Four months later
Sara sat on a backless wooden bench inside the Kings’ barn, watching and listening as Michelle and Ezekiel said their vows in front of the bishop. The oversized building had been cleaned from top to bottom, leaving no sign that it ever housed any animals. The horses had been put in the pasture, and the Kings’ dogs were secured inside a temporary enclosure. In addition to Ezekiel’s father and brothers, Uncle Ivan and his sons had come over a few days ago to pressure wash and clean every nook and cranny inside the barn. Bales of hay and straw had been put in the loft above, and if it hadn’t been for the shape of the structure, no one would have known they were sitting inside a barn.
Sara heard some sniffles and glanced at her grandmother. Sure enough, tears had splashed onto Grandma’s cheeks, and she was none too discreetly blotting at them with her delicate white handkerchief.
Sara struggled not to cry as well, for the look of joy radiating on the bride’s and groom’s faces made her feel like tearing up. She clasped her hands together in her lap. A year ago, who would have believed I’d have a friendship with the young woman who had impersonated me for over four months, let alone be one of the guests at Michelle’s wedding.
So much had changed in Sara’s life that she sometimes felt as though she’d imagined it all. She glanced at the men’s side of the room and caught Brad looking at her. She couldn’t help but smile. His love for her was obvious, and she felt the same way about him. Sara wondered if some day she and Brad might be saying their vows, with a whole new life starting for them. So far, however, he’d made no reference to them getting married since their conversation four months ago. Brad knows how much I like living near my grandparents. Maybe he hasn’t asked because he’s afraid I’ll say no.
Smiling, Sara looked at two young English men who sat on the bench behind Brad. When the wedding was over, she would introduce them to Michelle.
Michelle took her groom’s hand, and as the bishop pronounced them husband and wife, she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Today was the most special day of her life. Even the weather cooperated, giving them sunny skies and mild temperatures for the month of November.
The other day, Michelle had called her foster parents to let them know how much her life had changed and to invite them to her and Ezekiel’s wedding. Al and Sandy Newman were the only link she had to her childhood after she was taken from her parents. Al had been delighted to hear Michelle’s voice when he picked up the phone and immediately yelled for Sandy to get on their other extension. The three of them talked for nearly an hour, and the Newmans said they wished they could come to the wedding but unfortunately had made other plans for that day.
Michelle thought about the letter she’d previously sent to her parents. Unfortunately, it had come back with no forwarding address, so she had no way of getting in touch with them. They probably wouldn’t have come to my wedding anyhow, she thought. And maybe it’s for the best. I’m sure they would have had unkind things to say to me, Ezekiel, and even the Lapps.
For a moment, Michelle leaned her head back and looked up. The only thing that would have made today it any better would be to have Ernie and Jack in attendance. But it was an impossible dream, and she needed to keep her focus on Ezekiel, for he was all she could ever want in a husband. Michelle looked forward to having a family someday and teaching their children about God. If only she’d had a personal relationship with Him when she was a child, it would have been easier to deal with all the trials she and her brothers had faced.
Better late than never, Michelle thought as she gave her groom’s fingers a tender squeeze before they returned to their seats.
When the wedding concluded and people milled around outside the tent where the first meal of the day would be held, Sara searched for Michelle. She found her talking to Ezekiel’s sister Sylvia.
“I don’t mean to interrupt”—she said, stepping up to them—“but I’d like to give Michelle the wedding present I got for her.”
Sylvia blinked a couple of times. “Can’t that wait until later, when the bride and groom open all their gifts?”
“No, this gift can’t wait.” Sara took her friend’s hand. “Will you come with me?”
Michelle glanced around as though she might be looking for Ezekiel, but then she nodded.
Leading the way, Sara hurried in the direction of the greenhouse. That’s where she’d asked Brad to wait with her surprise wedding present for Michelle. He had told Ezekiel to meet them there too.
As they approached the greenhouse, Michelle stopped walking. “What are we doing here? Is this where you put my wedding gift?”
“Yes, it is, and you’ll see when we go inside.” Sara pulled her along.
When they entered the building, Brad stood beside Ezekiel and the two young men who had been sitting behind him during the wedding.
Michelle looked at them with a curious expression, and then she turned to face Sara. “I am confused. Who are these men, and where is the gift you promised me?”
Sara could hardly keep a straight face. “These men are your wedding present.” She pointed to them. “Michelle, I would like to introduce you to Ernie and Jack Taylor.”
Michelle’s eyes widened as she clutched Sara’s hand. “M–my brothers?”
Sara managed only a nod because the lump in her throat made it impossible to speak.
The young men moved forward, and Michelle ran toward them. Exclamations of joy and tearful sobs could be heard, as two auburn-haired brothers were reunited with their now-Amish sister. Ezekiel stood by with a loving expression as he witnessed the scene. Sara also noticed a few tears escaping his eyes.
“But how?” Michelle asked, turning to face Sara.
“It took some doing, but thanks to a lot of internet searching and a good many phone calls, I was able to locate them.”
Michelle looked in awe at her brothers. “I—I still can’t believe it.” She hugged them both again.
Brad stepped up to Sara and pulled her to his side. “You did a wonderful thing, Sara, and your good friend is one happy bride.”
She flashed him a smile, struggling to keep from breaking down. “Yes, I can see that. I couldn’t think of a better gift to give my good friend.”
“Let’s go outside and allow them to visit for a bit,” Brad whispered in Sara’s ear. “There is something I want to ask you.”
“Okay.” She followed Brad out the door.
As they stepped into the sunlight streaming down from the sky, Brad suggested they move off to the side, away from the building. Then, catching Sara completely by surprise, he got down on one knee.
“I can’t promise you a life with no complications, but I can promise to always be there for you, in good times and bad.”
Sara held her breath as he continued. “The life of a minister will have its challenges, but with God’s help, and you at my side, I am up for the challenge.” He paused and took a small jewelry box from his jacket pocket, opened the lid, and held it out to her. “Sara Murray, will you marry me?”
With tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, Sara nodded. “Yes, Brad, I will marry you.” She held out her left hand, and Brad slipped the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had been made just for her. Her worries about Terri were completely gone. Becoming a pastor’s wife wouldn’t be easy, and it might mean moving to some other town or state. But Sara loved Brad enough to make that commitment and felt certain God would bless them and direct their lives. As much as she wanted to continue running her business and living closer to her grandparents, Sara wanted to share in Brad’s ministry that would involve touching people’s lives and ministering to them when they were hurting. Just as Sara’s life had been touched by the notes she’d read in the forgiving jar, she wanted to be by Brad’s side as they shared the Good News with others.