Amish Redemption

An Amish Homecoming

Joshua Bowman is ready to go home. After spending time in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, he’s putting everything behind him and reconciling with his fractured family. When a devastating tornado throws him unexpectedly into the path of Mary Kaufman and her daughter, Hannah, he feels the first spark of life after months. But Mary’s adoptive dad is the Englisch sheriff—and he’d never trust her care to a man with Joshua’s past. Plus the lovely single mom has a secret of her own, one that she’s spent years running from. Together they survived the storm, but are they strong enough to shed the shadows of their past?

Brides of Amish Country: Finding true love in the land of the Plain People.

“This must be hard for you,” Joshua said.

Mary ducked her head. How could he possibly know how confused and excited she felt when he was near? “Why would seeing you again be hard for me?”

“I meant it must be hard for you to see your community in ruins.”

She felt like a fool. “It is sad, but look how everyone is working together. Friends are helping friends. Strangers are helping strangers. It will take a lot of work, but we’ll get through this.”

“I was wondering if your grandmother’s offer of a place to stay was still open? If not, I’m sure I can find another family to put me up.”

“Ada and Hannah will be happy to have you stay.”

“And you, Mary? Will you be happy if I do?” His voice was low enough that only she could hear him.

She wasn’t sure. She was excited at the prospect, and that gave her pause. She already liked him too much. Her track record with liking and trusting the wrong men made her leery of repeating those mistakes.

After thirty-five years as a nurse, PATRICIA DAVIDS hung up her stethoscope to become a full-time writer. She enjoys spending her free time visiting her grandchildren, doing some long-overdue yard work and traveling to research her story locations. She resides in Wichita, Kansas. Pat always enjoys hearing from her readers. You can visit her online at patriciadavids.com.

Amish Redemption

Patricia Davids

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

—Psalms 142:6–7

The book is lovingly dedicated

to all my readers. Thanks for making my writing dreams come true.

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

Dear Readers

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Joshua Bowman’s parole officer turned the squad car off the highway and onto the dirt lane. He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “You want me to drive to the house or do you want to walk from here?”

The immaculate farmstead with the two-story white house, white rail fences and big red barn at the end of the lane had never looked so beautiful. It was like many Amish farms that dotted the countryside around Berlin, Ohio, but this one was special. It was home.

Joshua cleared his throat. “I’d rather walk.”

It was kind of Officer Oliver Merlin to allow Joshua’s family reunion to take place in private. It was about the only kindness he had received from the Englisch justice system. He struggled to put that bitterness behind him. It was time for a new start.

Officer Merlin leveled a hard look at him. “You understand how this works. I’ll be back to meet with you in two weeks.”

“I’ll be here.”

“After that, we’ll meet once a month until the end of your sentence, but I can drop in anytime. Deliberately miss a meeting with me and you’ll find yourself back in prison. I don’t take kindly to making long trips for nothing.” The man’s stern tone left no doubt that he meant what he said.

“I’m never going back there. Never.” Joshua voiced the conviction in his heart as he met the officer’s gaze without flinching.

“Obey the law and you won’t.” Getting out of the car, Officer Merlin came around to Joshua’s door. There were no handles on the inside. Even though he was on his way home, he was still a prisoner. The moment the door opened, he drew his first free breath in six months.

Freedom beckoned, but he hesitated. What kind of welcome would he find in his father’s house?

Officer Merlin’s face softened. “I know this is hard, but you can do it, kid.”

At twenty-one, Joshua was not a kid, but he appreciated the man’s sympathy. He stepped out clutching a brown paper bag that contained his few personal possessions. A soft breeze caressed his cheeks, carrying with it the smells of spring, of the warming earth and fresh green grass. He closed his eyes, raised his face to the morning sun and thanked God for his deliverance.

“See you in two weeks.” Officer Merlin closed the door behind Joshua, walked around the vehicle, got in and drove away.