A Place of Peace (35 page)

But did he feel it too?

She closed her eyes and soon relaxed.

Miriam awoke with a start to Timothy’s voice in her ear.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” he whispered. “The surgery is over.”

Miriam sat up and rubbed her eyes. “It’s over? How long have I been asleep?”

“Almost three hours.” He pushed her loose strands of hair back under her
kapp.
“You must’ve been exhausted.”

She cupped her hand to her mouth to cover a yawn. “I guess so.” She scanned the waiting room for Hannah. “Where’s my sister?”

“She and Aaron were called back by a nurse. I guess they’re going to see Lena Joy.” He stretched and then grinned, causing her heart to thump due to his handsome face. “My arm’s asleep. You were leaning on it.”

“I’m sorry.” Her cheeks heated.

“I didn’t mind at all.” His expression changed to a frown as he glanced across the waiting room. “There they are. They don’t look
froh.”

Miriam stood and gasped when she spotted Hannah, sobbing while Aaron held her. Her blood ran cold. “Oh no,” she said. “It can’t be. She
has
to be okay.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions.” Timothy pulled her to him. “Let’s wait and see what they say. Remember, keep your faith.”

“'Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,'” she whispered.

“That’s exactly right,” Timothy said.

Aaron caught Miriam’s eye, and he gestured for them to join them on the other side of the waiting room.

“Be strong,” Timothy whispered as he put his arm around her shoulder and led her to them.

Miriam took a deep breath, but her confidence broke when Hannah met her gaze. When Miriam saw the despair in her eyes, she began to cry.

Hannah opened her arms, and Miriam fell into her hug.

“They can’t wake her up,” Hannah said between sobs. “My baby went to sleep, and she won’t wake up.”

“Oh, Hannah,” Miriam held onto her and sobbed. “Oh no.”

Miriam held her until Hannah pulled back and wiped her eyes.

“I can’t believe it. The doctor said the surgery went well.” Hannah swiped more tears, despite the continuous flow from her eyes. “The doctor said it’s rare that this happens, but she had some reaction to the anesthesia. My worst fears came true. How could this happen?
How?”

“She’ll pull through,” Aaron said, rubbing her arm. “Our
dochder
is strong. You have to believe that. You must trust God.” He wiped his own tears.

Miriam bit her lip to hold back more sobs. “He’s right. Remember what I said earlier about faith. God is going to see Lena Joy through this. You have to believe it. He gave her the perfect liver. He won’t let it go to waste.”

Hannah held onto her husband and sobbed.

Miriam covered her mouth to swallow her own tears, and Timothy pulled her to him. They stood in silence until a nurse appeared and called Hannah and Aaron back into the recovery room.

“Do you want to go for a walk?” Timothy asked after Hannah and Aaron disappeared through the doors.

Miriam shook her head. “I have to stay here in case Hannah comes back with more news. I need to know that Lena Joy is okay.”

He took her hand and led her to a sofa near the doors. “Let’s sit here then. There’s no need to stand.”

Miriam sank down beside him, and he held her in his arms. They sat in a comfortable silence, and Miriam was thankful to not have to make idle conversation while they waited for more news of her niece.

She silently prayed, begging God to bring Lena Joy back, healthy with her new liver. She believed Aaron’s words that God wouldn’t have given her the perfect liver and then not let her survive the surgery. It just wouldn’t have made sense for her to receive the liver and then …

She couldn’t think the word. No, she
refused
to. She silently continued repeating the verse that had haunted her thoughts all day long.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

When Aaron approached them an hour later, his eyes held hope, which she hadn’t seen earlier. Miriam and Timothy stood, and Miriam held her breath, praying for good news.

“She’s awake,” he said. When he smiled, Miriam squealed and hugged him.

“She’s okay?” Miriam asked.

“Ya.” Aaron held onto her. “She’s fine. In fact, she was joking with us, saying that the liver felt too big.”

“Oh, praise Jesus!” Miriam laughed as tears spilled down her hot cheeks. “I knew she’d pull through. I just knew it.”

Miriam stepped back, and Timothy squeezed Aaron’s arm.

“I’m so glad,” Timothy said.

“When can we see her?” Miriam asked.

“It will be a little while. You can go get something to drink if you’d like,” Aaron said. “Only Hannah and I can be back there since we’re her parents. Other relatives have to wait until she’s more stable.” He touched Miriam’s arm. “But she’s doing well. The liver is working. The doctor said it will take a while, but in a day or so, her skin will be pink. She looks great.”

Miriam held Timothy’s hand. “It’s a miracle.”

Aaron held up the cell phone. “I’m going to make some calls and spread the news, and then I’m going to go back in and see her.”

“Come out in a bit and give us an update,” Timothy said.

“I will.” Aaron headed over to a quiet corner.
“Danki
for being here.”

Miriam looked up at Timothy. “It’s a miracle! A miracle!”

His stare was intense, and her heart thumped in her chest. He leaned down and when she felt his breath on her lips, she froze.

His lips brushed hers, sending her heart into hyper-speed. He pulled her close, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. His lips continued to explore hers, and she closed her eyes, delighting in the feel of his warm mouth.

He pulled back, and his smile was wide. “I love you,” he said.

She reached up and touched his cheek. “I love you too,” she whispered. “I always have.”

His eyes brightened. “You have?”

“Ya,
I never stopped.” She smiled.

“Does that mean we still have a chance, you and me?” His eyes were full of hope.

“Ya,
I think we do.” A new confidence surged through her. “I think God is giving us a second chance, just like he’s giving Lena Joy a second chance with the new liver.”

He nodded.
“Ya,
I think you’re right.”

“When Jeremy died, I felt like I’d lost everything,” she said, taking his hands in hers. “I was sure you were seeing someone else behind my back and then my family turned against me. I moved to Indiana because I thought I belonged in the
English
world. I also thought God had forgotten about me. But now that I’m back, I’ve found that God doesn’t forget about any of us. I saw Colleen Henderson a few months ago, and she has a new baby.”

Timothy’s face lit up with a smile. “She does?”

“Ya, her baby girl, Deanna Nicole, is a little over eighteen months old now, and she’s perfect in every way. The Hendersons lost Jeremy, but they have new life in their new baby.” She squeezed his hands. “Just like Jesus rose from the dead to give us new life, He brings new life to us in different ways, like Lena Joy’s organ transplant.”

“You’re right.” Timothy took a deep breath. “I never stopped loving you either. I was hurt and angry when you left, but I still loved you. Always.”

“Really?” Tears filled Miriam’s eyes.

“Ya.” He ran his finger down her cheek. “I dreamt of you nearly every night for a long time, and I’d think of you often. I’d see things that reminded me of you—like daisies. And whenever I had a crumbly peach pie I’d think of you because it was never as good as yours.”

Miriam laughed. “You always rated my cooking too high.”

He shook his hand and placed his hands on her hips. “That’s not true. In fact, I never cherished you enough. I took you for granted.”

“No, you didn’t.” She cupped her hand to his cheek. “I was young and stupid. I was so anxious to try out the
English
world that I believed lies too easily. I’m so sorry.”

“No, I am.” His eyes were serious again. “I was wrong to believe the lies.” He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers, sending the pit of her belly into a wild swirl. When he looked down at her, his gaze intensified. “I can’t lose you again. I
refuse
to let it happen.”

“It won’t happen,” she whispered.

“I need you by my side forever,” he said.

She swallowed a gasp, silently praying that his words meant what she’d hoped they meant.

“Will you start a new life with me by marrying me, Miriam Lapp?”

She squealed. “Ya! I would love to marry you, and I will truly marry you this time.”

“Wunderbaar.
Your words are music to my heart, my soul, and my ears.” Leaning down, he kissed her again.

Closing her eyes, Miriam thanked God for second chances.

Line bottom of buttered baking dish with thick layer of apples and sprinkle with mixed cinnamon, sugar, and dots of butter.

Sift into mixing bowl:

1 – 1/4 cups sugar

3/4 tsp baking powder

1 cup flour

3/4 tsp salt

Break 1 egg into above mixture; mix until crumbly. Put over apples and bake at 350 degrees until crust is brown. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

1. Miriam is devastated when she receives the call that her mother has passed away. When she arrives back in Lancaster County, she’s forced to face her family after nearly four years. Do you think she made the right choice when she left Lancaster County to avoid the criticism of her family? If you were in her situation, what would you have done? Share this with the group.
   
2. Miriam’s hurt and anger are deepened when she discovers her sister told the lies that broke up her relationship with Timothy. Were you ever betrayed by a close friend or loved one? How did you come to grips with that betrayal? Were you able to forgive that person and move on? If so, then where did you find the strength to forgive? Share this with the group.
   
3. Throughout the story, characters quote Luke 6:37: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” What does this verse mean to you?
   
4. Hannah finds herself caught in the middle between Miriam and the family members who are against Miriam, including their father, Lilly, and Gerald. Have you ever found yourself as the peacemaker due to a family, social, or work situation? If so, how did you handle the conflict? Did it turn out the way you’d hoped? Share this with the group.
   
5. When Miriam first comes back to Gordonville, she seeks reconciliation with her family, only to have her father, brother, and sister shut her out again. Think of a time when you felt lost and alone. Where did you find your strength? What Bible verses would help with this?
   
6. Timothy is determined to keep his promise to marry Naomi. Have you ever felt obligated to keep a promise even though you felt doubt in your heart? How did you handle the situation? Share this with the group.
   
7. Lilly truly regrets the lies she told to break up Miriam and Timothy. Do you think Miriam was wise to forgive her sister? Why or why not? Have you ever been asked to forgive someone whose actions changed your life negatively? Did you forgive this person? Why or why not? What Bible verses would help with this?
   
8. What are your feelings about organ donation? Have you known someone who was an organ donor or recipient? Share this with the group.
   
9. Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Was it Miriam, Timothy, Hannah, Lilly, Zach, or Naomi?
   
10. Miriam feels that God is giving her a second chance with Timothy and that Lena Joy’s transplant will give her a second chance at life. Have you ever experienced a second chance? Share this with the group.
    
11. What did you know about the Amish before reading this book? What did you learn?
    

ack:
oh

aenti:
aunt

appeditlich:
delicious

Ausbund:
Amish hymnal

bedauerlich:
sad

boppli:
baby

bopplin:
babies

bruder:
brother

bruderskinner:
nieces/nephews

daed:
dad

danki:
thank you

dat:
dad

Dietsch:
Pennsylvania Dutch, the Amish language (a German dialect)

dochder:
daughter

dochdern:
daughters

Englisher:
a non-Amish person

fraa:
wife

freind:
friend

freinden:
friends

freindschaft:
relative

froh:
happy

gegisch:
silly

Gern gschehne:
You’re welcome

grossdaddi:
grandfather

grossdochdern:
granddaughters

grandkinner:
grandchildren

grossmammi:
grandmother

gschtarewe:
dead

Gude mariye:
Good morning

gut:
good

Gut nacht:
Good night

Ich liebe dich:
I love you

kapp:
prayer covering or cap

kind:
child

kinner:
children

kumm:
come

liewe:
love, a term of endearment

maedel:
young woman

mamm:
mom

mei:
my

mutter:
mother

naerfich:
nervous

narrisch:
crazy

onkel:
uncle

Ordnung:
The oral tradition of practices required and forbidden in the Amish faith

schee:
pretty

schweschder:
sister

Was iss letz?:
What’s wrong?

Willkumm heemet:
Welcome home

Wie geht’s:
How do you do? or Good day!