“The doctor said it could be a cry for attention. Or maybe Katie has some past trauma that’s causing her to act out. It’s also possible she can’t tell the difference between what is real and what is not, though I doubt that’s the case because she’s trying to hide her involvement.”
“Nee, she knew,” Betsy, Mike’s wife said. “And her lies nearly destroyed me and my family. I told Mike not to have Katie around here in the first place. Remember that lie she told about finding a body in Levi’s cornfield?”
“Levi?”
“She was nine, Betsy. And her mam said it was a nightmare.”
“Katie was lying, even then.”
“Who’s Levi?”
“David’s older brother,” Betsy explained. “The elders told him you would be coming to talk about Katie, but he had an important commission in Elkhart he couldn’t reschedule. Or wouldn’t reschedule. I think the whole thing shames him. Levi loves his family, and he did everything he could for that family, especially those two girls.”
“The older one ran off on the rumspringa, right?”
“Esther, ja. She was quiet and always a bit sad. Not as pretty as Katie, so I don’t think people much noticed, even though the Ordnung says we’re not supposed to value people for their looks.”
John was glad he had come to Goshen. With each revelation, Katie’s history of telling harmful lies became more and more clear.
Thus began one of the most surreal weeks of John and Lovina’s lives. When they finished, they had a notebook full of notes, which they would be sharing with their community and the mayor of Big Valley.
The End.
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I loved writing it! If so, you can grab the next book in the series here.
Here’s a brief excerpt from the prologue:
As Big Mike spoke, something shifted inside Lovina. When the psychologist had spoken of getting Katie help, Lovina had asked herself if it would be of any use. Lying was not an illness, it was a failure of character. But Gott had given them the commandments to live in His image. To turn the other cheek.
Stopping Katie from causing further harm was of the utmost importance, but if they cast her out, it would simply be passing the problem on to another community. Katie wouldn’t get the help she needed, and Lovina, along with her entire community, would be turning their back on Gott’s example.
Lovina said, “It is Gott who determines the content of our soul. We have but to follow his commandments. Be kind to each other. Turn the other cheek.”
“Hmmm...” Big Mike’s cheeks flushed. “Ya, of course. As is Gott’s will. What did this doctor tell you?”
“She said there could be multiple reasons. At its worst, it could be simply attention seeking, or there could be something from her past that is making her act this way.”
“I had wondered at first if she was carrying some kind of burden from her past,” Big Mike said, his gaze unfocused as he spoke. “She would tense up or sometimes flinch if I got too close or startled her. It wasn’t my place to ask but...” He sighed. “Then she accused me of...hurting her, and I—I just figured it was all a part of her act.”
“It could be attention seeking, but I have to wonder, of the lies she could have told, what would make her invent a sexual assault? Her accusation had details, didn’t it?”
“Ja. Mei Gott, I feel sick,” Big Mike exclaimed. “But she just lied and lied. And I couldn’t see past that she was accusing me. If someone did—she would have been a child!”
“We have no evidence anything at all has happened to Katie,” John cut in. “My wife is inclined to see the best in all people. It is a virtue, but the psychologist also said we had a responsibility to our community to keep Katie from causing further harm.”
Lovina nodded, understandingly. “To herself and others,” she added. But she understood It was difficult to turn the other cheek, especially when the harm was to one’s reputation and not the flesh. “Your sister-in-law explained everything that happened. I am so sorry about what happened to you. Have you been able to rebuild your business?”
“Only with a lot of very hard work. There are still a couple people here who look at me cross-eyed. How did Sabine come across Katie?” Michael was curious.
“Katie and her mam are quilters. Sabine owns a fabric store just north of our community. Katie went there when we forbade everyone from going to English businesses. The only time we are allowed to interact with the English now is when we take orders or deliver them.”
“Ach, what a mess. So, she met Sabine, who realized somehow that she recognized her name? Feel free to speak to anyone here in Goshen. Even those who don’t believe me.”
Thus began one of the most surreal weeks of John and Lovina’s lives. When they finished, they had a notebook full of notes, which they would be sharing with their community and the mayor of Big Valley.
As John became more and more resolute of the need to end Katie’s deceptions, Lovina felt an equal determination to ensure that Katie got the help she needed. Katie was also a member of their community, and they could not turn their backs on Katie solely to save themselves.
Grab Amish Love and Healing here (or at your favorite online booksellers).
Or *SAVE BIG* get all of the books in one discount collection here.
Lastly, if you enjoyed this book and want to continue to support my writing, please leave this book a review on its review page and/or Goodreads to let everyone know what you thought of the series. It’s the best thing you can do to keep indie authors like me writing. (And if you find something in the book that – YIKES – makes you think it deserves less than 5-stars, drop me a line at [email protected], and I’ll fix it if I can.)
Best,
Rachel
ENJOY THIS BOOK? You can make a big difference
Reviews are the most powerful tools in my arsenal when it comes to getting attention for my books. As much as I'd love to, I don't have the financial muscle of a New York publisher. I can't take out full page ads in the newspaper or put up billboards on the highway.
(Not yet, anyway.)
But I have a blessing that is much more powerful and effective than that, and it's something those publishers would do anything to get their hands on.
A loyal and committed group of wonderful readers.
Honest reviews of my books from readers like you help bring them to the attention of other readers.
If you've enjoyed this book, I would be very grateful if you could spend just 3 minutes leaving a review (it can be as short as you like) on this book's review page.
And if, *YIKES* you find an issue in the book that makes you think it deserves less than 5-stars, send me an email at [email protected] and I'll do everything I can to fix it.
Thank you so much!
Blessings,
Rachel S
A WORD FROM RACHEL
Building a relationship with my readers and sharing my love of Amish books is the very best thing about writing. For those who choose to hear from me via email, I send out alerts with details on new releases from myself and occasional alerts from Christian authors like my sister-in-law, Ruth Price, who also writes Amish fiction.
And if you sign up for my reader club, you'll get to read all of these books on me:
A digital copy of Amish Country Tours, retailing at $2.99. This is the first of the Amish Country Tours series. About the book, one reader, Angel exclaims: " Loved it, loved it, loved it!!! Another sweet story from Rachel Stoltzfus."
A digital copy of Winter Storms, retailing at $2.99. This is the first of the Winter of Faith series. About the book, Deborah Spencer raves: " I LOVED this book! Though there were central characters (and a love story), the book focuses more on the community and how it comes together to deal with the difficulties of a truly horrible winter."
A digital copy of Amish Cinderella 1-2. This is the first full book of the Amish Fairy Tales series and r
etails at 99c. About the book, one reader, Jianna Sandoval, explains: " Knowing well the classic "Cinderella" or rather, "Ashputtle", story by the Grimm brothers, I've do far enjoyed the creativity the author has come up with to match up the original. The details are excruciating and heart wrenching, yet I love this book all the more."
A digital copy of A Lancaster Amish Home for Jacob, the first of the bestselling Amish Home for Jacob series. This is the story of a city orphan, who after getting into a heap of trouble, is given one last chance to reform his life by living on an Amish farm. Reader Willa Hayes loved the book, explaining: " The story is an excellent and heartfelt description of a boy who is trying to find his place in the community - either city or country - by surmounting incredible odds."
False Worship 1-2. This is the first complete arc of the False Worship series, retailing at 99c. Reader Willa Haynes recommends the book highly, explaining: " I gave this book a five star rating. It was very well written and an interesting story. Father and daughter both find happiness in their own way. I highly recommend this book."
You can get all five of these books for free by signing up at http://familychristianbookstore.net/Rachel-Starter.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Being a neighbor of the Mennonite community, she started writing Amish romance fiction as a way of looking at the Amish community. She wanted to present a fair and honest representation of a love that is both romantic and sweet. She hopes her readers enjoy her efforts.
You can keep up with her new releases, discounts and specials when you sign up for Rachel’s email updates list.
Also by Rachel Stoltzfus
A Home for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Home for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Prayer for Jacob
A New Life for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish School for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Home for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Home for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Vacation for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Love Story for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Memory for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Miracle for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Treasure for Jacob
A Lancaster Amish Home for Jacob 9-Book Boxed Set
A Lancaster Amish Home for Jacob 9-Book Collection
A Lancaster County Amish Quarrel Series
An Amish Country Quarrel
Simple Truths
Neighboring Faiths
Courageous Faith
An Amish Country Quarrel 4-Book Boxed Set
An Amish Country Quarrel 4-Book Boxed Set Bundle
A Lancaster Home for Jacob Boxed Sets
A Lancaster Home for Jacob 5-Book Boxed Set Bundle
Amish Country Tours, Amish Romance Series (An Amish of Lancaster County Saga)
Amish Country Tours
Amish Country Tours 2
Amish Country Tours 3
Amish Country Tours 3-Book Boxed Set
Amish Fairy Tales (A Lancaster County Christmas) series
Amish Cinderella #1
Amish Cinderella Book 1
Amish Cinderella Book 2
Amish Sleeping Beauty
Amish Snow White
Amish Fairy Tales 4-Book Boxed Set Bundle
Amish Faith (False Worship) Series
Amish Home: False Worship - Book 1
Amish Home: False Worship - Book 2
Amish Home: False Worship - Book 3
Amish Home: False Worship - Book 4
Amish Home: False Worship Complete 4-Book Boxed Set Bundle
Amish Seeds of Change
Amish Seeds of Change
Amish Seeds of Change 3-Book Boxed Set
Amish Sickness and Health
Amish Heart
Amish Faith
Amish Heart, Faith and Soul
Amish Soul
Big Valley Amish
Amish Secrets And Lies
Amish Trust and Betrayal
Amish Love and Healing
Big Valley Amish Series Collections
Amish Secrets and Lies 3-Book Collection
Lancaster County Seasons (An Amish of Lancaster County Saga)
A Lancaster Amish Summer to Remember
Peace Valley Amish Series
Amish Truth Be Told
Amish Heart and Soul
Amish Love Saves All
Amish Peace Valley 3-Book Collection
Amish Love Be Kind
Amish Love Be Patient
Amish Love Be True
Amish Love Be Kind 3-Book Boxed Set
Second Chance Amish Romance
A New Amish Love
A New Amish Courtship
Simple Love Series
Simple Amish Love
Simple Amish Pleasures
Simple Amish Harmony
Simple Amish Love 3-Book Boxed Set
Simple Amish Love 3-Book Collection
Winter of Faith
Winter Storms
Test of Faith
The Wedding Season
Winter of Faith Collection
Standalone
Amish Country Tours 3-Book Boxed Set Bundle
Amish Trust and Betrayal Page 9