The Hearts of Middlefield Collection

by Kathleen Fuller

  Zach looked at Ruth, eagerness in his green eyes. She nodded and he took off running toward the men.

  Once Zach left, she heard her mother sigh. She turned and looked at her. “Are you okay, Mami?”

  “Ya. I’m perfectly fine.” She smiled, but her eyes shined with tears. “It’s hard to believe how fast the time goes. I remember when the six of you used to form your own team.”

  “And Stephen always struck out.” Ruth laughed quietly. Her brother was talented at many things, but he had never gotten the hang of hitting a baseball.

  “Now look at all of you. Moriah and Gabriel have three schee maed. Tobias has a wunderbaar frau in Rachel, and his Josiah is as mischievous as he is.” Emma chuckled. “Lukas and Anna opened their hearts and home to Sawyer, and soon will have two other foster children. And Elisabeth, she’ll be a mudder by Christmas. Stephen and Deborah have a fine sohn in Will. Then there is my youngest.” She swiped a finger under her eye. “You’ll be married soon.”

  Ruth looked at her siblings and their families. Her nieces and nephews playing in the sandbox and on the swing-set, her sisters and sisters-in-law close by. She saw Elisabeth place her hand over her swollen belly, remembering how giddy she had been when she announced she and Aaron were expecting.

  Her gaze travelled to the men, who had already chosen teams. Stephen, Aaron, and Tobias stood by the old baseball mitt that served as home base while Lukas, Zach, and Sawyer formed the other team. Her father and Gabriel stood by, their arms crossed over their chests as they talked.

  “The Lord has blessed us mightily,” Emma said. “He has given us a wunderbaar familye.”

  Ruth nodded. “Ya, Mami. He certainly has.”

  Reading Group Guide

  *Guide contains spoilers, so don’t read before completing the novel.

  from A Man of His Word

  1. When we meet Gabriel, he is struggling to hide his love for his new sister-in-law, Moriah. He also deals with the guilt of coveting his brother’s wife. Have you ever wanted something you couldn’t have? How did you handle those feelings?

  2. Although Levi grew up in a community that values self-denial and loyalty, he has difficulty denying his impulses. Think back to a time when you were tempted. Did you give into that temptation? What was the result? If not, how did God help you overcome the temptation?

  3. When Levi leaves Moriah, she blames herself for his abandonment. Why does she choose to believe she’s at fault, instead of Levi? Is there such a thing as a “right” way for her to respond?

  4. Rachel resents her brother Aaron. Is it justified? Why or why not?

  5. After Levi’s death, Gabe believes he gave up on his brother too soon. Do you agree? Is there anything Gabe could have done to convince his twin to come back to Moriah and the Amish?

  6. Throughout the story, it’s clear that Tobias and Rachel have feelings for each other. Besides Rachel dating Christian, are there any other reasons they didn’t reveal how they felt?

  7. Gabe loves Moriah, but he isn’t honest with her. He doesn’t tell her he loves her before she marries Levi, and he doesn’t divulge the real reason Levi left. Gabe believes he is protecting Moriah by keeping these secrets. Can you think of some circumstances where hiding the truth might be for the best? Would God approve of that choice?

  8. Gabe starts to think that if he had told Moriah he loved her before her marriage, Levi would still be alive. Do you agree with his assumption? Why or why not?

  9. As a man of his word, Gabe vows to standby Moriah, even though she pushes him away. How does Gabe’s patient faithfulness to Moriah mirror God’s faithfulness to us?

  10. Romans 7:18 says: “. . . I want to do what is good, but I can’t” (NIRV). Despite being a woman of deep faith, in her darkest moment Moriah chooses to drown her misery in work instead of prayer. Why do we often choose the opposite of what’s best for us, especially when it comes to seeking God?

  from An Honest Love

  1. Elisabeth doesn’t have much confi dence in herself, something many of us struggle with. How can our faith help grow our confi dence?

  2. Aaron has difficulty letting go of his past and accepting God’s forgiveness. Has there been a time when you had trouble accepting God’s mercy? What made you finally accept it?

  3. Anna is afraid to tell Lukas the truth about her possible infertility because she’s afraid of losing Lukas. Do you agree with her decision? What should she have done?

  4. Despite Aaron’s warnings, Elisabeth attends the party at the Schrocks’. Have you ever been warned against doing something, only to do it anyway? What lesson did you learn from that experience?

  5. At the party Elisabeth stood up for her beliefs, despite peer pressure. Share a time when you defended your faith.

  6. After her procedure, Anna decides to put her faith in God’s healing instead of seeking more medical treatment. That decision lands her in the hospital, and she has to accept the fact that she may never have children. Have you ever prayed for something and felt that God said no to your request? How did you respond?

  7. The title, An Honest Love, is something the characters in the novel struggle with—honesty with each other and with themselves. Why do you think they had such a difficult time telling and accepting the truth?

  from A Hand to Hold

  1. Because of decisions Zach has made, he often feels like a failure. Have you ever felt like you failed at something? How did God help bring your confidence back?

  2. Ruth doesn’t like surprises, yet during the story her plans don’t work out the way she expects them to. Discuss a time when your plans didn’t coincide with God’s. What was the result?

  3. Deborah worries about the community not accepting her and Will because of the circumstances of his birth. However, she does believe God accepts her no matter what. Give an example of a time where you felt God’s acceptance and how that affected your life.

  4. Stephen is unselfish and loyal in helping the Coblentz family take care of the farm. Is there a person in your life who has demonstrated these qualities? In what ways?

  5. Zach is ashamed that he can’t read, and he is afraid he’ll never learn how. Think about a time in your life when you were afraid. How did God help you overcome that fear?

  6. In the story, Ruth learned that first impressions aren’t always accurate. Have you ever formed an opinion about someone, only to change your mind after you got to know him/her? What happened to make your rethink your opinion?

  7. Naomi still harbors the pain of her past. If you could give Naomi advice, what would you say to her?

  8. Do you think Stephen should purchase his own farm or take over the Coblentz farm? Explain your answer.

  9. How important was it for Jacob to see Zach accept Ruth’s help? Describe a time where admitting personal weakness has benefited someone else (you can use a Biblical account or personal account as an example).

  10. Stephen showed unconditional love when he accepted Deborah and Will into his life, in spite of her past. Discuss a time when God specifically showed you His unconditional love.

  Acknowledgments

  from A Man of His Word

  Writing a novel set in an Amish community and featuring Amish characters was a challenge, one I wouldn’t have been able to meet without the help of some very generous people. I’d like to thank Maria Byler and her family for their friendship and willingness to answer my many, many questions about the Middlefield Amish. I also thank Nick Fagan, head of Adult Services at the Middlefield Library for being so helpful and pointing me in the right direction for my research.

  A special thank you to my editors, Natalie Hanemann and Jenny Baumgartner. Their invaluable expertise, encouragement, and patience played such a vital part in writing this book. Thanks to my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, for being my cheerleader for so many years—thanks for not giving up on me! And a big thank you to my friends and fellow authors—Jill Eileen Smith, Tamera Alexander, Maureen Lang, Diana Urban, Edwina Columbia, Deb Raney, and Me
redith Efken. Their support and encouragement means so much to me.

  Above all, I thank my family—my husband James, my son Mathew and my daughters Sydney and Zoie. I love you all very much.

  from An Honest Love

  This book wouldn’t have been possible without the help of several people. Thank you to my editors: Natalie Hanemann and Jenny Baumgartner, whose insight and hard work on the story were invaluable. I can’t thank you enough for everything you do! To Jill Eileen Smith and Jenny B. Jones for brainstorming with me; your chocolate is in the mail. To Tamela, my awesome agent who keeps me from worrying about business so I can focus on the story. A special thank you to the medical professionals and others who shared their expertise: Ronda Wells, James Morse, Harry Kraus, Kimberly Zweygardt, Kristen Ethridge, and Kathy Harris. And to you, dear readers, for allowing me to share Aaron, Elisabeth, Lukas, and Anna’s stories with you. Danki.

  from A Hand to Hold

  I’d like to thank my wonderful editors, Natalie Hanemann and Jenny Baumgartner, for helping me bring A Hand to Hold to life. They continually teach and encourage me, and I couldn’t have written this book without them. Thanks to my agent, Tamela, who’s not only a great agent but a dear friend. A big thank you and hug to my children, Mathew, Sydney, and Zoie, for being the best three kids in the world. A special thank you to my friend Maria for reading over the manuscript and giving me her invaluable feedback. And most of all, thank you, dear readers, for your support and encouragement. I’m so glad we made this journey to Middlefield together.

  OTHER BOOKS BY KATHLEEN FULLER

  A Faith of Her Own (Available March 2015)

  A Reluctant Bride (Available September 2015)

  The Hearts of Middlefield novels

  A Man of His Word

  An Honest Love

  A Hand to Hold

  The Middlefield Family novels

  Treasuring Emma

  Faithful to Laura

  Letters to Katie

  A Gift for Anne Marie, included in An Amish Second Christmas

  Flowers for Rachel, included in An Amish Garden

  A Perfect Match, included in An Amish Wedding

  A Miracle for Miriam, included in An Amish Christmas

  What the Heart Sees, included in An Amish Love

  About the Author

  Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including A Man of His Word and Treasuring Emma, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, The Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her website at www.kathleenfuller.com. Twitter: @TheKatJam Facebook: Author Kathleen Fuller

  An Excerpt from

  A Faith of Her Own

  Prologue

  Nine Years Earlier

  Anna Mae Shetler walked the short length of the tree house, growing more impatient with every step. Where were they? It wasn’t like Jeremiah and Amos Mullet to keep her waiting. Sure, her mother had said more than once since she’d turned thirteen that she needed to learn patience. And humility and steadfastness and all those other things the Bible said she had to have. She’d have time for that, though. Later. Right now she was eager to see Jeremiah and Amos.

  When she heard the rustling of leaves down below, she stuck her head out the window and grinned at them. “About time. I thought you two would never get here.”

  Amos climbed up first. Stocky and slow, he took a lot longer to get up to the tree house. Jeremiah, although a year younger at thirteen, was leaner, taller, and faster. But he waited without complaint while his brother made his way up the new steps Daniel Beiler had nailed to the tree. His father had made him replace the old ones, which he had removed when he had tried not to get caught stealing money from the tree house.

  Once Amos was near the opening of the tree house, Jeremiah climbed up. Anna Mae smirked. She was sure her mother would approve of Jeremiah’s patience.

  Soon the three of them were sitting cross-legged on the slat wood floor.

  “Look, Anna Mae,” Amos said. “Grossmammi gave me a new art set. A real set, like real artists use. Charcoal and watercolors and a sketchbook.” He pulled the set out of his bag and spread the treasures out on the floor. “I’m going to be a farmer-artist.” He picked up the sketchbook. “I’ll work as a farmer. I’ll be an artist for fun.”

  Jeremiah smiled at her over Amos’s head.

  “Grossmammi said I could make pictures for you and Jeremiah,” Amos went on. “I’ll send them to Jeremiah at Dr. Miller’s.”

  A panicked look filled Jeremiah’s eyes. Anna Mae took hold of his hand and squeezed. “We’ll see you all the time, remember? It will be like you’re here with us.”

  But somehow she knew it wouldn’t be the same. Although Jeremiah was going to live and apprentice with Dr. Miller, the local vet, she and Amos wouldn’t see him as much as they did now. Deep inside she hoped that maybe he would change his mind about becoming a veterinarian. If he didn’t, he would have to leave the Amisch to pursue his dream. More than anything she wanted him to be happy, but the selfish part of her didn’t want him to go. And if he did leave her and the Amisch behind . . . she didn’t know if she could handle that.

  She shoved the thoughts out of her mind, released Amos’s hand, and glanced around the tree house. The space felt smaller, more confined, almost claustrophobic. It wasn’t theirs anymore. Everything was changing. They were getting older and about to go their separate ways. Jeremiah would be gone as soon as he finished eighth grade. Amos would be busy helping his father with their farm. When she completed school she would . . .

  She had no idea what she would do. Unlike Jeremiah and Amos, Anna Mae was uncertain about her future. Yet she knew whatever the future held, Jeremiah and Amos would always be her best friends.

  She let out a quick breath. “I think we all know we won’t be coming back here again.”

  “Ya,” Jeremiah sighed. Amos nodded.

  “Let’s make a pact.”

  Jeremiah cocked his head. “A pact?”

  A pact was a promise. Anna Mae felt the rightness of the words. “We’ll make a pact that we’ll let nothing come between us. That we’ll always be the best of friends, no matter what.”

  Jeremiah grinned and stuck his hand in the middle of the circle. “To friendship,” he said. “Nix will come between us.”

  Amos slapped his hand on top of his brother’s. “Not even work and art will come between us.”

  Anna Mae smiled and laid her hand on Amos’s.

  “Not even our dreams will come between us.” Jeremiah placed his other hand on top of hers.

  Amos put his other hand on Jeremiah’s.

  Anna Mae put her other hand atop the pile. “We promise to always be best friends.”

  And Anna Mae knew that the promise was true. No matter how life changed, no matter what path they traveled, she knew they would always have this friendship.

  That, she could count on.

  Forever.

  Chapter 1

  Nine Years Later

  Anna Mae folded her hands in her lap as the buggy rolled past the lush grove of oak and maple trees. She sat in the back behind her parents, tilting her face to let the warm June air flow over her, perfumed with the scent of fresh-mown hay, clover, and timothy grass.

  “It’s been awhile since we’ve all gotten together,” her mother said from the front seat of the buggy. She glanced at Anna Mae over her shoulder. “Other than church, of course. But it’s nice to have time with just the family, especially since it’s growing so fast.”

  “Ya.”

  “It’s hard to believe Mary Beth and Christopher have been married for nearly nine years,” Mamm said, referring to Anna Mae’s brother and his wife. “I just wish Rachel could be here. Then we’d all be together.” She turned around in her seat. “You’re very quiet this afternoon, Anna Mae.”

  “Unlike some people,” her father muttered good-naturedly.

  Mamm lightly smacked him on the arm with the palm of her hand before turning her full attention back to Anna Mae. “Is som
ething wrong?”

  Anna Mae turned from the fresh air and looked at her mother’s wide eyes, filled with feigned innocence. Something was wrong and they both knew it. But Anna Mae wasn’t in the mood for a lecture, discussion, or argument. Not today. “Nee,” she said, mustering up her sweetest voice. “Everything is fine.”

  “Gut,” her father said, turning into her brother’s driveway. “Because we’re here. And I’m starving.”

  Mamm’s eyes narrowed slightly as she gave Anna Mae one last look before facing front.

  When the buggy stopped, Anna Mae scrambled out, glad to be free of the tight thread of tension that had connected her and her mother for the past several months. That her father was oblivious to it was a testament to the effort both she and her mother expended in hiding their true feelings around him. But it was getting harder for Anna Mae to keep silent, to pretend everything was okay when it wasn’t. She suspected it was becoming difficult for her mother too.

  Anna Mae looked around, noting all the buggies parked neatly in a row by the side of the driveway. The horses must have all been stabled in the barn. Her father was leading their horse, Licorice, there already. She smiled, remembering when her father let her name the horse after her favorite candy.

  Her thoughts turned bittersweet. Life had been so much easier when she was a child.

  “Anna Mae!”

  She turned to see one of her relatives by marriage, Bekah Yoder, striding toward her. She was twenty-five, three years older than Anna Mae. They weren’t particularly close, but Anna Mae liked her. She was different from a lot of the friends Anna Mae had—in her mid-twenties and still not married. She had joined the church as soon as she could, yet she managed to remain independent and happy—the opposite of Anna Mae.