Amish Reborn

By Monica Marks

Laura is at a crossroads. The man she loves, Abraham, has went away to the Englisch world and doesn't appear to be coming back. Compounding things, her family farm begins to falter and she decides to take a job in the outside world to help make ends meet. She finds work in a cafe where she meets Jack...Laura finds Jack to be an Englischer with a good heart. He has lost in wife and sees a lot of her qualities in Laura. But can they become more than friends despite their religious and cultural differences? Is this Gott's plan for both Laura and Jack?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jul 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201934330

Book preview

AMISH REBORN

MONICA MARKS

table of contents

AMISH REBORN

MADISON

TWO AMISH SISTERS

AMISH SUNDAY

THE AMISH GIRL & THE ENGLISCHER

THE AMISH TREASURE

LOVE ON THE OUTSIDE

AMISH BEAUTIFUL

THE BEAUTIFUL CHOICE

You hold her, Elizabeth laughed, thrusting the baby toward him. I need to eat!

My pleasure, Jack replied, reaching for the cooing infant. Her huge blue eyes seemed wider than her face but somehow that only made her sweeter to stare at.

She looks like a perfect combination of Liz and me, Jack thought, his veins filled with love for both the girls in his life.

My, you are so aptly named. Faith. I can see it all in your face, my baby girl. Sweet, darling Faith, he cooed. I love you so much, so so much.

He caught a glimpse of his wife in his peripheral vision and the smile seemed to freeze on her lips as she watched father and daughter interact.

What is it, honey? Jack asked, his brow knit in confusion. Is something wrong?

No, nothing, Liz said quickly and reached for her fork. Faith gurgled and Jack couldn’t help but return her contagious beam.

You’re going to be a beauty, just like your mommy, aren’t you, sweetheart? We’re going to have to beat the boys away with a stick.

Around them, the sounds of the other diners seemed to float away and Jack studied his child’s precious face as if to memorize her features.

Her perfect, chubby cheeks, those puckered little lips, all ten fingers—

My God, Jack! Give it a rest!

He looked up at Liz, a familiar thud commencing in his chest. Her smile had completely faded into a scowl of anger. He knew what was coming.

What? he demanded and swallowed the lump which grew in his throat. What’s wrong?

You’re acting disgusting gaping at a baby like that. Just give it a rest! I’m trying to eat!

With that, she smashed her fork to the plate and folded her arms across her chest furiously.

A sick sensation filled his stomach and he wondered, not for the first time, what was wrong with his wife.

How can she be jealous of a tiny baby? Our baby? He thought with worry and anger. Who thinks like that?

More coffee, Jack? Brenda stood over him and he started at the sound of the waitress’ voice. He had almost forgotten where he was, despite his reverie taking place in precisely the same restaurant.

Yeah, he muttered and turned back to stare out the window at the town passing by. The liquid sloshed into his cup and Brenda turned away as a new table walked inside the Beach Café.

Why do I keep coming back here? There’s nothing but haunting memories.

But he realized that was precisely the reason why—it kept him close to Faith...and Elizabeth.

The bell above the door chimed but Jack was far too consumed with his own thoughts to notice anything but watch Goshen pass by as if he did not exist.

Maybe I don’t exist, he thought and inexplicably, the notion filled him with happiness. Maybe I’m dead too.

~ ~ ~

A horrific cough startled Laura from bed. Her heart hammered in her chest as she listened. For a moment, no other sounds ensued, the light of dawn outside not quite breaking through the horizon. It was not time to wake and she would not have but for the sickening hack she had just heard.

Slowly, she lay her head back onto the pillow and closed her lids, her blue eyes burning from exhaustion. Tendrils of honey-brown hair touched her forehead and for a blissful moment, she almost fell back into the arms of sleep. Yet the euphoria was short lived and suddenly the coughing began again.

"Mammi? she called, her voice hoarse with sleep. Mammi, are you all right?"

The coughing slowed and Laura pulled her body out of bed, willing her legs to work.

"Mammi?"

I am well, Laura.

The words were barely audible but she heard them as she padded into the hallway and pushed her way into the bedroom her parents had once shared, not long before.

"Go back to sleep, liebling. My throat is just dry," Ruby insisted but Laura was not fooled. She hurried toward Ruby’s bedside and peered into her mother’s face. As she expected, Ruby’s face was pale.

"Come along, Mammi. We are going to the hospital."

"Nee! Ruby protested, waving her hand dismissively. It is only a dry—"

She did not have an opportunity to finish her fib as she was seized by another round of coughing.

Tears of frustration and concern filled her eyes.

"Mammi, Laura begged. You are growing weaker every day. You cannot continue like this. Please, allow me to call on Matthew at the very least."

As the hacking subsided, Ruby stared up at her only child with rheumy eyes. She seemed to sense the rising panic in her daughter’s face.

All right, Laura. Do not fret. You may call on Matthew to look at me but I assure you, there is nothing to worry about.

Laura released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and nodded curtly.

Now, go back to sleep. You have an hour yet before you need to wake.

Laura turned but she knew there was no possibility of such a thing. Her mind was awake, despite her exhaustion. She had too much to entertain her thoughts.

None of my thoughts are entertaining, however.

She almost tripped on the cat as she made her way down the stairs. They were in dire need of repair and had since before her father had passed.

Abraham promised to fix them, she remembered, trying not to let bitterness touch her heart, but it was difficult given his prolonged departure from the district. He made many promises he did not keep.

Inside the kucke, she lit a lamp and busied herself making kaffi. The cat mewled at her and Laura saw his dish was empty but when she checked for his food in the cupboard, there was none.

She cringed slightly, turning to the cat apologetically.

You will have to wait until I return tonight, she told him softly and he mewled again in protest. The cat was just one more expense she they could not afford. Laura did not need to look in their hiding spot to count the remains of their money. She had known for a week they had barely enough to survive.

It hadn’t always been so complicated, of course. When her father was still alive and Abraham had not gone to work among the Englisch, before Ruby got sick and Laura was left to tend the farm alone, life had been secure.

Happy maybe?

It was difficult to recall, even though it had only been months but all seemed to have gone from bad to worse when Abraham left to find work in South Bend.

It will be good to invest in our future, he told her before leaving, despite her protests. We will have a nest egg put away for tough times.

What tough times? she demanded. "We have my familye farm, your carpentry work. We are hardly in a place of suffering."

The money is much better in the city! he insisted. We will be more stable when I return in a few weeks!

And we will still announce our engagement in the autumn? Laura asked hopefully.

"Ja, of course."

Perhaps she had known then that he had no intention of returning. Laura remembered how heavy her heart had been when she waved at him from the rickety steps of the front porch.

When he father, David unexpectedly died three weeks later, Laura had been certain Abraham would have gotten word somehow and returned to her but he did not.

It was clear her boyfriend had made a life in South Bend, one which did not include her.

Abraham has made his choice, she thought with renewed determination. I cannot allow myself to wallow in self-pity when Mammi is sick and our farm is failing.

There were supplies to be bought but no money coming in. Laura needed a secondary job, one where she was guaranteed income. Only then could they rebuild the farm.

She poured the coffee into cups but left them both on the table, unsure of whether to bring one to her mother. If Ruby had fallen back into sleep, there was no need to wake her.

I pray that whatever has kept her in bed these past weeks in nothing more serious than a virus.

Yet Laura thought of the misfortunes already bestowed upon her familye and she did not have high hopes for a good prognosis.

She pushed the kaffi aside and rose, her nightdress swirling around her calves. There was no time for reflection. She had work to do.

~ ~ ~

Of course. I will reschedule your meeting. Thank you, Mr. Carter.

Jack heard his secretary speak the words but they didn’t register until after she hung up the phone.

I’ve rescheduled your showing with Brad Carter for tomorrow, Ruth explained but Jack stared blankly at the computer screen, unresponsively. There was a picture of Elizabeth and Faith, not long after the baby was born. It was Jack’s favorite. Liz looked so happy, captivated by their daughter’s puckered, red face.

I remember that day, Jack thought miserably. Liz and I got into a huge fight that night after the baby was asleep. She accused me of talking to Ruth on the phone for too long. I should have known then, I should have foreseen—

Jack?

Ruth’s voice gently filtered into his subconscious and he pulled his eyes reluctantly away from the photo to look at her.

What?

I rescheduled your showing of the Main Street property for tomorrow.

He eyed her, a thousand angry words vying to spring from his lips but he forced them down.

How can she expect me to work? How can anyone expect me to do anything?

He nodded curtly but Ruth knew him well enough to know that he was only buying time. For weeks he had been brushing off clients, losing deals to other realtors in the area. Once upon a time, Jack Hamilton had been the most sought after real estate agent in their part of Indiana.

Oh, how things have changed.

Jack, you need to talk to someone, Ruth told him quietly as she perched on a chair facing him. You are going to drive yourself crazy like this.

Thanks, Dr. Phil, he snapped. To her credit, Ruth didn’t balk at his words. She had been there all along and faced the downward spiral he seemed to descend into more with each passing day.

I’m your friend, she reminded him. And I’m very worried about you. You aren’t eating, you aren’t sleeping—

Jack had heard enough.

I’m on my way to get something to eat right now, he interrupted. See you later.

He bolted from his chair as if he was on fire and headed out the door to the stairwell. He didn’t need unsolicited advice. He needed his wife and daughter back from the dead.

It was a five minute walk to the Beach Café but each step he took seemed to be leaded with weight.

I am exhausted, he realized as he tried to recall the last time he had slept more than half an hour at a time. Every time he closed his eyes at night, he thought he heard the sound of a baby’s wail and it stirred him awake.

Of course, it was all in his imagination.

Oh!

He stopped to avoid a collision as a young, Amish woman froze before him. Their faces were inches apart and Jack was taken aback by the loveliness of the girl before him. Perhaps it was the unexpectedness of her appearance outside the café or the fact that he’d never observed and Amish person so closely before.

Her vivid blue eyes were wide and slightly red-rimmed, causing Jack to think she had either been crying or was just as tired as he felt. She donned a simple dress of blue, her fine, burnt-honey hair tucked into two long braids, a prayer bonnet of white crowning her head.

White prayer bonnets mean she isn’t married.

He was instantly ashamed by the thought. What difference did it make to him if she was married or single? But for whatever reason, he found himself tongue-tied as they gaped at one another like they had never seen other people before. It was Jack who broke the silent, darting his eyes downward.

Excuse me, he said gruffly and reached for the door. She didn’t respond but shifted her own eyes downward. He realized she was entering the establishment also and held the door for her.

"Danke," she mumbled but didn’t look at his face. She slid by and headed toward the counter where Brenda was serving coffee.

Morning, Jack! The waitress called and he nodded. Inexplicably, he couldn’t stop looking at the timid Amish girl who stood nervously as she waited for Brenda to acknowledge her.

Need a menu, darlin’? Brenda asked, sidestepping the girl as if she wasn’t there.

I think she was here first, he remarked and pointed at the girl. Brenda blinked, glancing back at the girl as if she hadn’t even noticed her.

Oh. Hello, hon. What can I get for you?

The braided head turned and she shot Jack a grateful but terrified look.

I-I was wondering if you were looking for employees, she murmured. Brenda’s face matched Jack’s feeling of surprise and they exchanged a look before turning back to the girl.

You’re looking for a job? Brenda echoed. Do you have any experience serving?

Her face paled and she shook her head, lowering her eyes as if in shame.

I learn very quickly, she explained. I tend to my family’s farm in our district and I know much about cooking and cleaning.

She seems friendly, Jack offered and Brenda scowled at him. He could see he was looking for a way to let her down gently.

I don’t know, hon. What’s your name?

Laura. Laura Byler. I can give you the name of the bishop. I can have him visit you personally if you prefer. He will tell you I am hardworking.

There was a note of desperation creeping into her voice and Jack felt bad for her. He wondered how many other places she’d been that morning, looking for work.

He didn’t claim to know a great deal about the Amish but living in Goshen, it was hard to miss the culture under his nose. He had always thought that they took care of each other. For her to be almost begging for a job...

She must be in a tough situation.

It can’t hurt to give her a shot, Brenda, Jack heard himself say. Brenda gave him a look, urging him to shut up but he couldn’t help himself. There was something so vulnerable and pure about her. Sending her away when she was obviously in need of the work seemed cruel to him.

He considered offering her a job at his office but he knew how absurd it would be, bringing a girl with no knowledge of technology or real estate into his place of business. Moreover, he wasn’t sure he could afford it, not the way he was losing clients. Still, if it meant turning her back onto the street...

Please, Laura begged, her tone barely above a whisper. I will do anything—wash dishes, clean toilets...

Brenda sighed heavily and Jack knew she had relented.

You can work the counter, she agreed, casting him a worried look. But it’s a trial, Laura. If things don’t go well—

I will not disappoint you, ma’am, Laura interjected, her face relaxing into an expression of relief. When may I start?

Why don’t you start by calling me Brenda and not ma’am ever again, all right?

Yes, ma-Brenda, she agreed, bobbing her head but Jack saw her steal a glance at him through her peripheral vision.

Come back tomorrow morning. Seven o’clock. Is that going to be a problem? Brenda continued.  Laura chuckled and shook her head.

"Nee. I am up at dawn to tend to the cows and chickens. I will simply start earlier."

You work your farm alone? Where is your family? Jack asked. He knew he had no right to pry into the personal life of this woman but he couldn’t deny there was an underlying connection between them.

Or maybe he was just imagining things in his off-centered mind.

The question clearly bothered Laura and she paused, her face paling slightly.

"My vedder recently passed, she breathed. My midder..."

She trailed off, not wanting to finish her thought and Brenda tactfully cleared her throat.

I have to get back to work, she said, eyeing Jack meaningfully. I’ll get you some coffee. Nothing to eat?

Suddenly, Jack realized his stomach was growling.

When was the last time I had anything to eat?

The answer made him weak. He couldn’t recall when he had put anything but coffee to his lips.

No wonder I feel like I’m a walking brick. I’m starving to death.

Get me a club sandwich and fries, he replied and Brenda nodded, a look of relief touching her face. It had been a long while since Jack had ordered a meal at the diner.  As Brenda walked away, Jack turned his attention back to Laura but to his chagrin, she had already disappeared out the door.

He looked up and down the sidewalk but there was no trace of the mysterious brunette.

That’s okay, he reminded himself. You know where she works now.

Abruptly, the soft smile slipped off his face and shame flooded him like a tidal wave.

What are you grinning about? You just lost your wife and daughter!

~ ~ ~

Matthew was at the house when Laura returned, a grave look in his eyes. He held his medical bag in his hand.

What is it? Laura asked as she hurried up the steps. What happened?

Ruby needs a hospital, Laura but she is being stubborn. Her lungs do not sound good.

Laura exhaled, the bit of elation she had gleaned from receiving the job evaporating instantly.

Are you certain? she asked but she knew Matthew would not have said so if he was not sure. In her heart, Laura had