Renewing Hope (In Your World #2) (43 page)

"If she had just stayed asleep for another ten minutes," she grumbled and moved to the refrigerator for the bottles for Hannah. With two boys who seemed to consume more than their father did, it was harder for Hannah to keep up with them.

"They will all be awake in moments; that is the way," I replied and shoved the last of the pies into the oven.

Fannie came out with Mary and Jason in her arms, Hannah with the twins on her hips as they wiggled and squirmed against her. Emma and I both went to Fannie and relieved her of her burden with a smile so that she could help Hannah with her boys.

Mary quieted almost immediately as soon as she was at Emma's breast, and Jason gurgled a smile up at me as I settled into a seat to feed him.

It was quiet in the room as the babies fed, Fannie burping one twin while Hannah fed the other. Smiles played on our faces as we watched our children enjoy even the simplest of things that we could provide. It was a good life. A quiet one. A few gurgling burps, a soft whimper from one twin who was not yet ready to give up on his feeding against Hannah's breast, and perhaps a contented chirp from a full and sleepy baby.

We were settling the babies back into the other room when we heard the men entering through the kitchen. They had learned by now to enter the house quietly, after Mark had once startled the babies from their first good nap of the day with his loud and boisterous laugh. I was the first to step into the kitchen, catching sight of Nathan by the sink as he cleaned up. He glanced my way and smiled brightly, so at ease with showing his affection towards me now. His eyes conveyed the unspoken words of affection he always shared with me when alone.

Jonah started talking as soon as the others were in the room.

"Our Bishop is all settled into his home," he started, laying a kiss on Fannie's forehead. "He sends his apologies for not joining us, but promises to come around in a few days after he returns from seeing Bishop Ropp in Friendship.”

I smiled to myself and turned to the pies in the oven, removing them to cool on the counter. I wondered if perhaps young Bishop Yoder was visiting a pretty dark-haired girl in Friendship as well. He had been very secretive regarding his time there, and spent more and more time in conferences with Bishop Ropp than his father had ever done.

And it did not go unnoticed when the Snyders came to deliver cheese and butter to us, that their youngest daughter accompanied them, and our dear Bishop always called on us at the same time.

Nathan brushed past me, his hand lingering along my back in a silent promise of continuing when we returned home. With Jason sleeping through the night finally, we had quality time alone once more, if only late at night. At least until I began to swell with the newest addition growing inside of me. I matched his mischievous smile and glanced around to see if anyone might have caught us.

Emma was smiling up at John as he leaned down to tuck away a long lock of her dark hair that had escaped out of the bun on her head.

Fannie and Jonah seemed to be having their own moment together as he leaned in to kiss her again.

And Mark was brushing one of his giant hands over Hannah's stomach tenderly.

Hannah was smiling with her eyes closed at her husband's touch.

It seemed we would know about another child soon enough, if I had to guess.

I looked around the room at my family, so much larger than I had ever dreamed it would be.

And happy. So much happiness.

Of course we had our down days.

We had our sorrow.

Ezekiel had passed on just before the new year, dying peacefully in his sleep with his youngest child, Sarah Jensen, by his side. It had been a great loss to our community, and the first funeral I had been to with my people. Sarah for once did not supervise the reception afterwards, the community coming to her side in her time of grief. I had held her for some time with Fannie as she cried beside her father.

Ezekiel had touched so many people.

It was up to us to take care of his own, and to remember him in our hearts.

This life had shown me how to live, and how to love. How to grieve, and how to have faith that we would thrive.

That was our way.

That was the Amish way.

It was simple here, perhaps.

Those outside might not understand it.

But it was where I belonged.

I looked back at Nathan, his eyes full of love and faith in me.

The same look he had given me so many times before.

So much like the beginning.

When I stepped out of that world of violence and sorrow, and into his.

Because this is where I always belonged.

In our world.

~~~~~

BOOK THREE IN THE
IN YOUR WORLD
SERIES:

FINDING LOVE

Coming Late Summer 2014

Judith Snyder never thought she would ever find a man she could love enough to marry.

Of course, that was before she met Bishop Yoder.

Bishop Benjamin Yoder from West Grove was kind, handsome, and from a good Amish family. From the start, she found him easy to adore. A girl could do right by marrying a Bishop.

But Benjamin Yoder held himself apart from others, and while he smiled and seemed to enjoy her company when they bumped into one another every chance she could muster, he avoided making any offer to marry her.

A dark past made her father dubious to the pairing, what with the Bishop’s liberal views of agreeing to allow an English into their community. Bishop Yoder avoided conversation about his life before becoming Bishop. He was a messenger of God now, his past to be forgiven and forgotten. His contemplative being and soft spoken words told Judith he was a good man, perhaps just in need of a woman that saw the love inside of his soul. He just had to learn to love again.

Judith Snyder must set out to woo the Bishop.

And offer him a chance at finding love.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This story would not be possible without the love and support of my friends and family, and my incredible readers who have stood by me through every word.

To my loving and amazing husband, for believing in me and being patient while I diligently researched, and to my sweet boy, who always knows how to make my heart melt with his sweet romantic suggestions.

To Leah, who nudged me to take that first step.

To Jess, for reminding me of what was important and providing sanctuary.

To my girls on Twitter and Facebook and the forums — thank you for providing so many hours of love and support, laughter, and inappropriate inspiration to keep me going.

To Claudia, Teddi, Traci, Terri, Staci, Sarah, Kris, and Mandy for the moment of conception on this sweet boy: suspenders and big black hat, shy smile and all.

To Amy, Mary, Jen and Jayme for holding my hand through the editing process and lending me your most trusted opinions.

To my amazing models, Brian and Jessica — you two are stunning together!

I love you all, and I have been so blessed to have you all on this journey.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennyfer Browne has always been a sucker for a good love story- a complex recipe with a dash of dashing, a pinch of heroism, and a hefty dose of outside forces that test young lovers. Seasoned with tears and laughter, followed by a sprinkle of happy sighs fill out the perfect recipe.

Jennyfer also enjoys pie.

Ms. Browne lives in California with her wonderful husband and adoring son, where she enjoys the beach and sailing off on further adventures. A member of the Romance Writers of America and blessed with an overactive imagination, she writes sweet and savory romances with a twist of tart that always come to a happy ending.

You can visit Jennyfer Browne on her Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/jennyferbrowneauthor

and online at

http://jennyferbrowne.wordpress.com

Books by Jennyfer Browne:

In Your World Series:

Healing Faith (Book One)

Renewing Hope (Book Two)

Finding Love (Book Three)
- out Summer 2014