Love Redeemed (44 page)

Authors: Kelly Irvin

BOOK: Love Redeemed

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His gaze somber, Luke took Phoebe's hand and laid it in Michael's. He then placed his own hand over theirs.
“So then I may say with Raguel, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you and help you together and fulfill his blessing abundantly upon you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.”

The words she'd heard said so many times for her friends as they married. A sob caught in her throat. She forced it back. No tears today. Only unrepentant joy. She looked out at the sea of faces. Mudder with a handkerchief dabbing at her face. Deborah and Rachel, both big with
child. Molly, her plain face made beautiful by the joy she felt for her friend's good fortune. Even Hannah smiled, one arm around Sarah. Her family and her friends praying for her and Michael, that their union be blessed.

The moment passed and it was done. They were wed before God and their community. Michael clutched her hand and they moved into the crowd of well wishers. So many hugs for her and slaps to the back for Michael. Tears and handkerchiefs and good wishes. It took half an hour to make their way to the barn doors. To her surprise, Michael tugged her in a direction away from the house. “Where are we going? The meal is about to begin.”

“In a few minutes.” Michael guided her in the opposite direction, toward the meadow half hidden in snow that had been melting under an unseasonably warm November sun. “I want you all to myself for just a few minutes.”

She glanced back and saw Daniel grinning as he watched them make their getaway. “Rachel and I will cover for you,” he called. “Don't be long.”

She waved with her free hand and allowed her husbandâher husband!âto pull her toward some unknown destination. “Where are we going?”

“You're my wife.” He pulled her closer and then let her hand drop. His arm went around her shoulder. “Now I have a right to take you anywhere I want anytime I want.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” She laughed, the sound bright and airy in the clean, cool air. “Don't I have a say in any of this?”

“Nee.” Despite the answer, he slowed a little, allowing her to keep up without running. “You will obey.”

“I guess you don't know me all that well, after all.”

They both laughed.

“Oh, believe me, I know exactly what I'm getting into. Your brothers bent my ear about you for a good hour and then your daed added his two cents' worth.” Michael shoved back some branches and made room for her to slip by. “Simon and Martin are sure I'm daft to think you can be a good fraa.”

“They're just giving you a hard time.”

“Jah. But they learned quickly that my mind was made up. No going back.”

“No going back.”

They trotted down the path until they reached the stream that burbled in the depths of a stand of spruce trees. Michael stopped abruptly and turned to her. “Now there is nothing between us. Nothing.” He took both her hands in his and lifted them to his face, kissing each one, his lips brushing them. “This is our new start, fraa. From this day on. We start fresh and new as husband and wife.”

“Jah.” She found it almost impossible to utter that one word, much as she wanted to pour out her feelings. A shyness she didn't recognize gripped her. “This day on.”

“We won't forget what happened before.” A touch of sadness softened his voice. “Nee, we'll always remember because we must learn from our mistakes. We'll remember Lydia and we'll remember the lake.”

“We'll honor those memories.” Her voice cracked. “Always.”

“Always.”

He let her hands drop and cupped her face instead. Bending his head, he brought her closer until his lips touched hers. Words might have deserted her, but nothing could keep her from responding to his touch. Her arms went around his neck without hesitation. He stooped and lifted her off her feet and swung her around. The kiss deepened until she felt her heart truly would stop beating. Finally, breath gone, dizzy, she found herself back on her own two feet on solid ground.

“I've been wanting to do that again since that day at the lake.” His Adam's apple bobbed. “Now I have the right to do it. Now is the time.”

“Now is the time.” She leaned her forehead against his chest and hid her face, not wanting him to see the rush of emotion. “Every day for the rest of our lives.”

He touched his fingers to her chin, forcing her to lift her head and look at him. “For the rest of our lives.”

Together, arms entwined, they walked the path that would lead them home.

Discussion Questions

1. Michael and Phoebe wanted to spend a few moments alone on a family vacation, getting to know each other. They knew they were doing something they shouldn't, but they did it anyway. Does that make them responsible for Lydia's death?

2. Amish faith demands forgiveness in every situation, as does the Holy Bible. If you were in Katie and Silas's shoes, could you forgive them?

3. Phoebe rationalized that Hannah was better with children and could take care of them on their own. Her decision changed Hannah's life forever, as well as her own. Does Hannah bear any responsibility for what happened? Have you ever rationalized your behavior, knowing you were doing something wrong? How did it make you feel?

4. At four, Lydia already had chores and responsibilities around the house. How do you feel about the Amish practice of giving much greater responsibility to young children than
Englisch
folks do?

5. Katie and Silas both feel guilty for not reining Phoebe in more. Compared to
Englisch
society, Plain youngsters are bound by much stricter rules regarding how they are to
behave in almost every facet of their lives. Do you think Katie and Silas have any blame in what happened to Lydia? Are parents responsible when their children make mistakes that have serious repercussions?

6. After Lydia's death, Phoebe decides she is going to be “good” from now on. She's not going to get into trouble ever again in hopes that God will forgive her and extend His grace to her once again. Is it possible to be “good enough” to earn God's grace? What does the Bible say about how we receive God's grace?

7. What does the term “Friend Evangelism” mean to you? Have you ever experienced it or offered it to another person? If so, what did you gain from those experiences?

8. Sophie's father asks Michael if he's ever noticed that God places people in his life to help him exactly when he's desperate for help? Like the woman on the train. Like Sophie. Like Oscar, the restaurant owner. Can you identify times in your life that you've been the recipient of this kind of help? Can you identify times when God has put people in your life to help you through a difficult situation? How did that make you feel?

9. Michael can't understand why God would ignore prayers for the safe return of a four-year-old girl. Do you think God answers some prayers and not others? What do you say to people who ask how can God “let” bad things happen to children? Is there an answer in Scripture?

10. Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt God didn't answer a prayer the way you wanted it answered? How did you react?

11. Have you ever done something you feel is too terrible to be forgiven by God? Is there anything God can't forgive? What does Scripture say about His forgiveness?

About the Author

Kelly Irvin is a Kansas native and has been writing professionally for 30 years. She and her husband, Tim, make their home in Texas. They have two children, three cats, and a tankful of fish. A public relations professional, Kelly is also the author of two romantic suspense novels and writes short stories in her spare time.

To learn more about her work, visit
www.kellyirvin.com
.

To learn more about books by Kelly Irvin or to read sample chapters, log on to our website:
www.harvesthousepublishers.com