Patricia Davids - An Amish Harvest

Nursing His Heart

When Amish carpenter Samuel Bowman is injured in an accident, he fears he’ll never see again. He’s always provided for his family—and now that it’s harvest season, the Bowmans are needed in the fields, not at his bedside. So when a young Amish widow becomes his nurse, Samuel expects Rebecca Miller to make his life easier. But his caregiver is bossy, outspoken and challenges him to move on with his life. Though Samuel’s sight is in question, he can plainly see the woman he’s come to care for won’t let herself love again. Now it’s Samuel’s turn to heal her heart.

“Will you marry again?” Samuel asked.

Rebecca wasn’t sure how to answer Samuel’s question. It seemed that everyone had an opinion about whether she should or not, but how did she truly feel about it?

He waited patiently for her answer. Somehow, it was easier to express her feelings under the cover of darkness. She didn’t have to school her features into blankness and pretend that she was content with the way life was. It was easy to confide in Samuel. Maybe it was because he couldn’t see her face.

“I don’t believe I will marry. I find great satisfaction caring for the sick among us. I can be useful and I like that.”

“A wife and mother does the same. There are many good men in our community.”

“I find it hard to imagine someone who could make me laugh the way Walter did. It’s harder still to imagine going through life with someone who doesn’t make me laugh. I don’t think I could abide that.”

“That’s understandable. You’ve played some good pranks yourself.”

She giggled. “I’m a bully. Say it like it is.”

“Okay, I agree with that.”

She enjoyed his teasing. Maybe too much. This Samuel was easy to like.

After thirty-five years as a nurse, PATRICIA DAVIDS hung up her stethoscope to become a full-time writer. She enjoys spending her free time visiting her grandchildren, doing some long-overdue yard work and traveling to research her story locations. She resides in Wichita, Kansas. Pat always enjoys hearing from her readers. You can visit her online at patriciadavids.com.

An Amish

Harvest

Patricia Davids

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight:

thy faith hath saved thee.

—Luke 18:41–42

This book is lovingly dedicated

to my grandson Josh.

Of all the things in life that make it

worth living, your smile is at the top of my list.

May God bless and keep you always.

Grandma Pat

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Nursing His Heart When Amish carpenter Samuel Bowman is injured in an accident, he fears he’ll never see again. He’s always provided for his family—and now that it’s harvest season, the Bowmans are needed in the fields, not at his bedside. So when a young Amish widow becomes his nurse, Samuel expects Rebecca Miller to make his life easier. But his caregiver is bossy, outspoken and challenges him to move on with his life. Though Samuel’s sight is in question, he can plainly see the woman he’s come to care for won’t let herself love again. Now it’s Samuel’s turn to heal her heart.

Introduction “Will you marry again?” Samuel asked. Rebecca wasn’t sure how to answer Samuel’s question. It seemed that everyone had an opinion about whether she should or not, but how did she truly feel about it? He waited patiently for her answer. Somehow, it was easier to express her feelings under the cover of darkness. She didn’t have to school her features into blankness and pretend that she was content with the way life was. It was easy to confide in Samuel. Maybe it was because he couldn’t see her face. “I don’t believe I will marry. I find great satisfaction caring for the sick among us. I can be useful and I like that.” “A wife and mother does the same. There are many good men in our community.” “I find it hard to imagine someone who could make me laugh the way Walter did. It’s harder still to imagine going through life with someone who doesn’t make me laugh. I don’t think I could abide that.” “That’s understandable. You’ve played some good pranks yourself.” She giggled. “I’m a bully. Say it like it is.” “Okay, I agree with that.” She enjoyed his teasing. Maybe too much. This Samuel was easy to like.

About the Author After thirty-five years as a nurse, PATRICIA DAVIDS hung up her stethoscope to become a full-time writer. She enjoys spending her free time visiting her grandchildren, doing some long-overdue yard work and traveling to research her story locations. She resides in Wichita, Kansas. Pat always enjoys hearing from her readers. You can visit her online at patriciadavids.com .

Title Page An Amish Harvest Patricia Davids www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. —Luke 18:41–42

Dedication This book is lovingly dedicated to my grandson Josh. Of all the things in life that make it worth living, your smile is at the top of my list. May God bless and keep you always. Grandma Pat

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Don’t do this to me now!”

Samuel Bowman yanked his chisel away from the half-finished table leg rotating on the lathe in front of him as it spun to an untimely stop. Laying his tool aside with care that belied his frustration, he brushed away the loose ribbons of wood shavings to make sure he hadn’t marred the piece. It was the last leg for a special table. An intricate piece, it had to be finished this morning if he was going to have the set completed on time.

“What’s wrong, brudder ?” Timothy, Samuel’s second brother, paused on his way past. He held a cardboard box full of hand-carved wooden toys. Also a skilled woodworker, Timothy’s designs were simpler and more modern than Samuel’s.

“The lathe quit.” A breakdown was the last thing Samuel needed. He murmured a prayer and held his breath as he flipped the machine’s switch off and then back on. Nothing.

Timothy grimaced in sympathy. “Let me get these to the gift shop, and I’ll take a look at it. Mother has a lady who wants to see a few more of my samples. Can’t keep the Englisch customers waiting. Is that the table for the Cincinnati dealer?”

“ Ja , and it has to be finished today. I need the lathe working.”

“Don’t worry. It will all get done on time. I’ll look at it when I get back.” Timothy went out the woodworking shop’s front door.

It was all well and good that Timothy thought the table would get done. He didn’t have to do it. There was more than Samuel’s reputation for prompt work hanging in the balance. His father had invested the last of the family’s savings in this venture to expand their shop and add the showroom area now packed with Samuel’s finished works. The family badly needed the money a contract for future sales to the high-end furniture store would generate.