“I agree. But for today, let’s be happy with all the Lord has gifted us.”
“Uh . . . ya . . . of course.”
Esther smiled. Lizzie’s wheels were churning. What could be coming next?
Epilogue
Esther, Lizzie, and Rose cleared the table after supper as they’d been doing on Wednesday evenings for a few months now, unlessthey had overnight guests, which was less likely during the week.
Gus always sat at one end and Lizzie at the other. They were more tolerant of each other, but that was mostly because theyavoided each other except for the Wednesday evening suppers. Both had been given strict instructions not to say or do anythingto disrupt the weekly gatherings or they would be excluded from the next meal. They must have taken Esther seriously because,so far, they’d only taken a few jabs at each other, which landed them with firm warnings.
Jayce bought a farm only two weeks after the film crew left The Peony Inn. It was where he and Evelyn would make their home and raise a family after they were married. They were wrapped up in wedding plans, and Jayce was taking the necessary classes to be baptized into the faith. The decision hadn’t come easily for the boy. He’d spent a lot of time with the bishop and elders, asking questions and learning as much as he could about the Amish faith. In the end and after much prayer and consideration, he’d said it was the only organized religion—as he called it—that was a good fit for him.
Amos and Naomi attended the weekly meals unless they were visiting Amos’s family in Ohio, which they tried to do every fewmonths. It was a joyous time when the twins arrived right on schedule. Esther and Lizzie served as grandparents on Naomi’sside of the family even though they weren’t biologically related. They spent as much time with the girls as possible. Naomiand Amos named them Regina, after Lizzie and Esther’s mother, and Eve, after Amos’s great-grandmother.
Life was good for everyone, except Rose. Esther, Lizzie, and Jayce had finally taught her to cook. She still made the occasionalmistake, but overall her culinary skills were much improved. They hadn’t, however, been enough to snag a man since none lastedlong enough for Rose to cook for. Her moods shifted faster than Esther could keep up with sometimes. Understandably. She’dbe so excited to meet a new man, then devastated when he stopped asking her out.
Esther joined Lizzie in the living room after everyone had left. Rose was upstairs in her room.
“What are we going to do about that girl?” Lizzie asked. “We’ve set her up with three nice Amish fellows, and they all ran faster than a cat with its tail on fire.” She groaned. “Speaking of cats, I’m surprised I’m still alive with all those black creatures running around. They’re even more dangerous now that they’re full-grown.”
Gus had found homes for all of them but two, and he had those spayed when he took Whiskers to the vet. “You know the mothermostly stays inside, and the other two keep the mice away and don’t bother you.”
“They cross mei path at least once a week.”
“Let’s get back to Rose,” Esther said. “We both know she talks too much, and we’ve gently tried to talk to her about that.She is such a beautiful woman, inside and out.”
“Yep. She just can’t keep her mouth closed.” Lizzie kicked her socked feet up on the coffee table next to Esther’s.
“Sometimes I think she talks so much because she’s nervous.” Esther frowned. “She’s almost twenty-four.”
“Practically an old maid.” Lizzie crossed her ankles. “Maybe we should talk to the herbal doctor in Orleans. Maybe there isa natural medicine to make her be quiet.”
“Lizzie, we don’t want to change Rose’s personality.” Although, the thought of less chatter was an appealing idea.
“I have one more person for her to meet.” Lizzie gave a taut nod of her head. “And I have high hopes for this one.”
Esther slumped her shoulders. “I don’t know, Lizzie. After the last fellow quit calling so abruptly, Rose was upset for weeks.I think she is growing depressed. I know she cries sometimes, especially after the Wednesday suppers. She sees how happy Amosand Naomi are, and we’re all watching Jayce and Evelyn plan their wedding. I think she’s happy for the other couples, butalso sad.”
“Ach, well, we can’t give up. That’s not our way.”
“Who is the fellow you want to introduce her to?” Esther asked.
“You don’t know him.” Lizzie twirled the string of her prayer covering. “He’s . . . um . . . perfect.”
Esther frowned. “What do you mean? Is he Amish? I feel like Jayce was an exception, an Englischer who was willing to put in the work to convert to our ways. It’s always so unlikely that an outsider will choose to do that.”
“He’s Amish.” Lizzie slouched into the couch.
“Lizzie, what do you have up your sleeve?” Esther was intrigued and worried at the same time.
“Don’t you worry about a thing.” Lizzie didn’t look at her. She just patted her on the knee.
Esther was already worrying.
Discussion Questions
Evelyn and Jayce are drawn to each other right away. Besides physical attraction, what are some of the other qualities they find endearing about each other?
Despite being matchmakers by nature, Esther and Lizzie agree that encouraging a romantic relationship between Evelyn and Jayce wouldn’t be good for the young couple. But there are several things that Lizzie and/or Esther end up doing to nudge Jayce and Evelyn together. What do the sisters do in that regard?
Gus continues to be a work in progress, and Esther is determined to help him be a better person. What are some instances when Esther succeeds?
Why do you think that Gus and Jayce ultimately end up forming a friendship? Is it because Gus and his daughter don’t get along, and also because Jayce and his father don’t see eye to eye? Or is there more to their relationship?
Evelyn and Jayce
