An Amish Gift (25 page)

Next to her was Hope, the biggest surprise among the many surprises Jennie had experienced over the past year. She didn’t believe it would be easy, but she knew that they were on the road to forming a new relationship. They would have to feel their way along, examining old wounds and questions, exposing to the open air everything that had been locked away for so long. It wasn’t just Jennie’s wounds; Hope had her own, and they would deal with all of them. Together.

Most wonderful and perhaps most miraculous was the transition in her marriage. She and Shep had come so close to the edge, she realized, it was frightening to consider what might have happened. Instead, they had rediscovered themselves and each other. The resentment that had smoldered beneath the surface had evaporated, which enabled them to see and feel clearly once again. There wasn’t a drop of beer or alcohol in their house, and he started every day eager to get to his shop and see what new approach he could take toward making it grow. The enjoyment he was getting out of his work had transformed it from another experience to be endured to an opportunity to create his own business, one that he actually enjoyed.

Mattie was sitting at the opposite end of the table from Jennie but just then happened to catch her eye. Ah, Jennie thought, what would have happened without Mattie and this family? It was the Fishers who had shown her how to persevere. They moved forward no matter what the hardship or sorrow,
without complaint, and always with humility. They looked for the best in one another, and they forgave with open hearts. Shep and their children had learned the lesson as well, she reflected, and from that had come so many good things. This one Amish family, with their hard work and simple joys, had taught them some very complicated lessons.

She smiled at Mattie, who smiled back but was distracted by Barbara asking her a question. She answered as she served another piece of chicken to one of the children. Jennie shook her head. As always, Mattie was the rock-solid heart of the household. Jennie thought of the quilt they had received yesterday. When she’d said they would treasure it, she had meant every word. Still, the Fishers’ biggest gift was an intangible one, impossible to show but priceless in value.

Jennie felt something move against her leg under the table. She bent down to peer under the tablecloth. Scout was sitting there.

“Well, hello,” she said in a loud whisper to him. “You know you shouldn’t be in here.”

His dark eyes gleamed as he looked up at her.

“Yes, it has been the best year ever, hasn’t it? I’m grateful, too.”

He rested his face on her knee. She smiled and reached down to scratch behind his ears.

“Thank you,” she said. “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

Thank you to my wonderful editor, Linda Marrow, and the other people on her staff who have provided me with so much support, including Junessa Viloria and Penelope Haynes.

A big hug to my supremely talented agent and cherished friend, Victoria Skurnick.

As always, I am grateful to my husband, Mark, with whom I have traveled so many roads in life. I love you.

C
YNTHIA
K
ELLER
is the author of
An Amish Christmas
and
A Plain & Fancy Christmas
. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.

cynthiakeller.com