“My life—my family—would be a hopeless mess if Leah hadn’t married me.” Jude gazed at her with a wistful sigh. “Happy first Mother’s Day, Leah. All these things piled on the porch are nothing compared to the gift of love you give me every day.”
Leah was speechless. She saw envy on the faces of other wives, while the twins and their friends were aglow with romantic wistfulness. Had there ever been another husband as attentive and expressive as Jude? Even Esther and Naomi were nodding their approval of his admission.
Another table came through the door, with Jeremiah carrying one end of it. He looked toward Leah and Jude with a warm smile. “I have a confession,” he said to all the friends gathered on his big porch. “I was wrong—and I’m glad.”
Folks glanced at one another with questioning expressions, waiting for the bishop to explain his odd admission. Jeremiah set down his end of the table so he could slip his arms around Jude and Leah.
“Remember that tough talk I was giving you the night before you married this woman, little brother?” Jeremiah asked. “I believed you were rushing into marriage with Leah, and I couldn’t see any way for her to fit into your family. I stand corrected.”
Leah felt her cheeks heating up as the friends around her nodded.
“You weren’t the only one, son,” Margaret chimed in. “I thought Jude was making the biggest mistake of his life because Leah bore no resemblance to our idea of what a wife should be like. Nobody’s happier than I am that Leah has proved us wrong.”
Jude began chuckling, and he elbowed his brother. “Jah, I recall your lecture the night before our wedding,” he teased Jeremiah, “and I said that someday we’d look back on it and laugh, because Leah and I would be deliriously happy. Am I a prophet, or what?”
Leah chuckled, because she was deliriously happy. “Mama gave me the same sort of talk before we married, Jude—with the best of intentions,” she added, smiling at her mother. “Considering all we’ve come through since that wedding on December first, I can only believe that God has made our life together—our happiness—possible. Without His blessing, we wouldn’t be standing here sharing our joy with all these friends, looking forward to more happiness ahead. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”
Jude’s smile made Leah feel like the most beautiful woman on earth. “That’s your story, and I wouldn’t change a word of it,” he murmured. “I’m just grateful that you’ve written me into it, sweet Leah.”
More heartwarming Amish romance from Charlotte Hubbard, available now!
A Mother’s Love
Faith, tenderness, security—there’s nothing a mother won’t give. Now beloved author Charlotte Hubbard brings you an unforgettable tale of hope, courage, discovery . . . and the most precious gift of all.
For widow Rose Raber, it’s been a year of tragic loss and difficult decisions. She thought providing for her young daughter was the greatest challenge she faced. Until her dying mother revealed that Rose was adopted—and her birth mother is someone with much to lose if the secret comes out. As Rose struggles to reconcile the truth with her faith—and her troubling curiosity—outgoing newcomer Matthias Wagler is another surprise she didn’t expect. His optimism and easy understanding inspires her. And his prospective partnership with wealthy deacon Saul Hartzler promises a possible new life for them—together. But with this second chance comes yet another revelation for all involved.
When Saul’s wife unexpectedly turns up at Rose’s new job, their bond as mother and daughter is instant and unmistakable. And it isn’t long before an unforgiving Saul discovers the truth, threatening Matthias’s livelihood and Rose’s future. Now with more than just their happiness at stake, Rose and Matthias must find the strength and courage to stand strong—and trust God’s enduring miracles of motherhood, forgiveness, and love.
“An Amish love story with an added twist! This story has secrets, romance, mystery, and memorable characters. The storyline is well-written, and the twist makes it all even more believable. Hubbard writes from her heart, and her light shines in all her novels.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“[An] endearing romance . . . By making a space for determined women inside the Amish community and providing a satisfying conclusion to various familial hurts, Hubbard provides readers with a comforting tale of love and forgiveness.”
—Publishers Weekly
Chapter 1
Rose Raber looked away so Mamma wouldn’t see the tears filling her eyes. As she sat beside her mother’s bed, Rose prayed as she had every night for the past week. Please, Lord, don’t take her away from me. . . . I believe You can heal my mother’s cancer—work a miracle for us—if You will.
Tonight felt different, though. Mamma was dozing off more, and her mind was wandering. Rose had a feeling that Mamma might drift off at any moment and not come back.
“Was church today?” Mamma murmured. “I don’t . . . recall that you and Gracie . . . went—”
“We stayed here with you, Mamma,” Rose reminded her gently. “I didn’t want to leave you by yourself.”
Her mother sighed. As she reached for Rose’s hand, Rose grasped it as though it could be a way to keep Mamma here—to keep her alive. They didn’t speak for so long, it seemed Mamma had drifted off to sleep, but then she opened her eyes wide.
“Is Gracie tucked in?” Although Mamma’s voice sounded as fragile as dry, rustling leaves, a purpose lurked behind the question.
“Jah, she is, but I’ll go check on her,” Rose replied, eager for the chance to leave the room and pull herself together. “All that fresh air from planting some of the garden today should make her sleep soundly.”
“Gracie was . . . excited about doing that. She asked me . . . how long it would be before the lettuce . . . peas, and radishes shot up.” Mamma chuckled fondly, remembering. Then she
