A Sister's Hope (45 page)

“Thank you. That’s very nice.” As Martha watched the Larsons walk away, she thanked God that her suspicions concerning Ray had been wrong. Ray and Donna had been good neighbors for many years.

“There’s sure a lot of food here today,” Luke said, pushing Martha’s thoughts aside. “I’ll be so full by the end of the day that I probably won’t have to eat for a week.”

She snickered and poked him in the ribs. “If I know you, come tomorrow morning, you’ll be the first one at the breakfast table.”

He laughed and motioned to the table where his folks sat with Martha’s parents. “From the looks of my daed’s plate, I’d say he’s eating more than his share today.”

“I guess you take after him then, huh?”

Luke shrugged as his face sobered. “I hope not too much.”

“What do you mean?”

“When we have kinner of our own, I hope I never distrust them the way my daed did me when I was going through rumschpringe.”

She touched his arm. “Things are better between you and your folks now, so it might be best to keep your focus on that.”

Luke smiled and took her hand. “How’d I find myself such a schmaert wife?”

“The same way I found such a smart man. I’m thankful God brought us together,” she said.

He nodded. “And I’m thankful you never quit believing in me or
lost hope that God would answer your prayers.”

Martha released a contented sigh as she leaned her head on Luke’s shoulder. Whatever they might have to face in the future, she could be at peace, knowing their love for God and for each other would see them through.

W
ANDA
E. B
RUNSTETTER
enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life. Wanda’s interest in the Amish and other Plain communities began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda has made numerous trips to Lancaster County and has several friends and family members living near that area. She and her husband have also traveled to other parts of the country, meeting various Amish families and getting to know them personally. She hopes her readers will learn to love the wonderful Amish people as much as she does.

Wanda and her husband have been married over forty years. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, reading, stamping, and having fun with her family.

In addition to her novels, Wanda has written several novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.

Visit Wanda’s Web site at
www.wandabrunstetter.com
and feel free to e-mail her at
[email protected]
.