Second-Chance Romance
Isaac Lapp wants to put his once topsy-turvy life back in order. As he works to rebuild his tattered reputation, his one saving grace is childhood pal Ellen Mast—whom he’s starting to see as more than just an old friend. But after his flirtation with an English girl, Ellen doesn’t fully trust the boy who’s always made her heart leap. And even though Ellen’s kindness and beauty are helping him become more confident each day, the lure of the non-Amish world beckons. Isaac must make a choice: a life beyond Happiness, Pennsylvania…or the woman who might just become his forever home.
“What is it?”
Isaac looked around as if checking to see if anyone was within listening range. Ellen saw that the others had left for the house porch and that he seemed relieved.
“I want to apologize,” he said, surprising her.
“What for?” she asked. For the way he’d insinuated himself into her day?
“For how I treated you after I met Nancy.”
She remained silent. She couldn’t have been more shocked than if he’d announced that he would be marrying the next day.
Concern flashed in his gray eyes. “Will you forgive me?”
“I’ve already forgiven you, Isaac,” she said. “Some time ago, in fact.”
“Then we can be friends again?”
She gazed up at him, wishing that they could, while knowing that it wouldn’t be wise for her to trust his friendship again. “I don’t think that is a gut idea.” She gave him a sad smile. “We can’t go back to the way we were.”
Isaac eyed her with sorrow. “We can’t go forward and forget about the past?”
She shook her head. “I can forgive, Isaac, but I can’t forget.”
REBECCA KERTZ was first introduced to the Amish when her husband took a job with an Amish construction crew. She enjoyed watching the Amish foreman’s children at play and swapping recipes with his wife. Rebecca resides in Delaware with her husband and dog. She has a strong faith in God and feels blessed to have family nearby. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, doing crafts and visiting Lancaster County.
Loving Isaac
Rebecca Kertz
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
—Ephesians 2:8
For dear friends Pat and Mike Drexel, with love
Contents
The air was rich with the scent of roses and honeysuckle as Ellen Mast walked from the house to the barn. She entered the old wooden structure to get a bucket of chicken feed, then exited to release the birds into the yard.
“Here you go! Come and get it!” She smiled as she watched the hens and chicks scurrying toward the food. The lone rooster strutted out of the enclosure last, his chest puffing up when he saw the hens.
“Red,” Ellen called to him as she tossed down a handful. “Over here. Come get it!” The rooster bent and ate, his red-crested head dipping toward the feed. “That’s it. You always have to make an appearance last, ja?” She chuckled as she threw more grain, loving how the hens followed the trail wherever it landed.
“You’d better get down, Will, or you’re gonna fall!” she heard her brother Elam exclaim.
“Nay,