Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Patrice Lewis (best large ereader .txt) 📕

Eliza wept as she finished her story.

“When Mercy was born, I knew I couldn’t care for her. Bill—that was my husband—came from a broken family, and at any rate they lived all the way across the country. I was too humiliated to return to Grand Creek. You’re the only person I trusted to raise her right,” she concluded, “so I sent her to you.”

“It surprised me, for sure and certain,” Levy admitted. “Suddenly I had a newborn arrive on my doorstep. I didn’t have any idea how to take care of her, but fortunately I hired a neighbor’s niece who agreed to be the baby’s nanny. I realized I couldn’t work and take care of Mercy at the same time.”

“What kind of work are you doing? I’m completely out of touch.”

While Levy filled her in on his business development for the past few years, he watched his sister’s face. The tenderness with which she held her baby was a good sign.

It was only when he began explaining about Mercy’s care that he understood the growing sense of unease within himself. Eliza’s natural desire to care for her own child meant Jane would no longer be needed.

“…and the nanny’s name is Jane,” he concluded. “She’s been very helpful with the farmer’s market—she makes jam, bread, cookies, that kind of thing, which have sold very well.”

“She sounds like a wunderbar nanny,” observed Eliza. “And…and maybe I can find a job and help contribute to the finances.”

“But then who will take care of the baby?”

Eliza flushed. “That was the problem I faced in Seattle. I couldn’t work and take care of her at the same time either.”

“Eliza…” Levy hesitated. “I’m glad you’re home. I’ve prayed to Gott for your redemption, and He’s answered my prayers. I look forward to seeing you baptized.”

He saw tears fill her eyes. “There are times I can’t remember why I thought it was so important to leave. It’s hard out there in the Englisch world. There are so many things that separate someone from their faith. My husband…” She hesitated. “He wasn’t religious, and it was one of the things I most regretted the moment we were married. Despite my rebellion, I never questioned my faith. But he didn’t believe in Gott, and his attitude started to wear me down. That’s why I named this baby Mercy. I want faith always to be a part of her life.”

“It’s good you’re back, then.”

“Levy, I have to ask… Is Josiah Lapp married?”

Levy put down his mug. It was easy to see where Eliza was going with this train of thought. “Nein. Not yet, at least. He’s been courting a young woman, though, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

“I won’t. Still, I… I want to see Josiah, to apologize. I know he thought about me as part of his future, and I ruined that. I won’t interfere with whomever he’s courting, of course, but he’s been on my conscience.”

“You’ll see him on Church Sundays.”

“Ja, but it’s not like we’ll have much of a chance to talk privately. Or rather, I’ll understand if he avoids me.”

“Then maybe you should just ask him if you can meet later on. But Eliza, you need to make good choices from now on.”

“Ja, I plan to.” She bit her lip. “Sometimes I think how different my life would have been had Josiah and I gotten married, if I’d stayed behind and accepted a quiet, calm life instead of one filled with drama and angst. Why I ever thought drama and angst were preferable to peace, I don’t know.”

“You really have grown up, little schweschder.” He smiled.

“I didn’t have much of a choice.” She kept her eyes on the baby. “But now I have to find work. Maybe we should keep the nanny so I can look for a job?”

“Maybe we should. She’s been a blessing. I don’t know what I would have done without her.”

Eliza peered at him closely. “That sounds like more than just professional gratitude.”

“It might be.” He didn’t deny it. “She’s amazing with the baby, she’s amazing in the home and the garden and the farmer’s market. She’s an amazingly hard worker. She’s also kind and generous and funny.”

“So my big brüder has fallen in love at last.” Eliza smiled through her tears.

In love? Levy froze. With blinding clarity, he realized his sister was right.

Jane, with her glasses that always fell down her nose. Jane, caring for Mercy with a competency that came naturally. Jane, teaching him what he needed to know to tend to the infant. Jane, making bread and cookies and jams to sell. Jane, shoring him up whenever he was down.

He felt dazed he hadn’t recognized this before. His eyes unfocused as he realized how much he had come to love the tall, gawky woman who had saved him when Mercy arrived. “Ja,” he said slowly. “I think I have.” His heart started pounding. “I don’t think I realized just how much I loved her until now.” A grin spread across his face.

“Does she return the sentiment?”

His smile was wiped away as he recounted his clumsy marriage proposal from ten days before. “I don’t know.”

“Then you need to find out. After Mamm and Daed died, you put your life on hold to finish raising me. I paid you back by rebelling and running away. As a result, I missed out on a great many things, including raising my child.” She hugged Mercy closer. “I also missed out on marrying Josiah. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. It’s okay to admit you love this woman. If that’s the case, you need to let her know.”

“I need to think on this.” He still felt dazed at the realization of his feelings for Jane. “I need to figure out what to do…”

“What is there to figure out? If you love her, then court her. Just don’t wait too long.”

“So now my baby schweschder is advising me?” Levy beamed.

“Your baby schweschder has been a fool her