Amos gripped the edge of the preacher’s bench until his hands hurt. This was not the proper time to challenge folks by name, telling them to find mates. He couldn’t miss the way Truman Wickey, their Mennonite neighbor, had also tensed. Truman sat on the front pew bench of the men’s side, serving as one of Noah’s newehockers along with Roman, so his reaction was easy to see. Amos suspected that on the women’s side, Rosetta, Mattie and Christine appeared equally perturbed.
To Amos’s right, Preacher Eli Peterscheim shifted on the wooden bench as the bishop continued preaching. “That’s just wrong,” he muttered under his breath. “You can’t tell me God instructed Floyd to name names and set a deadline for marrying.”
Amos agreed with Eli’s assessment. Why on earth had Bishop Floyd used this wedding sermon to single out the three women who’d founded their colony—and then named him and Marlin, as well? Why was Floyd so set on following the very strictest formula of the Old Order faith, when other communities allowed intermarriage and home-based businesses run by married women?
On Amos’s other side, Marlin Kurtz, the colony’s new preacher, leaned closer. “That’s outrageous—I’ve only lived here a couple months,” he whispered. “I’ve had no time to court anyone while building a house and getting my kids settled in. Is Floyd always this intense?”
Amos stifled a cough. “If the bishop thinks the unattached folks here are going to bang his door down, asking him to officiate at their weddings in the next few weeks, he’s in for a rude awakening.”
And I probably am, too. Mattie will most likely dig in her heels and refuse to marry me now, just to spite the bishop.
Sure enough, when Amos peered toward the side of the expanded front room where the women sat, he saw that Mattie’s lips were pressed into a tight line as though she might explode from suppressing her irritation with Bishop Floyd. Rosetta’s face was as red as an apple from the orchard and Christine’s scowl could’ve curdled milk. Amos suspected the three sisters would express their opinions openly once they were out of church, and he prayed the bishop wouldn’t spoil this festive occasion by lashing out or ordering them to pay some sort of penance for challenging his decree. Amos predicted that Mattie’s frustration would get her into hot water one of these days, and unfortunately, Floyd Lehman would always have the upper hand and the last word.
To Amos’s right, Preacher Eli Peterscheim shifted on the wooden bench as the bishop continued preaching. “That’s just wrong,” he muttered under his breath. “You can’t tell me God instructed Floyd to name names and set a deadline for marrying.”
Amos agreed with Eli’s assessment. Why on earth had Bishop Floyd used this wedding sermon to single out the three women who’d founded their colony—and then named him and Marlin, as well? Why was Floyd so set on following the very strictest formula of the Old Order faith, when other communities allowed intermarriage and home-based businesses run by married women?
On Amos’s other side, Marlin Kurtz, the colony’s new preacher, leaned closer. “That’s outrageous—I’ve only lived here a couple months,” he whispered. “I’ve had no time to court anyone while building a house and getting my kids settled in. Is Floyd always this intense?”
Amos stifled a cough. “If the bishop thinks the unattached folks here are going to bang his door down, asking him to officiate at their weddings in the next few weeks, he’s in for a rude awakening.”
And I probably am, too. Mattie will most likely dig in her heels and refuse to marry me now, just to spite the bishop.
Sure enough, when Amos peered toward the side of the expanded front room where the women sat, he saw that Mattie’s lips were pressed into a tight line as though she might explode from suppressing her irritation with Bishop Floyd. Rosetta’s face was as red as an apple from the orchard and Christine’s scowl could’ve curdled milk. Amos suspected the three sisters would express their opinions openly once they were out of church, and he prayed the bishop wouldn’t spoil this festive occasion by lashing out or ordering them to pay some sort of penance for challenging his decree. Amos predicted that Mattie’s frustration would get her into hot water one of these days, and unfortunately, Floyd Lehman would always have the upper hand and the last word.
♥ Click on the cover to learn more ♥
Charlotte lived in Missouri for most of her life, so her Amish stories are set in imaginary Missouri towns. These days she lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Ramona.
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ReplyDeleteI plan to die at my Mac...many, many years and books from now, Mai.
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeletecongrats on the tour and thanks for the opportunity to win :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by today, Lisa!
DeleteSorry I missed you yesterday but back today to once again say thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHoping your persistence will pay off, come time to choose the winner, James!
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt, sounds like a great read to start the holidays
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for featuring my book on your blog today, Lauren!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eva! Good to see you today!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book and an awesome series - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for following my tour, Victoria!
DeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Rita!
DeleteI really enjoy The Promise Lodge series of books. In fact, I enjoy all of Namoi's books Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for being a faithful reader, Patricia! I appreciate it!
DeleteI really want to read this story. It sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for spending some time with us at Promise Lodge today, MomJane!
DeleteI love your books.This one sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jean!
DeleteI love your books.This one sounds good.
ReplyDeleteLove your books and the recipes look good too. Glad I found this post!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found us today, too, Nancy!
DeleteI enjoyed this post. I love your books. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for spending time with us today, Ree Dee!
DeleteI love your books, Charlotte. do you ever have book signings in Oklahoma?
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking, Debbie! Traveling that far (from MN--on my nickel) for a signing isn't very practical. If you'd like a signed book, you can buy one from me directly--message me on FB about that, if you're interested!
DeleteI love Amish stories. The question I want to ask is do the Amish get baptized?
ReplyDeleteYes, Patty, baptism into the church when they are young adults (rather than clueless babies) is the HEART of the Amish faith.Thanks for asking!
DeleteA beautiful Amish Christmas story to enjoy by a wonderful writer.
ReplyDeleteLovely thing to say, Mary Ellen! Thanks so much!
DeleteHave a terrific day and I want you to know I DO appreciate you bringing us these great giveaways, thank you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the drawing, James!
DeleteI loved the first book and I loved Christmas stories So this book should be wonderful
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbbie! Good to see you here!
DeleteStopping by to say Good Morning on this fine Friday. Hope it's a great one for you and thank you for this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by twice, James!
DeleteHope your Saturday is filled with fun and thanks for all you do for us offering us these giveaways
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteOff to work soon for me but hope you have one awesome Sunday! Thanks for the opportunity at winning.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read from the synopsis. Clean and easy read.
ReplyDeleteI really like the sound of the plot! Im definitely looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a sweet story.
ReplyDeleteI liked both the excerpt, and the book cover.
ReplyDeleteI have missed you lately, my apologies but back to say thank you for the chance at winning.
ReplyDeletesounds like a fun one!
ReplyDeletePerfect time of year for a nice read.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the great giveaway and opportunity to win.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a muse and do you get writers block? :)
ReplyDeleteI love Amos' character! Seems like a deep, fascinating character.
ReplyDelete