That night, back at my apartment, I knelt beside my bed and thought about Dat again and the woman he had helped when I was fourteen. He had reminded her of the story of Job, and then we had memorized the last chapter of it together. Now I recited, “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” I hoped I remembered that the next time life seemed to take an unbearable turn.
I found a job in the cardiac critical care unit at Dover General Hospital and moved there just after the first of the year. Nick and I were married seven months later in a small evening ceremony in his parents’ backyard in late July. I wore a simple white dress that Marie helped me sew.
Besides Nick’s family, Autumn and Paisley attended, along with Jessica, Silas, Ruby, newborn Zachary, and John. Of course Marie, Gordon, and Caden came too. All of those people I expected. The others who attended surprised me. Amos and Becca flew in from Colorado, and Aenti Suz flew up from Haiti. The other surprises were from closer to home—Arden and Vi and even their children arrived at the last minute, along with Mamm and David.
My family was far from typical, but I was thrilled to have us all together.
Doug and Barbara, along with Stephanie and Kaylee, had turned the backyard into a wonderland, with lights strung from the fence to the house and in the tree branches too. They placed potted plants and flowers all around the courtyard and a trellis covered with ivy in front of rows of white wooden chairs.
It was under the trellis that Nick stood, waiting for me, along with the chaplain from Dover, who’d befriended Nick and was performing the ceremony. I couldn’t help but think of Dawdi Joe and Mammi Martha and their wedding in France. I was grateful for our gathering of love.
I walked down the aisle by myself, and we’d chosen to stand alone, although Autumn and Paisley had signed the marriage certificate.
The chaplain began the ceremony by reading the verse from Matthew we’d chosen: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
I marveled that God was in the midst of us, that He’d orchestrated our paths and guided us to this point as two separate families and, most important on this day, as a couple.
Then the chaplain, in honor of my grandparents and great-aunts, read all of 1 Corinthians 13, ending with “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three . . .” but the greatest of these is love.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Aenti Suz sitting between my sisters, dabbing at her eyes. Jah, the past was always with us. As was the present. But then I noticed Mamm was wiping away tears too.
Nick reached for my hand. This time there was no lump in my throat. Only a smile on my face.
I’d be forever grateful for the faithfulness of my ancestors—and the gathering of my family. And most of all, for the man beside me.
Acknowledgments
A big thank-you to my husband, Peter. His support on research trips, deadlines, and throughout life is invaluable to me. I couldn’t do this without him. I’m so glad he’s always willing to join in on the fun!
I’m also thankful for the support of my four adult children—Kaleb, Taylor, Hana, and Lily Thao—and for all the ways that they’ve expanded my world.
My friend Marietta Couch deserves a big shout-out for the ongoing role she plays in my life. Besides encouraging me in so many ways, she generously shares her Plain living experiences with me and has answered countless questions of mine about the Amish. (Any mistakes are my own.)
I’m grateful for all of the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals I know, both military and civilian. You’ve all inspired me with your knowledge, dedication, and compassion.
I’m also very thankful for the fabulous crew at Bethany House Publishers, including my gifted editors, Jennifer Veilleux and Dave Long.
Three books, in particular, aided my research for this novel: The CPS Story: An Illustrated History of Civilian Public Service by Albert Keim; The History of the American Field Service, 1920–1955 by George Rock; and G Company’s War: Two Personal Accounts of the Campaigns in Europe, 1944–1945 by Bruce E. Egger and Lee McMillian Otts. Bruce Egger was my father, and it was moving to think of him and his World War II experiences as I wrote this story.
I’m also grateful for the many teachings God has given us about fear, including Isaiah 43:1b, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (NIV).
Lastly, I’m thankful for my readers, including my Street Team. I’m so grateful for the encouragement and support they all offer, and for the reviews of my novels and word-of-mouth sharing. You are simply the best!
Leslie Gould is the #1 bestselling and award-winning author of thirty-one novels, including the COURTSHIPS OF LANCASTER COUNTY series and the NEIGHBORS OF LANCASTER COUNTY series. She holds an MFA in creative writing and enjoys research trips, church history, and hiking, especially in the beautiful state of Oregon where she lives. She and her husband, Peter, are the parents of four adult children.
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House
Twitter: @Bethany House
Table of Contents
Cover
Books by Leslie Gould
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Epigraph
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Acknowledgments
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
List of Pages
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