Introduction

Three Amish women yearn for the perfect wedding.

"A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman

Priscilla King has been planning to marry Chester Lapp since she was sixteen years old, and when Chester proposes on Priscilla's nineteenth birthday, wedding plans begin immediately. What wasn't planned was all the problems the couple encounters as their big day approaches. A house disaster, a ruined wedding dress, and a sick attendant all make the couple wonder if  God's sending them signs to call things off.

"The Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller

Naomi Fisher has had great success at matchmaking her family members and friends. Now with her sister's wedding right around the corner, Naomi wonders why she's able to find husbands for her friends and family, but not one for herself.

"The Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long

Rose Bender has recently become engaged to handsome but somber Luke Raber. She agrees out of a sense of duty and a willingness to settle for solid friendship as a basis for the engagement. But as she watches her friend's excitement over her soon-to-be wedding, Rose wonders if there shouldn't be more to her relationship with Luke. She begins to examine Luke and his life more closely and is amazed when she stumbles upon an exciting, secret side of him that engages her mind and heart.

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Excerpt

Prologue
“That’s it? That’s my wedding proposal?” Nineteenyear-
old Rose Bender stared at her best friend in the waning light
of the cool summer evening.
Luke Lantz’s dark blue eyes held steady as always. “Ya, what
more do you expect?”
Rose half bounced in the buggy seat, trying not to let Luke ’s
typical calmness rile her into a temper that would match the
unruly black curls tucked beneath her kapp. What more did she
expect? It was a fair question.
She’d known Luke for all of her young life, and he was
right—a marriage was something that would please both of their
families and have the strong foundation of their friendship at its
base. It would also unite two lands, the rich soil that ran parallel
in property. And, perhaps most importantly, it would bring a
woman’s touch to the motherless Lantz household. But it might
have helped if Luke could have conjured up a few romantic words to add to the moment. Yet, at twenty-three, he was what
he was: Placid. Faithful. Secure. And when Rose was with him,
it was rather like skating on a pond that had been deep-frozen for
months—no chance for a crack in the ice. Perfectly safe. Not that
she should desire anything more.
“I accept,” she said with determination and not a little defiance.
She wanted to silence the doubts that echoed inside—that
suggested she knew him too well to have a romantic marriage.
And the realistic fears that she could never live up to the legacy of
domesticity and kindness his mother had left behind just two short
years ago. She told herself that it had to be more than enough to
fulfill the expectations of Luke ’s father and her parents and to
find a strong base in a wealth of memories—school days, sledding
and ice-skating together, long walks and throwing horse
chestnuts into the pond, and serious conversations about life—
though not necessarily about love.
“Gut. I thank you, Rose. I believe, with Derr Herr’s blessing,
that it will be a successful match.”
She nodded, then slid closer to his lean form, reaching to trail
her fingers in the brown hair at the nape of his neck. She felt him
tense, but she ignored it.
“Luke,” she whispered, “now that we’re engaged, maybe we
could kiss a bit more?”
His strong jaw tightened, and he turned to peck neatly at
her lips, moving away before she could even close her eyes. He
disentangled her hand from his hair and gave it a cool squeeze,
then picked up the reins. “We ’d best move on,” he said. “It’s
getting late.”
And that’s that, she thought ruefully, comforting herself with the knowledge that he would be too dutiful to maintain
such distance once the marriage ceremony was over. She stifled
a sigh at the unusually irreverent thought and focused on the
dim road ahead.

Chapter One
Two months later . . .
The sunlight of early autumn filtered through
the clear windowpanes and made passing shadows on the wide
fir floor of the Bender farmhouse. The family was gathered for
a hearty meal, and the gut smells of cooking mingled with robust
conversation.
“I tell you that it’s downright odd, that’s what.” Rose ’s father
gestured with his fork to the lunch table at large. “Two of our
hens—our best layers, mind you—a goat from the Lamberts’,
and the sheets from old Esther Mast’s clothesline. All of it missing,
and dozens of other things from the community over the past
few months. I say there ’s a thief hereabouts, and that’s the truth.”
Rose ’s mother calmly passed the platter of sauerkraut and
kielbasa to Rose ’s two older brothers to take seconds. Then she offered the fresh platter of airy biscuits to Aenti Tabitha, Father’s
sister, and nodded her head as her husband sputtered himself out.
“Maybe it’s a Robin Hood type of thief,” Aenti Tabitha ventured,
her brown eyes shining. At fifty, she often seemed as young
as a girl to Rose with all of her romantic ideas and flights of fancy.
Yet her suggestion stilled Rose ’s hand for a moment over the saltshaker.
What would it be like to meet such a romantic figure of a
man? Dark and mysterious in nature . . .
Abram Bender shook his head at Aenti Tabitha. “Tabby, you
always have had a heart of gold—looking for the best in others.
But Rob in the Hood, like the Englisch folktale? Taking from the
rich to give to the poor? Who’s poor in our community? Don’t we
all see to each other? Nee, this is just a thief, plain and simple. And
I don’t like it one bit.”
“The weather’ll change over the next month or so,” Ben
remarked over a forkful of boiled potatoes. “Any thief is likely
to drop off in his ways once there ’s snow on the ground to track
him.”
“Or her,” Rose said, for some reason wanting to provoke.
“What?” her father asked.
“I said her. Your thief could be a female, Daed.” She didn’t
really think the thief was female, yet she had a strange urge to
enter the suggestion into her father’s mind.
Her daed gave a shout of laughter, then resumed eating. Ben
turned to her with a smile while her other brother, James, just
rolled his eyes.
“Rose, no woman in her right mind is going to go thieving
about,” Daed said. “It’s a gut thing you’re marrying Luke come
December. Maybe he ’ll settle down some of your wild ideas.”
“Perhaps.” She smiled, her green eyes flashing heat for a
brief second.
“Well,” Ben interjected, “Rose ’s narrisch thoughts aside—
there ’s a storm due tonight, supposed to be a doozy.”
“Ya, I heard.” Father rose from the table and hitched up
his suspenders. “Come on, boys. We ’d best tighten down a few
things.” He bent to pat Mamm’s shoulder. “Danki for lunch.”
Then he pinched Rose ’s cheek fondly. “And no more foolish
thoughts from you, my miss. Remember, you’re to be a married
woman soon.”
Rose didn’t respond. She toyed with her fork instead, making
a mash of the potato as an idea began to take shape in her head.
F
As Rose cleared the lunch table mechanically, she
avoided her aenti’s eagle eyes. Ever since she ’d been little, she ’d
felt as though Aenti Tabby could see the subdued thoughts churning
inside her head, and just for a moment she wanted to debate
the merits of her plan undisturbed. Still, she knew the intent
look on her aunt’s face and had to admit that the older woman’s
intuition had fended off trouble for her many a time. But today—
something was different. Today Rose wanted trouble. She drew
a sharp breath at the hazardous thought, but the idea fit with her
nature of late. It seemed as though her spirit had grown more
restless, less satisfied with life, ever since she ’d accepted Luke ’s
proposal. She’d tried to pray about it, stretching her feelings out
before the Lord for guidance, but nothing had come to her.
Aenti Tabby caught her eye in an unguarded moment as they washed and wiped the dishes. “I’d like to see you in my room,
Rose, after we clean up a bit. If you don’t mind?”
“Um . . . sure, Aenti Tabby, but I have to hurry. I’m going to
bake some pies this afternoon.”
“Bake? Pies?” Her aunt and mamm uttered the questions in
unison, and Rose concentrated on dabbing at a nonexistent spot
on a dish. The whole family knew that she was a hard worker, to
be sure, but baking was not a skill that she possessed or an activity
she particularly enjoyed.
“Ya.” She nodded vigorously, forcing a soft curl to spring
loose from the back of her kapp. “I need to practice, you know?
Luke likes a gut apple pie, or perhaps blueberry.” She stretched to
put the plate away in the cupboard. “But I’ll be glad to come and
talk with you before I start.”
F
Aunt Tabby, who had never married, lived with the
Benders and was a cherished part of the home and family. Rose
and her brothers often sought the sanctuary of their aunt’s room
for advice, comfort, or a smuggled sweet long after supper. But
Rose knew that she had been distinctly absent lately from any
visits with her beloved aenti and mentally prepared to face what
might be some pointed, but truth-provoking, questions about
herself and Luke.
Aunt Tabby sank down onto the comfortable maple bed with
its patchwork quilt and patted a space next to her. “Kumme and
sit, Rosie.”
Rose blew out a breath, then came forward to relax into the age-old comfort of the well-turned mattress. She half smiled at
her aenti, remembering times she ’d jumped on the same bed and
had once taken a header that nearly landed her in the windowsill.
But that was childhood past—long past, or so it seemed to her
heart.
“I’ll not keep you long, Rose, but I want to ask—why did you
agree to marry Luke?”
“What?”
The question was even more probing than she ’d braced for,
and a thousand answers swirled in her mind.
“Luke. Why did you accept his proposal?”
“Well . . . because he’s . . . we’re . . . we’ve always been best
friends.”
Aunt Tabby frowned. “I’ve never married, child, but I do
wonder if that is reason enough to build a life together.”
Rose said, “It’s made both of the families happy.”
“That’s true, but what about you? Are you happy?”
There was a long, disconsolate silence that wrung Rose ’s
heart as her aunt touched her shoulder.
“I’m supposed to be happy,” Rose said, thinking hard.
“Ya, that’s true.”
“I just—I expect too much, I guess. Like wanting some kind
of—I don’t know.”
“Like wanting someone mysterious and romantic?”
Rose gazed in surprise at her aenti, who laughed out loud.
“I was young once too, and I think it’s perfectly normal to
want more from a relationship than just friendship. But maybe—
maybe there’s more to Luke Lantz than meets the eye. Have you
thought of that?”
Rose shrugged as her aunt cleared her throat. “Luke’s father—
well, we courted some. He was always shy, but then . . . well. He
had it in him to do some fine kissing now and then.”
Rose stared at her aenti’s flushed face. “You and Matthew
Lantz? Aenti Tabby—I never knew you dated him. Why didn’t
you marry him?”
“It wasn’t what the Lord wanted for me.”
Rose marveled at the simple statement. She knew her people
lived by the will of Derr Herr, but to give up a relationship because
of faith was difficult for her to comprehend. She knew she had
spiritual miles to go before she would make a decision like that.
“Haven’t you ever regretted it? Not even when—well, when
Laura Lantz died of the influenza? You’re still young, Aenti
Tabby. Maybe you and Mr. Lantz could—”
“Nee,” the older woman gently contradicted. “I’ve never
regretted it, not even when Laura died. In truth, I believe I would
have regretted more if I had not obeyed what I felt was the Lord’s
leading. And just think—had I married Matthew, there would be
no Luke for you.”
Rose frowned. “Ya, you’re right.”
“So, you will try, Rosie? To see all there is of him?” Her aunt
gave her a hug.
“Ya, Aenti Tabby—all that there is.”
... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

WARNING! *Guide contains spoilers, so don’t read before completing the novellas.

For reading groups with five or more members, the authors will participate in the discussion of this collection. If you’re interested, go to www.Amishhearts.com.


A PERFECT SECRET
1. Why do we often pretend to be someone different, in some aspect, even with those we love?
2. How does Luke’s mother’s death undergird his decisions in life?
3. Why does Rose enjoy being the “Rob in the hood” for a change? What does this say about her personality?
4. What is it about your life that God is “perfecting” at this time?
5. What is potentially dangerous about secrets in a relationship?
6. How does Rose’s relationship with her Aunt Tabby bring balance to her life? Who helps you in this way?
7. Why do weddings create such stress and expectation in life?


A PERFECT MATCH
1. Zeke has confidence, but also humility. He's not conceited, and he doesn't doubt God's sovereignty in his life. How do you think Zeke acquired this complete faith and trust?
2. Do you think Zeke's parents' strained relationship has any bearing on him remaining a bachelor longer than most Amish men? Why or why not?
3. What did Naomi do to avoid dealing with David's betrayal? Do you think she will still struggle with trust, even after she and Zeke are married? If so, how can God do to help her heal and learn to trust again?
4. Margaret was tongue-tied around Zeke initially, but then became comfortable around him. She was then able to accept Ben Hooley's interest in her. What made Margaret change?


A PERFECT PLAN
1. Priscilla wants to have a perfect wedding day, but she loses sight of what’s really important. How might things have been different if she hadn’t let worry creep into her heart?
2. Chester likes that Priscilla is organized and structured, but is there ever a point when he wonders if her need for perfection will do harm to their relationship?
3. Rachel writes letters to both Priscilla and Chester, letters that hit on exactly what they are both feeling prior to the wedding. Do you think God is speaking to Priscilla and Chester through Rachel? Has this ever happened to you or to someone you know?
4. In what ways does an Amish wedding differ from a traditional Englisch wedding? Is there anything about an Amish wedding that you think should be incorporated into an Englisch wedding? Or vice-versa?

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