Amish Trust

by Ruth Hartzler

  Amish Trust

  Amish Bed & Breakfast Book 1

  Ruth Hartzler

  Amish Romance Books

  Contents

  Amish Trust

  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

  Next Book in this Series

  Other Books by Ruth Hartzler

  Connect with Ruth Hartzler

  About Ruth Hartzler

  Amish Trust

  (Amish Bed & Breakfast, Book 1)

  Amish Christian Romance

  Copyright © 2017 by Ruth Hartzler

  All Rights Reserved

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  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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  Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The personal names have been invented by the author, and any likeness to the name of any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  This book may contain references to specific commercial products, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, specific brand-name products and/or trade names of products, which are trademarks or registered trademarks and/or trade names, and these are property of their respective owners. Ruth Hartzler or her associates, have no association with any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, specific brand-name products and / or trade names of products.

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  Chapter 1

  It was a rainy, spring morning in Ohio. Rachel considered that there was hope for at least some sunshine to take the chill from the air as the sun crept its way over the hills, only to be hidden again moments later by thick, gray clouds.

  Rachel and her mother, Miriam, huddled together on an old wooden bench at the bus terminal in an attempt to keep warm. There were only a few other people waiting to catch the same bus; they all stood, arms crossed, shivering. There were two other wooden benches available, but those were more exposed to the uncharacteristic chill breeze that cut through the air.

  Rachel looked around once again. The terminal was an old, brick building and not well kept. There was graffiti on the wall, along with quite a few cracks running up the walls, and inside, the ceiling had strange stains as well as an unpleasant odor. The air was stale with the smell of tuna and egg salad sandwiches. Rachel assumed that the smell came from one of two vending machines in the corner of the room. A small television sat in the top right hand corner of the room and was covered by large sheet paper that read:

  Out of Order - The Manager.

  Despite being cold, Rachel was excitedly looking forward to seeing the house that would be their new home in Pennsylvania, despite the unfortunate event that had left her mother, Miriam, with “Eden,” a large home on acres of farmland. Miriam’s mother-in-law, Clara, had recently passed away and left Eden to her. Rachel had never met her grossmammi, at least, not as far as she could remember.

  Rachel snapped back to reality as an old speaker just above their heads crackled to life. A dreary voice spoke, only to choke on something before coughing loudly. The owner of the voice cleared her throat and started again. “Bus direct to Pennsylvania will be arriving in five minutes.” She coughed again into the microphone, before turning it off.

  “Do you have everything?” Miriam asked, handing a bus ticket to Rachel.

  Rachel took the ticket from Miriam’s shaking hand and laughed. “Let’s hope the bus driver has the heat on,” she said.

  As the bus appeared on the horizon, they stood and straightened themselves up to join the makeshift line forming to board the bus. After they were seated, Rachel turned to Miriam. “How long will it take?”

  Miriam looked at her ticket. “Let me see. Oh, about six and a half hours.”

  Rachel rested her elbow on the edge of the bus window to support her head and sighed. “They could have given us more leg room,” she said, while shifting her legs to get comfortable. “Though it’s better than being out there.”

  They both looked out the window, and Rachel wiped her hand along it to remove the fog. The day looked sad, gray and miserable. The fog slowly stretched itself along the window, blocking her view, and as it did so, she turned away and slumped back into her seat.

  By the time the bus was out of the city and cruising along the long stretch of highway, Rachel had drifted off to sleep. She must have slept for hours, as she awoke to the green, rolling hills of Pennsylvania. “Are we almost there?” she asked her mudder, followed by, “Are you all right?”

  Miriam was sitting upright in her seat, her brow creased. “I’m just anxious about starting a B&B,” she said.

  Rachel nodded. “I’m nervous, too. It’s not just leaving Ohio and moving to Pennsylvania,” she said, “but it’s starting a whole new life. I’ve left all my friends behind. I’ve never known anything different, and now, we’re starting afresh.”

  Miriam’s face relaxed. “We’ll soon get used to the community there. It’s not unlike ours, going by the letters I’ve exchanged with the bishop. They are so kind. He told me that the community will make sure the refrigerator is running, and stock it with essentials for us. He even wrote that they’ll have two bedrooms prepared for us.” She sighed. “It’s been such a struggle for me for years, running the farm ever since you were a boppli when your vadder left this life and went to be with Der Herr.”

  Rachel nodded. She was too young to remember her father, or his passing in a farm accident.

  “A B&B will be hard work, of course,” her mudder continued, “but not as hard as dealing with contracts and lease farmers, and all the hard physical work around the farm.” She rubbed her shoulder as she spoke. “Your grossmammi’s house is just the right size to turn into a B&B, and it has lovely views over a creek and fields. I hope to be able to lease out the farmland, long term, to the one farmer, and hopefully, an Amish farmer, not to various Englischers on a short term basis like I’m used to doing. Everything will be just fine. You wait and see.”

  Rachel smiled in reassurance, but, truth be told, she was more than a little worried about her mother’s plans to open a B&B in a strange community, in a new place. Rachel shook herself and forced her fears aside. How bad could it be? she asked herself, as the bus drew ever closer to their destination.

  Just over an hour later, Rachel and her mudder were standing on the side of the road looking at their new home. Their jaws had dropped, and their eyes bulged wide. All the blood had drained from their faces. They stared in utter shock and disbelief at the sight.

  Chapter 2

  The whole scene before them was one of decay and neglect. The wood on the outside had changed from what looked like the original deep brown to a peeling gray; the roof bore holes, while the windows were cracked and dusty. What was supposed to be the flower bed sprouted naked thorns with sharp prickles, surrounded by parched, overgrown grass. The trees surrounding the larg
e house were bare, weak, and begging for hydration.

  “I can’t believe this place looks like this!” Rachel said. “Mamm, what will we do?”

  “Hopefully inside won’t be as bad,” Miriam said with a catch in her voice. “Besides, it’s in a great location. Visitors come in and out of the area often, especially during the holidays when people want a break from the city. I’m sure they’re often forced to stay in musty, overpriced hotels and travel five miles to the nearest McDonalds for breakfast. I have no doubt that the venture will be a success. Rachel, the location’s ideal! Just look at the beautiful view.” She waved her hand expansively.

  Rachel followed the direction in which her mother was pointing, but it was hard for her to pay attention to the beautiful creek and rolling fields. Instead, all she could focus on was the large, decrepit house.

  Miriam was still speaking. “Guests will think of this as the perfect weekend getaway! I can’t wait to get it up and running. I’ll just have to get someone to cut the lawn and repair the peeling wood and roof. Rachel, in no time the haus will be looking brand new!”

  Miriam’s enthusiasm was beginning to rub off on Rachel, that is, until Miriam turned the door handle, and the pair stepped inside their new home.

  The inside of the house looked like a tornado passed through it, not once, but perhaps a couple of times. The interior was completely turned upside down. Rachel at first was too stunned to move from her position by the door. The entrance and the living room looked as if they had been thoroughly completely.

  Boards and cupboards dangled from the rusting counters, while the sink was coated black. The floor in parts appeared to be eaten by rodents, and the peeling window panes encased cracked glass. Holes from the ceiling formed little puddles on the eroding floors. A detestable stench emanated from the kitchen, signaling the presence of rotten food and spoiled liquid. Rachel at once put her hand over her nose.

  Rachel followed Miriam into the living room. It contained a worn out, mutilated sofa, a sofa in better condition, a small rectangular table, a few chairs, and a cracked television set. The old carpet sent a gruesome, filthy scent into the air. Stacks of dusty old books perched on shelves by the walls and the fan above dangled precariously from the ceiling.

  Rachel let out a deep sigh. “Mamm, what are we going to do?”

  Miriam, however, did not reply. She was too busy muttering to herself. “This place is a disaster, what – how - I don’t understand? Why wasn’t I told?”

  Rachel was unable to offer any words of encouragement. She had anticipated a few repairs around the house before transforming the space into a B&B, but never had she imagined that she would be undertaking a home construction job. The magnitude of the work to be done made her head spin, and she started to feel dizzy.

  Rachel let out a deep sigh. “Can we even stay here for the night? I’m worried about what we’ll find upstairs,” she said. “Where are we going to sleep?”

  Miriam shook her head. “The bishop’s had two rooms prepared for us. Let’s have a look around the rest of the place first. We need to make a list of all the necessary supplies for each room - everything from tiles, curtains, paint, and wallpaper. Then we need to make a list of all the bedding, and any furniture that needs replacing. I want the Bed and Breakfast to have a bright and cozy feeling.”

  Rachel held back her comments. She was overwhelmed at the state of the home, and could not see how her mudder was being so optimistic.

  Miriam hurried up the staircase, while Rachel walked around the ragged kitchen and worn out living room, jotting down notes on the necessary tools to transform each space. Although there was plenty of natural light, it did not help the dilapidated look of the place.

  “Okay, I think I have everything covered upstairs,” Miriam said, as soon as she returned. “It’s not as bad as I thought. The bathrooms are actually in a good state of repair, and everything upstairs just needs a good clean. Our bedrooms have been prepared. At least we’ll have somewhere to sleep tonight.”

  Rachel shuddered at the thought of sleeping in the house. “Will we take a look outside?”

  Miriam nodded her agreement.

  The scene outside their home was truly a beautiful sight. The rolling hills kissed the horizon as the sun beamed above the lush grass. There was not a cloud in the sky. The air was peaceful and the atmosphere was tranquil.

  “I think we can create a lovely garden here, Rachel. We can plant some roses, add a few chairs and benches. I also want to add a few tables with garden umbrellas. What are your plans for the living room?”

  Rachel tapped her forehead. “I was thinking that the sofas need to be replaced, but some of the furniture just needs a good clean. The ceiling fan needs to be replaced. We could add French doors that open up to the patio.”

  Miriam’s face fell. “It all takes money, and Clara didn’t leave us much, only enough to have the electricity connected and the phone.”

  “Oh yes. The bishop gave his permission then?” Rachel knew that Amish businesses, unlike their private homes, were generally permitted to have electricity, phone, and even internet connected, but Miriam had not told her that the bishop of this community had already given his permission. Of course, her mother wouldn’t have had the idea of a B&B if he hadn’t.

  Miriam nodded, and continued talking. “I have no idea where Clara was living – clearly not here. Anyway, let’s check out the horse and buggy.”

  Rachel clutched at her stomach. She had not thought about the horse and buggy – if Clara had not left them a horse and buggy, they would have no means of transport. She looked up to see Miriam staring at her.

  “Don’t worry, Rachel. I know the house is a big disappointment, but the will clearly stated that the horse is sound and the buggy is in good repair.”

  I’ll believe it when I see it, Rachel thought, but she simply nodded. When the two walked out to the pasture behind the house, there indeed was fine looking, bay mare with a perfect, white star on her face. As soon as the mare saw them, she trotted up.

  “I expect she wants a carrot,” Rachel said, stroking the mare’s face. “I wonder who’s been looking after her?”

  “The bishop said he would have someone look after her. Let’s look at the barn.”

  The barn was in far better condition than the house. There was even a phone inside, but it was not working. Like everything else in this place, Rachel thought with dismay.

  Chapter 3

  The following morning, the two were driving the bay mare into town. As they drove down the road amidst the early morning sun, Rachel inhaled the crisp, pure air. She looked at the lush grass and the long stretch of open road kissing the horizon. Perhaps the place wasn’t so bad, after all. The upstairs did have two habitable bedrooms.

  The hardware store was bigger than Rachel had expected, and it took Rachel and Miriam over an hour to select the essentials within their tight budget.

  “I think we have everything,” Miriam said, her tone indicating that she was overwhelmed.

  The two stood in line at the checkout and waited patiently. There was a tall, Amish man in front of them, and Rachel assumed that the three would exchange introductions once he turned around.

  When the mann did turn around, Rachel sucked in a sharp breath. He had piercing green eyes, tanned, chiseled features, and wavy, brown hair stuck out from under his hat. Rachel’s heart raced.

  “You should never have been allowed in town! You don’t belong here!” he snapped, his green eyes piercing. Then in one swift motion, he grabbed his purchases, and bolted out the door.

  Rachel’s and Miriam’s mouths dropped open in shock at his outburst.

  “Who is he?” Miriam asked the store assistant.

  “You don’t know him?” she asked. “I mean, being Amish and all.” Her voice trailed away.

  “We only arrived in town yesterday,” Miriam said. “We’re just moved here from Ohio.”

  The store assistant nodded. “That’s Isaac Petersheim. Ever s
ince his wife left some time back, he’s completely changed. I wouldn’t take it personally.” She rang up their receipt and handed it to them.

  Rachel was confused by Isaac’s words. “Why did he speak to us like that?” she asked Miriam.

  Miriam shrugged. “And what did the store assistant mean saying by his wife left? She said left, not died.”

  It was Rachel’s turn to shrug. “Perhaps that’s how Englischers in these parts talk about someone dying,” she said.

  “Perhaps.” Miriam did not seem quite so sure. “Rachel, if you wouldn’t mind, I’ll take all this to the buggy, if you would get the groceries. The grocery store is just there.” She pointed to a grocery store nearby, and then handed Rachel a list.

  Rachel was searching the shelves when she saw the same tall, Amish man, Isaac Petersheim. He was heading her way, and Rachel hoped that his boiling temper had subsided and that he would be able to communicate in a more civil manner.

  Isaac looked shocked to see Rachel. His eyes were stern.

  “What do you want?’’ he said as she approached him.

  Rachel was shocked by his reaction. Clearly his temper had not subsided as she had anticipated. He was still as outraged and wrathful.

  “Why are you so angry with my familye?” she said.

  “Are you serious? You really don’t know?” He stared at her with open hostility.

  At the same time, Rachel refused to let Isaac intimidate her. She was not afraid of him or his harsh words. She folded her arms and stared at him.