Doubting Thomas-Nurse Hal Among The Amish Read online

  Doubting Thomas

  Nurse Hal Among The Amish Series

  Book 7

  Fay Risner

  Cover Art 2014

  All Rights Reserved

  By Fay Risner

  Published by Fay Risner at Smashwords.com

  Copyright (c) 2014

  All Rights Reserved

  By Fay Risner

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to the actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locals are entirely coincidental. Excerpts from this book cannot be used without written permission from the author.

  Booksbyfay Publisher

  [email protected]

  Publisher, author and Editor Fay Risner

  Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him.

  1 Corinthians 2:9

  Reviews

  The Courting Buggy

  I have read the whole series of Nurse Hal. If you like Amish fiction I highly recommend you get the whole series, I just finished "The Courting Buggy" and it is Great. It is a story of a English woman who married a Amish man that has children. This book has everything. Humor, romance, death and birth. I cannot tell you how great this is but encourage you to read the series. You will not be sorry. Fay Risner is a excellent writer of Amish books. I am waiting for more of Nurse Hal.

  Awesome!! I am so glad you have me on your book list!!! It is a great time to curl up with a book, that's for sure!

  Christmas Traditions - An Amish Love Story

  This book is an informative, intelligent piece from a human interest point of view. Your writing is atmospheric and your narrative comes across as natural, believable and very vivid. Margaret is already so likeable but I'm not so sure of Levi. I think any story which helps its characters to emerge out of their self indulgent ways to great understanding and a fuller compassionate existence is worth the read.

  Promise Is A Promise - Book One

  You have done it again! This is a well written, intricate and richly detailed tapestry of Amish life. Maybe it's just my personal preference but I do love stories like this about a way of life based on faith, convictions and honesty. It's a beautiful story that had my rapt attention all the way through. A compelling read that I found hard to put down once started.

  Charlie Courtland host of http://www.bitsybling.wordpress.com Growing up in the Mid West I loved the style and tone of the story and scenery. No purple prose or overly nostalgic descriptions but rather a simple and honest portrayal of daily life. Each character is original and thoughtfully developed. I whole heartedly enjoyed this Amish tale and believed the contrast between the Plain and English, but also how it is possible to live together with understanding, honesty and acceptance. The story is not overtly religious but rather focuses on the complexities of relationships and because of this drew me into the Lapp family. Bitsy's Rating" 4 stars

  Fay Risner's books are sold by her at her home, on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, Kindle and Nook. Email her at [email protected] to purchase a signed book.

  I always appreciate reviews for my books if you have time to leave one at amazon, kindle store, B & N, Nook Store, Smashwords.com or goodreads.com

  Nurse Hal Among The Amish Series

  A Promise Is A Promise Doubting Thomas

  The Rainbow’s End

  Hal’s Worldly Temptations

  As Her Name Is So Is Redbird

  Emma’s Gossamer Dreams

  The Courting Buggy

  Amazing Gracie Historical Mystery Series

  Neighbor Watchers

  Specious Nephew

  The Country Seat Killer

  The Chance Of A Sparrow

  Moser Mansion Ghosts

  Locked Rock, Iowa Hatchet Murders

  Poor Defenseless Addie

  Westerns

  Stringbean Hooper Westerns

  The Dark Wind Howls Over Mary

  Small Feet’s Many Moon Journey

  Tread Lightly Sibby

  Ella Mayfield’s Pawpaw Militia

  Christmas books

  Christmas Traditions - An Amish Love Story

  Leona’s Christmas Bucket List

  Christmas With Hover Hill

  Romance

  Sunset to Sunrise On Buttercup Lane by Connie Risner

  Children Books

  My Children Are More Precious Than Gold

  Mr. Quacker The Odd Duck

  Nonfiction about Alzheimer’s disease

  Open A Window - Caregiver Handbook

  Hello Alzheimer’s Goodbye Dad-author’s true story

  Cookbook

  Midwest Favorite Lamb Recipes

  Military

  Redcatcher MP (Vietnam War) by Mickey Bright

  Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God.”

  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those that have not seen and yet have believed.”

  John 20: 27-29

  Chapter 1

  That Sunday morning's worship service was at Elmo Zook's house. Bishop Elton Bontrager read resolution seven of The Dordrecht Confession of Faith to Emma Lapp and twelve others joining the church. “Concerning holy baptism, we confess that penitent believers, who, through faith, regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, are made one with God, and are written in heaven, must, upon such Scriptural confession of faith, and renewing of life, be baptized with water. In the most worthy name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, according to the command of Christ, and the teaching, example, and practice of the apostles, to the burying of their sins. Thus be incorporated into the communion of the saints; henceforth to learn to observe all things which the Son of God has taught, left, and commanded His disciples.”

  Emma sighed, thinking about how happy she felt now. She'd finally committed herself to be a member of the Amish faith for the rest of her life. This June day was a momentous one for her. She'd made it through her conversion ceremony. Now another big life changing moment was coming, her wedding. Adam Keim and she could make plans now that she was truly Amish forever.

  The day's heated breeze hadn't cooled off much after dark. Emma leaned against the buggy seat and pushed a few sweaty, light brown curls back under her prayer cap. Before her glowed the buggy headlights, Behind her, red lights reflected on the road from the tail lights. She fanned her face with her hand as she tried to relax. Sophie's soft hoof beats and the crunch of rock under the wheels filled the moonlit silence.

  She was dying to discuss their wedding with Adam, but she hadn't worked up the nerve yet. This change in her life would be as serious as joining the church. She'd move from her family home with a familiar routine. Until she got used to her new life living with Adam was the unknown. She'd dreamed of making a home with this man for several years, but now that the time was closing in on her, she was uneasy.

  Her gray-green eyes warmed as she studied her husband-to-be. He was only an inch or two taller than her, strong as an ox, with
a round, pleasant face, a stocky body and work worn hands. An industrious man, Adam had his own carpentry business complete with a shop. He made a good enough income to support a family.

  She considered it a blessing that her father, John Lapp, and Adam were very much alike. Nothing ruffled either man for long since they were filled with a God given calmness she'd never have.

  Emma admired Adam's steely resolve when he quietly took what life threw at him and found his way through the problems. Perhaps, that purpose filled demeanor came from the fact he was born with what was considered a big set back for most people. Adam couldn't talk.

  Emma hadn't seen his speechlessness as a problem between them while she was growing up around him. He communicated volumes with a look or hand gesture. If that didn't work, he always had a writing pad and pen in his shirt pocket.

  She smiled and put her hand on Adam's arm. “Did you hear how off key Freda Manwiller was tonight at the singing?”

  Emma was glad for the full moon. The glow helped her see Adam's responses. He shook his head no.

  Emma giggled. “Take it from me. Freda could not carry a tune in an empty milk pail. Gute thing the rest of us sang loud enough to cover her voice.”

  Adam focused on her with narrowed eyes.

  Emma sobered up quickly. “What is it?” They had been together so long she usually read what was on his mind. “Ach, you are thinking I am making fun of Freda.”

  Adam gave a slight nod.

  Emma turned serious. “I am sorry. I did not mean to be hurtful. If you do not want me to, I will not bring Freda's singing up again.”

  Adam's brown eyes held a flicker of amusement before he nodded yes.

  Emma took a deep breath and folded her hands together. She might as well take the plunge. No better time than this while they were alone to get the subject she really needed to discuss out in the open. “Gute! We do have more important things to discuss than the singing. Since I am a member of the church now, we can plan our wedding if you are ready.”

  Adam gave her a loving glance and an emphatic yes shake of his head.

  What a relief this was. Adam made talking about the wedding easier for Emma. She laughed as she slapped him playfully on the shoulder. “Gute! I am glad I finally picked a conversation you liked.”

  Adam pulled back on the lines to slow Sophie and turned off on Bender Creek Road. He stopped around the bend in the dirt road and flipped off the headlights. With his attention on Emma, he waited.

  “Well, I have given this much thought already. The first thing is tell our families we are ready to marry. My parents need to be told so they can start planning the wedding for September.”

  Adam stared straight ahead, bunching and unbunching the lines in his hands.

  “Why are you suddenly so nervous already? Will that be too soon to marry? It is only a little over three months away. Is setting the wedding in September too soon for you?”

  This time Adam didn't look at her when he nodded no.

  “All recht. Is it that you are scared of the details that have to be worked out?”

  Adam smiled at her weakly as he held out his hand with an exaggerated tremor.

  “And do you think I am not nervous? This is a big step we are taking, but we have been ready for a long time. Talking to our families will be easy. They are eager for us to announce our marriage,” Emma said.

  Adam nodded in agreement.

  “Gute! We can talk to my parents tonight when we get to my house,” Emma suggested.

  Adam's face scrunched up like a dried prune.

  “There you go again, looking like you are in pain. Relax. This will be the easiest part of the next few months,” Emma warned.

  Adam wavered his hand as a question.

  “You know it will be.”

  Adam pulled the pad and pen out of his shirt pocket. He held them close to him so he could see in the dark as he wrote, “We do not have to say anything tonight. I will get Deacon Yutzy to be my Schteckliman. He can go talk to your parents.”

  “Nah, alls you are doing is getting out of facing my daed and Hallie. We are not a shy young couple. You do not need a go-between for this like most couples use.

  Maybe we could marry on September fifteenth. That is my twentieth birthday. Hallie and I should have the details done by then. But we should wait until you and I talk to Daed and Hallie. If that date does not work for them, any day close to it will be all recht. Ain't so?”

  Adam nodded, giving her a wide smile.

  Emma scooted close and wrapped her arm around his. “I know. The sooner the better as long as you do not have to do the planning. That way you might just barely manage to make it through the next few months and through the wedding ceremony.”

  He nodded emphatically, hugged Emma and turned on the buggy lights. Emma laid her head on his shoulder. Sophie poked along the back road beside Bender Creek to the intersection with the main road.

  As Adam turned Sophie into the Lapp driveway, Emma teased, “Gute thing you decided the sooner we get the talk to my parents over with the better for our nerves. We will be standing before my parents in two minutes.”

  Adam's shoulders sagged as he turned a dispirited, puppy face on Emma. After he climbed out of the buggy, he stared toward the house and gave a deep, silent sigh. Giggling as nervously as a school girl, Emma grabbed Adam's hand and pulled him toward the house. “You will live through this moment. I promise.”

  The Lapp farm was dark and sleepy. Milk cows were silhouetted mounds bedded down in the pen by the milk room. The horses, black blobs, slept on their feet. The only bright spot was the living room window's warm, welcoming glow.

  Emma opened the screen door, stepped in and glanced around the quiet room. Daed sat in his rocker, reading his bible. It occurred to Emma that her father's dark hair had a few streaks of gray in it these days. Hallie's head was bent over her sewing. Her red hair showed through the black prayer cap she wore, making for a bright combination. Hallie was putting a patch on a trouser knee for sixteen years old Daniel. That was a never ending job. No sight of her brothers, but they couldn't be too far behind. Her little sisters, Redbird and Beth, must be in bed. This was a good time to talk to her parents while they were by themselves.

  “You're back already. My, the night has passed fast. Where are Noah and Daniel?” Hal laid the trousers in the wicker basket on top the other clothes to be mended.

  “Close behind us, ain't so?” Emma glanced over her shoulder at Adam.

  He nodded an agreement.

  “You have a gute evening?” Hal stuck her needle in the black thread spool and nestled the spool beside the scissors in the basket.

  “We did,” Emma said, clasping her hands in front of her.

  Hal patted the couch beside her. “For goodness sakes, don't just stand there. Come over here and sit by me. I want to hear how the singing went tonight. Many kids there?”

  They sat down, but Emma didn't answer. She was too busy biting her lower lip as she looked at Adam.

  Hal leaned forward and smiled at Adam. He gave her a trembling, return smile. Something definitely was amiss. Hal could sense it. She studied Emma's usually tan face. Her complexion paled enough that the freckles popped out around her nose. Adam held his midsection tightly like he had a queasy stomach.

  Hal gave John a concerned look. He frowned as he nodded in agreement. He felt it, too. Hal twisted toward the quiet couple. “You are worrying me. Something must be wrong. Was ist letz?”

  Emma licked her lips and turned to Adam for support. “Nothing is wrong. We had a talk on the way home, Adam and me.”

  Adam put his finger to her lips to stop her. He took the notepad and pen out of his pocket. They waited while he wrote on it. Adam turned the pad to Emma and raised an eyebrow for approval. Then he pointed at John. Emma smiled sheepishly as she nodded agreement.

  Adam got up from the couch, tore off the paper and handed it to John. After reading the note, John gave Adam a wide grin. “Jah, Adam.”
<
br />   Now that the moment was over, a huge weight lifted off his sagging shoulders. Adam stood taller and straighter.

  “Will someone please tell me what's going on?” Hal barked, looking from the men to Emma and back.

  “Daed, read Hallie Adam's note,” Emma instructed.

  “John Lapp, I, Adam Keim, want to ask you for permission to marry your daughter, Emma Lapp.” He smiled at Emma. “You have Hal and my permission to marry. We very much want this man as our son-in-law.” John held out his hand to shake hands with Adam.

  Hal brought her hands up to the sides of her face. “Oh my! Emma, it seemed to me this day was slow in coming. And again, I figured it would be soon after you joined the church. Not the very day though. That I didn't see coming.” Hal laughed as she hugged Emma. She went to Adam and give him a sturdy hug. When she stepped back, she looked at him earnestly. “You're like a member of this family already. It will be great to finally make you officially part of the Lapp family, sealed with a wedding.”

  Adam gave a silent laugh and wrote, “You do understand I am not becoming a Lapp. Emma is becoming a Keim.”

  Hal laughed as she read the note to John. With a teasing warning in her voice, she said, “Silly, I know that, but you once said we hadn't adopted you. Seems to me, marrying into this family is just as gute. Take my word for it, we will have plans for you, Adam Keim.”

  Adam gave Emma a nonplussed glance.

  “Ach, Adam, Hallie is teasing, ain't so, Hallie?” Emma asked tentatively.

  Hal clasped her hands together and winked at Adam. “Well, maybe to start with. Adam is safe for now, because we'll be busy with far too many plans for this wedding. Have you picked a date yet?”