Six months later
As Martha sat at the corner table with her groom and their attendants, her heart swelled with joy. She’d just become Luke’s wife, and now that the attacks were behind them, her family had finally found a sense of peace. Sheriff Osborn had come by the other day and given Dad a letter from John, who was still in jail. John admitted that he’d been drinking the night Martin was killed but said he hadn’t rammed the buggy with the intent of killing anyone. He also said he’d been reading his Bible every day and that his faith was growing. He’d also been getting some counseling, which was helping him deal with his past and the abuse he’d suffered from his stepdad. John ended the letter by saying that he planned to move back to Oregon when his jail time had been served, and he apologized for all the horrible things he had done.
Martha was glad John was doing well, and she knew that, despite what John had done, God wanted her to forgive him. She also knew that in order to heal, she must forgive.
She glanced across the room to where Mom and Dad sat talking with Luke’s parents. Although quiet and reserved, Mom was feeling much better these days. She no longer needed medication for her nerves, and the smile on her face as she leaned close to Dad told Martha that Mom was happy and at peace.
Martha shivered when Luke’s warm breath tickled her ear as he leaned close and whispered, “Have you noticed how happy Cleon looks today? I think he was relieved when your daed said he was free to quit working at the shop with us and go out on his own with his honey and candle-making business.”
“I’m happy for Cleon and also for his brother Ivan. He and Amanda make a wonderful couple.”
Martha motioned to Grace, sitting beside Cleon with Daniel in her lap. “I’m also happy to see Grace looking so peaceful. Now that the attacks have ended and things are better between her and Carl Davis, she always seems to be wearing a smile.”
Martha glanced at the table where Aunt Rosemary sat beside her son and his wife. She was glad Ken and Sharon had been able to take vacation time and come to Holmes County for her wedding. Aunt Rosemary was all smiles as she visited with them.
“Did I tell you my cousin Ken and his wife are expecting a baby?” Martha asked.
“You have mentioned that a time or two,” Luke said with a chuckle. “I’m glad for them and will be even happier when our time comes.”
“Jah, me, too.” Martha’s gaze went to her aunt again. “Aunt Rosemary’s real good with kinner. I think she’ll make a fine grossmudder, don’t you?”
“I’m sure she will. She’s also a good cook, so she’ll probably do real well taking over your place at Irene’s with all the dinners she serves.” Luke motioned to Carl Davis, who sat on the other side of Rosemary with Anna by his side. “From what I hear, your aunt’s been seeing a lot of Carl lately, which may be another reason she’s wearing such a big smile today.”
“Maybe there’ll be another wedding in our family sometime soon.”
“You mean Rosemary and Carl?”
Martha nodded. “They seem to have a lot in common.”
Luke reached for her hand. “Like us, you mean? We both enjoy being outdoors, we like to go fishing, and we take pleasure in working together with the dogs in your kennel business.”
Martha smiled. “I appreciate the time you took to make me those new dog runs. Now, not only can I raise my dogs, but I can board and groom other dogs, as well.”
He gently squeezed her fingers. “A man will do most anything for the woman he loves.”
Her cheeks warmed. No matter how long she and Luke were married, she didn’t think she would ever get tired of hearing him say he loved her.
“You two look happier than a couple of kids with a box of candy,” Toby said as he and Sadie stepped up to the corner table. “I’m glad everything’s worked out so well for you.”
“Jah, and for you and me, too,” Luke said with a nod. “For quite a while there, I thought our friendship might be over.”
Toby clasped Luke’s arm. “I feel bad for the trouble I caused. I don’t know how I could have ever thought you were behind the attacks on the Hostettlers.”
Luke grimaced. “I can’t believe I thought it was you, either.”
“That’s in the past, and we’ve made our peace, so let’s look to the future,” Toby said.
“Jah, I agree.”
As the men continued to visit, Martha turned to Sadie and said, “How are you feeling these days?”
Sadie’s smile seemed to light up the room. “Other than some bouts of heartburn and a bit of morning sickness, I’m feeling right as rain.”
“Are you getting anxious for your boppli to be born?”
“Oh, jah.” Sadie placed one hand on her bulging stomach. “February can’t come soon enough for me.” She leaned closer to Martha and whispered, “I’m glad things have worked out for you and Luke. You both deserve to be happy.”
“Danki.” Martha glanced across the room to where Ruth and Abe sat with their family. God had blessed Ruth when she’d married Abe.
Sadie nudged Toby’s arm. “Should we go back to our table now and let the bride and groom visit with their other guests?”
“Jah, sure.” Toby smiled at Luke. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Toby and Sadie had no sooner gone back to their table when Ray and Donna Larson stopped by. “We wanted to offer our congratulations on your marriage,” Ray said.
“And say how much we’re going to miss you, Martha, now that you won’t be our neighbor anymore,” Donna put in.
Martha smiled. “I won’t be living that far away—just a few miles down the road in the house Dad, Luke, and Cleon built for us on the backside of Luke’s folks’ property.”
Donna patted Martha’s arm. “Do come by and see us whenever you can.”
“We will,” Martha and Luke said in unison.
“We left your wedding present on the back porch,” Ray said. “It’s a birdhouse that will attract the martins that come into our area every spring.”
“Thank you. That’s very nice.” As Martha watched the Larsons walk away, she thanked God that her suspicions concerning Ray had been wrong. Ray and Donna had been good neighbors for many years.
“There’s sure a lot of food here today,” Luke said, pushing Martha’s thoughts aside. “I’ll be so full by the end of the day that I probably won’t have to eat for a week.”
She snickered and poked him in the ribs. “If I know you, come tomorrow morning, you’ll be the first one at the breakfast table.”
He laughed and motioned to the table where his folks sat with Martha’s parents. “From the looks of my daed’s plate, I’d say he’s eating more than his share today.”
“I guess you take after him then, huh?”
Luke shrugged as his face sobered. “I hope not too much.”
“What do you mean?”
“When we have kinner of our own, I hope I never distrust them the way my daed did me when I was going through rumschpringe.”
She touched his arm. “Things are better between you and your folks now, so it might be best to keep your focus on that.”
Luke smiled and took her hand. “How’d I find myself such a schmaert wife?”
“The same way I found such a smart man. I’m thankful God brought us together,” she said.
He nodded. “And I’m thankful you never quit believing in me or lost hope that God would answer your prayers.”
Martha released a contented sigh as she leaned her head on Luke’s shoulder. Whatever they might have to face in the future, she could be at peace, knowing their love for God and for each other would see them through.