Jan Drexler - An Amish Courtship

Amish Redemption

Samuel Lapp all but accepts his estrangement from the Amish community—until Mary Hochstetter moves in next door to care for her elderly aunt. The young woman with the pretty brown eyes sees Samuel differently than his neighbors do. If he can earn her respect while helping with her aunt’s chores, perhaps the rest of the community will follow. But Samuel can’t let Mary get too close, lest he disappoint her, as well.

Mary’s relocation to Shipshewana, Indiana, means confronting her deepest fears. By helping Samuel rebuild his life and his farm, she finally feels ready to embrace her future. But as their delicate friendship grows deeper, they both must overcome their painful pasts before they can build a home together.

“When we met this morning, I was very impolite.” Mary twisted her fingers together.

“Forget it.” Samuel cleared his throat.

“I let myself form an opinion of you without learning to know you first.”

She smiled then and his heart wrenched at the soft curve of her lips.

“I wasn’t very polite myself.”

“You were fine. I mean, you didn’t do anything—” Her face flushed a pretty pink. “I mean, you were friendly.” Her face grew even redder. “Except for...when you winked... I mean, I’m sure you didn’t mean to be forward.” She bit her lip and turned away.

Samuel resisted the urge to step close to her, to cover her embarrassment with a hand on her arm. “I think I know what you mean.”

She tilted her head toward the house in a quick nod. “I think it is wonderful-gut that you want to help with that poor farmer’s work.”

He felt a flush rise in his cheeks at her words of praise. “Thank you.” If he could earn Mary Hochstetter’s respect, maybe he could change everyone else’s opinion, too.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed this visit to Indiana’s Amish Country with me!

Shipshewana and the surrounding area are home to the third largest Amish community in the country. Today’s Shipshewana is a busy place, full of tourists and fun activities all through the year.

We love to visit our favorite businesses in the area: Das Essenhaus, Yoder’s Department Store, E&S Sales, and many others. And if we’re there on a Tuesday or Wednesday, we make the time to go to the Shipshewana Flea Market on the grounds of the Sale Barn.

The Sale Barn? Oh yes. It’s the same place Samuel and Mary went in their story. The livestock auction is still held every week, year-round.

And while we’re there, we enjoy breakfast at the Auction Restaurant. They serve the best fried mush I’ve ever eaten.

I love to hear from my readers! You can contact me through my website, www.JanDrexler.com, or visit me on Facebook!

Jan Drexler

JAN DREXLERenjoys living in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband of more than thirty years and their four adult children. Intrigued by history and stories from an early age, she loves delving into the world of “what if?” with her characters. If she isn’t at her computer giving life to imaginary people, she’s probably hiking in the Hills or the Badlands, enjoying the spectacular scenery.

An Amish Courtship

Jan Drexler

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy Salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

—Psalms 51:10–12

To Mrs. Harrington, the kind of teacher I would like to be someday.

Soli Deo Gloria

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

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Shipshewana, Indiana

April 1937

“I’m so glad we aren’t late,” Aunt Sadie said as Mary turned the buggy into the farm lane.

Mary Hochstetter looked ahead, clutching the reins with damp hands. At least twenty buggies lined up along the barn like a flock of blackbirds on a telegraph wire and the lines of people moving toward the house were long.

So many strangers! But she must face them for Ida Mae’s sake. She straightened her shoulders and glanced into the back seat to give her sister a reassuring smile. There was nothing frightening about attending the Sabbath meeting.

Ida Mae gave her a weak smile in return. “I’ll be all right. After all, we already know the ladies we met at the quilting last week. The rest will soon become friends, too.”

A boy stepped forward and grasped the horse’s bridle. “I’ll take care of Chester for you, Aunt Sadie.”

“Denki, Stephen.” Sadie climbed out of the buggy. Mary joined her, with Ida Mae right behind. “You’re growing up so fast. I remember when your mother had to pull you out of mud puddles at Sunday meeting.”

Stephen laughed, his voice slipping down to a deep bass and back up again. “That was a long time ago.”

“Not to me, young man. The older I get, the faster time flies. You’re a fine man, just like your father.”

Sadie grasped Mary’s arm to make sure she had her attention. “Here come the Lapp sisters, Judith and Esther, who you met at the quilting last week,” she said. “That’s their brother, Samuel, driving. They’re our next-door neighbors.” She leaned closer, dropping her voice. “And Mary, Samuel is a bachelor.”

Mary shook her head. “I’m not looking for a husband.”

“You never know what the Good Lord has planned.”

Mary knew what the Good Lord had planned, and it was clear to her that marriage had no part of whatever He had in mind.

The Lapps’ dusty buggy pulled up next to theirs and two young women jumped out. The man who was driving barely waited until they had stepped down before he started his horse forward to the buggy parking area. But just then Aunt Sadie’s horse stepped sideways into his path.

Mutters and growls came from the buggy as it rocked under the weight of the man who jumped to the ground from the driver’s seat, nearly landing on Sadie. He caught the older woman’s arm to steady her.

“Sorry, Aunt Sadie.” He waited until the older woman was stable again, then grasped his horse’s bridle. “If someone hadn’t left your buggy in the middle of the drive, I could have been out of the way by now.”

“We just got here ourselves, Samuel,” Aunt Sadie said. “There’s no need to be in such a hurry.” She turned to Mary with a satisfied smile. “I’m sure you and Mary will be able to straighten out the horses.” She took Ida Mae’s arm. “Let’s go inside. I’ll need your help.”