Authors: Tricia Goyer

Tags: #Family Life, #General, #Montana, #Amish, #Amish Children, #Families, #Christian Fiction, #Christian, #Spiritual life, #Religious, #Fiction, #Man-Woman Relationships

Beside Still Waters (37 page)

"Saretta," I told her. "I think I'm supposed to talk to your parents—hear their story."

"Sure, I'm sure they'd love to talk to you!"

Less than a week later Ora Jay and Irene sat in my living room. They told me about being Amish, about losing their daughters, about their move. They also talked about their faith. They shared what it meant to be Amish. They shared how their faith had grown after moving to Montana. They shared many ways God had changed their lives and their hearts. I listened amazed. Their story added more water—the Living Water—and sunshine to the seed of a novel planted in my heart.

After talking to Ora Jay and Irene, I met many other Amish women from the West Kootenai Community. I was honored as they shared their lives with me.

While this story is still a work of fiction, I've tried to be true to the lifestyle and faith of this Amish community. As you may know, each Amish community is different, depending on the place and rules of the church. While I may not have gotten everything right, I've tried hard to ensure my words reflect truth.

May this story—this faith journey—touch your heart as it has mine.

With care,

Tricia Goyer

P.S. By the way, for those of you who notice such things, the dialogue in this novel is intentionally incorrect to accurately represent the Amish manners of speech.

TEASER CHAPTER FOR BOOK 2

Aaron looked at the borrowed suitcase realizing it was only half full. He’d put in a few changes of clothes. He’d put in an extra hat. He’d borrowed a book on cattle from Mr. Stoll, and under it all he’d tucked his sketchbook.

Turning to his dresser, Aaron picked up the last two things. A paper sack with a lunch Naomi had packed. Tears had filled her eyes as she’d handed it to him. She hadn’t wished him a good trip. She hadn’t begged him to stay. She’d come to him months ago in her desperation, hoping to find companionship. For a while he’d tried, for the same reason. But he knew better now. Lying was something he’d been raised to hate. And letting her think he felt about her the way he felt about Marianna . . .

That was a lie.

Which was why he was leaving. To find the truth.

He sighed as he set the lunch inside the suitcase. He knew that many in his parents’ generation married for a home and family. His own mother said it was foolish for him to travel so far for love. Marriage did not take love, she’d insisted.

His younger sister called up the stairs. “Your driver’s here!”

“Ja, ja,”
Aaron yelled back.

He clenched the stack of letters he held, still unsure if he’d give them to her. There were fifteen letters. Nearly one for every week she’d been gone. He’d shared so much—his dreams, his hopes. He’d left nothing hidden.

Which was why he hadn’t mailed them yet.

He had to go to Montana. He had to look into Marianna’s face, peer into her eyes—her soul. Only then would he know if he’d be willing to hand over his heart.

Lifting his suitcase, he took one last look around the room he’d slept in since a babe. Then, determination straightening his back, he turned and walked out the door.

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