The Drifter (Amish Country Brides) Read online

  The Drifter

  Amish Country Brides

  JENNIFER SPREDEMANN

  Copyright 2020 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: 978-1-940492-54-4

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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

  Table of Contents

  Books By Jennifer Spredemann

  Books By J.E.B. Spredemann

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Author’s Note

  Prologue

  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

  Epilogue

  Discussion Questions

  A Special Thank You

  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)

  NOVELETTES

  Cindy’s Story – An Amish Fairly Tale Novelette 1

  Rosabelle’s Story – An Amish Fairly Tale Novelette 2

  OTHER

  Love Impossible

  Unlikely Santa

  COMING 2020 (Lord Willing)

  An Unexpected Christmas Gift (Amish Christmas Miracles Collection)

  Sequel to Unlikely Santa (title to be determined)

  The Giver (Amish Country Brides)

  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

  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

  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

  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.

  PROLOGUE

  Josiah Beachy whipped his cell phone out of his pocket and tapped to answer the incoming call. “Josiah.”

  “Hey, it’s Jaden.”

  “Hiya, bruder. To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked casually, but he knew a call from his Amish brother always carried serious implications.

  “A letter came for you.”

  He shot out of his leather executive chair and strolled to glance out the window of his office from the twelfth story. “From whom?”

  “It says B.M.”

  “B.M.? Any return address?” He frowned.

  “No. But it looks like a hand-written letter. It’s postmarked Indiana.”

  Indiana. If it was from Indiana, then…

  “Hello? Josiah? Are you there?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I’m here. Listen, I’m not too far away. Will you hold onto it for me and I’ll stop by and pick it up?”

  “Sure. When?”

  “Tomorrow.” No, he didn’t want to wait that long. Because if it was from who he thought… “Make that today.”

  “Today? Where are you?”

  “New Jersey. Let’s meet in our usual place.” He scratched his head. “Around seven. Will that work?”

  “Jah.”

  “Okay, see you then.” He tapped his phone to hang up.

  He squeezed his eyes shut. There was only one person in Indiana that he knew with those initials. His daughter. But it couldn’t be her, could it? He feared this day might come...eventually.

&n
bsp; The day of reckoning.

  ~

  Josiah pulled his sportscar up to the small café, a place he and his brother had met at over the years in order to protect his secret. A secret he knew would ultimately come to light. A secret that would likely rip some people’s worlds apart. Including his own.

  His heart pounded as he walked toward the entrance. He knew his brother parked his buggy in a lot a couple of blocks away, so as not to be seen. He spotted Jaden sitting on one of the comfy sofas inside the café.

  He felt a smile forming at the sides of his mouth the moment he opened the door. No matter how much he loved his Englisch lifestyle, seeing his younger brother always rekindled a longing for home. Bittersweet memories indeed.

  His brother stood and Josiah wrapped him in a bear hug.

  “How’s the family?”

  Jaden shrugged. “Mamm and Dat are getting older every day. You should come home.”

  Come home.

  It was what his brother told him each time. In fact, if you were Amish and you knew someone who’d left the fold, it was your duty to try to persuade the wayward person back into the Amish community. They believed your soul was in danger of hell fire, if you had been raised Plain but had chosen the ways of the world. Honestly, Josiah didn’t know how he felt about all that. Surely, remaining Amish all one’s life was not a requirement for salvation. Was it?

  He shook off his thoughts and refocused on his brother. “Anything new?”

  “Nah. Same ol’.”

  “You got a girlfriend or anything?”

  Jaden shook his head.

  “Working?”

  “Jah.” Jaden blew out a long breath. “I’m…I’m thinking of leaving.”

  “The Amish?”

  Jaden shrugged.

  “Why? I mean, you’ve stuck with it this long. Might as well stay.”

  “It’s boring. I mean, look at you. All fancy.” He stared out the window, his eyes lighting up. “I bet that car can go pretty fast.”

  Josiah chuckled. “You have no idea. Wanna go for a spin?”

  “Now?”

  “Sure.”

  “I wish.” Jaden shook his head. “I gotta get back. Dat’s probably already wondering what’s taking me so long. I’m supposed to be on an errand.”

  “And so you are.” He cupped his brother’s shoulder. “Just so you know, once you cross over and taste the Englisch life, it’s nearly impossible to go back. So, unless you really want it, you might want to think twice. Your life will never be the same.”

  “In a good or bad way?”

  “Both.”

  Jaden reached into his back pocket. “I guess I should give you your letter.”

  Josiah took the envelope, tapping it on his palm. “Thanks.”

  His brother shifted from one foot to the other. “What are you going to do?”

  “About this?” He held up the envelope, twisting it between his fingers like a baton.

  Jaden nodded.

  “I don’t know.”

  “It’s from Bailey, you know. She’s a sweet girl. It’s a shame you never…” Jaden shook his head. “Well, whatever. It’s your life. I’m not going to tell you how to live it.”

  Josiah swallowed the lump attempting to form in his throat. “I appreciate that.”

  “You gonna open that thing or what?”

  “Maybe. But not here. Not now.” Who knew what it might contain?

  “Okay. Well, I guess I better scoot.”

  “It was good seeing you again, Jaden.”

  “Jah, you too.” He lifted a hand as he walked out the door.

  ONE

  One month prior…

  Bailey breathed in the fresh scent of the cool night air as she sat next to Timothy Stoltzfus in his buggy. She loved the smell of nature after a good storm. The clip-clop of other couples’ horses leaving from the singing echoed in her ears as they all made their way out onto the main road.

  She shook her head, still baffled that she was actually courting Timothy Stoltzfus—or, more accurately, he was courting her. This was their tenth buggy ride together, not that she was counting.

  Oh, but she’d hated him the first several years of attending school together. He’d teased all the girls and made fun of them. He’d been sort-of mean. But then Bailey started taking Dat’s advice. She befriended him by doing kind things for him, like helping him with his schoolwork when she’d finished hers early. They eventually became best friends. Well, the best an Amish boy and girl could get without raising too many eyebrows.

  After they finished school they’d only seen each other during church events, so their friendship had fallen to the wayside as their individual lives became busy. But as soon as they began attending singings, Timothy had been the first boy to ask her to ride home with him. And he’d been the only boy she’d wanted to ride home with. Not only was he the same as he’d been when they left school, but he was even more handsome now that he was entering manhood. Their friendship resumed easily, but quickly turned into more when he’d kissed her on their fourth buggy ride, not that she was counting.

  Now, she regularly had crazy ideas in her head about their future together. Because she was quite certain Gott intended her and Timothy to be together forever.

  “Do you think your folks are still up?” His eyes sparkled under his black felt hat, as they did quite often when he looked her way.

  “I doubt it. Mamm, Aenti Jenny, and I have a lot of baking to do tomorrow, so I suspect they turned in early.”

  Timothy guided the horse and rig into her driveway. They moved past their small store, which had grown larger since her Onkel Paul had gotten married and Aunt Jenny had started her bakery section. Which reminded her… “Do you want to try some of the new dessert my aunt Jenny made today?”

  “I don’t know. I thought we’d just go for a walk tonight.” His voice lacked its usual enthusiasm.

  Goosebumps prickled on her skin as she said the words. “Is…something wrong?”

  “Not now. We’ll talk about it on our walk, okay?”

  So something was wrong. Bailey’s mind spun in a million directions. What on earth could Timothy be mulling over? She tried to think of what it could be. Was everything okay at home? Was somebody sick? Was he sick? She eyed him from under her black bonnet. Nee, he didn’t appear to be ill. Just serious. Overly serious.

  She released a breath when he hopped down and tethered the horse to their hitching post near the barn. He often used this one when everyone was asleep, in case the horse whinnied and woke someone in the house. The hitching post near the house was more convenient, especially when the weather was foul. But the sky had been clear since the storms passed yesterday evening, leaving behind the fresh clean scent of nature mixed with wet asphalt.

  “You want to walk along the road or in the fields?” he asked.

  “It doesn’t matter to me.”

  He reached for her hand. “Let’s walk along the driveway, then we’ll cut into the field from the road.”

  It was likely their friends were out driving on the road. This way, they’d only be on the road for a short stretch of time before they turned into their front field and they could avoid any buggies passing by.

  “I was hoping to talk to you about something,” Timothy began. “I don’t know how this is all going to work out.” He sighed.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Us.”

  “I don’t understand.” She glanced up at him.

  “I discovered something recently.”

  “That was cryptic.”

  “Just hear me out, okay?” They turned into the field.

  She nodded.

  “I discovered that I’m in love with you, Bailey.”

  Her face warmed at his declaration. This was good news, right? So why did she feel nervous? Why did Timothy seem nervous?

  “I love you. And I’m excited about it. I was excited about it.” He shook his head. “Anyway, I talked to my dat, and he and my mamm talked.
”

  He stopped walking between the corn fields and turned to face her, taking her hands in his. “I don’t know how to tell you this even. Bailey, my folks don’t want me to court you anymore. They asked me to break up with you.”

  That hadn’t been what she was expecting to hear. Her heart plunged as his words registered, and at the same time, tears pricked her eyes. “Do you always do what your folks ask?” She couldn’t help her shaky voice.

  “Jah. Don’t you?”

  She shrugged. “Jah, I guess so. Pretty much.”

  “I’m sorry.” He reached over and brushed away one of her tears.

  “Why? Why do they want us to break up?”

  “Because you come from the Englisch.”

  “What?”

  “They think you’ll go into the Englisch world, because that’s the way you were born.”

  “But I won’t. I’m Amish now.”

  “I have a plan. I think we could just maybe break up for a while to make my folks happy. And then I can work and save up money. I don’t have much right now. But once I turn twenty-one, I’ll be able to keep everything I make and start saving gut money for a house for us. And by that time, we both will have joined the church, and hopefully my folks will see that you’re set on staying.”

  “But I’m set on staying now. There’s nothing out in the world for me. Everything, my family, is all here. I don’t even know any Englischers. Why would I want to leave? Where would I even go?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “But twenty-one? That’s a long time.”

  “Maybe more. I know. But three or four years isn’t that long. And it will go by fast.”

  “Your folks will want you to court other maed.” More tears dripped onto her kapp string and cascaded down her cheeks.