Straight Browsing from the Library: Christmas at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

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READ THE BLURB

Promise Lodge's first wedding is cause for celebration—but the bishop's narrow-minded wedding sermon doesn't sit well with the Bender sisters, especially widowed Mattie Schwartz. She believes marriage and family aren't the only important gifts God gives--even if she suspects her tender feelings for Preacher Amos Troyer run deeper than simple friendship. Amos hasn't given up hope that stubborn, spirited Mattie will change her mind about taking another husband, but when an accident threatens to change his life forever, he wonders if the Lord has sent him a message. He'll need faith, hope, and charity to find the right path—and a Christmas blessing to convince Mattie to walk it with him.

READ AN EXCERPT

“I was seventeen the first time you kissed me, and so crazy head-over-heels for you,” she recalled in a dreamlike voice.

“I remember that day like it was yesterday,” Amos murmured. “We were kids taking the long way home after a Singing when I finally worked up the nerve to kiss you. But we knew our hearts. We would’ve made it work.”

“I believe that, too,” Mattie whispered.

“I’ve always loved you, Mattie. I buried those feelings when your dat wanted you to marry Marvin and I hitched up with Anna,” Amos recalled softly, “but that doesn’t mean my heart forgot you. And now, at long last, you’re making my dreams come true.”

Mattie felt tears trickling down her cheeks as she buried her face against his sturdy chest. She felt the rumble of his chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her. For several moments she savored Amos’s warm strength as they stood in blissful silence. The beating of his heart calmed her, set her life into rhythm again like the steady, dependable ticking of the clock he’d given her as an engagement gift . . . the clock she’d stored away during her marriage and had taken out again after Marvin’s passing.

“I love you, too, Amos. Denki for your patience, your understanding—”

His kiss was more fervent this time, sweet and tender. Then he eased away to look at her. “I suppose we’d better behave ourselves, considering how so many folks could catch us spooning out here. But I’ll take up where we left off, next time we’re alone together.” He gently thumbed away the wet streaks on her cheeks. “Take a minute to pull yourself together, dear.”

Mattie chuckled, dabbing at her eyes with the hem of her apron. “I’m out of practice at feeling so happy—but I think I can get used to it.”

“I’ll be sure you do,” he murmured. “I intend to make up for a lot of lost time and make you glad you married me. Every single day. Ready to go in?”

Mattie nodded, straightening her kapp and smoothing her apron. “Ready—for whatever comes along.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Many moons ago—like, in 1983 while she was still a school librarian—Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. This launched her into writing around seventy of those “true confessions” stories over the years, and she’s been a slave to her overactive imagination ever since. Over the course of her writing career, she has sold nearly 50 books—most recently, Amish romance series she’s written as Charlotte Hubbard or Naomi King.

Charlotte lived in Missouri for most of her life, so her Amish stories are set in imaginary Missouri towns. These days she lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband of 40 years and their Border collie, Ramona.

WEBSITE www.CharlotteHubbard.com
Facebook www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

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