Abram's Daughters 05 The Revelation by Unknown Read Free Book Online

love. How strong Jonas thought Leah had been, taking on her much younger siblings as her own children . . . making and keeping such a hard promise to her mother. Leah replied with all the dear things she'd longed to say to his face.
    "The years have only served to prove what an upstanding, good man I've always known you to be."
    Their chatter slowed some, and it was Jonas who again brought up what Leah knew without a doubt. "As much as I want it, we'll never get the brethren to agree to a springtime wedding since we're first-timers, so to speak. I've never heard of its being done that way, have you?"
    "No," she admitted. "Besides, don't we want a full day of festivities like the young folks, with as many of our family attending?"
    "You're right, Leah. We've waited this long why sacrifice such a wonderful-gut day just so we can marry early?"
    Still, her heart sank a bit, knowing twelve long months stretched before them. Yet our love has survived this long, she thought. What's another year?
    As they made their way back through the meadow on the slender band of road that led out to the paved highway, she was aware of the gray spread ofcgrassland and the dark outline of trees atop the ridge. Even in the deep of night, Gobbler's Knob had to be the prettiest place on earth, and she told Jonas so. She wondered if he might tell her how beautiful his second home had been in Apple Creek, but he only smiled and kissed her cheek.
    On the long ride back to the Ebersol Cottage, Jonas changed the topic. "My brother's thinkin' of returning home once he has enough money to make the trip," he said offhandedly.
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    Leah's throat turned bone dry. She'd heard this from Lydiann, of course, but hearing it from Jonas made the possibility seem more real. "You must mean Jake."
    "Jah, my youngest brother. Truth be known, I'm all for it. No gut reason for him to be clear out there when his family's all here . . . and the girl he loves is, too."
    For sure and for certain, she couldn't say what she was thinking. Immediately she wished she could tell him what she knew about Jake's blood tie to Lydiann, but she couldn't bring herself to. She didn't want to spoil the memory of this night, not even for something as important as this.
    "What will your father say?" she managed to ask.
    "Oh, there'll be plenty of words, but who's to say what he'll actually do if Jake does return. And I'll do everything I can to help things to that end. My brother's too young to be gone from home, especially with his heart here. I'm workin' on Dat to let him return, at least for a visit."
    She cringed at the thought. Dear Lord, let Jake stay put in Ohio. Please give us more time!
    Mary Ruth walked the floor with her wee bundle, recalling the delicious meal she'd enjoyed with Robert earlier tonight. His hearty laughter as they had joyfully shared the day together resonated in her memory even now.
    At this moment, however, weary Robert was sleeping in their bed, and Mary Ruth was hoping to get Ruthie tucked in once again. By the looks of her dreamy eyes, the infant would yield to slumber
    soon.
    Strolling through the front room, she stopped and looked out one of the east-facing windows at the moon. She was drawn to its light, glad for this moment to reflect on God's goodness in giving darling Ruthie to them. Mary Ruth couldn't stop counting her blessings each day. So many there were!
    Looking down into the tiny face, she cooed, "You sweet baby... ever so precious to your daddy and me." She quietly stroked Ruthie's forehead and cheek with a single finger before returning her thoughts to God in deepest gratitude. "Thank you, dear
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    I ,ord, for giving to Robert and me such a healthy little one. Help us raise her to know and love you all the days of her life. Amen."
    Mary Ruth did not move away from the window as she basked in the knowledge of God's kindness to them. She was reluctant to leave the spot where ofttimes she had stood to speak the names