His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman Page A

she loved him enough not to ruin his life. “You’re my best friend, and I know we love each other. But not in that way. And you would have to leave the Amish faith. I know how important that is to you.”
    Levi didn’t say anything.
    She was pretty sure he was relieved. Levi was such a good person. He’d only offered because he felt like it was the right thing to do, so that the baby would have a father.
    Levi twisted in his seat to face her. He scratched his forehead. “Then why were you reconsidering?”
    She opened her mouth to respond, then closed it. No, it’s crazy . . . “Why’d you ask me in the first place?” She turned to him and searched his gorgeous brown eyes, noticing his slightly wind-bronzed face stretched over high cheekbones. She wondered if he knew how handsome he was.
    Levi took a long time to answer. “I think I am supposed to marry you.”
    “ Supposed to?” Danielle grunted. “Gee, Levi. Thanks. What every girl wants to hear.”
    “ Nee , well, maybe that wasn’t the right word.” He gazed into her eyes. “Please. Tell me why you were reconsidering it.”
    “I, uh . . . I thought I heard . . . something.” Danielle couldn’t explain it. It was a voice in her head she didn’t recognize, but yet familiar at the same time.
    “What?” Levi’s expression tightened. “Tell me.”
    “I thought I heard someone say that I should marry you. Maybe I’m losing it. Maybe the man cleaning the cobwebs was just mumbling or something.” She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
    Levi dropped to one knee in front of her and reached for her hand. “Danielle, I think God is speaking to us. I had a dream that I should marry you, and now you have the same feeling. The Lord is speaking to us. Marry me, Danielle.”
    Danielle blinked back tears as she cupped Levi’s cheek in her hand. “You are a good person, Levi. Way better than me. And I love you.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “But there is no way that I’ll marry you.”
    Once again, Danielle couldn’t tell if it was pain or relief that clouded Levi’s expression. Levi was so religious that if he felt like God was calling him to marry her, then he’d try to persuade her for sure. It was her job to keep things in perspective,to protect them both, no matter what weird feeling she’d had come over her.
    “Danielle,” Levi sighed, “I really think—”
    “No, Levi.” Danielle put a finger to his lips. “You will marry a nice Amish girl. Someone even better than Sarah, if she’s not the right girl for you. And have lots of little Amish children. You’ve done what you thought was right, asking me to marry you.” She shook her head. “And I almost went for it because you are such a wonderful person. But I can’t do that to you.”
    Levi didn’t say anything, which confirmed for Danielle that he was relieved. He got up and sat down beside her again. “Martha is worried about you,” he said.
    “Uh-oh. I should have called her, I guess. Did she send you looking for me?”
    “ Nee , but she came by our haus wanting to know if I knew where you were.”
    “I guess I better go home.” She rose and hugged herself, feeling a chill in the air without his big body beside her. “Levi, it’s freezing this time of night. You shouldn’t have come.”
    “That’s what friends do.” Levi shrugged as one corner of his mouth curled down.
    “Oh, don’t act like your feelings are hurt. I know you’re glad to be officially off the hook.” She forced a smile as she playfully pushed a finger against his muscular chest, wishing things were different. She’d loved Matthew in a different way than she loved Levi. Mostly because she’d just never considered a relationship with Levi. He didn’t want to leave the Amish district the way Matthew had always wanted to. Danielle hadn’t ever felt guilty about her relationship with Matthew, that she was pulling him away from his people. Ifanything, she’d thought she was supporting him as he sought