Building Trust Read online

  “They made these?” She sat down on the couch, which was the one piece of furniture she and Joel had picked out together. She thought they would have to wait for more furniture, but her family had come through.

  “Ya.” He sat down next to her. “Silas’s vatter made the rocker and stool. Faith and Silas made everything else. The magazine rack is from Patience and Charity. I picked out the wood and the stain.”

  “They did all this in six weeks?” She ran her hand across the smooth top of the coffee table.

  “They were highly motivated.” He gathered her in his arms and she leaned her head against his shoulder.

  They sat there in silence for a few moments. “I wasn’t sure this would ever happen,” Joel said, his quiet voice breaking the silence.

  She nodded. By God’s grace, it had. Joel told her about the discussion with her father that night he had given his blessing. She knew only God could have turned her father’s heart. Whether it was Joel himself or the lightning strike, Grace didn’t know. It didn’t matter.

  She lifted her head and kissed her husband. She could hardly wait for the future they would build together.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1.How do you think Vernon could have responded differently when Joel and Grace announced their engagement?

  2.Have you ever held a grudge against someone who betrayed you? How were you able to forgive and move on?

  3.Joel never gave up on Grace. How does his dedication remind you of God’s pursuit of us?

  4.Do you think Vernon and Abner could have a successful partnership? Why or why not?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As always a huge thank you to my editors, Becky Monds and Jodi Hughes, for their help and expertise. And a big thank you to you, dear reader, for going on another reading journey with me. I hope you enjoyed visiting with more characters from Middlefield, and the families from An Amish Home and An Amish Summer, while visiting some old friends from An Amish Second Christmas and An Amish Cradle.

  READ MORE FROM THE AMISH FAMILY COLLECTION!

  Available as an e-book

  OTHER BOOKS BY KATHLEEN FULLER

  THE AMISH LETTERS NOVELS

  Written in Love

  The Promise of a Letter

  Words from the Heart

  THE AMISH OF BIRCH CREEK NOVELS

  A Reluctant Bride

  An Unbroken Heart

  A Love Made New

  THE MIDDLEFIELD AMISH NOVELS

  A Faith of Her Own

  THE MIDDLEFIELD FAMILY NOVELS

  Treasuring Emma

  Faithful to Laura

  Letters to Katie

  THE HEARTS OF MIDDLEFIELD NOVELS

  A Man of His Word

  An Honest Love

  A Hand to Hold

  NOVELLAS INCLUDED IN

  An Amish Christmas—A Miracle for Miriam

  An Amish Gathering—A Place of His Own

  An Amish Love—What the Heart Sees

  An Amish Wedding—A Perfect Match

  An Amish Garden—Flowers for Rachael

  An Amish Second Christmas—A Gift for Anne Marie

  An Amish Cradle—A Heart Full of Love

  An Amish Market—A Bid for Love

  An Amish Harvest—A Quiet Love

  An Amish Home—Building Faith

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including A Man of His Word and Treasuring Emma, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield.

  Visit her online at www.kathleenfuller.com

  Twitter: @TheKatJam

  Facebook: Kathleen Fuller