A Secret Encounter (Amish Secrets--Book 2) Read online

  A Secret Encounter

  Amish Secrets - Book 2

  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.

  www.jebspredemann.com

  All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, are not subject to copyright laws, and may be freely copied and/or quoted

  Cover design by J.E.B. Spredemann.

  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 (*J. Spredemann)

  Available Now:

  AMISH GIRLS SERIES (for teens)

  Joanna’s Struggle

  Danika’s Journey

  Chloe’s Revelation

  Susanna’s Surprise

  Annie’s Decision

  Abigail’s Triumph

  Brooke’s Quest

  Leah’s Legacy

  NOVELLAS

  Amish by Accident*

  Learning to Love – Saul’s Story*

  An Unforgivable Secret* AMISH SECRETS SERIES

  A Secret Encounter* AMISH SECRETS SERIES

  A Secret of the Heart* AMISH SECRETS SERIES

  NOVELETTES

  Cindy’s Story* – AMISH FAIRLY TALES 1

  Coming Soon:

  A Christmas of Mercy – Fall 2014

  Rosabelle’s Story* – AMISH FAIRLY TALES 2

  To Joshua and Jessica…

  Two of the most compassionate people I’ve had the privilege to know

  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.

  Characters in A Secret Encounter

  Joseph (Joe) Bender – Protagonist

  Harvey (Harv) – Joe’s friend

  Anna Smucker – Protagonist

  Mammi – Anna’s grandmother

  Aaron Gingerich – Anna’s beau

  Linda – Anna’s employer, proprietor of Threads of Beauty

  Jacob Schrock – Anna’s cousin

  Rachel Schrock – Jacob’s wife

  Samuel Beachy – Joe’s friend

  Judah Hostettler – Bishop of several Amish church districts

  Jonathan Fisher – Minister

  Table of Contents

  Pennsylvania Dutch 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

  Epilogue

  Letter from the Author

  Project: Vagabond

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Ab im kopp – Crazy

  Ach – Oh

  Aentie – Aunt

  Aldi – Girlfriend

  Alt maedel – Old maid

  Ausbund – Amish hymn book

  Bann – Excommunication from Amish church

  Boppli – Baby

  Boppli – Babies

  Brieder - Brothers

  Bruder – Brother

  Bu - Boy

  Dat, Daed – Dad

  (Gross)Dawdi – Grandfather

  Demut – Humility

  Denki – Thanks

  Der Herr – The Lord

  Dummkopp – Dummy

  Englischer – A non-Amish person

  Ferhoodled – Mixed up, Crazy

  Fraa – Woman, Wife

  Geh – Go

  Gott – God

  Grossmudder – Grandmother

  Gut – Good

  Haus – House

  Hiya – Hi

  Hochmut – Pride

  Ich liebe dich – I love you

  Jah – Yes

  Kapp – Prayer Covering

  Kind – Child

  Kinner – Children

  Kinskinner – Grandchildren

  Kumm – Come

  Lieb – Love

  Liewi – Dear

  Maed – Girls

  Maedel – Girl

  Mamm – Mom

  Mammi – Grandmother

  Mauti – Maid

  Mei Lieb – My Love

  Mein Klein Bopp – My little doll

  Mein Liewe – My Dear

  Mudder – Mother

  Nee – No

  Ordnung – Rules of the Amish community

  Rumspringa – Running around years

  Schatzi – Honey

  Schtupp – Living room

  Sohn – Son

  Vadder – Father

  Verboten – Forbidden

  Vorsinger – Song leader

  Wilkom – Welcome

  Wunderbaar – Wonderful

  PROLOGUE

  Joseph Bender hung his head, contemplating the implications of his actions. Am I really shunned? By the disappointed countenances of his family, he realized it to be true. What would he do now? Where would he go? His father’s words played in his mind for the umpteenth time, “You are no longer my son. Lea
ve at once. There is no room in this home for unrepentant sinners.”

  Joseph heaved a sigh of defeat. He searched his mother’s face for some trace of compassion, but she could only look away as she blinked at the tears that trailed her weathered appearance. So desperately he wanted to reach his arms around his mother and embrace her one last time, but he knew the time for affection had passed. It expired the moment Bishop Burkholder read his sentence.

  He threw an old duffel bag over his shoulder. It contained the few belongings he owned: two pairs of trousers, two long sleeve cotton shirts, a few undergarments, and socks. He donned his black coat that had seen better days and his straw hat, and walked out of his folks’ home, and out of their lives, forever.

  In just a few short months, he’d lost everything he’d ever held dear…

  CHAPTER ONE

  Anna Smucker finished putting the dishes in the cupboard just minutes before the kitchen timer buzzed. “Ach, I’m running late again, Mammi. Would you mind preparing something for supper tonight?” Her eyes pleaded.

  “Liewi, I wished you didn’t have to run off every day.” Mammi shook her head.

  “But you know we need the money. Sellin’ eggs ain’t enough to keep this farm running. If we could just get more tourists in here to buy up your quilts…ach, listen to me prattling on when I got a job to get to!” She shook her head.

  “Of course, I’ll fix somethin’ up for us. Don’t you worry none.” Her kind grandmother patted her hand gently. “Now, geh.”

  “Denki, Mammi.” Anna leaned over and placed a kiss on Mammi’s cheek. “Love you, Mammi. Have a gut day.”

  Anna hurried out to her buggy. Thank goodness she’d had the forethought to hitch Brazen up early today. It seemed lately she couldn’t wake early enough to tend to all the chores around the place. There was so much that needed to be done, and she wasn’t about to leave the work for Mammi to tend to.

  It had been a year since her father passed on to Glory. She’d never realized how much he did around the farm until he was gone. Knowing now what it took to keep the farm running, she wished she could go back and tell her father thank you for the countless hours he’d labored on their behalf.

  As of last month, she’d sold off the last of the cattle. Now she and Mammi no longer received income from their milk. But after paying off their debts, the money they received from the sale was only enough to keep up with their mortgage payments until the end of the year.

  Why, oh why, had her father mortgaged their land? She knew for a fact that Grossdawdi had left a tidy sum when he died. It would have been plenty to pay their debt in full. But instead, her adventurous father had ambitiously purchased five hundred head of cattle. The cows weren’t necessarily a bad idea, but they weren’t counting on her father passing away so quickly. He had yet to turn a profit.

  When Anna approached other Amish ranchers in the community, none were able – or willing – to purchase the cattle. Apparently her father had been swindled. At least that’s what the Englischer said that graciously took the bovine off her hands. He claimed he was giving her a deal, paying even more than they were worth. Perhaps it was true. Dat had always dreamed of owning a cattle ranch. She was certain he wasn’t the first overzealous dreamer willing to pay whatever it took for a dream to become a reality. If only Dat hadn’t passed on…

  Anna flicked the reins, hoping Brazen would get her to work on time. Although her boss knew about the situation at home and was sympathetic to her plight, she knew she wouldn’t be happy if she was late again. She had been kind enough to allow Mammi to sell her quilts in her fabric shop, although it seemed there weren’t too many tourists in their neck of the woods. She’d heard that quilts similar to her grossmudder’s sold for over a thousand dollars in some places where the tourist trade was rampant. Imagine that! But Mammi’s only went for a few hundred dollars; such a shame considering the quality work that she put into them.

  But at least Anna had this job. That was something she could be thankful for. She always tried to look on the positive side of things. After all, there was not much she could do to change their circumstances. She would be grateful for the blessings they did have, because she’d always heard that there were countless others out there that had far less than she. Yes, Gott had been good to them.

  <><><>

  “Anna, go ahead and take your lunch break now,” her boss called from behind the register.

  “All right,” Anna answered back, retrieving her purse and coat from the break room.

  Linda’s eyes brightened as she nodded toward the front of the store. “Someone’s here for you, Anna.”

  Anna poked her head around the corner. It was Aaron. He had shown interest in her for a year now, and just two months ago she’d accepted his offer to court her. They never had much chance to spend a lot of time together because they were both so busy – he with his dog-breeding business, and she with work and farm chores. Occasionally he would show up out of the blue and take her to lunch, which she thought was a nice gesture.

  “Hi, Aaron. In town for somethin’ special today?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Nah, not really. Just had to pick up a few things for Dat at the hardware store.” He shrugged. “Ready to go?”

  “Jah, I’ll let Linda know,” Anna said.

  “Where would you like to go today?” Aaron asked, his handsome gray eyes sparkled.

  She shrugged. “Pizza?”

  “Pizza sounds great to me.” He grasped her small hand and led the way down the block.

  <><><>

  “Joseph! Joseph!” Joe startled out of an already fitful sleep. He lifted his head, glancing around the abandoned alley. No one was there. Had he truly heard a voice, or was his subconscious playing tricks on him again? No one’s called me Joseph in years. Not since…

  He pulled the newspapers up over his body and around his neck in an attempt to keep the chill out. His tattered coat kept some of the elements out, but the gaping holes seemed to welcome every miniscule draft. Laying his head once again on the plastic grocery bag that held his old shirt, his eyelids drifted shut.

  Joe was just on the verge of nocturnal ecstasy when the blasted voice called to him again. For Pete’s sake, can’t a man get a few minutes of sleep? He scowled inwardly. He raised his head again, but this time his mind was keenly aware of the body hovering over him.

  “You need somethin’ Harvey?” Of course, he already knew the answer.

  “Yeah, Joe. You got a smoke? I need one real bad.” His hands shook, evidencing the truth of the man’s words.

  Grudgingly, Joe reached into his pants pocket and handed over a cigarette. “You really need to get your own and stop bummin’ off of others.”

  “I know, I know. Just this one last time,” the older man said, lighting the end of his cancer stick. That’s what Joseph’s grandfather used to call cigarettes.

  “You said that last time. The last ten times actually,” Joe stated wryly.

  Harvey took a puff and offered it to Joe. He shook his head, rejecting his offer. “Tryin’ to quit,” he explained.

  “Really, Joe? Then can I have –”

  “No. You may not have the rest of my pack,” Joe answered, rising from his corner in the alley.

  “Hey, where ya goin’ man?” Harvey called to him.

  “Just stretchin’ my legs a bit. I’ll be back.”

  “Can I use your papers while you’re gone?” the older man pleaded, holding up the rumpled mass of yesteryear’s news.

  “Sure,” Joe stated, walking toward one of the main streets. Looking back at his shivering friend, he decided to turn back around. “Hey, man. Why don’t you take my coat too? I’ll be walkin’ so I’ll be plenty warm.”

  “Thanks, Joe. ‘Preciate that.”

  Joe rubbed his hands together to try to create a little friction. Boy was the air nippy today. He picked up his pace and strolled down the sidewalk, noticing the diverse displays in the shop windows. It seemed Christmas was up
on them again. Another year alone, Joe thought bitterly. It had always been extremely difficult to keep thoughts of his childhood at bay this time of year.

  He remembered how Mamm’s face would brighten when he’d bring in the pine boughs from outside. She used to decorate the house up right perty, he’d thought. And although their Christmases were always plain and simple, they had been special. He recalled a time when… Enough of that! He chided himself. This was his reality now. No matter how much he missed home, going back wasn’t an option. And never would be.

  The wind picked up and a chill seeped through the holes in the back of his shirt where the seams wore thin. Mamm had been a gut seamstress, but even the best couldn’t sew seams to withstand several years of daily wear. He ducked into one of the nearby establishments. He hadn’t even the opportunity to warm himself before a not-so gentleman asked him to leave before he was given a police escort off the property.

  As he stepped back out into the cold, he couldn’t help but notice that the other people on the sidewalk gave him wide berth. Some even went so far as to walk in the street to avoid him. He wasn’t surprised by the lack of sympathy the strangers possessed. After all, his family couldn’t stand the sight of him either.

  If they could only see him now. His hair had naturally formed dreadlocks, hanging past his shoulders – a shame for sure and for certain. Because he’d lost so much weight, his worn trousers were now held up with an old bungee cord he’d found on the street. A sorry replacement for the suspenders he was used to wearing – those had busted last year. Harv had offered him some denim trousers that were in a little better shape, but they never felt right. His beard had grown to his chest, scraggly as ever. Back home, only married men were allowed to wear face whiskers. Married, he mused. Now that was a circumstance he’d never have to dwell on. He’d spent plenty of time thinking of what could’ve been, what should’ve been…