Chapter 9

Phoebe and Kevin found her parents sitting on the back porch in their favorite rocking chairs. A colorful butterfly flittered past as she and Kevin climbed the porch steps together.

“You two weren’t gone long,” Mamm said with a smile.

“We want to talk to you and Freeman,” Kevin told Mamm. Then he smiled at Phoebe before looking at Dat. “Freeman, you warned me not to break your dochder’s heart. You said you were worried I’d hurt her if I wasn’t interested in a future with her. Well, I am interested, and I want to commit to a future with her because I care so much about her. I respect her. I’m amazed by her grace, intelligence, and bravery. I’ve had feelings for her for a while now, and I believe God led me to her. I would be honored to date her. Please give me your permission.”

Phoebe clenched her jaw as Dat and Mamm exchanged a long and meaningful look.

Finally, Dat turned back to Kevin. “I believe you’re a kind and respectful man, and as long as you continue to treat mei dochder with respect, you have my permission to date her. And you don’t have to quit your job.” He chuckled. “I can’t afford to lose a gut worker like you.”

“Danki, Dat!” Phoebe leaned down and hugged him. “Danki so much.”

Kevin shook his hand. “Danki, Freeman.”

“Gern gschehne.”

Phoebe squeezed Kevin’s hand as she looked up at him. “Why don’t we go to the picnic now?”

“Absolutely.”

*  *  *

Later that evening, Phoebe and Kevin sat on her back porch, moving the glider back and forth and holding hands as the crickets’ symphony sang the sun to sleep. A stunning sunset gave way to a midnight-blue sky dotted with bright stars that seemed to wink and smile.

After spending the afternoon with their friends at the park, Phoebe and Kevin had returned to her parents’ house to have supper with them, Christiana, and Jeff. Then they enjoyed coffee and lemon cake before heading out to the porch to talk alone.

Happiness bubbled through Phoebe as she looked up at Kevin. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions about . . . everything. Danki for coming today and talking everything through with me.”

Kevin ran a finger down her jaw. “God wouldn’t let me give up. He kept leading me back to you, and I’m so grateful.”

“I am too.” She smiled at him. “I want you to know I’m in no rush. Let’s just take our time getting to know each other. I fully support your dream of building a career and a haus before any talk of marriage. We’ll take everything step by step and in God’s time.”

“That sounds perfect, mei liewe.” His voice sounded husky in her ear, sending shivers dancing along her spine. And as Kevin leaned in to kiss her, she closed her eyes and cherished the feel of his lips against hers.

When he pulled back, he touched her lips with his fingertip. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Ich liebe dich, Phoebe.”

Her eyes misted at his words. “I love you, too, Kevin.”

As he pulled her in for a warm hug, she closed her eyes and savored her overwhelming happiness.

Thank you, God, for sending Kevin into my life.