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The Amish Nanny's Sweetheart
Jan Drexler
Love in Plain Sight As nanny for her nephew, Judith Lapp's finally part of a vibrant, joyful Amish community instead of living on the outskirts looking in. But teaching her neighbors' Englischer farmworker to read Pennsylvania Dutch wasn't part of her plan. And the more time she spends with Guy Hoover, the more he sparks longings for a home and family of Judith's own.Guy figured he would never be truly accepted by his Amish employers' community – even though the Mast family treats him like a son. But Judith's steadfast caring shows him that true belonging could be within his reach…if he and Judith can reconcile their very different hopes – and hearts.
Love in Plain Sight
As nanny for her nephew, Judith Lapp’s finally part of a vibrant, joyful Amish community instead of living on the outskirts looking in. But teaching her neighbors’ Englischer farmworker to read Pennsylvania Dutch wasn’t part of her plan. And the more time she spends with Guy Hoover, the more he sparks longings for a home and family of Judith’s own.
Guy figured he would never be truly accepted by his Amish employers’ community—even though the Mast family treats him like a son. But Judith’s steadfast caring shows him that true belonging could be within his reach...if he and Judith can reconcile their very different hopes—and hearts.
JAN DREXLER enjoys 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.
Also By Jan Drexler (#ud297e2b1-6ba6-5648-955b-242c13ae8f8c)
Love Inspired Historical
Amish Country Brides
An Amish Courtship
The Amish Nanny’s Sweetheart
The Prodigal Son Returns
A Mother for His Children
A Home for His Family
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
The Amish Nanny’s Sweetheart
Jan Drexler
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08252-5
THE AMISH NANNY’S SWEETHEART
© 2018 Jan Drexler
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
—Matthew 7:24–27
“Are you serious about learning Deitsch, Guy?” Judith asked.
“Of course I am.” He poured steaming milk into the hopper. “At least, I am if you’re going to teach me.”
“I’ll be happy to do it, if you really want to learn. You’ll need to speak and read it well if you’re going to join the church.”
“I don’t need to join to fit in around here, do I?”
Glancing at Judith’s face, her pink cheeks told him that he had been too blunt.
“You don’t have to,” she said, clearing her throat. “But understanding what folks are saying will make living in the community easier. We can begin tonight, but it will take weeks for you to pick up the basics.”
That brought a grin Guy couldn’t hide. Weeks spent in Judith’s company? Time he could spend learning to know her, getting close to her. Becoming a friend.
“Okay, I’m game.”
Judith smiled then, her joy catching him by surprise. She truly wanted to do this, which meant only one thing. She liked him. Guy felt his own smile spreading across his face...
Dear Reader (#ud297e2b1-6ba6-5648-955b-242c13ae8f8c),
This story is close to my heart. I loosely based the hero, Guy, on a real person—my grandfather. I never met the real Guy, who passed away several years before I was born, but his story is one I had to share.
Born in 1902, Guy’s life changed dramatically when he was five years old. His mother gave birth to a daughter and died of complications soon after the delivery. Faced with raising three very young children on his own, their father placed Guy and his younger brother in an orphan asylum and put his newborn daughter up for adoption.
It was a hard life for a young boy. When he was old enough to do farm work, he was hired out to farmers in the area as an indentured worker. Abuse of various forms were part of his life, while the father who had left his sons in the orphanage traveled from job to job, never able to provide a home for them but never signing away his parental rights. From 1908 to 1926, Guy lived and worked in thirty-two different homes.
But, as in every story of redemption, God stepped in. Early in his young adulthood, Guy dedicated his life to serving the Lord. He met my grandmother, and they married and had five children, including two sons who became ministers.
The year after Guy’s death, Grandma wrote, “He wanted love and respect, but most of all he wanted a home and security, something he hadn’t had since his mother died.”
Everything else that happened in this story, including Guy’s father being a criminal, is fiction. But the heart of the story, Guy’s longing for a home, a place where he belonged, is true.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Connect with me on Facebook or Goodreads, or on my website, www.JanDrexler.com (http://www.JanDrexler.com).
Blessings,
Jan Drexler
To my dear aunt, Waneta Bundy,
who sowed sunshine wherever she went.
Soli Deo Gloria
Contents
Cover (#u7f19e42f-6abd-5606-b237-349057b1ede7)
Back Cover Text (#u526b0bb6-3adc-521f-b538-df5cc7925182)
About the Author (#u383ecddd-03a1-5043-8eb0-0e16893c8a0f)
Booklist (#u847765bb-97b7-5fe8-8eaf-ccce92b4c81d)
Title Page (#u7ea5f076-8236-5ad9-822e-f5cd53a351c8)
Copyright (#u4cec5f27-47e9-5f26-bfaf-4f48cb3b7c9e)
Bible Verse (#u91828e70-395f-540f-bb27-b6e7d9f1f472)
Introduction (#ue6ea91fe-ee9d-5119-b2dd-6032905ad155)
Dear Reader (#u50b59108-1344-5205-9c8d-7d9765ac1d26)
Dedication (#ue7dc4ce5-dfa6-5025-b719-e2cf22fa11a9)
Chapter One (#ub0d59fc3-11ad-52a3-85b6-57ce0a0acc9a)
Chapter Two (#uca21d06c-cef7-5df0-b5be-3423e73523e2)
Chapter Three (#u7e97706b-034a-5eb6-a0f2-865f085c2a33)
Chapter Four (#u5da00d9e-f067-56a4-928e-f4e521ab923d)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#ud297e2b1-6ba6-5648-955b-242c13ae8f8c)
LaGrange County, Indiana
February 1938
“You’re sure you want to do this?”
Judith Lapp grinned at her brother-in-law, Matthew Beachey, as she climbed into the buggy. “I’ve been looking forward to going to a Youth Singing for years. Why would I refuse this chance now?”
Matthew’s grin echoed hers as he turned the buggy onto the road leading to the Stoltzfus family’s farm. “That’s just what your sister would say.”
As the horse trotted down the snowy road, the cold February air pressed close inside the buggy. Judith pulled her shawl more tightly around herself and tucked the heavy lap robe under her legs. A shiver made her teeth chatter, but she didn’t care. All those years growing up on the farm near Shipshewana, she had never gone to a Singing. Of course, she hadn’t been old enough to go until the last few years. Even so, she and Esther would never have gone if their older brother, Samuel, had had his way. Living at the edge of the Amish community, just like she had when their father had been alive, Judith had never felt welcome among the young people her own age.
But then, last fall, their lives had changed. Samuel had met Mary. The couple had wed in September, and Esther had moved next door to live with Mary’s sister and their aunt. Judith had joined them until she moved to Matthew and Annie’s home last week to help care for their growing family. Not only was she delighted to become reacquainted with Annie after their years of separation, her oldest brother, Bram, lived in the same community, and she was learning to know him again, also.
A tingling started in Judith’s toes and she tapped them on the buggy floor to warm them. Matthew’s shoulders were hunched, and he had pulled his chin into the collar of his coat like a turtle.
Dear Matthew. It had been his idea for her to live with him and Annie after the twins were born. Such wiggly, red, crying babies! Judith’s job was to fix meals and care for Eli, her eighteen-month-old nephew. She shivered again, but whether it was from the cold or happiness, she couldn’t tell. She had to pinch herself every morning to convince herself that her new life wasn’t just a dream.
Matthew turned the horse into the Stoltzfus farm lane and Judith leaned forward as they approached the large white farmhouse. A dozen or more buggies were lined up along the edge of the lane in front of the barn, the buggy shafts resting on the ground. Lights from the house shone onto the snow, and through the windows Judith could see a crowd of young people milling around inside the Stoltzfuses’ big front room.
Her grin grew wider. These girls would be her new friends. And, perhaps, some evening a young man would ask to drive her home from the Singing. A fine, upstanding Amish man who was looking for a bride to share his life with. Finally, the night she had longed for was here.
The barn door opened and closed in a beam of light as one of the young men led their horse into the warm shelter. Ahead of them, silhouetted against the lantern light from the barn, someone walked up the lane toward the house with his hat perched on the back of his head the way an Englischer would wear it.
“Is that Guy Hoover?” She nudged Matthew’s elbow. “I know I’ve seen him before.”
“It looks like it might be. He lives with the Masts on the farm across the road from us.”
“That’s right. He brought some milk over on Friday.” His smile had been enough to make her like him right away. “I don’t remember seeing him at meeting this morning, though.”
“He was there, but the Masts left before dinner. David said one of their cows wasn’t doing well this morning, and he wanted to get back to her.”
Judith smiled at the young man as the buggy passed him. He might have returned her greeting, but she couldn’t tell with his face wrapped to the eyes in a wool scarf.
