Caleb King is a dairy farmer returning home to a newly built barn after a fire destroyed the old one and injured his leg. He's temporarily in a wheelchair and cast, so the community has rallied around to help. Among them is a young woman called Jessie Miller.

Jessie has come from Ohio, on the bus, to make herself useful in the kitchen. Food needs to be cooked and canned, and Caleb's two children need care. Jessie is kin, since her cousin Alice married Caleb - but Alice abandoned the family for the outside world, then died. Seeing Jessie is a harsh reminder. While Caleb isn't annoyed at the willing young woman, he wants her on the bus back to Ohio soon. Becky and Tim, his kinner, are also understandably upset by all the changes.

Interestingly Jessie even has to sort out where to sit in church. Mothers sit with small children and then young women sit together; Jesse is older than many maids but unwed, and escorting the children. Of course, she is welcome, but some uncharitable tongues wag, proving that even the best of us are only human. A three hour service does seem hard on the kids though. A wood ramp has been added for Caleb to enter the house in his wheelchair, but he has to get used to moving in it, and a physical therapist calls to help him strengthen his legs.

Amid all the farm work and handcrafts we find a determined intention to forgive others, which is a tenet of the Amish faith. As they forgive, so shall they be forgiven. Knowing this and doing it are two different things. While the romance is gentle and holds no major drama, this contemplation is important. By examining the lives of fiction characters we hold up a mirror to our own lives. The characters each felt that their lives had stopped, wound around the figure of Alice for so long. In her absence they each have to learn to move - and love - again. And that is another important message to take from this inspirational romance SECOND CHANCE AMISH BRIDE by Marta Perry. Life goes on. Enjoy the read.

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