you for joining me in Hickory Grove, an Amish community just a stone’s throw from Seven Poplars in Kent County, Delaware. Rosemary and Benjamin have their hands full with their new blended family, don’t they? I suspect there will be bumps in the road, but the family’s love for each other and their faith will see them through.
I hope you enjoyed Lovey and Marshall’s story. Marshall had me worried there for a few minutes. Thank goodness his grandmother intervened. We all make mistakes sometimes and it takes a wise man or woman to accept our loved ones’ shortcomings. I think Lovey and Marshall are perfect for each other, don’t you?
I hope you’ll join me in Hickory Grove again soon. I have a wonderful story of forgiveness to share with you when I introduce Benjamin’s son Joshua to a newcomer, Phoebe. The love they find will truly warm your heart.
Until we meet again, friends.
I wish you peace and happiness.
Emma Miller
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
—Proverbs 18:22
For my best friend, Judith.
Thank you for your confidence in me.
For your love.
You made me who I am.
Contents
Hickory GroveKent County, Delaware
Marshall Byler stepped into the shade of the concrete block dairy barn that housed the new Miller harness shop and breathed a sigh of relief. The July sun was hot and the day was muggy, just what one would expect for midsummer in Kent County and sure to make the corn grow. He’d been cultivating his corn in his east field when a groundhog had startled Toby, the younger of his two horses, and he’d spooked.
Marshall had gotten the horses calmed down before they tore up more than a small portion of his crop. However, somewhere in the frantic shying of the team, Toby’s britchen strap, a section of harness that kept the horse from getting tangled in the traces, snapped. Marshall didn’t need the harness immediately, but he decided to go ahead and drop it off for repair right away, so it would be ready when he needed it again.
Miller’s Harness Shop would save him time because it was closer to his farm than the Troyer Harness Shop, which he usually frequented. And he also liked the idea of giving his business to the new place; there was enough leatherwork to be done in Hickory Grove to support both the Troyer and the Miller families. Besides, the shop was owned by his new friend Will’s father and it seemed only right to go there.
Marshall waited a moment for his eyes to adjust to the shadowy shop with its massive overhead beams and concrete flooring. A section of the former milking stalls had been cordoned off from the rest of the barn, and the stanchions and feed trough was replaced with shelving, display space with an assortment of items for sale and a counter with a cash register.
“Hello! Anyone here?” he called. When he got no answer, he put two fingers to his lips and whistled.
Still no response.
When
