The Amish Innkeeper's Secret

By Patricia Davids

USA Today–Bestselling Author: Her hope for love was stolen by tragedy—but could a new arrival at her family’s inn bring a second chance?

Emma Wadler has made a good life for herself, running the Wadler Inn in the town of Hope Springs, Ohio. She has accepted her life as an “old maid,” and is content catering to the tourists who come to view her Amish community. She had once hoped to marry and raise a family of her own, but her fiancé died tragically when they were both only seventeen, and Emma has guarded her heart ever since.

Adam Troyer fixes things. Having just returned to the faith after years in the English world, Adam is hoping to prove to his father that he is committed to a simple life. So he’s happy to be hired by Emma’s mother to make repairs to the inn during the winter off-season. The old Swiss-style chalet has its share of problems, but nothing he can’t fix. Nothing except perhaps the broken heart of the owner. . . .

Praise for Patricia Davids’ novels

“Uplifting . . . will have fans of Amish romance eager to read more from Davids.” —Publishers Weekly

“Patricia writes with heart, integrity and hope. Her stories both entertain and edify—the perfect combination.” —Kim Vogel Sawyer, bestselling author of The Tapestry of Grace

Previously published as The Inn at Hope Springs

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Oct 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9780369704351

Patricia Davids

USA Today best-selling author Patricia Davids was born in Kansas. After forty years as an NICU nurse, Pat switched careers to become an inspirational writer. She now enjoys laid back life on a Kansas farm, spending time with her family and playing with her dog Sugar, who thinks fetch should be a twenty-four hour a day game. When not throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories where love and faith conquer all. Contact her at [e-mail]. 

Book preview

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A classic Amish tale of second chances previously titled The Inn at Hope Springs from bestselling author Patricia Davids (2010)

Emma Wadler has made a good life for herself, running the Wadler Inn in the town of Hope Springs, Ohio. She has accepted her life as an old maid, and is content catering to the tourists who come to view her Amish community. She had once hoped to marry and raise a family of her own, but her fiancé died tragically when they were both only seventeen, and Emma has guarded her heart ever since.

Adam Troyer fixes things. Having just returned to the faith after years in the English world, Adam is hoping to prove to his father that he is committed to a simple life. So he’s happy to be hired by Emma’s mother to make repairs to the inn during the winter off-season. The old Swiss-style Chalet has its share of problems, but nothing he can’t fix. Nothing except perhaps the broken heart of the owner….

The Amish Innkeeper’s Secret

Patricia Davids

CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter One

"Stop right there. What do you think you’re doing?"

Inside the front door of the Wadler Inn, Adam Troyer froze, his ladder balanced precariously on his shoulder. He didn’t dare swing around to see who was scolding him. If he tried, he’d break a window or take out a row of Grandma Yoder’s jams and jellies lining the display shelves beside the door. A window could be replaced, but good gooseberry jam was a work of art. Grandma Yoder’s was the best.

What is the meaning of this? A woman moved into his line of sight from behind the jam display. Planting herself in front of him, she prevented him from advancing into the lobby. Arms akimbo in her brown Amish dress, a scowl on her face beneath the white prayer cap on her auburn hair, the little woman reminded him of a hen with her feathers ruffled in annoyance. An angry Rhode Island Red with spectacles.

He struggled to keep from laughing. "You are Emma Wadler, jah?"

I am. Who are you, and why are you bringing that ladder in here? Her tone was cold as the February temperature outside.

He swallowed his grin. He needed this job. I’m Adam Troyer. I’m here to fix the loose stones in the fireplace and some of the shutters outside.

He’d only seen her a few times before this. Although they belonged to different Amish church districts, he’d spent time in Hope Springs when he’d visited his cousins. His cousin David called her a plain-faced alt maedel.

She didn’t look that old, maybe thirty at the most. Not all that plain, either, with her peaches-and-cream complexion and full red lips. At the moment those lips were pressed into a hard line, but he figured a smile would make her almost pretty.

Behind wire-rimmed glasses, her hazel eyes narrowed. No smile appeared. There’s nothing wrong with our shutters. Who hired you?

The owner did.

She folded her arms. I’m the owner.

You are? That surprised him. Very few Amish women owned businesses outright, although many owned them jointly with their husbands.

I asked Mr. Parker to hire the lad, Emma. Now let him get to work. I don’t want another quilt smoked up. A tall, gray-haired woman in a royal-blue dress crossed the room. Bright-eyed and smiling, tall and big-boned, Naomi Wadler was the opposite of her daughter in every respect.

Stopping in front of him, she pointed to one end of the lobby. We have several stones loose in the fireplace. Can you fix them?

The impressive stone structure soared two stories high and was at least eight feet wide. Made in the old-world fashion using rounded river stones in mortar with a massive timber for a mantel. Someone had added a quilt hanger near the top. It made a fine place to display a handmade quilt.

Emma spoke up. "Don’t start work just yet, Mr. Troyer. Mudder, I need a word with you," she stated, a hint of