondered where their friends were. They had served two meals, plus rounds of snacks, for six hundred guests, so tomorrow she and her girlfriends had mounds of laundry to do. The men had to return heavy borrowed items, like serving tables and stacks of dishes, but now it was time to set all thoughts of work aside and go to Ephraim’s.

He held up the sweater. “Here you go.” His smile warmed her so much she almost didn’t need a wrap.

She slipped her arms through the sleeves. The thick black sweater set off the dark purple of her wedding dress. She’d chosen to wear the color of royalty, for she truly felt like a daughter of the King.

The style of her dress was the same as everyday Amish clothes—plain and simple. For the first time in her life, she could have afforded a fashionable wedding dress with delicate fabrics and had a fancy hairstyle, but whether she was Amish or not, those things would never interest her. She was more of a no-frills woman, so that fit in well with her new lifestyle.

Ephraim kissed her forehead. “I can’t believe we’re finally husband and wife.”

She snuggled into his embrace. “It was the best day ever, wasn’t it?”

“I’ve never seen such a celebration.” He ran his hand up and down her back. “And we’re married,” he whispered.

She could feel the intensity of his joy as he held her.

Cara tilted her head back, and Ephraim took her hint. When his lips met hers, he didn’t hold back. As her mind rushed with thoughts of all she had to be thankful for, her heart swelled at the magnitude of her blessings.

Applause grabbed her attention. She pushed back from Ephraim and saw Lena, Grey, Sylvia, Aaron, Deborah, Jonathan, Ada, and Israel—all grinning.

Israel clapped the loudest. “Hmm. I guess I
am
ready for those lessons on how to give a kiss and make it count.”

Ada gently elbowed him before easing her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek, then stepped forward. “We really appreciate the invitation to join you tonight,” he said, “but if it’s okay, we’ll go visit Michael and Dora for a bit before calling it a night. Ada will stay with them tonight and be back tomorrow to help you.”

“You sure?” Cara asked.

“Ya. It’s Grey and Lena’s first date night, and she doesn’t need her Daed there. You know?”

“If that’s what you want, we understand.” Ephraim shook his hand, and Cara hugged him and Ada. They walked toward the barn to hitch their rig.

Cara slid her hand into Ephraim’s and shifted her attention. “Where have you girls been?”

Lena glanced up at Grey, who stood directly behind her with his hands on her shoulders. “Oh, we had a little … rearranging to do.”

Sylvia hid her face behind Aaron’s shoulder, but she couldn’t conceal her grin.

What had her friends been up to? She narrowed her eyes at Lena. Had the queen of pranks struck again?

Cara looped her arm through Ephraim’s and headed for the house. The other three couples—Lena and Grey, Deborah and Jonathan, and Sylvia and Aaron—walked with them. Cara noticed that all their friends looked as if they were hiding something.

“Okay, spill it. What have you done?” Cara asked.

“Who … us?” Lena asked, feigning innocence.

Once in Ephraim’s yard, Lena glanced up. Cara stopped short, following her eyes and studying the darkened shadows of the tree above her.

When she saw what they’d done, she burst into laughter. “How am I supposed to get all that laundry done now?”

“What’s up?” Ephraim asked.

She pointed. “Our wringer washer!”

Grey nodded at Lena. “She did it.”

“Uh, yeah. Like she could do that all by herself,” Cara said. “And no excuse by you, Mr. Graber, is going to stop me from getting back at both of you at your wedding.”

Grey chuckled. “By all means do your worst.”

Aaron’s laughter blended beautifully with Sylvia’s giggle. “We want in on that action.”

Cara knew that Aaron and Sylvia would have time to help her devise a plan. His creative ideas for transforming their farm, added to Sylvia’s knowledge of milk production, had transformed an uphill battle into an enjoyable living. They’d reduced the size of their herd by half, rebuilt the milking stalls, rented the fields, and used the milk they produced to make A&S Yogurts, a product that would be fully organic within the year. They already had three health-food stores stocking the product.

Both of them would go through instruction classes next summer and join the faith before they could marry next fall. But they didn’t mind the wait. They intended to enjoy the long engagement period by really getting to know each other.

Deborah and Jonathan would marry in January. Ada and Israel were going to marry a couple of weeks before Lena and Grey’s ceremony in mid-February. But Lena and Grey wouldn’t announce their plans to marry until after the first of the year.

Every couple was different. The things that had drawn each man and woman together were as varied as the colors of nature. All the couples had been through their own sets of trials and mishaps. But the ability to grow closer while navigating those heartaches had caused their love to become stronger. Love was so odd. It could fight the fiercest battle and cradle the most delicate creatures. It never failed to beckon or give hope to the hopeless, and she knew love would continue to do so, no matter what good or difficult things lay ahead. With Ephraim beside her, Cara opened her arms to embrace their future.

They all stood there, looking up at the dangling wringer washer, chuckling. One by one, under God’s twinkling night sky, each man took his loved one in his arms and for a brief moment tuned out the world.

Ada’s House Series
Main Characters in
The Harvest of Grace

Sylvia Fisher
—A young Amish woman who is the oldest of nine daughters. She loves the family dairy farm.

Beckie Fisher
—Sylvia’s closest sister.

Elam Smoker
—A young Amish man interested in Sylvia.

Aaron Blank
—Son of Michael and Dora. After his sister died, he went into rehab for alcoholism.

Michael Blank
—Aaron’s father.

Dora Blank
—Michael’s wife and Aaron’s mother. Her daughter, Elsie, who was married to Grey Graber, died in a terrible accident.

Frani
—Former drinking buddy of Aaron’s.

Cara Atwater Moore
—Englischer from the Bronx who lost her mother as a child, was abandoned by her father, and grew up in foster care. She married and had a daughter, Lori, but Cara’s husband died when Lori was two. While fleeing a stalker, she discovered clues to her past in her mother’s diary. That, combined with vague memories from her childhood, brought her to Dry Lake. She is now engaged to Ephraim.

Trevor Atwater
—Cara’s father, a widower. He was an alcoholic for most of Cara’s childhood.

Ephraim Mast
—Amish man who works as a cabinetmaker in Dry Lake with Grey Graber. He is Deborah’s brother and is engaged to Cara.

Lori Moore
—Cara’s daughter. She calls Ephraim “ ’From” and has a dog named Better Days.

Deborah Mast
—Amish woman who is Ephraim’s sister. She lives at Ada’s House in Hope Crossing and was engaged to Ada’s son, Mahlon, before he left his family, his home, and the faith. She is now in love with Jonathan.

Jonathan Stoltzfus
—Amish blacksmith. He is in love with Deborah.

Lena Kauffman
—Amish woman. She has a bluish purple birthmark on the right side of her cheek and going down her neck. She lost her teaching job in Dry Lake when she disobeyed unfair rulings made by the school board, and Michael Blank, head of the board, refused to stand up for her. She is in love with Grey.

Grey Graber
—Amish widower. He’s a skilled craftsman who loves his work at the cabinetry shop owned by Ephraim Mast. He was married to Elsie Blank for almost six years. Their son, Ivan, was born with a missing arm, and they had a stillborn son a year later. After Elsie’s death, Grey fell in love with Lena.

Ada Stoltzfus
—Amish widow in her forties. She is a friend and mentor to Deborah and Cara, who help her run Ada’s House, a bakery and gift shop in Hope Crossing that allows tourists to participate in some traditional Amish events.

Glossary

all
—all

begreiflich
—easy

Bobbeli
—infant

Daadi
—grand father

Daed
—dad or father