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Allensville, one year later

P USHING HER ONE - YEAR - OLD SON ‘ S STROLLER ahead of her, Rosa entered her husband’s restaurant, which he had named Anthony’s Italian Bistro.

Today was Anthony’s birthday, and rather than going for his yearly motorcycle ride, he’d chosen to be in the kitchen, cooking.

In fact, he’d sold the bike a month after he and Rosa got married.

This evening at her parents’ home, they would have a family dinner to celebrate both Anthony’s and Richard’s birthdays. Rosa looked forward to the occasion, and she was sure her husband did too. Rosa’s whole family would there—including Norman, Salina, and their two-month-old baby boy, Samuel.

Rosa smiled when she saw her dear friend Ada waiting for her at one of the tables near the front window.

Ada’s eight-month-old daughter, Jenna, also in a stroller, was with her.

What a blessing it was to be able to meet like this, especially since they both lived in Allensville and didn’t have far to go whenever they wanted to see each other.

And what better place to visit than right here, where the food was delicious and tantalizing smells wafted out of the kitchen.

“It’s good to see you. How are things going?” Ada asked after Rosa took a seat across from her.

“Fine as feathers.” Rosa grinned. “How about you?”

“We’re doing well, and my husband’s busier than ever at the harness shop. It’s a good thing he has Noah Esh working for him, because now that Ephraim’s dad has officially retired, Ephraim would never be able to keep up with all the work without Noah’s help.”

“Same here for my dear husband. Thomas, the young man Anthony hired to help in the kitchen, spent a year in Italy, and while he was there, Thomas learned a thing or two about Italian cooking. So Anthony is glad he hired him.”

“That’s good.”

Rosa pointed to Ada’s daughter. “Your little girl is sure growing, not to mention getting cuter all the time.”

Ada nodded. “I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m bragging, but Ephraim and I think Jenna is pretty smart for her age. He’s taught her how to wave bye-bye, and is working with Jenna to say ‘Da-Da.’”

Rosa laughed. “That was Richard’s first word, but now he’s saying other words, and I made sure that Ma-Ma was one of them.”

Ada leaned over and tickled Rosa’s son under his chin. “Who knows, Rosa, maybe someday when our two are old enough, they’ll end up getting married. Now wouldn’t that be something?”

“It sure would.” Rosa looked up when their waitress came to the table to take their order. “Please tell my husband that I’ll have the usual,” she said with a wink.

“What’s your usual?” Ada questioned.

“It’s sort of a toss-up between the farfalle pasta salad with sun-dried tomato pesto and Anthony’s original German pizza.

But the pizza usually wins out.” Rosa looked back at their waitress.

“So yeah, that’s what I’d like to order.

There will be enough for both of us if you’d like to have that too,” she said to Ada.

Her friend nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

After the waitress left, Rosa and Ada got out a few toys they’d brought for their little ones to play with and resumed their conversation.

“When I was in the harness shop the other day, I heard Noah mention to Ephraim that he had another date with Susan,” Ada commented.

“It’s probably true,” Rosa said. “Those two have been seeing a lot of each other this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a wedding is in the works sometime soon.”

“That would be nice.” Jenna started fussing, and Ada put a pacifier in her daughter’s mouth, which she happily accepted.

“Does Anthony hear much from his parents or sisters?” Ada asked.

“His mother mostly, because his sisters are busy with their own lives, and Anthony’s father’s life is pretty much centered around his restaurant.

” Joyful tears sprang into Rosa’s eyes. “I’m ever so thankful that Anthony takes time off from the restaurant to be with me and our son.

He has said many times that there is no reason for his business to be open seven days a week.

Five is plenty, and the restaurant is always busy, so we are making a decent living. ”

“That’s good, and I’m glad my husband feels that way too.

Ephraim loves spending time with me and our daughter, and we enjoy being with him as well.

” Ada leaned a little closer to Rosa and spoke in a serious tone.

“I love Ephraim so much, and I’m thankful that you don’t feel any resentment toward me for marrying your ex-boyfriend. ”

“None at all,” Rosa responded. “I’m happy for both of you, and grateful that I met Anthony and the two of us fell in love.

When I left home and was out on my own, I never expected that the Lord would bless me so.

I’m thankful that I had the good sense to return to my parents’ home, and even more grateful that God showed me the error of my ways and brought me into a close relationship with Him. ”

Rosa placed her hands together in a prayerlike gesture and quoted John 8:32, a Bible verse that had become important to her: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

“That is a good one,” Ada agreed.

Rosa nodded. “God’s truth will always win out, and with His help and guidance, I will strive to let my light shine so that others will see Jesus living in me.”