But his expression didn’t waver. Almost regretfully, he lowered his hand from her cheek and clasped her hands, his two work-roughened thumbs gently stroking her knuckles. “Come, now. We both know that was never true. In God’s eyes, we are all worthy of His grace. Do not be so hard on yourself.”
“I’m merely being ehrlich, being honest.”
“I will admit that I had wanted a wife who would make me happy, and who would make my daughters happy. In my rush to do that, I built expectations that could never be met. None of us is faultless, Katie, and, I don’t want anyone who pretends to be.”
She couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. “Truly?”
“Truly.” A bit uncomfortably, he looked at her.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“There is nothing to say, not really,” he said with a smile. He looked away. “I don’t want to blemish Sarah’s name. She was a gut fraa, a good wife. She tried her best and so did I. I just want you to know that I do understand what it is like…to keep so much inside.”
“Thank you. Your words mean a lot.”
“As do yours.” Tugging on her hand, he pulled her toward him, so close that their thighs and shoulders touched. “I would be lying now if I did not say that you are perfect for me.”
“Still?”
He squeezed her hands. “Especially still.”
Katie’s heart seemed to stop beating. Never in a million years had she expected to find forgiveness so easily. As their eyes met, a thousand words passed between them, unspoken.
When she remained silent, his lips curved. “You don’t have anything to say?” “I can’t seem to think.” Truly, she couldn’t. What was happening was far more special than any of her dreams or imaginings.
“That’s all right, I think. I seem to have enough words for both of us. See, the thing is, Katie, when I look at you, I see everything I ever wanted. I see everything I once dreamed of having but had given up hoping of receiving.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Are you sure?” His eyes betrayed his doubts. “I know I’ve been difficult to live with. I canna promise you a future without problems.”
“I never asked for a future like that. I only want a future that is real. That I can count on. And Jonathan, you are not so difficult.”
Jonathan leaned close and clasped her hands. “Katie, I have fallen in love with your bright blue eyes and your sweet disposition. I’ve fallen in love with the way you point out my faults and encourage me to be a better man. I like how you make me smile, and I love how my girls adore you.”
At last Jonathan looked into her eyes the way she’d always dreamed he would. “Katie, I want you to be my wife. I can’t promise I will be the easiest man to live with, but I can promise I will treasure you always. Please…please say you’ll be mine. Please say you will marry me.”
Katie bit her lip. Maybe—just maybe—dreams could come true, after all. “Yes, Jonathan, I will marry you,” she whispered.
And when he leaned his head down to kiss her, and carefully held her close, Katie knew she had just gotten everything she’d always thought she had wanted. Everything she always hoped to have.
And so very much more.
Epilogue
“I canna eat another bite of this wonderful Christmas dinner,” Jonathan said to the large gathering surrounding the oak table in the Brennemans’ dining room. “You damen prepared a mighty fine table, that is for sure.”
Katie’s mother smiled. “I have to admit to being pleased with how everything turned out. What do you think, girls?”
Katie turned to Anna and Winnie, her two best friends, and in so many ways, the sisters of her heart. One day soon Anna would marry Henry and she would marry Jonathan. Eventually Winnie, too, would find love. All of them could look forward to many years of meals prepared and enjoyed together. “I think it was a fine meal, indeed.” More hesitantly, she looked to her sister. “Rebekeh, what did you think?”
“The same as you,” she said, smiling in just the way their mother did. “It was mighty fine. Especially since I only brought a pie.”
“That was enough this year,” their mother said, as Rebekeh awkwardly stood up. “You should be off of your feet as much as possible.”
Chuckling, Rebekeh’s husband, Olan, said, “I wish you could pay a call on us every day and tell her that. My Rebekeh never seems to want to sit and rest.”
“She never did,” Henry said with a wink toward Katie. “Though, I have to admit to wishing she would have relaxed more when she was younger.”