Songs 8:7.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house,
he would be utterly despised.
Rebecca had spent a miserable week. In fact, it was the most miserable week of her life. Sarah was still acting strangely, presumably as she felt awkward about hiding her relationship with Elijah, and Rebecca was doing her best to be happy for the pair. After all, she blamed herself for not letting Elijah know how she felt about him. If she had done so years ago… yet Rebecca stopped herself right there. Like her mudder said, it was no use crying over spilled milk. What was done, was done. A dozen similar clichés ran through Rebecca’s head, until she put an empty saucepan down rather too forcefully on the table. Oh no, I’m turning into Mamm, she thought.
Rebecca abandoned her work for the moment and walked to the door of the Miller haus. After Grossmammi Deborah’s passing, Mrs. Flickinger had decided not to take in any more guests for the moment, and only had the one long-term guest, Benjamin Shetler. As a result, Rebecca had less work at the B&B.
The snow was falling again, and Rebecca walked to the edge of the porch and held out her hand, letting the snowflakes fall gently upon it. It looked like it would indeed be a harsh winter this year, with snow falling so early.
A buggy appeared through the snow, and pulled up outside the haus. Elijah climbed down, his handsome face illuminated by the threads of sunlight glistening through the snow.
Rebecca’s heart stood still when she saw him. If only she hadn’t been so silly; if only she had listened to the advice of the older women.
“Sarah isn’t home,” she pronounced, and then was surprised to see that her statement puzzled Elijah. He came to a stop and stood there, rubbing his chin, bewilderment in his eyes.
“I came to see you,” he said, his voice faltering. “I wanted to speak to you about something.”
A wave of misery washed over Rebecca. Clearly Elijah was going to break the news to her about him and Sarah. Well, she would do her very best to act pleased for them, never mind the fact that her heart was breaking. Rebecca realized that she hadn’t responded. “Jah, sure,” she said, with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
“Would you come on a buggy ride with me?”
“What, now?” Not only was Elijah going to give her bad news, she was going to get frozen hearing it. “It’s snowing.”
“Only lightly. Why don’t you get your coat and boots?”
Rebecca shrugged. “Okay, might as well get it over with.”
Elijah scratched his head. “What did you say?” His handsome face was turned toward Rebecca, and she saw the worry there.
Rebecca clapped her hand over her mouth. She hadn’t realized that she had spoken aloud. “Um, I’ll go and tell Mamm where I’m going.”
Rebecca returned to the buggy, silently lecturing herself to act pleased when Elijah told her he was dating Sarah. She couldn’t let him see how she felt; that would be embarrassing. Besides, she wanted Elijah to be happy, although she would rather have him be happy with her than with Sarah.
The snow was falling gently as Rebecca took her seat next to Elijah. He reached over and wiped a snowflake from the tip of her nose.
I wish he wouldn’t be so nice to me, Rebecca thought. It just makes it harder. Her heart beat rapidly at his touch. The thought that Elijah was going to marry another was too much: Rebecca feared she would break into sobs right then and there.
Elijah drove the buggy at a slow pace and turned into a little lane. The buggy wound its way down the lane, flanked by trees which looked as if they had been dipped in frosting. The snow was falling harder now, and Elijah placed another blanket over Rebecca’s legs as he drove.
“I wanted to speak to you by the pond,” he said, “but it’s too cold out there now for us to get out of the buggy.” He stopped the familye buggy and turned on the propane buggy heater which was mounted on the middle of the dash. The blue flame immediately sprang to light.
Elijah turned to Rebecca and twisted his hands nervously. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
Rebecca’s heart went out to Elijah. As much as she was hurting for the news he was about to deliver, she couldn’t bear him to be burdened by the weight of breaking the news to her that he was intending to marry Sarah. She sighed aloud. “Don’t worry Elijah; it’s all right; I know.”
“You do?” Elijah’s brows knit together in a frown. A snowflake drifted into his mouth and he spluttered.
Rebecca heard herself chuckle; it was as if she heard herself from far away. Her whole world was crashing down. She had known Elijah all her life; how would she ever manage without him?
Elijah was still speaking. “I don’t think you do.”
Rebecca simply nodded; she could no longer speak from sorrow.
“I’ve fallen deeply in love.”
I know, Rebecca thought, wondering how long she could manage to keep her tears at bay.
Elijah frowned at her and chewed his lip. “I want to get married. How do you feel about that? I know we haven’t actually discussed it. Oh dear, this is not the way I wanted to do it.”
“Congratulations,” Rebecca said, trying to look pleased for him.
Elijah rubbed his chin. “Rebecca, I’m serious. You don’t seem to be taking this seriously.”
To Rebecca’s horror, and surprise, for she thought she had been controlling her emotions well, she burst into racking sobs. The next thing she knew was that Elijah’s arm was around her. “Rebecca, whatever’s wrong? You can say no. Please don’t feel pressured.”
“Of course I won’t stop you and Sarah being married,” Rebecca managed to get out through her sobs. “I’m happy for you both.” She burst into a fresh bout of sobbing.
Elijah held her at arms’ length. “Rebecca, look at me.”
Rebecca took the tissue from her face and looked at Elijah.
“Whatever are you talking about?”
It was Rebecca’s turn to be confused. “What do you mean?”
“I just asked you to marry me.” His voice was soft and gentle.
Rebecca’s world stood still. What had Elijah said? Were her ears deceiving her? “What, what about Sarah?” she stammered.
Elijah frowned and shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean about Sarah. Why would I want to marry Sarah? I’ve always been in love with you.”
Rebecca was trying hard to process the strange turn of events. The snow swirled more fiercely in harmony with her emotions. “But, the note you gave Sarah the other day, at the cemetery.”
“The note? My mudder wanted someone else to sew for her at her quilt store. The note was from Mamm to Sarah to tell her she had the job. Mamm had a migraine the day of the funeral, if you remember.”
“I remember; that’s why she wasn’t there,” Rebecca heard her voice say. “But Nash Grayson told me that he saw you and Sarah kissing in the kitchen the day of the viewing, right after I left.”
Elijah looked horrified. “I did no such thing! The nerve of Nash to say that; I knew he was up to something. Clearly he wants you for himself, so he was trying to drive a wedge between us.”
Rebecca processed the information; yes, that did make sense.
Elijah took her hand. “Rebecca, my love, I’ve loved you all my life. Will you do the honor of marrying me?”
Rebecca heard her voice again as if from far away, but this time, her voice was saying what she wanted it to say. “Yes, yes of course, Elijah. I’ve loved you all my life too.”
“You have?” Elijah beamed, and Rebecca’s heart melted at the look of complete happiness on Elijah’s face.
As the snowflakes swirled around them, Elijah’s and Rebecca’s lips met for the fist time. She delighted in the softness of his lips and his gentle touch. Rebecca felt as if it were a dream, but it was a dream she never wanted to end.
* * * The End* * *
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Next in this #1 Best-selling and Kindle All-Star Award Winning (for the Most Popular 40 Books on Amazon) series, The Amish Millers Get Married):
Finding The Way (Book 5)
It’s one shock after another for Sarah Beachy. Firstly her strict father has sent Benjamin Shetler to Lancaster Country to force Sarah to come back home, and secondly, she finds out she is closely related to the Millers. Does Benjamin have reasons of his own for arriving in the community? Will the handsome but wicked Nash Grayson ruin Sarah’s happiness?
The Amish Millers Sisters’ Christmas
Did you love the series, The Amish Millers Get Married?
Find out what happens next!
In The Amish Millers Sisters’ Christmas, the whole Miller family meets for Christmas, all the Miller sisters with their husbands and young children. Their peaceful time is shattered by their two guests, Sarah’s friend, Beth, and the Hostetlers’ cousin, Mark. Why do Beth and Mark dislike each other so much? Will their constant disagreements ruin the Millers’ Christmas?
How will the arrival of an abandoned kitten change everything?
#1 Best-selling series, The Amish Buggy Horse, by Ruth Hartzler.
Faith (Book 1)
For years, Nettie looked after her aged mother Elma, a demanding woman who did not want any involvement with the community.
Now that her mother has died, Nettie is alone. She is regarded with suspicion by the local townspeople, and has had no visitors from her community for some years.
Nettie’s buggy horse has gone lame and has had to be retired, but Nettie cannot afford a new horse. Just as Nettie is despairing about not having any means of transport, a lost horse appears in her driveway, bringing with him far-reaching consequences.
Daniel Glick is drawn to the lonely figure of Nettie, but Nettie wants to be left alone.
However, when Jebediah Sprinkler tries to force Nettie to hand over her house, Daniel springs to the rescue.
As Nettie’s struggles mount, she has to decide whether to take the law into her own hands.
And what will Daniel do when he discovers the secret that Nettie is hiding from him?
Ruth Hartzler’s father was from generations of what people refer to as “Closed Open” or “Gospel Hall” Brethren. Ruth’s mother, a Southern Baptist, had years of struggle adapting to the cultural differences, and always cut her hair, which was a continual concern to Ruth’s father’s family. Ruth was raised strictly Brethren and from birth attended three meetings every Sunday at the Gospel Hall, the Wednesday night meeting, and the yearly “Conference,” until she left the Brethren at the age of twenty one. Ruth still has close friends in the Brethren, as well as the Amish, both groups descending from Anabaptists. Ruth’s family had electricity, but not television, radio, or magazines, and they had plain cars. Make up, bright or fashionable clothes, and hair cutting were not permitted for women. Women had to wear hats in meetings (what others would call church meetings) but not elsewhere. The word “church” was never used and there were no bishops or ministers. All baptized men were able to speak (preach, or give out a hymn) spontaneously at meetings. Musical instruments were forbidden, with the exception of the traditional pump organ which was allowed only if played in the home for hymn music. Even so, singing of hymns in accompaniment was forbidden.
Ruth Hartzler is a widow with one adult child and two grandchildren. She lives alone with her Yorkshire Terrier and two cats. She is a retired middle school teacher and enjoys quilting, reading, and writing.