Forever
All I want is my happily ever after.That’s all I’ve wanted since meeting Noah Miller.From the day we met, the world has tried to keep Noah and me from being together, but now that I’m carrying his child, no one will be able to tear us apart. Or so I hope. But Noah and I have made some mistakes along the way, and the consequences are impacting the people we love. Worse, there’s a storm on the horizon, and it’s sure to cause serious devastation.If we can get through this, we’ll finally be Rose & Noaha family, forever.But first we have to survive the road ahead. And happily ever after is a long way off.
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All I want is my happily-ever-after.
Thatâs all Iâve wanted since meeting Noah Miller.
From the day we met, the world has tried to keep Noah and me from being together, but now that Iâm carrying his child, no one will be able to tear us apart. Or so I hope. But Noah and I have made some mistakes along the way, and the consequences are impacting the people we love. Worse, thereâs a storm on the horizon, and itâs sure to cause serious devastation.
If we can get through this, weâll finally be Rose and Noahâa family, forever.
But first we have to survive the road ahead. And happily-ever-after is a long way off.
Heâs Amish.
Rose held out her hand, and I grasped it. She avoided my gaze, leading me to her barn. I followed along, very nervous about what she had to say.
When I was seated on a hay bale in the loft, I watched her pace back and forth in uncomfortable silence for a minute or so before curiosity overcame the worry, and I blurted out, âRose, come sit down and talk to me. Please.â
Sheâs not.
She stopped and looked at me with her own fear clearly showing. The loft felt very different in the brightness of late morning than it did in the dark of night when weâd met before. Somehow the light beams shining through the gaps in the wood made the moment feel more realâ¦and frightening.
With reluctant steps, she approached, stopping in front of me. I spread my legs and pulled her forward into a hug. Breathing in the lovely lavender scent, I tried to relax. Rose needed my strength now.
She whispered against my cheek, âIâm pregnant.â
But everythingâs about to change.
This book is dedicated to my close friend Opal Dickerson, who has been lucky enough to call both the Amish and English worlds her home.
Your strength and kindness inspire me.
Acknowledgments
As Rose and Noahâs story comes to an end, I want to express much appreciation to my awesome agent, Christina Hogrebe of the Jane Rotrosen Agency, for being on this literary journey with me from day one; my exceptional editor, TS Ferguson, for his wisdom and patience in the process; to my fabulous publicist, Lisa Wray, for all the little things; to the cover art department for the dazzling cover on this book; and the rest of the Harlequin TEEN team for their professionalism, friendliness and guidance along the way.
I could never have succeeded in this crazy endeavor without the love and support of my family. Kisses and hugs to my five children, Luke, Cole, Lily, Owen and Cora. Many thanks go out to my mom, Marilyn; my dad, Anthony; my brother, Tony; and my nephew, Jamey, for everything. I love you all.
With gratitude to Jay, Carey, Devin, Marian, Kelsey, Kendra, Jackie, Eric and the Mast family. The last few years have had ups and downs, and each one of you has helped out in some special way. Thank you!
âThere can be no assumption that todayâs majority is ârightâ and the Amish and others like them are âwrong.â A way of life that is odd or even erratic but interferes with no rights or interests of others is not to be condemned because it is different.â
âWarren E. Burger, Supreme Court Justice
Contents
1
Noah
It was dark except for the light slicing through the gaps in the barn boards. The silence made my skin crawl, and I shook the feeling away. I took a deep breath. Leaning back against the stall, I closed my eyes, and a picture of Rose immediately appeared.
She sat alone on her bed. Her head was bowed and her shoulders jerked with rocking movements. When she lifted her face, her cheeks were wet. The same moon that sprayed soft light into her bedroom was the one that lit the barnyard beyond the door. I wanted to go to her, gather her up in my arms and tell her that everything was all right. The pain of knowing that I couldnât hold her stabbed my chest.
Was it just my imagination that she was crying this night? I had no way of knowing; we were still being kept apart. Would it ever end? Was a time of peace and acceptance in our lives possible? Rose needed me. I could feel it in my bones, but I couldnât be with herâat least not yet.
Elijah Schwartzâs voice hissed into the quiet air, snapping my eyes wide open.
âThis is unacceptable, Amos. I only allowed my eldest daughter, Constance, to become betrothed to your son, because of your promise that his association with the English girl was over. Now, youâre telling me that he wants to break off the engagement, only weeks before the joining? You canât be serious.â
