Amish Hope Read online

  AMISH HOPE

  DEIDRA SCOTT

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Opening the door to the cast iron stove, Rachel Schwartz tenderly pulled out the loaf of fresh baked bread and breathed in the delicious smell. Setting it on the counter, Rachel smiled softly to herself, anxious to cut a slice of the wonderful-gut treat and enjoy a break from her afternoon’s work.

  While Rachel was certainly tired from a long afternoon of baking, there was nothing she found more pleasant than a day spent working in her parents’ home. Each activity, from baking meals to washing windows, was a treat for Rachel.

  But the joy was bittersweet.

  At twenty-four-years-old, Rachel was one of the older single women in her Amish community. Although she loved working at home, Rachel couldn’t keep from being a bit envious of her friends who had homes of their own with husbands to care for and children to raise.

  Taking a deep breath, Rachel took a knife out of a drawer and began to slice the bread into large pieces.

  Beaus had come and gone since Rachel turned sixteen, but she had never cared for any of them. Certainly, if Rachel had only hoped to settle down with anyone, she could have found a fine Amish husband who would have provided her with the life the other women in her community already enjoyed, but she wanted so much more than that.

  “Rachel,” the voice of her mother brought Rachel from her thoughts, “Ach, dear, would you mind running to the store and picking us up some more soap?” Her voice turning sour, she announced, “Your daed used up every bit of it without telling me.” Shaking her head, she added, “I don’t know why that man thinks he has to wash his hands every time he walks in the door. He’s too obsessed with germs, if you ask me.”

  “Sure, Mamm, I’ll be happy to go.” Rachel finally had the chance to say as she hurried to wipe off her hands and grab her jacket.

  As Rachel left the house, she could still hear her mother grumbling.

  Rachel was the youngest of seven children and the only one left at home. For as long as she could remember, Rachel knew her parents didn’t get along and, as time passed and they got older, it seemed they were even shorter with one another.

  Walking down the driveway and starting the short distance to the Amish store up the road, Rachel thought about her parents and the way that they seemed to constantly be on edge where the other was concerned.

  Truth be told, her parents were the reason that Rachel wasn’t married. She had recognized from a young age that she wanted a marriage that was different and she would not settle for someone she didn’t love. Rachel didn’t want to risk having the same sort of shaky, loveless marriage as she saw from her parents.

  Beuler’s Country Store

  In the distance, Rachel could see the sign of the small Amish store.

  Adam Beuler. Just the thought of the store keepers’ unmarried son hit Rachel with a torrent of uncertain feelings. She hoped that she would see him today, but had no idea if he would be working in the store.

  Adam and Rachel had been friends ever since his family had moved to the community a few years ago. To be fair, Adam was a large part of the reason that Rachel couldn’t find it in her heart to pursue a serious relationship with any of the other Amish men. Although they had never dated, it seemed that their friendship grew stronger each time they saw each other.

  Sometimes, when he looked at her, Rachel was almost certain that Adam had romantic feelings for her as well; however, it remained a mystery why he never stepped forward to ask her out on a date.

  Reaching out to grab the knob on the store’s door, Rachel vowed to herself that she would find some way to make Adam admit his true feelings for her and move forward with their relationship.

  Stepping into the dimly lit store, Rachel noticed that it seemed empty. Despite the fact that no employees were in sight, Rachel went on to start picking out the items she needed to purchase.

  “Gut afternoon, Rachel,” The voice of Adam Beuler made Rachel jump.

  “Oh, Adam, you snuck up on me!” Rachel laughed as she took a deep breath and leaned against the shelves, looking up into the young man’s handsome face.

  Adam smiled gently, “I suppose I’m too sneaky, jah?”

  Rachel loved to see him smile. As someone who generally serious and quiet, Adam’s smiles were like gold. Rachel couldn’t help but notice that she was usually the one who could bring a sense of cheer to her friend.

  “What are you doing today, Adam?”

  Adam gave a shrug as he reached out to rearrange some of the soap on the shelf, “Nothing, really. Rachel, I need to talk to you...”

  The sound of the store’s door opening interrupted their conversation. Shaking his head, Adam sighed deeply, “I better go see about this customer. I’ll see ya in church tomorrow, Rachel.”

  Chapter Two

  Although Rachel never had an opportunity to hear what Adam wanted to tell her, the fact that he had wanted to talk certainly held her attention. Rachel found it hard to sleep that night. Even though she knew she would have to get up early for church the next morning, she kept tossing and turning in her bed as thoughts ran through her mind.

  Could Adam be ready to move forward with their relationship? She could only hope so!

  The next morning, Rachel had a hard time listening to the message in church. Her eyes kept wandering in the direction of Adam.

  With his curly dark hair and green eyes, Adam certainly was a fine looking young man. Rachel felt her heart flutter as he turned and glanced her way.

  “Now, we have a surprise announcement,” The preacher announced as he finally finished his sermon, “Adam...Lovina...stand up.”

  Adam stood up and, across the room, Lovina Yoder also stood up.

  Rachel instantly felt her heart drop in her chest. The preacher didn’t have to say another word; she already knew what was happening.

  “Adam and Lovina would like to announce their upcoming marriage,” The preacher said with a smile, “They will be married in two weeks next Thursday.”

  Adam and Lovina? Rachel didn’t even know that they were seeing each other. As far as she knew, Lovina was still dating a boy from another county. When had this happened?

  Reaching up, Rachel tried to wipe away a stray tear before it could be detected by anyone else.

  “Rachel, you don’t look well.” Her mom announced as everyone stood up and started filing out to the yard for a large community picnic.

  “I don’t feel well, either.” Rachel muttered softly, reaching up to touch her suddenly throbbing head.

  “Ach, Ada,” Rachel’s father snapped at her mother, “I told you those eggs we had for breakfast weren’t good. You’ve probably made her sick.”

  Rachel’s mom rolled her eyes and shook her head, “She’s probably just hungry. Let’s go on out and see if some food doesn’t help you, dear.”

  Food didn’t help at all. Rachel realized that it would take more than potato salad to help her aching heart. Sitting at one of the picnic tables in the yard, Rachel picked at her food and tried to hold in her emotions. She couldn’t wait until she was home in her own room and free to release her pent-up tears.

  “Rachel Schwartz,” the voice of the bishop made Rachel sit up straighter and try even harder to hide her pain, “You’re just the young woman I was hoping to see.”

  “Mornin’ Reuben,” Rachel’s father greeted the bishop.

  “Mornin’ Luke and Ada. I have a job for your daughter...do ya mind if I chat with Rachel?”

&nb
sp; Shrugging, Rachel’s father said, “Of course not.”

  Bishop Reuben took a seat beside Rachel, gaining her full attention.

  “Rachel, I know that you are a gut, helpful young woman. You do so much for our community. I’ve got a big favor to ask of ya now.”

  Rachel nodded her head, “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.” Any kind of busy service work would be good at this point. Rachel would welcome anything to take her thoughts off of her disappointment over Adam.

  “Well,” the bishop took a deep breath, “As you all know, Lovina’s family is still living in that little trailer. They haven’t had a chance to build themselves a house yet. Their place is in no shape for a wedding.” Turning to Rachel’s parents, the bishop announced, “I want to ask if you all would let the marriage take place at your house?”

  Rachel felt her heart drop. Never had she heard of an Amish wedding taking place anywhere but the bride’s house. The thought of having the awful event happen at her own home was almost more than Rachel could stand.

  “And Rachel,” the bishop’s eyes turned to her, making Rachel feel even worse as she wondered what else he could ask, “I want you to plan the wedding.”

  Rachel couldn’t speak. When she opened her mouth, it felt like all the words got stuck in her throat. Finally, she bit her lip and slowly nodded her head.

  “Are ya all right, Rachel?” Bishop Reuben asked.

  “Jah, I’m fine. Just not feeling like myself today.” Forcing a smile, Rachel sat up straighter, “I’ll be glad to do all the work for the wedding.”

  The lie felt like acid in her throat, and Rachel wondered how she could live through the next two weeks.

  Chapter Three

  Despite the fact that she was exhausted, Rachel found herself unable to sleep once again. Lying in bed, Rachel’s body wracked with sobs as her pillow grew wet with her tears.

  Why did this have to happen? Was Rachel just destined to live her life as an old maid? Perhaps it was time for her to lay aside all her far-reaching plans to actually marry a man that she loved and instead simply settle for whatever she could get.

  Searching through her memory for unmarried men in the community, Rachel wondered what it would take to get the attention of one of them and prove that she was finally ready to get married.

  Crossing her arms across her chest, Rachel let out a deep sigh. She remembered her mother telling about her own courting experience; Rachel’s parents had felt little attraction to one another, but had simply decided to get married because they were both getting too old to wait on love any longer. Perhaps Rachel would find herself doing what she had sworn never to try; maybe she would soon be marrying from convenience.

  “Why God?” Rachel whispered quietly, “I truly thought that you might have brought me and Adam together. Is it just Your will for me to be an old maid forever? I want a home of my own...a dear husband and sweet children.”

  Brushing tears out of her eyes, Rachel tried to think of words to ask the Lord to rip Adam and Lovina apart. And, if she had to watch the man she loved marry another, Rachel at least wanted to pray that she not be the one to plan the wedding.

  Rachel thought back to the moment that Bishop Reuben had asked her to take care of all the wedding details. The bishop had been the one to ask her...he was God’s own chosen leader of their community. If he asked her to do this thing, then it truly was God’s will.

  “Ach,” Rachel muttered to herself, “If this is truly the Lord’s will, then I will do the best job I can.”

  Taking a deep breath, Rachel nodded her head into the darkness. If this was what she was supposed to do, Rachel would make sure that she did a good job of it.

  The next morning, Rachel opened her hope chest and began pulling out the things that she had put away for her own wedding day.

  Something about using her most treasured items for a wedding between Adam and Lovina put a deep sorrow in Rachel’s heart, but she realized that the likelihood of her ever having a use for them was looking slim. The best thing to do was simply sacrifice them for the happiness of the man she cared for – even if he was marrying someone else.

  Taking a deep breath, she pulled out the lace doilies that she had spent so many tedious hours tatting, and laid them down on her bed.

  Pulling out a piece of paper, Rachel started to list the items that she had and the things that she still needed to purchase.

  “Hard at work already, I see,” Rachel’s mom announced as she stepped into Rachel’s bedroom. Reaching down to touch one of the lace items on her daughter’s bed, she went on to say, “Looks like you’ve finally given up on being a bride yourself. That’s what happens when you run off all of your perspective beaus. Is this what you want...to be alone forever?”

  Rachel couldn’t bring herself to speak around the lump that was forming in her throat. This job was already breaking her heart, and her mother’s harsh words weren’t helping.

  “I’m not sure what you’re waiting on, Rachel,” her mom continued, “but, if you ever want to have a family of your own, you need to give up and just settle down with someone who is available. That’s what I did.”

  With that, her mother turned and left the room, leaving Rachel alone with her thoughts.

  Taking a deep breath, Rachel wiped a tear out of her eye, and looked back down at her list.

  This was the job that the bishop had given her. She wouldn’t focus on her own pain until she saw Adam and Lovina happily married.

  Chapter Four

  That Monday afternoon, Rachel was cleaning up the dishes from the noon meal when there was a knock at the front door. Wiping her hands on her apron, Rachel went to open it and was met by Adam and Lovina standing on her front porch.

  “Oh, my, hello,” Rachel managed to mutter softly, “Will you come inside?”

  Lovina smiled as she stepped into the house, practically dragging Adam behind her, “Hello, Rachel! We just thought we’d better stop by and talk since the bishop says you’re going to be planning our wedding.”

  “Take chairs,” Rachel suggested as she led them into the dining room.

  Lovina was quick to sit down and patted a chair beside her, obviously suggesting where Adam should sit.

  As obedient as a puppy, Adam sat down beside his soon-to-be wife.

  Ever since Lovina’s family had moved to their community, Rachel had found herself annoyed by the overly-perky, bossy, and gabby girl. It had always seemed like Lovina had to be the center of attention.

  Being around Lovina had always unnerved Rachel. Watching Adam sit uncomfortably beside his sweetheart, it was hard for Rachel to think that he enjoyed her either. Rachel found herself battling questions about why Adam would ever think to marry Lovina, and had to work to push them out of her mind.

  “So, I wanted to bring you something,” Lovina announced abruptly as she lifted a plastic bag at her side, “I’ve been shopping, Rachel, and I found the perfect material for the dress.” Opening the bag, Lovina pulled out some dark blue material and passed it Rachel’s direction.

  “It’s beautiful...” Rachel managed to say, unsure why Lovina had brought it to her house, “What...”

  Before she could formulate a question, Lovina asked, “Do you want to take my measurements now or later? Since we only have two weeks, you’d better get to work on the dress now.”

  The dress? Rachel had thought that planning the wedding was surely work enough; she had never considered doing the sewing as well.

  Raising her eyebrows, Rachel fought the desire to just pick up the material and throw it back at the haughty girl sitting at her table.

  “Lovina,” Adam spoke for the first time that day, “Don’t you think that we’ve already asked Rachel to do enough? I mean, she’s already doing so much for us.”

  Lovina shot Adam an icy glare and asked, “Do you want to be the one to sew it? I don’t have time for all of this!”

  Rachel looked down at the material and, attempting to stop the conflict between Adam and Lovina, s
tated, “I guess we’d better go on with the measurements now.”

  Glancing up, she saw Lovina give Adam a smug smirk as she announced, “Adam, go out to the barn and see how it looks. Since the wedding meal will be out there, I want to make sure that it’s perfect.”

  Adam sighed and pulled himself to his feet. Giving a nod in Rachel’s direction, he headed out to the barn where Rachel’s father was working with the calves.

  Rachel went to retrieve her sewing basket, wishing for all she was worth that this whole wedding ordeal was over so that she could move forward with life.

  After Rachel measured Lovina for her wedding dress, the soon-to-be bride went on to give extensive instructions about how she wanted the dress to look from the overall appearance to the size of the stitches.

  By the time Adam came back in the house, Rachel was thoroughly worn out.

  “How does the barn look?” Lovina asked.

  Adam gave a shrug, “Looked fine to me.”

  Lovina rolled her eyes and put a hand on her hip, “We can’t do with just ‘fine’, Adam. This is my wedding...I want it to be perfect. I’ll go out and look myself.”

  Shaking her head, Lovina led Adam to the door so that they could inspect the barn together. Turning to look at her, Adam gave Rachel a sympathetic smile and said, “Thanks for the help.”

  Watching Adam broke Rachel’s heart. As if it wasn’t bad enough to see him marrying anyone else, knowing that he was going to be stuck with Lovina forever made the entire situation even worse.

  “Ach, Rachel,” she muttered to herself, “It’s his choice to marry Lovina. If he liked you, he would be marrying you.”

  Chapter Five

  Despite her disgust with the extra job of sewing the wedding dress, Rachel immediately got to work cutting out the pieces and carefully piecing them together.

  Rachel found herself praying with every stitch, hoping that she would be given supernatural strength to get through the project without letting her anger overtake her. Several times, she considered taking her scissors and viciously slicing the material into shreds.