Dating an Amish Flirt

Book 6: Surprised by Love

by Rachel J. Good

Genres: Amish & Mennonite; Christian Romance; Clean & Wholesome Romance

Synopsis

In USA Today bestselling author Rachel J. Good’s sweet inspirational romance, the bustling Green Valley Farmer’s Market in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has everything the residents of nearby Amish communities could ever need…including a chance to find love when they least expect!

Perfect for fans of Amy Clipston, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and Charlotte Hubbard.

Between heavenly homemade bread, irresistible desserts, and stunning crafts, Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Green Valley Farmer’s Market provides warm-hearted community—and love’s surprising possibilities . . .

With her sweet nature and delicate beauty, Rachel Glick attracts boys like bees to a flower—despite her best attempts to discourage them. Downhearted since her beloved brother’s death, and isolated as the sole caretaker to her invalid mother, Rachel would welcome the friendship of other girls. But her unfair reputation as a flirt leaves her snubbed. Yet she’s only ever loved Josh Yoder, her childhood best friend. Why he distanced himself from her in eighth grade, she’ll never understand. And now, though he’s been a blessing doing repairs around her farm, he is courting another girl, so there is no going back . . .

Josh has been in love with Rachel since he was a boy. But he can never forgive himself for hurting her—or for the reason behind it. He can only do his best to lighten her burdens and hope others see her good heart. Still, the sight of her fills him with fresh longing, much as he tries to focus on his girlfriend and forget the past. Yet when jealousy flares, igniting trouble, they both must look to faith to do what’s right—and bring joyous futures for everyone . . .

Release date: April 23, 2024

Publisher: Zebra Books

Print pages: 368

Sample

Eight years later . . .

Josh sprinted through the Hartzlers’ back door and down the basement, where the rest of the youngie had gathered for games and singing. He’d asked his girlfriend, Anna Mary, to go on ahead because he didn’t want to make her late too. He hoped he wouldn’t get a letter reprimanding him for being late, but his border terrier had gone into labor, and he’d stayed with her until she’d given birth to six puppies.

He slid into place across the table from Anna Mary and held up six fingers. She beamed.

Caroline Hartzler’s forehead creased. Never one to stay quiet, she announced, “You’re too late to play this round, Josh. We already divided into teams.”

“He can be on my team,” Anna Mary offered, “or take my turn.”

“It’s all right. I can wait.” Josh settled back in his seat and checked out the others at the table. “It’ll give me time to catch my breath.”

All the usual youngie were there, including Rachel Glick. His pulse stuttered a little, but he hurried past her. The sight of her was both pleasurable and painful. Her beauty would set any man’s heart racing, but every time he was around her, it brought up old memories and a mountain of guilt.

Better to concentrate on Anna Mary. Besides, God wanted them to focus on the inner person, not the outward appearance. And Anna Mary provided an example to others by her faith.

Josh tamped down the comparisons bubbling up about Rachel. She wasn’t as outspoken about her beliefs as many of the others, but she’d always had a deep, earnest desire to do God’s will, even during the most trying times in her life.

He shook himself mentally. Why did his mind keep wandering to Rachel when he should be paying attention to Anna Mary?

The miracle of the puppies’ births had made him sentimental. When they were younger, Rachel had adored baby animals. He’d never forget the wonder on her face when he showed her his first litter of puppies. She’d squealed with joy when he let her choose one to take home. Then she threw her arms around him and hugged him. He may have been only nine, but he’d fallen in love with her that day. Every time his dog whelped, he remembered their shared past.

A past that had ended abruptly. And he could never go back. If only he could erase those events, but he had no way of changing what had happened.

“Are you all right?” Anna Mary set a copy of the Ausbund in front of him.

Josh started. He’d been so lost in thought, he hadn’t realized the game had ended. He dragged himself from his regrets and reminded himself of the new puppies. That brightened his spirits, and he smiled up at her.

“Are the puppies doing well?” she asked.

“Jah.”

“I’m glad.” She moved down the table, helping Caroline set out the rest of the hymnals.

Anna Mary caught his eyes several times during the songs. That and keeping his eyes glued to the words in front of him prevented him from being distracted by Rachel.

When they broke for refreshments, Anna Mary made a beeline for Josh. He never had to chase her. She always found him first. It should be flattering, but for some odd reason, it left him feeling flat. He would have enjoyed more of a challenge.

A challenge like the one Rachel Glick posed for most of the males there tonight, just as she did at every other singing. Like a flower attracting bees, Rachel only had to smile softly and hesitantly, and a crowd of boys buzzed around her, all vying for her attention. Yet, she never bestowed her favor on anyone in particular.

As he and Anna Mary took their plates and moved away from the dessert table, she leaned over and whispered, “Look at her flirting with all the guys.”

Pretending Rachel hadn’t caught his eye earlier, Josh followed the tilt of Anna Mary’s head toward the pretty, petite strawberry blonde, so sweet and fragile, surrounded by a circle of admirers.

Although he struggled to break his gaze, he quickly turned to Anna Mary. “You’d never do that.”

“Absolutely not. And the worst part is she doesn’t want to date any of them.”

Grateful he didn’t have to worry about his girlfriend being the center of so much male attention, Josh nodded.

“I’m so glad you never chased her. You wouldn’t, would you?” Jealousy tinged her question.

“Of course not.” Josh could answer that honestly. He couldn’t even meet Rachel’s eyes. And no matter how alluring she appeared, his stomach churned whenever he got around her.

He didn’t want to think about that. “We should get back to our seats. The singing will start soon.”

His excuse to get away from Anna Mary didn’t make sense. The group fluttering around Rachel hadn’t eaten yet. But luckily, Anna Mary’s best friend, Caroline Hartzler, grabbed Anna Mary’s arm and dragged her back to their seats while chattering about something in an overly loud voice.

Caroline seemed to be talking to Anna Mary about working at the Green Valley Farmer’s Market, but Josh tuned Caroline out and headed to his place on the opposite side of the table. Someone else had taken Josh’s place. He hadn’t intended to sit where he faced Rachel, but he’d accidentally picked the seat across from the last girl he wanted to look at, a girl he’d vowed never to have anything to do with, a girl who brought up all his old guilt. He’d abandoned her and her friendship years ago. Since then, he’d put her firmly out of his mind.

To make sure, Josh had chosen to date someone the exact opposite of his childhood companion and first love . . . if a nine-year-old could fall in love. He’d traded honeyed curls glinting with red highlights for straight black hair that never sprang loose from a bob. Sea-green eyes with long lashes had been replaced by no-nonsense brown ones. He erased memories of a delicate build and dainty hands with a sturdy frame capable of hard farm work. Josh preferred a wife who was practical rather than whimsical, one who had her feet firmly planted in reality, not one who drifted off into flights of fancy.

Why, then, did he sigh with relief whenever Rachel turned down an offer to ride home in someone else’s buggy after a singing? And why did his nightly dreams haunt him with images of strolling through fields of wildflowers, hand in hand with a fragile beauty whose sun-kissed curls floated behind her on the breeze?

Wherever Josh went in the room, Rachel’s senses followed him. He’d brushed by her when he’d hurried into the room tonight, and her pulse had flickered warning signals ever since.

Surrounded by a circle of eager male faces during the break, Rachel tried to respond to the conversation around her without bestowing too much attention on anyone. She’d turned down at least a dozen invitations to ride home after singings this past year, and she’d broken many hearts. Even staying aloof hadn’t stopped the requests for her company.

But the more males who gathered around her, the more the other girls acted standoffish. They didn’t seem to understand she had no interest in any of the boys except one. And he was already taken.

But she couldn’t confide in anyone because the girls all kept their distance from her. It hurt not to have friends. But Rachel’s greatest heartbreak—outside of her daed’s and brother’s deaths—was the loss of Josh’s friendship.

Her heart throbbed with a deep ache each time he walked past without acknowledging her. What had she done to drive him away? She’d plunged into sorrow following her brother’s death, but Josh had understood her silence when Daed died. He’d stayed close then and supported her. Even at Tom’s funeral, Josh had offered only polite condolences and then ignored her.

After that, she had no free time for anyone. Mamm ended up bedridden, and Rachel needed to take care of her. Her friendships shrank to none as she couldn’t attend any of the youth events, except singings. Women in the church took turns caring for Mamm so Rachel could attend church every other Sunday. Even so, Rachel remained isolated.

Well, as isolated as she could be while surrounded by a bevy of boys. Unfortunately, even that made her heart ache. Most of Tom’s friends had married, and Rachel had never really gotten to know the boys her age. The breaks during singings only reminded her of how much she missed Josh.

After the singing ended, Martin Allgeyer hurried up to her. A few weeks ago, she’d turned down his offer to drive her home. Rachel hoped he didn’t plan to ask again. She hated saying neh and seeing faces fall.

He surprised her. “You going to the volleyball game on Saturday?”

She swallowed hard. If only she could. When she was younger, she’d loved playing baseball and volleyball. Since Mamm had become bedridden, Rachel didn’t want to impose on others, so she never asked anyone to watch her mother for the fun get-togethers. Women from the g’may already took turns staying with Mamm on church Sundays.

“Rachel?” Martin interrupted her musing. “You going to the game or not?”

“I can’t, Martin, but thanks for asking.”

Josh passed behind Martin as she answered, and a sharp pain shot through her as nostalgia washed over her. Her brother, Tom, often set up a volleyball net in the backyard, and she and Josh sometimes played with his friends or even practiced alone, just the two of them. More than anything, she wished she could go back to those days again.

The longing on Rachel’s face when Martin said the word volleyball cut through Josh. And he recognized that faraway look in her eyes and the little smile that played on her lips. She always did that whenever she was recalling happy memories of her daed or brother.

Josh wished he could ask what she was thinking about. Was she remembering the fun they’d had playing volleyball with Tom?

Tom’s name brought up the past Josh wanted to forget, but he yearned for the days before that. Back when he and Rachel did everything together. He slammed a door shut on those times and turned to find Anna Mary. He needed to focus on his future rather than the past.

But Josh’s sense of fairness wouldn’t let him forget Rachel’s yearning. He hadn’t realized she might want to come. She avoided socializing, except when she was forced into it. Like now, when she couldn’t get away from those boys who circled her. But she always looked uncomfortable. Josh had assumed she stayed home from youth group activities because she’d rather not be there. Maybe that wasn’t true. What if she didn’t show up because she disliked asking for help with her mamm? That would be just like Rachel.

Now that he’d figured it out, he had to do something. Maybe Mamm would be willing to sit with Rachel’s mamm during volleyball games. His mother had always loved Rachel, and Mamm had been sad when Rachel stopped coming to visit. She’d often said Rachel was the daughter their family never had. For sure and certain, she’d be happy to help.

The only problem for Josh would be seeing Rachel more than one day a week. And having to deal with his guilt.

A knock on the door on Monday afternoon startled Rachel from her quilting. She’d hoped to finish this quillow and get started on the next one before the Green Valley Farmer’s Market opened tomorrow. She’d already completed the quilt that folded into the pillow and only needed to quilt the small design on the square pillow top.

Reluctantly, she tucked her needle into the fabric so she wouldn’t lose it and headed for the door.

“Miriam?” She opened the door and stepped back so Josh’s mamm could enter. “How are you? Are you here to visit Mamm?” Her mother had just gone down for another nap, but Rachel could wake her for this unexpected visitor.

“Actually, dear, I’ve come to talk to you, but I’ll look in on your mamm if she’s awake.”

Me? What would Miriam need to discuss with me? Rachel’s heart clenched. Had something happened to Josh?

Rachel had been standing there with the door open, but she hadn’t actually invited Miriam inside. “Kumme in. Mamm’s asleep, but we can talk in the living room so we don’t disturb her.”

Miriam followed Rachel into the living room. Rachel gathered up the quilt part of the quillow, which she’d left spread out on the couch.

“That’s beautiful, dear.” Miriam picked up the quilt end and admired it. “What I wouldn’t give to be able to make such tiny, straight stitches. My mamm despaired of me ever making a quilt fit to use. She used to say I’d never make a proper wife.”

“But you’re such a good wife and a wonderful cook. And you raised four fine boys.” Heat splashed onto Rachel’s cheeks as one in particular came to mind. She hoped Miriam would think Rachel’s flushed face came from the compliment on her sewing.

Josh’s mother laughed. “If I stayed around you for long, I’d be asking God for forgiveness for pride.” Her eyes twinkled. “It’s a good thing my Ephraim didn’t care about my quilting skills.”

Miriam bustled over to a nearby chair. “Feel free to keep sewing. I know you need to get your quillows to the market tomorrow. It wonders me that you’ve been able to support your mamm since you turned fourteen.”

Talk about hochmut. If Miriam stayed much longer, they’d both end up puffed with pride. Rachel giggled inside at the thought.

“It’s so nice to see your smile.” Miriam beamed. “I won’t take much of your time. Although I do miss our long-ago chats. It was nice to have a girl around with a houseful of boys.”

She gazed at Rachel with such fondness, Rachel’s chest ached. She’d forgotten how much love a mamm’s smile could hold. It had been so long since her own mamm had been able to give anyone a genuine smile. Most days, all she could manage were clenched-teeth grimaces that matched her pain-filled eyes.

Miriam settled back in the chair. Rachel put down her sewing to concentrate on her guest, but Miriam waved to the quillow as if encouraging her to continue. Rachel picked up her needle and bent her head over her work. That was easier than meeting Miriam’s searching gaze. Could Josh’s mamm sense Rachel longed to ask about him?

Perhaps his mother had read Rachel’s thoughts, because Miriam went straight to the topic of her son. “Josh talked to me about you yesterday.”

Rachel’s head shot up, and she pricked her finger with the needle. She quickly raised the finger to her lips to prevent a blood smear on the fabric.

“He wondered if you minded missing out on the youth activities. And I told him, ‘Of course, she does.’ I don’t know why it never occurred to any of us to sit with your mamm so you could go.”

A burning sensation began in Rachel’s chest and spread through her. Josh cared enough to want to include her. It didn’t change the fact that he was courting, but at least, he’d thought about her as a friend.

“Anyway, I came to apologize for not doing this sooner. I’ll be over this Saturday so you can play in the volleyball game. And from now on, I’ll come whenever the youngie have events.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Rachel couldn’t expect Miriam to care for Mamm every time. “I-I, um, often have to work anyway.”

“Well, we can figure that out. But I’ll be here an hour or so before the game on Saturday, so you have time to talk with your friends before you start playing.” Miriam stood. “You don’t have to see me out. I’ll peek in on your mamm before I go.”

“But—but . . .”

Miriam held up a hand. “I won’t take neh for an answer. It’s time you had a chance to join your friends and have fun. You work much too hard. Besides, I miss talking to Betty. It’ll be a joy to spend time with her.”

Before Rachel could protest any further, Miriam walked down the hallway to Mamm’s room, eased the door open, and peeked inside. Seeing Mamm was still asleep, Miriam shut the door quietly and left.

As much as she disliked letting others carry her burdens, Rachel was thrilled to be able to play volleyball. But she hadn’t played in years. Would she be any help to the team?

She pushed that worry aside and concentrated on the most important part of Miriam’s conversation. All this had been Josh’s idea. Did he still care for her—as a friend, of course?

“I’m ready to go, Josh,” his mamm called upstairs almost two hours before the Saturday volleyball game began.

“Why do you want to leave so early?” he projected his voice so she could hear him.

“Rachel might like to spend time talking to her friends before the game.”

Josh shook his head as he descended the stairs. That might be true if she had any friends. The thought made him sad. He’d been a terrible friend.

But if Rachel left this soon, she’d arrive at a deserted field. That wouldn’t make her feel accepted or a part of things. Although, if the boys knew she’d be there, they’d show up early too.

“Nobody will be at the field.” Did Mamm tell Rachel the wrong time? “Does she know what time the game starts?”

“Jah, she does. I promised to be there an hour or so ahead of time. I don’t want her to worry I won’t show up. Rachel’s eyes lit up when I mentioned volleyball, so I expect she’ll be eager to go.”

A warm glow filled Josh. He was so glad he’d suggested Mamm should stay with Betty. Rachel deserved to have fun. It couldn’t be easy to take care of her mamm all day, every day.

He often wondered if the barn fire had caused Betty Glick’s rapid decline in her health. Before Tom’s funeral, she’d been getting around with a cane. Within a few weeks, she’d gone downhill fast. Soon, she couldn’t get out of bed.

When Mamm yelled for him again, Josh bounded down the stairs. He entered the kitchen, where she was pulling food from the refrigerator. After he’d hitched up the horse, Mamm came out with a casserole dish she held on her lap and asked him to load the tote bag filled with several other casseroles and a pie.

They rode in silence until Mamm said, “You know, Josh, since we’ll already be at the Glicks’, you could offer to take Rachel to the game.”

“Mamm!” That wouldn’t be appropriate. “I’m courting Anna Mary.” He had no doubt Anna Mary wouldn’t appreciate him doing that, even if he only did it to be neighborly.

“But Anna Mary’s at work, and she’ll be coming with Caroline.”

How did Mamm know that? She wasn’t usually into all the gossiping the community did.

Mamm continued, “You’ll be coming back after the game to pick me up. Why not drop Rachel off at the same time?”

“It wouldn’t be right. Besides, Anna Mary will be riding home with me.”

“I see.” His mamm made a slight face. If Josh hadn’t glanced at her right at that moment, he never would have noticed. What was that about? Did she not like Anna Mary? Mamm hadn’t said anything negative about his girlfriend. But now that he thought about it, his mother had never said anything positive either.

It also was odd Mamm had asked him to drop her off instead of taking her own buggy. Had she been planning to throw him and Rachel together? And send them to the field more than an hour early? Not only that, but was Mamm trying to cut his evening short with Anna Mary by having Rachel come along? Even if Rachel drove herself, Mamm would know when the games had ended, so she’d expect Josh to pick her up shortly after. That would prevent him and Anna Mary from taking the long way home.

From Mamm’s sigh, she’d been hoping he’d take Rachel. Mamm had never understood why he and Rachel had stopped spending time together. But to interfere with his life like this was so out of character for her. And he’d never known his mother to be underhanded or manipulative.

Her mouth pinched in disappointment. “I just thought Rachel could use some company when she gets to the field for the first time.”

His heart went out to Rachel. He disliked the way the other girls left her out. To lessen his guilt, he reminded himself Rachel was rarely alone. “I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’s usually in the center of a crowd.”

“Josh!”

His mamm’s sharp rebuke startled him. She was so even-tempered, she rarely got upset.

“You know as well as I do, Rachel doesn’t like being surrounded by all those boys. I thought maybe”—her voice quavered—“you could protect her from them. You used to take care of her when you were younger.”

Why did Mamm have to remind him of that? Josh pushed those old memories to the back of his mind, but he couldn’t erase present-day ones. He knew Rachel better than anyone in their g’may, except for her mother, so he could tell it distressed Rachel to be the center of the boys’ attention. He often berated himself for ignoring her trapped expression.

“That’s the main reason I hoped you’d take her there early.”

“I see.” Although he didn’t understand what he could do to stop her admirers. If he were her boyfriend, they’d stop flocking around her like vultures.

Josh brought himself up short. What in the world put that idea in his head? He already had a girlfriend. Everyone at church knew that, so he’d be no deterrent to the other boys. Still, something inside him yearned to find a way to help her.

All week, Rachel’s excitement had warred with her dread. At church, they filed in to the benches in order, so girls her age sat on either side of her. And if the girls ignored her or gossiped about her after the service, Rachel busied herself in the kitchen to hide her loneliness. Singings forced her to be the center of unwanted attention. Technically, she was never alone there, although she felt like it. Meanwhile, the girls steered clear of her and whispered about her behind her back.

But at a volleyball game, she’d be on her own. She had no friends, nobody she could depend on, nobody to talk to, except her band of admirers. Would any of them be there? Or would she stand out, look like a loner? A loser?

Rachel had almost decided not to go when Josh drove into her driveway. Josh? What was he doing here?

A casserole in hand, Miriam hopped from the buggy and hurried up the driveway. Josh had only come to drop his mamm off. Rachel’s spirits plummeted.

When Miriam neared the front door, she turned and called to Josh, “Could you bring the tote bag from the back seat?”

Josh was too far away for Rachel to read his expression. Did he frown? Make a face? Resent having to come into her house?

He got out, reached for something in the back, and strode toward his mamm with a bag in his hand. Miriam waited until he caught up with her. Then they headed to the front door, and Josh knocked.

Although Rachel had moved away from the window as they approached the front door, his knock was unmistakable—firm, determined, masculine. His mamm’s the other day had been more of a tap. If a knock could stir Rachel this much, what would happen when they stood face to face?

All she wanted to do was run and hide. Good manners forced her to open the door and invite them in. She barely managed a welcoming smile by keeping her eyes focused on Miriam. “Let me take that casserole.”

As Rachel reached for the dish, she sneaked a quick glance at Josh. His smile appeared pasted on, and his eyes revealed reluctance. To carry in the bag? Or to be around her?

Miriam refused to let go of the casserole. “I’ll just take this out to the kitchen.” She sailed off, leaving Rachel and Josh in the doorway together.

Josh shuffled his feet, revealing his nervousness. “I, um, I should probably take this out too . . . if that’s all right?”

Rachel’s cheeks burned at her choked “of course.” She prayed he wouldn’t guess her clogged throat was connected to him.

He brushed past her, setting her aflame. She stood paralyzed at the door, unsure whether to close it or to leave it open to allow Josh to make a quick escape.

Before she could decide, he returned from the kitchen. “I’ll see you later.” He rushed out the door, then stopped on the doorstep. Without turning around, he added, “I’m glad you’re coming. You always were a good player.”

Rachel wondered if he was happy she’d be there because he needed someone who played well. He might be sorry if he’d been hoping for an outstanding player. She hadn’t touched a volleyball for the past five years, so her skills were rusty.

“I might not be very good. I haven’t played in a long time.”

Still keeping his back to her, he said, “I’m sure you’ll pick it up quickly.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I, um, should get going.”

Rachel’s heart sank. Her hope that they’d have a friendly conversation vanished. She shouldn’t have made so much out of a few sentences of polite chit-chat. Josh had prob. . .