A Gift for Anne Marie

By Kathleen Fuller

Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids. Now things are evolving . . . in ways everyone else predicted long ago. But when her mother suddenly decides to remarry in another state, Anne Marie’s new chapter with Nathaniel looks doomed to end before it begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Oct 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9780718028091

Kathleen Fuller

With over two million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the USA TODAY bestselling author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com; Instagram: @kf_booksandhooks; Facebook: @WriterKathleenFuller; Twitter: @TheKatJam.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

PARADISE, PENNSYLVANIA

Anne Marie Smucker pulled back the light-blue curtains and peered outside into the darkness. On her rural street, the only available light was the tall streetlamp a few houses down. She tapped her fingers against the window frame and squinted. Where is he? Her best friend Nathaniel was never late for game night.

She let the curtains fall and breathed in the scent of wintergreen and cinnamon. The spirit of the holiday was in the air. Her mother had started decorating for the season—placing pine boughs, cinnamon sticks tied with winter-white ribbon, and dried orange slices in a small arrangement on an end table near the front window in the living room. Like all her decorating, she kept it simple, yet lovely.

A few minutes later she went into the kitchen. Her mother stood by the stove, peeling off the foil from a pie plate. What’s that? Anne Marie asked.

"A new pumpkin pie recipe I tried yesterday. I’m hoping it will be gut enough for this year’s Christmas cookbook. Her mother looked at her. Would you like to try some?"

Anne Marie frowned. "Pumpkin? Nee."

I thought you liked pumpkin.

"That must be your other dochder."

"I only have one dochder, and she’s handful enough."

Anne Marie chuckled as she moved closer to her mother and peeked at the pie. Flawless, as usual, with a golden, high-edged crust. It looked appetizing—to someone who liked pumpkin.

Mamm picked up a knife and sliced a small wedge. She put the piece on a nearby saucer. Nathaniel’s not here yet?

Nee. She frowned.

She heard a light tapping sound on the window of the back door. She turned and saw her friend Ruth Troyer waving a mitten-covered hand.

Anne Marie opened the door and let Ruth inside. This is a surprise.

Ruth smiled, the tip of her nose red from the cold air. I hope you don’t mind me dropping by for a minute. She looked at Anne Marie’s mother. "Frau Smucker."

"Hallo, Ruth. Would you like a piece of pie?" Mamm asked.

"Nee. I just need to speak with Anne Marie for a minute. Ruth came closer to her and leaned in, her honey-colored eyes wide with curiosity. Is Nathaniel here?"

Anne Marie shook her head. He’s a little late tonight.

Ruth let out a breath. Gut. She lowered her voice. Is there somewhere we can talk?

"We can geh into the living room."

Once they entered the room, Ruth walked to the coffee table where Anne Marie had laid out the Scrabble board and tiles. I see you’re ready for your game night. She looked at Anne Marie. I wish you’d come to the singing with me and Hannah tonight. You used to like them.

"I did when I was younger. I don’t really see a reason to geh anymore."

Ruth frowned. Because you’re busy with Nathaniel?

It seemed like the temperature in the room dropped twenty degrees. Anne Marie blinked. Is something wrong, Ruth?

Her friend paused. Not really. It’s just . . . Ruth clasped her hands together, her mittens making a soft clapping sound as they met. I need your help.

Of course.

But I need to know something first.

Anne Marie nodded. What’s that?

Are you and Nathaniel together?

That was the last thing she expected Ruth to say. What? Of course not.

Ruth blew out a breath. "Gut. Then you can help me get Nathaniel’s attention."

Attention? Why?

Ruth cocked her head and rolled her eyes. I have to explain it to you?

Anne Marie paused. Then her eyes widened. You like Nathaniel?

She rolled her eyes. You’re just as oblivious as he is.

What?

Ruth put her hands on the back of the chair near the coffee table. "I don’t know what to do to get him to notice me. I’ve dropped so many hints on him the past couple of weeks, I’m surprised he doesn’t have a headache. I even asked him to tonight’s singing. But then he reminded me about Sunday game night, which of course he couldn’t miss."

Was that a touch of bitterness in Ruth’s tone? I didn’t know you felt that way about him, Anne Marie said.

Now you do. So, will you help me?

Anne Marie turned up the damper on the woodstove in the corner of the room. I’m not sure what I can do.

You can give us your blessing.

She whirled around, confused. Ruth, I’m not Nathaniel’s keeper. He’s free to court anyone he wants to.

Ruth dug her hands into her coat pockets. "You know how shy he is, so if you’ll just give him a nudge in mei direction. A small one. Then I’ll take care of the rest. Before Anne Marie could respond, Ruth added, I have to geh or Hannah will have a fit." She touched Anne Marie on the arm. Danki.

You’re wel—

But Ruth had disappeared before the words left Anne Marie’s mouth.

She stood there in the living room, feeling the warmth of the woodstove and looking at the Scrabble board, trying to absorb what her friend had told her. Ruth liked Nathaniel. She hadn’t seen that coming. She also hadn’t thought her friend would be so forward about it. And she wouldn’t consider Nathaniel shy. Reserved, sometimes. But not shy. As she walked back to the kitchen, she tried to picture Ruth and Nathaniel as a couple. But she couldn’t see him with Ruth. She thought about other young women in the district. Who would she pair up with Nathaniel? For some reason, she couldn’t imagine him with anyone.

Ruth blew out of here in a hurry. Mamm wiped down the counter to the left of the white cast-iron sink. Is everything all right?

"Ya. I guess."

Mamm lifted a questioning brow. What does that mean?

Sorry I’m late. Nathaniel appeared in the kitchen doorway. Jonah let me in. He’d already removed his jacket and hat, his thick, dark-brown hair popping up in hanks all over his head. He tried smoothing it down, but it was no use. He’d always had trouble taming his hair. When they were sixteen he had come over to help her spread sawdust on the floor of the barn. Before they started, he’d tripped into the huge pile. She remembered how the small chips of wood and dust had stuck in his hair, how she’d run her fingers through the thick strands to help him get it out . . .

"Something smells gut." He lifted his nose as he stepped into the kitchen.

Anne Marie shook her head, clearing her mind of the memory, and the tingly sensation suddenly coursing through her.

What are you making, Lydia? Nathaniel asked.

Pumpkin pie. Mamm cast a sharp look at Anne Marie. Keep your comments to yourself.

Anne Marie held up her palms. I wasn’t going to say a word.

Are there samples? Nathaniel asked.

Of course. Her mother cut another slice. "I’m glad someone appreciates

Reviews for A Gift for Anne Marie

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

These four novellas will definitely give you a warm fuzzy Christmas feeling. Though there is some strife in the lives of these Amish women, it’s a pretty safe bet it will all work out in the end. The stories are somewhat connected, written by different authors, and contain some of the same characters but having a different focus. The stories are sweet, almost to the point of being trite, and message that one must trust in God is foremost. The audio narrator was a bit over the top, but if you like a narrator is really performing the parts, this is the book for you.

[lindz2012 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I picked this book up from the library. I read the back on the cover and one of the story caught my attention or interest. So I picked it up and checked it out to read. It one I read from start to finish. It was hard to put down. I love Christmas stories anytime of year but the season is one of my favorites. In this case, these four novellas tell the story of one December in Lancaster County. These four some way connect to each other but not in a series kind of way.In A Miracle For Miriam, you learn about the deep hurt that causes Miriam to disappear into herself. Seth caused the hurt when they were both fourteen years old. Most of us remember our hurts and some of us have allowed those hurts to influence us as adults. It’s a beautiful love story in which other characters from the other three novellas are introduced.A Choice to Forgive opens with Lydia answering a knock at her door and discovering her first love, Daniel Smucker, standing confidently on her doorstep. He promised to marry her when they were young and mysteriously disappeared on Christmas. Lydia marries his brother, Elam, who happens to comfort her during her difficult heart break. She becomes a widow when he dies of a heart attack. Those feelings of love for Daniel rise again and she struggles to forgive him for running away. He tries to explain the difficult and complicated situation that sent him away, and the secret that he and his brother kept from her causes an enormous emotional struggle.One Child by Barbara Cameron addresses Sarah and David’s struggle over their miscarriage. Sarah prays to Derr Herr for a child. It’s the only gift she wants on Christmas. Mysterious visitors bring unexpected joy during a particularly bad blizzard. It’s a story of healing, love, and friendship.Christmas Cradles tells the story of Anna Stolis and Asa Mast. Anna has never been married. She has become a midwife. Asa Mast also never married. A tragedy occurred during his rumschpringe years that brought him to this point. His father is very ill, refusing to go to the hospital on Christmas. Anna has three deliveries during the night. Normally, his father, Samuel, accompanies Anna’s Aunt Ruth (also a midwife), but with Aunt Ruth taking the evening off and Samuel sick, Asa joins Anna in her delivery runs. It is a love story of two insecure people who never thought they could fall in love.

[judyg54 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a set of three stories written by three different authors, but all take place in Paradise, PA and are centered around a specific Amish family. I really enjoyed all 3 stories, but "A Miracle for Miriam" by Kathleen Fuller was my favorite.This is the first story in this Christmas Novella and what a good story it was. I was cheering for Miriam all the way through and so appreciated the change in Seth. I appreciated the fact that true beauty comes from within. Seth is no longer the arrogant young boy he once was when he made fun of Miriam and broke her heart at the age of 14. Now they have both grown up and after surviving an almost fatal car accident Seth is seeing life a little bit differently. I loved this section of the story when Seth is realizing the true beauty of Miriam, “Granted, there were women out there with curvier figures and prettier faces, but now that didn’t matter to him. At one time it had; he couldn't deny that. There was only one woman he was interested in, one woman who could drive him crazy one minute then sneak into his heart the next. Miriam Herschberger.” Seth must find a way to show Miriam he truly cares about her, and Miriam must come to learn to trust in Seth and in the fact that her beauty within can truly make someone like Seth see her as beautiful all over. Yeah for the way this author championed those young ladies who don’t think they are pretty. This was a good love story, very believable, and left me very well satisfied.Story number two was about Miriam's sister, Lydia who has lost her husband and must now learn to forgive and trust her deceased husband's brother, Daniel when he shows up 18 years later on Miriam's doorstep after leaving long ago on Christmas Eve. He was Lydia's first love and she never understood why he left so suddenly. When the truth is revealed, Lydia must learn to forgive not only Daniel, but her husband as well.I really enjoyed the way the last story was written. "One Child" was centered around David and Sarah, an Amish couple who lost their baby during the pregnancy last Christmas. Now they struggle through this one. But when a blizzard hits they find themselves taking in an "Englisch" couple, who are about to have a baby. I loved the way these two couples came to know one another, understand the different lifestyles and appreciate the simplistic way of the Amish. It was a heartfelt story as Sarah and David give of themselves when their own hearts are hurting and how the birth of a child can make a difference in each of their lives.This was a novella I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

[mrsjason · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As you know, Amish fiction is hit or miss with me. I don't mind Amish fiction that emphasis the way of life but I don't like reading stories where I feel as if I'm being preached at and made guilty because I don't want to live the way they do. This novella collection has none of that. I would describe this book as comfort reading. The stories, which are all connected, are written by three authors who are known for their Amish stories. I really enjoyed reading this books. What I liked best about this series was that there was no conversion to the Amish faith. It's a cliche I'm starting to abhor, that every Englischer who happens to wander in Amish land must become Amish. Thankfully none of that happens in this book. Instead what is shown is an introduction to the Amish way of life, which isn't pushy or preachy. There is also a lot of food mentioned which is always a plus.If there was any story I was iffy on, it would have to be Lydia's story. This is mainly due to her stubbornness and refusal to listen to explanations. I just felt it created unnecessary drama that the story didn't need. Other than that blip, I really had no problems as all with any of the stories. They all emphasized more on the story than trying to be Amish. Other than the obvious differences between their world and the Englisch world, I really didn't see any differences between these stories and those set in modern world.These three authors do very well with the novella situation. I don't normally like novella stories but I felt that all the stories ended well and the characters were fully developed. I liked how the stories are all connected yet each is distinctly different. The best part is that this book gives a taste of each author's style of writing and if you liked it makes you want to go and read the rest of their works. I feel that this team is good at writing together and I'll be looking forward to reading more works from them, both individual stories and more combined efforts. Amish fans will really enjoy this book and there's the added benefit of getting the reader into the Christmas spirit!

[reviewsbymolly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't think I could say this enough!!! It's WUNDERBAAR!!! These groups of stories relate so well and blend together so nicely. The three authors are outstanding in their own books but they really had it together when combining these 3 seperate stories for this one book. I love Amish stories to begin with, and I love Christmas, and I was super excited to hear about the release of this book! As with Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall, I don't want to make my review too long, else I give away too much of the book! Once I get started on talking about this book I won't stop! It is just that good! This is a must read book for all you Amish and Christmas lovers! MUST READ! It is a book that I will not get rid of! It is in my home to stay! I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars, for the ability to make me laugh, cry, and feel the movement of God through the words on the pages, but, I can not. So I will have to stick with rating this book with my normal 5 stars AND two thumbs up! Highest, highest praises to 3 amazingly talented authors for a job well done with An Amish Christmas!!! *This book was provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers for review*

[hjvanderklis_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Three authors (Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Barbara Cameron) wrote three novellas on Christmastime in Lancaster Country, Amish's Paradise, Pennsylvania. Timeless themes like a returned lover, inner & outer beauty and the longing for offspring, a place and family to belong to. Seth & Miriam deal with pretty on the outside versus inner beauty. Daniel's return to his Amish roots really upset his late brother's widow Lydia. The couple face tough choices. The storyline is enriched by other personalities. David and Sarah, both struggling without one child open their home for two 'lost in Paradise' guests. Kate & Jason appear to expect a child any day (a Christmas child?). These love stories are interwoven with Amish customs, dialect (Deitsch), faith and personal struggles and choices regarding love, envy, forgiveness, child expectancy and God's plan for your life. The stories are loosely connected, but can be read apart. Fortunately a happy end makes everything ready for Christmas. As an extra guidance for group reading and authentic old order Amish recipes are added to this threefold Christmas present.