A Secret Amish Love

A Forbidden Romance

Nell Stoltzfus has always valued her independence—but with her father insisting she marry, she’s feeling the pressure to figure out her future. A decision that is further complicated when she falls for English veterinarian James Pierce. Nell knows her romantic feelings for James are forbidden in her Amish community. Yet the connection they share only seems to grow deeper when she starts working at his clinic. As Nell’s father urges her to choose an Amish husband, she finds herself torn between devotion to her family and her heart’s only wish. Can Nell turn her secret love for James into a happy ending?

“Nell, I miss you.” James gazed at her warmly.

“James, we can’t do this. I can’t do this.”

“What exactly is this?” he asked quietly. “The fact that we like each other but shouldn’t?”

“Ja, we shouldn’t,” she said and started to turn away.

He captured her arm. “Nell, I’m sorry. I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but please...consider us being friends if we can’t be anything more.”

“I don’t know if I can,” she whispered.

“Why not?”

She nodded. “’Tis too risky. I want more but it will never happen. So I’m sorry, James, but we can’t be friends. Ever.” Nell turned back to the buggy and climbed in.

Her eyes slid over him as they drove away. She was a fool for loving him, but she couldn’t help herself. Her resolve hardened—she needed to find an Amish husband and soon, so that she could forget that the price to pay for following her heart could be detrimental to her future.

REBECCA KERTZ was first introduced to the Amish when her husband took a job with an Amish construction crew. She enjoyed watching the Amish foreman’s children at play and swapping recipes with his wife. Rebecca resides in Delaware with her husband and dog. She has a strong faith in God and feels blessed to have family nearby. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, doing crafts and visiting Lancaster County.

A Secret Amish Love

Rebecca Kertz

www.millsandboon.co.uk

And now these three remain: faith, hope

and love. But the greatest of these is love.

—1 Corinthians 13:13

For my mother-in-law—my other Mom—with love

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Nell Stoltzfus opened the door to Pierce Veterinary Clinic and gaped as she stepped inside. Pandemonium reigned in the crowded waiting room. Dogs growled and barked as they strained at their leashes. Some owners spoke sharply while others murmured soothingly as they struggled to control their pets.

A cat in a carrier situated on a woman’s lap meowed loudly in angry protest of the ear-splitting canine activity. An Amish man sat in the corner of the room with a she-goat. The animal bent her head as she tried to eat a magazine in the rack on the floor near the man’s feet. The goat was haltered, and her owner tugged up on the rope lead to keep her from chewing on the glossy pages. The animal bleated loudly as she stubbornly fought to eat.

The goat’s noisy discontent joined in the cacophony of human and animal sounds as the unfamiliar Amish man glanced at Nell briefly before returning his attention to his goat.

She searched the room and frowned. Every available seat was taken. There was no sign of Michelle, Dr. Pierce’s receptionist, whose job it was to check in patients and, on occasion, bring them into the exam rooms when the veterinary assistant, Janie, was busy.

Nell narrowed her gaze, assessing. On most days, there were usually two or three people in the waiting room. At least, every time she’d brought her dog, Jonas, in, there had been only a few people with their pets waiting.

During her first visit to Pierce Veterinary Clinic, just shy of a month after it opened, she’d sought medical help for Jonas after he was cruelly tossed out of a moving car. The visit had been a memorable one.

She’d met Dr. James Pierce, who’d refused to charge her for taking care of Jonas, requesting instead that she spread word of his clinic to anyone who might benefit from his services. And he’d startled her by offering her a temporary job as his assistant, based on her ability to calm her injured rescue dog who had lain trustingly in her arms.

“You have a natural affinity with animals, Nell,” he’d told her during her first visit. During her second and last visit to the clinic, she’d declined but thanked him for his offer, even though she would have liked nothing more than to have the opportunity to learn more about caring for animals since it was her dream to minister to those within her Amish community. But her strong attraction to Dr. Pierce made it wise to keep her distance from him.