The Treasured Book: An Amish Heirloom Novella

By Kathleen Fuller

For the past two years, Shane Broyles has felt God leading him to join the Amish. He is staying with his friends Noah and Ivy Schlabach in Birch Creek, OH, where he is reunited with Lucy Fisher, an old friend of Noah’s family. Shane and Lucy have never revealed their feelings for each other, but when they stumble upon an antique Bible at a flea market, they feel drawn to each other and to the mystery of the contents found within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Apr 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9780310352013

Kathleen Fuller

With over two million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the USA TODAY bestselling author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com; Instagram: @kf_booksandhooks; Facebook: @WriterKathleenFuller; X: @TheKatJam.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Lucy Fisher had never been so drenched in her entire life. Still, she managed a smile as her bus drove away. She pressed her hand against her chest, a small plastic bag enclosed in her fist. She’d left it in her seat, almost losing its contents forever. Thank you, Lord, she whispered, barely noticing the water dripping from the strings of her white kapp, grateful she’d been able to retrieve the bag before the bus disappeared.

As she stood beneath the station’s awning, her heartbeat slowed. It will be okay. Everything will be okay.

She set down her travel case on the only strip of dry pavement and slipped the plastic bag into her purse. She was so tired from traveling throughout the night. No wonder she’d almost left it behind.

Lucy?

She froze, recognizing the voice instantly. Surprised and confused, she turned to see Shane Broyles standing near the bus terminal’s entrance, holding a navy-blue umbrella over his head. As he walked toward her, her mouth dropped open. He was the last person she’d expected to see anywhere near Birch Creek. Shane?

He frowned and closed his umbrella as he joined her under the awning, shaking out the excess water. You’re soaked. How long were you out in the rain?

She clutched her purse and glanced down at her plum-colored dress, now a dark purple from the rain. Water dripped from the hem and sloshed in her black shoes, and she didn’t need a mirror to know her kapp was drooping. But when she thought again about what she’d nearly lost, she knew getting soaked was worth it. Not long. She decided not to mention chasing after the bus.

Suddenly she was caught up in Shane’s one-armed hug. She gasped, not expecting to be greeted in such a personal way. But she wasn’t about to complain. She smiled, his nearness warming her through.

Where’s your umbrella? he said, his mouth close to her ear. Isn’t it your motto to always be prepared?

I thought that was the Boy Scouts’ motto.

He chuckled as he set her away from him. I recall telling you you’d make a good scout.

Not that good of one, considering I left my umbrella at home. Then she saw the dark stain on the front of his red shirt. Sorry. I got you wet.

He shrugged. Doesn’t bother me.

What are you doing in Ohio? The rain beat a steady cadence on the metal above them.

He smiled, his straight teeth gleaming through his dark-brown, trim beard and mustache. During the six months she’d worked with Shane back home in Iowa, first meeting him a year and a half ago, he’d had the same look. He spread out his free hand and gestured to the parking lot. We’ll get to that. Meanwhile, your chariot awaits.

"You’re taking me to Cevilla Schlabach’s?"

He leaned forward a little. Yes, ma’am. He looked her over again. I think I have a towel in the backseat of my car. He popped open the umbrella, and then he turned and rested his hand lightly on the small of her back. Let’s get you out of this cold rain.

A steady rain shower in the middle of June didn’t exactly qualify as cold, even though the air was a little cool for summer. And she knew Shane was touching her only out of chivalry, despite her wishing he had another reason. But knowing all that didn’t stop a slight shiver from traveling down her spine. She couldn’t believe she was this close to him. She’d thought she’d never see him again.

Wait. He dropped his hand and held out the umbrella. Hold this. When she took it, he slipped off his jean jacket and put it over her shoulders. Better? he asked, taking back the umbrella.

Much better. At around five feet ten, Shane was taller and broader than she was, and his jacket nearly engulfed her. But as she felt the warmth of the denim fabric and breathed in the fresh scent of soap, she smiled. If nothing else good happened during her stay in Birch Creek, at least she’d had the chance to wear Shane Broyles’s jacket. And since this was the closest she’d ever be to him again, doubting there’d be another hug or reason to keep her warm, she’d take it.

They walked briskly to a silver car with New York license plates, and she immediately assumed this was the vehicle he mentioned in Iowa. He had used a rental car there, but he seemed to miss his own—a Mercedes, she thought he’d called it.

Shane handed her the umbrella and opened the back passenger-side door, put her travel case inside, and pulled out a beach towel. It’s clean, he said, handing it to her before opening the passenger door in the front.

Thanks.

When she was safely inside the car, he took the umbrella and ran to get into the driver’s side. A crack of thunder sounded as he slammed the car door behind him, and the rain suddenly increased. It’s supposed to be like this all day, he said, running one hand through his wet hair.

Lucy let out a little sigh. He was so handsome, even if his hair was too short, in her opinion. She preferred the long hair Amish men wore. Still, Shane’s hair didn’t distract from his good looks. She was sure her face was red, and she dabbed at her wet face with the towel as Shane started the engine. When she began removing his jacket to give it back to him, he shook his head.

Hang on to it. I’m going to have the air-conditioning on a little, and I don’t want you to get cold. He put his right arm over the back of her seat as he backed out of the parking spot.

Lucy spread the beach towel over her lap. Although she was typically quiet, and sometimes downright shy, Shane had always made her feel comfortable. She leaned back in the seat and looked at him. Now, what are you doing in Birch Creek? You must know Cevilla somehow.

I’m visiting her nephew, Noah. We’ve been friends for several years. At her questioning look he added, Before we get into all that, I guess I have some explaining to do about the house in Iowa.

She shook her head. You don’t owe me an explanation.

I do. He rolled his palm back and forth on the steering wheel. I should have told you I was selling it. You and your dad were just as much a part of renovating that old house as I was. I was determined to do most of the work myself, but let’s face it. If it wasn’t for you two, I would still be trying to figure out which end of a hammer to use.

You weren’t that bad. And you paid us well.

And you, as usual, are too kind. He flipped on the turn signal.

She glanced out the window, remembering the day she saw the unexpected For Sale sign next door. She’d been confused, but also hurt and, yes, a little bit angry. But those feelings had disappeared