Their True Home

By Amy Clipston

When Marlene Bawell moved from Bird-in-Hand ten years ago, she was in the deepest of mourning for her mother. Now they have moved back so her father can seek employment after being laid off. To help save money, Marlene works at the hardware store owned by Rudy Swarey’s father. She knew Rudy growing up and didn’t think much of him—because he was so immature! But just as she starts to realize how much Rudy has changed, her life is once again turned upside down. Will Marlene ever have a chance to find her own true home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Apr 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9780310352730

Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston is an award-winning bestselling author and has been writing for as long as she can remember. She's sold more than one million books, and her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at AmyClipston.com; Facebook: @AmyClipstonBooks; Twitter: @AmyClipston; Instagram: @amy_clipston; BookBub: @AmyClipston.

Book preview

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 vaguely 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