An Unforgivable Secret (Amish Secrets--Book 1) Read online

  An Unforgivable Secret

  Amish Secrets - Book 1

  J.E.B. Spredemann

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright 2013 by J.E.B. Spredemann

  All incidents and characters in this book are completely fictional and derived by the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual incidents and persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this work/book may be copied, transmitted, or stored in any form or by any means, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without prior written consent from the author/publisher.

  *Disclaimer: The herbal information in this book was derived by the author’s (J.S.) education and experience as a Nutritional Herbologist, but is written for fictional and informational use only. No herbal information in this book is, in any way, meant as a prescription or medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA, AMA, or any other government agency. It is your constitutional right to prescribe for yourself, if you choose to do so. The author assumes no responsibility for the treatments in this book, if you should choose to implement them. Therefore, the government requires the recommendation that you see your health care provider if you have any medical concerns/issues.

  Published in California by Blessed Publishing.

  http.//amishbooks.wix.com/jebspredemann

  All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

  Cover design by J.E.B. Spredemann.

  Smashwords edition.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  BOOKS BY J.E.B. SPREDEMANN

  Available Now:

  AMISH GIRLS SERIES (for teens)

  Joanna’s Struggle

  Danika’s Journey

  Chloe’s Revelation

  NOVELLAS

  Amish by Accident*

  An Unforgivable Secret*(AMISH SECRETS SERIES)

  Coming Soon:

  AMISH GIRLS SERIES

  Susanna’s Surprise – summer 2013

  Annie’s Decision – late summer 2013

  Abigail’s Triumph – fall 2013

  Brooke’s Quest – winter 2013

  NOVELLAS

  A Secret Encounter *(AMISH SECRETS SERIES) – winter 2013

  Learning to Love – Saul’s Story* – 2014

  To everyone who has had to use Plan B

  Author’s Note

  It should be noted that the Amish people and their communities differ one from another. There are, in fact, no two Amish communities exactly alike. It is this premise on which this book is written. We have taken cautious steps to assure the authenticity of Amish practices and customs. Both Old Order Amish and New Order Amish are portrayed in this work of fiction and may be inconsistent with some Amish communities.

  We, as Englischers, can learn a lot from the Plain People and their simple way of life. Their hard work, close-knit family life, and concern for others are to be applauded. As the Lord wills, may this special culture continue to be respected and remain so for many centuries to come, and may God’s light of salvation reach their hearts.

  Table of Contents

  Glossary

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Epilogue

  Characters in An Unforgivable Secret

  Hannah Stolzfus – Protagonist, Christian’s aldi (sweetheart)

  Deborah Stolzfus – Hannah’s younger sister

  Miriam Stolzfus – Hannah’s mother

  Silas Stolzfus – Hannah’s father

  Christian Glick – Hannah's beau

  Samuel Beachy – Christian’s best friend, also a friend of Hannah

  Peter Beachy – Samuel’s younger brother, Deborah’s beau

  Paul Beachy – Samuel’s father

  Timothy Beachy – Samuel’s uncle in Ohio

  Carolanne – Samuel’s long-distance aldi

  Judah Hostettler – Bishop of Paradise Amish church district

  Jonathan Fisher – Minister

  Chloe – Midwife, Protagonist of Chloe’s Revelation

  Danika Yoder – Herb doctor, Protagonist of Danika’s Journey

  Joanna Scott – Jonathan’s older sister, Protagonist of Joanna’s Struggle

  Caleb Scott – Joanna’s husband, missionary

  Julia – Teen from out-of-state Amish district

  Kristine – Englisch girl

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Ab im kopp – Crazy

  Ach – Oh

  Ausbund – Amish hymn book

  Bloobier – Blueberry

  Boppli – Baby

  Bopplin – Babies

  Bruder – Brother

  Dat, Daed – Dad

  Dawdi – Grandfather

  Demut – Humility

  Denki – Thanks

  Der Herr – The Lord

  Dochder – Daughter

  Dokter – Doctor

  Dummkopp – Dummy

  Englischer – A non-Amish person

  Ferhoodled – Mixed up, Crazy

  Fraa – Woman, Wife

  Gern gheschen – You’re welcome

  Gott – God

  Grank – Sick, ill

  Grossboppli – Grandbaby

  Gross Dawdi – Great Grandfather

  Gut – Good

  Guten mayrie – Good morning

  Guten nacht – Good night

  Haus – House

  Hiya – Hi

  Hochmut – Pride

  Hullo – Hello

  Ich liebe dich – I love you

  Jah – Yes

  Kapp – Prayer Covering

  Kinskinner – Grandchildren

  Kumm – Come

  Lieb – Love

  Liede – Song

  Mamm – Mom

  Mammi – Grandmother

  Mei Lieb – My Love

  Mein Liewe – My Dear

  Mudder – Mother

  Nee – No

  Ordnung – Rules of the Amish community

  Rumspringa – Running around years

  Schatzi – Honey

  Schweschder – Sister

  Vadder – Father

  Verboten – Forbidden

  Vorsinger – Song leader

  Wilkom – Welcome

  Wunderbaar – Wonderful

  Prologue

  It is a secret I intend to keep buried for
ever. But like all secrets, it begs to be told. Nobody knows. Only me. And if I had my way, not even I would know. The secret is powerful. It has the potential to destroy my life. On the other hand, if revealed, could it possibly bring a sense of peace to my soul? But I will never tell a soul. Ever.

  Chapter 1

  Exhausted, Hannah Stolzfus clambered down from the buggy. Dat met her at the barn and led Winnie to the water trough. “Another busy day at the candle shop?” Dat’s bushy eyebrows rose.

  “Jah, Dat. Lots of Englischers today. I guess the kinner are out of school now that it’s summertime and it seems lots of folks are visiting Lancaster on their vacations this year,” Hannah said.

  “It wonders me why the Englisch find our ways so interesting.” Silas Stolzfus stroked his beard with his thumb and forefinger.

  “I think maybe they want to be like us. I saw another new book at Yoder’s Market yesterday. It had a woman on the cover with a kapp, but the hair was all wrong. Looked pretty funny to me. Ach, I can’t imagine what Mamm would say if I cut my hair short across the front like the Englisch.”

  “If they want to be like us, why don’t they give up their fancy cars and their electric?” Dat added, “Nee, I’m afraid it would be difficult giving up something you’ve known your whole life. I, for one, would not want to give up my farm.”

  “That’s because you are a gut farmer and a gut steward of the land Gott has given you.”

  “Demut, Hannah. It is only by the strength Der Herr gives me that I can work this land.” Dat leaned over and placed a hand on Hannah’s forearm. “You are a gut daughter, and wise to think such things.”

  “If I am wise it is only because of what you and Mamm have taught me,” Hannah deflected with a smile before making her way toward the back door of the house.

  Silas released a contented sigh and grinned as he watched Hannah enter the house. Out of all four of his daughters, she was certainly the most well-grounded and levelheaded. His youngest daughter, on the other hand, was quite a different story. He knew how often Deborah sneaked out of the house at night but was glad that she often roped Hannah into going with her. He got the feeling Hannah only went to keep her sister from dabbling in too much mischief.

 

  “Hannah,” Deborah whispered, shaking her sister’s shoulder. “Hannah, wake up.”

  Groggily, Hannah turned over on her side. “What is it, Deborah?” Hannah groaned.

  “Leah can’t go with me tonight. You have to come. I told Peter I would meet him at the movie theater. Leah’s beau canceled and now she doesn’t want to go,” Deborah said pouting.

  “I’m tired, Deb. We had customers non-stop today and I barely had enough time to complete my chores before bed,” Hannah reasoned.

  Deborah rolled her eyes. “Hannah, you’re eighteen years old and you’re acting like Mammi.”

  “I am not,” Hannah snapped back. “And if you had a mind to get yourself a job, you might find yourself a little tired too. Instead you do everything you can to get out of work.”

  “I do not. I’m in my rumspringa. I’ve got a right to have a little fun,” Deborah said, pulling up a pair of jeans under her dress. “Fine. If you won’t go with me I’ll just go by myself.”

  Hannah sighed and rolled out of bed. “Okay, I’ll come with you but I’m not wearing Englisch clothes.”

  “If you want to be the only one in an Englisch movie theater dressed Plain, fine. But I aim to fit in. Besides, Peter likes it when I wear these jeans.” Deb gave Hannah a sly look.

  “Ach, did he tell ya that?” Hannah donned her kapp and pinned it into place.

  “Nee, but I can tell by the way he looks at me. I'm sure Christian would look at you that way too if you dressed in Englisch clothes like this,” Deborah said unabashedly, showing off her snug jeans and fitted shirt.

  Incredulous, Hannah gasped. “I certainly don't want to attract that kind of attention from Christian. It's...it's sinful.”

  Deborah rolled her eyes. “Ach, Hannah. Have you no sense of fun?”

  “It's that sense of fun that lands girls in trouble,” Hannah insisted.

  “Come on Plain Jane, let's go now.”

  Hannah shook her head in disbelief and reluctantly followed her impervious sister out the door.

 

  Hannah stood at the back of the movie theater auditorium waiting for her eyes to adjust. Deborah and Peter had already found their seats, but Hannah had no clue where they were. She had decided using the restroom before the movie started would be good idea, but had to wait in a long line. By the time she entered the theater, the previews had already begun. It’s nearly impossible to see anything in here, Hannah thought, squinting. After giving up locating her sister, she sat down in the back row alone.

 

  Samuel Beachy entered the movie theater a little late. After his friend Christian ditched him for dinner with an Englisch girl, he figured he didn’t want to spend the evening bored to death. The movie theater was the only other thing open on this side of town at this late hour. Fortunately, the movie that looked most interesting had just begun and he could slip in before the previews were over. He normally didn’t care to watch Englisch movies, but figured it was better than the alternative.

  As he looked around for a good seat, he noticed an Amish girl in the back row. Due to the darkness, he couldn’t tell if it was someone from his district or not. He approached the row and walked near to where the young woman sat. A bright flash from the movie screen illuminated her face and he realized it was Hannah Stolzfus, Christian’s aldi.

  What is she doing here alone? He wondered. He was glad Christian and the Englisch girl hadn’t come here. If so, Hannah was sure to be disheartened seeing her beau with another girl. Samuel determined he would keep her company.

  “Hiya,” he whispered.

  “Ach, hullo, Samuel.” Hannah’s face brightened as she looked past him. “Is Christian with you?”

  Samuel grimaced inwardly. “Nee. I’m here alone. Do you mind if I join ya?”

  Hannah shrugged. “I guess that would be all right.” She decided. “I’m here with my schweschder and her beau – your bruder.”

  Samuel looked around the large darkened auditorium, but the young couple was nowhere in sight. He leaned over and whispered, “Hey, want some popcorn?”

  Hannah hesitated. “But it’s so expensive.”

  “My treat. It won’t break me, I promise.” He winked.

  “Sure.” She smiled, thinking the popcorn smelled good. She wouldn’t have wasted money buying her own at an exorbitant amount when she could make it at home for just pennies, but Samuel seemed eager to purchase some.

  “I’ll be right back.” Samuel disappeared for a few minutes, and then promptly returned with a large tub of popcorn. He offered her some and she happily took a large handful of the buttery goodness and popped some into her mouth. “Ach, it’s a gut thing I got the big one,” he teased.

  “You mean I gotta share it with you?” She grinned.

  “Yes, but these are all yours,” he said, handing her a box of chocolate malt balls and a bottle of water.

  “Ach, Samuel. Denki.” Hannah couldn’t believe Samuel’s generosity; he’d always been kind-hearted. She was thankful that Christian had such a gut friend.

  Samuel delighted in seeing Hannah’s face light up. Christian had found a good woman; it was a shame he wasn’t treating her the way she deserved. The three of them had grown up together and had always been gut friends. It seemed that Hannah had blossomed from an awkward tomboy into a beautiful young lady overnight. Unfortunately, both Samuel and Christian had noticed at the same time. The very night Samuel had in mind to ask Hannah if he could take her home from a singing was the night she rode in Christian’s buggy for the first time. That was over a year ago. Since then, Samuel had respected them as a couple and kept his distance from Hannah.

  Meanwhile, last fall Samuel had met Carolanne. He had moved to Ohio for a few months to h
elp out with his uncle’s corn harvest. After he had taken Carolanne home from a few singings, he’d asked her to be his aldi. When he returned to Pennsylvania, they continued their long-distance relationship by writing letters to each other at least once a month. He planned on returning to Ohio one day to make Carolanne his bride when he was certain she was the one. But he just wasn’t certain.

  What would happen to Hannah if things didn’t work out between her and Christian? Would she give Samuel a chance? As Samuel sat next to Hannah, watching her watch the movie, he was tempted to take her hand. But he wouldn’t. Surely she would be put off by it. Sitting here with her almost felt like a date; if only it was.

  As the movie progressed, Hannah could hardly keep her eyelids open. It seemed like only a few minutes had gone by when she felt a gentle patting on her arm. She woke up to find herself leaning against Samuel. He slipped his arm from around her shoulder when she became fully coherent.

  “Ach, I’m sorry, Samuel,” Hannah said, feeling like a dummkopp.

  “Nee, it’s okay. Fall asleep on me anytime.” He smiled. “Perhaps you should try to find your schweschder now.”

  Hannah arose from her seat yawning and stretched long and wide. Although her catnap was short, she felt rejuvenated for the drive home. As the lights turned back on, Hannah scanned the audience in search of her sister and Peter. It would’ve been much easier to spot her sister if she’d dressed Plain.

  She heard a buzz emanating from Samuel’s pocket and he retrieved his cell phone, indicating to her he was going to step out into the lobby. Normally, the Amish in their district didn’t use cell phones, but Samuel had been granted permission to own one for his buggy making business.

  Since most of the young people her age were in rumspringa, many of them did own cell phones. Although they didn’t approve of it, the leaders turned a blind eye to their usage because they realized rumspringa was an important time in a young person’s life. It was a time when they would choose the course of their lives and the leaders didn’t want to hinder their decision making. Of course, they still advocated holiness and blatant rebellion was never accepted. After all, each one would have to give their own account to God.