A Secret of the Soul (Amish Secrets--Book 6)
Page 18
“Elam?”
He spun around. His beautiful wife stood at the door of their home. She’s safe! He wanted to sink to the ground and weep.
“Schatzi? You’re alright?” he choked out.
Julianna smiled. “I’m fine.” She eyed him from top to bottom. “What are you doing outside in your boxer shorts?”
“Looking for you.”
“You better hope the bishop doesn’t stop by, otherwise he’s going to commit you to a mental institution.”
She was teasing.
Elam wanted to burst into laughter, the joy of seeing her alive and well felt so good. He looked down at his attire. Boxers, boots, and a coat. “Jah, I guess I do look pretty silly.”
Julianna giggled. “Yes, you do. Come inside, lieb.”
He stepped into the house and took her into his arms. “Where were you?”
“In the bathroom.”
He pulled back. “But I called and you didn’t answer me.” He quickly shrugged out of his coat and removed his boots.
“I was sick, Elam. I couldn’t really respond right then.” She stared into his eyes.
“Sick? What kind of sick?”
She rubbed her stomach.
He frowned. The last thing Julie needed was sickness. Perhaps her body was detoxing out more of the poisons.
“It was the third time it’s happened this week, but only the first time you woke up.” She playfully tapped his nose.
“The third time? But you…? Wait.” His eyes flew wide and he took in his wife’s expression. “You’re…you’re in the family way?”
She smiled and nodded.
“Oh, Schatzi. But how? I thought–”
“You thought wrong. Der Herr has blessed you with a little arrow.”
A smile stretched across his face, easing more of the tension he previously felt. “Do you think we might get a quiver full of arrows?”
“I’m hoping only one or two at a time.”
“Two?” His brow shot up.
She shrugged. “My mother was a twin. I heard that it could run in the family.”
“You still feeling bad? I can make you some tea,” he offered, moving close to the woodstove.
“No, I’m better now. But denki for offering.” She yawned. “I think I might want to just go back to bed and sleep a little longer.” She placed her hands on his chest and raised a brow. “How about you, handsome?”
Fire burned in his chest where her touch had branded and he gazed into her eyes. His heart rate quickened. He lifted her into his arms and caressed her cheek, melding his lips to hers. “Yes, sleep sounds wonderful.”
The End
Thanks for reading!
To find out more about J.E.B. Spredemann, join our email list, or purchase other books, please visit us at www.jebspredemann.com. Our books are available in Paperback, eBook, and Audiobook formats. You can find them at your favorite book store or library (if you don’t see it on the shelf at either of these places, just ask) or at your preferred online retailer.
To GOD be the glory!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
I’d like to take this time to thank everyone that had any involvement in this book and its production, including Mom and Dad, who have always been supportive of my writing, my longsuffering Family - especially my handsome, encouraging Hubby, my former-Amish friends who have helped immensely in my understanding of the Amish ways, my supportive Pastor and Church family, my Proofreaders, my Editor, my CIA Facebook friends who have been a tremendous help, my wonderful Readers who buy, read, and leave encouraging reviews and emails, my awesome Street Team who, I’m confident, will ‘Sprede the Word’ about my books! And last, but certainly not least, I’d like to thank my Precious LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, for without Him, none of this would have been possible!
A Secret of the Soul Discussion Questions
*Potential Spoilers*
1. At the onset of the story, Elam is pretty content, yet feels like something is lacking in his life. Have you ever felt this way?
2. Tragedy happens all around us every day. We often read or hear of news stories featuring accidents involving Amish buggies. If you’ve ever driven in Amish country, have you feared running into a buggy?
3. Elam, the hero in the story, was first mentioned in An Undeniable Secret—book four in the Amish Secrets series. If you’ve read that book, did you like his character then?
4. When Elam first learns of Julianna’s presumed fate, he is devastated inside but has to hide his emotions. Have you ever been in a similar predicament?
5. Elam and Zach are not only cousins but good friends. Have you ever experienced this type of relationship with a close relative?
6. In an attempt to move on and forget about his heartbreak, Elam considers dating again although he has no clue as to how Englischers do dating. Have you ever been in an awkward situation totally out of your cultural norm?
7. Do you think a lasting relationship between Elam and Megan could work? Why or why not?
8. Sometimes tragedies can be a catalyst in our lives to finding Christ. This was true for Danny. Have you ever experienced the joy and excitement of leading someone to Christ?
9. When Elam discovers the truth regarding Julianna, he feels duty-bound (and perhaps love-bound) to help, in spite of probable negative consequences. Do you think he made the right decision? What do you think you would have done, given the same situation?
10. Even though Elam knew it would take faith and endurance to care for Julie, he chose to do so because she needed him. According to God’s Word, do you think he did the right thing? Why or why not?
11. This book opens up the topic of the dangers of psychotropic medications. Were you aware of those dangers prior to reading this book?
12. Have you ever used a natural method of healing (such as juicing) as opposed to pharmaceutical medication?
13. Caring for a loved one with a sickness can be difficult and emotionally draining at times. Have you ever cared for a loved one with a mental sickness or addiction? How did you cope with your own mental health during that time?
14. Another topic this book mentions is gossip. People tend to say things to others when they think nobody else is around. As we’ve seen from the situation in the church scene, the consequences of something we think is harmless can, indeed, be very harmful. Being in Megan’s shoes, how would you have responded to Chelsea’s words? Was there something more Megan could have done?
15. Do you feel like this book drew you closer to God? Why or why not?
16. Do you have a favorite quote or scene from the book? Please share.
BOOKS IN THIS SERIES INCLUDE:
An Unforgivable Secret – Amish Secrets #1
A Secret Encounter – Amish Secrets #2
A Secret of the Heart – Amish Secrets #3
An Undeniable Secret – Amish Secrets #4
A Secret Sacrifice – Amish Secrets #5
A Secret of the Soul – Amish Secrets #6
*A Secret Christmas – Amish Secrets #2.5
*Coming 2018 (Lord Willing!)
Have you read the Amish by Accident trilogy? Here’s a sneak peek at book One in the series, Englisch on Purpose.
CHAPTER ONE
Matthew listened closely. Did he hear something? He peeked over at Maryanna in the darkness, who lay by his side, softly snoring.
A soft click told him all he needed to know. He hastily rose from the bed and pulled his suspendered pants on quietly. He nearly tumbled over his work boots as he tiptoed toward the living room. He flipped the lights on.
“Dad?” His daughter’s surprised expression was wrought with anguish.
His muscled forearms crossed his chest. “What are you doing out at this hour? Your curfew was an hour ago, young lady.” He pointed to the clock on the wall.
“I…I…uh, Johnny and Judah wanted to stay out longer. I told them I had to be home.”
“That’s not good enough. Try again.” He raised a brow.
&n
bsp; “What’s going on?” Matthew turned at Maryanna’s voice.
“Our daughter is just now returning home.”
“Matthew, can’t we discuss this in the morning? I’m sure Mattie’s tired.”
Matthew didn’t miss the ‘thanks, Mom’ look Mattie tossed Maryanna. “I think it needs to be discussed now,” he insisted.
“Why?” Maryanna challenged him.
“Why? Because this is important, that’s why. And by the time she awakens in the morning, I’ll have been working a couple of hours. At least.”
Their daughter, Rebekah, walked into the kitchen, yawning. “What’s going on, Mom?”
“Your sister, here, is late. Once again.” Matthew frowned. “You may go back to bed, Rebekah.”
Mattie’s hands flew up. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Dad. I’ve told you the truth.” She yawned. “I’m tired. Can I go to bed now?”
“No.” He held out his hand. “Give me your keys.”
“But, Dad–”
“Now.” Matthew tempered his frustration as best as he could.
Tears welled in his daughter’s eyes and she yanked her car keys from her purse.
Matthew clenched his fingers around them. “You’re grounded for two weeks.”
“But how will I get to school and work without my car?”
“Perhaps you should have thought about that before you decided to return home late.”
“Matthew, isn’t this a little harsh?” Maryanna’s hand caressed his back.
Matthew frowned. “No, this is not harsh. We’ve been over this before. She’s had fair warning. She needs to realize there are consequences for her actions.” He turned back to their daughter. “Go to bed, Mattie.”
“You’re just like Dawdi Sabastian!”
He grimaced as his daughter flew up the stairs in tears. Being compared to his ultra-strict Amish father was not a compliment by any stretch of the word.
“Are you sure that was the best thing to do?”
Matthew stared at his wife in disbelief. “Listen, Maryanna. I need you to support me. We need to be in agreement.”
“I just don’t think that was the best thing to do.”
“And what would you have done?”
“I probably would have waited until tomorrow, then I would have reasoned with her.”
“We’ve tried that already, remember?” Matthew sighed. “Maryanna, do you think it’s easy for me to put restrictions on our children? Well, it’s not. She knows better. And Mattie staying out late is asking for trouble. Especially if she’s with Jonathan’s boys.”
Maryanna exhaled. “You have a point.”
“Okay, Lis, I’ve had it! My parents are driving me crazy,” Mattie ranted. “If they keep this up, I think I’m going to scream.”
Elisabeth eyed her best friend. “I can’t believe they took your car away.”
“Not the car, just the keys. Which is essentially the same thing, I guess.” Mattie paced from Elisabeth’s bedroom window to her desk, then plopped down in her chair. “I’m thinking of leaving.”
“Mattie, don’t leave. What am I going to do if you’re gone?”
“Come with me then.”
“I don’t know. It’s kind of scary.” Elisabeth shook her head. “Where will you go? Who will you stay with?”
“I’m sure I’ll find a place. I’ve been saving up money from my job.” Mattie tapped her chin. “I think I’ll look up ‘Help Wanted’ ads in New York.”
Elisabeth’s eyes widened. “New York?”
“I’ve always wanted to go there. Why not?”
“But it’s so big. And there are ferhoodled people there.”
Mattie smiled at her Amish best friend. “There are ferhoodled people everywhere, Lis. Just look at my cousins.” She laughed, thinking of Johnny and Judah and all the mischief the twins had gotten into over the years…
Find Englisch on Purpose at your favorite online retailer or request for purchase at your favorite bookstore or local library.