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Kish’s expression immediately brightened.

“You’re spoiling them,” Seth said drily.

“Them?” She raised a brow. “I seem to recall you sneaking a handful of the last batch I made.”

Seth laughed, loving this playful side of his new fraa, the way she loved to banter, how she could confidently give as gut as she got and how the gold flecks in her coffee-brown eyes sparkled with life when she was happy.

And he wasn’t the only one whose life was richer for having her here. Their household had transformed since her arrival. Laughter and love flowed through its corridors, bringing with them a renewed sense of warmth and joy that hadn’t been felt since his mamm’s passing. He saw it in his brieder’s faces too—the vibrant energy that emanated from Phoebe had been infectious.

And Phoebe had changed and enriched Edna’s life as well.

Edna’s sling had long since been discarded. But Phoebe, with Seth’s blessing, had convinced her to stay on and make the dawdi haus her permanent home. Because Edna had such an independent spirit, it had taken a little bit of discussion, but in the end Edna had agreed. It had helped that most of her familye resided in Sweetbrier Creek. So now she lived here not as a housekeeper but as a member of the familye and that, too, had multiplied the love under this roof.

Jesse stepped inside just then, followed closely by Daniel. “We just set up the badminton net. Who all wants to come play?”

So much for their quiet game of chess. Seth met Phoebe’s gaze and saw from the smile teasing her lips she was thinking the same thing. She stood and turned to Jesse. “We’re in. Lead the way.”

He stood as well and fell into step beside her. As they made their way to the buggy shed he cut her a sideways glance. “I hope you don’t mind that we didn’t finish our chess match.”

“Nee. Chess is a game for two and we’ll have many more opportunities to play matches in the future. It’s important that we balance those times with the times when we can all be together as a familye, ain’t so?” Then she grinned. “Besides, I’m a very gut badminton player.”

Seth shook his head in mock-disapproval but gave her hand another squeeze, thinking again how truly blessed he was. Closing himself off from a love like this hadn’t been the protection he thought it was, it had been a prison. And his sweet, brave, fierce Phoebe had held the key to set him free.

Phoebe inhaled deeply of the cool, crisp air. Winter hadn’t quite released its grasp on the farm yet but there were subtle signs that spring was readying for an appearance. And she couldn’t wait to see this place—her home now—in springtime. There were so many new experiences awaiting her that she looked forward to sharing with Seth.

Not that she intended to give up the old comfortable experiences. For one thing, their daily chess matches were too special, too important to her.

But the most important game she had ever played was the one that she and Seth had navigated their way through to get them to where they understood and trusted each other enough to let love in. And in doing so, she had found her perfect match.

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About the Author

WINNIE GRIGGS is the multi-published, award-winning author of romances that focus on small towns, big hearts, and amazing grace. Her work has won a number of regional and national awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Winnie grew up in southeast Louisiana in an undeveloped area her friends thought of as the back of beyond. Eventually she found her own Prince Charming, and together they built a storybook happily-ever-after, one that includes four now-grown children who are all happily pursuing adventures of their own.

When not busy writing, she enjoys cooking, browsing estate sales, and solving puzzles. She is also a list maker, a lover of exotic teas, and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.

You can learn more at:

WinnieGriggs.com

X @GriggsWinnie

Facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author

Pinterest.com/WDGriggs

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