Book 2: The Beilers of Sweetbrier Creek

One Amish man helps to revive a young widow’s struggling orchard—and heal her heart—in this light, warmhearted Amish romance perfect for fans of Jo Ann Brown and Jocelyn McClay.

Widow Miriam Esh has to find a fiancé, or her overbearing bruder-in-law will sell her familye apple orchard. He’s already taken it upon himself to hire someone—likely another man presuming he knows what’s best for her land. But if she’s going to save it, Miriam must focus on finding a suitable husband, not on the new orchardist or on how good he is with her son, and definitely not on how his smile scatters her thoughts . . .

By the looks of things at the Esh estate, Daniel Beiler knows Miriam could use a hand. Only the stubborn widow doesn’t want to take any of his advice. Yet as they spend their days working side-by-side and sharing warm meals, Daniel and Miriam can’t deny the growing comfort in each other’s company. So when Miriam begins receiving attention from eligible men seeking a wife, Daniel must admit his feelings for her before it’s too late. With the promise that he’ll be the partner she can trust, can Daniel convince Miriam that he should also be the mann in her life?

The Bielers of Sweetbrier Creek

Miriam stepped toward him. “Let me help you fold that.”

But as she moved forward, her foot caught on something—a root, a rock, a hole, she wasn’t sure—and she stumbled, losing her balance.

In a flash, Daniel was by her side, his strong hands going around her waist to steady her. Miriam's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding at the sudden unexpected embrace. She looked up, her gaze locking with his, and for a suspended moment, the world around them fell away.

Daniel's eyes were dark with an emotion she couldn't quite name, the feel of his hold both strong and protective. Miriam's heart raced, a heady mix of emotions coursing through her being.

“Are you okay, Mamm?”

Jonah’s concerned question broke the spell and she stepped away as Daniel released her, She felt the betraying heat climb in her cheeks and turned to her suh with a bright smile. “I’m fine Jonah, just a little clumsy.”

***

Daniel carefully folded the quilt, trying to pull himself together. That simple attempt to keep her from falling, done by instinct rather than conscious thought, had turned into something so much more. He could still hear the catch in her breath, see the widening of her eyes, the flailing of her arms as she tried to catch herself. Then the shift as he caught her as she fell, to something softer, more yielding as he held her against his chest. For a heartbeat there was just the two of them, the world contracting around them, closing out all other sounds, all other sights but her. He saw the curl that had escaped her kapp, felt the rise and fall of her chest against his, could smell the sunshine and cinnamon and ginger that clung to her. And above all the heady exhilaration of holding her in his arms.

And then as quickly as it had started it ended. Jonah had spoken up and Miriam had started and stepped back. She hadn’t looked directly at him since.

Daniel wasn’t sure where that left them. He was certain she’d felt some of the same stirrings he had. But her current brisk avoidance of any eye contact or even glance in his direction made it obvious she had no intention of letting it influence her.

She turned to him now, her face schooled in a polite smile, without any of the warmth of their previous interactions. “Ready?”