Promise to Cherish (40 page)

“We’re brothers, Eli.”

Mark helped him up to the porch swing so Christine could tend to his injuries. When he finally walked away, Eli knew nothing more would need to be said between the two of them. He had his brother back.

Christine hovered over Eli and dabbed his cheek with her
schnupduch—
her Amish handkerchief. Though tears fell from her jawline onto Eli’s shirt, mixing with the drops of his blood, he couldn’t help but smile at her. Eli found enough strength to put a hand on Christine’s cheek. He’d been frightened for her. How could he tell her how much he loved her when he couldn’t fathom leaving the community that had just put its life on the line for her?

They looked at each other for several long moments.

“He’s just like all the men we worked with at Hudson River. I’m afraid this isn’t the last we’ll hear from him,” she said, worried.

“He’s not going to hurt you ever again. I won’t let him. I promise.”

“How can you promise me that? You don’t know what my future holds.”

“Marry me and let’s find out together.”

“But, it wouldn’t be right for you to leave the church. Look what they did for you today.”

“What they did for me? Christine, they did this for us.”

“I know that.” Christine looked around then her eyes settled back onto Eli’s. “I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to realize that this is my home—here with you.”

“Christine?” Was he hearing her right?

“Yes, Eli, I’ll marry you.”

CHAPTER 34

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

C
hristine woke to a warm breeze pushing past the curtains that hung in the windows, matching the sky. The June morning sun lit her face and she smiled. She looked over and found the space next to her empty. Where had he gone?

Even though they’d only been married for three days she’d already grown accustomed to having him near her when she fell asleep and when she woke. Since that day at the church Jack had been arrested, convicted for assault, and given up the legal rights to his son. Christine was happy to resign the trauma with Jack to her past so she could look forward to her bright future with Eli. She learned more about the new life she’d chosen for her and Peter every day. Having gone through baptism classes while their
haus
was being finished and then the anticipation of their wedding to be announced in church, life had not slowed down since the day she’d finally told Eli
yes
. She’d also helped Annie with four more births in the community and had more scheduled.

She sat up in bed and stretched. The six o’clock sun lit up the room. Her feet moved into slippers as she stood and walked
through their bedroom. As she passed the closet, which didn’t have a door yet, she touched the sleeve of the royal blue wedding dress she’d worn a few days earlier.

“That dress is made just as neat as the Ohio Amish. It’s just perfect,” Christine had heard Annie say to Rosella and Rebekah. She tried not to feel some pride in it, but couldn’t pretend she hadn’t heard the compliment.

She walked into the living room, still not seeing her husband. Where was he? He told her he wouldn’t be at the farm until Monday and today was Sunday, not to mention an in-between Sunday, which meant they had most of the day alone together with only the essential chores around their own
haus
.

She peeked into Peter’s room and saw he and her mother were still sleeping. She had come back for the wedding and was staying for a few days. When Christine explained that the Amish don’t go away on honeymoons, Margie insisted on being on night duty so if Peter woke he would not disturb the newlyweds, as she called them. Margie had embraced her role as a grandmother. Christine smiled at the thought of her newly married sister, Doris, and Lewis expecting their first child as well. As if an answer to prayers, Lewis loved her parents and was happy to help support them.

What her mother did not know was that the Amish community encouraged newlyweds not to view consummation as the goal for their first few days. This was not just another way for them to demonstrate that their love was more than physical, but a spiritual act in dedication to the Lord. Of course, this was a personal decision. Christine would never tell.

“Christine.” She heard Eli’s voice behind her, but before she could turn, his arms wrapped around her. Her first instinct was to try and cover up. She was wearing the thin, white nightgown he’d bought for her and given to her on their wedding night. It was dainty and simple. She didn’t ask if this was a typical gift among other Amish couples, but accepted it with joy.

She turned and put her arms around his neck, gazing up at him.

“Where were you?” She flirted with her eyes.

“I want to show you something.” He kissed her before continuing. “Come with me outside.”

“I can’t go like this.”

“No one can see. The trees hide us, you know that.”

Christine considered this and decided she would trust him. She let him lead her through their
haus
and back behind it where half of a barn was up. Behind that was a field of tall grass where she imagined her garden would go or just a place where their children would run and play in the sandbox or on the swing set. Eli stopped and turned toward her holding both hands. He was so handsome. The sun lit his hair, making it even lighter. His eyes were clear and gazed into hers.

“Will you take your hair down for me?” Eli asked, letting go of her hands.

“What do you have up your sleeve?” She took out the few pins that held it up and let the breeze carry it away, her caramel locks fell long against her back.

“I wanted to see you like this.”

“What? In my nightgown and hair everywhere in the wind?”

“I know you gave up everything for me.”

“But I have you and Peter has a father. I don’t feel I’ve given anything up; I’ve gained so much more than I ever imagined.”

“Remember when we went to Jeanne and Byron’s wedding back at Hudson River?”

She nodded. Where was he going with this?

“It’s the only English wedding I had ever been to and I realize you gave that up for me, too. The beautiful white dress and even the spoken vows that were so memorable.”

“We said our vows on Thursday. I loved our wedding.”

“But I wanted you to hear the vows in English, like I know
you’ve always dreamed of. I bought this white nightgown for you—I thought you’d like the lace edging—I wanted you to have something pretty to wear, and I wanted you to wear your hair down because it reminds me of how you came to me that day when you let me hold you for the first time.”

He faced her and took her hands.

“I, Eli Brenneman, take you, Christine Freeman, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward till death do us part.”

Christine’s heart swelled and with tears of joy spilling from her eyes she repeated the vows to Eli.

“I, Christine Freeman, take you, Eli Brenneman, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward till death do us part.”

“And I have one more thing for you.”

Christine wiped a tear away. “What?”

“This,” he said, digging into his pocket and pulling out what looked like a ring. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Christine held her left hand out which trembled with emotion. He placed a small wire ring on her finger. Upon inspection she could see that he’d fashioned the wire into a heart at the top. While she wouldn’t be able to wear it when others could see it, it was no less valuable to her. The Amish believed that it was best for the community to be uniform, so not to cause animosity in those without and pride in those with.

“It’s the most precious item anyone has ever given me. I will treasure it always.” She took in her gift for several long moments. “You’re not done yet. You have to pronounce us.”

He took her hands again.

“I now pronounce us husband and wife,” Eli said loud enough that his words danced in the warm breeze around them, in the trees, and as high as the birds in the sky.

“You may now kiss your bride,” she finished.

Acknowledgments

T
o the first, middle, and last of all time, my Savior. You shelter me under Your wings. Your faithful promises are my armor and protection.
Psalm 91:4

To my amazing husband, Davis. You should put together a “Help, I’m Married to a Writer” kit and sell them online. You’d make a fortune. I love you forever!

To my sweet girls, Felicity and Mercy. I don’t think there are two girls more excited about deadline week: Netflix marathons, take-out Chinese, and fewer baths. You two are amazing. My heart is so full of love for you both.

To my outstanding agent, Natasha. You’re a miracle worker and I’m so glad that I have your number on speed dial. You always have the right words for me. Love and gratitude to you.

To my hard-working editors, Beth and Amanda. Meeting you at the writing conference was a highlight for me. Thank you for your patience on this journey of the publication learning curve. I couldn’t have done this without you. You’re both always so encouraging and confident in what we are doing. I appreciate you both beyond measure.

To Howard’s genius art director, Bruce. Thank you for all the work you put into this cover. I love it, love it, love it!

To the entire team at Howard Books and Simon & Schuster. I sincerely thank you for the work you’ve put in on behalf of this book.

To my dramatic and dynamic family: Mom, Dad, Johannes, Emmalene, Joseph, Brandalyn, Celine, Madeleine, Sophie, Phoebe, and Joseph. Each of you fills my life with laughter and insanity and my belly with the best food ever (a.k.a. best lemon pie ever). Love to each of you.

To my sweet Mammie, Lydia. I hope you feel Daudy in the words of this book and are reminded of the service we can honor him for. I love you!

A big thank you to my amazing friend, Linda Attaway. A cheerful heart does good like a medicine . . . love you!

To
the little town that could
, the community of Springport, MI. I was a cheerleader for the Springport school system for six years as a student and now you are cheering me on. You humble me with your encouragement.

To the Hudson River State Hospital Nurses Alumni Association, namely Jeanne Wiley. Your willingness to share your experiences at HRSH as a nurse made all the difference. You are truly appreciated.

And last but not least, to my fabulous readers. Your reviews, emails, cards, Facebook messages, and hugs . . . it all means so much to me. I truly hope you enjoyed
Promise to Cherish
.

More from Elizabeth Byler Younts

If you liked this book, check out the first book in Elizabeth Byler Younts' The Promise of Sunrise series,
Promise to Return
.

Promise to Return

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Promise to

CHERISH

Reading Group Guide

INTRODUCTION

Christine Freeman is a nurse at Hudson River State Hospital in the mid 1940s, during which the effects of World War II rage on. She has lost both of her brothers to the war and works tirelessly, serving patients at the ward. Worlds collide when conscientious objector Eli Brenneman comes to work at the hospital. Despite, and even in the midst of, differences, Christine and Eli begin to develop a friendship.

Christine becomes pregnant when things with her crush, Jack, go too far. Now, as an unwed soon-to-be mother, she must decide what is best for her and the baby she shamefully carries. Uncertain of her future, she joins Eli to find refuge in his Amish community until she can decide what is next. But with the passing of each week and her growing belly, she cannot ignore her growing feelings for Eli.

With the birth of Christine’s baby boy, Eli confesses his love to Christine and begs her to stay. Jack too comes to visit, pleading with Christine to win her back. She must make a choice. Though she loves Eli, how can she remain in a culture and town so different from her own? How can she marry an Amish man and ignore the promise of a future together that Jack has now made to her? In
Promise to Cherish
, the conflict of World War II brings two people together to wage their own costly battle for love and discovery of self.