Emma Miller - A Groom For Ruby

A Match at First Sight

After arriving from Lancaster County in hopes of finding a husband, Ruby Plank stumbles—literally—into the arms of one of Seven Poplars’s most eligible bachelors. To her amazement, Joseph Brenneman doesn’t care if Ruby is clumsy or outspoken. The shy, handsome mason thinks she’s wonderful exactly as she is. If only others felt the same! Though Joseph’s mother hired the matchmaker to find her son a wife, she insists Ruby isn’t good enough. When Ruby’s family secret is revealed, it could divide the couple forever...unless pride gives way to love and trust.

“Let him still be here,” she whispered.

“Please let him be here.” She felt as though she’d swallowed a double handful of goose feathers. She liked Joseph; she really did. And she wanted him to like her. She stopped short, seeing the empty swing. Her heart sank and her knees went weak.

And then she saw him on his knees beside the fishpond. “Joseph!” she called too loudly. She gave him her best smile as she hurried toward him.

“Ruby.” He rose and stepped back from the edge of the pool.

“I brought you a drink,” she said. “It’s hot out here. I hope you like lemonade.”

Joseph nodded. “Ya, I do.” His lips curved in a tentative smile.

She’d remembered his amazing eyes, but memory wasn’t as good as looking at him here in full daylight. They were as blue as cornflowers, intelligent, and they inspired trust. They were Deitsch blue eyes that seemed lit from within.

Was this the man her mother promised her would come?

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

It’s said that honesty is the best policy, but life is complicated. Can you imagine a situation where it would be better to hide things about yourself from someone you’ve just met? What if you’ve had a bad experience before and don’t want to repeat the same heartbreak?

This is what happens when Ruby Plank comes to matchmaker Sara Yoder to find a husband. Ruby wants desperately to meet that perfect man who will value her for who she is. She isn’t pretty, a good cook or a fine seamstress, but she’s a good person who tries to live a Godly life. And she’s the beloved only child of a mother and father she adores, parents who have advised her to keep a big secret.

The matchmaker isn’t happy about the deception, but she’s certain she can find a suitable match for good-hearted Ruby, even if she is a klutz. As usual, things don’t go as planned, and when Ruby literally tumbles into the arms of shy Joseph Brenneman, knocks him senseless and sends him to the hospital, love blossoms. But the path of true love has a few bumps, and the mountain in this relationship is Joseph’s formidable mother. From their first meeting, Magdalena distrusts the plain, chubby girl from Lancaster County, and she won’t give up until she puts an end to the courtship.

I hope you enjoy Ruby and Joseph’s story, and I hope their love touches you as it has me. Come back and join us soon in the Amish community of Seven Poplars. I’m always happy to welcome new readers and old friends to life among the gentle people.

Wishing you peace and joy,

Emma Miller

EMMA MILLER lives quietly in her old farmhouse in rural Delaware. Fortunate enough to be born into a family of strong faith, she grew up on a dairy farm, surrounded by loving parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Emma was educated in local schools and once taught in an Amish schoolhouse. When she’s not caring for her large family, reading and writing are her favorite pastimes.

A Groom for Ruby

Emma Miller

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Be kind to each other, tenderhearted,

forgiving one another, just as

God through Christ has forgiven you.

—Ephesians 4:32

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Match at First Sight After arriving from Lancaster County in hopes of finding a husband, Ruby Plank stumbles—literally—into the arms of one of Seven Poplars’s most eligible bachelors. To her amazement, Joseph Brenneman doesn’t care if Ruby is clumsy or outspoken. The shy, handsome mason thinks she’s wonderful exactly as she is. If only others felt the same! Though Joseph’s mother hired the matchmaker to find her son a wife, she insists Ruby isn’t good enough. When Ruby’s family secret is revealed, it could divide the couple forever...unless pride gives way to love and trust.

Introduction “Let him still be here,” she whispered. “Please let him be here.” She felt as though she’d swallowed a double handful of goose feathers. She liked Joseph; she really did. And she wanted him to like her. She stopped short, seeing the empty swing. Her heart sank and her knees went weak. And then she saw him on his knees beside the fishpond. “Joseph!” she called too loudly. She gave him her best smile as she hurried toward him. “Ruby.” He rose and stepped back from the edge of the pool. “I brought you a drink,” she said. “It’s hot out here. I hope you like lemonade.” Joseph nodded. “Ya, I do.” His lips curved in a tentative smile. She’d remembered his amazing eyes, but memory wasn’t as good as looking at him here in full daylight. They were as blue as cornflowers, intelligent, and they inspired trust. They were Deitsch blue eyes that seemed lit from within. Was this the man her mother promised her would come?

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Kent County, Delaware

“I’m sorry we couldn’t have had a nicer day to greet you,” the matchmaker said as she guided her driving horse onto a curving country lane. “We usually have beautiful weather in September.”

Seated beside Sara Yoder on the buggy seat, Ruby nodded and clutched her black purse on her lap. She was too nervous to think of a sensible reply that wouldn’t make her hostess believe she was a complete gooseberry. She’d been eager to come to Seven Poplars and had counted the weeks and days until her mommi and daddi had put her on the bus. But now that she was finally here, she was suddenly struck dumb.

Thunder rumbled overhead and heavy rain beat against the thin roof and sides of the buggy. It was raining too hard for her to see much through the window over the dashboard. Sara’s buggy was black, rather than gray like the ones she was used to, but otherwise it seemed completely familiar to be rolling along to the sound of the horse’s hooves and the creak of the iron wheels. Her father had warned her that Seven Poplars was a more conservative Old Order Amish than their own community, but so far nothing in Sara’s dress or manner of speaking had proved severe.