Twice Amish : An Anthology of Amish Romance

By Lovina Miller

Matthew Miller wanted to make it work in the big city, but even with his determination and passion to live a modern life, nothing could prepare him for the day he had to face the music. With his tail between his legs, he had no choice but to return to his home. But fitting in with the Amish way of life, wasn't as much a challenge as coming to terms with the fact that he still had feelings for the once shy Amelia Hartsberger.
Amelia was once bitten twice shy; she couldn't allow her heart to be broken again. She had a crush on Matthew when they were young, but he hardly paid any attention to her, now, years later, he shows up and suddenly he can't leave her alone. Fighting against the whirl of emotions, she tries to avoid the inevitable. But Matthew is determined, and in all honesty, a changed man, who she finds hard to resist. And they have one important thing in common : "Socks".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jul 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201899349

Book preview

Chapter 1

Matthew Miller never thought he would ever return to Ephrata, his home town, but life gave him no other choice. Los Angeles chewed him up, spit him out, and sent him back to square one. He left his Amish roots in search of himself. All his life, as a child, being sheltered from the world and all its evils, he always had a wandering mind. He used to sit in his daed’s buggy when they went to town to get supplies, and couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to go to a normal school, have normal friends and experience life as an Englischer.

It was Malcolm Jones who first tickled his curiosity back when he was only fourteen. Malcolm, the storeman at the local foundry had given him a cell phone to play on while he waited for his daed. The whole idea of having the world at the tips of your fingers and thumbs intrigued him. It was then already, when he had decided, he would follow his own path.

The day he turned eighteen, and against his parent’s wishes, he left for Los Angeles. But life in the city was not at all what he had expected. For the first three months, too embarrassed to run back home with his tail between his legs, he had spent his nights sleeping on a park bench, just trying to get by. It was only by luck that he finally landed a job as a cashier at Walmart when he was down on his luck.  It didn’t take him long before he moved into sales and client services, and then finally, started as a cellular sales consultant. During the day he worked, and at night he walked night classes as a software developer. Things had begun to look up for him, but that was until he met Rosalind. The beautiful brunette who in no time had him, wrapped around her little finger. It was love at first sight, at least, that was what he thought at the time. But as the weeks went by, he got to see a different side of her. 

Six years, five months, three weeks and two days, was exactly how long he took before he realized the Englisch world was a ruthless concrete jungle where only the strong could survive.

He stood just outside the town and looked at the signboard in front of him ‘Ephrata Cloister’. He never thought he would be back here.  Somewhat nervous he took the first step, then the second. What would his parent’s say if he knocked on their door? He wondered as anxiety tugged at his insides. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He had left home before his baptism, if he returned now, with the aim to stay, he would have to be a hundred percent sure, this was what he wanted. Conflicted he made his way down the road, past the row of buggies that lined the street.

It was Sunday morning, which meant everyone, would be at church. Somewhat relieved, knowing he could avoid unexpected company; he hurried over to his parent’s house, carrying one duffle bag over his shoulder. 

Nothing much had changed, since the last time he was here, and instantly he felt agitated. Maybe he should have stuck it out in Los Angeles, tried harder to settle and find a job.  Doubt flooded his mind and for a moment, he considered changing his mind about coming back home.

Are you lost?

Matthew pursed his lips and took a breath before turning at the sound of the sing song voice behind him. Nein... he started but his words failed him. The girl standing before him was like a character out of a book. She had pale porcelain skin, with the cutest button nose and natural rosy lips, and her piercing ice-blue eyes bore right into his soul.

She too seemed to be taken aback at first, it was almost as if she recognised him, but just as quick, her expression changed from shock to indifference.

Nein, he said, I’ve come to visit some relatives.

She nodded and a small frown drew her brows together, I see, well, they are all in church at the moment.

Why aren’t you in church? he asked curiously.

She tilted her head to the side and studied him, I have my reasons, she simply said and then moved to pass him.

Wait, he said, I’m looking for the Miller’s do they still live in the same house?

Her lips parted, and she inhaled sharply, Jah, she whispered.

"Denki, he paused, Do I know you?"

The girl shook her head and gave him a tight smile, I don’t think so. I’m sorry I have to go now.

With that she hurried off down the street.

For a moment he watched her as she walked away. It had been too long since he’d been home. And as with all things in life, people came and went, and chances were most of the people he knew back then would have married and moved. 

He continued down the road until, over the hill, his childhood home came into view. The old familiar boxed shaped house with the door, dead centre and the two rectangular windows with the blue shutters on either side, was exactly how he remembered.

The maple tree, now much taller, was still rooted in the corner of the yard, near the fence. Memories flooded back, and he swallowed at the lump in his throat. What if his daed rejects him?

Amelia hurried away in shock. Matthew Miller was the last person on earth she had expected to see. What was even more unnerving was the effect he still had on her?  He had left Ephrata just before her sixteenth birthday and because of him, she ended up spending her day, crying in her bedroom. The worst was, no one knew why she had been so distraught.

It was only two weeks after the fact that Matthew’s mamm told everyone her son had gone to Los Angeles on an extended Rumspringa.  But everyone knew, as sure as the sun would shine, an extended Rumspringa was a final goodbye. She had vowed then she would never fall in love with another boy, and she didn’t. Instead, with determination and hard work, she managed to pick herself up and become a school teacher’s assistant. Working with the kinner had given her some courage, not to mention confidence, something she had lacked when she was younger.  Hiding behind others and shying away from social interaction had crippled her child hood to an extent, not to mention her teenage years. While all her friends had taken the next step to adulthood by getting married and having their own kinner, she didn’t.

Chapter 2

It was Monday morning. The maple trees, now dressed in autumn colours stood tall along the fence that surrounded the school yard, and the ash trees closer to the schoolhouse were already bare.

Matthew paused and looked at the familiar building. He too had attended this school as a kinner, right up to the age of sixteen. He can hardly believe how much time had passed. He glanced down at his watch, school would be out soon and then he might get to see Amelia. He waited. Time ticked by slowly, but eventually a pupil came out, and swayed his hand. Children from all ages exited the schoolhouse in single file, quiet and behaved. Unlike the public schools back in the city and again he was amused at how much he had really missed this place, the structure, the people, the simplicity of it all.  As the kinner all passed by him, oblivious to whom he was, he walked up to the schoolhouse.

Through the window he could see Amelia sitting at the desk with a pile of papers in front of her and it didn’t take her long to realize she wasn’t alone.

Amelia was still trying to come to terms with his unexpected return. All night she tossed and turned to try to calm the whirlwind of emotions he could still stir up in her. She knew beyond anything, his return was not guaranteed, and the possibility of him running off to his next great adventure was all too real.

She folded her hands on her lap and stilled her raging heartbeat as he entered the classroom.

Hallo, she said with stolen calm.

Hallo Amelia, he smiled.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Things haven’t changed much, has it? he continued.

Amelia stood and shuffled the papers into one pile. Of course it has, we all grew older.

Matthew chuckled and Amelia couldn’t help but give herself an imaginary pat on the back for pulling off some dry humour.

Besides getting older, the schoolhouse is still exactly how I remember it.

Jah, I suppose, she said forcing herself not to smile or look too enthusiastic.

Amelia, he started, I’ve decided to stay home.

Too good to be true, a little voice said, but her heart had a mind of its own and almost instantly she could feel the hope stir deep inside her, and she knew better than to give in to her emotions.

Ok, she said mutedly. I’m certain your parents are pleased?

He shrugged, My daed had a few words, but my mamm was happy to see me.

Silence shrouded the moment as if they both grasped for something to say.

Matthew... Amelia... they spoke at the same time, but it was Matthew that gestured, Go ahead.

She wavered, contemplating whether she should even bother asking him why he left in the first place. Nein, it’s all right, what were you going to say?

I’m sorry about yesterday, I didn’t quite recognize you at first, you’re all grown up now.

She blushed, Six years? People change.

"Jah, that is true. So you’re a teacher now?"

Assistant teacher, she corrected.

I see, you haven’t been wed yet? he said glancing at her white prayer kapp.

Amelia touched her kapp nervously and then shook her head. Nein, was all she managed to respond with. How could she tell him, his desertion of their faith and her had put her off marriage for life?

She glanced up at the clock against the back of the classroom wall, and then suddenly hurried to her desk and plucked the drawer open. I have to go, she murmured and pulled out a small satchel.

Oh, Matthew said, confusion etched on his face, Was it something I said?

Amelia shook her head, Nein, I just have to get going, I have to go feed Socks.

Socks?

Jah, the kitten under the school, I found her there a couple of days ago, she’s tiny. She was the runt of the litter, and her mamm deserted her.

Without another word or further explanation, she hurried past Matthew and down the stairs. She had half expected him to leave, but as she settled into the patch of grass near the corner of the school house and clicked her fingers together, she heard his nearing footsteps.

Stay there, I don’t want Socks to be frightened, she warned.

Amused, Matthew went down on his haunches to the side of her, keeping a safe distance. Amelia clicked her fingers a few more time before this furry bundle of black and white came crawling out of its hole.

There you are, she whispered in a sing song voice before carefully lifting him in her arms.

She reached for the satchel, taking out a folded cloth and then retrieved a small bottle with a teat. The kitten hungrily latched on to the teat.

Matthew had seen nothing like it, not amongst the Amish. Although they generally loved their animals, they didn’t believe in pets as companions, rather as live stock.

How long have you been caring for her, he asked.

Two weeks now, she’s grown a lot since then.

Impressed, he sat down next to her, and reached to stroke the kitten gently, Are you going to keep her?

She glanced at him and shook her head, Nein, as soon as she’s strong enough I will take her to town and give her to the Vet, if she stays here, she would just be used for breeding.

Matthew smiled, So you don’t agree with that?

I’m not judging anyone; I just don’t want to see her suffering through child birth. She’s been through enough.

They sat for another fifteen minutes in complete silence before Socks snuggled in Amelia’s lap and fell asleep. She gently picked the feline up and placed her back under the house. There was a small box with some hay and a tiny blanket.

Chapter 3

The rest of the week passed slowly. Amelia only assisted at school, on Mondays and Wednesdays, the rest of the week she would attend quilting sessions with the other unmarried women and widows in the community, or help around the house. On the days she wasn’t at school, she had to get up really early to go and feed Socks. If the school master found out she was feeding a stray kitten he might take it away from her.

It was Thursday morning, just after 4 AM. Dark clouds were rolling in from the horizon, but even though the approaching storm looked ominous, it wouldn’t prevent her from going to Socks.

The school wasn’t too far, maybe 15 minutes by foot, and since she couldn’t exactly hitch up her daed’s buggy, she had no choice. With her cloak wrapped snug around her, she set off, clutching the front of her coat closed against her neck.

Ten minutes in, with the school in her sight, big drops of rain spattered on the ground and within seconds it was as if the floodgates of heaven had burst open, sending down a deluge. She picked up her pace, but with the amount of water that was streaming down the road and corroding the sand, it was becoming increasingly slippery. And then there was thunder, a deep droning sound of unmistakable power, rolling towards her.

"Dummkopp!" she reprimanded herself. She should have known better than to go out in this weather. Now what would she tell her parents?

She hugged her coat closer, walked faster, and the thunder drew near.

Amelia! shouted a voice behind her and she cringed. "Vas in der velt?"

She stopped, turned and glanced up at Matthew as he pulled in next to her on his buggy, unlike the day before, dressed in his Englisch clothes;  now he was wearing traditional clothes, everything from the lace-up boots to the woven hat.

Get in! he shouted over the downpour.

I have to get to Socks! she called back as she reached for the vertical bar to pull herself into the buggy.

The cat will be fine...

No, I have to get to Socks, with this rain it won’t be long before it floods under the house.

Fine, he said and flicked the reins. You need to take her home with you, you can’t take care of the kitten leaving her at the school, when you’re hardly ever there.

How did he know she wasn’t there every day? She gave him a sideways glance and decided not to confront him. It would just open a can of worms.

As they pulled up to the school house, Amelia got up and ready to run across the yard to where Socks’ shelter was, but Matthew grabbed her arm, "Sittsit unnah, I’ll get her."

He didn’t give her time to respond, and before she could even register, he was heading towards her with the small kitten wrapped in his jacket.

He handed her Socks and then got into the buggy. This storm is growing, best we get you back and out of the rain.

With Socks safely in her arms, she glanced over at Matthew, Why are you out this early?

I get up early every day to check the cheese daed is making and see if it’s curing well and not turning to rot. When I saw the storm rolling in, I figured you would try to get to the school to rescue Socks.

His concern over her and Socks moved her, but she had to guard her heart.

Denki, she said, But I would have been fine.

Are you sure about that?

The doubt or rather the challenge in his tone set her off. She was no longer the shy insecure girl he knew all those years ago. And with a fire