Their True Home

by Amy Clipston

  COPYRIGHT

  ZONDERVAN

  Their True Home

  Copyright © 2019 by Amy Clipston

  Requests for information should be addressed to:

  Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

  ISBN: 978-0-310-35273-0 (e-book)

  Epub Edition March 2019 9780310352730

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication

  CIP data is available upon request.

  Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

  Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

  Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Printed in the United States of America

  19 20 21 22 23 / LSC / 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  CONTENTS

  Copyright

  Glossary

  Family Tree

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Discussion Questions

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  With love and appreciation for Zac Weikal

  and the members of my Bakery Bunch

  GLOSSARY*

  ach: oh

  aenti: aunt

  appeditlich: delicious

  bann: a temporary period of excommunication intended to cause a change of heart and end errant behavior in a church member

  bedauerlich: sad

  boppli/bopli/ boplin: baby, babies

  brot: bread

  bruder: brother

  bruders: brothers

  bruderskinner: nieces/nephews

  bu: boy

  buwe: boys

  daadi: grandfather

  daadi haus/dawdy haus: a small house built onto or near the main house for grandparents to live in

  danki: thank you

  dat/daed: dad, father

  Deutsch/Deitsch: Dutch

  dochder: daughter

  dochdern: daughters

  Dummle!: hurry!

  Englisch/English/Englisher: English: non-Amish person

  eck: married couple’s corner table at their wedding reception

  Fehla: sin

  fraa: wife

  freind: friend

  freinden: friends

  froh: happy

  gegisch: silly

  gern/gaern gschehne: you’re welcome

  Gmay: church district

  Gott: God

  groossdaadi/grossdaadi: grandpa

  groossmammi/grossmammi: grandma

  Gude/guder mariye: Good morning

  gut: good

  Gut nach/gut natcht: Good night

  haus: house

  hund: dog

  Ich liebe dich: I love you

  jah: yes

  kaffi: coffee

  kapp: prayer covering or cap

  kichli/kuche/kichlin: cookie, cookies

  kinner: children

  kitzn: cat

  krank: ill

  kuche: cake

  kuchen: cakes

  kumm: come

  leib/liewe: love, a term of endearment

  maed: young women, girls

  maedel: young woman

  mamm/mudder: mom, mother

  mammi: grandmother

  mann: husband

  mei: my

  Meidung: avoidance, shunning

  millich: milk

  naerfich: nervous

  narrisch: crazy

  nee: no

  onkel: uncle

  Ordnung: written and unwritten rules in an Amish district

  rumspringa/rumschpringe: period of running around when a young person turns sixteen

  schee: pretty

  schmaert: smart

  schtupp: family room

  schweschder: sister

  schweschdere: sisters

  sohn/suh: son

  Was iss letz?: What’s wrong?

  Wie bischt?: How are you?

  Wie geht’s: How do you do? or Good day!

  wunderbaar: wonderful

  ya: yes

  *The German dialect spoken by the Amish is not a written language and varies depending on the location and origin of the settlement. These spellings are approximations. Most Amish children learn English after they start school. They also learn high German, which is used in the Sunday services.

  FAMILY TREE

  Featuring Characters from the Amish Homestead Series

  Rosa Lynn (deceased) m. Elias Bawell

  Marlene Bawell

  Anna Bawell

  Ada m. Jeptha Swarey

  Rudy Swarey

  Feenie m. Leonard Esch

  Betsy Esch

  Laura (Riehl) m. Allen Lambert

  Mollie Faith

  (mother—Savilla—deceased)

  CHAPTER 1

  Marlene Bawell hugged her body as she stared down the sidewalk at the stores that lined Highway 340 in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Her heart seemed to turn over in her chest as the midmorning June sun warmed her cheeks. Had it truly been ten years since she’d walked down this road?

  She smiled as wonderful memories came rushing back to her. Whenever she and her mother visited this street years ago, shopping for groceries and supplies, their friends would call out to them to say hello. She missed those days so much that her chest ached. She squeezed her eyes shut, working to keep her emotions at bay.

  Of course, that was before Mamm had died and before Marlene’s father had moved her and her younger sister to Indiana in order to escape his own memories. While Marlene had cherished her life in Bird-in-Hand, Dat seemed to want to forget it all.

  She shook the thought away and turned toward the front window of Lancaster Hardware and Supply. A Help Wanted sign caught her attention, and her stomach did a little flip. Although she’d headed to town this morning for groceries, she’d considered stopping by a few businesses to see if they were hiring.

  This was what she’d prayed for: an opportunity to help her father. She’d hoped to earn enough money for her family to afford a house to rent in Bird-in-Hand so they could move out of her aunt and uncle’s home. If she could help her father pay rent, maybe she could convince him to stay.

  Marlene squared her shoulders and pulled the door handle, and the bell above the door announced her entrance. As she made her way toward the front counter, the aroma of wood stain filled her senses. She glanced at a colorful display of birdhouses and bags of birdseed, then took her place in line behind an Amish man purchasing a hammer and several boxes of nails. The young Amish man behind the counter made small talk about the weather as he looked down at the cash register and rang up the items. He looked va
guely familiar to Marlene, but she couldn’t quite place him.

  She fiddled with the strap of her purse and glanced around the store, taking in the aisles of tools and equipment. She’d have to learn how the items were organized, but doing so couldn’t be too difficult. After all, she’d worked in a market in Shipshewana, so she knew she could handle working at a hardware store. Now if only she could convince the owners to hire her, then she could get her father’s permission to work part-time—

  “May I help you?”

  Marlene’s gaze snapped to the counter. As the young man addressed her, she took in his dark eyes. He was so familiar. Had they gone to school together? Or perhaps he was in her youth group years ago?

  “Marlene?” His milk chocolate eyes flickered with recognition. “Marlene Bawell?”

  “Ya?” She nodded and then snapped her fingers when she recognized him. “Rudy Swarey!”

  “That’s right.” He leaned forward on the counter as a smile turned up his lips. “How long has it been?”

  “Ten years.” She hugged her arms over her chest as she studied his face. She was surprised to find it clean-shaven, indicating that he wasn’t married. He had to be twenty-seven like she was since they had gone to school together and been baptized into the church at the same time. But just like her, here he was—unmarried. Her pulse quickened at the thought. When they were teenagers, she’d had a secret crush on Rudy, but he’d never seemed to notice her.

  “You moved to Ohio, right?” he asked.

  “Indiana,” she said. “But mei dat, schweschder, and I are back now.” She rocked back on her heels.

  He stood up straight. “Well, welcome back to Bird-in-Hand. Are you back for gut?”

  “I hope so. We’re living with mei aenti and onkel right now.” She pointed toward the front window. “I noticed the Help Wanted sign.”

  “Ya.” He pushed his hand through his thick, dark hair. “My two cousins work here part-time. One just got married and is taking over his father-in-law’s farm. My other cousin only works on days that his dat doesn’t need him at his furniture store.”

  “Oh.” She touched one of the ribbons on her prayer covering. “So, you need someone part-time.”

  “Right.” He quirked a brow at her. “You’re looking for a job?”

  “Yes, I am.” She lifted her chin as a surge of confidence rushed through her. “I worked at a market in Shipshewana. I’m really good with a cash register, and I know how to stock shelves too.”

  He nodded but appeared unconvinced.

  Marlene approached the counter, preparing to make a case for herself. “I’m a hard worker, and I will do a gut job.” And I really need to help mei dat.

  “Okay.” Rudy stepped around the counter and gestured for her to follow him. “Let’s go talk to mei dat about it. Ultimately he decides who we hire.”

  “Danki.” Marlene took in his tall, lean stature as she followed him through the store, silently marveling at how much he had changed since she’d last seen him. Though he had been slightly taller than her when they were teenagers, he seemed to have shot up during the past decade. His shoulders and back were wide and ended at a tapered waist. Any trace of the skinny teenage boy he’d once been was gone. And he was even more handsome than she’d remembered.

  They stepped through a doorway and into a large room lined with shelves and boxes. She followed Rudy through the long room before stopping in another doorway that led to an office, where a middle-aged man sat at a desk peering at a ledger over reading glasses. The man’s dark brown hair and beard were laced with gray, but his long face and nose resembled Rudy’s.

  “Dat.” Rudy tapped the doorframe and then leaned his forearm against it. “Do you remember Marlene Bawell?” He gestured between Marlene and his father. “Marlene, this is mei dat, Jeptha.”

  Jeptha looked up at Marlene as a smile crept over his lips. “Of course I remember you, Marlene. How are you these days?”

  “I’m fine, danki.” Marlene smiled. “And you?”

  “I’m well, thank you. It’s been a long time. How’s your dat?” Jeptha set his glasses on the desk as he turned toward her.

  “He’s doing gut.” She smiled at Jeptha.

  “Are you here visiting family for the summer?” Jeptha asked.

  Marlene shook her head. “Mei dat was laid off from the factory where he worked in Indiana. I’m hoping we’re back for gut now.”

  Jeptha clicked his tongue and closed his ledger. “I’m sorry to hear that. What’s your dat going to do?”

  She shifted her weight on her feet and kept her eyes focused on Jeptha, though she was keenly aware of Rudy’s curious stare. “Mei onkel gave mei dat a job working at his lawn ornament store.”

  “Oh, that’s right. Your onkel is Leonard Esch,” Jeptha said, and Marlene nodded. “His store stays very busy, especially this time of year. I’m sure your dat will enjoy working there. I’m glad you stopped by. We’ll see you at church.”

  “Marlene is interested in the job,” Rudy chimed in.

  “Oh?” Jeptha divided a look between Rudy and Marlene.

  “Ya, I am.” She stood a little taller. “I thought if I got a job I could help out mei dat.”

  “It’s part-time,” Jeptha said.

  “That’s fine with me,” she said.

  Jeptha and Rudy shared a look.

  “I’ve worked in retail before, and I’m a fast learner.” Marlene folded her hands as if saying a prayer. “I’m reliable, and I’ll work any hours you need me.” As long as Dat agrees . . .

  “We’ll need help on the days that Neil can’t work,” Rudy said.

  “Ya.” Jeptha rubbed his beard. “So Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday for sure. Will that work with your schedule?”

  Hope blossomed in Marlene’s chest as she felt a smile curving up her lips. “Ya. Definitely.”

  “All right then,” Jeptha said. “Can you start tomorrow?”

  “Of course!” She nodded with such emphasis that the ties from her prayer covering bounced off her shoulders.

  “Great.” Rudy stood up straight as he turned toward his father once again. “I’ll take the Help Wanted sign out of the window.”

  “Gut.” Jeptha shook Marlene’s hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Danki for the opportunity to work here,” she said.

  Jeptha chuckled. “You might change your mind when you see how busy it gets on Saturdays. Tell your dat hello for me.”

  “I will.” Marlene followed Rudy to the front of the store, grinning from ear to ear. “Danki for reintroducing me to your dat.”

  “Gern gschehne.” He swiped the Help Wanted sign from the front window and then turned toward her. “I guess I will see you tomorrow morning. How about eight o’clock?”

  Marlene agreed, then gave him a little wave before stepping out through the store’s front door.

  As she walked toward the market, her pulse quickened. She couldn’t wait to get home to tell her father and sister that she’d found a job. Hopefully her paycheck would help her family get back on their feet. If so, could they start building a new life in Bird-in-Hand?

  Later that evening, Marlene carried a platter of fried chicken to the table and set it in front of her father. The delicious aroma filled her senses, and her stomach gurgled in response. Anna, her younger sister, followed with a bowl of mashed potatoes. At twenty-three, Anna shared the same sunshine-colored hair and green eyes that Marlene had inherited from their mother.

  Their cousin Betsy, also twenty-three, sidled up to Anna and set down a basket of homemade rolls before rubbing her hands together. “These rolls smell so gut!” Her light blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight streaming in through the windows as she pushed back a lock of blond hair that had escaped her prayer covering.

  “I think that’s everything.” Aenti Feenie surveyed the table and smiled at Onkel Leonard. “Let’s eat.”

  Marlene took her spot across from her father and between her sister and cousin. After a si
lent prayer, the large kitchen filled with the sounds of scraping utensils as they filled their plates with supper.

  Marlene gazed over at Dat, who scooped a mountain of mashed potatoes onto his plate. She took in the streaks of gray highlighting his light brown hair and beard, the crow’s-feet around his hazel eyes, and the wrinkles peppering his tanned face. He looked older and sadder lately. The thought sent a pang of melancholy through her.

  “How was your day, Dat?” Anna’s question brought Marlene back to the present.

  Dat gave a halfhearted shrug as he lifted his glass and took a drink of water.

  “I got a job today.” The words burst from Marlene’s lips as she smiled.

  Dat’s eyes widened as he set his glass on the table. “What?”

  “I said I got a job.” Marlene suddenly felt aware of her family’s eyes focused on her. “I was in town earlier for groceries, and I saw a Help Wanted sign in the window at Lancaster Hardware and Supply. I went inside and applied for a job.”

  “That’s Jeptha Swarey’s store,” Onkel Leonard chimed in.

  “That’s right.” Marlene nodded at Dat. “He told me to tell you hello.”

  Dat studied her, his hazel eyes narrowing. “We never discussed your getting a job. The plan was for me to work and keep saving money until a job opened up in Shipshewana. We’re only here until we can go back to Indiana.”

  Marlene’s cheeks heated as embarrassment crept up her neck to her face. “I thought you would be froh that I want to help.”

  “You should have asked for my permission first.” Dat pressed his lips together.

  “I just wanted to help you.” Marlene’s voice was small, as if she were a little girl instead of a twenty-seven-year-old woman.

  “It’s not your job to support our family. That’s my job.” Dat pointed to his chest.

  “We’re a family,” Marlene insisted, her voice growing slightly louder despite the churning in the pit of her stomach. “We take care of each other.”

  Dat picked up his spoon and waved it at her. “You had no right to go looking for a job without my permission.” Then he pointed toward the counter. “You have obligations here at the haus. You’re supposed to help Feenie, Betsy, and Anna with chores while Leonard and I work.”