The Widowâs Second Chance
Widow Leah Yoder married for love once. Now that sheâs come home to Seven Poplars, she wants a marriage of convenience that will provide a longed-for family without dishonoring the memory of her late husband. A steady, serious older man would be idealâsomeone completely unlike handsome, fun-loving Thomas Stutzman. She and the aspiring organic farmer agree to court to prove that this time, the matchmaker has made a mistake! But as their friendship deepens, will Leah settle for what she thought she needed, or put fear aside for a second chance at happiness?
âIâm sure we set them all atwitter.â
She was surprised at how much she was enjoying the day. Sheâd expected having Thomas walk her home from church would be awkward, but she found him easy to talk to. He had an easy laugh, and it was nice having him beside her.
âMy grandfather saw us and nodded his approval.â He made a reluctant sound. âI feel a little bad about deceiving him, letting him think that weâre walking out together.â
âBut we are, arenât we? We did promise Sara a six-week trial.â
âI suppose youâre right,â Thomas said. âIt isnât really a ruse. Not if we do date like we promised. Even if we both know that this isnât going to work out.â
âExactly,â she agreed. âYou know, honestly, I canât see why you havenât found someone. Thereâs nothing wrong with you that I can see.â
âIâm glad to hear that.â
His tone seemed a little stilted. âDonât take it personally, Thomas. And who knows? Maybe Sara will prove us wrong. Maybe weâll fall madly in love.â
He chuckled. âRight.â
Dear Reader,
A first love is always a special life experience, but sometimes life doesnât turn out the way we expect. In A Love for Leah we see what happens when matchmaker Sara Yoder tries to arrange a second chance at love for a young widow who many of our readers may remember fondly, Hannahâs daughter Leah. Seeking to heal from the tragic loss of her young family while on mission in the Amazon rainforest, she believes she can find peace and a new start in the traditional Amish community of Seven Poplars.
Leah wants desperately to have another child, so she asks Sara to arrange a marriage of convenience with an older man. Leah believes she will be content with a quiet partnership built on faith and respect. She never expects to become reacquainted with handsome, vivacious Thomas, or to fall head over heels in love with him. And when she does, her heart is torn. Will marrying Thomas for love rather than convenience be a betrayal to her first husband? Will this be a match that Sara canât manage?
I hope that youâll enjoy Leahâs journey in search of happiness. Iâm always glad to welcome readers old and new to stories of love and life among the Amish.
Wishing you peace and joy,
Emma Miller
EMMA MILLER lives quietly in her old farmhouse in rural Delaware. Fortunate enough to be born into a family of strong faith, she grew up on a dairy farm, surrounded by loving parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Emma was educated in local schools and once taught in an Amish schoolhouse. When sheâs not caring for her large family, reading and writing are her favorite pastimes.
Delight yourself also in the Lord and
He shall give you the desires of your heart.
âPsalms 37:4
Chapter One
Kent County, Delaware
Spring
âWhat do you mean you wonât marry me?â Thomasâs eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the young woman beside him. âDonât we go together like ham and cabbage? Bacon and eggs? Hasnât everyone been waiting for us to announce the wedding date?â
Ellie grimaced. âIâm sorry, Thomas. Truly I am.â She sounded contrite.
He set her books onto the trunk of a fallen apple tree and they tumbled onto the grass. âYou should be sorry,â he said. âItâs not easy for a fellow to propose to a girl. And when I do, you turn me down? Itâs humiliating.â
It was late afternoon and the dirt path that ran from the Seven Poplars schoolhouse where Ellie taught, to Sara Yoderâs place, where she lived, was deserted except for the two of them. The path crossed several Amish farms and this section wound through an apple orchard. The trees were bursting with new leaves and just beginning to bud from the branches on either side of the rutted lane. The only sounds, other than the thud of Thomasâs accelerated heartbeat, were the buzzing of bees and the scolding song of a wren.
He scowled down at Ellie. âWhy donât you want to marry me?â
âI should have never let it get this far.â She looked up at him, her hands clasped together. âI knew we werenât meant to wed. But I like you and youâre so much fun.â