Free Where Love Grows by Jerry S. Eicher

front rows there and little girls on the front rows here. Everyone will be looking at us! The bishop will take our hands, asking us the sacred vows. Then we will be man and wife forever, as long as both of us shall live. These people believe in what we’ll be promising. Only death will ever separate us in this world, Mom.”
    â€œThat’s very wonderful,” Maurice agreed. “I’m glad I’m here to experience your dream with you. You inspire me, Teresa.”
    Teresa blushed, answering only after a long moment. “It’s God who worked it all out, Mom. I don’t take any of the credit. Even I never dreamed of this. Just having Samuel grow up with an Amish father would have been enough for me.”
    â€œSweetheart,” Maurice said, taking Teresa’s hand, “only the best is good enough for you. God knows I could never give it to you. Come, give your old mom a hug.”
    Teresa’s face beamed as she wrapped her arms around her mother. “You’re not that old, Mom.”
    â€œSoon you’ll have me believing that,” Maurice said over Teresa’s shoulder. “I tell you, there’s something about this life that makes a person feel younger.”
    â€œIt’s their wholesome living, Mom,” Teresa said, holding her mother at arm’s length. “It’s their honest, open-faced lives that makes them the way they are. They speak the truth even when it hurts.”
    â€œYou’re going to make me blush pretty soon,” Susan interrupted. “We’re not nearly as wonderful as you think. Any good thing we have or do comes from Da Hah alone.”
    â€œI don’t think anyone disagrees with that,” Maurice said. “Now, let’s get some work done or those women in the house will think I can’t work at all.”
    â€œYou have been working!” Teresa protested.
    â€œSo what’s next?” Maurice asked, ignoring Teresa’s remark. “Lead us to our next duty, Susan.”
    â€œYou’re already sounding like one of us,” Teresa said with a laugh. “I really think you should sit on the front porch swing for the rest of the day.”
    â€œI will not,” Maurice said. “These old bones will toil until the sun goes down.”
    Susan joined in the laughter. “The garden is next on the list of things to do. It needs weeding.”
    â€œSo even the garden gets dressed for the wedding day!” Maurice exclaimed. “I do like this more and more.”
    â€œI told you, Mom,” Teresa said as they followed Susan across the yard. Arriving at the garden, they began at the side near the house, moving along on their hands and knees, making sure to pull even the smallest weeds. The three women worked away until Ada appeared with glasses of freshly pressed lemonade.
    â€œTime for a break!” Ada hollered, her face beaming.
    The three women got up and made their way to the edge of the garden. Ada handed them all ice-cold glasses.
    Maurice took a sip. “This is heavenly! How do you folks do this?”
    â€œThanks,” Ada said. “Fresh-squeezed lemons. One of the young girls made it. I’ll tell her you liked it.”
    â€œPlease do,” Maurice said.
    Teresa and Susan drank from their glasses and smiled their appreciation.
    Ada asked Susan, “Do you need help out here? We could spare another person right now. We’re almost done with the pies.”
    â€œNo,” Susan said, “we only have a few more feet to go.”
    â€œOkay then.” Ada turned to leave. “I’m going home in a few minutes. My family will be crying for supper if I don’t get back soon.”
    After Ada disappeared around the corner of the house, Susan walked back to the end of the garden row where she’d been working. She resumed her weeding. Teresa and her mother stayed behind, their voices rising and falling out of hearing distance. Susan smiled. They