Second Chance Sweethearts

By Stephanie Swift

Amanda has struggled to fit in the Englisch world after leaving her Amish faith. Her brother was murdered and she hoped to find peace by moving away. The move has only made her loneliness more acute...Finding work as a detective, she is forced to the return to the Amish community she left...and the man she left behind. He makes it clear that he still has feelings for her. She still has feelings for him until she finds out he may be involved in a murder case. Can she find out the truth behind her brother's murder and have a second chance with her sweetheart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201895952

Book preview

SECOND CHANCE SWEETHEARTS

STEPHANIE SWIFT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECOND CHANCE SWEETHEARTS

RACHEL

Amanda changed her position in the leather chair for what felt like the hundredth time. Legs crossed. Legs uncrossed. Fingers laced on top of her lap. Arms draped over the armrests. Nothing felt comfortable, and it didn’t help having sheriff Tucker’s numerous commendations and trophies splayed across the shelves on the wall behind his desk. With just two years of police work under her belt, she couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever see the day when her office in Atlanta, Georgia was littered with such accolades.

Amanda turned to her right and looked out the glass window separating sheriff Tucker’s office from the rest of the precinct, where several deputies were busy answering phones and doing paperwork. Then again, her anxiety could be due to the fact she was in her hometown of Dayton, Ohio again – the last place on earth she wanted to visit. If it wasn’t for the sheriff tracking her down and asking for her assistance on a case, she would’ve laughed at the invitation.

It’s just business, Amanda. Get this done and you can be on the next flight back to Atlanta.

Amanda closed her eyes and took a deep breath just as sheriff Tucker swung open the office door. She’s almost forgotten how big and surly the man was. His body literally filled the entire doorway, and he still had a scowl on his face – something that hadn’t changed since her childhood. Had the man ever smiled? Somehow, she doubted it.

Miss Miller, it’s good to see you again, he remarked, as he made his way to the chair behind his desk and sat down. I’m sorry to keep you waiting, but we’ve been running at full-speed with Paul Edison’s murder investigation.

Amanda furrowed a brow. Sheriff Tucker, you’ve known me since the day I was born. Please call me Amanda.

Still...no smile. Not even a smirk.

I understand you couldn’t share a lot of information over the phone, but I’m not sure why I’m here, she continued. Paul and I went to school together, but I’ve never considered us close friends, so I really don’t know how I can help you.

The sheriff leaned forward in his seat and rested his arms on top of his desk. He intertwined his fingers and remained quiet for several agonizing seconds, which didn’t help her nerves at all.

"Miss Miller...Amanda...I’m not going to beat around the bush, because I don’t believe in wasting time. The stab wound and other details associated with Mr. Edison’s death are very similar to Micah’s, and I feel like you would be an asset to this investigation. Your captain in Atlanta had nothing but praise for you."

As soon as the sheriff mentioned her brother, Amanda felt as if she’d been kicked in the gut. She shifted in her seat – again – and cleared her throat before attempting to speak.

My brother’s murder was never solved, so I’m still not sure how I can assist you with this case. Do you have some new leads?

He looked down at his hands, as if contemplating his next words carefully.

No, but having been raised with the Amish, I’m sure you remember how they don’t care for our presence there, even when we’re investigating the death of one of their own.

Amanda swallowed past the lump in her throat. She understood all too well what he meant. Memories of her father’s confrontations with the officers following her brother’s death drifted through her mind and made her cringe. If there was ever a defining moment that led