The Heartbreaker (Amish Country Brides)

  The Heartbreaker

  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: 978-1-940492-51-3

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  SW Format

  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

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  TWENTY-NINE

  THIRTY

  THIRTY-ONE

  EPILOGUE

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  A SPECIAL THANK YOU

  Get a FREE short story as my thank you gift to you 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)

  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)

  The Charmer (Amish Country Brides)

  The Drifter (Amish Country Brides)

  Sequel to Unlikely Santa (title to be determined)

  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

  Alt maedel – Old maid

  Bann – Shunning

  Boppli/Bopplin – Baby/Babies

  Bruder/Brieder – Brother/Brothers

  Bu – Boy

  Daed/Dat – Dad

  Dawdi – Grandfather

  Denki – Thanks

  Der Herr – The Lord

  Dochder – Daughter

  Dummkopp – Dummy

  Englischer – A non-Amish person

  Ferhoodled – Mixed up

  Fraa – Wife

  G’may – Members of an Amish fellowship

  Gott – God

  Gross sohn – Grandson

  Gut – Good

  Jah – Yes

  Kapp – Amish head covering

  Kinner – Children

  Kumm – Come

  Maed/Maedel – Girls/Girl

  Mamm – Mom

  Mammi – Grandmother

  Mei fraa – My wife

  Ordnung – Rules of the Amish community

  Rumspringa – Running around period for Amish youth

  Schatzi – Sweetheart

  Schweschder(n) – Sister(s)

  Sehr gut – Very good

  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

  The sun’s fingers stretched through the panes of Miriam Yoder’s bedroom window, caressing her face in warm bliss. Ach, today would be a beautiful day. A welcome break from the recent storms they’d been having. She knelt next to her bed, as she did each morning, and bowed her head. She had a lot to be thankful for. A gut family, friends, the wunderbaar sunshine, and not having to see his face.

  She shouldn’t think that, and she certainly shouldn’t pray it. But she couldn’t help it. She was thankful that she didn’t have to see Michael Eicher’s face at every gathering their church district had. She was happy she no longer had to gaze into his mesmerizing eyes or glimpse his irresistible smile. She was glad that he’d jumped the fence, providing surety that he wouldn’t terrorize her heart anymore. Never again. Not him, or any other man, for that matter.

  At least, if she stayed single, she didn’t have to worry about fixing three square meals a day and waiting on a husband hand and foot. She didn’t have to worry about caring for sick children like her friends occasionally did. It was a blessing, actually, that Michael Eicher had forced hard-earned wisdom upon her.

  If only she could believe that. She knew that she should have forgiven him by now. She knew that she should just forget everything that
happened. But doing so seemed impossible. Especially in light of—

  “Miriam!” Mamm’s voice called from downstairs, breaking through her meandering thoughts.

  “Coming, Mamm.” She frowned, then whispered a hastened, “Amen.” She’d have to send the remainder of her prayer heavenward while Daed prayed at breakfast time. Surely, Der Herr would understand.

  She threw her choring dress on in record time, then haphazardly pinned up her hair with her work kerchief as her covering. No need to don her best for the chickens.

  Hopefully Mamm hadn’t started preparing the morning meal without her. She had to pull her weight if she intended to stay in her folks’ home. She supposed that she could move out, since she was plenty old enough, but that would likely be too lonely. Besides, she didn’t need idle time. Time to think about him. Ach, if only she could erase him from her memory altogether. He certainly hadn’t given a second thought to her. If only he’d never taken her on that first buggy ride. Or the second. Or the third. If only…stop!

  “Will you gather the eggs from the hen house?” Mamm asked the second Miriam’s feet hit the bottom step.

  “Jah. It seems they’ve been laying other places lately too. I found some in the woodshed the other day, and some up in the loft when Daed had me fetch hay.”

  “In the loft even?” Mamm stared at her as though she held answers. “It wonders me how they would get up yonder.”

  Miriam shrugged. “I guess they must’ve flown up there. They are birds, ain’t so?” She opened the back door, egg basket in hand, but paused to hear Mamm’s words before stepping out.

  “Unless one of your brieder put one of the poor creatures up there.”

  Jah, there was that. Her nine-year-old brother Benny did possess an ornery streak. Hopefully, he’d have the sense not to turn out like…

  Why in the world could she not dispel Michael Eicher from her thoughts today? It wasn’t like she’d pined after him all these years he’d been gone. Nee, quite the opposite. As far as she was concerned, good-for-nothing Michael Eicher could jump off a bridge. Or get thrown from a buggy. Or… ach, I’m sorry, Gott. That was not a charitable thought, whether Michael Eicher was worthy of one or not.

  She pressed her lips together, determined to distract herself.

  “Hey, chickens. Do you have any eggs for me to find today?” She smiled at the creatures as she headed toward the hen house.

  ~

  Michael Eicher’s eyes fluttered open. Ach, he’d slept great. He turned over on his side, not the least bit surprised to find the spot next to him empty. The beautiful woman he’d met last night—what was her name? Casey? Cathy? Cassy?—must have gone already. He yawned and stretched. What time was it anyway?

  He sat up and reached for his cell phone. Almost nine? Oh shoot, I’m late for work. Again. No doubt that was where what’s-her-name had gone. And she probably hadn’t been late.

  He hurried and threw on his jeans, then tugged his arms into his work shirt. While sprinting to the kitchen to find a quick bite to swallow on his way to work, he buttoned up his shirt. He spotted a note on his tiny kitchen table.

  Thanks for the fun! Call me some time. – Cassidy

  So that was her name! Not that it mattered. He’d likely never see her again. He had a maximum two-date rule. If he didn’t get what he wanted by then, he moved on. Fortunately, Cassidy had no problem providing for his wants on the first date.

  In his younger days, when he still lived in his Plain community, he’d once taken the same woman on a buggy ride five times in a row. Five times? He rubbed his stubbled cheek and shook his head, still amazed. What had he been thinking? He hadn’t. He’d nearly lost himself, his dating standards—if that’s what one could call it—to her. He closed his eyes, attempting to recall her name. He knew it well but his brain was in a fog this morning, likely from indulging in too much drink the night before.

  Miriam. Miri. Jah, she was the one. As soon as he realized he’d been losing himself—his heart—he moved on. A ride or two with someone else after her, then out of the community for good. No need to make attachments to a community he wouldn’t be staying in. But Miri, mmm, she had been in a league of her own.

  He glanced at Cassidy’s note again. The words were written in a large heart, along with her phone number. He crumpled the paper and tossed it in the trash. No, thank you.

  He grabbed a slice of bread and slathered peanut butter on it, which made him long for the peanut butter spread he’d grown up with in his Amish community. Perhaps he’d get the recipe for it if he ever returned home again. It had been a couple of years since he’d visited his grossdawdi—his only tie to the community now. He took a bite of his snack and grunted. It would have to suffice till his lunch break.

  He patted his pocket to be sure his wallet and motorcycle key were still safely tucked away in his jeans, then ran out the door. He really should have showered this morning, but there was no time. He was already late.

  Hopefully, Nick would be forgiving of his tardiness. He knew he’d been getting on his boss’s nerves lately. This would be the second time he was late this week. Perhaps he and whatever-her-name-was should have left the night club a little earlier. Oh well, too late now.

  He revved the bike and weaved in and out of traffic, then finally came to a screeching halt at the mechanic shop he’d worked at for the last two months.

  “Don’t bother clocking in, Mike. You’re fired.” Nick shook his head in disappointment as Michael walked toward him.

  “But I—”

  “Don’t even attempt any excuses. I saw your bike out at Jean’s last night. And I saw you leaving with a woman.”

  “I need this job, Nick.”

  “Not my problem.” He shook his head. “You stink. Did you not even bother to shower this morning?”

  “I was running late.” He lifted his arm and took a whiff. Nick was right. He had trouble outgrowing some of the old habits he’d learned growing up in his strict Amish community. He’d only been allowed a bath once a week on Saturdays, and before a special occasion, such as a wedding. It wasn’t so bad when you lived in an Amish community and everyone else carried the same hard work stench. But shortly after he’d left, he learned the Englisch went by different standards where cleanliness was concerned, among other things.

  “Your breath too, man.” Nick frowned. “How on earth did you lure a woman home?”

  Michael smiled fully, crossed his muscled arms over his chest, and raised his eyebrows.

  “I guess girls will give pretty boys just about anything.” Nick shrugged.

  That, he’d been right about. He’d seldom been turned down, and he attributed that to his good looks, hard-earned body, and extroverted personality. If his good looks couldn’t win a woman over, his congeniality would. He’d become a genius at flattery. Jah, from a woman’s perspective, he was a fine catch. He’d been told as much nearly every time he was with a woman. He chuckled to himself. They thought he was the perfect catch, but they quickly found out he was only into catch and release. No ball and chain. No strings attached.

  “My breath was fine last night.” He grinned. “I had a mint.”

  “More like a mint julep.” Nick rolled his eyes. “You know, if I were you, I’d rethink my life.”

  And back to the issue at hand. His fingers practically screeched through his oily hair. “Seriously, man. You’re not really firing me, are you?”

  “Yeah. I’m really firing you.” Nick nodded. “Don’t bother putting me as a reference on your next job application. I will tell them the truth.”

  “Which is?” He swallowed, not sure he wanted to hear his boss’s—make that ex-boss’s—evaluation.

  “You’re a decent worker—when you actually show up. I need to get back to work.”

  His gaze followed Nick’s to a vehicle that had just pulled in to the shop. “But I need this job!”

  “Sorry. But I warned you, Mike.”

  “Give me another chance. Please!”
<
br />   “You’re out of chances. I gave you two. It was two too many. I run a mechanic shop, not a daycare. I don’t have time for workers who don’t pull their weight. It makes me look incompetent to my customers, and that’s the last thing a business owner wants. I value other people’s time. You should too. It’s called respect.” Nick turned and walked back to the bay.

  Michael let out a string of obscenities.

  “Like I said.” Nick hollered. “Rethink your life. Don’t come back. Your check will be in the mail.”

  He stomped to his bike and peeled out of the parking lot. He could slam his fist up against a wall right about now. How could life be great and stink at the same time? How on earth was he going to pay rent now?

  TWO

  Michael stared down at the newspaper, combing the Help Wanted ads for anything he might be qualified for. Only two jobs appealed to him and he’d already applied for both. The employers had been eager to meet him at first—his good looks had provided many opportunities over the years—until they studied his job history. Then it was always the same. Why did you only work at such-and-such for a few months? Why did you leave? He’d considered lying on the last answer and saying he wasn’t fired, but the one time he did, they’d called his former employer and received the truth. After that, he’d basically been thrown out on his ear.

  Ach, it seemed he’d been fired as many times as he’d been hired. Dawdi would not be pleased. Amish were known for their work ethic. Apparently, Michael didn’t inherit that gene. He didn’t relish disappointing his grandfather, but he couldn’t help having ants in his pants. And if he couldn’t find work, he’d have to go back home and ask Dawdi for money to pay his rent—something he loathed to even think about.

  Dawdi would give him money, but only after he worked for him. His grandfather was a man of principle and didn’t believe in handouts. Nee, his grossdawdi lived by the motto if a man doesn’t work, a man doesn’t eat. At least he’d be allowed to kumm back and live in Dawdi’s home until he got back on his feet. He’d done it a couple other times within the past five years, so Dawdi would likely be expecting him soon. Unlike the others in the community, Dawdi didn’t shun him—at least not in his own home. Michael had been thankful for that.