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Love in Plain Sight
As nanny for her nephew, Judith Lapp’s finally part of a vibrant, joyful Amish community instead of living on the outskirts looking in. But teaching her neighbors’ Englischer farmworker to read Pennsylvania Dutch wasn’t part of her plan. And the more time she spends with Guy Hoover, the more he sparks longings for a home and family of Judith’s own.
Guy figured he would never be truly accepted by his Amish employers’ community—even though the Mast family treats him like a son. But Judith’s steadfast caring shows him that true belonging could be within his reach...if he and Judith can reconcile their very different hopes—and hearts.
JAN DREXLER enjoys living in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband of more than thirty years and their four adult children. Intrigued by history and stories from an early age, she loves delving into the world of “what if?” with her characters. If she isn’t at her computer giving life to imaginary people, she’s probably hiking in the Hills or the Badlands, enjoying the spectacular scenery.
Love Inspired Historical
Amish Country Brides
An Amish Courtship
The Amish Nanny’s Sweetheart
The Prodigal Son Returns
A Mother for His Children
A Home for His Family
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk
The Amish Nanny’s Sweetheart
Jan Drexler
ISBN: 978-1-474-08252-5
THE AMISH NANNY’S SWEETHEART
© 2018 Jan Drexler
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
—Matthew 7:24–27
“Are you serious about learning Deitsch, Guy?” Judith asked.
“Of course I am.” He poured steaming milk into the hopper. “At least, I am if you’re going to teach me.”
“I’ll be happy to do it, if you really want to learn. You’ll need to speak and read it well if you’re going to join the church.”
“I don’t need to join to fit in around here, do I?”
Glancing at Judith’s face, her pink cheeks told him that he had been too blunt.
“You don’t have to,” she said, clearing her throat. “But understanding what folks are saying will make living in the community easier. We can begin tonight, but it will take weeks for you to pick up the basics.”
That brought a grin Guy couldn’t hide. Weeks spent in Judith’s company? Time he could spend learning to know her, getting close to her. Becoming a friend.
“Okay, I’m game.”
Judith smiled then, her joy catching him by surprise. She truly wanted to do this, which meant only one thing. She liked him. Guy felt his own smile spreading across his face...
This story is close to my heart. I loosely based the hero, Guy, on a real person—my grandfather. I never met the real Guy, who passed away several years before I was born, but his story is one I had to share.
Born in 1902, Guy’s life changed dramatically when he was five years old. His mother gave birth to a daughter and died of complications soon after the delivery. Faced with raising three very young children on his own, their father placed Guy and his younger brother in an orphan asylum and put his newborn daughter up for adoption.
It was a hard life for a young boy. When he was old enough to do farm work, he was hired out to farmers in the area as an indentured worker. Abuse of various forms were part of his life, while the father who had left his sons in the orphanage traveled from job to job, never able to provide a home for them but never signing away his parental rights. From 1908 to 1926, Guy lived and worked in thirty-two different homes.
But, as in every story of redemption, God stepped in. Early in his young adulthood, Guy dedicated his life to serving the Lord. He met my grandmother, and they married and had five children, including two sons who became ministers.
The year after Guy’s death, Grandma wrote, “He wanted love and respect, but most of all he wanted a home and security, something he hadn’t had since his mother died.”
Everything else that happened in this story, including Guy’s father being a criminal, is fiction. But the heart of the story, Guy’s longing for a home, a place where he belonged, is true.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Connect with me on Facebook or Goodreads, or on my website, www.JanDrexler.com.
Blessings,
Jan