A Simple Vow by Charlotte Hubbard #Inspirational #Romance #Amish

 

Charlotte will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

  

Housed in a rustic red barn, the Simple Gifts crafts shop celebrates the talents of the Amish of Willow Ridge—and the faith that inspires them. For the acceptance of simplicity opens the path to love.

As far as Edith Riehl is concerned, the baby twins thrust suddenly into her arms are a heaven-sent gift. Unable to conceive, she longs to be a mother with a home of her own. She’s going to abide by her promise to handsome Asa Detweiler to take care of them while he looks for their real father. And even if her domineering dat Cornelius refuses to countenance Asa’s suit, she can only pray the bachelor’s honesty and persistence will uncover the truth—even as he’s kindled an impossible hope for a love of her own…

Asa can’t understand why anyone would think he would be so dishonorable as to father babies and then abandon them. He’s determined to clear his name—but Edith’s caring ways also inspire him to help heal her wounded spirit and earn her trust. In the face of heartbreaking deception, he and Edith must find the strength to understand, forgive…and claim their own hearts’ joy.

EXCERPT

“Clifford’s a little town a ways south of here,” Luke replied. He was relieved that Asa seemed to be regaining his memory despite his obvious discomfort. “Did you come up to Willow Ridge for the wedding festivities?”

Asa again appeared confused, but then his lean face settled into a scowl. “I wouldn’t liken my reason for being here to any sort of festivity,” he muttered. “And frankly, I’d rather not discuss it. If you’ll just let me get back on my horse—”

“Nope, can’t do that,” Andy insisted, holding Asa’s broad shoulders so he’d remain seated. “Since we don’t know how long you were out, I’m taking you to the emergency room for an MRI, in case you’ve got a concussion—”

“And your horse is in no shape to travel, either,” Luke chimed in. He led the tall black gelding a couple of yards and noticed it was favoring a leg. “How about if I take him over to my brother’s place? He’s our local farrier.”

The man seemed torn between concern for his horse and reluctance to stick around much longer, so Luke pointed in the general direction of Ben’s shop. “I’ll just lead him up the road a few blocks, and we’ll take it real slow. I’m Luke Hooley, by the way, and this is my aunt, Jerusalem Gingerich,” he added. “We’re glad she and Naz found you when they did. We’ll look after you and your horse until you’re both road ready, all right?”

“Gingerich, eh?” Asa murmured with a hint of suspicion.

“Jah, I married Vernon last year,” Jerusalem replied pertly. “He’s the bishop of Cedar Creek, ya know.”

“Ah.” Asa smoothed his black hair away from his face as he assessed them all. He winced again as he shifted his position. “Guess I’m not too fired up about riding, now that you mention it—especially if Midnight’s lame,” he murmured. “I sure have to wonder who raced his rig past us so close—and so fast—that I got thrown to the side of the road.”

“And I have to wonder who would’ve left you this way, too,” Luke added. “Even Plain boys racing down the back roads for the sport of it would have the decency to stop if they made a horse throw its rider.”

“Jah, you’d think so,” Andy agreed. “Asa, for safety’s sake, we’re going to put you on a stretcher and carry you to the wagon.”

As Luke helped the nurse get their visitor into the clinic wagon, he couldn’t help wondering about the real story behind this incident. Had someone from Willow Ridge run this fellow’s horse off the road? And why had Asa reacted so sourly to the name Gingerich? Families by that name lived all over this part of Missouri.

Maybe Detweiler was reacting to his pain and confusion—as any fellow would after hitting the ground so hard—yet Luke also found himself speculating about the stranger’s reasons for being here. The shadow that had passed over Asa’s face when he’d refused to answer that question suggested ulterior motives . . . hidden hostility.

Better keep your eye on this guy, his thoughts warned. Who knows what secrets he’s keeping?

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Many moons ago—like, in 1983 while she was still a school librarian—Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. This launched her into writing around seventy of those “true confessions” stories over the years, and she’s been a slave to her overactive imagination ever since. Over the course of her writing career, she has sold nearly 50 books—most recently, Amish romance series she’s written as Charlotte Hubbard or Naomi King. 

Charlotte lived in Missouri for most of her life, so her Amish stories are set in imaginary Missouri towns. These days she lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Ramona.

WEBSITE   www.CharlotteHubbard.com

Facebook    www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

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