{"product_id":"leahs-choice-isbn-9780451491541","title":"Leah's Choice","description":"\u003cb\u003eIn the first novel set in the Amish community of Pleasant Valley, a teacher must rely on her faith to guide her heart through challenging times.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll of Pleasant Valley seems to think the newcomer from Lancaster County is the perfect match for schoolteacher Leah Beiler. After all, so few new families come to their secluded Amish community, and even fewer unmarried men. Daniel Glick is a widower with three young children to look after—clearly he's in need of a wife. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut Daniel’s past haunts him at every turn. Though he cannot miss the beauty in Leah’s bright eyes and patient ways, he also sees a reminder of the pain he came so far to escape. Leah, too, has a burden on her heart. Years ago she was engaged to Johnny Kile, and was heartbroken when he decided to leave the Amish community. Since then she has immersed herself in her love of the children she teaches, forgetting any hopes of having her own family. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Johnny returns, seeking reconciliation, Leah must decide between two pathways, either of which will change her life forever...\u003cb\u003ePraise for the Novels of Marta Perry\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“What a joy it is to read Marta Perry's novels!...everything a reader could want—strong, well-defined characters, beautiful, realistic settings, and a thought-provoking plot. Readers of Amish fiction will surely be waiting anxiously for her next book.”—Shelley Shepard Gray, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the Sisters of the Heart series\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A born storyteller, Marta Perry skillfully weaves the past and present in this heart-stirring tale of love and forgiveness.”—Susan Meissner, author of \u003ci\u003eSecrets of a Charmed Life\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Sure to appeal to fans of Beverly Lewis.”—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Perry carefully balances the traditional life of the Amish with the contemporary world in an accessible, intriguing fashion.”—\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Perry crafts characters with compassion, yet with insecurities that make them relatable.”—\u003ci\u003eRT Book Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“[Perry] has once again captured my heart with the gentle wisdom and heartfelt faith of the Amish community.”—Fresh FictionA lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led \u003cb\u003eMarta Perry\u003c\/b\u003e to write about the Plain People who add to the rich heritage of her home state. She is the author of more than fifty inspirational romance novels, including the Pleasant Valley series and the Keepers of the Promise trilogy. She lives with her husband in a century-old farmhouse.Chapter One\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Knowing your proper place was a basic tenet of Amish life. Leah      Beiler smiled as she watched her class of thirty-five scholars      living out that belief. The number was up by three with the      addition of the Glick children just today, and they were all in      their assigned seats. Thirty-five heads bent over the work she'd      set for her first- to eighth-graders, and not a whisper disturbed      the stillness of the one-room school.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ten years of teaching had given Leah an extra sense where her      scholars were concerned. Despite the quiet, excitement rippled      through the room, even though no head lifted for a furtive look at      the battery clock on her desk. The prospect of a picnic lunch to      welcome the newcomers had everyone, including, she had to admit,      the teacher, excited. It would be a welcome break in the usual      routine, with the Christmas program now in the distant past and      their end-of-school-year events not yet begun.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The April weather had cooperated today, bathing Pleasant Valley,      Pennsylvania, in sunshine rather than showers. Through the window,      she could see the horses and buggies lined up outside that told      her the scholars' mothers had arrived with food for the picnic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She clapped her hands, amused at the alacrity with which pencils      were put down. \"It's time for our picnic lunch now, scholars.      We'll eat first, and then there will be time to play. You may go      outside.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It wasn't necessary to add that they should go in an orderly      manner. Order was another precept of Amish life, ingrained since      birth. Pencils were in their grooves on the desktops and books      were closed before the children stood, murmuring quietly among      themselves, and filed toward the door. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Leah followed her scholars between the rows of wood and      wrought-iron desks, and out the door at the rear of the classroom      that led onto a small porch and then to the schoolyard. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The white school building, looking like every other Amish school      she'd ever seen, stood in a grove of trees, its narrow dirt lane      leading out to the main road, a good half mile away. The Esch farm      lay to their east and the Brand farm to the west, so that the      schoolhouse seemed to nestle in their protective, encircling arms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A trestle table had been set up under the oak tree that sheltered      the yard. Her volunteer mothers and grandmothers, probably also      happy with the break in routine, had spread it with a bountiful      lunch-sandwich fixings of cheese, chicken, cold meat, and bread,      an array of salads, bowls of fruit, and jars of milk and lemonade.      Trays of cupcakes and brownies were covered, reminding the      children that dessert came last.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rachel Brand, Leah's special friend since girlhood, hurried over,      apron fluttering, to thrust a well-filled plate into her hands.      \"Leah, I fixed a plate for you already, ja. If you waited for      everyone else to be served, you might miss my macaroni salad.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Never,\" she said, her pleasure at the day's treat increased by      the presence of the friend who was as dear to her as a sister.      \"It's wonderful kind of you, Rachel, but we should be seeing to      our guest of honor first.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Daniel Glick, the newcomer, stood out in the group, the only adult      male in a bevy of women and children. If that bothered him, he      didn't show it. He was accepting a heaping plate from Leah's      mother, bending over her with courteous attention.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Your mamm is taking good care of him,\" Rachel said. \"And if she      wasn't, someone else would jump at the chance, for sure. A widower      just come from Lancaster to join our community-you know every      woman in Pleasant Valley will be thinking to match him up with a      daughter or sister, they will.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"They'd do better not to matchmake. Daniel Glick looks well able      to decide for himself if he needs a wife.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Daniel's firm jaw and the determined set to his broad shoulders      under the plain work shirt he wore suggested a man who knew what      he wanted and who wouldn't be easily deflected from his course. He      was probably a gut hand at avoiding any unwanted matchmaking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rachel, her blue eyes dancing with mischief as if they were ten      again, nudged her. \"You'd best tell that to your mamm, then. I      expect she's already inviting him to supper so he can get to know      you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Me?\" Her voice squeaked a bit, so she was glad that she and      Rachel stood a little apart from the others. \"Rachel, that's      foolish. Everyone has known for years that I'm a maidal.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Years,\" Rachel scoffed, her rosy cheeks growing rounder with      amusement. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rachel did still look like the girl she'd once been, her kapp      strings flying as they'd chased one another in a game in this same      schoolyard. Leah couldn't remember a time when Rachel hadn't been      part of her life. They'd shared enough joy and sorrow to bond them      forever.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I know very well how old you are, Leah Beiler,\" Rachel continued,      \"because we were born within a month of each other. And you are      only an old maid if you want to be.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Leah crinkled her nose. \"A maidal,\" she said firmly. \"And I'm a      schoolteacher with a love of learning besides, which frightens men      off.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rachel's smile slid away suddenly, and her smooth brow furrowed.      \"Leah, it would break my heart if I thought you meant to stay      single all your life because of Johnny.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The name startled her, and it was all she could do to keep dismay      from showing on her face. When Johnny Kile left Pleasant Valley,      fence-jumping to the English world like too many young men, he'd      left behind his family, including his twin sister, Rachel, who'd      loved him dearly. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e And he'd left Leah, the girl he'd said he'd loved. The girl he'd      planned to marry that November, once the harvest season was over.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Many of those young men who left came back, penitent and ready to      rejoin the community, after a brief time in the English world. But      not Johnny.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She had to speak, or Rachel would think this more serious than it      was. Close as they were, she didn't want Rachel to know how      Johnny's loss had grieved her. It would only hurt Rachel, to no      good end. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"No, of course that's not why. Johnny and I were no more than      boy-and-girl sweethearts, you know that.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rachel's hand closed over hers in a brief, warm grip. \"You loved      him. That's what I know.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"It was a long time ago,\" she said firmly, shutting away      bittersweet memories. \"What has brought on thoughts of him today?\"      \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rachel had not mentioned Johnny's name since the day she'd run to      the Beiler house, tears streaming down her cheeks, to tell Leah      that he had gone. It had shamed his family, as well as grieved      them, that he'd left in that way, with no word for his betrothed      and only a short note for them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"No reason,\" Rachel said, but her gaze drifted away from Leah's.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She set down the filled plate on the nearest table so she could      grasp her friend's wrist. \"Rachel, tell me the truth.\" It was the      warning tone she used with her scholars when they attempted to      evade a question.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rachel shook her head, dashing away a sudden tear. \"My birthday is      next week. Johnny's birthday, too, of course. It reminds me.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"And it hurts,\" Leah said softly. She knew about that pain.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm being foolish.\" Rachel sniffed. \"Here come your mamm and      Daniel Glick to talk to you. I'd best see if any of those platters      need filling.\" She scurried off, giving no chance for Leah to say      a word of comfort, even if she could think of one.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e For a moment the scene-the mothers serving food, chattering among      themselves, the children eating quickly so they could scatter to      swings, seesaw, and ball field-seemed to shimmer before her eyes.      She was a girl again, hearing her sweetheart say he loved her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She took a breath, clenching her hands against the dark green      apron that covered her dress. She wasn't that girl in love any      longer. She was a grown woman, a teacher, and she had to act like      one.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e And here came her mother, towing the newcomer along with her.      \"Leah, here is the father of your new scholars. Daniel Glick, this      is my daughter Leah.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He was taller than many Amish men, that was her first thought. She      had to tilt her head to look up at him. Piercing blue eyes met      hers, their straight brows giving him a bit of a sober look. His      beard was the same chestnut brown shade as his hair, and his mouth      above the beard firm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Wie bist du heit. It's nice to meet you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Teacher Leah.\" He nodded in greeting, fingering the brim of his      straw hat. \"It's kind of you to take on three new scholars with      the school year so near over.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She grasped a firm rein on her scattered thoughts. \"I'm happy to      have them. I look forward to getting to know Matthew and Elizabeth      and Jonah.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"They are glad to be back in class again after the move.\" He      glanced toward the table where the children sat eating, his face      serious. \"I would like to talk with you about their schooling.      Perhaps when they finish today?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The prompt request took her by surprise a bit. Still, since the      Glick family had just moved here, their situation was different      from that of her other scholars, most of whom she'd known since      birth, seeing them at work frolics and worship services, watching      them grow. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Daniel, being a widower, had to be both mother and father to his      children, so she was glad to see he was interested in his young      ones' education.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Ser gut,\" she said. \"I'll see you at three, then.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He gave a short nod to her, another to her mamm, and walked off      toward the table where the children were having their lunch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She watched him go, wondering a little. Still, there'd be plenty      of time later to think about what changes the addition of the      Glick family might make to her familiar classroom. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She turned to her mother, and her heart clenched with a familiar      worry. \"Mamm, why don't you let the others take care of the      cleaning up and go along home after you eat? You look a little      tired.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Her mother always insisted that she was well now, completely      recovered from the cancer surgery that had worried them all so      much a year ago, but even so, anything out of the ordinary seemed      to exhaust her, though she hated to admit it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm not tired,\" her mother said predictably. \"Well, what do you      think of Daniel Glick? A strong-looking man, wouldn't you say? And      the three children so bright and happy. They're a fine addition to      our community. Aren't they?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Her heart sank at the indication that her mother was, as Rachel      had said, embarking on matchmaking. It was hardly surprising,      since Mamm had tried her best to pair her eldest daughter up with      every eligible man in their central Pennsylvania Amish community.      \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She had even suggested a visit to distant relatives back in      Lancaster County a time or two, in hopes of finding a husband for      her stubborn child.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It had taken all Leah's determination to hold out against her      mother's loving wishes for her. Mamm thought Leah should forget      her disappointment in Johnny and love again. But Mamm didn't know      the whole story.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"They seem very nice,\" she said. Daniel Glick was an unknown      quantity. All she could say now was that he appeared interested in      his children's education. As for the children-\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She had to banish a frown before Mamm saw it. Happy and healthy,      Mamm had said. Certainly the children looked sturdy enough, but      she was not so sure about the happy part, at least as far as the      older two went. Both Matthew and Elizabeth had seemed withdrawn,      resisting her efforts to get to know them this morning.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e They might just be struggling to get comfortable in a new place.      So why did she have this niggling feeling that something was      wrong?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jacob Esch, the eighth-grader she'd appointed to watch the clock,      began to ring the bell that signaled it was time for play. She'd      found that without a reminder, some of the scholars would skimp on      their eating to be first on the swings. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Children ran toward the swings and seesaw, the little girls with      their braids and bonnet strings flying in the wind, the boys      racing one another as they always did. Some of the older ones      grabbed bats and balls.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Glick children seemed to hesitate. Then Matthew walked toward      the ball field, while Elizabeth took her little brother's hand and      led him to the swings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Leah glanced toward Daniel Glick. He stood near the picnic table,      arms crossed over his chest in a way that seemed to close him off      from the rest of them. And the steady gaze he directed toward his      children was so intent it startled her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Leah had her work cut out for her that afternoon. She should be      focused on assessing the Glick childrenÕs scholastic status in      preparation for her talk with Daniel Glick later. Or else she      should concentrate on the model of Pleasant Valley that her older      scholars were constructing or the spelling test sheÕd be giving      tomorrow. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Instead, her thoughts kept drifting into the past. It seemed no      time at all since she'd been a scholar here, sitting at the row of      desks against the right-hand wall, looking out at the blossoms on      the apple tree, daydreaming.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Johnny had sat behind her, Rachel in front, making her a buffer      between the twins. Johnny had tied her kapp strings together once,      and spent the afternoon recess sitting on a stool in the corner as      a result. She could still see him looking over his shoulder to      make a face at her when the teacher's back was turned.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She pulled her rebellious thoughts into order. This was Rachel's      fault, making her think of Johnny again. Making her feel that      familiar sense of failure that came each time she remembered how      they'd parted.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She moved to the row of first-graders, bending over to check the      lined sheets on which they were practicing the letter L. They      looked up now and then at the capital and lowercase alphabet that      marched across the top of the chalkboard. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Very nice work, Jonah.\" She smiled at Daniel's youngest, and the      boy's chubby face crinkled in a returning smile. She'd already      noticed that Jonah was the most open of the three.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I like to make letters, Teacher Leah.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I can see that.\" She patted his shoulder lightly. \"Keep up the      good work.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e At six, Jonah's ease in English was surprising. Most of the      first-graders had spoken only the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect at      home before they started school, where they were expected to learn      English. Jonah must have had a fine teacher at his last school to      be so at ease in his second language. Or third, if one counted the      High German used for worship.","brand":"Berkley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300162261221,"sku":"NP9780451491541","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780451491541.jpg?v=1767731229","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/leahs-choice-isbn-9780451491541","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}