Amish Brides
of Willow Creek
Books One-Four
BOXED SET
Samantha Jillian Bayarr
© 2014 by Samantha Jillian Bayarr
Cover/internal design © 2014 Livingston Hall Publishers, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form either written, photocopying, or electronically without the express permission of the author or publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and are therefore used fictitiously. Any similarity or resemblance to actual persons; living or dead, places or events is purely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or publisher.
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*All scripture references in this book used from New International Version of the Bible
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Other Titles by Samantha Bayarr
Jacob's Daughter Amish Series
Jacob's Daughter
Amish Winter Wonderland
Under the Mulberry Tree
Amish Winter of Promises
Chasing Fireflies
Amish Summer of Courage
Under the Harvest Moon
Amish Brides of Willow Creek Series
Amish Brides of Willow Creek: Sibling Rivalry: Book One
Amish Brides of Willow Creek: Second Chances: Book Two
Amish Brides of Willow Creek: Sweet Nothings: Book Three
Amish Brides of Willow Creek: Snowflake Bride: Christmas Edition
Amish Brides of Willow Creek: Songbird Melody: Book Five
Amish Brides of Willow Creek: Sophie’s Honor: Book Six
Amish Brides of Willow Creek: Sugar & Spice: Book Seven
Amish Collections
An Amish Christmas Wish
Amish White Christmas
An Amish Courtship: Complete Series
Amish Harvest: Complete Series
Amish Love Letters
LWF Amish Series
Little Wild Flower: Book One
Little Wild Flower: Book Two
The Taming of a Wild Flower: Book Three
Little Wild Flower in Bloom
Little Wild Flower's Journey
The Quilter’s Son series
The Quilter's Son: Book One: Liam's Choice
The Quilter's Son: Book Two: Lydia's Heart
The Quilter's Son: Book Three: Nathan's Apprentice
The Quilter’s Son: Book Four: Maddie’s Quilt
The Quilter’s Son: Book Five: Nellie’s Legacy
The Quilter’s Son: Book Six: Ethan’s Pride
Christian Romance
Milk Maid in Heaven
The Anniversary
A Sheriff's Legacy: Book One (Historical)
Preacher Outlaw: Book Two (Historical)
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Amish Brides
of Willow Creek
Book One: Sibling Rivalry
Amish Brides of Willow Creek
Series
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
Sibling Rivalry
CHAPTER 1
“Is he dead?”
Levinia Miller set her gaze in the direction of Willow Creek where her sister pointed to the Englischer who lay face-down on the muddy embankment. The gentle current of the creek washed over his feet as they hung over the edge, forcing them to sway. If not for the length of his body anchored safely ashore, he’d have likely drifted down to the next county. The very possibility of the man lying there dead made Levinia tremble with an unnatural fear. A fear that only comes from witnessing death first-hand.
She stiffened her upper lip and narrowed her brow with defiance. “There’s only one way to find out!”
Bethany shook her head furiously. “You won’t get me to go over there to look. I ain’t touching a dead body.”
Levinia knew all too well the feel of a dead body as the life drained from it, but she pushed back the memory.
“No one said anything about touching him, you chicken! If he’s dead, we’ll run back to the barn and call the law. They can come take care of him.”
If their father was here, he’d most likely tell his daughters to stay back and let the law handle it, but Levinia felt a sort of morbid curiosity that had suddenly taken charge of her.
She had to know if the man was dead.
Levinia swallowed back fear as she grabbed hold of the willow branches that hung over the embankment, using them to leverage herself to avoid slipping in the mud. Recent rains had raised the level of the creek enough to soak the grassy area along the bank to where each step she took caused her to sink. Rich, black soil stuck to the bottoms of her black, lace-up shoes and splattered the hem of her dress. Laboriously lifting each foot against the slight suction of the mud made for a long walk of the short distance between her and the Englischer.
“Wait!” Bethany called.
Levinia stopped abruptly, whipped her head back toward her sister, heart pounding. “Don’t scare me like that. You made me think there was a snake or something coming after me!”
Bethany rolled her eyes. “What if he’s dangerous?”
Looking back at the Englischer, who was now only a few feet from her—still face-down in the mud, Levinia shook her head. “How dangerous can he be like that?
“He could be faking! What if he’s faking?”
Levinia stared at the lifeless man. “Why would he be faking?”
“So he can attack or kill whoever finds him!”
“That’s narrish. If he wanted to do that, he would probably hide behind a tree instead of pushing his face in the mud, wouldn’t you think? He looks hurt. And who knows how long he’s been lying there. He could be dead!”
Bethany rolled her eyes again. “I doubt it. We’d probably be able to smell him by now. Besides, I don’t see any buzzards pecking at him!”
“That’s horrible!”
“Maybe. But it’s the truth!”
Levinia sighed impatiently and continued on the muddy path toward the stranger. The gurgle of the rushing creek muffled most of the sound this close to the water, and Levinia wondered if anyone would be able to hear her if she should need to scream for help. The closer she came to the man, the faster her heart hammered against her ribs. With her sister’s words rattling her confidence and her past history with death so close to her, she approached him warily.
The late afternoon sun warmed her back, sendi
ng a bead of sweat trickling down the bodice of her dress. If not for the breeze drifting from the chilly creek, she’d probably faint from the late October heat. Swiping at her dampened brow, she bent over the man to check if he was breathing. As far as she could tell, he wasn’t moving. The bird’s song in the willow trees overhead and the flow of creek water rushing by intruded upon her ability to hear him breathe. Since he was face-down, she was unable to detect the rise and fall of his chest. On impulse, Levinia nudged at his heel with the toe of her shoe.
He rolled over and sputtered, barely breathing—but breathing nonetheless.
Startled by his alarming reaction, Levinia jumped backward, ready to run if he posed a threat.
Groaning, the man looked helpless and in a lot of pain, though he didn’t open his eyes.
“Looks like he ain’t dead!” Bethany hollered from the safety of the willow tree.
Thank the Lord, Levinia thought, as she blew out a sigh of relief.
Kneeling down beside the stranger, Levinia leaned back on her haunches and pulled the man’s head into her lap. Using her apron to wipe the mud from his face, she felt warmth radiating from him like a surge of static electricity. The hot sun had surely warmed him, but there was more to it than that. With compassion, Levinia gently caressed his temples, smoothing back his dampened, mud-streaked curls. Running her hand along his strong jawline, the stubble that peppered his smooth, sun-kissed face prickled the tips of her fingers.
Though he looked to be a little worn and dirty, she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was.
Her subconscious allowed the steady flow of the creek to occupy her thoughts as she breathed out the simplest of prayers.
Please Lord, let him be alright.
“What are you doing, Levinia?” Bethany called from behind the willow tree, where she’d been hiding her face.
Ignoring her sister, Levinia continued to stroke the man’s face, allowing her fingers to make a trail through his auburn curls and willing him to open his eyes. His breathing, though a little labored, was steady.
He groaned again, his eyes fluttering.
“Are you in pain?”
No answer.
“Can you tell me your name?”
Still, no answer.
Whoever he was, he certainly did not look Amish, though Levinia couldn’t think of a single reason he’d be walking along the bank of the creek dressed the way he was. His muddy shirt, a blue button-up, most likely his Sunday attire, hugged strong arms and a muscular chest. It was still slightly tucked into the narrow waist of his black dress-pants. Beside him, curiously, lay a black hat that resembled an Amish hat—perhaps from another community. Not far from him, she noticed a backpack wedged in the reeds closer to the creek.
He clutched his left side as he let out another deep groan. Slowly moving her hand over his, Levinia palpitated his ribs lightly, noting him wince from the pain. Unbuttoning the middle buttons of his shirt, she slipped her hand into the opening, glancing at the bruises and swelling over the area where he couldn’t tolerate her touch. Though they didn’t feel broken, his ribs were most likely cracked, and that could be just as serious. She would never be able to move him unless she bound his ribs, or she might risk breaking them. Unpinning her apron, Levinia wrapped it around his torso and knotted the ends at his right side.
“You shouldn’t be touching him,” Bethany called from the safe distance of the willow tree. “Do you want me to get Daed?”
Levinia shook her head, not wanting to take her eyes off the man—this beautiful man that she hoped would wake up.
She cradled his head once more and his lashes fluttered as he suddenly looked up at her with chocolate-brown eyes.
Reaching up with muddy fingers, he covered her hand that cupped his jaw and sent her a pleading look.
“Can you tell me your name?” she asked.
“N—Nate.”
“I’m Levinia and I’m going to help you.”
He smiled weakly and closed his fingers over hers just before his eyes closed again.
Panic ran through her veins like icy creek water.
“Don’t leave me,” Nate whispered.
I wouldn’t dream of it, Levinia thought.
Turning toward her sister, Levinia hollered impatiently. “Come over here and help me get him up.”
Her voice seemed to startle Nate. He turned his head toward her, allowing her to feel the knot on the side of his head. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to be bleeding from anywhere that she could see. She suspected he’d traveled some distance, and had likely walked down to the creek to get a drink because he didn’t seem dehydrated, and she hoped it would help him recover.
“I already told you I ain’t coming over there. I’m going back to the barn to call for an ambulance.”
“Nee,” Levinia begged. “Please help me get him up.”
She had already been down that road and she would not let history repeat itself.
Bethany began to trudge through the mud toward them, muttering complaints under her breath. Levinia tuned her out, putting her full attention on the handsome stranger. She wouldn’t let her sister call for an ambulance. She would do everything she could to prevent it, even if it meant threatening to tell their daed some of the secrets Bethany had recently confided in her.
Calling for an ambulance hadn’t helped Daniel.
She’d watched helplessly while her twin had bled to death waiting for that ambulance, when the community doctor could have gotten to him faster. Levinia had panicked at the sight of all the blood and had made the call from the barn when Daniel had caught his wrist on the barbed-wire fence.
The pain and guilt she carried with her from that day haunted her even now that two years had passed.
Daed would certainly make the same call for an Englischer.
No, there would be no ambulance for this man.
As long as Nate was breathing, Levinia would devote herself to caring for him and nursing him back to health.
CHAPTER 2
“Why can’t you take his cold, wet feet?”
“Stop complaining, Bethany, and just help me—please!”
Levinia looped the insides of her elbows in Nate’s armpits and hefted him up until his head rested against her ribcage. Assessing him to be around six feet tall, she wasn’t surprised at the weight of his muscular frame. It wouldn’t be easy toting the dead-weight of a semi-conscious man the distance to their farm, but Levinia was as stubborn as could be. She’d managed to talk her sister into putting him up in the loft above their barn, safe from their father’s strict supervision.
Since Daniel’s death, their daed had mostly kept to himself, but he constantly reminded them of the rules of his haus. Levinia knew it was because he feared harm would come to them if they were out of his immediate sight for too long, but she also knew that with a farm to tend to, he couldn’t watch them every minute and didn’t have the time to enforce the rules the way he would prefer.
Bethany stumbled and dropped Nate’s feet. He let out a deep groan and pulled his hand toward his ribs as Levinia stopped abruptly to prevent his head from slipping away from her.
“You need to be more careful carrying him,” Levinia reprimanded. “If his ribs are broken they could pierce one of his organs and he would bleed to death.”
“It ain’t my fault he’s so heavy! You act like I meant to drop him.”
Levinia narrowed her gaze on Bethany, but held her tongue to keep from letting on just how irritated she was with the girl. She knew she couldn’t move Nate without her sister’s help, which put her in an unfortunate state of dependence on her. Bethany would be certain to find a way to use this favor to her advantage as it suited her. Bethany was a selfish girl, but lucky for her, Levinia loved her in spite of it.
For this reason, Levinia patiently waited for Bethany to resume hold of Nate’s feet so they could continue on to their barn. Until then, Levinia let her mind drift to memories of her last moments with Daniel. She bent down and
rested her chin on Nate’s head, swallowing back tears. Was she doing the right thing? What if she couldn’t save him? Would his death be her fault too? Surely Daed would blame her the same way he blamed her for Daniel’s death. She would never forget the look in her father’s eyes that day.
He hadn’t looked at her since.
Bethany hoisted Nate’s feet onto her sides and pushed out a disparaging breath. “I’m ready. Let’s go before I drop him again!”
Levinia gladly broke from her reverie. She had spent the past two years trying not to think of Daniel, but her twin was suddenly plaguing her thoughts. She convinced herself that each stride they conquered was one step closer to saving Nate. If they could just get him comfortable in the loft, he would heal from the wounds that encumbered him. Saving Nate wouldn’t bring back Daniel, but it would serve as penance for her foolish decisions that day that her father claimed had contributed to Daniel’s demise. Decisions she vowed never to repeat.
A few more steps put them behind the barn. “Go see where Daed is. He needs to be gut and busy at whatever he’s doing so we have enough time to get Nate up the stairs.”
“How do you know his name?” Bethany demanded through gritted teeth.
“He told me.”
“When did he tell you? He’s knocked out.”
“He told me before you came over to help me move him. What does it matter? Just go see where Daed is—please!”
Bethany cast her sister an angry look before leaving to do her bidding.
Alone once again with Nate, Levinia sank to the grass and rested his head in her lap. She pushed back his curls behind his ears wondering what it would be like to have such a handsome man for a husband. Levinia knew better than to hope for such a thing. Not only was she responsible for Bethany and her father and their farm, she was as Plain as a woman could be—especially compared to her sister, who had never had any trouble gaining the attention from the boys in the community.
Amish Brides of Willow Creek 1-4 Omnibus Page 1
