Christmas in Paradise

✍ Scribed by Spredemann, J. E. B.

• Publisher: Blessed Publishing; Smashwords Edition
• Year: 2015
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 52 KB
• Series: Amish by Accident Trilogy 3
• Category: Fiction
• City: Los Gatos, CA
• ISBN: 1311096183

✦ Synopsis

Mattie Greene returns to Paradise near Christmastime, believing her marriage is coming to an end. Carson and Elisabeth are not ready to see their friends' marriage dissolve and they fight to keep them together. Will Mattie and Richard reunite in time for a perfect Christmas? Or will they spend the holidays – and the rest of their lives – alone? Book 3 in the Amish by Accident trilogy. Christian fiction

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Excerpt. (c) Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

Carson squinted as he turned into the country lane, the rays of the sun reflecting off his Volvo's platinum hood. He moved his sunglasses from his head to his eyes, quickly putting an end to his momentary blindness. The second he spotted the farmhouse, a smile danced on his lips. Just as he'd thought, his beautiful wife, Elisabeth, had come out to greet him, their two oldest children stationed at each leg.
The minute he stepped out of the vehicle, their oldest son was tugging on his pant leg. "Daddy, Daddy!"
Carson shifted his gaze from his wife to his son. "What are you so excited about, Lincoln?"
"Mommy showed me how to spell my name today. L-i-n-c-o-" He paused momentarily, an unsure expression crossed his face, and he looked up at his mother. Elisabeth nodded in affirmation. "-l-n?"
"That's right. Very good." Carson tousled the boy's hair and swept him up into his arms.
"That's not all. Mommy said just three more weeks till Christmas!"
"Three weeks? Is that all?"
Lincoln nodded his head profusely. "And Dawdi Ben and Mammi Leah are coming to visit! And cousins too."
Carson's brow raised as he and Elisabeth met gazes. "I thought we were going to the city to visit Mattie and Richard."
Elisabeth glanced at the children and raised a half-smile. "Change of plans. Let's talk about it after supper."
Carson understood her meaning. She didn't wish to discuss the situation in the children's presence. Hopefully everything was okay with Richard and Mattie.
He released Lincoln from his embrace once they were inside the house and instructed the children to go play in the living room. Carson followed Elisabeth into the kitchen. "Mm...smells good. What are you making?"
She peeked into the oven, then quickly shut the door. "Pizza."
"Vegan pizza?" His lips twisted.
"Jah. I found a recipe online today and decided to try it out." She placed a potholder on the counter.
"Sounds great." Carson reached for her hand and drew her close. "So, what's going on with Mattie and Richard?" He kissed her forehead.
He read something in Elisabeth's expression. Was it sadness? Worry? "It's not good, Carson." Her bottom lip quivered. "I think they may be getting a divorce."
Carson wiped the tear that slipped down her cheek. "A divorce? Why?"
She shrugged. "Mattie thinks Richard's seeing someone else. She's pretty certain."
Carson shook his head in disbelief.
Elisabeth continued on. "She said they haven't been going to church lately, and after she had little Matthew, life just got busy."
"We should go see them."
Elisabeth searched his eyes. "Promise me, Carson, that you won't ever leave me."
Carson held her close and allowed her to release as many tears as she needed. "I promised you that the day we married, and I don't ever intend to break that promise." He lifted her chin until he caught her eye. "Do you hear me?"
At her nod, he bent down and pressed his lips to hers. "I love you and I always will," he whispered reassuringly. "Don't ever doubt that."

  
Mattie glanced down at the envelope in her hand and wiped away the tears that cascaded down her cheeks. If only she'd heeded her father's warnings years ago. Oh, how she missed home! The thought of returning both thrilled and frightened her. What would Dad say when he learned that she'd named his grandson after him? He'd be shocked, for sure and certain.  
She'd been content in New York until..._until when?_ She thought for a moment and tried to pinpoint exactly when she'd lost her joy. Had it been when Elisabeth and Carson moved to the country?  
Mattie glanced over at the bookshelf and her cranberry-colored Bible caught her eye. How long had it been since she'd removed it from the shelf and meditated on the words inside? A dull ache tugged at her heart but she couldn't drag herself over to the bookshelf. Not now, when she was angry at God. How could He allow Richard to leave her and their children? Why hadn't He stopped him?  
A vision flashed in her mind and her tears came rushing to the surface once again. How many times had she relived this scene in her mind? How many times did Richard's guilt-ridden eyes meet hers as his fingers interlaced with his secretary's?  
_"Mattie, I can explain," he'd said._

✦ Subjects

Amish -- Fiction