Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR THE PLEASANT VALLEY NOVELS
What a joy it is to read Marta Perrys novels! Leahs Choice has everything a reader could wantstrong, well-defined characters; beautiful, realistic settings; and a thought-provoking plot. Readers of Amish fiction will surely be waiting anxiously for her next book.
Shelley Shepard Gray, author of the Sisters of the Heart series
Sure to appeal to fans of Beverly Lewis.
Library Journal
Realistic characters... [a] strong, original plot.
Romantic Times
A knowing and careful look into Amish culture and faith. A truly enjoyable reading experience.
Angela Hunt, author of The Fine Art of Insincerity
A lovely book. Simply lovely.
Linda Goodnight, author of The Christmas Child
A wonderful book!
Romance Reviews Today
Takes us into the heart of Amish country and the Pennsylvania Dutch, and shows us the struggles of the Amish community as the outside world continues to clash with the Plain ways. This is a story of grace and servitude as well as a story of difficult choices and heartbreaking realities. It touched my heart. I think the world of Amish fiction has found a new champion.
Lenora Worth, author of The Doctors Family
More than just a sweet Amish love story, it is a complex mix of volatile relationships and hard choices. I couldnt put it down. I highly recommend it!
Colleen Coble, author of The Lightkeepers Ball
A wonderful start to what is sure to be a very memorable series.
Romance Junkies
Other Pleasant Valley novels by Marta Perry
LEAHS CHOICE
RACHELS GARDEN
ANNAS RETURN
SARAHS GIFT
This story is dedicated
to my children and grandchildren,
with much love.
And, as always, to Brian.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Id like to express my gratitude to those whose expertise, patience, and generosity helped me in the writing of this book: to Erik Wesner, whose Amish America newsletters are enormously helpful in visualizing aspects of daily life; to Donald Kraybill and John Hostetler, whose books are the definitive works on Amish life; to Louise Stoltzfus, Lovina Eicher, and numerous others whove shared what it means to be Amish; to my quilting family and friends; and most of all to my family, for giving me a rich heritage upon which to draw.
CHAPTER ONE
Fast-paced chatter in Pennsylvania Dutch, followed by a ripple of womens laughter, floated through the archway to Caleb Brands handmade-furniture shop from what used to be a hardware store next door. Caleb forced himself to focus on the rocking chair he was waxing, trying to ignore the sounds of change.
He didnt like change. This building, with its two connected shops, had been a male enclave for years. Now everything was different, because Bishop Mose had decided to rent the other side to Katie Miller for a quilt shop.
Caleb gritted his teeth and rubbed a little harder, trying to concentrate on the grain of the hickory. Rocking chairs were among his best sellers, and this one had turned out to his satisfaction. Hed never let anything go out of his shop that he wouldnt be happy to have in his own home.
Another peal of female laughter. How many women were over there, anyway, helping to set up for the opening tomorrow? It sounded like half the sisters from the church district.
No reason why Katie Miller, newly komm to Pleasant Valley from Columbia County, shouldnt open a quilt shop. He wished her well. Just not next door to him.
The bell on his own front door jingled, and he looked up. Bishop Mose, his white beard fluttering in the mild May breeze that swept down the main street of the village, ducked into the shop.
Bishop Mose. He half rose, showing the bishop that he was behind the counter at the rear of the showroom.
Ach, Caleb, I thought youd be tucked away upstairs in your workshop at this hour. The bishop, his years seeming to sit lightly on him, wound his way through the handmade wooden furniture that filled the room.
Nobodys here to help out today, so I have to mind the shop. Caleb put the lid on the furniture wax, tapping it down tight. Can I do something for you?
Ach, no. The bishops blue eyes, wise with a lifetime of service to the Amish of Pleasant Valley, crinkled a little. Chust thought I should see for myself how youre dealing with your new neighbor.
Caleb glanced down at the rocker to avoid meeting the bishops gaze. Fine. Everythings fine, I think.
He didnt understand why Bishop Mose had seen fit to install a quilt shop next to him, but he wouldnt complain. Hed never forget that when it seemed every person in the valley had turned against him, Bishop Mose had accepted his word.
It was eight years since then, and Caleb supposed folks still talked about him and Mattie, though not in his presence. But thanks to Bishop Mose, he still had his place here.
In the brief silence between them, the sound of womens voices came through clearly, talking about how best to display some quilts, it seemed.
Thats gut, Bishop Mose said. I thought maybe it would be a bother to you, having a quilt shop next door instead of a hardware store.
Absently, Caleb caressed a curved spindle of the rocker, the wood warm and smooth under his hand. Could he drop a hint in the bishops ear?
Well, I did think a hardware store was a better fit with my shop. He said the words as cautiously as if he were walking on eggs. We shared more of the same customers, aint so?
You dont think the folks who buy Katies quilts will be interested in your fine rocking chairs and chests? Bishop Mose lifted white eyebrows.
Another burst of laughter scraped at Calebs nerves. No. I dont think a bunch of quilting women are likely to want what
He stoppeda little too late, it seemed. Katie Miller stood in the archway, and he didnt doubt shed heard his words. He cleared his throat, trying to think what to say, but she beat him to it.
Ach, Bishop Mose, I thought I heard your voice. The warm smile she directed toward the bishop probably didnt include Caleb. Would you like to see what weve done with the shop?
We would like nothing better. He reached across the counter to clap Calebs shoulder. Komm, Caleb. Well have a look at your new neighbors shop, aint so?
Caleb hesitated, glancing at Katie. Her blue eyes were guarded, it seemed to him, and her strong jaw set. Katie Miller looked like a determined woman, one bent on doing things her way.
Which was maybe how shed reached her midtwenties without marrying, an unusual situation for an Amish woman. And at the moment her way most likely didnt include showing him her shop.
But in the next instant her expression had melted into a smile. She smoothed back a strand of light brown hair under the white kapp on the back of her head and nodded. Komm. Id like fine to show you what weve done.
With the bishops hand on his shoulder Caleb couldnt very well pull away. He walked through the archway, feeling as if he were moving into a foreign land.
It looked that way, too. Harvey Schmidts barrels of nails and coils of wire were long gone, of course. The shop had been stripped down to the bare shelves during Harveys closing sale. But now
