God's Gift of Love Read Online Free

managed to include her and still make her feel comfortable.
    “ Boppli’s are amazing!” Rosella exclaimed. She looked as though she wanted to say more, but she just smiled and nodded a few times.
    “Praise be to Gott ,” Abel said, lifting his goblet.
    They all murmured in agreement.
    Rosella touched Isobel’s head. “Children are such a blessing.”
    Isobel made a face at her mother’s arm, and Rosella pinched her cheek. “Don’t make faces,” she said.
    Isobel’s expression relaxed and she looked down at her dinner. Katie could hardly believe she would have a child as big as Isobel some day.
    That child wouldn’t have a father like Abel, though. He might not have a father at all.
    That was the best thing for Katie, since she knew no one could love her, but it wasn’t good for a child. Katie bit her bottom lip as she picked at her food.
    “You will let us know if you need anything?” Gabe asked. His voice was tentative, and when he looked over at her, his expression was genuine, eager. “If you need anything, I’ll be there to help. The farm isn’t far at all.”
    Katie’s cheeks grew warm. “ Denke . I will keep that in mind.”
    The meal was delicious, chicken and potatoes and greens. Katie complimented Rosella just once, knowing that to do it more than once would be too much attention. 
    When they were finished eating, Isobel asked to be excused and ran off to find her doll. The adults stayed around the table a while longer, talking about the service coming up and about Aunt May.
    After a while, they started to clean up. Katie helped Rosella in the kitchen while the men cleared the table. Rosella was quiet when she started a new conversation. “You know, I too lost my husband. Some time ago.”
    Katie frowned. “Oh, no. I'm sorry.”
    “It is OK. His name was Graham. I was alone, just Isobel and me when we came here. So I know how hard it is, to start anew without the man you loved.”
    Katie bit her lip. Had she loved Mark? She thought she did, but when she realized he didn’t love her, that no one could, she pulled away from him, withdrawing into herself.
    Rosella touched Katie’s arm softly. “I mean to say that if you want to talk with me about anything, I’m here.”
    Katie smiled at her. “ Denke .”
    “It was so hard for me to move on, but Abel is wonderful and I knew it was what Gott wanted for Isobel and me.”
    Katie nodded. “I’m glad. You both seem so happy.”
    Rosella’s smile brightened and she ducked her head as though it embarrassed her. “ Jah , well, Abel... like I said, he’s wonderful. I loved Graham, I still do. To find another man who loves me as much as he did. . . I am blessed beyond what I deserve.”
    Katie didn’t deserve Gabe, she knew that. But if Rosella felt she had what she didn’t deserve, could Katie get something she didn’t deserve, either?
    The adults played Scrabble in the common area, and Katie found herself laughing in a way she hadn’t for years. Perhaps since the last times she was with Gabe. She couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt in their presence.
    She hated that the only way she received this gift was with Mark’s death.
    It was soon late and everyone was yawning. “We should retire,” Abel said, rubbing his eyes.
    They started cleaning up their board. Abel scooped the letters pulling them towards him to clear them into the bag. Just as the letters fell from the table, Katie thought she saw 'love' and 'Gabe' spelled out in the falling letters. Blinking she looked again and they were gone, of course she had imagined it? Rosella gave Katie a hug and said into her ear, “Remember what I said. I’m here.”
    “ Denke so much, this was wonderful,” Katie said.
    Rosella and Abel bid them goodnight, and Katie and Gabe went out into the cold night. It was dark outside, the stars peeking out. They walked in silence to the buggies and hesitated there.
    “I like your family,” Katie said. “I look forward to seeing Samuel and