He dipped his head down and caught her lips with his. All he cared about was sealing this agreement with a kiss, and the kinner behind them started to chatter.
“What did she say?” That was Moses.
“She said yes, you doofus! That’s why she’s kissing him!” Aaron retorted. Or maybe that had been Thomas.
“Are we going to be siblings, then?” That was Violet. “Are you all going to be my stupid brothers?”
Then the kinner were laughing, and Violet squealed—probably poked by one of the boys—and Elias’s heart was so full he felt like he could burst. He couldn’t wait to marry her. He couldn’t wait to be the new daet to all four of her wonderful boys and for Violet to get the chance at having a mamm as lovely and thoughtful and wise as Delia.
Elias couldn’t wait to make Delia his.
Epilogue
Delia and Elias got married in mid-September when the flowers in the field were all harvested—or drooping as the nights got cooler and the leaves started to change color. It was a quick wedding, and before they said their vows, Elias had gone back to Indiana for a few weeks to take care of things there. He told his family about his upcoming nuptials, and gave his job his two-weeks’ notice... Because Elias was going to be helping Delia and the boys run their flower farm.
The boys had worked hard, but with school, they needed to focus on learning and stop worrying about adult responsibilities.
The wedding was held at the Knussli farm. Adel, the community matchmaker, insisted. She’d been searching for a match for Delia, and she said it was the least she could do to support Delia in finding a husband the old-fashioned way.
So when the day of the wedding arrived, Delia found herself alone in the laundry room, standing next to the wringer washer and fiddling with the hem of her apron, her heart in her throat. The door creaked open, and Adel poked her head inside.
Adel was largely pregnant now with her second baby. Her little boy was now walking, and he was probably outside with the older girls having fun.
“Are you all right, Delia?” Adel asked.
“Yah,” Delia replied. “I’m just remembering my first wedding.”
“Ah.” Adel came inside and shut the door behind her. “I understand that very well. You and I both lost our first husbands.”
“That’s right—you understand,” Delia said.
“What is worrying you most?” Adel asked.
“That it won’t be the same,” Delia said, her voice shaking.
“It won’t be,” Adel replied, running a hand over her rounded belly. “It will be completely different. This is a different man. There will be different challenges and different joys. It will be nothing like being married to Zeke. It will be everything like being married to Elias.”
“Am I selfish to be doing this?” Delia asked. “Tell me the truth. I love Elias so much! And I think he’ll be a wonderful stepfather for my sons, but—”
“Come.” Adel went to the door, opened it and looked both ways. “The way is clear. Come on!”
Delia looked at Adel in surprise. The woman didn’t sneak very well at this stage of her pregnancy, but Delia followed her all the same to an office. Adel ushered Delia inside and then brought her to a window.
“Look,” Adel said.
Outside the window, she saw her boys lined up in front of Elias. Elias tugged at Aaron’s collar, then tugged at a wrinkle on Ezekiel’s sleeve. He said something she couldn’t hear, and all four boys laughed. Violet joined them, and they turned away, moving out of sight again.
“Are you selfish for marrying him?” Adel asked. “You tell me.”
“He’s a wonderful father,” Delia said softly.
“And you are a wonderful mother for choosing him,” Adel said. “I promise you that.”
They would be fine, wouldn’t they? Elias would love her boys and give them the manly direction they needed. And Delia would love Violet with all her heart and relish having a daughter in her home. If love alone could keep that girl Amish, then Elias would never have to worry again, because Delia had love enough for all of them.
“Are you ready to go get married?” Adel asked.
“Yah, I am!” Delia said, and she pulled Adel into a hug. “Thank you!”
“I wish I could take the credit for this wedding, but Gott was the matchmaker with you two!” Adel laughed.
And Adel was right. Somehow, two lonely parents had found just what their families needed in each other. Gott put the lonely in families—that’s what the Good Book said. And Delia’s heart was overflowing.
She couldn’t wait to start her life as Elias’s wife and the loving, doting, proud mamm of five!
If you liked this story from Patricia Johns,
check out her previous Love Inspired books:
An Amish Mother for His Child
Their Amish Marriage Arrangement
Their Amish Secret
Their Amish Matchmaking Dilemma
Available now from Love Inspired!
