Friends, I’m so excited because An Appalachian Amish Bride will be released next month!

This book is the seventh in my Amish of Appalachia series, and I loved writing this story about Elsie Lantz and Gabe Yoder. I hope you enjoy the first chapter!

If you’d like to pre-order this novel on Amazon, please click here.

Chapter One

“Ach, Lydia. The Clear Creek Country Fair is actually pretty nice. It’s definitely keeping my mind off of life lately. Denki for inviting me.” Elsie Lantz offered a small smile to her friend before stuffing a wad of cotton candy into her cheek. Lydia Lapp’s young son, James, walked between them, impatiently tugging both their hands at once.

“Mamm…Elsie….when are we gonna ride something? All we’ve done is walk and talk. I really want to ride the Tilt-a-Whirl,” James whined.

“Hold your horses,” Lydia scolded. “Elsie wanted to talk for a little while, so that’s what we’re doing. We’ll get to the rides soon enough.”

Elsie sighed, worried that she was ruining little James’s entire day. After falling into a bout of depression, Lydia had insisted that she go with her and James to the fair that afternoon. So Elsie had pulled herself out of bed, trying her best to forget how she’d broken up with her boyfriend of a year only a short month ago. Harry Baker had seemed like a perfect beau at first, and Elsie had quickly fallen head over heels for him. But as time dragged on, he began to show some undesirable qualities…namely, he tried to control everything Elsie said and did. He’d even become violent with her a few times. She’d finally had enough, and decided that it would be best if they went their separate ways.

But unfortunately, Harry didn’t seem to agree.

Elsie and Lydia had been speaking in code over James’s head for the past half-hour or so, and finally, Elsie was starting to feel just a little better about the situation. Though she’d been sure to leave out a few important details when speaking to Lydia, and her friend had no idea just how badly he’d treated her. Lydia had encouraged Elsie to continue keeping her distance, which she planned on doing. Ja, she never wanted to speak to her old beau again.

If only Harry would get the memo.

Elsie glanced over her shoulder, her eyes breezing over the crowd. Fortunately, Harry didn’t seem to be following her. He’d shown up at the most unexpected places after she told him they needed to go their separate ways, and she’d ended up holed up in her bedroom to avoid him.

It wasn’t healthy at all. Elsie was glad Lydia had finally coaxed her outside, even though it meant she might run into Harry again.

But so far, so gut.

“I’m sorry we’ve been talking for so long, James. How about we head to the Tilt-a-Whirl right now?” Elsie smiled at the kind, hoping he’d forgive her for talking to his mamm for so long. But boy, did it ever feel good to be reminded that nee, Harry wasn’t the one for her. Elsie knew Lydia was wise beyond her years, and she appreciated her advice. 

Relaxing, Elsie matched James’s pace as they walked towards the ride section of the fair, which was tucked against a rugged Appalachian mountain. Though the sites and sounds of the fair were glaring, Elsie felt better than she had in a long while. Now, if only she could decide which line of work she should pursue. Harry hadn’t liked it when she worked at the ice cream shop in town since she served so many men. Reluctantly, Elsie had quit, but then Harry talked her into just staying at home to prepare for their wedding one day. 

What good that did her. Now Elsie was stuck back at square one, and she knew there was no hope for her to be rehired at Clear Creek Sweets, since her manager had swiftly hired a replacement once she’d given her notice. Besides, at 24-years-old, Elsie would like to find a job that could offer her more hours than the ice cream shop ever did…but as a young Amish woman with little experience, what could that be?

At her age and without a steady boyfriend, Elsie knew she was destined to become an old maid. She heaved out a sigh. Elsie had always wanted to marry and have kinner, but after her experience with Harry, how could she trust another man again? So it was important for her to find a job…and quickly, now that Lydia had set her head on straight.

Elsie’s black tennis shoes crunched across the grass as James tugged on her hand a little harder. “Elsie, do ya see all the rides? Isn’t this exciting?”

Elsie bobbed her head, not able to contain the smile on her face. The youngster’s joy was contagious. “Ja, James. All of these rides look like a lot of fun. Are you sure you want to ride the Tilt-a-Whirl first?”

“Yep. I promised Mamm I’d ride that one with her. But I promise to ride the next one with you. Does that sound okay?”

“More than okay,” Elsie murmured softly. She enjoyed spending time with James, and all of her other friends’ children, too. Spending time with Jane and Edward Miller was always a treat, along with Ruby Yoder, who was Grace and John’s daughter. She couldn’t forget Alvin Yoder, who was Hannah and Noah’s son. Oh, and her friend Molly Fisher was expecting a bobbeli now, too.

Elsie wanted to soak up as much time with these kinner as she could, because Harry had made it clear that she was gut for nothing once she’d broken it off with him. While she didn’t want to believe what he had to say, she couldn’t help but feel like there had to be some truth to what he’d told her. If there wasn’t, then why had he treated her so badly in the first place?

Lydia nudged her shoulder over James’s head. “I see my bruder Gabe over there. Would you mind if we spoke to him for a minute before getting on the ride? He’s been through a lot lately, and I’m pleased to see him out and about. I’m sure Jeff and Andy had to really pull his arm for him to agree to kumm to the fair today.”

Elsie peered shyly at Gabe. She really was not in the mood to speak to any mann, since Harry was fresh on her mind. But what could she say? Gabe was middle aged, and had just moved to Clear Creek after becoming a widower about one year ago. Elsie’s problems paled in comparison to his.

She moved her eyes across him, noticing how his dark brown hair curled out from underneath his straw hat, with a little speckling of gray. His eyes were just as dark, and they held a touch of sadness as he looked down at his two sons who were currently jumping up and down in excitement. Elsie’s heart reached out to him, and she followed Lydia’s lead and headed his way.

As James bounded towards his eight-year-old twin cousins, Lydia reached for Gabe’s hand and gave it a soft squeeze. Elsie squirmed. She felt out of place next to Gabe and his boys, likely because she doubted anything she said could help to ease his pain. She knew from experience that words rarely healed a broken heart.

Gabe needed time. While Elsie did feel a little better after Lydia had spoken to her this afternoon, what she really needed was both time and the freedom to live her life without constantly being watched by her old beau. Her mamm always told her that time healed all wounds, and Elsie hoped this would prove true. As even more time passed, she hopefully would be able to finally get on with her life.

If Harry ever decided to leave her alone, that is.

“Ach, I’m surprised to see you here today, Gabe. If I’d known you planned to visit the fair, we could’ve all kumm together.”

Elsie shuffled her feet while fiddling with her black apron, which sat primly over her cape dress. She felt even more out of place now. It surely would’ve been better if the Yoder siblings could spend time together at the fair, without her tagging along. 

“It was a last minute decision. I haven’t been a very fun daed ever since Matilda passed away, and I thought the boys would like to get out of the haus for a bit.”

“Ja, and I’m really glad we did. All my bruder and I have done since moving to Clear Creek is unpack boxes,” Jeff said while wrinkling his nose.

“Nee, all you two have done is get into mischief,” Gabe countered with a huff. “It’d be helpful if you’d actually listen to my instructions when I gave them to you.”

Andy shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. “Sorry, Daed. Can’t we think about happier things now, though? After all, we’re at the fair and all.” He motioned towards the line of rides beckoning the kinner.

Lydia’s eyes became lined with compassion. “How about you boys ride the Tilt-a-Whirl with James and me? He’s been asking about it all day, and I think that’s where we’re headed next.” She nodded towards the ride that was currently spinning riders to and fro as they squealed with glee. “And it looks like I even see Teacher Mary in line. Have you met her yet?”

“I wish I could go to school with Jeff and Andy,” James interjected in a whiny voice before the twins could answer. “When will I be big enough?”

“In just a couple of years, dear one.” Lydia patted her son’s back sympathetically.

Elsie gazed towards the line, and sure enough, there Mary Meyer stood, her back straight and proper. Elsie looked up to Mary, wishing her life was more like hers. Mary had always known what she wanted to do with her life, while Elsie wasn’t sure in the least after her relationship with Harry ended. As soon as they’d graduated the eighth grade, Mary began assisting the teacher in their one room school haus, and it seemed like before Elsie knew it, Mary was the permanent teacher. All the while, Elsie had moved from job to job, finally landing at Clear Creek Sweets. And now even that job had been taken from her, thanks to Harry.

Besides Mary, all of Elsie’s friends were married except her. Elsie felt stuck. Totally and completely stuck.

“Nee, we haven’t met her,” the boys said in unison.

“Let me introduce you to her, then.” Lydia smiled while taking James’s hand. How about you, Gabe and Elsie? Do you care to speak to Mary, and then take a spin on the Tilt-a-Whirl?”

“Nee, I think I’ll sit this one out.” Elsie shifted uncomfortably, the noise of the crowd beginning to bother her. It didn’t help that spending time around Mary reminded her of her own shortcomings.

“I think I’ll hang back, too. I plan to meet the boys’ teacher at the open house next week, and being spun around in dizzying circles isn’t my idea of fun.”

“Aw, Daed! We wanted to ride the rides with you!”

Gabe winced, his troubled gaze peeking out from underneath his straw hat. “I’m not in the best mood boys, but I plan to ride a few rides with you later. Now run along with your Aenti Lydia. I’ll be sure to watch when it’s your turn to ride.”

“Are you sure?” Jeff asked, his foot tapping impatiently.

“Absolutely.”

With that, the Yoder boys darted in front of Lydia and James towards the end of the line. Elsie gave Gabe the side-eye, not sure what to say.

Why didn’t he want to have fun with his boys? The question sat on the tip of her tongue, but she realized it wasn’t any of her business to ask. She knew he must be tired from the move, especially after mourning his wife’s unexpected death. Lydia had told her there had been a buggy accident, but Elsie knew nothing more.

The only other detail Elsie knew was that Gabe and Matilda had been happily married for nearly twenty years. It hardly seemed fair that Gabe’s wife would be snatched from him so unexpectedly. Elsie bit the inside of her lip as she met Gabe’s eyes. They were kind, compassionate, and most definitely, sad.

Just like hers.

Elsie opened her mouth to try to break the ice when a commotion erupted from the ride’s loading dock. Lydia motioned for Gabe to help as Mary slowly sank to her knees.

***

“Gabe…help! I think Teacher Mary is having an asthma attack!”

Gabe’s throat tightened as he pulled his gaze away from Elsie. Heart pumping, his medical training rushed to his mind, grabbing his thoughts from the pretty blonde woman standing at his side. While he wasn’t happy that his boys’ new teacher was in the middle of a medical emergency, he was glad to be pulled away from the awkward moment with Elsie. 

Maybe trying to open his mouth wasn’t as awkward as he thought it was, but it sure did feel that way. It had been difficult speaking to anyone, let alone a young woman, after his Matilda had died. Her buggy had been hit by a car while she was delivering chicken noodle soup to a friend who was recovering from pneumonia. Gabe wished he could stop living right along with his frau as soon as he’d learned of the accident that took her life. But that would never do, since he still had two youngies to raise.

And Matilda was certainly counting on him to do it.

“Gabe! Hurry!”

Gabe made his feet press forward though they felt like lead. They’d felt that way ever since Matilda left him, and he wondered if he’d ever feel normal again.

It was highly doubtful.

Lydia was rubbing Mary’s back as she leaned against the rail leading to the amusement park ride. The teacher’s eyes were as wide as saucers as she gasped to catch her breath. Gabe propelled himself forwards, wishing that he’d brought along his medical sack this morning.

But he couldn’t blame himself for not bringing it along to the fair. His brain was foggy enough as it was. Besides, his twins had given him a run for his money while they were getting ready to head to the fairgrounds. Andy had convinced Jeff to let the new chicken flock Gabe had picked up yesterday out of their pen to free range without asking. Since the chickens weren’t familiar with their new home yet, they’d headed to the school yard, which was just next door. Wrangling chickens wasn’t on Gabe’s to-do list for the day, and he’d asked Gott to help him not be frustrated with his boys as they corralled the flock back into their coop.

Since Matilda passed, life was difficult for all of them. He just wished his twins would open up to him about their frustration and sadness, instead of acting out and doing things they weren’t supposed to. Matilda always knew exactly what to do when it came to raising their boys, but not Gabe. He felt like a dumbkopp as he grabbled at straws. Nothing he did or said seemed to help his kinner kumm to terms with his wife’s death.

Gabe’s trained eyes grazed across Mary as he reached her side. She struggled for breath, and as soon as Gabe climbed onto the platform he knew why. The amusement ride was spewing choking fumes in her direction.

“Hi Mary, I’m Gabe. I’m a trained first responder. Do you have your inhaler with you?”

Mary grasped her throat while shaking her head violently. A couple of sweaty ringlets of blonde hair brushed against her cheek. “Nee…I forgot it at home.”

Gabe gently took Mary by the arm and led her away from the ride as her face turned as red as a tomato. Elsie caught his eye as they passed by, and he was taken by the look of compassion that poured from her face.

Matilda had always been like that, too. Her concern and compassion towards the youngies in their community is what had attracted him to her in the first place. After they were married they battled infertility for a number of years before she finally conceived Jeff and Andy. Matilda had been overjoyed, and it hardly seemed fair that his frau was taken from them in the prime of their lives.

But it wouldn’t do any gut to think about that now.

“I think the fumes kunming from the Tilt-a-Whirl caused your asthma attack. Don’t try to talk now. I see a bench by a cluster of trees, and I’d like you to sit down as soon we get there. Sound gut?”

Gabe tried to keep his voice calm and collected, but inside he felt anything but. He knew from his training that it was important for the patients he worked with to feel at ease, though. He looked over his shoulder and caught sight of Lydia, who was following close behind him. Call an ambulance, he mouthed. She nodded with tight lips, while scurrying away with both her son and his two boys. While he didn’t expect Lydia to have brought the cell phone the bishop permitted her to use at the Yoder General Store along today, Gabe knew a phone couldn’t be far with so many Englischers milling around.

Gabe helped a very wobbly Mary sit onto the bench. “Be sure to sit upright, since bending over could constrict your airway even more. Take long deep breaths, and do your best to stay calm.”

Gabe watched Mary as she gulped in a big breath of air. “Does anyone have warm kaffi or tea?” he called in a loud voice. He knew warm caffeinated beverages could help open up an airway.

“There’s a kaffi vendor nearby. I’ll get some and will be back in a jiffy.” Elsie rushed into action before Gabe could mutter denki. He tried his best to keep his attention on Mary, but he couldn’t help watch Elsie as she disappeared into the crowd. It seemed like her worry for Mary had made her forget about whatever was bothering her this afternoon. Gabe pulled his gaze away from the crowd, and instead made sure that Mary was still breathing. She was, though not very evenly. Gabe was very glad when a warm breeze of fresh air brushed past them.

“That’s it. Slow, deep breaths. You’re doing just fine. Elsie will be here soon with something for you to drink. That should help you feel better quickly.” Gabe hoped he was right as Mary continued to struggle to breathe.

Elsie must have cut to the front of the line, because she rushed back to them after only a minute or two. Her cheeks were flushed and her hands wobbly as she offered Mary the warm beverage. Mary brought it to her lips, her arms just as shaky.

Gabe watched Mary intently as she took small sips of the kaffi. Little by little, her color returned as her breathing became less labored.

“How are you doing? Feeling a little better now?”

Mary bobbed her head up and down as Elsie took the empty styrofoam cup from her hand. “Ja, I feel like I can breathe now. I don’t  know what came over me. I hadn’t had an attack in nearly a month, and I thought I could kumm to the fair without my inhaler. How dumm of me.”

“You’re not dumm, Mary,” Elsie said softly as she wiped her sweaty palms across the front of her apron. “I’d forgotten that you were plagued by asthma while we were kinner until just now. It seemed like you’ve been getting along just fine for a while.”

Mary winced while placing her hand on her throat. “Nee, my doctor has been able to control my symptoms, but I’m still not doing too gut. In fact, I was asked to participate in a study that could help my asthma, but I turned it down since it was to begin soon in Ohio. I didn’t want to leave the kinner just as the school year started. I know the community of Clear Creek is counting on me.”

Gabe felt his cheeks flush as soon as he heard the word Ohio. For nearly the last twenty years of his life, a quaint Amish community near Sugar Creek had been home to he and Matilda, and then his two boys once they were born. Once he’d fallen in lieb with the pretty brunette when she visited Clear Creek to spend the summer with her cousin so long ago, Gabe knew he’d move anywhere to be with her. Even though he was just a youngie himself. So after a long distance courtship once Matilda had left for the summer, Gabe had decided to leave both Clear Creek and his stake in the Yoder General Store far behind.

It hadn’t been difficult to make that decision, since he was head over heels for Matilda. At times he missed the tranquility his Appalachian mountain home had to offer, but it was no match for the love he’d found with his girl.

And now after twenty years, he’d left his gut memories in Ohio behind to be closer to his family in his time of need. He still wasn’t sure if he’d made the right decision. If his boys’ behavior was any indication, he should’ve stayed put.

Even though the thought of living in the home he’d shared with his frau for so long made him lose his breath.

Elsie leaned towards Mary and patted her back, her kapp strings nearly rubbing across his shoulder. He felt aghast at a woman other than his frau moving so close to him. Though he knew Elsie couldn’t help it. She was just trying to take care of her friend.

“Maybe you should consider participating in that study, Mary. If it could help you, moving to Ohio for a little while definitely would be worth the effort.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Just thinking about it makes my chest tighten.” Mary clutched her chest as her face lost its color again. Gabe lurched toward her, paying close attention to the rhythm of her breathing.

A siren wailed in the distance over the hubbub of the fair as Lydia rushed towards them with James, Jeff, and Andy not far behind.

“The ambulance is on its way, Gabe. It wasn’t hard to find someone who was willing to let me use their phone. The first couple I approached let me use theirs right away.”

“I’d say it’s a gut thing, too.” Gabe eyed his sister meaningfully. “I thought Mary was doing better after drinking a cup of kaffi, but I think she needs medical attention after all. I believe she’s having a relapse. Did you tell the 911 operator where to find her?”

“Ja, I surely did. I told them she was sitting on a bench near the Tilt-a-Whirl.”

“Gut.” Gabe scanned the crowd, hoping the EMTs would hurry to their location. He didn’t like the way Mary’s breath sounded wheezy, and he was afraid she’d just get worse and worse without help.

He didn’t have to wait long. The crowd parted as four medical technicians whisked towards them while pushing a gurney. A hush fell over the busy festival as onlookers gawked in their direction.

A young woman pulled an inhaler out of her pocket and handed it to Mary as two young men pulled her to her feet and helped her onto the stretcher. Gabe wiped his brow as he sighed in relief. He hadn’t expected the day to be so eventful. It had nearly made him forget about Matilda.

But not quite.

Mary stuck the inhaler to her lips and breathed in as she was securely buckled onto the stretcher. He watched as her shoulders relaxed right along with Elsie’s. She seemed like a gut friend to the teacher, for sure and for certain.

“Can you kumm with me, Elsie? I’d really rather not visit the hospital alone.”

Elsie looked like a deer in headlights as she glanced at Lydia. “Um…I came here with Lydia, and I don’t know if I should…”

“We’ll all go. Gabe included. I think it would be gut for Gabe to see where he’ll be employed soon too, and maybe meet some people at the hospital.” Lydia offered him a tight smile, which made his head hurt.

Gabe bit back a groan. While he’d secured a job at Gilmer Mountainside Hospital already, he wasn’t planning to begin for another few weeks. He just needed more time to grieve, though his sister heartily disagreed. Lydia thought jumping into work again would heal his broken heart, though he didn’t understand how. She’d been on him to visit the hospital, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so yet. Not that he’d had the time while wrangling his two sons.

Lydia looked at him with pleading eyes as Mary was whisked away. He could only offer a curt nod as he followed behind Elsie. He allowed her to take a few steps before walking behind her, his fingers tightly clutching his sons’ hands.

Thanks so much for reading! Click here to pre-order An Appalachian Amish Bride.