Katie's Redemption

Katie's Redemption
Patricia Davids

After two years away, Katie Lantz returns to her Amish community nine months pregnant–and unmarried. With nowhere else to turn, she nervously knocks on her family's door, fearing she'll be shunned. Yet the handsome stranger who now owns the farm welcomes her in–just in time for Katie to give birth.Carpenter Elam Sutter and his kindly mother care for Katie and her newborn in a loving way she never dreamed was possible. But in the face of a heartwrenching choice, Katie learns just what family, faith and acceptance truly mean.

Elam wasn’t sure he would ever be ready to trust his heart to someone again.

If that time did come, it would be only with a woman he was certain shared his love of God and his Plain faith.

“Once burned, twice shy,” he confided to his tiny listener, Katie’s newborn daughter, nestled in the crook of his arm.

He waited for the anger to surface, but it didn’t. For the first time in over a year he was able to think about his broken engagement without bitterness. Maybe the sweet-smelling babe in his arms had brought with her a measure of God’s peace for him. To her, life was new and good and shouldn’t be tainted with the sins of the past.

He began to sing a soft lullaby. Baby Rachel stared back at him intently for a few minutes, but she eventually grew discontented with his voice and the fingers she couldn’t quite get into her mouth. Her little fussing noises became a full-fledged cry.

“I guess I can’t fix what ails you after all. I reckon I’ll have to wake your mother.”

“I’m awake.” Katie’s low voice came from the bed.

He looked over to find her watching him with dark eyes as beautiful and intense as her daughter’s. How long had she been listening to him?

PATRICIA DAVIDS

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

Katie’s Redemption

Patricia Davids

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

—Psalms 84:3

This book is dedicated to my family.

You have supported me every step of the way

and I couldn’t do it without you.

Contents

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

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Chapter One

“Lady, you sure this is where you wanna get out?” The middle-aged bus driver tipped his hat back and regarded his passenger with worry-filled eyes.

“This is the place.” Katie Lantz glanced from his concerned face to the desolate winter landscape beyond the windshield. A chill that owed nothing to the weather crawled over her skin.

It was her destination, but rural Ohio was the last place in the world she wanted to be. She had agonized over her decision for weeks. Now that she was here, the same worries that had robbed her of sleep for endless nights cartwheeled through her mind.

Would her brother take her in? What if Malachi turned her away? What would she do then? If he did allow her to return to his home would she ever find the strength to leave again?

“It don’t feel right leaving a gal in your condition out here alone. You sure I can’t take ya into town?”

“I’m sure.” She pressed a protective hand to her midsection. Her condition was the only reason she was here. She didn’t want to get off the bus, but what choice did she have?

None.

All her plans, her dreams and her hopes had turned to ashes. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “I’d just have to walk back if I went into Hope Springs. Thank you for letting me off. I know you aren’t supposed to make unscheduled stops.”

The driver pulled the lever to open the doors with obvious reluctance. “I don’t make a habit of it, but I figured it was best not to argue with a gal that’s as pregnant as you are.”