His Amish Choice Read online

  He showed a thoughtful frown and looked down at his feet. That alone told her he still felt misgivings about quitting his profession. Yes, he could still help others in the Gmay now and then with their medical ailments, but it wouldn’t be the same. If he stayed in Riverton, he wouldn’t be a paramedic anymore and they both knew it.

  “You’ve worked so hard and you love your work,” she said. “I can’t ask you to give that up. You say you love me now, but what about five, ten or fifteen years from now? If you must abandon your career in order to be here with me, I fear you might come to resent me for it. I don’t want you to settle for something you may regret later down the road. And I don’t want you to have to choose between me and your career. I want you to be happy. To feel confident that you have the best life right here with me.”

  He didn’t speak for several moments, his eyebrows drawn together as he considered her words. A heavy sense of loss settled in her chest. Yes, she believed he truly loved her. Maybe he had never stopped. But loving one another didn’t mean he would stay. Not if he couldn’t have all that his heart desired.

  “You and the Lord are all I need to be happy,” Eli insisted. “When you turned and walked away from me yesterday, I knew that more than anything. I won’t lose you, Lizzie. Not again. I have made my choice. My work as a humble farmer, future husband and father are every bit as important as being a paramedic in Denver. I will remain here with you. I know deep in my heart that it’s the decision the Lord would want me to make. It’s what I want too.”

  “Ahum!”

  They both turned and found Jeremiah and Bishop Yoder standing behind them on the porch. Lizzie hadn’t even heard them come outside. Through the living room window, she could see her two sisters peering out at them. Could she have no privacy at all?

  Annie pressed her nose against the glass pane, looking as if she might cry. Jeremiah leaned against the outer wall, his crutches beneath his arms as he held his injured leg up off the wooden floor. Both men wore serious expressions, their foreheads creased with concern.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I think I might be able to clear up a few fears you both might have,” the bishop said.

  Lizzie’s ears perked up at that. Eli faced the two men, but she could see the doubt in his eyes.

  Bishop Yoder lifted a hand and rested it on Eli’s shoulder. “When you came to see me yesterday and told me you wanted to stay, I was worried that you might change your mind yet again. I wanted to know what was truly in your heart. Since you returned home, Deacon Albrecht, Jeremiah and I have been watching you closely. Of course, Jeremiah has had his concerns. He has feared you might hurt Lizzie again, or draw her off with you into an Englisch life. But it has been our fondest hope that the two of you might discover you are still in love, and then choose to marry and start a familye here in Riverton. Now that we know what you really want, I have a proposal for the two of you.”

  Lizzie blinked in confusion. What Eli really wanted was to be a paramedic. What could the bishop have to say that would impact that?

  “The church elders and I have discussed your paramedic training at length,” the bishop continued. “You have done so much gut work for our people with your healing skills. Since our farms are scattered far outside of town, we would like you to maintain your certifications and continue to assist our people as a paramedic.”

  Lizzie gasped. Had she heard right?

  “I have taken the liberty of speaking with the hospital administrators in town. Dr. McGann and Dr. Graham have both voiced their support and I have confirmed that they will work with you. They are pleased with the impact you have had in getting the Amish to receive necessary medical care. The hospital will even pay you a fair salary to serve as a paramedic. I know for a fact that Lancaster County and Pennsylvania have Amish paramedics and firefighters who serve their people. Our need here in Colorado is just as great. Ach, so you see? When we exercise faith and bow to Gott’s will, He blesses us with more joy than we can ever hope for.”

  A halting laugh burst from Eli’s throat. “Ja, Bishop Yoder. You are right. I never expected to feel so much joy. I...I can’t believe this is truly happening. I can remain here and work the career I have chosen, but...”

  Eli spun toward Lizzie. His eyes were filled with happiness and eager anticipation. Reaching into his hat, he pulled out the job offer from Tom Caldwell and ripped the letter in two before placing it in her hands. Lizzie gazed at him with stunned amazement. She barely noticed as her father and Bishop Yoder turned and quietly went back inside the house and closed the door. Out of her peripheral vision, she saw the men pulling the little girls away from the window. Finally, she and Eli had a moment alone together.

  “Lizzie, you hold my heart in your hands,” Eli said. He squeezed her fingers, his gaze searching hers. “I’m not going anywhere. I belong right here in Riverton, with you. Say you’ll be mine. Make me the happiest man in the world. I want us to be married just as soon as I’m baptized. Please say yes.”

  A movement from the window caught Lizzie’s eye. She glanced over and saw her father nodding his approval from inside the house. She almost laughed. So much for privacy. But it wasn’t as if she needed his prompting to find her answer. If her father approved of this man, then so must she. Especially when marrying Eli was what she’d always wanted.

  With tears of happiness dripping from her eyes, she enfolded Eli in a tight hug. “Ja, I will, Eli. Ach, I will!”

  A shout of delight came from the living room. Her familye and Bishop Yoder were inside, celebrating this thrilling news. And what more could Lizzie want? This Thanksgiving, she had found so much to be grateful for. So much to praise the Lord for.

  “I love you, Lizzie-bee.” Eli pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. His eyes were filled with wonder and love.

  “And I love you, Eli. So very much.”

  She heard the front door open and the squeak of the screen door as her sisters rushed outside to congratulate her. With Eli’s arm securely wrapped around her shoulders, she faced her father and the bishop. Both men smiled wide with pleasure. With Eli by her side and her familye surrounding her, Lizzie felt such deep contentment that she was overwhelmed with joy. Truly Gott’s redeeming love had mended their broken hearts. He had made them whole again. And Lizzie could ask for nothing more.

  * * * * *

  If you liked this story, pick up the first book in

  Leigh Bale’s Colorado Amish Courtships series:

  Runaway Amish Bride

  Available now from Love Inspired!

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from The Twins’ Family Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain.

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  Dear Reader,

  Have you ever loved someone so much that their happiness was more important than your own? In His Amish Choice, Lizzie is angry and hurt when Eli abandons her and their Amish faith so he can receive an education in the Englisch world. But when she realizes that anger is not of the Lord, she softens her heart and is finally able to let go of the anguish and sorrow that has been troubling her for several years. She is then able to recognize that she loves Eli so much that she is willing to let him go, if that is what he wants. No longer are her own feelings and desires of utmost importance, but rather she has learned to put Eli and his needs above her own.

  I know that, as we come to accept God’s will in our own lives, to soften our hearts in prayer, and to follow the Savior’s example, we can find peace and joy no matter what hardships we might face.

  I hope you enjoy reading this story and I invite you to visit my website at www.LeighBale.com to learn more about my books.

  May you find peace in the Lord�
��s words!

  Leigh Bale

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

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  The Twins' Family Christmas

  by Lee Tobin McClain

  Chapter One

  You can do this.

  Lily Watkins forced a smile as she carried the last of her photography gear into Redemption Ranch’s Cabin Four and then came back out onto the small front porch. “Honestly, I’m fine being alone on Christmas,” she said to her aunt. Which was true; at twenty-six, she’d already spent a fair number of holidays alone. “It’ll be peaceful. Just what I need to finish my project.”

  The harder task would be to find out whether her fallen comrade’s kids were being mistreated by their manipulative, cruel father. Doing that, according to her army therapist, might bring her some measure of peace.

  She just had to figure out how to investigate the status of Pam’s kids without losing her cool.

  “I know several people in town who’d love to have you join them for Christmas dinner.” Aunt Penny pulled out her phone. “Want me to make some calls?”

  She did need to go down into the town of Esperanza Springs, talk to people, in order to find out the truth about Pam’s husband and kids. But Christmas dinner wasn’t the time to do that. And although she needed to make new friends and get on with her life, she wasn’t likely to settle here in Colorado.

  “No, thanks,” she said. “I appreciate the offer, and I appreciate your letting me stay. The place is lovely, and I’ve been so busy. I’ll enjoy a little solitude, to be honest.”

  To her relief, her aunt, who owned the ranch for struggling veterans and senior dogs, didn’t put up a fight. “You’re doing me a favor, too, taking on that other little photography project I mentioned. Anyway, the cabin’s nothing fancy, but the scenery is nice.”

  “It’s gorgeous,” Lily agreed, looking out toward the snow-covered Sangre de Cristo Mountains towering over the wide, flat valley where the ranch was situated. “I can’t wait to explore.”

  “One of our older veterans will be here over the holidays, and a couple of volunteers will stop by to take care of the dogs. They can help you with anything you need.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Lily smiled at the older woman. She was glad to have reconnected with Penny; they didn’t know each other well, since Lily had grown up across the country, but in their few interactions, the older woman had always been down-to-earth and kind.

  “I admire you, going back to school as a veteran and working so hard at it. And I’m thrilled you’re using our ranch for your capstone project. Who knows, it might get us some great PR.” She hesitated and then spoke again. “I’ve always regretted not doing more for you when you were a kid. Your mom wasn’t the easiest to live with, and holidays stressed her out. No wonder you’d just as soon spend Christmas alone.”

  Lily waved a hand. “I wasn’t any too easy to live with, either. I was wild.”

  “I know, I heard the stories.” Her aunt chuckled, and then her face got serious again. “Just one more concern, and then I’ll stop mother-henning you. Your car isn’t really made for Colorado roads. The weather’s nice now, but I saw where we might get some freezing rain tonight, in front of some snow.”

  Lily bit her lip, glancing over at her old car. Having spent the past year in Phoenix—and the years before that in the Middle East—she’d lost the knack for driving on icy roads. But she had to be able to get into town to investigate Pam’s husband. That was the key reason she was here.

  Penny patted her shoulder. “Long John—that’s the vet I mentioned—can arrange a ride for you if you want to go down to town for Christmas Eve services.”

  “Thank you.” It would be tough to miss church on Christmas Eve. “I might just have him do that.”

  “Good.” Penny turned toward her car, and Lily walked with her into the frosty cold. “While you’re enjoying some mountain solitude, I’ll be with my daughter and grandson out east.” She gave a wry smile. “I wish I could invite you to join us, but my daughter and I have a shaky relationship. Say a prayer that we’ll all get along, will you?”

  “Of course.” Lily understood family problems all too well. She hugged the older woman. “I hope you have a wonderful time.”

  “I’ll try.” Penny got in her car, started it up and waved. Halfway down the short driveway, she stopped and lowered the window. “I forgot to tell you the name of that family you’re to photograph. It’s Carson Blair, one of our local pastors, and his twin six-year-olds. They’ll be staying up here for the week.” She raised the window and was off.

  Lily stared after her aunt’s car as the name she’d thrown out so casually whirled tornado-like through her head.

  Carson Blair? She was doing family photographs of Carson Blair?

  Pam’s husband and kids were staying up here at Redemption Ranch?

  The thought practically made her hyperventilate, but maybe it was a good thing. If they were staying here, it should be easy to do some quiet investigating.

  She owed it to Pam. Paying that debt might help Lily move on.

  She just had to make sure Carson didn’t discover the awful truth about Pam’s death.

  * * *

  Carson Blair whistled as he turned his truck into Redemption Ranch, a mere ten miles from his home in Esperanza Springs, but worlds away from his too-busy life. His last-minute plan to spend Christmas week up here was an opportunity to fill his daughters’ hearts while they were off from school, let them have plenty of Daddy time. He would preach the Christmas Eve service tomorrow night, but that was all. Canceling the few other events and closing down the building meant that everyone—the secretary, the janitor, the committee members and volunteers—could do as he was doing: focus on their families.

  Coming early to the ranch also let him escape the numerous invitations a single pastor got for Christmas parties and dinners. He loved his congregation, but spending time with their big, happy extended families was a painful reminder of the life he’d hoped his girls would have, but that he hadn’t been able to provide.

  He had to admit that he probably wouldn’t have made this Christmas getaway happen without his friend Penny’s urging. She knew he needed a break. But she’d also given him a small side job: watch out for another cabin resident here for the holidays, Penny’s niece, who’d been struggling with her readjustment to civilian life. Apparently she’d had formal counseling through the military, but Penny thought that Carson, as a pastor, could offer a different type of support.

  “It’s worth a try,” the older woman had said. “And she’s a beautiful woman. You might enjoy her company.”

  Carson had bitten back the uncharacteristically sharp retort that had formed in his mind: Yeah, but will she enjoy mine? Pam didn’t.

  He really needed a vacation from failed efforts at
matchmaking.

  “Just don’t mention I asked you to talk to her,” Penny had gone on, oblivious to Carson’s inner dialogue. “She’s independent.”

  He didn’t like deception, but if it was the only way this woman, Lily, would open up, he supposed he could comply with Penny’s request.

  He pulled up to Cabin Two and turned to wake up the twins, both asleep in the back seat after a sugar-laden holiday party in their kindergarten class. Their identical faces were flushed, their long eyelashes resting on chubby cheeks. His chest tightened. Despite the sad ending of his wife’s life, the weaknesses of his marriage—the weaknesses he’d had as a husband—his daughters were the wonderful, God-given outcome.

  “Wake up, sleeping beauties,” he said quietly, giving a light pat to Skye’s arm, then to Sunny’s.

  “Is it Christmas?” Sunny jerked upright.

  “Presents?” Skye asked, yawning.

  Carson chuckled. His girls did know the true meaning of Christmas, but preachers’ kids were like anyone else’s when it came to gifts.

  “Christmas is in two days,” he reminded them. “We’re at the ranch now, though. We’re going to do some sledding, and play with the dogs, and do puzzles by the fire. Let’s get our stuff into the cabin.”

  “Yay!” Sunny cried, and both girls scrambled out of their booster seats.

  But as Carson opened the truck door, Long John McCabe, one of the gray-haired veterans who lived at the ranch, came toward him, his walker bumping over the dirt path at an alarming pace. “Change of plans,” he said. “Willie’s cabin had a plumbing leak, so you can’t stay there. We’re putting you up in Cabin Five.”

  Carson shrugged. “Sure, that’s fine. We’ll be a little farther away from you, but we can bundle up and come visit.”