Jacob snapped the reins, and the horse and buggy cleared the curve and approached the white house on the hill.
“What time will Samuel be joining us?” He glanced over at his passenger and smiled. “Rebecca has baked a fresh apple pie, and she will not allow anyone near it until Samuel arrives.”
Sarah grinned. “He won’t be long. He got called over to the Millers’ farm. Someone tampered with his fencing, and his cows are scattered up and down the road.”
Jacob chuckled. “That must be a sight. Cars and cows on the same roads. Perhaps the cows will win, and the Englisch drivers will go away—permanently.”
Sarah laughed. “You know you don’t mean a word of that, Jacob. The tourists provide an excellent market for your produce and Rebecca’s pies.”
Jacob pulled up to the hitching post.
“I know. I know.” He waved his hand dismissively. “But I cannot help but wish I could steer my buggy into town without horns blasting and my horse being skittish each time the cars rev their engines or rush past.”
Jacob jumped out of the buggy and tied the reins to the post.
“Kumm, kumm, everyone has been waiting.” Rebecca beckoned to Sarah and stretched out her arms. “Let me have the boppli.”
Sarah smiled as she handed her sleeping daughter down into her grandmother’s waiting arms. Jacob came around and offered her a hand getting out of the buggy.
Sarah followed the two of them to the grove, where picnic tables covered by white tablecloths dotted the horizon. Even from this distance, Sarah could recognize most of her neighbors already socializing.
“Sarah, Sarah!” William and Mary raced across the lawn in her direction. “Did you bring any cookies with you?”
Sarah laughed. “Get the basket off the floor of the backseat of the buggy. Carry it over to the table, and I will let each of you sample one cookie apiece.”
The children dashed off.
Benjamin followed them with his gaze. “They should not be asking you for cookies, Sarah. I will speak with them.”
“Nonsense, Benjamin. They are children. Let them be.”
“Only if I am also allowed to sample the wares.”
Sarah’s eyes widened with surprise, and she laughed. “Well, Benjamin, if I didn’t know any better, I would swear you are just a big kid yourself.”
The sound of her daughter’s voice caught and held Sarah’s attention.
“Looks like someone just woke up from her nap.”
Faith squirmed in her grandmother’s arms and tried to get down.
“No, precious. If I put you on the ground, you will get dirt all over your hands. Let’s sit down at the table, and Grandmom will fix you something to eat.”
A car approached, kicking up dirt and dust as it sped closer.
Jacob shook his head from side to side. “There’s something about cars and speed that appeals to Samuel, but I am afraid I will never understand.”
“I understand it, Jacob. Samuel doesn’t want to miss Faith’s first birthday party. Why don’t you and Benjamin join the others? I will wait here for Samuel, and we’ll be over in just a moment.”
The warmth of the sun beat on Sarah’s face, and the light breeze ruffled the wisps of hair framing her cheeks. Sounds of laughter and conversations wafted on the air. The party was in full swing, and from her vantage point she could see her daughter basking in the love and attention.
Sam kissed her on the back of the neck, and Sarah startled and squealed.
“You saw me coming, lieb. How could I startle you?”
She wrapped her arm around his waist, and he encircled hers. “I was so lost in the beauty of the day, I didn’t hear you approach.”
As they walked toward the others, Samuel asked, “Have I missed anything? They haven’t sung or cut the cake yet, have they?”
Sarah grinned. “You haven’t missed a thing. We just got here.”
Samuel nodded, happy that he’d made it in time.
“I can’t believe it’s Faith’s first birthday. It seems like only yesterday we were sitting together in this very house and trying to decide on a name for our daughter.”
Our daughter.
A flash of warmth and love flooded her being. Samuel had always treated Faith as his daughter from that very first day, and the child adored him.
“Have you told them?” Samuel asked.
“Without you? How could you think such a thing?”
Samuel’s smile widened. “Let’s tell them now.” He steered her toward the gathering of friends and family.
After pleasantries were exchanged, Samuel clasped Sarah’s hand and pulled her toward him.
“This is a very special day,” Samuel said. “Faith is one year old today.”
Everyone cheered and fussed over the child.
“It has been a good year, ya?” Benjamin asked. “Good weather. Good harvest. Good friends. And now time to eat good food!”
Everyone laughed as he reached for a chicken leg and Rebecca shooed his hand away.
Rebecca tilted her head and stared hard at Sarah and Samuel. Then a grin broke out on her face, and she clapped her hands together. “You have news, ya?”
Her words silenced the group, and all eyes turned toward them.
Sarah smiled up into her husband’s face. It was a good face. Strong features. Strong jaw. Eyes that shone with intelligence—and love.
Her heart overflowed with emotion. God had brought such blessings into her life. Her smile widened so much, she thought it would no longer fit her face.
“You tell them,” she whispered.
“Tell us what?” Jacob asked.
“They don’t have to say a word. It’s written all over their faces, Jacob. Can’t you see?” Rebecca rushed forward, Faith wrapped in her arms and clinging to her neck. “Faith is going to have a little brother or sister, ya?”
Sarah smiled and nodded. The crowd cheered and congratulated them.
“That is great news,” Benjamin said. “Now let’s celebrate by eating.”
Laughter filled the air as friends and neighbors resumed talking while filling their plates.
Sarah’s gaze drifted to the horizon. From this distance, Peter’s headstone was a mere shadow on the rise. A twinge of sadness touched her heart that no memories of the man had returned. But the sadness was immediately replaced with happy thoughts. She had a pretty good guess now what he must have looked like. She saw glimpses of him every time she looked into her daughter’s face, and felt nothing but fondness and gratitude toward the man.
Sarah could feel the warmth of Samuel’s breath on the back of her neck.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
“I was thinking what a perfect day today is.”
He spun her around and smiled down at her. His lips brushed hers softly and tenderly. She could smell the fresh, clean scent of mint and could taste a trace of coffee on his lips.
“Now it is a perfect day,” he whispered.
Sarah reached up and cupped his face with her hand. She smiled into his eyes. Without a word, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him back, long and passionately, expressing all the love and joy her heart could hold. “Now, my love, it is a perfect day.”
Samuel’s eyes glistened. “How did I ever find someone as wonderful as you?”
“I was gift wrapped in bandages and express-delivered to your care by God,” Sarah replied.
Samuel laughed. “That you were. And I will be forever grateful to the good Lord for such a wonderful gift.” He clasped her hand and tugged her toward the picnic tables. “Speaking of gifts, Faith is waiting for us to open hers. Let’s go and help our daughter eat her cake.”
Sarah offered a silent prayer of thanksgiving as she crossed the lawn to join her family and friends. God makes all things good...and Sarah’s life was good, indeed.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story by Diane Burke,
be sure to check out the other books
this month from Love Inspired Suspense!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Tracking Justice by Shirlee McCoy.