Free A Season of Love by Amy Clipston Page B

afternoon, Matthew glanced out at the porch and spotted Daniel standing with his brothers, Timothy and Robert. He sidled up to the group and nodded a greeting to Timothyand Robert. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” he said. “Daniel, may I speak with you for a moment?”
    “Of course.” Daniel nodded toward the pasture. “Would you like to go for a brief walk?”
    “That would be wunderbaar ,” Matthew said. He followed Daniel down the steps. “I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter.” He swallowed and hoped he would choose the right words. “It’s something I’ve been considering for a while now.”
    Daniel frowned. “This sounds like something serious. Are you unhappy at the furniture store?”
    “No, no.” Matthew shook his head as they approached the barn. “I’m perfectly froh at work. It has nothing to do with that.” He looked back and saw Lindsay stepping out onto the porch, and he gestured toward the barn. “Could we please go inside the barn?”
    Daniel shrugged. “That would be fine.”
    They stepped into the barn and Matthew took a deep breath.
    “What’s on your mind, Matthew?” Daniel asked. “You look naerfich. ”
    Matthew nodded. “I am.”
    “Go ahead,” Daniel said. “You know you can talk to me about things.”
    “Danki , ” Matthew said. “I want to ask your permission to date Lindsay. I really care about her, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her since I moved here. Now that she’s baptized, I’d like to ask her to be my girlfriend.”
    Daniel smiled, and Matthew felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
    “I knew this day would come.” Daniel shook Matthew’s hand. “You have my permission. I trust you with her.”
    “Danki , ” Matthew said with a smile. “I will treat her very well, Daniel.”
    Lindsay spotted Elizabeth on the porch and rushed over to touch her arm. “I was looking for you.”
    “Lindsay.” Elizabeth took her hand and steered her away from the group of friends who had surrounded her. “I wanted to speak with you too.” She pulled her into a hug. “I’m so froh you’ve joined the church. I’d hoped this was the path the Lord would choose for you.” She looked down at Lindsay’s green dress. “You look so schee. Is this a new frock?”
    Lindsay ran her hands down her dress. “I’ve been working on it for a few weeks. I made it special for today.”
    “You positively glow.” Elizabeth touched her cheek. “This was the right choice for you.”
    “Danki.” Lindsay fiddled with the ties to her prayer covering as her thoughts moved to Rebecca. “I can’t stop thinking about Aenti Rebecca. I wish she’d been here.”
    Elizabeth’s expression was sympathetic. “I know you wanted to share this moment with her, mei liewe , and I know she wishes she’d been here. But she was thinking of you and praying for you today. I’m certain her heart is full of joy. You and your schweschder are like her dochdern , and your decision to stay and join the church has given her more joy than she can ever express to you. Even though she couldn’t be here today, she’s celebrating with you in her heart.”
    Lindsay sighed. “I know you’re right, but I just wish Aenti Rebecca and Jessica could’ve been here to celebrate with us in person.”
    “Lindsay, you know things don’t always work out the way we want them.” Elizabeth sat on the porch swing and patted the spot next to her. “Sit, mei liewe. Remember that verse from Joel that the bishop read?”
    Lindsay lowered herself next to Elizabeth and nodded.
    “It tells us, ‘Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and springrains, as before.’ “ Elizabeth touched Lindsay’s hand. “Even though Jessica and Rebecca weren’t here physically, they were with you in your heart. Like your parents always are.”
    Lindsay gently pushed the swing back and forth. “What do