A Precious Christmas Gift by Patricia Johns

Author:Patricia Johns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-09-11T19:08:29+00:00

Chapter Eight

Service Sunday was always a day that Eve had looked forward to in years past. It was a chance to see friends and extended family, to catch up on gossip, and worship. But today, as the buggy rattled down the road and she watched the scenery pass from her seat squeezed in next to her aunt and uncle, the horses clopping comfortably through the winter morning, Eve’s mind was on the family she’d left behind seven months earlier when Daet sent her to stay with a distant cousin of his. But when Daet asked Aunt Lovina for confidential advice, Lovina had insisted that Eve come stay the rest of the time with her. Eve was glad for that now—she felt more emotional support with Lovina than she had in the other community.

How was Daet doing on his own? She’d gotten a few letters from him, but he was never one to complain. He just said that all was well and told her of the things he was looking forward to once she was home again. Her siblings seemed to be doing fine—one of her brothers bought a new buggy. Life was plodding along back in her hometown, and when she returned, there would be a place for her again, but she wouldn’t be able to breathe a word about the baby she’d left behind.

Maybe she could talk to Daet, but she didn’t want to put more pressure onto his shoulders. He wanted things to go back to normal. He wanted her to see her friends, to get to know some nice young men and to carry on as if this visit was simply an extended stay with some family.

Could she do it? Would seeing her friends again make all of this seem like a bad dream? She could only hope.

The baby moved. There wasn’t as much space anymore for kicks, but she could feel the extension of a foot pushing up into her ribs, and she smoothed a hand over her belly. Everything would be fine—wouldn’t it? This baby would be loved, she would get her second chance at a proper Amish life and a family’s prayers for another child were about to be answered through her.

It just didn’t feel fine. It hurt.

Gott, please make this easier... I’m trying to do the right thing.

Lately, she’d been thinking about Hannah from the Bible—Samuel’s mother. She’d longed for a baby of her own, and she’d prayed for one, but she’d also made a promise to Gott that if He gave her a child, she’d give him back to the Lord. How could a mother make a promise like that? But she had—and she’d stood by her word and sent him away to live with the priest when he was just a little boy.

Hannah’s heart would have been in shreds—but Gott rewarded her with more kinner.

Would Eve be like Hannah—a woman whose heart was broken by keeping a promise? If she was, maybe Gott would reward her like Hannah, too, and give her the honest home complete with husband and children that she so desperately longed for.

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