Jeb's Wife
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Patricia Johns’ sensitive storytelling brings depth and heart to this tender story of second chances, as an Amish woman embarks on marriage with the gruff farmer next door . . .
Once, Leah Riehl prayed for a husband. The man she loved chose another, wanting the children that Leah can’t provide. But she’s found a measure of peace, keeping house for her brother, Simon, and teaching in a nearby town. Now though, Simon’s debts to an Englisher gambling ring have left Leah with a desperate dilemma—and a surprising offer from her scarred, reclusive neighbor. Jebadiah King needs to marry in order to claim his family farm. A union, for appearances only, will help them both.
Jeb knows his scars make him a less than ideal husband, but he can be a useful one. It’s the least that Leah deserves. But despite the promises he made to himself, Jeb can’t help longing for his lovely, warmhearted new wife. His first marriage brought heartbreak, but Leah’s gentle smiles spark hope again. Are they willing to take the leap that love requires—and open themselves to all the challenges and joy a true marriage could bring?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Johns (Thursday's Bride) introduces readers to the small Amish community of Abundance in this moving tale of a 30-year-old woman whose fianc broke their engagement upon discovering her inability to bear children. Leah Riehl, whose grief has made her question if she is lovable, returns to Abundance following a brief time away only to find her younger brother Simon beaten because he hadn't paid a gambling debt. In order to repay Simon's debt and save his life, Leah agrees to marry Jeb, a widower with physical scars from the fire that killed his wife. The two agree that the marriage will be strictly for monetary purposes, as Jeb can only inherit his recently deceased uncle Peter's estate if he marries within four weeks of Peter's death; and Leah will then have enough money to be able to pay off Simon's debt. As Jeb and Leah attempt to convince the community that the marriage is a love match, they form a friendship as they share their daily life and learn to trust the other. Though both are reluctant to fully trust again, the arrangement becomes complicated when romantic feelings develop. Johns crafts a quaint, intimate town and characters who struggle believably with hard choices and self-doubt. Fans of Wanda Brunstetter will love this.
