Their Pretend Amish Courtship

by Patricia Davids

Noah covered Fannie’s hand. “Are you sure you are well enough to do this?”

  She gazed into his eyes. “As long as I have someone by my side to steady me, I will be fine.”

  He smiled. “Can I volunteer for the job?”

  “I was hoping you would.” Her heart was beating so hard that she was amazed he couldn’t heart it.

  “I want to spend a lifetime by your side, Fannie. You believe that, don’t you?”

  “I do. I love you will all my heart and soul, Noah Bowman.”

  His closed his eyes for a long second, as though savoring her words. Finally, he gazed at her tenderly. “Will you marry me?”

  “Gladly. Oh, so gladly. Gott has chosen us for one another.”

  “If we weren’t in front of so many people I would kiss you, Fannie Erb.”

  “Well, stop dawdling and get in so we can finish the program and find someplace more private.”

  He laughed as he went around and climbed in beside her. “That, my love, is your best idea to date.”

  * * *

  Noah pulled his buggy to a stop in front of Fannie’s house one month after her accident. Before he could get down, she was already out the door. She still moved stiffly in her back brace, but she wasn’t letting it slow her any.

  “You’re late,” she called out.

  “You’re rude,” he snapped back, trying to stifle a grin.

  “Just making sure you don’t think I’ve mellowed.”

  “No chance of that, karotte oben.”

  She climbed in gingerly beside him. “You know I hate that name.”

  “That’s why I use it.”

  She smiled and lifted her face for his kiss. He eagerly complied as she slipped her arms around his neck.

  Kissing Fannie would never get old. The wedding couldn’t come soon enough. They would finish their baptismal classes in another month and take their vows of faith soon after. The wedding would be the second Thursday in November. Not nearly soon enough.

  Finally, he drew back. “You are making us even later.”

  “You’ve got a fast horse. You can make up the time.” She pulled him down for another quick kiss, then straightened in her seat and made shooing motions with her hands. “What are you waiting for? Get a move on.”

  “You drive me crazy, woman.”

  “And you love it.” She winked at him.

  He flicked the reins. “What did I do to deserve this?”

  She linked her arm through his. “You came to my rescue like a knight of old.”

  “Timothy would say that’s proof you weren’t paying attention in history class. There weren’t any Amish knights.”

  Laying her head on his shoulder, she sighed. “But there were many brave Amish heroes, and I have one of my very own.”

  He headed Willy toward Connie’s farm. “We aren’t married yet. I could change my mind and court Margret Stolfus.”

  “You won’t.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  “She married Hiram yesterday. Didn’t you hear?”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “Nope.”

  “That was one rushed wedding.”

  “I’m sure Hiram didn’t want another fiancée to change her mind.”

  “How is your sister?”

  “Happy as a clam at the seashore. All she can talk about in her letters is the wonderful Mennonite fellow she met at the beach. She wrote that she tried to stop seeing him as our parents asked, but her heart overruled her head. I expect they will marry soon.”

  “How do your parents feel about that?”

  “She hasn’t been baptized. They aren’t thrilled that she won’t be Amish, but an Old Order Mennonite is close enough. Apparently, the Amish community down there is more open. My grandparents both like him, so that helps. Betsy wants us to come visit them on our wedding trip.”

  “I had planned to take you to see your grandparents, but we are not taking Trinket with us and that is final.”

  “As you wish.”

  “Come again? Are you sick?”

  “I’m simply agreeing with you.”

  “That’s what worries me.” He eyed her with concern.

  “Have you heard from Walter?”

  “Another happy clam. He’s been signed to a minor-league team, but I know he’ll be called up to the majors before too long.”

  “At least a few good things came out of our deception.”

  “Our one and only deception. From now on, we are walking a straight path together.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  He turned into Connie’s lane. A horse trailer and pickup were sitting next to the barn. Zoe was waiting beside the truck cab. She dashed toward them. “I thought you would never get here.”

  Connie came around from the back of the trailer. “Calm down, Zoe. We have plenty of time. Help Noah stable his horse and then get your gear.”

  Zoe rolled her eyes. “It’s been in the truck since I got up this morning, Mom.”

  As she and Noah led Willy away, Connie gave Fannie a gentle hug. “How are you?”

  “Getting better every day. How are you?”

  “Better than I’ve been in a long time. I sold three horses this week and two the week before. The two last week went to a therapy program run by a very nice, very cute single man who has asked me out. Oh, and I finally fired George. I hired a new guy full-time to run things while Zoe and I are on the road.”

  “Oh, Connie, I’m so happy for you.”

  “Aren’t you going to ask me who the new guy is?”

  “Do I know him?”

  “Quite well,” Noah said, grinning like the cat that ate the canary.

  “You?” Fannie stared at him in stunned shock. “What about your family’s business? The farm?”

  “With my cousins moving here permanently, there is plenty of help in the woodshop and on the farm. Besides, I’ll only be two miles away if they need me. I’ve found I have a passion for Haflinger horses and a crazy woman who can tame a horse by turning in circles. As my wife, you will have to help me with my work. I expect there will be many times when we must ride together to exercise the horses. Perhaps we can even convince the bishop that horseback riding isn’t worldly but a goot plain way to enjoy a family outing. You might want to think about where we should build our house.”

  Fannie leaned forward and kissed him. “I will.”

  Connie cleared her throat. “Our participation in the show impressed a number of people. Zoe tells me the video went viral, which I assume is good although it sounds horrible. I’ve been getting calls all week. Six more families have enrolled their kids in my riding classes, so you will be busy when you get out of that brace. I have you to thank for lifting some of the weight from my shoulders.”

  “I’m happy it turned out well for you.”

  “It didn’t turn out too badly for you, either. He’s a good man. You two will do well in harness together.”

  Zoe came running out of the barn. She opened the cab of the truck. “Let’s go. I can’t be late for my first paying gig. I’m so glad you are coming to watch me, Fannie. And you, too, Noah. I’m going to be awesome.”

  She leaned over to whisper to Fannie. “I’m trying to convince Mom to make us a mother-daughter act, but she’s dragging her feet.”

  Connie shook her head. “I have created a monster. She’s determined to become the best trick rider in the world and the halftime show at the Carlson rodeo will be her jumping-off point, if we get her there on time.”

  Noah opened the back door of the cab. “A very large goal for a small girl.”

  “One that I’m sure she will accomplish with Gott’s help,” Fannie said.

  Connie’s smile faded. “I can�
�t begin to thank the two of you for all you have done for us.” She walked quickly to the driver’s side of the truck and got in.

  “Who would have thought our pretend courtship could open so many doors?” Fannie said softly.

  Noah laid his hand on Fannie’s cheek. “Do you know the most amazing thing about it?”

  She shook her head.

  He stroked her lips with his thumb. “It wasn’t a pretend courtship at all. The Lord does move in mysterious ways.”

  “I love you, Noah Bowman.”

  “I love you, karotte oben.”

  “And I hope all your kids are redheads,” Zoe said with a giggle before her mother shushed her.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed

  THEIR PRETEND AMISH COURTSHIP,

  look for the other books in the

  AMISH BACHELORS series:

  AN AMISH HARVEST

  AN AMISH NOEL

  HIS AMISH TEACHER

  Keep reading for an excerpt from LONE STAR BACHELOR by Linda Goodnight.

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  Dear Reader,

  Fannie and Noah have become my most favorite characters to date. And after thirty books, that’s a lot of characters. This young couple are not the most mature people, but they both have good hearts. Their dedication to their friends is what drew me to them the most.

  Fannie’s temper is something I can identify with, for I raised a hothead, too, although she wasn’t a redhead. My poor daughter had many mouth-before-brain moments. Fortunately, she grew out of that temper and is now as easygoing as I am. Almost.

  Fannie and Noah were at the opposite ends of their faith journey. Noah believed wholeheartedly that God would show him the path to take. In his unwavering belief, he forgot that the Lord gave us free will. We have a say in our fates. We make the choices that change our lives.

  Fannie was at the other extreme. She believed, but her faith was shallow. She thought she could make life happen as she wanted because she wanted it. She forgot that nothing is possible without God’s help. Nothing. Knowing God and not asking for His help is like owning a cell phone and not using it to call 911 when you’re in a car wreck. Prayer is a tool. Use it.

  I hope you enjoyed their story and I want to let you know my next book, Amish Christmas Twins, will be out in time for... You guessed it... Christmas.

  Blessings to you and yours,

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

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  Lone Star Bachelor

  by Linda Goodnight

  Chapter One

  It was now or never. Walk up to that door and knock or drive back to the office and give the case to someone else.

  From behind the wheel of her plain white Chevy Cruze, Jade Warren eyed the housing complex next to the smooth green golf course of Gabriel’s Crossing, Texas. She wasn’t a bit surprised that Sawyer Buchanon lived in such a nice place. His family’s construction company had likely built the buff brick townhomes, something she would know if she’d done her computer homework. But the impulse to immediately drive to the river town and face the dragon had overshadowed her usual rigid work ethic.

  Do the job. Do it right. Don’t get involved.

  Which was exactly why she shouldn’t have accepted this assignment.

  She was involved. She’d been involved for years. Being here, accepting this investigation, made her a traitor.

  But frankly she was tired of chasing absconding debtors and deadbeat exes. She wanted a case with meat on the bones, something she could sink her investigating teeth into.

  Most of all, she was curious about her family nemeses, the dreaded Buchanons.

  To hear her daddy tell it, the Buchanons breathed fire and plotted the demise of anyone they didn’t like. And they always won. She’d grown up despising a group of people she’d never met.

  Until today.

  A pretty redhead exited the front door of number 4, Sawyer Buchanon’s home. Figures. Very little investigative skill was required to learn Sawyer liked women and they liked him back. His social media was loaded with messages and photos from beautiful females.

  The shapely, jean-clad redhead hopped into the cab of a bloodred F-150 pickup complete with a big white toolbox across the back.

  Jade waited until the woman pulled away, the truck’s mufflers rumbling, before leaving her nondescript car to walk across the lush, manicured grass, up the clean-swept sidewalk past recently groomed boxwood to ring the doorbell.

  Before she had time to put on her game face, Sawyer Buchanon, in gray athletic pants and white T-shirt, opened the door.

  Jade thought she had prepared for this moment. She’d seen his photos. She knew he was very handsome and was determined not to react, not to become distracted from the case, or worse, become an idiot female and simper.

  She swallowed and breathed slowly through her nose in a concerted effort to keep her expression cool and passive.

  Photos didn’t do the man justice. Messy midlength hair, vivid blue eyes and a morning scruff as black as his hair.

  Every female cell in her body reacted. She held the reaction inside, tightening her mouth to a determined thin line.

  Sawyer flashed a movie star smile, a little crooked and a lot breathtaking.

  Jade clamped her back teeth against her cheek until pain shot from the roof of her mouth to the top of her head.

  There. Better. He wasn’t that good looking.

  “Did you forget somethi—Oh, I thought you were Clare.” He poked his head around the door and looked toward the driveway. “She just left.”

  Right. The redhead.

  Jade stuck out a hand, her words intentionally crisp. “I’m Jade Warren, Paris Investigations. Is this a good time for us to talk?”

  His smile faltered, replaced by a look of bewilderment. “You’re the private investigator my father hired?”

  “Yes. Is there a problem?” She braced for it.

  “Does my dad know you’re...?”

  Her hackles rose. “A woman?”

  “I was going to say pretty.” He flashed the smile again, eyes alight with mischief, and stepped to one side. “Come in. I was about to have a Coke. Want one?”

  She shook her head. “Too early in the morning.”

  “That’s what I’ve been told.” He led the way into the living room. The interior surprised her somewhat. Given his reputation, she’d expected a bachelor’s lair but was met with clean, simple lines in tones of gray and white with splashes of
maroon. Masculine. Tasteful. Jade settled on the dove-gray sofa. Directly in front of it was a big-screen television mounted above a small tiled fireplace.

  While Sawyer disappeared around a wall for his caffeine, she took out a notebook and jotted a few lines.

  He popped back into the room. “I have coffee.”

  “I’m good, thank you.”

  He held up a single-serving coffee pod. “K-cups. Only take a minute. Would you rather have hot chocolate? Cider?” He turned the packet up close to his eyes and pretended to squint. “Caramel vanilla cream?”

  She loved caramel vanilla cream. So, apparently, did his legion of girlfriends. Probably including the shapely redhead.

  With a soft hum, she scribbled player on her pad. Now he was showing his true colors. “Do you stock every flavor?”

  “Never know when you’ll need them.” He grinned. “I aim to please.”

  Jade didn’t roll her eyes but she came close. Give it a rest, Romeo. I know your kind. I even have the scars to prove it.

  “How nice.” She didn’t smile. “I’d prefer to get down to business if you don’t mind.”

  “Okay.” Coke can in hand, he stood in the doorway between the living room and whatever was behind the wall. Kitchen, apparently. “Shoot.”

  She wished he would sit down. From her place on the couch she had to look up and it made her feel inferior. At a disadvantage. He was a good six feet tall but not particularly broad. Just fit and lean with the right amount of shoulders. Strong and muscular as she’d expect of a man who made his living with a hammer and his hands.

  Not that she noticed shoulders. She’d never known any worth leaning on.

  Nor did she allow herself to be intimidated. Maintaining a businesslike tone, she held his gaze and absolutely refused to blink first.

  “I’m here to investigate the vandalism plaguing Buchanon Built Construction projects. Your father shared some background with my boss and I have the police reports, but I’ll need you to fill me in on details from your perspective.”

  “You’d do better to discuss this with Brady. He’s the site manager and COO of Buchanon Built.” A pair of eyebrows, as black as sin’s underbelly, twitched with a hint of amusement. “But he’s in Italy on his honeymoon. Lucky duck.”