The Christmas Courtship

He tilted his head. “You could say that.”

Against her will, Phoebe felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment. She looked down at the grass at her feet. “Then you should go be with her.”

He was quiet so long that at last she looked up at him and found him studying her.

“I can’t,” he said very quietly.

She held his gaze, feeling a little light-headed. She remembered this feeling. She’d felt it in those early days and months when she and John had courted. She nibbled on her lower lip. “Why not?” she dared.

He hesitated, then shrugged. “Because I’m already with her.”

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

—Matthew 6:14

Dear Reader (#u7d13ba64-4916-5017-8a57-c36d8c275e38),

I hope Joshua and Phoebe’s story touched your heart the way it touched mine. Their story reminds me that, as humans, we all make mistakes and that we all can be forgiven and must forgive. In this world we live in today, this is a message of hope for me.

My next visit to the Miller family involves Benjamin’s eldest son, Ethan, who is Hickory Grove’s schoolmaster. Ethan lost his wife years ago and hasn’t been able to find his way out of that darkness. His family is encouraging him to marry again, but no one has come along to tug at his heartstrings. Then a naughty little boy joins his classroom and, at his wits end, Ethan joins forces with Jamie’s widowed mother, Abigail, to improve the child’s behavior. While Abigail and Ethan are at odds at first, they quickly become friends, then fall in love. But love is complicated, and Abigail and Ethan have to make their way through several obstacles to find happiness again.

I’m excited about Abigail and Ethan’s journey. I hope you’ll join me again in Hickory Grove to find out if love really can conquer all.

Peace be with you,

Emma Miller

Contents

Cover (#u737be175-7b5b-5149-add5-5b081a834b16)

Back Cover Text (#ubde1f5eb-6f5a-5584-afee-49df9000612c)

About the Author (#u64cff74b-7601-5da3-a45c-251604710e09)

Booklist (#u01fb0e63-8a8f-5a54-93d5-07ed3a5ea2d7)

Title Page (#uf8c1b8a7-c8dc-5cb0-8ab5-23d88776d27e)

Copyright (#u41d7bffd-a48a-5e84-874c-a1a68a6c59aa)

Note to Readers

Introduction (#u7dadca38-f93a-5dd6-b950-332d8fb4c1e2)

Bible Verse (#u288d086c-8b08-5dbf-ad8f-6f8c22577056)

Dear Reader (#u7b4cbb8b-4f19-57e0-8ae1-7c3c7776a160)

Chapter One (#u0c6a97d1-82de-5141-84d8-72b17ccc9416)

Chapter Two (#u220157e4-4ba0-59d0-bda8-dbf6ccaf536e)

Chapter Three (#uc83396ea-0fe9-5556-9c3d-8187f3e76f43)

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)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#u7d13ba64-4916-5017-8a57-c36d8c275e38)

Dover, Delaware

At the convenience store that served as the Greyhound bus station, Joshua held open the door for an Englisher. Dressed in a puffy white coat, the elderly woman stared up at him, her mouth agape, as she walked through the doorway. Maybe she wasn’t used to seeing an Amish man in a 7-Eleven, or maybe it was his Ray-Ban sunglasses that surprised her. He offered a half smile and removed them as he walked into the store.

He was looking for his stepmother’s cousin.

He’d seen the bus pull out as he’d secured his horse and buggy to a lighting pole in the parking lot. She had to be here. He scanned the aisles. He spotted a woman and a little boy getting milk from one of the cold cases, and a tall, slender man considering his candy selection. Just Englishers.

He exhaled impatiently. A trip to the bus station hadn’t been on his list of things to do that day. He’d had previous plans. He and his stepsister were supposed to get together this afternoon to talk about their idea of opening a greenhouse and garden shop the following spring. He’d been eager to finally sit down with Bay Laurel and get their ideas on paper. Instead, he was running errands for his stepmother, Rosemary.

Rosemary had married his widower father two years ago, and Joshua couldn’t have been happier. Joshua adored Rosemary and he’d do anything for her. Which was why he was at the bus station on a cold, blustery November day looking for a cousin who was supposed to be here. He didn’t even know what Phoebe looked like. He’d never met her. But how hard could it be to find an Amish woman in a 7-Eleven?

“Need something?” asked an enormous man from behind the checkout counter. He had a beard as long and bushy as any Amish elder’s.

Joshua glanced at the Englisher. “Looking for a girl.”

The man laughed from deep in his belly. “Aren’t we all.”

Joshua didn’t laugh. He didn’t even smile. He wasn’t offended; he just didn’t get Englisher humor sometimes. “An Amish girl. She should have gotten off the bus.” He pointed in the direction of the parking lot.