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But I need to be patient , he told himself. Patient for the go-ahead to see her, and patient as I spend time in prayer while waiting for my answer. Anthony closed his eyes. Please Lord, let it be Your will for Rosa and me to be together as husband and wife.

Rosa stared lovingly at the precious baby in her arms. “A son. I have a son,” she murmured.

“You sure do,” Mom said, “and he’s perfect.”

“Thank you for being here with me the whole time. I couldn’t have it done it without you.”

Her mother smiled. “Ida was more help than I was.”

“I’m glad Tena went and got her, or you might have had to deliver the baby alone.”

“It wasn’t your sister who went to Ida’s house.”

“Who was it, then?”

“Anthony.”

Rosa’s fingers touched her parted lips. “Anthony was here?”

“Jah. He arrived on his motorcycle while you were in labor, and then he went to get Ida because it was much quicker than Tena going by horse and buggy.”

Rosa pondered her mother’s words. “When I was getting close to having the baby, I thought I heard Anthony’s voice, but I figured I’d imagined it because of the pain I felt.”

Mom shook her head. “No, he’s here now in the living room, and he wants to see you if you’re willing.”

“I—I must look a mess, Mom. I’m sure Anthony wouldn’t want to see me this way.”

Mom put her hand on Rosa’s shoulder. “And I’m equally sure that he would. Can I send him in?”

“Yes, please do. I’m eager to find out how he’s been doing and ask why he came here.”

“He came to see you.”

“But I don’t understand why. All the time since he’s been gone, we only spoke on the phone once, and he never said anything about coming to see me.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Mom said. “He’s here now, and if it’s okay with you, I’m going to send him in.”

“All right.”

After her mother left the room, Rosa drew in some deep breaths in an effort to calm herself. Of all the times to hear from Anthony, why now, on the day she’d given birth to her son?

Only a few minutes passed before Rosa heard a knock on her door. “Come in,” she called, looking up expectantly. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the man she’d foolishly allowed herself to fall in love with.

“Rosa.”

“Anthony.”

“It’s so good to see you,” he said, approaching her bed.

“It’s good to see you too, but why are you here?”

“I’ve missed you, Rosa, and I had to see you and say what’s been on my mind for weeks.” Anthony looked at her baby boy and grinned. “But before I do, let me give my congratulations on the birth of your son. He looks like a strong, healthy baby.”

She nodded.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

“Thanks to Ida and Mom, I’m doing well. Giving birth wasn’t easy, and I’m glad it’s over, but I’d do it again if I could have another child as precious as this little guy.” She stroked the baby’s dark hair.

“You’re right. He is pretty special, and so is his mama.” Anthony reached for Rosa’s free hand. “I didn’t come here for a casual visit, Rosa. I came to say something I should have told you sooner.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m in love with you, and if you’ll have me, I want to be your husband, for real this time—no pretending at all.”

“Oh, Anthony, I love you too. I knew it before you left Belleville, but I didn’t feel I had the right to tell you.”

“You had every right, sweet Rosa.” He let go of Rosa’s hand and stroked the side of her face with a gentle touch. “Not only do I want to marry you, Rosa, but I want to be your little boy’s father.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely. Of course you first have to accept my proposal of marriage. So what do you say?”

“I say yes, Anthony Reeves, I would be honored to be your wife.”

He bent down and kissed her gently. “Now all we have to do is tell your folks. My only concern is how well this news will go over with your dad.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Dad has softened considerably since you left the Big Valley. He forgave Susan for the lies she told about my disappearance, but I’ll tell you all about that another time.”

“I look forward to hearing it.” Anthony stroked the baby’s forehead with his thumb. “So what are you going to name this little boy of yours?”

“I hadn’t really put much thought into it yet, but now that you’re here and soon to be my husband, I was thinking maybe we could call the baby Richard Louis. Richard was my grandfather’s name, and I remember you had mentioned once that your grandpa was Louis.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m sure both of our grandpas would be honored to have your little guy named after them.” Anthony kissed Rosa again.

“There’s something else I need to tell you.”

“What’s that?”

“I wanted to say thank you for the Bible you put in my duffel bag. After reading it, I learned a lot about God, and I now have a personal relationship with Jesus.”

Rosa’s eyes filled with tears. “That’s wonderful, Anthony. But just so you know, it wasn’t me who put the Bible in your bag.”

He tipped his head to one side. “Oh? Who was it, then?”

“It was my dad. He said a fellow like you needed the Lord in your life, and he hoped when you found the Bible you might read it and figure out what kind of plan God might have for you.”

“Seriously? He told you that?”

“No, but I overheard him telling Mom one evening when they thought I was asleep in bed.”

“That’s amazing. I never would have guessed that Mahlon placed that Bible in the bottom of my duffel bag. I guess God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.”

“Amen,” Rosa said as she closed her eyes and clung to Anthony’s hand.

“There’s one more thing I need to tell you, Rosa.”

She opened her eyes. “What’s that?”

“Using some money my grandfather left me that I didn’t know about until recently, I’ve been able to purchase a restaurant in Allensville that recently went out of business. As soon as I do some repairs and fix things up, I plan to cook and serve Italian cuisine there. What do you think of that?”

“It sounds like a great idea, and I’m sure it’ll be a success,” she responded.

“Before we can start planning our wedding, there’s one more thing I need to talk to you about.”

“Which is?”

“It’s about what church we should get married in and attend regularly as a family.

” Anthony shifted his body on one side of the bed where he sat.

“I’m pretty sure you know that I wouldn’t be comfortable joining the Amish church, because the truth is, having grown up English, I’d never really fit in. ”

“I understand, and it won’t be a problem, Anthony. Whatever church you feel comfortable attending, as long as they preach the truth from God’s Word, I’ll be right there beside you.”

“I was hoping you would say that, future wife of mine.” He kissed Rosa a third time and stood. “And now, if you don’t mind, I’m going outside to call my folks. I need to let them know you accepted my proposal and that I’m planning to stay in the Big Valley permanently.”

“I hope they’ll be okay with it.”

“They will, because last night during my prebirthday supper, I told them what I planned to do today.”

“Prebirthday?”

“Yeah. Today’s my birthday, and I did what I’ve been doing for the last five years.”

“What’s that?”

“I got on my motorcycle and took a birthday ride. Only this was the best one ever!”

Rosa smiled as she pointed to little Richard Louis. “From now on, you and our boy will be able to celebrate your birthdays together, as father and son.”