Second Chances: An Amish Tale of Jane Austen's Persuasion (The Amish Classics Book 3) Read online

  Sarah Price’s delightful adaptation of Persuasion will thrill Jane Austen fans and lovers of Amish fiction alike. Second Chances, a clever retelling with an Amish setting, captured me from the first page to the last.

  —JENNIFER BECKSTRAND

  AUTHOR, HUCKLEBERRY HILL

  All the appeal of a classic love story, caught between perception and truth, affection and duty, choice and expectation, doubt and faith, regret and hope.

  —OLIVIA NEWPORT

  AUTHOR, WONDERFUL LONESOME AND

  MEEK AND MILD

  Sarah Price has managed to, once again, seamlessly combine a heartfelt Amish romance with a timeless classic. The story of Jane Austen’s Persuasion comes alive in a unique way in Second Chances. It is a beautiful story with vibrant characters who will remain in my heart for quite a while.

  —BRITTANY MCEUEN

  BRITT READS FICTION BLOG

  In Second Chances masterful storyteller Sarah Price pens a delightful retelling of Jane Austen’s classic, Persuasion, harmoniously intermingled with the Amish! Readers everywhere will fall in love with the frustrating Anna, who in her inability to say no to others brings much heartache upon herself. An eloquently written tale of family, forgiveness, second chances, and lessons learned, this is one that will long be remembered, even after the last sigh-worthy page is turned!

  —DIANA FLOWERS

  SENIOR REVIEWER, OVERCOMING WITH GOD BLOG

  Second Chances is another winner in Sarah Price’s Amish Classics series, where she puts her own twist on a classic story and brings it to new life in an unexpected setting. Readers will enjoy following the journey of Anna, a young Amish woman struggling against the persuasion of her family and friends as she tries to find her second chance at love.

  —PAM BURKE

  BLOGGER, SOUTHERN GAL LOVES TO READ

  A moving love story once told by Jane Austin and now by master storyteller Sarah Price. One in old time England, and the other in the American Amish Community, the same and yet very different telling of the same story. I loved it!

  —MAUREEN TIMERMAN

  BLOGGER, MUSINGS BY MAUREEN

  Timeless as the classic itself, Sarah Price’s retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen will have your heart skipping beats and leave you completely captivated until the very last page, wishing the story would go on and on. In true Price fashion she shows us how God’s mercy works in our lives, even when wrong choices stray our paths. Both captivating and beautiful, this book will make you want to crawl within these pages and follow each character through their journey of “second chances.”

  —SUE LAITINEN

  DESTINATION AMISH

  Sarah Price crafts a story of heartbreak, self-examination, and love restored in this Jane Austen adaptation. Her writing style rivals the classics while her characters come to life and make their way into her readers’ hearts. Second Chances will appeal to lovers of Amish Christian romance as well as lovers of Jane Austen and Christian romance.

  —LISA BULL

  BLOGGER, MOMMALISAOF2 AND WALKING BARE

  SOULED IN THE SONSHINE

  Sarah Price has once again written a book with a meaningful message. The theme of forgiveness and the ability to overcome, with God’s direction, is evident throughout the intricate plot. Again, Sarah has used her unique talent to develop characters that are realistic and somewhat quirky individuals who appeal to the reader’s emotions and sense of humor. Indeed, they become part of you. As you get lost in the plot, everyday life will be forgotten, and you will find yourself transported to this small Amish community. Second Chances is yet another Sarah Price book that will live on in your thoughts long after you finish reading!

  —KARLA HANNS

  WELLAND, ONTARIO

  CANADA

  Most Charisma House Book Group products are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchase for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, and educational needs. For details, write Charisma House Book Group, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, or telephone (407) 333-0600.

  SECOND CHANCES by Sarah Price

  Published by Realms

  Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group

  600 Rinehart Road

  Lake Mary, Florida 32746

  www.charismahouse.com

  This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

  All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible; Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™. All versions are used by permission.

  Copyright © 2015 by Sarah Price

  All rights reserved

  Cover design by Justin Evans

  Visit the author’s website at www.sarahpriceauthor.com.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Price, Sarah, 1969-

  Second chances / Sarah Price.—First edition.

  pages ; cm.—(Amish classics)

  ISBN 978-1-62998-239-7 (trade paper)—ISBN 978-1-62998-240-3 (e-book)

  1. Amish—Fiction. 2. Lancaster County (Pa.)—Fiction. 3. Austen, Jane, 1775-1817—Parodies, imitations, etc. I. Title.

  PS3616.R5275S43 2015

  813’.6—dc23

  2015006718

  There are times in our lives when we come to a crossroad and need to make a decision. Sometimes we make the right choice. Sometimes we don’t. This book is dedicated to those people who made a decision that they later regretted but maintained their faith in God’s plans for their future, regardless of the outcome.

  CONTENTS

  A NOTE ABOUT VOCABULARY

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  PREFACE

  PROLOGUE

  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

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  EPILOGUE

  GLOSSARY

  OTHER BOOKS BY SARAH PRICE

  ABOUT SARAH PRICE

  A Note About Vocabulary

  THE AMISH SPEAK Pennsylvania Dutch (also called Amish German or Amish Dutch). This is a verbal language with variations in spelling among communities throughout the United States. In some regions a grandfather is grossdaadi, while in other regions he is known as grossdawdi.

  In addition, there are words such as mayhaps, or the use of the word then at the end of sentences and, my favorite, for sure and certain, which are not necessarily from the Pennsylvania Dutch language/dialect but are unique to the Amish.

  The use of these words comes from my own experience living among the Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

  Acknowledgments

>   IT TAKES A village to raise a child, and it takes a team to write a book. God has blessed me with an amazing team. My family and friends help me with brainstorming ideas, proofreading, and watching me pace the floor as I think out loud. My Charisma family provides unlimited support to me—this time tolerating several delays due to medical reasons, a laptop incident involving coffee (that shall never be discussed again, for I am still in mourning), and multiple rounds of editing.

  Thank you to my husband, Marc Schumacher, my parents, Stan and Ellie Nice, my children, Alex and Cat, my Charisma team, Adrienne and Lori, and my dear cheer-leading team, Lisa, Michelle, Judy, Iris, Gina, and Marisol.

  Yes, God has blessed me in many ways, but this amazing team surrounding me with love and support is one of His greatest gifts of all.

  HUGS!

  SARAH PRICE

  Preface

  THE IDEA FOR this book was a long time coming. I started to read quite early in life, and my taste for books transcended the typical chunky books that preschoolers are made to read. I confess that my first love was Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, which I devoured practically on a daily basis. To say I was a bookworm would be putting it mildly. Children would take bets on whether or not I could finish a book a day, a challenge I won easily most days.

  So my transition to classic literature came at an early age, with my favorites being Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, and (a personal favorite) Victor Hugo. Christmas was fairly predictable in my house. Just one leather-bound book always made it the “bestest Christmas ever.”

  In writing Amish Christian romances, something that I have been doing for twenty-five years, I have always tried to explore new angles to the stories. I base most of my stories on my own experiences, having lived on Amish farms and in Amish homes over the years. I have come to know these amazingly strong and devout people in a way that I am constantly pinching myself as to why I have been able to do so. I must confess that, on more than one occasion, I have heard the same from them: “We aren’t quite sure what it is, Sarah, but . . . there’s something deeply special about you.”

  Besides adoring my Amish friends and “family,” I also adore my readers. Many of you know that I spend countless hours using social media to individually connect with as many readers as I can. I found some of my “bestest friends” online, and despite living in Virginia or Hawaii or Nebraska or Australia, they are as dear to me as the ones that live two miles down the road.

  Well, something clicked when I combined my love of literature with my adoration of my readers and respect of the Amish. It is my hope that by creating this literary triad, my readers will experience the Amish in a new way. They will experience authentic Amish culture and religion based on my experiences of having lived among them and my exposure to the masterpieces of literary greats from years past.

  It’s amazing to think that a love of God and passion for reading can be combined in such a manner to touch so many people. I hope that you too are touched, and I truly welcome your e-mails, letters, and postings.

  BLESSINGS,

  SARAH PRICE

  [email protected]

  www.sarahpriceauthor.com

  www.facebook.com/fansofsarahprice

  Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram: @SarahPriceAuthr

  Prologue

  SHE STOOD AT the window, her arms wrapped around her chest as if trying to keep warm even though the autumn weather was perfect. The trees at the backside of her father’s small farm were colorful and bright with yellows, oranges, and reds. As beautiful as the scenery was, she couldn’t enjoy it. Not today.

  “Anna?”

  She turned around and looked at her younger sister, Mary, but did not respond.

  “Why haven’t you changed?” Mary asked, her voice sharp and disapproving. She paused to look in the small mirror hanging on the wall by the staircase. She tucked a strand of her brown hair under her white prayer kapp and retied the long strings hanging under her chin. “Aren’t you going to the youth singing?”

  Anna shook her head, hoping that she didn’t look as forlorn as she felt. She still wore her dark blue dress from the worship service, although she had removed her white apron and cape when they had returned home earlier that afternoon. “Nee, Mary,” Anna replied.

  Ignoring the expression on Mary’s face, one that clearly displayed her lack of approval with Anna’s decision, she turned back to the window and stared outside. “Suit yourself, then,” Mary said, a tone of criticism in her voice, before she headed out the door. “I’m not about to sit home and let all of the young bachelors pass by me!”

  Wincing at her sister’s words, Anna wished that she could tell Mary how hurtful her comment truly was. The only problem was that only one person knew the truth about what Anna was about to do: Lydia Rothberger. A longtime friend of their now deceased mother, Anne Eicher, Lydia had taken charge of providing maternal advice and personal counsel to all three Eicher daughters, even though neither of her two sisters seemed too interested in either advice or counsel from anyone. Elizabeth was quiet and spent most of her days at home caring for her father instead of courting young men or socializing, while Mary was quite self-absorbed and vocal with her opinions.

  So, when Anna had a decision to make, one that she thought Lydia would gladly approve, she had been surprised to learn that she was wrong. According to Lydia and her father there was only one answer to give Freman Whittmore, and the sooner Anna told him, the better.

  Earlier that day, immediately following the worship service and during the organized chaos of setting up for the fellowship meal, Anna had managed to find a moment to speak with Freman in the mudroom. Her heart had felt heavy as she stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “I have to speak with you today. Alone.”

  The look in his eyes further tore at her heart. She knew what he thought and she wished he was right. “Shall I fetch you early for the singing?” he asked.

  She replied by simply shaking her head.

  “Is everything all right, my sweet Anna?”

  His term of endearment caught her off guard. Usually he only called her that when he drove her home from the youth singings, away from any prying ears that might overhear him. Courtship was a private matter, after all, and while some Amish youths didn’t seem to care if others knew about their relationships, Freman was definitely more conservative when it came to such matters. It was one of the things that Anna loved about him.

  “I’ll see you tonight,” she managed to say before one of the older women came into the room to retrieve something. With a forced smile, Anna had hurried away, her eyes downcast and her heart breaking into what felt like a hundred little pieces.

  Now she stood at the window, waiting for the sound of his buggy. He always parked on the street, just beyond her father’s mailbox. He had been doing that for weeks, and thanks to his discretion, no one except Lydia knew that they were courting.

  Ten minutes passed before she heard the familiar sound of horse hooves in the distance. She looked in the direction of the approaching buggy to make certain it wasn’t the neighbors heading for the youth singing. It wasn’t.

  Grateful that Elizabeth and her father were out visiting so that no one would ask where she was going, Anna grabbed her black shawl from a hook near the door and hurried outside to meet up with Freman. She clutched it around her chest as she walked as fast as she could up the driveway. There was a chill in the air, the wind starting to pick up as the sun started to descend in the sky. Soon it would be dusk, and once the sun set, the night temperature would drop even further.

  He stood by the side of the buggy, the door already open as he waited for her. Without a word, he reached for her hand and helped her step into the buggy. When he followed, it jiggled under his weight, and she steadied herself as she sat on the small seat.

  “It’s getting cold,” he said and reached behind the seat for a blanket. With great tenderness, he covered her lap and smiled at her. “Better?”


  She nodded.

  “Now, tell me,” he said as he depressed the foot brake and gave the reins a slight slap upon the horse’s backside. The buggy lurched forward and headed down the road. “What has you looking so perplexed, my sweet Anna?”

  Words escaped her, and she remained mute at his side.

  Slowly, his expression changed. She wondered if he suspected what she was going to say. If he did, surely he knew how heavy her heart felt.

  “Anna?”

  Taking a deep breath, she shut her eyes, saying a quick prayer to God for the strength to speak what weighed so heavily on her mind. There was no easy way to tell him, so she chose to be candid instead of softening her words. “Freman, I cannot marry you in November.”

  She waited for his response.

  For a moment, he remained silent.

  She felt tears welling up in her eyes and blinked rapidly to stop them from falling. She couldn’t imagine his devastation at the news. After so many long buggy rides home from the youth singings on Sunday evenings, their compatibility more than apparent to both of them, it had been only natural that they would marry. She wanted to marry him. But when she informed Lydia and asked how best to tell her daed, she quickly learned that her admiration for Freman was not shared by others. How could she defy the advice of her mother’s best friend or the wishes of her own father?

  He focused on the reins of the horse and seemed to contemplate her proclamation. “I see,” he finally said. “I know you think you must wait until you turn eighteen, Anna. So, if we must wait until spring . . . ” He let the sentence linger between them.