Helen dropped the quilt and ran toward the base of the bridge with Isaac and Anna close behind her. She heard Paul shouting for Mark. The tree limb bobbed faster in the swift current between the bridge pilings and disappeared from her sight. She closed her eyes. “Please, Lord, spare his life. I love him so much. Please be merciful.”
She could hear Paul shouting, and then there was silence. She stared into the dark shadows under the bridge and prayed as she had never prayed in her life. Then she saw the bow of the boat emerging into the light. Paul was rowing with difficulty against the current. Finally, the rest of the boat appeared with Mark sitting at the rear.
Helen’s knees gave way, and she sat abruptly in the grass as tears of joy and thanksgiving blurred her vision. Anna and Isaac helped her to her feet. “He’s fine,” Anna said. “He’s fine. Praise God for His goodness.” There was as much relief in her voice as there was in Helen’s heart.
Paul beached the boat and both men climbed out. Paul scooped the mewing kits from the floor of the boat and carried them to their mother. She took each one, nosed it thoroughly and then licked it before she seemed satisfied. Helen had never seen her aunt looking so happy, as she gathered the new family into her apron.
Mark sat beside Helen and leaned close to whisper in her ear. “At least we know why he was always barking beneath the tree.”
Nodding, Helen smiled at him. “He was trying to convince her to come home.”
There was so much more she wanted to say to him, but she settled for whispering, “Thank you.”
He smiled softly. “You’re welcome.”
Helen’s gaze shifted to the house. “I hope Angela didn’t see this.”
“She’s not here. She’s gone to her cousin’s wedding.”
“Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say. All through the previous sleepless night she had practice telling him goodbye and wishing him well without bursting into tears. It would be impossible at the moment for tears were already gathering in her eyes. She blinked them back.
Clyde crawled close beside Charlotte, who was sitting cross-legged on the grass, and laid his head on her knee as he gazed at the pile of babies. Charlotte patted his head. “You will make a fine stepfather. Oh, what fun we shall have.”
Anna made shooing motions at Mark and Helen. “Up to the house, both of you, and get out of those wet things.”
Helen allowed herself to be shepherded up to the house, where she changed into clothing borrowed from Rebecca. By the time she came down to the living room, word of the morning’s adventure had spread. Mark and Paul were surrounded by the men from the workshop asking questions and shaking their heads in amazement.
Anna came out of the kitchen and stopped beside Helen. “Charlotte is anxious to get home and get Juliet and her family settled into a safer nest.”
Helen had her battered emotions under control. She wanted to speak with Mark, to say her goodbyes but not in front of everyone. He looked up and caught sight of her. He made his way through his friends to her side. “Are you okay?”
No, she wasn’t. Her heart was breaking, but she managed a half-hearted smile. “A little waterlogged. I’m going to have to wash my hair.”
He grinned at her. “Then you’re going be home this evening?”
“Most definitely.”
His brother Joshua came in with his wife, Mary, and their daughter, Hannah. “I’ve been hearing that my cousin jumped in the river to save a raccoon. Is it true?”
Mark tipped his head close to Helen. “I’ll be over to see you in a couple of hours. I have a lot of things to tell you.”
He turned to his cousin, and Helen’s smile faded. All she had to say to him was goodbye.
* * *
Mark couldn’t wait until evening. It was only four thirty when he stepped onto Charlotte’s front porch with a package under one arm. His heart was pounding in his chest. Could he convince Helen that he loved her? Would she give him a chance to prove his love, or was her mind still set on leaving? Did she love him even a little or was he only fooling himself? He loved her so much. The thought of going through life without her was unbearable.
He knocked on the door, but no one answered. Had she changed her mind about seeing him?
Clyde ambled around from the side of the house and woofed once. He turned around and went back the way he had come. Mark took it as an invitation to follow him. He hadn’t been in Charlotte’s flower garden during daylight hours.
He stepped through a white lattice arbor laden with fragrant red roses. Helen was seated on a white wrought-iron bench in the middle of a stone patio, surrounded by yellow and purple irises. She hadn’t seen him. She was brushing her unbound hair. She looked to be enjoying the feel of the warm sun on her face. Her wheat-blond hair glistened in the sunlight and shimmered like liquid gold with each stroke of her brush. He sucked in his breath as he realized she was truly a pearl beyond price, but her beauty wasn’t the reason he loved her. He loved every complicated and fascinating part of her mind. Every giggle, every frown, every sigh. He wanted to have and to hold her for all eternity. If she loved him.
Clyde nudged the back of Mark’s knee. He looked down at the dog. “I’m going, I’m going.”
Helen must’ve heard him for she opened her eyes and turned her head toward him. The happiness he saw in her beautiful eyes left him speechless. How could he have imagined spending a lifetime with a wife he didn’t love?
Helen quickly looked away as the joy in her expression turned to sadness. His confidence slipped. Maybe she didn’t love him.
She looked up and shook her hairbrush at him. “You’re early.”
“Shall I go away and come back later?”
“Nee, you should come and sit beside me.”
“I reckon that’s the best invitation I’m liable to get all day.”
She scooted over to make room for him. He sat down, suddenly tongue-tied and nervous. She fiddled with the brush in her hands and avoided looking at him. Clyde decided to sit on the bench beside her, forcing Helen to scoot closer to Mark.
Knowing the dog was on his side, Mark’s courage returned. “I brought you something.” He handed her the package.
She took it from him, held it to her ear and shook it. The rattle of glass made her eyes widen. “What is this for? It’s not my birthday.”
“I’ll explain in a minute.”
“What is it?”
“Open it and see.”
She quickly tore off the brown paper wrapping and gasped. Gently, she ran her fingers over the figures of Clyde in various poses, sitting, rolling over, sleeping, even flying with his ears out straight, all carved in relief into the dark walnut doors. She opened the doors and pulled out one of the dozen empty spice jars.
“I didn’t put the labels on because I didn’t know what spices you would want,” he said quickly, hoping she liked it.
She tucked the jar back in place and closed the doors. “Mark, this is beautiful. But why?”
“I’m hoping it’s an engagement gift. Helen Zook, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her mouth dropped open. “You can’t mean that. You’re going to marry Angela.”
“I’m not.”
“You aren’t? What about the land and the business? You’ve spent years working to fulfill your plans. I don’t understand.”
“The good Lord has opened my eyes and made me see that my plan wasn’t His plan for me. You are if you will have me. I’m not much, but I promise to be a good and loving husband. Will you marry me?”
“You’re not going to marry Angela?”
“Nee, I’m not.”
“You’re not going to start a business with her father?”
“Nope.”
Her eyes widened as his words sank in. “Why?”
“Because I love you. Do you...do you care for me at all?” He held his breath.
“Oh, Mark I love you, too. I can’t believe this is happening. I have been rehearsing how to say goodbye without falling apart.”
“God willing I will never hear that speech.” He laid the spice rack aside, pulled her close and kissed her as every fiber of his being shouted with joy. After a long interval, he pulled away to look into her eyes.
“I love you, Helen Zook. I think I fell in love with you when you smashed those delicious cream horns into my chest.”
She covered her face with her hands and laughed. “I was absolutely humiliated that day. The look on your face did not say I love you.”
He took her hands in his. “What does the look on my face say today?”
Tenderness filled her eyes. “It says everything I have always wanted to hear.”
He swept back a lock of her hair. “Does it say ‘I think you are beautiful?’”
She tipped her head to the side to study him. “I believe it does.”
He gently cupped her face and ran his thumb across her lips. “Does it say that I’m dying to kiss you again?”
She tipped her head slightly. “I don’t see that in your eyes.”
“Then I reckon I had better show you.” He bent forward and gently kissed her.
She sighed against his lips. He turned to gather her in his arms and draw her close. Her arms circled his neck, and he thought his heart might explode with the love that expanded inside him. Her lips were soft and yielding beneath his. He’d never know a sweeter moment in his life. He kissed her eyelids and her cute nose and the pulse beating in her throat.
When she finally drew back, he knew without a doubt that this was the woman God meant to be his wife. “I didn’t know I could love someone so much,” he whispered.
“It came as a surprise to me, too,” she said with a smile. “God has been good to us.”
“What is your answer, woman of my heart?”
* * *
Helen grew somber as she gazed at the man she loved. “In answer to your earlier question, ja, Mark Bowman, I will be pleased to become your wife. This morning you said that we will raise our children by this river. Have you decided not to return to Pennsylvania?”
“I’ve been working on a new plan, but I’m going to need some help with it.”
“I’m always willing to give you my point of view.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Even when I don’t want it, I know. This time, I want it. I’ve taken some inspiration from you. You love baking, and it shows in what you produce. The part I like best about building furniture is carving. I’m a good carver. I think I can become a master carver in time. Adam Knepp, my uncle’s master carver, is willing to teach me. My uncle says I have the gift. Bowmans Crossing is drawing more tourists every year. I think a bakery beside the gift shop can become a paying proposition in two or three years with the right baker in charge.”
“Me? You want me to have my own bakery?” She shook her head sadly. “We don’t have the money for that.”
“When I told Angela I couldn’t marry her, she gave me back the money I had paid to her father. She was hoping I wouldn’t take her back. Her father pressured her into saying that she had reconsidered and that she was willing to go through with our arrangement, but she wanted to marry someone else. She didn’t come because of the letter you thought I wrote her. I never sent it. I was writing it to you. I wanted to hear what it would take to make you love me.”
Helen laid a hand on his cheek. She was glad he hadn’t sent Angela that letter. “Are you sure about this? You dreamed of owning your own business there for so many years.”
He covered her hand with his and turned to place a kiss on her palm. “God has given me a new dream. One that will change and grow over time as He blesses us with children and grandchildren.”
“I like the sound of that.”
He kissed her temple. “So do I. When can we wed?”
“As soon as the banns are announced is fine with me,” Helen said and leaned toward him for another kiss.
“Nonsense,” Charlotte declared from her bedroom window. “Fall is the time for weddings. You don’t want folks wondering why the rush. We have so much to do to get ready. Are you finished wooing yet?”
“Not yet, Charlotte,” Mark said sternly. “Stop eavesdropping, and shut your window.”
“How rude. Helen was right about you.” She slammed the window sash down with a bang.
Clyde woofed. Mark looked over at him. “Get lost. I’ve got this.”
The dog jumped down from the bench and trotted around the corner of the house.
“Now, where was I?” Mark asked, gathering Helen close once more.
She tapped her lips with one finger. “I think you were here.”
“I believe you’re right.”
Helen thrilled to the touch of his lips on hers and proceeded to kiss him with all the passion in her heart. God had indeed been good to them.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed
AN UNEXPECTED AMISH ROMANCE,
look for the other books in the
AMISH BACHELORS series:
Keep reading for an excerpt from COURTING HER AMISH HEART by Mary Davis.
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