“Really? Why?”
“Because at least we’ll know he’s on the straight and narrow and alive. That’s a positive thing.”
Relaxing against him, she nodded. “You’re right. I’m glad for Calvin.”
Running a hand up and down her good arm, he continued. “Now, are you ready for the second piece of news?”
“Jah.”
“You sure? It’s big.”
“I’m lying down. I should be able to handle it.”
“All right, then, but brace yourself.”
“Mark! What is it?”
“Lora and Deputy Beck eloped last night.”
She gaped. “Surely not.”
“Oh, jah.” He chuckled. “She called the store to tell me so no one would worry when she wasn’t around for the next week.” Looking pleased as punch, he said, “Right now, they are on their honeymoon in Gatlinburg.”
“I’m amazed. But I kind of think it’s fitting, too. Lora never was the type to play by the rules.”
“For what it’s worth, she sounded really happy.”
“That’s worth a lot. I’m glad for her.” Waneta still felt bad whenever she thought about how she never really did have much to do with Lora. That was going to change, though. They’d been through far too much to go back to being distant acquaintances.
Smiling up at him, she sighed. “I’m real glad you came over, Mark. You are filled with good news.”
“I’m not done yet.” Looking a little awkward, he said, “I have one more thing to share.”
“Really? Who is this bit of news about? Henry?”
The smile vanished. “No. Me.”
“You?” she teased, then tensed. “Wait a minute. Did something happen?” All kinds of worst-case scenarios came to mind. “Is Sheriff Brewer mad at you? Or did something go wrong with your job? Or your house?”
Grinning, he shook his head. “The answer is no. Four times.”
“Mark, don’t play games.”
“All right, then. Here’s my news, Waneta. I’ve fallen in love with you.”
“Oh!”
“Yeah, oh. And since I have fallen in love, I decided I had better talk to you about that.”
She felt like laughing and crying. “What . . . What did you want to talk about?”
“Well, first, I’m going to have to ask you not to keep me in suspense. Do you love me, too?”
“You know I do.”
Raising her hand, he kissed her knuckles. “Jah. I do know you do. You were there for me when practically no one else was. You’ve defended me when most didn’t think I deserved it. You’ve taught me to trust again. To believe again.”
“I don’t know if I did all those things, but I do know that I’m better with you, Mark Fisher.”
Leaning down, he brushed his lips against her forehead. “Now, I have something to ask you, and I want you to think about it long and hard before you answer.”
She pretended to brace herself. “All right. I’m ready.”
“Will you marry me, Waneta Cain?”
She didn’t need to consider it. She sure didn’t need any more time to pass. “Yes.”
He sighed dramatically. “You just promised me that you’d think on this for a while.”
She was injured. She was so weak and sore that she was lying with her head in his lap instead of sitting by his side. She was also younger than him. And far shyer than he’d ever been.
But there was one area where she was far and away his superior.
And that was believing in the two of them.
“I just promised to marry you, Mark Fisher. That trumps everything else.”
“Does it, now?”
“Very much so. And that means, it’s time for you to do one thing.”
“Which is?”
Looking into his eyes, she smiled. “Kiss me.”
Next thing she knew, Waneta was sitting in his lap. Her arms were looped around his neck. He was holding her with care . . . and kissing her like he didn’t intend to stop anytime soon.
As she relaxed against him, Waneta sincerely hoped that was the case.
After all, they had a lifetime of happiness to look forward to.
P.S. Insights, Interviews & More . . . *
About the Author
* * *
Meet Shelley Shepard Gray
About the Book
* * *
Letter from the Author
Q&A with the Amish
Questions for Discussion
Read On
* * *
A Sneak Peek at the next book in the Amish of Hart County series, The Gift
About the Author
Meet Shelley Shepard Gray
IN MANY WAYS, my writing journey has been like my faith journey. I entered into both with a lot of hope and a bit of nervousness. You see, I didn’t get baptized until I was in my twenties and didn’t first get published until I was in my thirties. Some people might consider those events to have happened a little late in life. However, I feel certain that God knew each took place at exactly the right time for me.
To be honest, these days I rarely stop to think about my life before I was a Christian or a writer. I simply wake up, drink my coffee, and try to get everything done that I can each day! I feel blessed to be a part of a large church family, to have my husband and children, and to enjoy a busy career. But every so often, someone will ask why I write inspirational novels. Or why I write at all.
Then I remember how it felt to knock on a minister’s office door and tell him that I wanted to be baptized; and how it felt the very first time I wrote “Chapter 1”—both felt exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
Perhaps you are a little bit like me. Maybe you, also, developed your faith a little after some of your friends or family. Maybe you, also, began a new job in a field that you didn’t go to school for. Maybe you started on a journey where you weren’t sure you were going to be a success or even fit in.
Or maybe, like me, success wasn’t what you were hoping to attain. Maybe it was a matter of following a power bigger than yourself. If so, I’m glad I’m in good company. I’d love to know your story, too.
Now I have been a Christian for almost thirty years. I’ve been a published writer for about half that time. Both journeys have not always been easy. Both have been filled with ups and downs. Yet, both have given me much joy, too. I’d like to think that anything worth having takes some hard work. It takes some time to grow and mature, too.
And because of that, I am comfortable with the fact that I’m still on my journey, one morning at a time.
With blessings to you,
Shelley Shepard Gray
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About the Book
Letter from the Author
Dear Reader,
A long time ago I decided that the characters in my books would be people I would want to know. I figured if I was going to be spending hours and hours every day with them, sometimes for months at a time, I might as well like them! Usually, this plan works well for me. As I write my pages or rewrite scenes, I find myself rooting for my made-up people. Then I began this novel.
To be honest, even after I wrote the first seventy-five pages or so, I didn’t like any of them, except Waneta—and I wasn’t even particularly thrilled about the way she first treated Mark. And Mark! I felt his pain, but I felt he kind of had a chip on his shoulder, too. As for Lora and Sheriff Brewer and Deputy Beck and Calvin? I found every single one of them frustrating!
One day, as I was staring at all my notes, the magazine pictures, the map of Hart County, and a blinking cursor on the computer screen, I came really close to deleting the whole thing. Then I realized that all those characters had become real to me. They were real, imperfect, flawed, full-of-mistakes characters. However, they were also tenacious—and filled with such hope that I knew I couldn’t give up on them.
That’s when I knew I had a book worth writing.
When I finished, I realized that these characters were a lot like me, maybe even like most people. I’m imperfect. I make mistakes. However, each day I try to be a better person. I rely on my faith and people I love for guidance. Maybe you can relate a little bit?
I sincerely hope you enjoyed Mark’s and Waneta’s story! I hope you grew to love their characters as much as I did. If you have time, drop me a line! I’d love to know what you thought. The next story in the series is called The Gift and it takes place right around Christmastime.
Until then, I wish you many blessings. Thank you for giving this book a try!
With my best,
Shelley Shepard Gray
Q&A with the Amish
One of the reasons I enjoy writing novels featuring the Amish is because I live in Ohio near several Amish communities. One community is just an hour from my house! Because of this, I’ve had the opportunity to visit different Amish communities several times a year, both in Ohio and Kentucky.
Over time, I’ve been blessed to know several Amish ladies well enough to call them friends. Because of this friendship, they were kind enough to let me interview them about everything from faith to canning to learning to drive a buggy. I hope you’ll respect their privacy and understand that I won’t be using their names, only their initials. I also am not listing the community where they live.
Enjoy the interview! Even after all these years, I learned something new!
Shelley: What were some of your favorite childhood activities? Are they different from generation to generation?
B: Yes, I’m sure they are different from generation to generation. We liked to play croquet in the summer. Nowadays, it’s a lot of volleyball. We also played a lot of board games and cards, like Uno, Rook, and Phase 10.
J: Growing up on the farm I always enjoyed outdoors work, being around the animals, helping with the garden, and putting in hay. Our family always had ponies and riding horses, which we enjoyed. I would say some things have stayed the same. Most Amish children have a pony during their growing-up years. Not very many families are doing farming anymore, so that has changed some things, but children help do yard work, help in the house, do dishes, etc. Of course, there are those few that are spoiled and don’t do much to help.
Shelley: When did you learn to sew and quilt? Did you learn from your mother? Did your daughters enjoy sewing and quilting, too?
B: Yes, I learned to sew from my mom, but I didn’t do much of it before I was married. It was easier to let my mother do the sewing and I do the other work, because I didn’t really like it.
After I got married, I sewed. I also didn’t like to quilt at first but really like it now. One daughter really liked to sew and quilt and the other one didn’t like it; she liked working outside.
J: I was taught to sew as a teenager. I was left-handed so I kind of learned by myself as my mom was right-handed and it was hard. My daughters taught themselves and from watching me. They learned at an early age, and they like to sew lots more than I do. Quilting is not so much a hobby anymore; the young generation are not all taught to quilt.
Shelley: What about canning and gardening? What do you like to can? Has the process changed much over the years?
B: I like to can green beans, four different kinds of pickles, applesauce, and apple pie filling. We freeze the corn and peaches. We also can a lot of pizza and pasta sauce.
J: Our family has always done a lot of canning and gardening. I enjoy it very much. I like to can most anything. I do my own sauerkraut. We also grow a lot of popcorn. My garden is always bigger than most other people’s. There are Amish people who do not have a garden and will just buy at produce stands, etc. For me, gardening is relaxing and is very much a stress reliever.
Shelley: How does your faith guide your life?
B: By reading the Bible and praying. Also attending church.
Shelley: Driving a horse and buggy looks hard to me. Was it difficult to learn to do that?
B: Usually, we learn with a tame horse. Some horses don’t like big trucks. They sometimes jump towards the ditch. You have to have the lines tight, then they can’t do too much.
Shelley: Do you have favorite recipes that you like to make for other people?
B: Yes, I make coffee cake for coffee breaks with friends. I also like to try new recipes.
Shelley: Has your community changed much over the years?
J: Our community has changed a lot, with hardly any farmers left. Most people live on smaller properties, anywhere from one acre up to ten acres. Some have more land and will do some hay crops. Along with no farms, people have more time for leisure activities and will spend time camping, spend evenings around campfires with friends, go out to eat, and spend more time with family, etc. As times change, rules change. We have generator power for washers, sweeper fans, sewing machines, etc. Also solar power for some.
We also have a lot more youth gatherings, volleyball, and singings. Most people are accepting of changes. There are always a few that hang on to the old ways.
Shelley: What was Amish school like?
J: For me, going to school in the 1970s and 1980s, we always talked Amish during school. Then in the seventh grade we got a new teacher and everyone had to talk English. Wow, that was hard! We knew enough English to get by before that, but I suppose we probably did not always use the proper words.
Now all children must speak English at all times during school. Now most children know English even before school, as people have more contact with the English and often have friends they get together with. Our children went to public school with approximately twenty-five to thirty other Amish in their grade when starting kindergarten. As time went on and more Amish schools were built, some would drop out of public and go to Amish school. Also, a few do homeschool.
I always felt an education was important, as children should be taught as much as possible. Unfortunately, not all Amish feel that way. Some families are very strict and send their children to Amish schools only. Over all, our Amish schools are good; but, then, we do have some that have a share of problems with students and teachers.
Shelley: What might surprise others about the Amish?
J: That I don’t think our way of life is hard at all. It is a blessed life, being close to nature, which God created. God is good.
Others might be surprised that not many people in some communities are farmers. We have a lot of woodshops, sawmills, welding shops, grocery bulk-food stores, variety stores (like Walmart), too. We also have sewing shops and fabric stores. All are owned and managed by Amish.
Also, if you want, you can buy all your Amish clothes. You don’t have to make them. We also like to shop at Walmart and Aldi. Also Kohls!
Something else some might find surprising is that we would pay a driver to take us on vacation. A lot of Amish own houses in Sarasota, Florida, and will spend the winter months there.
And some Amish youth, when they turn eighteen, will sometimes buy a car and drive, but most of the time will sell the car after a time and become a member of the church. Most parents do not approve but will allow the child to stay at home with the family. There are some (few) parents who will not allow their child to stay at home if they have a car.
Shelley: Thank you both so much for doing this interview with me! I loved learning more about you and your families. I think my readers will enjoy learning more about the Amish, too.
Questions for Discussion
1. What is your first impression of Mark Fisher? Would you have reacted to him the same way Waneta did? Why or why not?
2. What did you think about Mark’s reasons for returning to Horse Cave? Would you have returned?
3. While writing this novel, I discovered that I enjoyed developing the secondary characters as much as Waneta and Mark. Who in the book did you enjoy getting to know?
4. One of the themes in the novel was forgiveness. I spent a lot of time thinking and praying about what it means to forgive others and oneself. Mark touche
d my heart because he carried so much guilt for things that he was not responsible for. Could you relate to his guilt?
5. I really enjoyed writing about Lora Weaver, most especially, her relationship with Deputy Eddie Beck. How do you think her relationship with the other characters influenced them? Who in your life has influenced you in an unexpected, positive way?
6. The following scripture verse from John guided me while writing the novel. Have you ever had the opportunity to overcome a great many obstacles for a friend? How did it alter your relationship? John 15:13 (NIV) Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
7. I found the Amish proverb Whatever your past has been, you have a spotless future, when I was about halfway through writing the book. I had to smile because it seemed to speak to almost every character in the book! What do you foresee happening with Mark and Calvin in the future? What about Waneta, her parents, and Lora?
8. His Guilt is the second stand-alone novel in this six-book Hart County series. If you’ve also read Her Secret, what do you think of the series so far?
Read On
Can’t Get Enough of the Residents of Hart County? Here’s a Sneak Peek at The Gift, a Christmas Novel from Shelley Shepard Gray,
Coming November 2017 from Avon Inspire
We walk by faith, not by sight.
—2 CORINTHIANS, 5:7
Enjoy today. It won’t come back.
—AMISH PROVERB
November 28
Crack!
Susanna Schwartz knew of only one thing that could make a sound like that. A rifle. Someone was shooting nearby. Right by Highway 218.
Crack. Ping! Ping!
That sounded closer. Though it was nerve-wracking, she tried to calm herself down and concentrate on driving her buggy home. What she needed to do was simply make some sense out of what she was hearing.
His Guilt Page 22