A Sister's Amish Courtship

By Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann

Another Spredemann book you won’t want to put down!

Schoolteacher Jane Eicher knows Benuel Mast is trouble the moment she meets him.
But that doesn't stop her from getting to know him. There’s something about the handsome newcomer that draws her, and against her better judgment, she just can’t seem to ignore his presence.
Jane believes her future in her small Amish community is secure—until the deacon’s niece threatens to reveal something that would destroy Jane’s reputation and ruin her life.

Ben is smitten with beautiful Jane Eicher, and he’s determined nothing on this earth will keep them apart. That is, until Jane suddenly flees the community.

As time passes, Ben realizes Jane may never return. So, he does his best to move on without her. But when he discovers the reason she left, he’s determined to find her and bring her home.

Can their love overcome even the darkest of secrets?

The exciting sixth title in the Amish Courtship Series by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Spredemann!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann
• Release date: Sep 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224996803

Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann

USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann seeks to pen compelling stories that captivate readers and bring glory to GOD. She has penned over forty Amish fiction titles in her "cant-put-down" writing style. She resides in Indiana Amish Country with her family on a former Amish farm where the documentary Breaking the Silence was filmed. "...Spredemann weaves a thread of love and intrigue into a quilt of faith and values." - reader review Grab a FREE story when you join my newsletter! Go here: https://www.jenniferspredemann.com/ ABOUT MY BOOKS…It seems like every series I've written has been unique: AMISH GIRLS SERIES: (co-authored with my daughters) is a fun series set in Pennsylvania and is geared for teens (although many of my older readers have said they thoroughly enjoyed it!) (8 books + 2 tie-ins) AMISH BY ACCIDENT TRILOGY: Amish by Accident was originally a stand-alone book (my first book released!) It was SO different (that was my crazy imagination kicking in), I was unsure how readers would respond (or if anyone would even read it, LOL). And then the reviews started coming in! As of today, the book has 700+ Amazon reviews with a 4.5 STAR average! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I ended up writing a sequel and a prequel, thus the trilogy. :) (3 books) AMISH SECRETS SERIES: Oh, boy! This series tackles some pretty intense topics that you likely won't read about in your mainstream Amish fiction books. The first book in this series, An Unforgivable Secret is currently FREE in ebook. This was another one that I was unsure how it would resound with readers. It currently has 1900+ Amazon ratings and reviews with a 4.5 STAR average! GOD IS GOOD! (7 books) AMISH FAIRY TALES: (originally "FAIRLY" TALES, on purpose, but not everybody "gets" my twist on words) Basically, loose retellings of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, Amish-style (2 books, #3 on the backburner) KING FAMILY SAGA : the Bible stories of Isaac & Rebekah; Jacob, Rachel, & Leah; Joseph; Ruth; and David loosely told in an Amish context. (5 books so far) AMISH COUNTRY BRIDES: Sweet faith-filled romances set in Indiana (12 books) STAND-ALONE STORIES: Her Amish Identity (previously known as Love Impossible), An Unexpected Christmas Gift (Unlikely Singing loosely ties into this sweet love story) UNLIKELY SERIES: Unlikely Santa (An Amish Christmas Story), its sequel Unlikely Sweethearts, U...

Book preview

Prologue

Jane knew he was trouble the day she met him.

She didn’t know if it was the dark waves that swept carelessly over his forehead, the sparkle in his caramel eyes, or the way his lips twitched with mischief, but Benuel Mast had all the telltale signs of a heartbreaker.

So, it was a gut thing she was already taken when he and his family breezed into their small Amish community.

She and Jakob Raber had been courting for four months now. And they were perfectly content with each other.

But what she hadn’t been expecting was for Jakob and Benuel to become fast friends. They hung out together at every youth event and you’d rarely see one without the other.

As a matter of fact, Jakob had brought Benuel along on some of their special outings when Jane had thought it would be just the two of them.

Little did Jakob know that his new best friend was a flirt of the worst kind. Every time Jakob turned his back, Benuel turned on the charm.

When she mentioned Benuel’s shenanigans to Jakob, he simply laughed it off. "That’s just the way Ben is, Jane. It’s not like he’s interested in courting you or anything. He knows you’re my aldi."

Jakob had more confidence in his friend—and in her—than she did.

That had been his first mistake.

Chapter 1

H ello?

Jane had just sat down to grade her scholars’ test papers when the masculine voice spoke through the crack in the schoolhouse door.

The kinner must’ve left it open on their way out.

"Kumm in." She scooted her chair back and stood behind the teacher’s desk, anticipating one of her scholar’s parents.

Instead, a handsome young man near her own age waltzed inside. Not that she noticed he was handsome. Nee, that wasn’t exactly true. She did notice. But she wasn’t attracted to him. At least, she tried not to be.

Jane Eicher, right? His smile broadened, unveiling a set of perfect teeth.

Ach, he really was gut looking.

She clasped her hands in front of her apron. "Jah, that’s correct. Was there something you needed?"

Benuel Mast. He held out his hand, expecting her to shake it. "I’m Lizzie Mae’s bruder."

She couldn’t stop her grin as she thought of her newest scholar, whose family had recently moved to Indiana from Ohio. She rounded the desk and reached for his hand, then released it as quickly as possible. "She’s been a gut addition to our classroom. Very kind and helpful."

"Jah, that’s our Lizzie Mae. Figured she’d do well."

She leaned against the desk. "Your family purchased the property just down the road, ain’t so?"

"My mamm and stepdat, Darrell. Benuel nodded, his gaze fixed on Jane’s. I’m usually up before dawn. I’d be happy to kumm over in the mornings to get the fire going for you. Heard you lived a ways away."

For some reason, her cheeks warmed at his generous offer. That’s very kind of you to volunteer.

Well. He shrugged. My reasons aren’t purely unselfish. The truth is, I like to be home as little as possible.

I see. Jane wouldn’t ask him to elaborate. She wasn’t one to stick her nose where it didn’t belong. She’d been blessed with a wunderbaar family, though they were far from perfect. Well, it would be appreciated.

It also increases my chances of seeing the pretty schoolteacher. He winked.

Ach. Now, she was sure her cheeks must be on fire. She should probably mention Jakob right about now. But she didn’t.

"I guess I better get Lizzie Mae home. Gut to meet you, Teacher Jane." He tipped his hat, then disappeared through the schoolhouse door.

Jane’s hand settled over her fluttering heart, but she immediately chastised herself. She should not be feeling this way about another man. Jakob would not be pleased.

But the thing she couldn’t figure out is why she never felt this way around Jakob.

Ben couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face. He couldn't believe that he found her, the woman he'd been waiting for his entire life and had never known it.

What are you smiling so big for? Lizzie Mae eyed him across the buggy seat.

"Ach, nothing."

Do you think our teacher is pretty?

That's none of your business. He popped a piece of bubble gum into his mouth and blew a large bubble.

You do! I knew it. His sister bounced on the seat. "That's why you were in there for so long, ain't so?"

He reached over and messed with her traveling bonnet. You're too smart for your own good, you know that?

May I have a piece of gum?

Sure. Just don’t let Darrell catch you with it. You know how he feels about us chewing gum. The last thing he wanted was for his schweschder to be reprimanded. He held out a piece.

"Denki. She popped it into her mouth. Well, I hope you don't like her too much because she already has a beau."

Ben frowned. How do you know that?

That's what the other scholars said. And he came by one day after school to pick her up.

A problem indeed.

He frowned. Who is it?

They said his name is Jakob something.

I see. Lucky man.

Benuel determined to find this Jakob guy and see what he was all about. Because if someone was courting Jane Eicher, he had better be worthy of her affection.

As soon as Ben dropped Lizzie Mae off at the haus and tended to his driving mare, he hurried out to the phone shanty just down the road.

He would burst if he didn’t share his news with someone, and he knew just the person he wanted to tell. He quickly dialed his older bruder’s Ohio phone number, and wished once again that his brother lived closer.

His bruder picked up on the second ring.

Fortunately, his former district had allowed them to have a phone on their property—something not allowed in the district they’d moved to. But it was a small price to pay considering he’d found her.

I found her! He blurted out the moment his brother said hello.

Menno chuckled. "Well, hello to you too, bruder. What’s her name? And are you chewing gum again?"

Ben’s brother knew good and well what he was referring to because they’d had several talks about this very thing—that someday Benuel would meet a maedel and she’d change his life. Ben had never believed his brother until today, when he met Jane Eicher. Jane. Jane Eicher. And yes, I am.

Is she pretty?

"Ach, she’s amazing!"

Where did you meet her?

She’s Lizzie Mae’s school teacher.

I see.

There might be a small problem, though.

Uh oh. What did you do?

"Nee, it’s nothing like that. He frowned. She’s already stepping out with someone else."

Is it serious?

I don’t know! What do I do? He couldn’t help the desperation that had grabbed ahold of his chest.

"Pray about it. Gott will see that she ends up with who she’s supposed to."

It’s me.

Menno chuckled at his quick response. "You sound rather confident about this maedel."

She’s the one. I just know it. I can’t even explain how except that when we met, it was like something inside my heart whispered to me. Ben insisted.

"You think it was Der Herr?"

Who else would it have been?

Can’t say.

"You know I’ve courted other maed, pretty ones even, and I knew they weren’t right. But Jane…" Tears pricked his eyes. Ach, he’d never felt so strongly about something in his life. "I just know."

"Well, gut for you, bruder. I hope it works out. He paused. How’s everything else going?"

Benuel thought of his stepdad and grunted.

That good, huh?

I know he hates me.

Hey, just grin and bear it. You’ll be out of the house before you know it.

I wish I was out yesterday. His hand raked through his hair. Honestly, I don’t know how I’m ever going to save up enough for a place of my own if he keeps taking all my money.

"What does Mamm say?"

As far as I can tell, she’s letting Darrell call the shots. He mimicked his mother. "He’s your stepdat now. You have to respect and obey him." Not that he didn’t. It was just really hard to follow someone who didn’t have your best interests at heart.

"That’s tough, bruder. Is it possible you can negotiate something with him?"

Like what?

I don’t know. Maybe get a second job if he’ll let you keep the money. He paused. Or…

What?

Is there someone who will let you rent out a room in exchange for working for them, maybe?

Um…I guess that might be a possibility. But we just moved here. I don’t really know anyone yet.

"Except the pretty schoolteacher, ain’t so?"

His lips lifted at the thought of Jane Eicher. Right.

"You could ask her if