Renewing Hope Blurb
The journey for Kate Hill and Nathan Fisher continues…
Kate Hill hopes to leave her English past behind her in order to be accepted by the Amish
of West Grove, and marry her love, Nathan Fisher. But as she struggles to win over her Amish
neighbors, she discovers that the sordid past of the Bishop’s son has caused a rift in the small
community. Shunned for living the English lifestyle, Benjamin Yoder finds a friend in Kate, and
wonders if there is hope in returning to the Amish life he misses.
Nathan Fisher wants his old friend, Benjamin, back with the Amish for many reasons- by
forgiving Benjamin his English transgressions; surely the community will accept his Kate. With
the Bishop’s steadfast obstinacy towards the English blight on his flock, it will be up to Kate and
Nathan to heal their community by bringing home the son of the Bishop and renewing hope in
the Amish through forgiveness.
Excerpt #1
“Bishop Yoder, pleasant day.”
I froze with a pie in my hand at the name on Ethel’s lips. Turning, I found the Bishop
standing in front of the booth, eyeing the baked goods and jams. When he looked up to
find me standing there with pie in my hands his friendly face faltered and a slight sneer
appeared. It only lasted an instant before the man standing beside him spoke. I hadn’t even
noticed the young Bishop, Zachariah Ropp standing there.
“It is good to see you again, Katherine Hill,” he said with a courteous nod of his head. “I
have heard many say your baked goods would make a fine addition to this market.”
The Bishop’s eyes narrowed at the young man’s compliment.
“I am happy to offer whatever I may, Bishop Ropp,” I replied, my voice soft.
Fannie came up beside me and transferred the pie in my hands to the table.
“She is blessed in her baking,” she replied simply.
“You have taught her much then,” Bishop Yoder stated, never taking his judging eye
from mine.
“No, she was blessed before she arrived with us, Bishop Yoder,” Fannie replied. “I dare
say she outshines my own skills.”
“Really?” Bishop Ropp asked, his eyebrows rising slightly. “Naomi Yoder has said that
no one can cook like you. Your cakes and dishes are always the first to go at your Sermons, I
hear.”
Fannie wrapped her arm around my waist and smiled.
“Not any longer, I think,” she said. “I do believe Katherine’s pies disappeared while the
main dishes were still hot on last Sermon.”
“You will make an Amish man very happy one day,” Bishop Ropp said before jerking his
head toward his elder Bishop, who made a strangled noise in his throat.
Clearly Bishop Yoder didn’t think so.
“An Amish wife must know more than simply how to fill her husband’s belly,” he
muttered and nodded his goodbye before stalking off toward the horse auction.
Bishop Ropp looked after him for a moment before offering his clipped farewell and
following after. Ethel patted my hand and gestured toward the retreating Bishops.
“Do not worry over Bishop Yoder. He has just forgotten what a meal made with love
tastes like.”
“I do not think Nathan Fisher starves so,” one of the other women teased.
“Leave her be, Mary,” Sarah said, winking at me as my blush deepened.
Excerpt #2
Perhaps this was the last test for members wishing to join the Amish- supper with the
Bishop’s family to dissect the candidates one last time. So as the men entered the kitchen, with
Nathan and Benjamin nervous under the Bishop’s critical eye, I tried my best to show everyone
all that I had learned and lived by.
I was quiet.
I prepared a plate for the Bishop before anyone else.
I kept my gaze solidly on my water glass unless spoken to.
I spoke softly.
I didn’t dare look up at Nathan although I could feel his eyes on me.
I could feel every eye on me.
“What do you plan for the spring, Nathan?” I heard the Bishop ask halfway through the
meal.
“I hope to increase my crops for the spring,” he said, his voice timid. “Perhaps wheat this
year, or soy.”
“How do you plan to do more when it is only you?” he asked.
Nathan cleared his throat and I could hear his fork slide on his plate.
“I have hope that I will not be alone come spring.”
The room was quiet for a moment, the only sound that of chewing and forks along dishes.
“My son has his job at the mill. I do not see him offering much aid come spring.”
“No sir, I do not intend to rely on Benjamin to help in my tasks,” Nathan replied and cleared
his throat again. “I hope to have my wife to help.”
Another awkward silence.
“And if you do not marry?” the Bishop asked. “You have hardly any stores for winter now.
Jonah has taken your livestock to help you, but even he cannot support you.”
“I intend to marry, Bishop Yoder.”
I made the mistake of chancing a glance around the table, my eyes going wide at the scene.
Nathan stared intently at the Bishop who waged his own war glaring at me, while Benjamin
looked to his mother for help. Naomi was the only smart one in the group, keeping her eyes on
her peas as she pushed them around on her plate. Finally the Bishop’s wife let out a noise and
placed a hand on her husbands arm, pulling his searing gaze from me.
“It is time for Nathan Fisher to marry. That house has seen its mourning. It is time to fill it
with children once more,” she said and smiled my way. “Katherine Hill may have a past we do
not know, but she has brought our son home and his friend back from a darkness that would have
swallowed him. I look forward to spending time in the sewing circle with her.”
The Bishop turned his gaze slowly back toward me, his look an unreadable mask once more
as he spoke.
“We shall see.”
About the Author
Jennyfer Browne has always been a sucker for a good love story- a complex recipe with a
dash of dashing, a pinch of heroism, and a hefty dose of outside forces that test young lovers.
Seasoned with tears and laughter, followed by a sprinkle of happy sighs fill out the perfect
recipe.
Jennyfer also enjoys pie.
Ms. Browne lives in California with her wonderful husband and adoring son, where she
enjoys the beach and sailing off on further adventures. A member of the Romance Writers of
America and blessed with an overactive imagination, she writes sweet and savory romances with
a twist of tart that always come to a happy ending.
Website
No comments:
Post a Comment