A Husband For Mari

A Husband For Mari
Emma Miller

Back to Amish CountryStruggling single mother Mari Troyer decides to move—temporarily—to the Amish community of Seven Poplars. With a place to stay and a good job, Mari soon fits right in with the warm, welcoming Delaware residents. But when her son asks a matchmaker to find Mari a husband, Mari worries that the handsome builder who’s become the boy's father figure can never be her intended. James Hostetler requires a wife as committed to the Amish life as he is. Need brought Mari to Seven Poplars, but maybe love and renewed faith will make her stay forever.

Back to Amish Country

Struggling single mother Mari Troyer decides to move—temporarily—to the Amish community of Seven Poplars. With a place to stay and a good job, Mari soon fits right in with the warm, welcoming Delaware residents. But when her son asks a matchmaker to find Mari a husband, Mari worries that the handsome builder who’s become the boy’s father figure can never be her intended. James Hostetler requires a wife as committed to the Amish life as he is. Need brought Mari to Seven Poplars, but maybe love and renewed faith will make her stay forever.

“Are you going to the birthday supper celebration tomorrow?” James asked.

Mari nodded. “Sure am.”

“We’d be glad to have you and Zachary ride with us.”

“Are you certain we’ll all fit in your buggy?” she asked.

He grinned. “The more the merrier. Besides, if you come along, I won’t have to drive with one of my sister’s twins in my lap. You can hold him.”

She laughed with him. “I’d be glad to come with you.” And then she just stood there for a moment looking at him.

I think he’s the best friend I’ve ever had, she thought. Better than any man I’ve ever known. I trust him to do what he says he’ll do. And he’s been such a help with Zachary.

“Good,” James said. He met her gaze and then held it.

It was a strange moment, standing there, her looking at him, him looking at her. As if there was something else to be said, but she couldn’t think what it could be.

“See you tomorrow, James,” she finally said, making herself walk away.

“See you tomorrow, Mari.”

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 she’s not caring for her large family, reading and writing are her favorite pastimes.

A Husband for Mari

Emma Miller

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

A friend loves at all times…

—Proverbs 17:17

Contents

Cover (#u0c2aa30c-7f67-5e5f-bbc7-a5e64d7c7750)

Back Cover Text (#u8915505e-3574-5530-9a70-df6c3c3bf193)

Introduction (#ufe520bae-9505-5de1-9338-178085d44f32)

About the Author (#u73520999-a8d2-5352-b62d-e23ea9005657)

Title Page (#u5e44d002-46f8-57e9-8986-bb6a2ce52cd1)

Bible Verse (#u9d88f9ae-3823-546e-90f5-b2d24de170c4)

Chapter One (#ulink_36e0dc21-9fb8-5693-8220-df2115bd43f5)

Chapter Two (#ulink_fe80eace-75ee-548d-88cc-499f62cbc7f3)

Chapter Three (#ulink_98311d81-1103-50e0-bfe9-1d5d73f5b299)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#ulink_8e65daa4-0f71-5651-84f6-4cd777c595f0)

Wisconsin

Mari rolled up her grandmother Maryann’s red-rooster salt-and-pepper shakers in a stained dish towel and stuffed them into a canvas gym bag. “What time is your boyfriend picking you up?” she asked her soon-to-be-ex roommate.