Lancaster County Amish Grace 3-Book Boxed Set: Lancaster County Amish Grace Series, #4

By Rebecca Price

GET ALL 3-BOOKS AT ONE GREAT 50% OFF DISCOUNT -- MUST READ FOR AMISH ROMANCE LOVERS!

Join young Amish woman, Katie Bender, as she navigates the path between Amish and Englisch life in this three book series that shows the power of God's love to create possibilities and the strength of the human heart to achieve our dreams.

 >>> LANCASTER COUNTY AMISH GRACE: When Katie Bender returns home from her rumspringa with a teaching certificate, a dream to teach the young scholars of her community, and an Englisher boyfriend to boot, will their community ever accept them? And can Scott and Katie's love of God and each other be enough to prevent a desperate man from making an irrevocable mistake?

When Katie Bender returns home from her Rumspringa with a teaching certificate, a dream to teach the young scholars of her community, and an Englisher boyfriend to boot, her small Amish community is shocked at the young woman's audacity. Scott might be a good man, and he's certainly interested in marrying Katie, but will love be enough for him to set aside his Englisher life and his dreams of becoming a police officer? And even if he does follow through, will the community--and Katie's mamm--give him a chance? And when a terrifying, life or death situation sweeps up Katie and the young scholars she's grown to love, will Scott and Katie's love of God and each other be enough to prevent a desperate man from making an irrevocable mistake?

 >>> SHIELD OF FAITH: When Englischer, Misty Malone flees her abusive husband and finds herself in Amish country, will the faith of her new Amish friends be enough to shield her from her husband's wrath?

When Englischer, Misty Malone's husband nearly beats her to death, she has no choice but to flee. She finds sanctuary in Amish country, and though she at first finds the strict simplicity of their lives daunting, she soon finds peace, meaning, and even the blossoming of a new love with her Amish friends. But when her husband returns, bent on revenge, will the faith of her new Amish friends give Misty enough strength to face her abuser and take charge of her own life?

 >>> SPIRITED CHILD: When Katie Adams' newborn is diagnosed with a severe birth defect that threatens her life and future, will the couple's marriage, their place in the community, or their relationship with God survive this trying news?

Newlyweds Katie and Scott Adams have bridged culture, lifestyle, and religion in order to build a future together. United now in faith and marriage, the couple's lives are finally blossoming, and they even have a new baby on the way. But when Katie's newborn is diagnosed with a severe birth defect that threatens her life and future, will the couple's marriage, their place in the community, or their relationship with God survive this trying news?

Find out in the Lancaster County Amish Grace 3-Book Boxed Set. While each story stands on its own, they are even better when enjoyed together!

If you LOVE Amish Romance Novels, Scroll Up and GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Global Grafx Press
• Release date: Aug 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516363407

Book preview

BOOK 1 – LANCASTER COUNTY AMISH GRACE

By

Rebecca Price

This is Book 1 of the Lancaster County Amish Grace series. If you enjoy this book, please look over the other Christian books from Global Grafx Press, and other great books from Rebecca Price.

Published by Global Grafx Press, LLC. © 2015

Chapter 1

The morning had dawned cloudy, and light wind rippled over fields of wheat at Katie Bender sat silently in the passenger seat of the Englischer car she'd hired to take her home. Amelia, the driver, a short, gregarious middle-aged woman with a round face and thin lips highlighted in deep purple lipstick, had given up trying to engage Katie in conversation after about ten minutes, and so Katie stared out the window in troubled silence.

Homecoming should be a joy, and it was, but Katie felt a profound disconnect sitting in this Englischer car wearing her Englischer jeans and long sleeved blouse, her blonde hair pulled back in an Englischer style ponytail. She'd been a little chubby in the Englischer world, and while the trousers fit her well, highlighting her curves while minimizing the roundness of her gut, the closeness of the cut began to feel increasingly immodest as the car whipped past the farmhouses of her family's neighbors.

Amelia slowed in front of the road leading to Katie's parents’ farmhouse. ″This way?″

Katie nodded, which again opened the floodgate of conversation from the older woman. ″Well, isn't this lovely,″ Amelia said. ″The fields and the cows and the like. Is that a garden?″ She pointed to the plot beside the large, white farmhouse. ″And a peach tree, my Lord they look ready to drop.″

″My mother planted it when I was six,″ Katie explained. The memory of climbing the branches, her skirts tied up between her legs, her younger sister staring up with her arms outstretched to catch the peaches Katie threw down, made Katie smile. ″My sister and I were always stealing them. Drove my mamm crazy.″

″I bet it did!″ Amelia laughed. She pulled into the driveway behind the family buggy and said, ″Here you are, child. Let me help get your bags and traps out from the trunk.″

″No, no!″ Katie said. ″It's only one bag.″ She had carried more for longer when working with her daed in the fields. Katie reached into her purse and pulled out three twenty dollar bills as payment. ″I've put in a bit extra for your trouble.″

″No need, child," Amelia said. ″Truth be told, I had nothing to do today, what with my children all in college and my husband doing his golfing, it was just a joy to have a reason to be out of the house.″

In spite of Katie's protests, she insisted on taking Katie's duffle bag and helping Katie take it to the porch.

The car was just pulling away when Katie saw another buggy coming up the driveway, the clip-clop of the horse's measured gait sounding against the hard packed dirt of the driveway. With profound resignation, Katie recognized the Deacon Raber's distinctive hunch as the buggy drew closer. For the briefest, sinful moment, Katie debated the merits of running into the house and pretending she hadn't noticed him.

″Miss Bender!″ Deacon Raber shouted, waving at her.

Katie's stomach sank as she forced a smile. The buggy slowed, and Katie had the uncharitable thought that he had done it deliberately to slight her by leaving her standing like an orphan on her own doorstep with her bag.

The Deacon dismounted and tied his horse before stalking up to the porch. Before Katie had the chance to even greet him, Deacon Raber started in. "Miss Bender. It's about time you've returned from your Englischer jaunt. But I see you've brought your Englischer ways as well.″ He looked slowly over her clothing. ″I hope you're not planning to make a habit of it.″

″I—″

Be warned. I intend to fight your ‘hopeful’ hiring as the next district teacher. Unless, of course, you break off courting with that Englischer.

Katie looked at the deacon with shock. Sir, I don’t think you have any sway with—

Silence! Your impudence is unwelcome! I will speak with the head of the school board and register my objections with him. Our scholars would do much better with someone who hasn’t lived as an Englischer lives, bringing in your Englischer ideas and your Englischer education. Now, please tell your mamm that I called. With that, he returned to his buggy, leaving Katie staring at his broad back. She held back hot tears of anger and fear.

Behind Katie, the door opened and her sister joyfully exclaimed, ″Katie!″

The Deacon maneuvered his buggy back towards the road without even acknowledging Annie.

You’re home!″ Annie continued, her attention focused on her big sister. ″I’ll take your bag, tell me what Englischer life is like! Katie, what’s wrong? Annie Bender’s gray eyes were large and rounded as she waited to learn the details she imagined were so exciting.

Katie Bender sniffled. Realizing that she was crying, she wiped her sleeve under her eyes to make the tears disappear.

"That was Deacon Raber, Annie.″ Katie tried to smile at her younger sister and failed. ″He saw me getting home and he’s not happy with my clothing right now. He just threatened me and said he’d talk to the school board leader about not hiring me for the spring term.″

″That's... that's awful!″ Annie exclaimed. Her eyes were shining. ″But you're coming back, aren't you? You're not leaving us.″

″Nee, Englischer life – it’s not really as exciting or different, Annie. Oh, sure, the Englischers can do more things than we do here in Ephrata. But after going to so many movies or listening to secular music all the time – it gets to be routine, if not boring. Right now, I’m just worried about the deacon and his threats. He wants me to stop seeing Scott and court with an Amish man."

From inside the house, a familiar voice shouted, Annie Bender! Stop bothering your sister with questions about the Englischers. I still don’t see why she had to earn her diploma and get a teaching certificate. She knows the material she will be teaching – that is sufficient enough for me. Just hearing her mother's voice made Katie feel like she was finally home.

Mary walked out the door, wiping her flour-covered hands on her apron. She was a large woman, with a mouth inclined towards smiling and a forehead that was often furrowed with thought. She opened her arms and Katie ran to her. As they hugged, Mary said, ″Lord, I feared I would lose Katie to Englischer life.″ The rumble of her voice comforted Katie, as did the tightness of her embrace. ″Ya, I thank God that my Katie has come back, and I know it's in defiance of the Ordnung, but I really wish I didn't have to let you girls go. Life is acceptable here. And Katie, I like your beau but I wish – I only wish he was Amish. If you marry, it will be a scandal our families don’t need. Dear God, you're crying! Tell me you're not already missing that life.″

″No, Mamm!″ Katie sobbed.

″I'm glad of that.″ Her grip loosened and she took a step back. Annie! Into the house and start working on supper, right now. Not waiting to see if her daughter was following, Mary went back into the house.

Annie slumped. I’d better get in there. Sorry. I can’t help unpack.

No problem. I didn’t bring that much back, other than my toiletries, anyway. I gave my Englischer clothing to other girls.

Annie’s facial expression was priceless. She had been looking forward to the t-shirts and jeans! Her eyes expressed sad shock and her jaw dropped. Shaking her downcast head, she turned and went into the house.

Katie hefted her small duffel bag and ran lightly upstairs. Looking at her sun-splashed room with the colorful Amish quilt and hooks on the walls, she grinned. She had enjoyed living among the Englischers, but she was ready to be back home. Thinking of Scott Adams, her Englischer beau, she sighed. They would only be able to visit on the weekends because he was finishing his college classes in Philadelphia and she wouldn’t hear of him taking even one hour away from his studies. She thought back to their last evening together.

They had been in his small apartment. The first time Katie had visited Scott, he'd proudly declared his apartment 'college chic', which meant an abundance of beanbag chairs, a mini-fridge, and a narrow kitchen with only two electric ranges placed close enough together, making it a trial to boil spaghetti in one pot while heating the sauce in a second. Katie and Scott had been sitting on beanbag chairs in front of his television: a box with intermittent color he'd taken off of a curbside before it was taken to the dump for trash. The television was muted as Scott and Katie ate ice cream from mismatched bowls.

Katie said, Scott, it would be wonderful if you could visit me during the week, but it’s a one hour drive, just one way! And your classes are really difficult this semester. Yes, I’ll miss spending time with you, but we can see each other on weekends when you aren’t too busy with your studies. Really, it will be OK.

Scott had been disappointed, but he saw the sense of what Katie had said. I’ll miss you, sweetie. But think – if things go as you’ve planned, you’ll graduate next spring. Hopefully you’ll find...

A job? Ideally, yes. But the economy is still keeping new graduates from finding work as soon as they take off their graduation gowns. I’ve already begun sending out application packets to cities and towns here in Pennsylvania. I’ve gotten a few responses back – and they aren’t very hopeful. They don’t have enough in their budgets to hire, so they’re cutting back and just relying on the police officers they already have. Katie, I was thinking... what would you think if I moved to Ephrata after graduation and apprenticed with a carpenter there? Like your friend’s boyfriend, Amos? You know we’ve already talked about my moving there and becoming Amish. What is it, taking that vow?

Wow. Ya, taking the Kneeling Vow and being baptized. Scott, are you serious? I – but what about your degree? You’ve spent nearly five years and who knows how much money earning it!

I’ve thought about that, too. I’m just glad I never took student loans. I won’t have to pay that money back. Still, I can find out what communities are near Ephrata. Maybe one of them needs a sheriff’s deputy or something.

Katie spotted a flaw in Scott’s plan.

Scott, we don’t believe in using weapons against people. I like your idea, because it means we’d be together more often. But...

There is that, yes. There are other law enforcement positions that don’t require the use of a gun, Katie. Being a dispatcher, for instance. Or taking more classes in psychology and becoming a hostage negotiator.

Katie laughed. ″Sorry to inform you but hostage situations aren't so common in Ephrata.″

″You never know,″ Scott said, but he was grinning.

Let’s think more about this, because I really do like the idea of you being closer after you’ve graduated. But let’s see if we can come up with something that means you can use your degree without having to rely on a weapon.

Coming back to the present with a huge sigh, Katie opened her bag and removed its contents, putting everything away. She changed from her Englischer clothing back into Plain clothing, combing her long, waist-length blonde hair into a braid and pinning it into a bun. She slipped a white apron on over her dark-green dress and placed a prayer kapp onto her head. The clothing felt familiar and comfortable, reinforcing her feelings that taking her Kneeling Vow and becoming a full member of the district was the right thing to do. Still –she looked back at the jeans and t-shirt, sighing. She would miss elements of her Englischer life.

Like every Amish youth, Katie had finished her education at the age of fourteen and had begun working with her mamm in the house, learning how to run a home and large family. She was nearly as good at it as Mary was. When she had begun her rumspringa, she had acted on her dream of becoming a certified teacher, moved to Philadelphia and enrolled in a community college there. Because she had ended her education essentially at the end of the eighth grade, she had needed to take several classes toward her G.E.D. Upon taking and passing that exam, she had registered for community college classes, focusing on earning a teaching certificate. Though Amish tradition preferred that teachers simply apprentice at the school, Katie wanted to give more. She intended to be the best teacher the district children would have. She viewed this as her ministry. Giving one more glance to her old Englischer clothing, she sighed and folded them, stuffing them into her duffel bag. Maybe someone else could make use of them.

When she finished unpacking, Katie went downstairs to help with supper. Not much had changed since she'd last come back. Mamm had sewn a new tablecloth for the kitchen table, a bright green and yellow fabric with summer vegetables along the edges. Annie stood at the counter, chopping carrots, while Mary beat eggs in front of the stove. Seeing the five ears of fresh corn beside her mother, Katie was delighted to realize they were having corn fritters, her favorite, for dinner.

″I'll shuck those!″ Katie said.

″Of course, child,″ Mary said, handing her the corn and a mixing bowl. ″Dear Heavens, it's good to see you.″

Annie moved to her left as Katie approached, freeing a space so that Katie could stand between her sister and mother. It was hot by the stove, which had been preheated to bake the fritters and carrot casserole, and even the cooling breeze from the two open windows didn't prevent a layer of sweat from blossoming on the skin of the three women. 

So, how’s Scott? Annie asked. Years of experience allowed her to easily split her attention between the rapid movements of her knife and her sister.

Katie smiled, as she often did when she thought of Scott. Wunderbaar,″ she said. ″He’s on track to graduate next spring.

Bah!″ Mary cut in. ″He’s earning a degree in something that requires him to use a weapon! Katie, girl, I like him, but you would do better to court with an Amish man.

Katie pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to give her mamm any more material to use against Scott.

Well? Do you agree with me?

Nee, Mamm. Just because he’s earning his degree in criminal justice, that doesn’t mean he has to put on a police officer’s uniform and carry a gun. He can do something else with his degree. He’s already sending out applications—

So! You will be apart from him!

Maybe not, Mamm. It depends on who wants to hire him. He could be distant from Ephrata or he could find a position in a law enforcement department close by. We don’t know yet.

Mary let out a frustrated sigh. Katie. Listen to me. If he intends to marry you, he must take his Kneeling Vow and commit to living the Plain lifestyle. How can he if he’s a police officer? You know our Ordnung!

Mamm, we were talking about that before I came home. I am almost sure I’m going to take my own Kneeling Vow. Scott knows this. We’re committed to each other. I reminded him of our opposition to violence or weapons. Do you know what he told me, Mamm?

Both Mary and Annie fixed their eyes on Katie. She got the sense that they were holding their breath for different reasons.

He doesn’t have to put on a police officer’s uniform, drive a police car, carry a weapon or arrest criminals. He can find a position in law enforcement that still allows him to use his education and help society – as a police department dispatcher...

What’s that? Annie’s brow crinkled in confusion.

Katie explained, Someone who takes emergency and non-emergency calls and sends the officers out to answer them. He sits in front of a computer and talks to callers then sends police officers to help them. He could also take more classes – psychology classes – and become a hostage negotiator.

Ooooh! This was Annie. As she heard Katie’s explanations, she knew she liked Scott even more. She imagined him, sitting in a dark vehicle, talking to someone holding innocent people hostage. So, he could use the power of his mind, get criminals to let hostages go – and, in a way, help to catch the bad guys!

Well, I don’t see why anyone needs all that high-powered, expensive education just to pick up an Englischer telephone or persuade someone to do the right thing, Mary grumbled under her breath.

This reminded Katie of her encounter with Deacon Raber. The man scared her. Remembering his words, Katie looked down, still feeling troubled.

Katie? What’s wrong? Mary paused, holding the glass pan with the carrot casserole over the counter. 

Nothing, Mamm. I’ll handle it.

Mary put the casserole down and faced her daughter. Tell me.

Before Katie could speak, her sister cut in, Mamm, she ran into Deacon Raber and he threatened to make it impossible for her to begin teaching in January, when Mrs. King stops teaching. Really, I don’t see how he was picked to be a deacon! If I didn’t know any better—

Annie, stop! You don’t speak against our church leaders like that!

Sorry, Mamm.

Go along, now. You’ve helped me with supper and all I need to do is bake it and wait for your daed, and then you two can help me set the table. Your sister can't possibly be finished unpacking. Why don't you help her put everything away?

″Yes, Mamm,″ both girls said.

″And don't either of you speak ill against the Deacon. He's a good man, who wants the best for our community.″

″Yes, Mamm.″

Upstairs, Annie continued her rant against the deacon, but she kept her voice pitched more quietly this time.

Katie, I really don’t like that man! He uses his position here in Ephrata to bully people. Looking at the open door, Annie nudged it shut with one foot. Then she crossed the room and flopped onto the bed. He shouldn’t do that. And what he said to you – that was really wrong. I mean, you finished your education here, and then went to Englischer school and even earned a two-year teaching certificate! You’ll be able to use what you learned and help our kids, I don't know, math, history, science, religion...″ she leaned back onto her palms, her grey eyes glinting with anger. ″And the deacon wants to keep you from becoming the teacher here? What did he tell you?

He told me to stop seeing Scott and start courting an Amish man. Like that’s really so easy! Most of the ones my age are already courting or married! He didn’t think about that. A sob escaped despite Katie's strongest efforts.

Annie sat up and pulled her older sister into a strong hug. Oh, sister, I’m so sorry. If I’d been out there when the deacon had started threatening you...

You would have gotten into trouble, so don’t even think like that, Annie. I was serious in the kitchen – Scott’s thinking about taking his own Kneeling Vow! He needs to find a job after he graduates. We’re hoping it’ll be somewhere near here.

So, there you go! He’ll convert and find a law enforcement job that doesn’t mean he has to use— Annie stopped suddenly at a heavy knocking on the door.

Annie! Are you talking about the deacon or are you helping Katie? Mary said from outside the door.

Nee, Mamm! I’m not talking about him, honest! And Katie’s unpacked now. Annie swung the bedroom door open. See?

Good. Your daed will be inside soon for supper. One of you set the table and the other start putting the food out. Mary swung away and went back downstairs.

Annie glanced at Katie and whispered, ″Are you going to tell her?″

Katie looked at the open door and shook her head, warning Annie not to say anything else. She whispered the next words: Mamm's already upset enough. I wouldn’t be surprised if she's the one who talked to the deacon about me and Scott in the first place. Let it go.

Annie didn't argue, but her lips were set and her gray eyes steely as she turned and started towards the stairs. Katie wished she was young enough to allow her anger to rule her thoughts, but simply being furious with the situation wouldn't solve it. She would need to come up with a way on her own to prove her worth to the community and show the value of her relationship with Scott. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to take his Kneeling Vows and join the community without inviting resentment.

Katie loved Scott. She also loved her dream of teaching at the schoolhouse which had instilled in her a love of learning. In her dreams, she and Scott would be side by side in life, having their own farm, meeting in the morning and at night, and raising their children in the warm sun of God's love. The Deacon, no matter how well-intentioned, had the power to destroy her dream. Katie didn't want to be forced to choose between her community and her love. Somehow, she would have to figure out how to prevent that.

Somehow.

Chapter 2

Downstairs, the sweet smell of carrot casserole wafted from the kitchen as the familiar rattle of the door opening jarred Mary from icing the cake she'd made for Katie's homecoming. The heavy tread of David's footsteps came through the living room towards the kitchen.

″Mary?″ David called from the kitchen entranceway. ″Where's our girl? Today's the day, isn't it?″

″Yes,″ Mary couldn't pull forth the joy she knew she ought to feel. Katie had come back so strange, with her Englischer clothing and her Englischer man, not physically present but there in her daughter's pensive gaze.

You look upset, wife. Why? Katie is home now, isn't she? Hopefully for good.

She’s still seeing that Englischer. She was prattling about how he could use his degree, but if they get married, he won’t be able to! Apparently, Deacon Raber reminded her of this and she’s upset because he told her he would speak against her hiring. Why couldn’t she have just done her rumspringa here, like the other youths? She didn’t need that fancy G.E.D. or a teaching certificate! All she’s doing is bringing attention to our family, David.

Mary, I hate to say this, but Deacon Raber was wrong to say what he said to Katie. He’s not on the school board, so he has no – and should have no – influence on who they hire. Katie is the best candidate they’ve had for years. Mrs. King did a wonderful job with the scholars, and Katie can continue this work. She’s committed to our scholars, if she stays. Besides – I doubt that the deacon thought about what his threat would do, if he succeeded. She would have to leave Ephrata and take a job, either in another district or in an Englischer school. Do you want that?

Nee! Of course not! I want her here. But, David! She’s still bringing unwanted attention to us because of who’s courting her – that Englischer.

Call him by his name – Scott. He is a good man, with a good heart. He wants to help people, unlike someone I’m thinking of. He’s plenty good for Katie. I think the biggest issue he faces when he graduates is not being able to find a job.

Hmmm, I still think she would do better by finding an Amish man here.

Mary, Mary! Think! Katie is twenty. There aren’t very many Amish men her age not already in a courting relationship or married. Would you have her break up a relationship – and bring even more ‘unwanted attention’ to our family?

David was right, as much as Mary didn't want to admit it. Pressing her lips together tightly, she walked toward the kitchen and began taking the casseroles from the oven. It was selfish of her to be so concerned about how her family would look to the rest of the district. How could she allow her own fears to mar this first night in so long since she'd had her oldest daughter home?

In the other room, the cheerful conversation of her girls setting the table brought a smile to her lips. They would eat