The Amish Blacksmith (53 page)

“You ready, Mrs. Miller?” I said as I pulled the cap down even farther over my ears.

“Sure am, Mr. Miller,” she replied with a wink.

Stepping outside, I closed the door and flipped over the sign that advised customers to clang the bell if they needed help. The sound of the old school bell I'd mounted there on the beam could be heard throughout the orchard and kept me from missing walk-ins.

Finally, with Priscilla carrying the clippers and I the ladder, we trooped out into the snow and headed for the trees. We started at the northwest corner with a Red Delicious, awkward and clumsy at first but slowly growing a little defter with our efforts as the hours passed. By the time we finished for the day, we were mighty cold—and hungry too—but pleased with the progress we'd made. Our steps fell in sync as we walked back toward the house side by side, and again I thought of what a great team the two of us made. The little tomboy and the clueless object of her affection from all those years ago had come a long, long way to get to where we were now. I had a feeling our shared sense of teamwork would be a big factor in where we continued to go from here, especially in how we raised our family, should God be so gracious as to grant us children.

God had certainly been good to Tyler and Rachel, I thought as we paused at the mailbox, took out the contents, and saw that the mail included a letter
from them, as it often did these days. Their absence from our wedding had been the only dark spot on that otherwise-wonderful morning, but with Rachel so far along in her pregnancy, they hadn't been able to risk the trip to Indiana. Good thing too, because their healthy, eight-pound-two-ounce son was born just a week later, on Thanksgiving afternoon.

Priscilla opened the envelope now and read the letter aloud as we continued on toward the house. We both enjoyed hearing from them, and somehow Rachel's gift of description brought alive their new life with baby Joel better than any photos ever could. Big Joel—my father and Tyler's grandfather—was smitten with his little namesake, a fact made even more obvious with today's note, which recounted how Rachel had caught him cooing baby talk to his great-grandson when he thought no one was listening.

“I always knew
Daed
had it in him,” I said with a laugh when Priscilla finished reading.

“So cute,” she replied, tucking the letter back into the envelope and then sliding it into her coat pocket. “I guess your father will be twice as thrilled when he learns that baby Joel is getting a new cousin.”

“A new cousin?” I said as we moved up the driveway toward the porch. “Who's that?”

She didn't respond, so I glanced over at her—and something made me do a double take.

Maybe it was the smile on her lips.

Maybe it was the way she was resting one hand on her stomach.

Maybe it was the glow that seemed to radiate from her entire being.

Whatever it was, I came to a stop, frozen in place, my eyes wide, my heart pounding.

“Priscilla?” I rasped, swallowing hard.

“Are you— Are we—”

She grinned and then whispered, “
Ya
. And
ya
.”

With a loud whoop, I scooped my beautiful wife into my arms, turning in circles right there in the driveway as she laughed and scolded me to put her down. Finally, I came to a stop and lowered her to the ground, though I didn't let her go.

“Easy, boy,” she teased, patting me as if I were a horse even as she settled contentedly into my embrace.

As I held her close, all I could do was gaze at her, at this woman who loved me so completely, who had taught me to feel again, who allowed me to love
her in return. Why God had chosen to bless me so thoroughly—first with a wife beyond my wildest dreams and now with a child on the way—I did not know. All I knew, I thought as I closed my eyes and slowly brought my lips to hers, was that we were a perfect fit.

Priscilla and I were oil and wick.

D
ISCUSSION
Q
UESTIONS

1. Jake considers himself to be an “unemotional” type of guy, but that notion is later challenged. Do you believe there are people who “just don't feel things deeply,” as he claims? Or do you think such claims always indicate that the person is masking/hiding from deeper feelings hidden away below the surface?

2. Priscilla suffered a terrible tragedy in Lancaster County before going away to Indiana at fourteen. Now she has returned, even though she didn't want to, because she feels it is God's will for her. What does this say about her as a person? Have you ever felt God leading you to do something you didn't want to do?

3. Jake describes Amanda as “laid-back and understanding and uncomplicated.” Do you think this makes her a good match for him? In what ways is she a better match for him than Priscilla? In what ways is she worse?

4. When Priscilla returns to Lancaster County, Amos and Roseanna open their home to her, hoping she'll stay and make a new life for herself there. Do you think Amos is right to ask for
Jake and Amanda's help in getting his niece reconnected with other young people in their district?

5. Jake and Priscilla sparred over whose technique was the most effective in helping troubled horses. What were their differences in approach, in your opinion? How were they alike? Do you think one approach was better than the other, or did the two approaches work best when combined together?

6. Jake describes the various ways that people view horses, including as animals, friends, companions, loved ones, moneymakers, symbols of wealth and prestige, entertainment, employees, and more. Which of the above terms, if any, would best describe how you view horses? Do you agree with Jake's assertion that farmers tend to think of horses differently than nonfarmers?

7. Do you think God uses elements of His Creation to teach us? What did Jake learn about himself through his relationship with the horses in this story? What have you learned via something that God created?

8. Natasha has staked much of her reputation and livelihood on the upcoming performance of a single horse. What motivates a person to get involved with a sport that has such huge costs and high stakes? In terms of time, money, or something else, what's the costliest commitment you've ever made for a sport?

9. When Jake realizes Tyler and Rachel are expecting, his emotions are mixed. Have you ever had a similar reaction to what is essentially good news? Does it surprise you that many Amish don't openly discuss certain topics such as pregnancy?

10. Jake's parents are reluctant to tell him about what happened when he was a child. Do you think it's wise for parents to keep silent on such matters? Or is it always better to bring past traumas out in the open, even if they happened decades ago?

A
BOUT THE
A
UTHORS

The Amish Blacksmith
is
Mindy Starns Clark
's twenty-third book with Harvest House Publishers. Previous novels include the first book in this series,
The Amish Groom
(cowritten with Susan Meissner), the number one bestseller
The Amish Midwife
(cowritten with Leslie Gould), and popular mysteries such as
Whispers of the Bayou, Shadows of Lancaster County, Under the Cajun Moon,
and
Secrets of Harmony Grove
. Mindy has earned numerous honors, including a Christy Award (for
The Amish Midwife
), a Career Achievement Award from
RT Book Reviews
magazine, and an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award from the Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband, John, and two adult daughters near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. You can connect with Mindy at her website:
www.mindystarnsclark.com
.

Susan Meissner
is a multipublished author, speaker, and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. Her novels include
The Shape of Mercy
, named by
Publishers Weekly
as one of the 100 Best Novels of 2008 and a Carol Award winner. She is a pastor's wife and the mother of four young adults. When she's not writing, Susan writes small group curriculum for her San Diego church. Visit Susan at her website:
www.susanmeissner.com
, on Twitter at @SusanMeissner, or at
www.facebook.com/susan.meissner
.

Lilies on Daybreak Pond

An E-Short Story

Coming January 2015!

The Tender Prequel to The Men of Lancaster County Series

A delightful short story of discovery and hope available only from your favorite ebook retailer.