The Teacher (Amish Country Brides) Read online

  The Teacher

  Amish Country Brides

  Jennifer Spredemann

  Copyright 2021 by Jennifer Spredemann, J.E.B. Spredemann

  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 authors/publisher.

  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.

  Published in Indiana by Blessed Publishing.

  www.jenniferspredemann.com

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

  Cover design by iCreate Designs ©

  ISBN: 978-1-940492-57-5

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Table Of Contents

  BOOKS by JENNIFER SPREDEMANN

  BOOKS by J.E.B. SPREDEMANN

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Author’s Note

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  TWENTY-SIX

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  EPILOGUE

  Dear Reader

  Thanks for reading!

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  A SPECIAL THANK YOU

  Get a FREE short story as my thank you gift when you sign up for my newsletter here: www.jenniferspredemann.com

  BOOKS by JENNIFER SPREDEMANN

  Learning to Love – Saul’s Story (Sequel to Chloe’s Revelation)

  AMISH BY ACCIDENT TRILOGY

  Amish by Accident

  Englisch on Purpose (Prequel to Amish by Accident)

  Christmas in Paradise (Sequel to Amish by Accident) (co-authored with Brandi Gabriel)

  AMISH SECRETS SERIES

  An Unforgivable Secret - Amish Secrets 1

  A Secret Encounter - Amish Secrets 2

  A Secret of the Heart - Amish Secrets 3

  An Undeniable Secret - Amish Secrets 4

  A Secret Sacrifice - Amish Secrets 5 (co-authored with Brandi Gabriel)

  A Secret of the Soul - Amish Secrets 6

  A Secret Christmas – Amish Secrets 2.5 (co-authored with Brandi Gabriel)

  AMISH BIBLE ROMANCES

  An Amish Reward (Isaac)

  An Amish Deception (Jacob)

  An Amish Honor (Joseph)

  An Amish Blessing (Ruth)

  An Amish Betrayal (David)

  AMISH COUNTRY BRIDES

  The Trespasser (Amish Country Brides)

  The Heartbreaker (Amish Country Brides)

  The Charmer (Amish Country Brides)

  The Drifter (Amish Country Brides)

  The Giver (Amish Country Brides Christmas)

  The Teacher (Amish Country Brides)

  NOVELETTES

  Cindy’s Story – An Amish Fairly Tale Novelette 1

  Rosabelle’s Story – An Amish Fairly Tale Novelette 2

  OTHER

  Love Impossible

  Unlikely Santa

  Unlikely Sweethearts

  An Unexpected Christmas Gift (Amish Christmas Miracles Collection)

  COMING 2021 (Lord Willing)

  The Widower (Amish Country Brides) book 7

  Title TBD

  Title TBD (Christmas book)

  BOOKS by J.E.B. SPREDEMANN

  AMISH GIRLS SERIES

  Joanna’s Struggle

  Danika’s Journey

  Chloe’s Revelation

  Susanna’s Surprise

  Annie’s Decision

  Abigail’s Triumph

  Brooke’s Quest

  Leah’s Legacy

  A Christmas of Mercy – Amish Girls Holiday

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Ach – Oh

  Aldi – Girlfriend

  Appeditlich - Delicious

  Bann – Shunning

  Boppli/Bopplin – Baby/Babies

  Bruder/Brieder – Brother/Brothers

  Daed/Dat – Dad

  Dawdi – Grandfather

  Denki – Thanks

  Der Herr – The Lord

  Dummkopp – Dummy

  Englischer – A non-Amish person

  Fraa – Wife

  G’may – Members of an Amish fellowship

  Gott – God

  Gut – Good

  Hochmut – Pride

  Jah – Yes

  Kapp – Amish head covering

  Kinner – Children

  Kumm – Come

  Maed/Maedel – Girls/Girl

  Mamm – Mom

  Ordnung – Rules of the Amish community

  Rumspringa – Running around period for Amish youth

  Schatzi – Sweetheart

  Schtupp – Living room

  Schweschder(n) – Sister(s)

  Wunderbaar – Wonderful

  Author’s Note

  The Amish/Mennonite 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. I have taken cautious steps to assure the authenticity of Amish practices and customs. Old Order Amish and New Order Amish may be portrayed in this work of fiction and may differ from some communities. Although the book may be set in a certain locality, the practices featured in the book may not necessarily reflect that particular district’s beliefs or culture. This book is purely fictional and built around a fictional community, even though you may see similarities to real-life people, practices, and occurrences.

  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 the light of God’s salvation reach their hearts.

  ONE

  Martha Miller yanked on the reins of Quibble’s harness, bringing the buggy horse to an abrupt halt beside the roadside mailbox.

  “Stay here this time!” She warned the often unruly equine as she scurried from the carriage. “I’ll not chase after you again today.”

  The horse nickered in protest, a response that typically meant he’d do whatever he pleased.

  “Whatever. But Dat will be the one dealing with you.” She threatened over her shoulder on her way to the mailbox.

  A quick perusal inside the hollow metal box told her that the mail had already been snatched out by one of her siblings, or they hadn’t received any today. The first scenario was the more likely of the two.

  Quibble began fidgeting just as Martha hopped back into the buggy. “Oh, no you don’t!” She cinched the reins, then gently loosened her hold on them. “Now, you march nicely toward the barn.”

  The horse took a few tentative steps, then shot down the driveway as though his tail had caught fire. Martha lost hold of the reins and would have flipped head-over-heels if there hadn’t been a small backrest on the buggy’s seat.

  “Quibble! Ach! Nee.” She managed to locate the renegade leather straps, wrapping them ti
ghtly around her hands this time. “You unruly creature. I’m sure and certain you’ll be the death of me.”

  As soon as the horse spotted Dat near the barn, he slowed his pace to a gentle trot, then moseyed on over to the hitching post. As though he’d been a gut boy all day. Did he really think Dat hadn’t seen his shenanigans? Who knew what horses thought, anyhow? All Martha knew was that this horse was too smart for his own gut. The mischievous beast.

  Dat chuckled as he approached. “Is he still giving you fits?”

  “It’s not funny, Dat! That creature is the most stubborn, the most unruly, the most…frustrating thing we’ve ever owned.” She huffed.

  “Seems like he’s met his match.”

  Martha thrust a hand to her waist. “What are you saying, Dat?”

  “Ach, dochder, don’t go getting your dander up. I don’t mean anything bad by it. It’s chust that you tend to be a little spirited yourself at times.”

  Ach. “I am not!” Am I?

  Dat held up his hand, his thumb and forefinger bending a half inch apart. “Maybe chust a tad bit.”

  She glanced at the uncooperative beast, not caring to dwell on the creature another second. “Will you put him up for me, please? I’m too upset with him right now.” She began walking toward the house, then called over her shoulder. “And no treats for him today!”

  If she didn’t see that animal ever again, she wouldn’t feel bad about it. There was no doubt in her mind Quibble would indeed be the death of her.

  Martha stomped into the house. She hadn’t meant to slam the door.

  “Who put a bee in your bonnet, Mizzy Tizzy?”

  Ach, her bruder Paul was visiting home. He never failed to tease her about one thing or another. She needed to change the subject. She didn’t want to lend one more thought to that wretched animal. “Small Paul, what are you doing here?” She teased back.

  He flexed his muscles and raised one eyebrow. “Small?”

  Martha snorted, then pretended to punch his gut. “Hardly.” She knew the sarcasm in her voice had hit its mark when he looked down at his stomach, which had expanded quite a bit since he’d gotten married to Jenny.

  He slid onto the bench at the dining table. “Now you’re looking for a fight. I can’t help it if mei fraa’s cooking is appeditlich. It sure beats the mush you used to try to feed me.”

  “Ach, I see how it is. I get no respect, and no thanks for attempting to keep mei bruder alive.” She shook her head. “Besides, I’m not a bad cook.”

  “Let’s chust hope Jaden Beachy thinks like you do.” He chuckled.

  “What do you know of Jaden?”

  He grinned from his perch at the dining room table and held up a letter—one that must’ve come in today’s mail. “Emily says you two have been writing to each other since Timothy and Bailey’s wedding, ain’t not?”

  She snatched the letter from his hand. “What Jaden and I do is nobody’s business but ours.”

  “Ach, so there is something going on between the two of you! Gut. Mei alt maedel schweschder needs rescued from her lonely life of misery.”

  She deposited her lunch box on the counter, then swatted his arm. “I teach scholars every day. My life is seldom lonely or miserable.”

  He clenched his heart dramatically, his voice changing to that of a narrator. “That’s what she tells herself on those sleepless nights when she’s dreaming of her knight in shining armor.”

  She snorted again. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed having her ornery bruder at home. “Well, you’ll win no fancy awards for that performance, I assure you.”

  “Gut thing for me that I’m only performing for an audience of one. And I know she’s impressed.” He took a bow. “Thank you very much.”

  Martha shook her head. “You’re impossible.”

  “Impossibly charming is what Jenny says.”

  She rolled her eyes, taking a seat across the table from her older brother. “Impossibly annoying is more like it. I don’t know how she puts up with you.”

  “She adores me. What can I say?”

  “Why are you here? For real.”

  “So my younger schweschder can revel in the honor of my presence, of course.”

  “Seriously? That’s what you came up with?”

  “Dat wanted me to shoe the horses.” He shrugged.

  “It’s nice to know you’re gut for something other than spewing corny jokes.”

  “You wound me, schweschder.” Paul clenched his heart. “But really. What is going on with you and Jaden Beachy?”

  “We’re friends. Pen pals.”

  “That’s it?”

  She sighed. “Yes, that’s it.”

  “That’s boring.” Paul frowned.

  “I don’t think so. I enjoy writing letters.”

  “I thought there was something going on between you two.”

  She shrugged. “We live too far away. And I don’t know…he’s…”

  “He’s what?”

  “I guess he’s just not interested in me.”

  “That’s baloney. Did he say that?” Paul shook his head. “Because everybody could see that he was definitely interested in you at the wedding.”

  Hadn’t she thought so too? “I guess he must’ve changed his mind then.”

  “That doesn’t even make any sense.”

  Martha laughed. “Since when do men make sense?”

  “What did you write to him? Did you scare him off?”

  She leaned against the chair’s back, lightly tapping her school books. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. I mean, he’s still writing to me. That says something, ain’t not?”

  “Do you think he already has a schatzi in Pennsylvania?”

  “He said there was no maedel.”

  “Someone needs to whack that guy upside the head, I think. He can’t see what’s right before his eyes.”

  “He’s free to stay a bachelor if he wants to. There’s no law that says you have to get hitched.”

  Paul scratched his head. “But why wouldn’t he want to? Marrying Jenny was one of the best things I’ve ever done. And he’s not getting any younger.”

  “I don’t know, bruder.”

  “Maybe I should call him up and have a talk with him.”

  “Don’t you dare! You’d probably just make things worse.”

  “Well, he’s already not courting you. What have you got to lose?”

  “Like I said. We’re friends. I’d like to at least stay friends. I don’t think he has many.”

  “Why wouldn’t he have friends?”

  Martha shrugged. “I don’t know. He seems like he’s probably a little shy. I’m not sure. I mean, aside from the wedding, I haven’t spent any time with him.”

  “He seemed friendly enough to me.”

  “Jah. But did you notice how he gravitated toward the folks he knew? He didn’t really go out of his way to meet new folks.”

  “I think the only person he really wanted to spend time with was you, Martha. You two seemed inseparable.”

  A smile tugged at her lips, thinking of Jaden. He was such a sweet man, just like she’d remembered from their days as scholars. “I enjoy his company.”

  “Jah, well, too bad he doesn’t live closer. Maybe he’d court you if you two could actually spend time together.”

  Ach, that would be a dream for sure and certain! But she wouldn’t share her private thoughts with her bruder. “Well, he doesn’t. So that’s that.”

  “It doesn’t have to be. If you just told him how you feel—”

  She shook her head. “Nee. That’s something I won’t do. Besides, I’m quite certain he already knows. I wasn’t exactly hiding my attraction. The ball’s in his court.”

  “Jah, and that’s where it will stay unless you do something about it.”

  “Paul, you know that’s not my place. Besides, Der Herr’s timing is perfect, ain’t not?”

  “I reckon.”

  “Well”—She stood from the t
able and lifted the stack of books into her arms—“I don’t know about you, but I can’t sit around and chat all day. I have papers to grade.”

  “Ugh. I’m so glad I’m not in school anymore.”

  She laughed. “And I’m glad you’re not one of my scholars.”

  “Thanks.” His tipped his coffee mug up and coaxed out the last of its contents, allowing the few remaining amber beads to drop onto his tongue.

  She was sure and certain her bruder would never fully grow up. “You and Timmy Stoltzfoos were the worst in school.”

  “Jah, but I think we both turned out okay.”

  “That’s debatable.” She teased.

  “I can hardly believe he’s married to Bailey now.” He sighed. “They sure do grow up fast.”

  “Paul, you ready to shoe your schweschder’s horse?” Dat called from the doorway.

  “Be right there, Dat.” He dropped his mug onto the wash counter. “Well, duty calls, little schweschder.” He tweaked Martha’s cheek then followed their father out the door.

  ~

  Jaden Beachy meandered out to the phone shanty, a practice he’d followed each night after supper for many years now. Most days, there was maybe one message, some days none, and other times several. He wondered what today’s result would be.

  He inspected the booth before stepping inside, and left the door open. Spring was catapulting toward summer at an alarming rate, it seemed, so their small phone booth was likely a sauna—or would be soon. Hopefully, there’d be no wasps inside this time. He’d cleaned out a nest last week and had been stung several times. Ugh, he hated wasps. He often wondered why they had to exist. But like many questions in his life, it remained unanswered. Oh well, it had been something interesting to include in his letter to Martha Miller, anyhow.

  The light blinked on the answering machine. Some nearby districts had updated their landlines to cellular phones, but not theirs. Their leaders held tightly to the old ways, and change had always been slow in coming, especially where technology was concerned.