Patricia Davids - Their Pretend Amish Courtship

Make-Believe Beau

Fannie Erb isn’t looking for a husband—especially if she has to leave her beloved horses to go find one. What she needs is a way to assure her parents she’s not hopeless when it comes to love. Family friend Noah Bowman might just be her solution. A fake relationship will free them both from unwanted matchmaking plans. How could Fannie predict that pretending to date the handsome, teasing boy next door would awaken genuine emotions? By summer’s end they’ll be free to part, but Fannie’s growing feelings are transforming her neighbor into the only man who might ever rein in her adventurous heart.“Tender and gentle, with two delightful characters who truly belong together. A lovely read.”

—RaeAnne Thayne

“Tender and gentle, with two delightful characters who truly belong together. A lovely read.”

—RaeAnne Thayne

* * *

“Are you saying you’ll help me?”

“Are you going to keep throwing things at me?” he asked.

“That was an accident.”

“Accidents seem to happen around you often.”

“I thought you were going to apologize.”

“Fannie, please accept my apology for calling you crazy.”

“All right. I forgive you.”

“Danki. Now it’s your turn.”

“For what?”

“For calling me a dummkopf.”

“Lots of Amish folks have nicknames. That’s mine for you.”

He threw his hands in the air. “What am I even doing here?”

She caught hold of his arm. “I’m sorry. Will you help me?”

“I think a pretend courtship—could be in my best interest as well as yours.”

She squealed, “Noah, I could hug you right now.”

He held out both hands. “Drop the pitchfork first.”

Dear Reader,

Fannie and Noah have become my most favorite characters to date. And after thirty books, that’s a lot of characters. This young couple are not the most mature people, but they both have good hearts. Their dedication to their friends is what drew me to them the most.

Fannie’s temper is something I can identify with, for I raised a hothead, too, although she wasn’t a redhead. My poor daughter had many mouth-before-brain moments. Fortunately, she grew out of that temper and is now as easygoing as I am. Almost.

Fannie and Noah were at the opposite ends of their faith journey. Noah believed wholeheartedly that God would show him the path to take. In his unwavering belief, he forgot that the Lord gave us free will. We have a say in our fates. We make the choices that change our lives.

Fannie was at the other extreme. She believed, but her faith was shallow. She thought she could make life happen as she wanted because she wanted it. She forgot that nothing is possible without God’s help. Nothing. Knowing God and not asking for His help is like owning a cell phone and not using it to call 911 when you’re in a car wreck. Prayer is a tool. Use it.

I hope you enjoyed their story and I want to let you know my next book, Amish Christmas Twins, will be out in time for... You guessed it... Christmas.

Blessings to you and yours,

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.

Their Pretend Amish Courtship

Patricia Davids

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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And God hath set some in the church,

first apostles, secondarily prophets,

thirdly teachers, after that miracles,

then gifts of healings, helps, governments,

diversities of tongues.

—1 Corinthians 12:28

This book is lovingly dedicated to my father,

Clarence Stroda. He taught me a lot

about making my way in the world

and keeping God in my life. Thanks, Dad.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

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

Chapter Fifteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“You are going and I don’t want to hear another word about it, Fannie. Nor from you, Betsy. Do you hear me?”

When Fannie’s mother shook a wooden spoon at one or both of her daughters, the conversation was over.

“Ja, Mamm.” Betsy beat a quick retreat out of the kitchen.

Fannie glared after her. The little coward. Without her sister’s help, Fannie had no chance of changing her mother’s mind. Seated at the table in her family’s kitchen, Fannie crossed her arms on the red-checkered tablecloth and laid her head on her forearms. “Ja, Mamm, I hear you.”

There had to be a way. There just had to be.

“Now you are being sensible.” Belinda Erb turned back to the stove and continued stirring the strawberry jam she was getting ready to can. “I will write to my mamm and daed tomorrow. They insist on sending the money for your bus ticket. I expect you’ll be able to leave the middle of next week. It will be a relief to know one of us is helping Daed look after Mamm while she recovers from her broken ankle.”

“A week! That isn’t much time to get ready to go to Florida.” How was she going to come up with a plan to keep from going in a week?

“Nonsense. It’s plenty of time. You have two work dresses and a good Sunday dress. What else do you need?”

Fannie sat up and touched her head covering. “I need another kapp or two.”

Her mother turned around with a scowl on her face. “What happened to the last one I made you?”

“I lost it.”

“When you were out riding like some wild child, no doubt. It’s time you gave up your childish ways. Anna Bowman and I were just talking about this yesterday. We have been too lenient with our youngest kinder, and we are living to rue the day. She is putting her foot down with Noah, and I am doing the same with you. When you come back from Pinecraft at Thanksgiving, you will end your rumspringa and make your decision to be Amish or not.”

Fannie had heard about Anna’s plans to see Noah settled and she felt sorry for him, but she had her own problems.

Her mother turned back to the stove. “I have given up on seeing you wed, though it breaks my heart to say so.”

Here came the lecture about becoming an old maid. She wasn’t twenty-two yet, but she had been hearing this message since she turned nineteen. That was how old her mother had been when she married. Why did everyone believe the only thing a woman wanted was a husband? “Betsy isn’t married and she is two years older than I am.”