Patricia Davids - The Amish Midwife

An Unexpected Family

Amish midwife Anne Stoltzfus is used to late-night visitors—but she’s shocked to find reclusive bachelor Joseph Lapp on her doorstep with a baby in his arms. Their neighborly quarrels are pushed aside when Joseph explains that his sister has left her daughter in his care—and Joseph needs Anne to be her nanny. Soon they’re bonding over baby Leah, and the love they feel for her is healing them both. When Joseph makes an offer of marriage, Anne’s painful past resurfaces and she’s unsure of what to do. But taking a chance could mean love—and family—are waiting just across the fence.

“I’m taking the baby for the rest of the afternoon.”

“Nay, this isn’t right. She’s my responsibility.”

“Don’t be stubborn and prideful, Joseph. Baby Leah is going to spend the day with me, and when you come to pick her up, we’ll talk about my salary.”

“What salary?” He couldn’t keep up with her conversational jumps. His mind was a complete fog.

“The one you will pay me to be Leah’s nanny.”

“I thought you didn’t want to do that.”

“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll see you later. Have a nice rest. I suggest you lie down on the sofa. That way your neck won’t be so stiff.”

He opened his mouth to reply. There was some argument he needed to make, but he couldn’t summon the wits to figure out what it was. He heard the door close, and silence filled the house. Blessed silence.

Leah was being looked after. Anne could take care of her better than he could.

Anne with the sweet laugh and funny smile who hated his goats and threw tomatoes at him.

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.

The Amish

Midwife

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Patricia Davids

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Therefore God dealt well with the midwives:

and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

—Exodus 1:20

This book is dedicated with great respect to my nephew’s wife, Terrah Stroda, a nurse midwife, wife and mother. She has seen the works of God as few people do. May He continue to bless her and her family. I wish to thank my brother, Greg Stroda, for his invaluable information on pumpkin farming. Thanks, bro. Couldn’t have done this without you. And I want to extend a special thanks to Te’Coa Seibert for letting me tour her goat dairy and meet her remarkable animals up close. They were too cute. And the fresh cheese was great!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text An Unexpected Family Amish midwife Anne Stoltzfus is used to late-night visitors—but she’s shocked to find reclusive bachelor Joseph Lapp on her doorstep with a baby in his arms. Their neighborly quarrels are pushed aside when Joseph explains that his sister has left her daughter in his care—and Joseph needs Anne to be her nanny. Soon they’re bonding over baby Leah, and the love they feel for her is healing them both. When Joseph makes an offer of marriage, Anne’s painful past resurfaces and she’s unsure of what to do. But taking a chance could mean love—and family—are waiting just across the fence.

Introduction “I’m taking the baby for the rest of the afternoon.” “Nay, this isn’t right. She’s my responsibility.” “Don’t be stubborn and prideful, Joseph. Baby Leah is going to spend the day with me, and when you come to pick her up, we’ll talk about my salary.” “What salary?” He couldn’t keep up with her conversational jumps. His mind was a complete fog. “The one you will pay me to be Leah’s nanny.” “I thought you didn’t want to do that.” “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll see you later. Have a nice rest. I suggest you lie down on the sofa. That way your neck won’t be so stiff.” He opened his mouth to reply. There was some argument he needed to make, but he couldn’t summon the wits to figure out what it was. He heard the door close, and silence filled the house. Blessed silence. Leah was being looked after. Anne could take care of her better than he could. Anne with the sweet laugh and funny smile who hated his goats and threw tomatoes at him.

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 The Amish Midwife USA TODAY Bestselling Author Patricia Davids www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. —Exodus 1:20

Dedication This book is dedicated with great respect to my nephew’s wife, Terrah Stroda, a nurse midwife, wife and mother. She has seen the works of God as few people do. May He continue to bless her and her family. I wish to thank my brother, Greg Stroda, for his invaluable information on pumpkin farming. Thanks, bro. Couldn’t have done this without you. And I want to extend a special thanks to Te’Coa Seibert for letting me tour her goat dairy and meet her remarkable animals up close. They were too cute. And the fresh cheese was great!

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

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“You miserable alt gayse . Oh, no, you don’t. Not again!” Anne Stoltzfus shot to her feet when she spotted the intruder working his way under the fence beyond her red barn. She stepped closer to the kitchen window. He was almost through.

“What’s wrong?” Roxann Shield remained seated at Anne’s kitchen table, her eyes wide with concern.

“It’s Joseph Lapp’s old goat. He’s getting into my garden. I’m not going to lose the last of my precious tomatoes or another prized pumpkin to that thief.”

Anne dashed out into the cool morning. Flying down the steps, she raced toward the rickety fence separating her garden plots from her cantankerous neighbor’s farm, yelling as she ran. “Out! Get out of there!”

Her nemesis was halfway under the fence when she reached him. Armed with only a kitchen towel, she flew into battle, flapping her weapon in the black-and-brown billy goat’s face. The culprit tried to retreat, but his curved horns snagged in the sagging wire. The more he struggled to escape her attack, the more tangled he became. He bleated his misery as loud as he could.

Anne stopped flapping when she recognized his dilemma. He couldn’t go forward and he couldn’t go back. She rested her hands on her hips as she scowled at him. She heard laughter behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Roxann doubled over with mirth on her front steps.

Anne turned her attention back to the goat. “I should leave you here. It would serve you right to spend the night with your head stuck in the fence.”