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    The Quieting (The Bishop's Family Book #2): A Novel
    The Quieting (The Bishop's Family Book #2): A Novel
    The Quieting (The Bishop's Family Book #2): A Novel
    Ebook355 pages6 hours

    The Quieting (The Bishop's Family Book #2): A Novel

    By Suzanne Woods Fisher

    5/5

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    About this ebook

    Bestselling Author Delivers the Intrigue and Romance Fans Crave

    The Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things--fast. But David doesn't work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting.

    When David's mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters--and especially for David's niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem--but will it create another?

    Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher takes fans back to Stoney Ridge, delivering the twists, turns, and romance they adore.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBaker Publishing Group
    Release dateMay 3, 2016
    ISBN9781441245434
    The Quieting (The Bishop's Family Book #2): A Novel
    Author

    Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Sweet Life, The Secret to Happiness, and Love on a Whim, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at SuzanneWoodsFisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and X @SuzanneWFisher.

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    Reviews for The Quieting (The Bishop's Family Book #2)

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    • 5/5
      Another great book by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I always enjoy reading her books as the give a new story and let you catch up with what else has been going on with old characters. While this is book two, it can stand alone. I found the genealogical research interesting as I did the feud which was somewhat linked. I liked seeing how Abigail's family seemed to act like other families with having their issues and trying to do what they thought best even if it was not what everyone else wanted. I received a copy of this book to read and review from the publisher.
    • 5/5
      Suzanne Woods Fisher's The Quieting continues on from what happened in The Imposter, as the church in Stoney Ridge faces a disheartening dilemma with its leadership. Even though this is Book 2 of The Bishop's Family series, it can still be read as a standalone, as Suzanne so artfully included information from The Imposter (click to see my review).With the underlying issue David Stoltzfus face in terms of the church, the arrival of new characters, David's overbearing mother and his two nieces, Abigail and Laura, brings a whole new set of problems, both personally and professionally. Abigail's story to find the past in conjunction and in relation to the present takes center stage, while we continue to read on about David, the church dilemma and the effect it has on the community. Direct and determined, Abigail with her OCD tendencies seems to me as someone who'll lose sight since she's so focused, and because of it, as a reader, I can relate to how we lose sight of what's important right in front of us. Her straightforward and relentlessness makes for some comical moments, but there's always something you can take away. For example, I now know the proper way to hand dry clothes! Dane Glick is one sweet and thoughtful character, reminding me of David Stoltzfus at times, and what a great match for Abigail! Birdy is still my favorite character in the story, and though her appearance in The Quieting is limited, her presence is known, especially to David. As those two dance their ways together, will disapproval by David's mother hinder their growth?As pride makes a prominent theme in The Quieting, will the people and the leaders of Stoney Ridge trust God to lead the way? As leaders are voted in "office" to serve as a minister, a deacon or a bishop, they are entrusted with the hope to lead the community in faith. Yet when pride takes over, how can it be God leading? I've always admired the simplicity and focus of the Plain community, because faith plays a large role in their lives. And in this book, we read about the struggles the Plain community also encounters. Concept of free will and the greed of power takes hold, and The Quieting seamlessly interlace each of these themes, giving readers a page turner and a lesson in choice and humility.This review first appeared on Just Commonly Blog.NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Revell for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
    • 5/5
      I have read a lot of Amish fiction books and thought I knew about most of their beliefs , but I was pleasantly surprised to learn something I have never read about them before. I know about shunning and how it distances the person from the community, but I have not heard the word quieting before. As explained in the book it is basically removing an Amish bishop that has done something wrong and will not repent for it. This made for a very intense story that completely engrossed me. What did the bishop do that would cause quieting to be informed? I can't imagine what turmoil the community was in as they faced this very hard decision to remove a bishop. The author does a great job in sharing the characters feelings and how they anguish over this very seldom action being enforced . What will the decision be from the community? Can they repair the damage done to the community? Will it tarnish the trust in the community? The story was very intense and I couldn't stop reading it because I had to see how the characters would each deal with this. The characters are very well written and I admire the way the author wrote such a moving story that showed deep rooted faith. There is another part of the story that is so well written and made me really like Abigail. Her main focus is to finish her ill father's genealogy work for a client. On top of this is a cute little diversion for Abigail from an admirer. She has a hard time communicating with others and sometimes is a bit shy. I loved the story and all the twists it took. We all have pasts we sometimes have a hard time letting go of. Will there be secrets revealed as Abigail digs deeper in the genealogy research she is doing for a client? Will she let someone into her life and find love?The story is filled with intrigue, redemption and forgiveness. It gives a glance into a bishop's life as he juggles serving the community while meeting the needs of his own family. You will find many characters in the book that at first confused me, but as I really got into the story I understood the importance of each character. It is a well written book that shows the struggles of relationships and how a community comes together to support each other. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit an honest review .
    • 5/5
      David Stoltzfus is in trouble. His family is under attack otherwise called a visit from Mammi and two cousins. Plus,everyone for miles around knows the Stoney Ridge church is divided over the current bishop,whom it is rumored switched the lots. Helpful and full of advice where neither is desired, Mammi and cousin Abigail in particular not only wreak havoc on the house but decide which relationships should exist while destroying familial ones. And we haven't even mentioned David's love life or the store!! In a religion where the bishop is to be obeyed without question, what will become of the community as it takes sides between the two preachers?Pride, justice, deception, interfamily relationships, repentance, redemption, and humility are all themes presented. Also, an important idea is assuming one person's values,opinions,or ways automatically merit more value than those of others. ("Mammi the Meddler" is a prime example here!)The Quieting, by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wonderfully challenging and thoughtful novel, second in the Bishop's Family series. I was happy to see the listing of characters in the front of the book, since this was my first Fisher book. I felt no sense of being lost, as Fisher did a great job with providing enough back story to make this story stand on its own. It will be standing in my mind, being mulled over for some time to come!!I gratefully received this book from the Revellreads program in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      This is the second book in The Bishop's Family. Great second book in the series. This continues the story where The Imposter left off. We get to see many of the same characters. You will want to read the Imposter first to really understand all that is going on. This story brings in Abigail Stoltzfus who has come to Stoney Ridge to help her cousins and to continue a family tree that she is working on for her father. I received a copy of this book from Revell and the author for a fair and honest opinion.
    • 5/5
      All is not well in the Amish community in Stoney Ridge. There was something amiss in the choosing of lots for the ministry, and it’s a secret that goes back for many years. David is praying about what he should do to resolve this matter. Adding to his distress is his mother’s lengthy visit. She is determined to reorganize David’s home, his store, his children, and David. She is determined to find mates for some of grandchildren and for David, ones she deems suitable. Life still moves at a slow pace, but his mother has certainly created her own measure of havoc. The characters are quite interesting, as is life in this quiet town. There are a few surprises that are revealed in this installment, which should make the concluding novel even more entertaining.
    • 5/5
      On her Amish Wisdom website Suzanne Woods Fisher explains the concept of quieting. We are all familiar with the Amish custom of shunning, a form of discipline for unrepentant church members. Quieting revokes the ordination of an unrepentant Amish bishop, deacon or minister. It is rarely done, and never taken lightly. The entire Amish community feels the pain of such an action of discipline. Fisher introduced readers to this form of discipline in her first book in The Bishop’s Family series, The Imposter. While reading this second book in the series, I was on pins and needles waiting to see which way the tide would turn and which church leader would undergo the quieting. Would the one deserving of this discipline receive it, or would he be able to manipulate the church members into believing there was another that needed to be the recipient? While the community and church leadership dealt with the situation that threatened to split the community, one of the leader’s nieces was dealing with a situation of her own. Driven to complete her ailing father’s genealogy work for Francis Glick in order to pull him from his state of depression, Abigail is pursued by one of the few eligible bachelors in Stoney Ridge. Abigail’s singular focus on her task, lack of social skills and her tendency to take all things literally work to derail the budding relationship. Will she be able to pull herself out of the past to see what is right before her in the present? Even if you are not a fan of Amish fiction, but love books where relationships are put to the test and there are deeper lessons to be learned, you will love this series. You may also gain valuable insight into what your own pastor’s life may be like as he works to meet the needs of his church without neglecting the needs of his family. I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing The Quieting for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
    • 5/5
      As the second book in this series opens we are back in Stoney Ridge, and back with the problems that arose in the first book, the fixing of the lot.David and his family, whom we met previously, are struggling with the arrival of their mom/grandmother, and she sure has them jumping. When grandma arrives she brings two of her other granddaughters with her. Families cross here, and I cringed with delightful Birdie was instantly disliked by grandma, and I felt it was because she was a Glick.David is struggling with the knowledge he has about the bibles and the papers rigging, and when Bishop Glick doesn’t seem inclined to do anything about it, prayers and soul searching begin.Pride is one of the big struggles here and we hope that no one gets hurt, that the district isn’t torn apart and that God is put first here. Add another Stoltzfus and Glick relationship to the mix with granddaughter Abigail doing geneology and ends up working with Dane Glick. Seems the town is full of Glicks, and if that isn’t their last name they are related.Watch as this story unfolds and God places his hand on these people, we might not get the answers we are hoping for, but this is what is planned. Enjoy!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 5/5
      Tuesday, May 24, 2016The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher, © 2016The Bishop's Family, Book 2David Stoltzfus' Bent N' Dent store becomes an active place as he hears his nieces have arrived from Ohio, unexpectedly, and... his mother bursts through the door telling him the layout of his store is all wrong. What a way to continue an otherwise quiet day.Daughter Ruthie Stoltfus is equally befuddled at home as she tries to sort out what is going on with this cousin appearance ~ both Gabby (Abigail) and Laura, who proclaim they are there to stay ~ until their problems are fixed. What problems, Ruthie is uncertain exist? Her sisters, Molly and twins Lydie and Emma, are equally curious at their arrival.Abigail Stoltfus has another reason for coming to Stoney Ridge. Convenient to put the supposed needs of her uncle's family in the forefront.I am eager to see the happenings at Stoney Ridge since leaving them in book one! So enjoyed the beginning of this series!Here's some advice to Abigail in a letter from her mother:There's no need to over-volunteer facts from the books you read, especially if no one has asked you about them.--The Quieting, 148Hmmm.You will meet Leroy Glick who is saving his bubble-gum wrappers to enter a contest to win a lifetime supply of bubble-gum by finding the winning wrapper. "The Sisters" who live across town, have a little bit of everything you could possibly need from the past ~ their collection.I like these series by this author for many reasons. Neighbors from previous series pop up, bringing community. An engaging family story of ups-and-downs; similarities in family traits ~ habits awakened when a better way is revealed. The Stoltzfus family is growing and finding their place. I learned many interesting things in the story along with the characters as they discovered them. Truth triumphs ~ humility and forgiveness surface, enriching lives."This series began in the Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania community with The Imposter. More twists and turns are coming to Stoney Ridge after The Quieting—so stay tuned for The Devoted to hit bookshelves in early October. Just in time for autumn reading by a warm fireplace!" ~ author Suzanne Woods Fisher***Thank you to author Suzanne Woods Fisher, and to Celebrate Lit for sending me a print copy to read and review this second book in The Bishop's Family series as part of the book tour.***
    • 5/5
      I jumped at the chance to return to the Amish community of Stoney Ridge when I was offered Suzanne Woods Fisher’s latest novel, The Quieting, book 2 in The Bishop’s Family series. Great characters with wonderful stories await Suzanne’s fans. And if you have never read any of her novels, what are you waiting for? Suzanne may write in the Amish genre, but her characters face the same struggles and doubts, hopes and dreams as people around the world. The message is universal — God is in control!New arrivals to Stoney Ridge bring both order and disruption to the life of David Stoltzfus and his family. Mammi the Meddler, as well as cousin Abigail, seek to put the family to rights with varying degrees of success and cooperation from the original members of the household. The Amish community is also trying to restore the peace that was disturbed following the revelation of man’s interference in God’s plans. David’s sincerity and steadying hand is just what is needed to guide both family and community.The Quieting is written in the third person, and provides insight for the reader into the minds of three characters: David, Abigail and Jesse. It’s through their unique perspectives that the heart of family and community is revealed. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and those with which they interacted. I felt like I was among friends as I immersed my self in this book. Full of wit, humor and the presence of quirky, but lovable characters, this book is a fun read. The theme of belonging shines through — belonging to family, a faith community and to God. Characters (and the reader too) learn that support, dependence and accountability are key to maintaining all three relationships. And a good dose of love overcomes a multitude of sins!The Quieting continues the story begun in book 1, The Imposter, so make sure to read this series in order. You won’t want to miss anything going on in Stoney Ridge! I’m looking forward to a return trip soon.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Revell for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      Title: The Quieting (The Bishop’s Family #2)Author: Suzanne Woods FisherPages: 352Year: 2016Publisher: RevellMy rating is 5 stars.Book #1 of the series is titled The Imposter written by the same author. In book two the characters are continued as well as the story line introduced in The Imposter. For example the current bishop who switched the pieces of paper for the next bishop to be chosen did so to make sure he was “chosen”. Freeman Glick continues to throw accusations against the minister David and others without repenting of what he did which puts the congregation on a path of possibly choosing to use church discipline.David who is the minister and owns a store is a widower raising his younger children by himself along with help from the oldest child still living at home. His daughter Katrina is still living with an older woman caring for her and recently became her heir of her land when she passes on. Jesse is now handling the repair of buggies by himself and living above his work shop away from home.With occurrences of mischief in the small community, the church in a precarious position David’s mother and two nieces come from Ohio to “help”. I rather enjoyed how Abigail was created to be someone who loved ancestry and helping others with their family tree. Her father is suffering from depression and is sent to her Uncle David’s in order to forge her own path for the future which at first is not something Abigail care to do.There is some normal family tension and other happenings that to me seem very real in the minister’s home. I enjoyed reading how David try to help others understand that while they are leaders they are still men who fail at times. It was refreshing to see how David loved to read and study the Scripture and how his world became bigger when he begins to realize he is falling in love with a local woman who brings a refreshing perspective to his home.I hope the third novel comes out this fall or shortly in the winter of next year as I want to see how the author brings some plot lines to conclusion or continues the series. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
    • 4/5
      The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the second book in The Bishop’s Family series. David Stoltzfus is a minister in Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania. He moved here a year and a half ago from Ohio. He felt called to the area. Things are not going well though. David (and the rest of the community) found out that their bishop, Freeman Glick rigged the picking of the lots (where the bishop is chosen). David knows that something needs to be done, but he believes in waiting (to see where God directs him). But the wait and see approach is not helping things in the community. Tensions are running high and people are dividing into groups. Then David's mother (knows as Meddling Mammi) shows up along with two of his nieces from Ohio. Abigail (one of the nieces) is hoping to finish a project while in Stoney Ridge. Her father was working (with Abigail doing most of the work) on the family tree for a client. They have hit a brick wall. Abigail is hoping to find answers and complete the assignment. She believes it will help her father's depression. What Abigail does not know is that her family is hoping she will find a husband while in Stoney Ridge (Meddling Mammi loves to play matchmaker). Mammi is sticking her nose into everyone's business (and making life difficult for one and all). The only good thing is that is a great cook (and Molly is a horrible cook)! Life is never dull in the Stoltzfus household or in Stoney Ridge. There is a lot going on in this book (I just described a few of the things that happened in the book). You do need to read the first book in the series in order to understand the characters and what is happening in The Quieting. There are some slow bits though where the novel drags a little. I found Meddling Mammi to be extremely annoying, and I kept waiting for David (her son) to stand up to her (I might have yelled at my kindle a little). Abigail was an interesting character. She reminded me of Temperance Brennan (from the show Bones). The writing is good and the novel had a good flow (except for a few areas). It was also easy to read and has a lovely ending. I give The Quieting 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I will be reading the next book in The Bishop’s Family series (and other books by Suzanne Woods Fisher).I received a complimentary copy of The Quieting from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      This book seem like it got some genealogical research involved in it. This is what starts out with being to solve one client genealogical brick wall. We are meet with Abigail who is set on going to stony ridge to help her father. Those someone else as other plans. There seems to be a match maker that want to marry off young granddaughters and her son. Will it work? That is up in the air. Bishop seem to be doing moving slow but wants to make sure he doing it by god. There seems to be a church secret that seem like no one knows about. It seem to involve Dane Glick and his relatives. Does it involve David Stolzfus and the church. Is Abigail one connection during her genealogical research being able to solve one problem but cause another? There seem to be a Quieting inside the Stone Ridge church and the bishop? Will Abigail find love or will she leave stone ridge all together?
    • 5/5
      Title: The Quieting (The Bishop’s Family #2)Author: Suzanne Woods FisherPages: 352Year: 2016Publisher: RevellMy rating is 5 stars.Book #1 of the series is titled The Imposter written by the same author. In book two the characters are continued as well as the story line introduced in The Imposter. For example the current bishop who switched the pieces of paper for the next bishop to be chosen did so to make sure he was “chosen”. Freeman Glick continues to throw accusations against the minister David and others without repenting of what he did which puts the congregation on a path of possibly choosing to use church discipline.David who is the minister and owns a store is a widower raising his younger children by himself along with help from the oldest child still living at home. His daughter Katrina is still living with an older woman caring for her and recently became her heir of her land when she passes on. Jesse is now handling the repair of buggies by himself and living above his work shop away from home.With occurrences of mischief in the small community, the church in a precarious position David’s mother and two nieces come from Ohio to “help”. I rather enjoyed how Abigail was created to be someone who loved ancestry and helping others with their family tree. Her father is suffering from depression and is sent to her Uncle David’s in order to forge her own path for the future which at first is not something Abigail care to do.There is some normal family tension and other happenings that to me seem very real in the minister’s home. I enjoyed reading how David try to help others understand that while they are leaders they are still men who fail at times. It was refreshing to see how David loved to read and study the Scripture and how his world became bigger when he begins to realize he is falling in love with a local woman who brings a refreshing perspective to his home.I hope the third novel comes out this fall or shortly in the winter of next year as I want to see how the author brings some plot lines to conclusion or continues the series. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Book preview

    The Quieting (The Bishop's Family Book #2) - Suzanne Woods Fisher

    © 2016 by Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Published by Revell

    a division of Baker Publishing Group

    PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

    www.revellbooks.com

    Ebook edition created 2016

    Ebook corrections 03.06.2017, 01.26.2022

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

    ISBN 978-1-4412-4543-4

    Most Scripture used in this book, whether quoted or paraphrased by the characters, is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

    Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the 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

    Published in association with Joyce Hart of the Hartline Literary Agency, LLC.

    To my dear friend Kathy Jenke,
    who shares much of David Stoltzfus’s wisdom, kindness,
    and thoughtfulness in her leadership.
    She’s the best listener I know.
    ded-fig

    Contents

    Cover

    Title Page

    Copyright Page

    Dedication

    Epigraph

    Cast of Characters

    1

    2

    3

    4

    5

    6

    7

    8

    9

    10

    11

    12

    13

    14

    15

    16

    17

    18

    19

    20

    21

    22

    23

    24

    Sneak Peek to Book 3

    Discussion Questions

    Mammi the Meddler’s Beef and Cheese Noodle Casserole

    Acknowledgments

    About the Author

    Books by Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Back Ads

    Back Cover

    A Quieting is a rare occurrence among the Amish. It is a method of church discipline that revokes the ordination of a minister, deacon, or bishop. It is meant to act as a thunderclap to an individual who hears only what he wants to hear.

    epi-fig

    Cast of Characters

    David Stoltzfus—in his early 40s, widowed minister, father to six children: Katrina, Jesse, Ruthie, Molly, Lydie, and Emily. Owner of the Bent N’ Dent store in Stoney Ridge.

    Abigail Stoltzfus—niece to David, visiting from Ohio.

    Tillie Yoder Stoltzfus—62 years old, privately referred to as Mammi the Meddler, mother of David Stoltzfus, visiting as a long-term houseguest from Ohio.

    Laura Stoltzfus—niece to David, sister to Abigail, visiting from Ohio.

    Katrina Stoltzfus—19 years old, oldest daughter in the family. Lives at Moss Hill, where oil traps have been discovered.

    Jesse Stoltzfus—16 years old, oldest son. Lives at Windmill Farm and works as a buggy repairman.

    Ruthie Stoltzfus—14 years old, in the eighth grade, has a bit of an attitude.

    Molly Stoltzfus—11 years old.

    Lydie and Emily Stoltzfus—8-year-old twins.

    Freeman Glick—in his 50s, bishop of Stoney Ridge.

    Levi Glick—late 40s, minister of Stoney Ridge, brother of Freeman Flick.

    Birdy Glick—32 years old, only sister to Freeman Glick. Lives at Moss Hill and teaches school.

    Thelma Beiler—(touchy about her age), elderly widow of former bishop Elmo Beiler. Runs a farm called Moss Hill.

    Andy Miller—20-something, farmhand for Thelma Beiler on Moss Hill.

    Hank Lapp—60ish, uncle to Amos Lapp of Windmill Farm. Made his first appearance in The Keeper.

    Fern Lapp—50ish, wife to Amos Lapp of Windmill Farm. Arrived in Stoney Ridge in The Keeper.

    Luke Schrock—14 years old, in the eighth grade. If trouble or vandalism occurs in Stoney Ridge, most everyone looks to Luke as the cause.

    Noah (Yardstick) Yoder—14 years old, in the eighth grade. Fastest boy in town.

    Ruth Stoltzfus—David’s sister, who left the Amish church behind to pursue higher education. Became a doctor and worked at the local hospital.

    1

    ch-fig

    Men, I believe I have just met my future bride!

    David Stoltzfus hurried out of his storeroom office to see who had just burst into the store to deliver such a bold announcement. Dane Glick stood at the open door with a delighted look on his face. The handful of graybeards, settled into rockers that circled the woodstove in the front of the Bent N’ Dent store, turned from an endless discussion of the weather to consider Dane.

    BOY, Hank Lapp called out. Matrimony is nothing you should rush into. Trust me on that. You know what my wife Edith has to say on the topic.

    What does Edith have to say? one of the men asked.

    Wer heiert dutt gut; wer leddich bleibt, dutt so viel besser. He who marrieth doth well, but he who marrieth not, better.

    Hank, David said in the warning tone usually reserved for his children.

    It’s high time I marry, Dane said. I can’t stand my own cooking and my own company for one more day. I’m starting to talk to my buggy horse.

    Dane had left the door open behind him, and cold air came into the store on a gust of wind. David walked around him to shut the door. Lots of folks talk to their horses.

    Dane turned to him with frustration. Today she answered back.

    THEN, SON, YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE, Hank Lapp boomed. Sit down and let’s hear all about your future missus. Es is ken Heffel so grumm as net en Deckel druffbast. No pot is so crooked that you can’t find a lid for it.

    The graybeards all shuffled over to make room for Dane as he plunked down in the rocker next to Hank.

    Community, David realized. He was all about building and strengthening community—and that was happening, right here, right now, in the Bent N’ Dent store. A woodstove community, and it pleased him to his core.

    Until this moment, watching the men surround Dane, David hadn’t been convinced that his son Jesse’s improvements to the store were all that beneficial—at least to the bottom line. Even more concerning was that Hank Lapp was a part of the improvement project. Hank Lapp and Jesse had started to sell premade sandwiches, made by his daughter Molly, who was just learning to cook. Happily, the graybeards weren’t particularly fussy about the quality of the sandwiches, especially with the frequent-sandwich punch cards that Jesse had implemented.

    Jesse and Hank also added rocking chairs by the woodstove in the store, and had plans for picnic benches out front, come springtime. The outcome was such that quite a few retired men gathered around the stove during the afternoons. In a good way, the store was filled with customers, and that was a change from a few months back. In a bad way, these particular customers rarely bought much other than Molly’s dry sandwiches.

    Hank Lapp was there every day. Newly married, his wife Edith shooed him out the door each morning, with orders not to return until sunset.

    David shook his head. Never would he have thought he’d see the day when anyone would go to Hank Lapp for matchmaking advice. It was like asking an elephant to tie your shoe, but if Dane Glick wanted to put his fate in the hands of Hank Lapp and his cronies, then who was he to interfere? Besides, David had enough troubles on his plate. The church of Stoney Ridge, for one.

    Maybe helping Dane find a wife would be a good thing. David did worry about the young man, fairly new to Stoney Ridge and all alone on that neglected hillside property. But who could handle a fellow like Dane Glick?

    He thought of a news article he had just read this morning about the training of service dogs. Some dogs were dropped from the program because they were too much dog. Too exuberant, too enthusiastic, too distractable, too much to handle.

    That, David realized, described Dane Glick to a T: Too much man.

    Unpolished, rough around the edges, Dane was like a gust of wind blowing through an open window, somewhat oblivious to the effect he had on others. But, David thought, he had a kind heart and a way with animals. Maybe Hank was right. Es is en Deckel fer alle Haffe. There’s a lid for every pot.

    Suddenly, all of the graybeards’ eyes turned toward him. David’s niece? Hank said.

    "My niece?"

    Hank nodded. That’s who Dane has picked out for his future missus.

    Dane slapped his palm against his forehead, knocking his hat off. I forgot to mention, David. I dropped two of your nieces off at your house. He bent down to pick up his hat. Not to worry. Ruthie was home to tend to them.

    Which nieces? What were their names?

    Dane’s face went blank. Come to think of it, I don’t know. I was a little dazzled by their beauty and forgot to ask. He lit up and lifted a finger in the air. Ohio! They said they were from Ohio.

    That narrowed it down to all of David’s nieces—sixteen at last count.

    Well, as long as his daughter Ruthie was tending to the visiting nieces, he would wait to head home after he closed the store for the day. Without any actual paying customers in the store, David went back to his office to set his mind on this letter to Isaac Bender, a nearby bishop. He sat in his chair with the pen poised in his hands . . . stuck. How to put into words the dilemma facing the church?

    His mind traveled to Dane’s uncle, Freeman Glick, as it often did, and he said a prayer for the unrepentant, stubborn man. Freeman was—is—the bishop for Stoney Ridge.

    But the church was facing an impossible, improbable, heartbreaking situation, a problem created by Freeman Glick. Switching the lots in the hymnals during the choosing of a minister or bishop was a serious sin, a sign of grave arrogance. Even more heinous was the knowledge that this lot switching had begun with former bishop Elmo Beiler, a man who was beloved. He had modeled the behavior to Freeman, who followed suit, doing what he thought was right.

    So he said.

    Freeman refused to believe he had done anything wrong. He was adamant that switching the lots was in the best interest of the church. David was still stunned by Freeman’s response when he asked him why he had switched the lots. I knew that God was calling me to be bishop.

    But it wasn’t up to an individual to determine whether God was calling him to the position. It was the voice of the church that constituted the call. Freeman knew that.

    It weighed heavily on David’s heart and conscience to help navigate the church through these troubled waters, and he knew that God alone could guide it safely through to the other side. It was a situation beyond his own limited supply of earthly wisdom. What was there to do when a good bishop goes bad?

    Just as the dam broke and words started to flow, David heard the door to the store open and the voices around the woodstove quiet, like the hush before a storm.

    Oh no. No, no, no. This will never do. It all has to be changed.

    Instantly, David recognized the high, loud, tinny voice and felt a shiver run down his spine, the way he used to feel when he was a boy and was found with his hand in the cookie jar.

    The layout is all wrong. The lighting is far too dim. The cooler should be in the back. And why is there a group of old men loitering by the stove? Have they no place to be? No, no, no . . . this simply will not do.

    David took a deep breath, sent up a prayer for strength, and went to greet his mother.

    divider

    Abigail Stoltzfus was perplexed by the astonished look on her redheaded cousins’ freckled faces as they opened the door. She expected them to be pleased, but they didn’t seem at all happy to see them, especially Ruthie, who blocked the door as Molly, Lydie, and Emma peeked out around her. Abigail noticed they all had the same shade of light brown eyes that ran in the blood of this family—the color of brown eggshells.

    Ruthie looked them up and down. Gabby. Laura. What are you two doing here?

    Mother sent us to fix your problems, Abigail said.

    Laura stepped in front of her. Mother told us about Katrina, poor dear, and about your father’s . . . situation at church. We’re here to lend moral support.

    I don’t see why, Ruthie replied in a flat voice. We don’t need help.

    That’s exactly what Abigail had thought! Excellent. It was unfortunate that the young man, who had happily offered a ride from town, had already left. Though, on second thought, she doubted she could tolerate a return bus ride all the way back to Ohio today. But after a good meal and a decent night’s sleep, she would be fortified and ready to go. We’ll head home first thing in the morning.

    Laura frowned at her. No, we won’t. We’ll stay as long as we’re wanted and needed. She smiled sweetly at Ruthie. May we come in?

    We’re just coming in from school, Ruthie said. Dad’s still at the store. But she did open the door wide to let them in.

    Laura oohed and aahed at how tall the twins had grown, asked Molly about her cooking, and questioned Ruthie about how it felt to be in her last year of school. It was Laura’s way with people, something Abigail admired but had trouble understanding how it worked. And it did work. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Laura would often say. Abigail being more of the vinegar type, obviously.

    Successfully thawed out, Ruthie offered to show them upstairs to the bedroom where they would be staying. Jesse’s room, quite recently vacated, with a lingering scent of musty sneakers. Even the wrinkled bed was left unmade.

    Abigail let Laura take care of unpacking their suitcases while she set out her manila file folders on the bureau top. For the last few years, she had worked alongside her father in his small side business of helping people map out their genealogies. Most of the research was easy work for her—she had developed stellar skills as a volunteer librarian in her county’s bookmobile. Her father had been working on a client’s genealogy when a bout of melancholia made it impossible for him to continue, and Abigail had felt it was her duty to finish what he had started. She picked up where he left off and started to correspond with the client, a young woman who lived in Stoney Ridge. Abigail was absolutely confident that finishing up the completion of this family tree would spur her father to return to his old self.

    There was a tiny glitch in this plan. Abigail had posed as her father in the letters with the client. She hadn’t intended to mislead the client. Her intention was only to honor her father by completing the genealogy. Plus, her father’s handwriting was atrocious.

    But then she hit a brick wall that proved unpassable, insurmountable, a dead end. An entire piece of family history was missing! Amazing.

    Despite the brick wall, letters kept passing between this client and Abigail, continuing with increased frequency and depth. They wandered off genealogy and on to other topics. Why was it easier to get to know a stranger, on paper, than it was the people Abigail knew her entire life? A conundrum.

    Well, this unexpected mission to Stoney Ridge might have thrown her life into chaos, but it would provide an opportunity to right this wrong. She would find a way to break through the client’s brick wall . . . and then admit that she had been posing as her father. She hoped the client was the forgiving type. From her letters, the woman seemed to be lighthearted and easygoing, with a good sense of humor.

    Possibly, they might even become friends.

    For some reason, Abigail had never had many friends, apart from her sister Laura. It turned out that she wasn’t very good at making friends. Other girls didn’t seem to like her. Laura thought the art of making friends was a weak muscle for Abigail and that she should keep practicing, try to work it and strengthen it. Abigail doubted she even had that particular muscle.

    She had trouble understanding the subtleties of female friendship. Just last Sunday, a clump of young women were gathered together, questioning what it meant when Eddie Bender had winked at Sarah Hochstetler during church. Abigail had inched into their exclusive circle to offer the very logical possibility that Eddie Bender might have a facial tic, indicating the presence of a brain tumor. Or a serious illness. The girls gaped at her, exchanged looks with each other, and closed their ranks once again. Laura whispered that Abigail shouldn’t take everything so seriously.

    That seemed like poor advice. A brain tumor could be a very serious matter.

    However, Eddie Bender’s facial tic was not her top priority. She wondered what the hours of the Stoney Ridge library might be. She hoped hours extended into evening. Tonight, perhaps? It was possible that a Lancaster County library might have better resources at their disposal than the one in Ohio. After all, Lancaster County was the second original settlement of the Amish. Berks County was the first. In fact, a side trip to Berks County might be an even better option. Just as she was trying to calculate the distance to Berks County, she heard Laura gasp in horror.

    Gabby, come quick! Laura was at the window, peering down with a look of astonishment on her face. Abigail hurried over to the window and saw a horse and buggy come to a stop by the front door. Her uncle David climbed out of the buggy. Why, he looks to be in excellent health. Not sad or troubled or nearing a nervous breakdown, the way her mother painted him out to be.

    Gabby, you always overlook the obvious. Look more closely.

    And then she saw someone else emerge out of the other side of the buggy. Oh no.

    Yes.

    Please, please, please, no. Not her.

    But it was her. The most vexing woman on this earth.

    Tillie Yoder Stoltzfus. Privately referred to by her children and grandchildren as Mammi die Nasiche. Mammi the Meddler. A woman who felt she knew best how to run everyone’s life. Their grandmother.

    All of Abigail’s splendid plans to locate her client and spend hours completing the family genealogy in a quiet library together disappeared like the wisp of vapor from a teacup.

    divider

    Jesse Stoltzfus heard his overeager puppy run to greet someone, but from where he was, lying underneath a buggy with a manual at his side, trying to figure out if he was working on an axle or a rod, he could only see four large black paws and a pair of women’s shoes—feet that belonged to his landlady and chief hover-er, Fern Lapp.

    Fern was the second wife of Amos Lapp, a gentle man who was born and raised on Windmill Farm and left Jesse, for the most part, alone to do his work. Not so with Fern. Her face, etched with lines of an undetermined age, rarely smiled, and her ears never missed a word that was said on Windmill Farm—whether or not the words were meant to be heard. But she came with the farm and took care of everybody and everything, Jesse included. That gave her the right—in her own mind, at least—to a great many opinions, none of which were left unspoken.

    Jesse, whose own mother had passed, held Fern in a mixture of fear and reverence. He had been charmed by her immediately, although he was never quite sure whether the sentiment was returned. Probably not.

    From underneath the buggy, he saw Fern’s hands drop down to pat the puppy.

    That dog. Mim Schrock had given him a black Labrador puppy for his birthday last week. She said he seemed lonely, especially now that he was no longer living with his family but in an apartment above the buggy shop at Windmill Farm, and she thought a canine companion would cheer him up. This was extremely awkward because, in truth, he was thoroughly content to be living alone—completely, deliriously, utterly happy!—and he did not want a dog. But Mim placed this young puppy into his arms without any suspicion that it might be the last thing in the world that Jesse wanted. It was a pity gift, Jesse was convinced, as Mim had jilted him in favor of Danny Riehl. The puppy was a consolation prize. One that chewed everything Jesse owned, relieved itself frequently and indiscriminately, and had a unique talent for selective deafness whenever he issued commands.

    Jesse’s cool indifference seemed to make the pup all the more passionate about him. Sometimes he thought he would never enjoy a moment alone for the rest of his life. Being alone was a slice of heaven! He came from a family of all girls; his sisters never stopped talking. For the first time in his life, he could complete a thought without being interrupted. Use the bathroom without first waiting in a long line. Take a shower without fear of running out of hot water. Sheer bliss. Until this puppy arrived. It woke as Fern’s annoying rooster gave its first loud crow, and it made sure Jesse was up too by licking his face. An odious way to start the day.

    Worst of all, the puppy served as a continual reminder of Mim, to whom many of Jesse’s thoughts kept returning, like birds roosting in trees at nightfall. All in all, he would much rather spend time thinking of ways to woo her back than manage this unmanageable dog, which he had named C.P., short for Consolation Prize.

    Your father called from the store and left a phone message for you.

    Jesse pushed himself out from underneath the buggy to answer Fern and immediately blocked his face from a tackle by the puppy. Anything important?

    Fern pursed her lips in that disapproving way she had. Only if you consider a visit from your grandmother and cousins to be important.

    Which grandmother? He hoped it would be his mother’s mother, who was sweet and kind and not at all nosy. His father’s mother . . . well, there was something about Tillie Yoder Stoltzfus that made nearly everyone stand up straight and throw their shoulders back. And which cousins? I have dozens. Girls, all girls. Family gatherings were a sore trial to Jesse.

    No idea. The message is that you are due home for dinner. Fern was watching him, wearing her I-know-what-you’re-thinking look. Tonight.

    That was rather disconcerting news to Jesse. As much as he enjoyed his family, he tried to circumvent any visit home during mealtimes. His sister Molly’s cooking was that bad. And Fern’s cooking was that good. He had only lived at Windmill Farm for a short time, but he was feeling very settled in. The puzzle of buggy repairs held a certain intellectual complexity that appealed to his restless mind. And the customers of Stoney Ridge, which included each and every family, were overjoyed at Jesse’s generally speedy completion of repairs. His predecessor, Hank Lapp, did not concern himself with matters of timeliness.

    Another plus was that buggy repair work allowed Jesse time to pursue other interests, such as helping his father’s store, the Bent N’ Dent, attain new levels of customer service and satisfaction. The All-in-One Bent N’ Dent, he envisioned. His father had been remarkably open (perhaps nonresistant was a more apt description) to improvements, though Jesse suspected that was only because he was thoroughly distracted with the church ruckus. And, of course, there was also the Birdy diversion.

    Strange, Jesse thought, to think of his father with a girlfriend. Fortunately, Jesse was fond of Birdy. Everyone was. It was regrettable that she happened to be the sister of Freeman Glick, but you couldn’t help the family you were born into.

    Fern sighed, pulling Jesse out of his musings and into the present. An uncomfortable vision suddenly shot across his mind. His grandmother . . . encountering his sister Katrina in her . . . condition. A ripple of dread blew over him.

    He’d better get home, fast. First, though, he should fortify himself at Fern’s supper table.

    2

    ch-fig

    David’s house was filled to the brim with well-meaning, overly helpful relatives.

    He had forgotten to stop by the phone shanty to pick up messages for the last few days, and apparently, there had been quite a few important ones waiting for him. Like the one yesterday from his sister-in-law, informing him that Gabby and Laura were on their way to save the day, and to please fetch them at the bus stop. And another one from his mother, who said she had heard of his travails and was heading to Stoney Ridge. And probably a few others that he would rather not even know about.

    How had the news traveled through the Amish grapevine so quickly? News of the earthquake in the Stoney Ridge church had spread to at least two states in scarcely a week’s time.

    Tonight’s dinner did not go well. Molly had tried a new chili recipe. She couldn’t find the chili powder, so she improvised with ground cayenne pepper. The chili was so spicy that it left everyone’s taste buds numb. Laura bravely soldiered through, Gabby pushed it away, and his mother gave Molly a step-by-step critique of what she had done wrong. The meal was strained, stressed, and by the end, Molly was fighting tears. David’s stomach felt as if a pilot light had been lit from the inside out.

    As soon

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