The Restoration (47 page)

“How come?”

“It’s just not for me. I realize now that Chicago is where I belong.” David crossed his arms. “I’m going back to school in the fall and will eventually become my dad’s partner at his veterinary clinic.”

Priscilla studied David’s face, unable to read his expression. Did he really think the Amish life wasn’t for him, or was there some other reason he’d decided to stay here and pursue a career he’d previously said he wasn’t interested in?

“Elam loves you,” David said. “He knows he messed up, and you oughta give him another chance.”

Priscilla bit down on her quivering lip. Knowing Elam had come here to apologize to David made her realize he truly was sorry for what he’d done and hadn’t just said so in order to win her back. Truthfully, Priscilla had to admit, she did still love him and had for a long time. It was suddenly clear to her that what she’d felt for David had only been infatuation, not love. Apparently, since he wasn’t returning to Arthur to join the Amish faith, he didn’t love her, either.

“Why don’t you go into the living room?” David suggested. “Elam is there, and I’ll leave you two alone so you can talk.”

“Okay.” Despite what David had said, Priscilla hoped it wasn’t too late for her and Elam. Since she’d rejected him yesterday, maybe he wouldn’t want anything to do with her now.

Priscilla stepped into the other room and saw Elam sitting in a chair, holding his straw hat with a downcast expression.

When she approached, he leaped to his feet. “Ach, Priscilla! I didn’t know you were here.”

“Came to tell David he wasn’t the one who left the stove on.”

“Jah, I told him that, too.”

“I know. David told me. He also said you apologized.”

Elam nodded. “I’ve never been sorrier for anything in my life, because my deceitfulness caused me to lose you.”

She stepped in front of him, placing her hands on his shoulders. “You haven’t lost me, Elam. I forgive you, and if you still want me, I’d be honored to be your wife.”

Tears pooled in Elam’s eyes. “You mean it, Priscilla—after all I’ve done?”

Priscilla choked back a sob. “Matthew 6:14 says, ‘If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.’ I’ve done things in my life I’m ashamed of, too, and others have forgiven me.” She leaned her head against Elam’s chest. “I love you, Elam.”

“I love you, too.” Elam lifted Priscilla’s chin and sealed their love with a kiss sweeter than any he’d ever given her before. How thankful she was for the chance to begin again, and for the restoration of their relationship, because of God’s amazing grace.

Six months later

I
can’t believe how much all of our lives have changed,” Priscilla commented to Elaine and Leah as they sat at her kitchen table, drinking tea and admiring the cookbook they had worked on together. It was nice to see it finally done and ready to sell to those who attended Elaine’s dinners.

Elaine smiled. “I’m still amazed at how God has worked things out for each one of us.”

Leah patted her baby Michael’s back. “I remember when we were girls and talked about our future—how we hoped God would reveal His will for our lives and help us to choose the right husbands.”

Priscilla nodded. “He’s done that, all right. Elam and I are married. Elaine and Jonah are married. And you, Leah, have a husband and four kinner to raise. The Lord has truly blessed us all with good mates.”

Leah reached over and touched Priscilla’s arm. “You were blessed when your burns healed so well, too. It’s good to see that you have no scars at all.”

“Jah, and I’m grateful.” Priscilla glanced at the letter she had received the other day. “By the way, Elam and I heard from David recently.”

“Oh, what’d he have to say?” Elaine asked.

“He met a young woman while attending college and thinks she may be the right one for him.”

“That’s good news. I’m pleased to say that Ben is now seeing someone new as well.”

Priscilla clasped her friends’ hands. “I thank the Lord daily for the friendship we share. I can’t imagine going through life without good friends. Your love and support has brought me through many difficult things I’ve had to face, and I hope we can all be friends for the rest of our lives.”

Elaine and Leah nodded in agreement.

“And now,” Priscilla announced, pushing away from the table, “it’s time to eat lunch. Today, I am serving my friendship salad.”

Tear lettuce into small pieces and layer in large serving bowl. Tear swiss cheese into pieces and layer over lettuce. Layer peas and onion. Sprinkle sugar over all then spread with mayonnaise. Cover and let stand in refrigerator two to three hours. Before serving, top with crumbled bacon and chopped egg. Toss and serve.

1.   Priscilla was in a predicament falling for two men at the same time. To make matters worse, both Elam and David were vying for her attention. Have you or someone you know ever had two suitors at the same time? If so, how did you handle the situation?

2.   Elam was worried about not having enough money to buy a home for him and Priscilla. Was he wrong in letting money hold him back from marrying her? Could they have lived with one of their parents until they had enough money saved to build a house? Should Elam have told Priscilla the reason he hadn’t proposed?

3.   David cared for Priscilla, but was it right for him to pursue her, knowing Elam loved her, too? Should David have walked away from his feelings? Did he really want to be Amish, or was it simply so he could get close to Priscilla?

4.   What challenges did David face after living the English life for twenty-four years and then deciding to become Amish? Would you be able to give up all the material things the English are used to having?

5.   After twenty-five years, Cora finally found her son Adam. Should she have tried harder to explain how sorry she was for messing up his life, or should she have held back, for fear of pushing him further away? After years of separation, if you were to find your adult child, would you be able to hold back like Cora did, knowing Adam was in the same community? Did Cora give up too easily trying to locate her first husband and children? Would you have kept trying no matter how long it took?

6.   If you were Adam and grew up knowing your mother or father abandoned you but crossed paths with that parent as an adult, would you be able to forgive your parent after hearing the reasons he or she left? Would your forgiveness have taken as long as Adam’s did, or could you forgive right away in order to build a relationship? Would you try to inflict emotional pain on your parent because it had been done to you?

7.   There comes a time when parents have to show their children that they can be trusted, but they need to discern when to allow them to do certain things, such as letting them go places with friends. Should Cora have kept a tighter rein on her son Jared instead of giving him so much freedom in things he wanted to do? When should a parent step in and say no if their child wants to do something?

8.   Was it right for Cora not to tell her second husband, who was English, about her earlier life in the Amish community? Was it the wrong time for her to blurt out that information when they were waiting for news about their son, Jared?

9.   Should Elaine have let Jonah know sooner that she still loved him, even though he was still grieving for Sara? If not, how long should she have waited? If you were Jonah, having had three relationships that failed in different ways, would you give up on love and marriage or keep trying, hoping to find the right mate?

10. Was it right for Elaine to keep Ben waiting for an answer to his proposal, when deep down she’d never given up her feelings and hopes of getting back with Jonah? If you were Ben, would you have been able to immediately come face-to-face with your suspicions, knowing Elaine wasn’t sure about her feelings for you? Was he too patient about waiting, too complacent?

11. If someone hit you, would you be able to “turn the other cheek” like the Amish do? Would you be able not to strike back or retaliate in any way?

12. Several Bible verses were quoted at different times throughout this story. Were there any special verses in this book that spoke to your heart? If so, what were they, and how did they bolster your faith in God?

New York Times
bestselling, award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda,
visit her website at
www.wandabrunstetter.com
.