Free God's Gift of Love by Sarah Miller

Chapter 1: Gabe
    Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
    - Romans 10:17
     
    It was going to be a cold winter. The breeze bit into Gabe’s skin, wiggling into the tiny openings of his clothes. The sky was a solid, sleet gray. Gabe’s fingers were nearly numb as he pulled the horse to a stop in front of Old May’s house.
    Old May, almost seventy years old. Until recently she had got her milk from the creamery but Gabe knew she was struggling. So he had arranged for milk deliveries from the Schrock farm. Stepping off his buggy, he stretched his shoulders and thought back. His brothers were too busy with their wives and children to do deliveries -- that was left to Gabe, who was still alone.
    Alone in his parent’s big, empty house. It got so quiet at night, so cold. Gabe hadn’t intentionally delayed getting married, but his bed was still empty. His heart felt empty sometimes too, even with his family, and with God. What was there to get up for in the morning? The family farm, of course, but no one to greet him when he awoke, no one to hold, no one to make a family with.
    If only Katie. . .
    Gabe shook his head, trying to dispel the familiar thoughts. Why had she come into his mind so much lately? He hadn’t seen Katie for years, but in the last few weeks, she’d been on his mind constantly. Her warm brown eyes and soft face had arrived in his dreams, or at times like this, when he least expected to see her. Many nights he had prayed on this, but all he got in return was a vision of her beautiful face and an aching loneliness.  
    She had married another man from a different district, though, and he hadn’t seen her for two years. He had nary heard a word about her.
    Gabe carried the bottles of milk up to Old May’s house and put them down on her porch. He knocked on her door and then rubbed his hands together. Perhaps she’d let him in so he could warm up before going on his way.
    Perhaps he’d ask how Katie was doing. After all Old May was her aunt, even though they now lived in different districts.
    He heard a few shouts inside, female voices, and Gabe wondered who could be here with May. Since her husband died five months ago, she’d lived alone, though last he heard, her children were seeking to remedy that. Maybe they had already.
    The door opened, and Gabe saw the last face he’d expected to see.
    Katie Lantz.
    Her brown eyes widened at the sight of him, and she sucked in a small gasp. She wore the normal blue dress of the Amish, but this one curved over her pregnant belly. A hand flew up to her kapp , tucking a stray lock of chestnut brown hair out of sight.
    “Gabe,” she said, her cheeks turning pink.
    “Katie. It’s been... years...” He trailed off. What were the chances, that he’d been thinking of her and she was here? He glanced up at the sky for a moment. Was God playing tricks on him?
    “Come in, you’re letting the cold air in!” May called from inside the house.
    Gabe fumbled the bottles of milk and Katie stepped back, motioning for him to come in. Her gaze was rooted on the floor, but he couldn’t stop staring as he came in. It had been so long, and she looked the same, but she looked different, too. Tired. Small bags were under her eyes. She looked older; her round chin more angled now, like she’d lost weight.
    She closed the door behind him, clearing her throat. One hand went to her swollen belly.
    Gabe forced himself to look away. She was married to another man. He went to the kitchen, calling for May. “Two bottles of milk, as requested.”
    May came in from the living area, clasping her hands in front of her chest. “Such a gut man! Denke , Gabe.”
    He put them on the counter and noticed the house smelled like freshly baked bread. He hadn’t even noticed in his shock at seeing Katie. Was it time for dinner already?
    “Gabe, you know my niece, Katie.” May touched Katie’s arm. “She’s come to live with