The Promise (Southern Maryland Amish Romances Book 1) by Susan Lantz Simpson

Author:Susan Lantz Simpson [Simpson, Susan Lantz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Denominations & Sects, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Amish Christianity, Pennsylvania Dutch, Traditional, Clean Romance, Farming & Animals, Simple Living, Plain Clothes, Mennonite, Buggy Travel, Amish Country, Amish Courting, Old Fashion Ways, German Language, Hearts Desire, Bible Teaching, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, Southern Maryland Amish Romances, Family & Domestic Life-Young Child
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2018-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

Mamm had held and rocked Naomi until long after she had fallen asleep. The poor little girl seemed worn out after all the excitement of returning home. She had eaten mashed potatoes, applesauce, peas, and a few bites of chicken, and had even drunk a cup of water. She had laughed and played and endured being passed around from one sibling to another before Mamm had readied her for bed and rocked her. Mamm had only reluctantly put Naomi down in her bed when everyone else scattered to their rooms.

Beyond the point of physical and emotional exhaustion, Phoebe pulled the pins from her kapp and laid it on her dresser. A long, shuddering sigh escaped as she prepared for bed. Maybe tonight she could sleep at long last. She dropped to her knees beside her bed and plunked her elbows on the mattress. Hands folded in prayer, she whispered her thanks to Gott for bringing Naomi home to them.

“And, Lord Gott,” she whispered, “I’m prepared to keep my end of the bargain.” She shivered despite the warmth of the room. “You brought our boppli home. As I promised, I will attend the next session of preparation classes, join the church—and—and marry Micah, if that’s what You want.” Phoebe dropped her head onto the bed and sobbed into the folded-back covers. “Y-You know I do not love him, Gott,” she murmured when she could speak again. “But I will be faithful to my vow to You.”

Totally spent, Phoebe crawled into bed and willed sleep to claim her. Her mind refused to shut down and skipped from thoughts of Naomi to thoughts of Micah to thoughts of Ben. Maybe sleep would not be visiting her tonight after all.

A crowing rooster jolted Phoebe from her light slumber only moments after her eyes had at last slammed shut in sleep. She groaned and fought the urge to roll over and cover her ears with the pillow. It was church Sunday. Everyone had to dress, eat, and pile into the buggies for the trek to the Stoltzfus’ house for church. The whole community would rejoice over Naomi’s return. Phoebe flung off the sheet she had pulled over herself at some point during her restless night and dragged herself out of bed.

* * *

“It is so wunderbaar Naomi is home,” Mary Stoltzfus remarked as she and Phoebe cleared the tables in between servings of the common meal after church.

“It’s a miracle, for sure.”

“Your mamm and your whole family must be so relieved and happy. Is Naomi okay?”

“Jah. She’s a little thinner. Dr. Naylor checked her over and said she was a little malnourished and dehydrated because she apparently wouldn’t eat or drink very much.”

“Poor little thing,” Mary sympathized.

“Dr. Naylor said he wouldn’t have believed a little one could be so depressed, or maybe plain stubborn, but whatever it was, that’s what got her free. If she hadn’t refused to eat, that woman wouldn’t have taken her to the doctor, and Naomi would still be missing.”

“It’s a gut thing the woman had a heart.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.