The Amish Teacher's Dilemma and Healing Their Amish Hearts by Patricia Davids (all ebook reader .txt) 📕

a lot of people. In school I could memorize what the other children read and then repeat it when my turn came. If I had to go first, I couldn’t do it. Like Otto, I misbehaved a lot, hoping the teacher wouldn’t notice. It worked for a while. She thought I was lazy and so did our daed.”

“I guess he yelled at you a lot. He did me,” Otto said quietly.

“He didn’t understand what was wrong with us but he wanted the best for you and for me. I believe that. I wish he was still here so Eva could explain.”

“He understands now,” she said softly.

Willis nodded. “I started skipping school before the end of my last year and went to work in the smithy with my uncle. I didn’t need to read there, and I liked it.”

Harley walked to the front door. “I’ve got to go. Maddie, wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.” He took off at a run.

“What is that boy up to?” Willis asked.

The other two children shrugged. They all walked out onto the porch. Willis slipped his arm around Eva’s waist and pulled her close. She pushed his arm away. “Not in front of the children,” she whispered but she was smiling.

Harley came walking up the drive, leading a black-and-white pony. He stopped at the foot of the steps and waved to Mrs. Arnett. She waved back and pulled away in her truck with a horse trailer hooked on behind.

Harley handed the reins of the pony to Maddie. “I know you miss Popcorn. This is Zip. He’s as sweet as they come and he’s for you.”

“For me?” Maddie squeaked.

“I’ve been working over at her farm so I could buy him from Mrs. Arnett. Willis put shoes on him not long ago so you can ride him now if you’d like.”

Maddie threw her arms around him. “You are the best brother ever!”

“I know. It was Otto’s idea. He can’t read well but he’s the thinker in this family.”

Maddie hugged Otto. “You are the second-best brother in the whole world.”

“Sure, sure. Get up on him and go for a ride.”

Willis lifted her to the pony’s back and settled her feet in the stirrups. She beamed at him and Eva. “I’m going to go show Annabeth.”

Eva pointed up the road. “Fourth farm on the left. There is a path along the edge of the woods so you don’t have to ride out on the highway.”

Willis nodded. “Goot. Okay. You and Bubble have a nice ride.”

“She can’t come. She’s gone to visit her sister in Texas.” Maddie turned Zip around and trotted him along the path that led past the school.

Harley tugged on Otto’s arm. “Come on. We should keep an eye on her in case she decides to ride to Texas and show Bubble her new horse.”

“Where is Texas?” Otto asked as he followed his brother.

Willis didn’t hear Harley’s reply. He turned to Eva and took her hand. Together they walked to the swing set beside the school. She sat down and he gave her a gentle push. He kept her swinging for a few minutes. “Do you want to continue teaching this year?”

She titled her head back to see him. “How did you know?”

“Bubble told me.”

“How could she? She’s in Texas.”

“She mailed me a letter. Speaking of letters, do you want to read the one you wrote to me?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I said some very personal things. I want you to read it for yourself someday.”

“What if I can’t ever do that?”

She put her feet down, hopped off and twisted around to look at him. “You will. It may take a long time and it won’t be easy but I know you will.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because you have a teacher who loves you. Do you mind if I finish out the school year here?”

“Maybe just a little but I know you had your heart set on it. I’ve waited for you my whole life. I can wait until school is out in the spring. But not one week more.”

“I love you for that!” She leaned forward and he had no choice but to kiss her again.

It was much too brief. He foresaw a long winter ahead. “Was your brother serious about becoming a teacher?”

“I think he is. I’ll have him be my helper this year and he can take over next year.”

Willis moved the swing out of the way. “It’s hard to believe this is real.” He reached out and drew his fingers along the curve of her cheek. “I’m afraid I will wake and find it has all been a dream. Promise you won’t vanish with the dawn.”

She captured his hand and pressed a kiss into his palm. “I am not a dream. I love you, Willis, with all my heart. For now and forever. I thought this kind of love was found only in books but I was wrong. It’s found in the heart. My heart.”

She slipped her arms around his waist and laid her cheek against his chest.

He sighed deeply as he pulled her close. “I don’t know anything about books or poems. All I know is iron and roaring hot coals. What will we talk about?”

She giggled and rose on tiptoe until her lips were only an inch away from his. “Silly man. Who says we’re going to be talking? I plan on a lot of kissing and being kissed. Like this.” She proceeded to show him just how wonderful a conversation with the teacher could be.

Healing Their Amish Hearts

Leigh Bale

This book is dedicated to all those faithful couples who love, adore and cherish one another with a loyalty that surpasses anything this life or the dark forces can throw at them. They cling to one another and put the other first, second only to God, and love one another as the Savior taught us to do.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord.

—Psalm 127:3

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter