He yawned, stretching his arms overhead. “I’m not about to let a little rain keep me from putting a couple of Effie’s birdhouses on the railing of my tree house.”
Eustace put on his new boots, grabbed his dilapidated straw hat, and headed outside. It was as good a time as any to break in the boots, which right now felt a little stiff. Hopefully, he’d get used to them soon.
The rain came down a bit harder, and clouds blocked out the sun. In the distance he saw a bright flash of lightning and heard the booming clap of thunder, but it was too far away to worry about.
Determined to complete his task, Eustace carried the first birdhouse up the permanently-fixed ladder to the tree house. After nailing it in position on the railing, he stopped and looked toward the west where the storm was slowly approaching. Being up this high, Eustace had a panoramic view, and what he saw made him a little nervous. He noticed a wall of rain like a huge white veil set against the blackened sky, but to him it still looked miles away. Hastily, he went down and got another birdhouse, then came back up. As he anchored the second one in place, the sky opened up in a torrential rain. The wind came in strong and blew Eustace’s hat right off his head. Thunder boomed, while a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky.
When Eustace’s hair stood straight up, he grabbed his tools. I’d better get back in the house before lightning comes any closer. Eustace had heard and read about how when lightning produced electrical charges in the atmosphere before a strike, it could lift a person’s hair into the air, providing nature’s last warning of a bolt coming out of the blue.
Quickly, he started for the ladder, but not soon enough. Another jolt of lightning came, this one hitting the tree and engulfing it in the brightest light Eustace had ever seen. Suddenly, it seemed as if everything had slowed down. Then came a sensation of weightlessness, followed by a deafening explosion. His hearing went silent, and as all grew quiet, the last thing Eustace saw was a vision of dear Effie’s face.
Wanda E. Brunstetter
New York Times bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
Jean Brunstetter
Jean Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish when she first went to Pennsylvania to visit her father-in-law’s family. Since that time, Jean has become friends with several Amish families and enjoys writing about their way of life. She also likes to put some of the simple practices followed by the Amish into her daily routine. Jean lives in Washington State with her husband, Richard Jr. and their three children, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish communities in several states. In addition to writing, Jean enjoys boating, gardening, and spending time on the beach.
THE STORY OF THE AMISH MILLIONAIRE CONTINUES WITH…
Part 3—The Betrayed Fiancée
In The Betrayed Fiancée, Kristi Palmer thought Joel Byler was the man she would marry, until she suddenly learns he has been hiding a lot from her. He never told her about growing up Amish, but the problem is that he rebelled from all that was good in his upbringing and put his selfish desires first. Now he has stolen money from their joint account, and she is done.
DON’T MISS A SINGLE BOOK IN THIS EXCLUSIVE 6-BOOK SERIAL NOVEL
The Amish Millionaire: Part 1–The English Son
The Amish Millionaire: Part 2–The Stubborn Father
The Amish Millionaire: Part 3–The Betrayed Fiancée
The Amish Millionaire: Part 4–The Missing Will
The Amish Millionaire: Part 5–The Divided Family
The Amish Millionaire: Part 6–The Selfless Act
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The Stubborn Father Page 8