Her Fear

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  Wishing you many blessings and my thanks,

  Shelley Shepard Gray

  Moonshine in Kentucky

  From the Folk Song, “The Kentucky Moonshiner” (traditional)

  “I’ve been a moonshiner goin’ on seventeen year,

  I spent all my money on whiskey and beer.

  I’ll go to some holler and set up my still,

  And see you a gallon for a two-dollar bill.”

  While Her Fear is a work of fiction and I did not base it on any specific Amish community, there is a long history of individuals making homemade moonshine in the state of Kentucky. According to the numerous articles I’ve read about this subject, Kentucky has been known to be a place for moonshine and homemade liquor since the early 1800s. The practice became more widely known after the Civil War. Some families started distributing their homemade liquor during Prohibition.

  While some folks might own a still (or a distillery purification system) such as for water purification, it is not legal to operate one in order to make alcoholic beverages. According to the Kentucky Revised Statute, Section 244.170:

  “No person shall buy, bargain, sell, loan, own, possess, or knowingly transport any apparatus designed for the unlawful manufacture of alcoholic beverages.”

  If someone was found guilty of this, the still would be seized and the person would be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.

  What about the Amish?

  The Amish have a decentralized system when it comes to what is allowed and not allowed. There isn’t something written down regarding drinking alcohol like there are in some other religions. That said, you would be far more likely to find an Amish man or woman drinking a cup of coffee or a soda than sipping wine or opening a can of beer. However, in some Old Order Amish communities, it is permissible to have a celebratory toast with homemade wine or cider from time to time. The New Order Amish are much more against this practice.

  While doing research for Her Fear, I read a number of quotes from people who said they knew a few Amish men who operated a still. I have no reason to believe this happens very often.

  There Really Are Amish Firemen and EMTs

  One of the biggest misconceptions some people seem to have about the Amish is that they are against technology. That really isn’t the case. For example, if you ever visit the Sugarcreek library you’ll see just as many Amish residents at the computer terminals as you will English. Most of the Amish who want to use the computer from time to time to look things up on the Internet certainly know how to do that. They just don’t have computers in their homes.

  That is the difference, I think. Most Amish don’t want technology to run their lives. As someone who works on a computer all day long in my house, I can absolutely identify with the desire to keep some distance from Twitter, Facebook, and emails!

  This belief that technology can be valuable, if utilized in an appropriate matter, is one of the reasons an Amish man or woman might become a firefighter or an EMT. Another driving factor is a need to give back and to be an asset to their district, county, or town. As in any community, firefighters and other first responders put their lives on the line to help others. The Amish firefighters and EMTs I read about felt strongly about helping the men and women in their community. One man I read about became a firefighter after the local fire department was called when his barn caught on fire. He wanted to give back and help others.

  Just like every other emergency medical technician, an Amish EMT will complete the coursework and go through hundreds of hours of volunteering in order to be certified. There are even some classes available for the Amish men and women to complete online in case attending college is not an option.

  When I first imagined my hero as an EMT, I envisioned that his knowledge of Pennsylvania Dutch would come in handy. It turns out that many Amish firefighters and EMTs are valued for their knowledge of both English and Pennsylvania Dutch. They can communicate easily with an Amish man, woman, or child who might be in distress.

  What made me smile the most during my research was reading the quotes from the Amish men and women who both volunteer or are paid firefighters and EMTs. They are proud of their ability to help others and are glad that the Lord has given them gifts to enable them to work hard in extreme situations. One man also mentioned that when his unit is called out to fight a fire, he is considered simply to be a firefighter, not an Amish firefighter. I could certainly appreciate that!

  I’m so proud to be writing books about the Amish in different occupations that showcase their bravery and commitment to their community! I hope you enjoyed Her Fear and will enjoy my November release, His Promise, in which my Amish hero is a firefighter.

  Questions for Discussion

  Though Her Fear was a work of fiction, I tried to incorporate a number of themes in the novel that anyone might experience at one time or another: grief, uncertainty, hope, and acceptance. For Sadie, all of these emotions are linked together. Has there ever been a time in your life when you’ve experienced a number of these emotions as well?

  The Stauffer family was very different from Sadie. Do you think this was a good or bad thing? How might have her experiences with them been different if they were a more traditional family?

  Almost every character in the novel isn’t quite what they seem at first, even Stephen and Daisy. Why do you think the timing was right for them to begin their friendship?

  What did you think of Noah and his choice to become an EMT?

  Was there a character that you would like to read more about?

  What obstacles do you think Sadie and Noah will encounter during their life together?

  I loved the following Scripture verse from Hebrews that guided me through the writing of this novel. We can say with confidence, “the Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6). What does it mean to you?

  Do what you can with what you have where you are (Amish Proverb). How might this proverb relate to a situation that has happened in your life?

  Read On

  A Sneak Peek from the Next Book in the Amish of Hart County Series

  Coming November 2018 from Avon Inspire!

  I will be filled with joy because of You. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

  Psalm 16:11

  Prayers go up, Blessings come down.

  Amish Proverb

  “IT’S SNOWING AGAIN,” Grace King said to Snooze. “If it keeps up, we’re gonna have a white Christmas. Won’t that be something?”

  Snooze, the appropriately named five-year-old dachshund, opened one eye, stared at her for a few seconds, then darted under his favorite quilt. Grace knew he wouldn’t reappear for several hours.

  He was truly the most unsocial dog she’d ever sat for, and that was saying a lot. She’d taken care of a variety of animals during her three years as a professional pet sitter. From pampered felines to retired greyhounds to ornery parrots, she’d even once looked after a science teacher’s iguana named Sam. With every animal, she’d managed to find something to connect with the pet. Sometimes, all it took was a special treat or a couple of games of fetch. Or, in Sam’s case, fresh flies.

  Snooze, all fourteen pounds of stubbornness, was starting to be her most difficult client. No matter what she did, the little wirehaired dachshund didn’t want anything to do with her. It was frustrating, but at least she knew the reason.

  Snooze was pouting.

  He missed his family and was extremely displeased that he was having to spend Christmas with her. Only her.

  Grace knew exactly how he felt.

  It wasn’t supposed to be this way. When Mr. and Mrs. Lee had booked her back in September, they’d kindly told Grace that she should feel free to have any of her siblings or one of her girlfriends keep her company while she lived in their big house for two weeks.

  Imagining quiet evenings spent on their soft leather couches in front of their fireplace with her best friend, Jennifer, or one of her sisters, Gra
ce had jumped at the chance. She was the second oldest of six children and while she loved, loved, loved them all, they were a noisy and intrusive lot. They got excited, talked loudly to everyone, and were constantly in each other’s business.

  And at Christmas? Well, suffice to say that her mother got a little too enthusiastic about the holiday. Daed often teased her about forgetting that she was Old Order Amish and therefore should want a plain and simple Christmas. Though they didn’t have a tree or string lights from the roof, her mother strung Christmas cards down the banisters, lit cranberry-scented candles from morning till night, and even sang Christmas carols to herself when she didn’t think anyone was listening. And then there was the baking. And the wrapping. And the dozen holiday projects in various stages of completion scattered all through the house.

  It was a little bit overwhelming for Grace, who enjoyed the quiet almost as much as she enjoyed being alone with a good book.

  Grace had planned to use the Lees’ beautiful, roomy and, yes, quiet house as her Christmas escape. She’d planned to attach Snooze’s leash to his collar and take him home for a few hours every day so everyone could play with him. Then, when they were both tired, she would usher him back to his fancy house where they could revel in the peace and quiet.

  But almost as soon as she said good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Lee and got snubbed by Snooze, the Lord rearranged her plans.

  Mamm’s parents contracted a bad case of the flu. They were so weak, the whole family—well, everyone except her—journeyed up to Ohio to Mommi’s and Dawdi’s haus for the holiday.

  Then Jennifer and her family decided to travel for the holiday as well.

  So now Grace was having to spend Christmas alone with an unsocial dachshund who would rather sleep under an old quilt than have anything to do with her. To make matters worse, none of the books she’d brought with her caught her interest. Neither did the puzzle she’d placed on the kitchen table.

  It seemed she was pouting, too.

  After staring out the window again, then surveying the sparkling clean and far-too-quiet sitting room, Grace came to a decision. She needed to stop feeling sorry for herself. It was only day two of her fifteen-day job. Something had to be done.

  “Snooze, let’s go for a little walk.”

  The dog stuck out its tiny brown nose.

  “I see you thinking about it. Come on. It will be fun.”

  Snooze grumbled when she scooped him up in her arms but didn’t try to escape. Feeling encouraged, Grace threw a scarf around her neck, stuffed her feet into boots she’d neatly placed by the door, grabbed her black cloak, and stepped outside.

  After closing the shiny black door behind her, she sighed in pleasure. The Lees’ front yard was a winter wonderland. Rolling hills covered in white, clumps of trees and bushes arranged in artful arrangements, and a lovely stamped concrete walkway leading to the large entryway. A couple of squirrels were chattering in the distance, and a pair of bright-red cardinals perched on a black wrought-iron feeder. It all looked like something out of a picture postcard.

  “You surely have quite a home, Snooze,” she murmured.

  When the little dog squirmed, she smiled. “Jah, I bet you are ready to do your business.” Kneeling down, she gently placed him on the ground, half ready to pick him up within a minute or two. He seemed like the type of animal who didn’t like getting his paws cold.

  Sure enough, Snooze gingerly walked a few steps and paused. The squirrels in the distance chattered again. He raised his head toward them.

  Then, in a startling, lightning-fast move, he barked shrilly and took off running down a hill.

  Seconds later he was out of sight.

  “Snooze? Snooze!” Feeling an odd combination of both shock and panic, Grace ran after him, the hem of her dark-green dress and apron brushing against the snow and soaking her stocking-covered legs.

  “Snooze! Come back!” Down the hill she went, following tiny footprints like a detective. Frantically calling out his name.

  But he didn’t answer.

  After about twenty yards, the cloak that she’d never fastened fell off her shoulders. She left it on the ground, too afraid to look anywhere but at the paw prints in the snow. “Snooze! Snooze, come here, wouldja?”

  But still there was no answer.

  And then, to her dismay, there were no more tracks to be found. She could only surmise that he’d gone into the woods after one of those pesky squirrels.

  Standing there in the cold, the hem of her dress soaking wet, her cloak on the ground, and her head bare except for her white kapp, Grace forced herself to face the awful, awful truth.

  She’d just managed to lose her only companion—and her only responsibility—for the holiday.

  “Snooze!” she yelled out again. “Please, please come back!”

  Tears filled her eyes as she stepped forward; she was simply going to have to start wandering through the woods, all while praying that some fox or other wild animal hadn’t taken hold of the dog.

  “Snooze!” Her feet crunched on the blanket of snow and pine needles. She reached out and moved a branch out of her path, really wishing she’d put on mittens.

  Squirrels scampered overhead, a hawk circled in the distance. Just as she pulled another branch out of her way, another scraped her cheek.

  The snow continued to fall, large flakes sticking to the branches surrounding her, clinging to her wool dress.

  And still, there was no sign of the dog.

  The tears that she’d tried to quell began trickling down her face. “Snooze? Here, pup.”

  She stopped again. She was now surrounded by trees and had no idea which way to go. No idea how to tempt one disagreeable dachshund to return to her side.

  Just as she was about to call his name again, she heard a loud rustling off to her left.

  With a cry of relief, she turned toward the noise. Then screamed.

  The man whom she’d just spied through the tangle of branches rushed toward her.

  Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.

  Also by Shelley Shepard Gray

  SISTERS OF THE HEART SERIES

  Hidden • Wanted • Forgiven • Grace

  SEASONS OF SUGARCREEK SERIES

  Winter’s Awakening • Spring’s Renewal

  Autumn’s Promise • Christmas in Sugarcreek

  FAMILIES OF HONOR SERIES

  The Caregiver • The Protector • The Survivor

  A Christmas for Katie (novella)

  THE SECRETS OF CRITTENDEN COUNTY SERIES

  Missing • The Search • Found • Peace

  THE DAYS OF REDEMPTION SERIES

  Daybreak • Ray of Light • Eventide • Snowfall

  RETURN TO SUGARCREEK SERIES

  Hopeful • Thankful • Joyful

  AMISH BRIDES OF PINECRAFT SERIES

  The Promise of Palm Grove

  The Proposal at Siesta Key

  A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn

  A Wish on Gardenia Street (novella)

  A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft

  THE CHARMED AMISH LIFE SERIES

  A Son’s Vow • A Daughter’s Dream

  A Sister’s Wish • An Amish Family Christmas

  THE AMISH OF HART COUNTY SERIES

  Her Secret • His Guilt • The Gift • His Risk • Redemption

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  P.S.TM is a trademark of HarperCollins Publishers.

  HER FEAR. Copyright © 2018 by Shelley Shepard Gray. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may b
e reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  Cover photograph and design by Laura Klynstra

  FIRST EDITION

  Digital Edition JULY 2018 ISBN: 978-0-06-246918-2

  Version 06012018

  Print ISBN: 978-0-06-246921-2 (paperback)

  ISBN 978-0-06-284609-9 (library edition)

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