Epilogue

One year later

“Look at them,” Charity whispered. “We have been blessed.” Grace leaned down and reached into the cradle, tucking the soft blanket around Finley’s small body. Her nephew was the image of Charity, but those pouting lips were Mercy’s for sure and certain.

“Jah, we have sister,” Grace said with a full heart.

“Abigale has more hair than you did. Do you think she even knew it was her birthday?”

“She knows any day with ice cream is special.” Grace suppressed a chuckle.

“Have you told him yet?” Charity passed her a knowing grin. Grace blushed. She still couldn’t believe that after a year of marriage she could still blush.

“It was Abigale’s special day,” Grace said.

“A Christmas present perhaps.” Charity nudged her shoulder. Grace laughed off her silliness and stepped toward the door.

“Kumm, let’s let them sleep while we finish the dishes.” The sisters slipped from the bedroom, leaving the cousins to slumber until Christmas morn.

In the kitchen, Cullen and Mike were finishing off the last of the cake, while Mercy and Hope were seeing that the ice cream had no chance of melting. Grace couldn’t help but smile. She long thought staying in Walnut Ridge, marrying Cullen, would have put further distance between her and her sisters. She had been wrong about that.

The decision to allow Grace and Cullen to marry in February had been met with delight by her sisters and the community. Faith and Charity both stood as attendants while Mutter cried and Daed sat stiff. Betty was right saying Grace couldn’t change his heart; that was for Gott to do. But his presence felt like a beginning.

Since the wedding, he hadn’t visited again, but Mutter had come when Faith and Hope visited in the spring to help with spring gardening. Abigale would never know how her very being put a light in Mutter’s eyes Grace had only caught flickers of over the years. A boppli was a miracle, in so many ways, and Mutter took her mammi role seriously. Her first grandchild, and now with a third on the way, Grace expected many more visits with her mutter.

“We have three more cabinetmakers in our area. Makes it hard to provide for your family and I was worried I would have to find another trade, but Abram says he could use the help,” Mike said, stopping Grace in her tracks.

“What are you two talking about?” Grace asked. Mercy and Hope snickered. Cullen leaned back in his chair and smiled that way he did when he was about to deliver good news.

“Well, my dear, I was hoping to have Mike here help with adding to the haus kumm spring in exchange for me helping them build their own. I just hope Abram doesn’t keep him too busy working at the furniture shop to do it,” Cullen said.

Grace pivoted around to face Charity, beaming. “You’re moving here?” Her voice hitched.

Charity burst with equal emotion. “Jah. Aenti Tess is letting us stay in the cabin now that the Weiss family who lost their home in that fire has left to go live with family. Abram and Elli Schwartz are as kind as you wrote about. Abram has been talking with Mike each time we visit, and well…” Charity lifted her shoulders. “He wants Mike to work in his shop and we found land nearby that is perfect.”

Grace flung her arms around her sister’s neck, tears pouring happily down both their cheeks.

“Finley and Abigale will grow up together,” Charity said with a happy sob as they pulled apart. “We will be returning as soon as the weather breaks. That will give us time to get things in order.”

“This is the best Christmas present I could ever receive. My sister will be living here with me.” Grace turned to face Cullen, who was wearing his most trusting grin.

“You two cry at the drop of a hat,” Hope teased, coming to her feet to join in the hug. “And don’t think I will be moving. I love my job at the market too much to live in a shack on a hillside. Not enough land to plow a flower patch.” Hope quirked a grin.

Mercy rolled her eyes and joined them. “Sister hugs.” The lot of them stood there, heads connected for a time. “Grace, don’t be disappointed, but I like that you live far away. Lets me travel with an excuse.” Mercy never could sit still long.

“And now you will have twice the reason to travel often.” Grace kissed her cheek.

Cullen scooted his chair back, making a loud scraping noise as he did, and got to his feet. “Well, my dear, I think now is a gut time to take my beautiful fraa for a ride.”

“I need to finish up in here and we still have sweet rolls to make for Christmas breakfast before church,” Grace said.

“Abigale is asleep and you know nothing wakes her once she is down,” Cullen grinned shyly. “Charity and Mercy are tending to all the baking.”

Grace turned to find both her sisters smiling. Did they know something she didn’t?

“Now kumm and don’t give it a second thought. I have something to show you.” He lifted her coat from the hook and held it out to her. Grace choked up as she recounted her blessings. She was surrounded by love on all sides.

“Just go, Grace. We got this. It’s Christmas; spend some quiet time with your ehemann.” Charity smirked as if she knew what was coming.

The ride through the snow-covered valley reminded Grace of the night Cullen almost kissed her. Moonlight illuminated the fields and forest in a bluish hue. When Cullen turned right, instead of left out of the valley, Grace shifted in her seat.

“Where are we going?”

“To where it all began.” He leaned over, kissed her cheek. Grace felt her stomach flutter just as she had that night, too. He would always stir butterflies within her.

Once they reached the cabin, Cullen helped Grace down from the buggy. He clasped her hand in his as they both stared at the little house. The window boxes no longer held the vibrant flowers they had all summer, thanks to Claire Weiss, but new wood, the added laundry and bathroom, gave it a charming appeal that she figured Charity would enjoy. Just the thought of her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew living nearby sent another wave of joy jolting through her.

“This feels all too familiar.” The corners of Cullen’s mouth tugged up in a suggestion of a smile. His hands were warm, his clasp firm. Was he thinking, too, how far they’d come since that first meeting?

“More than you know.” Grace smiled back. “Now, ehemann, tell me why we are here?”

He urged her up the long porch and turned the brass knob without saying a word. She didn’t protest his secrecy; in fact she felt giddy about it.

When they stepped inside, Grace was surprised to find the cabin warm and welcoming and smelling of pine. On the table sat pine cones and candles and a poinsettia like the one Elli gifted her one year ago. Two lamps lit up the small space that now sported a couch, four chairs, and a new sink. The Weiss family had made little improvements here and there, blessed to have a roof over their heads when all was taken from them as their home burned months ago. Grace remembered the feeling of such a blessing, and the quilt over the couch, like the dishes in the pantry, were her little touches added, too.

“I was hoping to spend a little private time with my amazing fraa. Maybe discuss Abigale becoming a sister.” Cullen’s gaze grew dark, in that way that always made her insides tremble. Her cheeks flamed, but she welcomed the warmth. He leaned down, brushed his lips over hers softly, and then deepened the kiss. Grace melted under his hand, felt dizzy on his love. When he had snuck away to do this for her, she didn’t know. Cullen was more the romantic than he let on. When they parted, she led him to the next door and paused.

“I should tell you that isn’t necessary. We don’t need to discuss it.” She touched her middle, looked up, and smiled. Cullen’s brown eyes went wide, then he lifted her off the floor and spun her while his lips rested on hers. Holding her suspended, he leaned his forehead into hers and laughed.

“We could pretend I haven’t told you yet,” she said playfully.

Cullen reached behind him and turned the handle. “I like the way you think,” he said, and carried her inside.

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