by Ashley Emma
She bent her head, closed her eyes, and prayed aloud quietly.
“God, I know I have ignored You for a long time, but I miss the relationship I used to have with You. I know You never ignored me. It was I who pulled away from You. You say in your Word that You never leave our sides. From now on I want to do Your will and follow You. Thank you for giving me Isaac. I know he will help me grow closer to You, and that he will teach me more about You. But help me be diligent in reading Your Word and talking with You. I don’t want to ignore You anymore. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
A sniff came from the doorway and Liv looked up to see the nurse with the short, dark hair crying at the door.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, blowing her nose. “I know I’m not supposed to eavesdrop, but that was beautiful.”
“Are you a Christian, too?” Liv asked, slightly embarrassed but also touched.
“Well, I used to go to church with my grandmother a long time ago, but I have never heard anyone pray like that. The church I went to was so serious, I never knew you could know God personally like you do.” The nurse wiped her teary eyes, stepping closer. “I’d like to know God like that.”
“I can tell you how.” And she knew she could. “Want me to show you?”
“Oh, yes. I’d love that.”
Epilogue
“This is my favorite place to eat,” Liv said, unwrapping her sandwich as she parked her undercover patrol car outside a sandwich shop next to Officer Martin’s. “Come on, try it.”
Liv glanced at Isaac’s badge as he hesitantly unwrapped his lunch. She had to admit, he looked great with it on, sporting his new short haircut which was so different from his usual dark waves.
Isaac took a big bite and chewed it. “This is good! Much different than the food I grew up eating on the farm.”
“I told you you’d like it.” She reached out and grabbed his left hand—the one that wore a wedding band. She looked at her own left hand, admiring for the thousandth time the way her rings sparkled in the sunlight.
They had used Liv’s vacation time to elope to the Bahamas, where they spent the best fourteen days of their lives together snorkeling, swimming, and sitting on a beach. But after a while Liv got restless, ready to get back to work.
Isaac was training with CPDU Academy to become a police officer. New CPDU officers in Maine completed a 100 hour pre-service course and worked under another full-time officer, so Isaac was working under Officer Martin, because spouses weren’t allowed to be partners.
Then Isaac would attend the Maine Criminal Justice Academy for 4 months, then he would be certified to work on his own. CPDU also required officers in training to complete a three-month Field Training Officer program in addition to the CPDU Academy after they completed a 40-hour pre-service online program and passed an academy pre-service exam.
Liv had done the same training when she had first joined CPDU Academy and had then gone through more training to become a detective.
Isaac was clearly loving his training. Even though sometimes the other officers, agents, bodyguards, and detectives liked to harmlessly tease him about being formerly Amish, he was already one of the best shots in the entire unit, and everyone knew it. Liv smiled at Isaac proudly.
And even though she missed her relatives, the community was finally safe and peaceful again.
Liv’s mind wandered back to when she had visited Diana in prison. She’d been surprised that Diana had agreed to talk with her.
“Why did you come here?” Diana had asked, getting straight to the point. “I thought I would be the last person you’d want to spend time with.”
“Honestly, I am not really sure. I guess I wanted to see how you’re doing. How are you?”
“As well as I could be, I suppose.” She let out a heavy sigh. “I can’t believe you are here after all those things I said to you and about you.”
“I forgive you for all that.”
“Really? Even for telling you I didn’t believe you when you told me Jake was abusing you? Even for trying to make people think you killed him so you could be with Isaac?” Diana’s eyes grew wider as she spoke. Her usual sarcastic tone was gone, leaving only sincerity. Maybe the time she had already spent in prison had made her rethink everything.
Liv nodded. “But you did believe me, didn’t you? You knew what Jake was really like. I could see it in your eyes the day I told you.”
Diana looked away, pain shadowing her face as memories furrowed her brows. “Yes. Of course I knew you were telling the truth. He was my son. He was his father’s son.”
“So why did you lie? Why didn’t you help me?” Liv paused and leaned forward, her voice lowering. “Was Bill like Jake?”
Diana looked up slowly. “I never told anyone. I didn’t know what to do. But I guess it doesn’t matter who knows now. That’s why I told you I didn’t believe you. I guess I was afraid you would figure out Bill was abusive, too.”
“You could have gotten help. We both could have.”
“Probably. But I was afraid of what he would do if he found out I told someone.” Diana shook her head slowly. “To me, it was easier to continue living that way, enduring that familiar pain, rather than venturing into the unknown by doing something about it. He would have killed me if he had found out I told someone.” Diana shifted in her chair and continued. “Bill wasn’t like any of the other men. You know he wasn’t born Amish. He was raised Englisher, and his father abused him. His father was an extremely cold and cruel man. Bill continued the cycle with our children. Then he tormented Ian about Ava’s death, all the while knowing none of it was true. He could have just told him that Ava was alive, hidden right in our basement. It must have been so horrible for Ian. But any time I tried to do or say something about it, it only made Bill angrier, which made it worse. I eventually gave up.”
Liv’s heart ached for the Sullivan family. “I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine how horrible it must have been.”
“The worst part was all those years that Ava was locked up in our basement. I keep wishing I had told someone or called the police. But honestly, Bill made me so afraid that I never did. He told me he’d kill the both of us. And I believed him. I thought I was keeping Ava safe. But I was lying to myself. And now I will pay for it the rest of my life.” Diana swatted away a tear and bent her head over her folded hands.
“She’s brilliant. She told me how you secretly brought her language, theology, psychology, and science textbooks.”
“I had to do something for her. I know we aren’t allowed to get college educations, but they were only books I found at thrift stores and yard sales. I love her, you know, and I always knew she is smart. It may not seem like it, but I really do love her. I will never forgive myself for letting Bill steal all those years of her life from her. And I will especially never forgive myself for not letting her out after he died, just so I wouldn’t go to prison. And look where I am now. I can’t believe how cowardly I was.”
“You should forgive yourself. And accept God’s forgiveness.”
She shook her head vigorously. “I can’t.”
“Maybe you will someday.”
“Well, I have plenty of time to contemplate it.” Diana let out a flat, lifeless chuckle.
“You probably already know she got a scholarship and is studying to become a counselor.”
Diana nodded. “She deserves it. What about Samuel and Ian? Did you visit them too?”
“Well, Samuel refused to see me. As for Ian, I just didn’t have the courage to ask to visit him. I’m really working on forgiving him for killing my family. Finding out he did it crushed me all over again. But I know with God’s help I will be able to forgive him soon.”
“I’m sure you will. You’re strong, Liv. I admire you.”
Liv felt her face heat with embarrassment. “Thanks.”
The security guard came to the door and told her it was time to go.
“Want me to come back sometime?” Liv asked Diana.
She nodded and smiled a weak smile. “I’ll have to check my schedule.”
“See you soon.” Liv got up and walked to the door.
“Liv?”
She turned to see another tear roll down the older woman’s cheek. Untold stories of dark memories and her haunted past gathered in Diana’s eyes in the form of more unshed tears. “I’m sorry.”
One corner of Liv’s mouth lifted. “I know, Diana. And I forgive you.”
Though Liv was filled with sorrow at the thought of Diana spending the next several years in prison, she was thankful they were now on good terms.
Liv and Isaac’s new life together was indeed off to a wonderful start, but it was not perfect. Unfortunately, Isaac and Liv had been shunned after they had left the community. They knew it would happen, and they had come to accept it. Though she had already been away from her family for the past six years, it still broke her heart that she couldn’t speak to them.
Liv smiled at Isaac, who caught her eye and grinned. There was something in his teeth, but she just laughed. He was adorable. They had each other, and that was all that mattered.
Her communication device crackled to life. “Liv,” Branson said, “there has been a robbery right down the road from you at Oakdale Drive. We are sending backup. We suspect the intruder is holding a hostage.”
Liv crumpled up the wrapper that held her half-eaten sandwich and dropped it into a paper bag. “Copy that.” She glanced at Isaac. “You’ll have to finish that later. Ready for this?”
“Yes ma’am.” Isaac got out of her car and returned to Officer Martin’s car who was parked next to them.
Liv threw her car in reverse, backed out, and blazed out of the parking lot, blue lights flashing. Officer Martin and Isaac followed closely behind.
They drove toward the danger, ready to face anything.
Note from the author: I hope you enjoyed this story.
The sequel, Amish Under Fire, is coming very soon!
I would appreciate an honest review for Undercover Amish because reviews are actually very important. They help other customers know more about my books. Your opinion matters! Here is the link.
Thank you! Please feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’d love to talk with you!
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About the Author
Ashley Emma knew she wanted to be a novelist for as long as she can remember. She was homeschooled and was blessed with the opportunity to spend her time focusing on reading and writing. She began writing books for fun at a young age, completing her first novella at age 12 and writing her first novel at age 14, then publishing it at age 16.
She went on to write 8 more manuscripts before age 25 when she also became a multi-bestselling author.
She owns Fearless Publishing House where she helps other aspiring authors achieve their dreams of publishing their own books.
Ashley lives in Maine with her husband and children and plans on releasing several more books in the near future.
Visit her at ashleyemmaauthor.com or email her at [email protected]. She loves to hear from her readers!
Looking for something new to read? Check out my other books!
ASHLEY’S AMISH ADVENTURES: AN OUTSIDER LIVING WITH THE AMISH
Ever wondered what it would be like to live in an Amish community? Now you can experience what it would be like to live with the Amish in this 100% true story for young adults and middle grade readers.
This unique journal's rare photos literally show you the places you are reading about--even what inside Amish homes look like. Come along on the fascinating journey as twenty-year-old Ashley learns everything she can about the Amish.
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ASHLEY’S AMISH ADVENTURES: ATTENDING AN AMISH WEDDING
Ever wondered what it would be like to go inside an Amish home, make Amish friends, or go to an Amish wedding? In this sequel to Ashley's Amish Adventures: An Outsider Living With the Amish, now you can experience it all for yourself in this 100% true story for young adults and middle grade readers.
Because of this journal's rare photos, you will literally get to see the places you are reading about as you read.
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EXCERPT OF ASHLEY’S AMISH ADVENTURES: AN OUTSIDER LIVING WITH THE AMISH
March 5th, 2011
(Quick summary of the first chapters: In the beginning of the book, I called an Amish store in Unity and the owner Caleb invited me to stay with him and his family. I wanted to live with the Amish so I could portray them accurately in my novels. This sample skips ahead to when my mother and I are driving to Unity.)
I made Mom and myself some bonnet–like head coverings out of white handkerchiefs and ribbon ties today, just in case they ask us to cover our hair. We want to blend in with the Amish as much as we can, but I doubt they will ask us to wear head coverings. They probably won’t expect us to do everything like them, but I want to try and make an effort, not just as a courtesy, but because it will help with my research.
The next morning, I put on my brown dress with some plain black boots that we got at Goodwill. Mom wore a green dress that had a pattern on it, and though the Amish do not wear patterns, it was the best we could find.
We packed up the car and left the house with a GPS and a plentiful supply of crackers and yogurt.
Mom had a thought that made me
worry. “What if they laugh at us for trying to look like them?”
I hadn’t thought of that! My stomach flopped.
About halfway through our drive, we stopped at a gas station for a bathroom break. I started to get out of the car when I realized how I was dressed. I almost didn’t go in, but then I put on my long coat and decided to just do it.
A man stopped us at the door. Oh no, he’s going to ask us why we’re dressed funny or make fun of us.
“Sebago Lake!” he exclaimed, reading something on my mom’s car. “I won a fishing derby there once!”
Relief washed over me. Maybe he didn’t think we were strange at all. Is this how all Amish feel when they leave their community? Do they do that often? Maybe they don’t. And maybe they don’t care what people think, anyway. I have a feeling they’re secure in who they are. That’s probably a refreshing way to live, being unconcerned about the latest fashions and newest releases. It’s probably both liberating and grounding.
Or maybe I’m just reading too much into this, and the Amish have the same concerns and feelings we all do.
My stomach churned. There were so many intricate facets to this journey that I hadn’t even considered. I had wanted to learn about their culture and way of life, but I hadn’t even considered their feelings about it until walking in their shoes. Or dress, as it were. Blending in while learning was already proving emotionally difficult, even though so far it hadn’t posed any real problems.
We finished at the gas station and got back on the road. On the way, we got a call from Caleb saying he was leaving his store for about an hour, and he wanted us to wait for him there until he got back. He said his assistant Louis would take care of us until his return.