Arms of Love (45 page)

“She’s a-tastin’ it, an’ she don’t like it none neither. ’Tis a
gut
sign.”

Adam felt Nutter tap him on the head where he still knelt.

“Git up now,
buwe
. She’s gonna be all right; she’s breathin’ a mite like a catfish outta water, but she’s better. I kin tell.”

Adam rose to stare down at his bride. Her color was better, and she surely was fighting the taste of the mixture Nutter kept spooning down her throat. She tossed in irritation, and Adam had to smile faintly as a peace began to steal over him.

He put his hand on Nutter’s shoulder. “
Danki
, gut friend.”

The old man shook his head. “Had me a bride once meself, ya know? She was hurt when we was working in the deep timber . . . didn’t do potatoes then. She died right there in me arms, like the Lord would have it.” His weathered hand shook a bit as he got another spoonful down, and then Adam pulled him close to his side for a long moment.

“She’ll be awakin’ soon and be needin’ rest. Then I’m thinkin’ that ye’ll both git back to the idea of bein’ married together, hmm?”

Adam smiled through his tears. “
Ya
, we surely will give it some attention.”

Nutter grunted aloud in satisfaction.

Chapter 43

T
here are two things that come to my mind at this moment,” Adam declared as he swung the bedroom door closed and leaned back against it.

It was a week since Lena had been bitten, and once more Adam had arranged for his parents to stay at the Yoders’ for the night that he might have time alone with his bride. There had been a great deal of good-natured joking about swimming in the creek as they had driven away, and Adam had literally carried Lena from the wagon to the front door when they arrived. He was taking no chances.

Lena stood, knowing her body was framed by the daylight in her simple shift, and she nervously played with her unbound hair. “What are the two things?” she whispered, thinking he would woo her somehow with words, and her bare toes curled against the floorboards at the prospect.

“Let’s see.” He half closed his eyes as if struggling to remember, and she shivered in anticipation. “Well, a
gut
friend told me once that it is God, not man nor war, who is revolutionary.”

“That—is true,” she murmured, surprised at the bent of his words.

He smiled at her then, a rich smile that made her think of melting toffee, and his eyes glowed golden bright. “You think perhaps I have grown my
bruder’s
tendency of thought, to speak of God at a time like this?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“Gut.” He pushed away from the door and walked toward her. He touched his fingers to the throb of her pulse at her neck, and she leaned into his hand. “I know that God is revolutionary because of the second thing that comes to mind,” he whispered, reaching to rub a thumb across her cheeks.

“Wh-what?” she gasped.

“A certain maid told me once that ‘a first kiss is forever.’ Do you recall?” He took her in his arms, and she put her hands across the breadth of his tanned chest.

“I remember.”

He bent to press his mouth to the shoulder of her gown, only pulling away when she shivered from the sensation of his kiss. “Gut.

Very good,” he whispered. “Well, God is revolutionary because that first kiss was forever, is forever, and will be forever.” He punctuated his words with his lips, and she had to grasp his shoulders to remain upright.

Then he swept her up into his arms and held her, nuzzling at the base of her throat.

“Adam, I have something to tell you.”

She watched him lift his head, his eyes suddenly alert as he eased her to the floor.

“The bite, it pains you? Is—is this too much after you’ve been so ill? I can—”

She put her fingers to his lips. “
Nee
, Adam. Listen.” She reached to stroke his hair. “When I was ill, Gott gave me a dream. I—I know it may sound strange, but I saw my
mamm
. She told me of your promise to her—to let me go.”

He stared down at her. “
Ya
. ’Tis true, but no one knew. Only Gott, so it must be true that He gave you this truth.”

She stretched on tiptoe to kiss the damp hollow of his neck. “
Ach
,

Adam. Thank you for your promise. But tell me true, have you found freedom?”

He drew her closer, gazing down at her with passion and happiness shining in his eyes.

“
Ya
, Lena. Freedom through
Gott
, through forgiveness, through love.” He ran his hand down her back.

“Lena,” he said. “I would this day that you remember . . . that you take everything I have . . . all of me. I am somehow whole now, but I know not how except by God’s grace. I offer myself to you.” He held her.

The silence of the room caught and held the breath and life of them and kept secret watch over their embrace.

Later she ran her fingers through his dark hair and kissed him until she noticed that the daylight had begun to fade outside the window.

“Look,” she whispered. “ ’Tis our wedding night.”

He laughed in appreciation. “And what of our wedding afternoon?”

“That was spent in the arms of love,” she said, and closed her eyes once more.

Reading Group Guide

         1. What similarities and differences did you find between the colonial culture of the Amish and current renditions of the Amish? Consider community, priorities, faith, etc.

         2. How does the past keep Adam from having an abundant life? What in your own past limits you?

         3. Ruth begins to cling to the verse regarding “God being for her.” How do you feel this truth works out in your own life with God?

         4. How do you feel about the Amish dissident stance, their refusal to “bear arms,” and how does this relate to the biblical idea of not “sparing the rod,” as Joseph does?

         5. Joseph is a character driven by fear. How does that fear play out in the poor choices he makes on a daily basis? When has fear caused you to make a poor choice?

         6. How does Lena and Adam’s relationship ultimately become strengthened by challenges to their union?

         7. What is wrong with Isaac’s perception of God and faith? In what way does he have a “religion” but not a relationship with God?

         8. What is the role of the panther or mountain lion in the book? What does the animal symbolize?

         9. How does Dale’s ready acceptance of Adam remind you of a time when you have found an immediate connection with someone?

         10. Dale gives Adam a chain as a reminder of the burdens he might give to God. What chains hold you prisoner in your life that you struggle to give to God?

         11. How does Lena’s faith change and grow throughout the novel?

         12. Samuel wants the best for Lena, but his desire to keep her safe leads him to give her poor advice. What was this advice? Has this ever happened to you with someone who loves you a great deal?

         13. What are your thoughts on “bundling”? How would this tradition work or not work in today’s culture?

         14. How does the title of the novel represent a duality in meaning? What are its different layers?

         15. How does John mirror Adam in terms of frustration and searching for truth?

         16. God sends Ruth into Abby’s life as a comfort after her mother’s death. How has God comforted you during grief?

Acknowledgments

T
hank you deeply to the following people who made
Arms of Love
a reality: Marie and Gilbert Stout, Gilbert V. and David Stout, Bud Gyurina, Donna and Charles Long, Ruth and Faith Brickley, Asa Brickley, Natalie Hannemann, Natasha Kern, the staff and company of the Hershey Cocoa Beanery, the staff and doctors of Geisinger Medical Center’s Heart Institute, Kimberly Evans, John Evans, Sara Falis, Melissa Cherry, Brenda and Bruce Lott, Becky Monds, Allen Arnold, and the entire TN team. Thank you to my Amish and English readers with a very special shout-out to Dr. Steven Nolt who answered endless questions with extreme patience and his amazing expertise of Amish culture. And lastly, thank you to these unique and wonderfully loving vessels of God’s love to me—Elizabeth Wiseman, my Ward, Scott Long II, Christin Ivey, Donna Boudakian, Grant and Grace Long, my companion writer’s dog, Sophy, and my hero, comrade in arms, and heart’s desire—Scott Long Sr. Thank you all.

A Novel Bible Study
on
The Arms of Love
written by the author