Patricia Davids - An Amish Christmas Journey

Their Holiday Adventure

Toby Yoder promised to care for his orphaned little sister the rest of her life. After all, the tragedy that took their parents and left her injured was his fault. Now he must make a three-hundred-mile trip from the hospital to the Amish community where they’ll settle down. But as they share a hired van with pretty Greta Barkman, an Amish woman with a similar harrowing past, Toby can’t bear for the trip to end. Suddenly, there’s joy, a rescued cat named Christmas and hope for their journey to continue together forever.

Brides of Amish Country: Finding true love in the land of the Plain People

“Do you do that often?” Greta asked.

He opened his eyes and frowned. “Do I do what?”

“Refuse help when you need it?”

He gave her a wry smile. “Am I guilty of being prideful? I have been, but I’m learning that I can’t do everything.”

Greta gathered her things. “Then stretch out on this bench and take a nap. I will keep an eye on your sister and wake you if she needs anything.”

He nodded his consent. Greta moved up to one of the single seats where she could keep an eye on Marianne and on Toby. He folded his long legs on the seat and pillowed his head on his coat. It wasn’t long before his breathing became deep and even and she knew he was asleep.

She had never watched a man sleeping before. At least no one younger than the elders who sometimes nodded off during the long church services.

At leisure to study him, Greta assessed his features one by one, trying to decide why she was so attracted to him.

The lines of strain around Toby’s eyes touched a chord within her. She wanted to see them soothed away.

PATRICIA DAVIDS

After thirty-five years as a nurse, Pat hung up her stethoscope to become a full-time writer. She enjoys spending her new 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 www.patriciadavids.com.

An Amish Christmas Journey

Patricia Davids

www.millsandboon.co.uk

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities,

O Lord, who shall stand?

But there is forgiveness with thee,

that thou mayest be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait,

and in his word do I hope.

—Psalms 130:3–5

This book is dedicated to women and men

everywhere who seek to mend fences and to

right wrongs within their families.

Blessed are the peacemakers:

for they shall be called the children of God.

—Matthew 5:9

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Their Holiday Adventure Toby Yoder promised to care for his orphaned little sister the rest of her life. After all, the tragedy that took their parents and left her injured was his fault. Now he must make a three-hundred-mile trip from the hospital to the Amish community where they’ll settle down. But as they share a hired van with pretty Greta Barkman, an Amish woman with a similar harrowing past, Toby can’t bear for the trip to end. Suddenly, there’s joy, a rescued cat named Christmas and hope for their journey to continue together forever. Brides of Amish Country: Finding true love in the land of the Plain People

Introduction “Do you do that often?” Greta asked. He opened his eyes and frowned. “Do I do what?” “Refuse help when you need it?” He gave her a wry smile. “Am I guilty of being prideful? I have been, but I’m learning that I can’t do everything.” Greta gathered her things. “Then stretch out on this bench and take a nap. I will keep an eye on your sister and wake you if she needs anything.” He nodded his consent. Greta moved up to one of the single seats where she could keep an eye on Marianne and on Toby. He folded his long legs on the seat and pillowed his head on his coat. It wasn’t long before his breathing became deep and even and she knew he was asleep. She had never watched a man sleeping before. At least no one younger than the elders who sometimes nodded off during the long church services. At leisure to study him, Greta assessed his features one by one, trying to decide why she was so attracted to him. The lines of strain around Toby’s eyes touched a chord within her. She wanted to see them soothed away.

About the Author PATRICIA DAVIDS After thirty-five years as a nurse, Pat hung up her stethoscope to become a full-time writer. She enjoys spending her new 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 www.patriciadavids.com .

Title Page An Amish Christmas Journey Patricia Davids www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. —Psalms 130:3–5

Dedication This book is dedicated to women and men everywhere who seek to mend fences and to right wrongs within their families. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. —Matthew 5:9

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

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“I suppose we must do it.” Greta Barkman almost choked on her words.

It was the right thing to say. The only decision her Amish faith would let her make, but she’d rather walk through the snow barefoot...all winter...than spend one hour with her uncle Morris. Bringing him home to stay with them for a few months would be unbearable. Surely God would not ask this of her and her sisters after all they had endured.

Betsy, the youngest at eighteen, slapped the letter facedown on the table. “It’s not as if Onkel Morris can expect us to drop everything and rush to his side. We escaped his cruelness by the grace of God. Besides, it’s almost Christmas. It will be our first happy Christmas together. I don’t want him to spoil it.”

He will spoil it. I know that as surely as I know it’s cold outside.

Greta glanced at the kitchen window. The late-afternoon sun shone brightly beyond the frost-covered glass, but it added little warmth to the December day. The dusting of snow that had arrived in the night blew around, sparkling like glitter in the breeze. She shivered and looked back at the people seated around her grandfather’s table. Her three sisters, her grandfather and his new wife, and two of her sisters’ husbands were gathered for this family meeting.

Clara, the oldest sister, picked up the letter. “I agree with Greta. We have to do this. His bishop would not write asking us to take Morris in if our uncle’s condition were not serious.” She glanced at her husband seated beside her. “I will go, if you agree, Ethan.”