The Gift Read online

  © 2015 by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  ISBN 978-1-61626-082-8

  eBook Editions:

  Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-63409-561-7

  Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-63409-562-4

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.

  All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  Cover image: Faceout Studio, www.faceoutstudio.com

  Published by Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.shilohrunpress.com

  Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

  Printed in the United States of America.

  DEDICATION

  To my dear friend Irene Miller, who has helped many people with her special gift.

  In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

  ISAIAH 30:15

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Discussion Questions

  CHAPTER 1

  Arthur, Illinois

  As clouds, black and boiling, filled the darkening sky, Leah Mast pedaled her bicycle harder, knowing that if she didn’t get home soon, she’d be caught in a downpour. The muscles in her calves felt as if they could give out at any moment, but she ignored the pain, concentrating on just getting home. Leah had noticed the sky darkening before she left the house. So much for thinking she could outsmart the weather.

  “Guess this is what I get for taking my bike instead of the horse and buggy,” she muttered, moving to the shoulder of the road as a car sped past. Too bad I can’t pedal as fast as that car.

  Right after eating breakfast and helping her mother with the dishes, Leah had bicycled to Family Health Foods, a mile south of Arthur, to buy some massage lotion. She’d scheduled a few people for foot treatments this afternoon and needed to restock her supply.

  With determination, Leah continued her trek toward home. Attempting to keep her mind off the leg cramps that threatened with each downward push, she thought about the special relationship she’d had with her maternal grandmother, who had taught her reflexology. During her lifetime, Grandma Yoder had helped a good many people with her gift of healing.

  Leah had the gift, too. At least that’s what Grandma had always told her. Many Amish people in Leah’s community, as well as some Englishers, came to her for foot treatments. Of course she couldn’t charge a set fee for her services, since she didn’t have a license to practice reflexology. But the people who came to Leah always gave her a donation. She treated back and shoulder pain, sinus congestion, sore throats, headaches, and insomnia. She also used reflexology to help folks relax, balance their body, and increase blood circulation. When people came to her with more serious illnesses, she always suggested that they see a doctor, because some things she simply could not help.

  A clap of thunder sounded, bringing Leah’s thoughts to a halt. Big drops of rain pelted her body and stung her face. This was a cloudburst, not an ordinary gentle rainfall. If it kept up, she’d be drenched by the time she made it home—that is, if she could see well enough to get there. The rain came down sideways, and Leah could hardly keep her eyes open. She hoped this was just a freak storm that would move out as quickly as possible. Well, there was nothing she could do about the weather except keep pedaling as fast as she could.

  The clip-clop of a horse’s hooves caused Leah to look over her shoulder. She guided her bike farther off the road and was surprised when the horse and buggy stopped behind her. The driver’s side door opened, and Adam Beachy called, “Do you need a ride?”

  Astonished by his invitation, Leah quit pedaling. “What about my bike?” she asked as the rain dribbled over her face.

  “Not a problem.” Adam stuck his blond head out and pointed to the rear of his buggy. It was then that Leah realized he was driving his market buggy. Partially enclosed, it had an open wooden bed that extended from the back. If it was empty, there would be plenty of room for her bicycle in the bed.

  Leah climbed off and was about to push the bike around back, when Adam shouted, “If you’ll get in my buggy and hold the reins, I’ll put your bicycle in and snug it in place.”

  Shivering from the drenching rain, Leah climbed into Adam’s buggy and grabbed the reins, while Adam stepped out and picked up her bicycle.

  Leah felt soaked clear through to her skin, and her muscles continued to cramp. It would be a miracle if she ever warmed up. Even though it was the middle of June, a storm like this could chill a person to the bone.

  “Danki,” Leah said when Adam climbed back into the buggy. Her breathing was getting back to normal, but her wet clothing clinging to her drenched skin made her feel icy cold.

  Leah handed the reins back to Adam, and using the sleeve of her dress, she wiped rainwater from her face. “I appreciate you stopping, because I need to get home and change out of these wet clothes before Sara Miller comes for a reflexology treatment this afternoon.”

  With water dripping off his chin, Adam’s brown eyes squinted as he wrinkled his nose like some foul odor had permeated the buggy. “So you’re still foot doctoring, huh?” He reached behind his seat and handed Leah a small blanket.

  She gave a quick nod, wrapping the cover around her shoulders. Even though the blanket pressed her soggy dress against her skin, Leah was grateful for its warmth.

  “Humph! I can’t believe there are still people who believe in all that hocus-pocus.”

  Gritting her teeth, Leah pulled the blanket tighter. “Reflexology is not hocus-pocus; it’s a form of bodywork that focuses on the feet, and—”

  “And nobody’s ever been cured of anything by having their feet massaged.” Adam snapped the reins and directed his horse onto the road. “You oughtta quit taking people’s money for something that’s fake and get a real job, Leah.”

  Fuming, Leah nearly had to bite her tongue to keep from shouting at him. In all her twenty-five years, she’d never met such an opinionated, rude man! Adam had only said a few words to her whenever she’d visited his hardware store, and he had never made eye contact until now. Leah had also observed how, after their b
iweekly church services, Adam often hurried off, sometimes not even staying for the meal that followed. She’d always thought it was strange that he didn’t linger to visit with the men after church, like most others did. Apparently he wasn’t much for socializing. No wonder he isn’t married, she thought. No woman looking for a husband would put up with being talked to like that. And what does he know about reflexology, anyway?

  Unable to hold her tongue, Leah snapped her head in Adam’s direction. “For your information, Mr. Beachy, there are reflex areas on people’s feet that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body. Those who practice reflexology believe that applying pressure to these reflex areas can promote health in the corresponding organs through energetic pathways.”

  “Puh! Is that so? Just what illnesses have you helped cure, Leah?”

  “Many, in fact.” Leah held up one finger. “Some people who come to me get relief from headaches and stress.”

  Adam flapped his hand in her direction, which only fueled her irritation. “Any kind of massage can make a person relax and feel less tension. Besides, I wouldn’t call stress an illness.”

  “Maybe not in itself, but stress can lead to many different ailments, including headaches.” Leah held up a second finger. “Some folks who get reflexology treatments have found relief from back pain.” Before Adam could respond, a third finger came up. “And some with digestive disorders or insomnia have felt better after I’ve worked on their feet. I believe my ability to help them is a gift.”

  Adam shook his head. “I’m not interested in hearing a bunch of mumbo jumbo. If people are willing to pay whatever fee you’re charging and believe they’ll get well, that’s up to them, but I’m not a believer in that sort of thing.”

  His tone cut like glass. Leah crossed her arms and glared at him. “The people who come to me for treatments believe in what I’m doing, and I don’t have a set fee. I work on anyone’s feet for a donation, which means whatever they can afford.”

  Adam glowered at her. At least Leah thought it was a glower. To give him the benefit of the doubt, she supposed he could have a case of indigestion. “Well,” he said with a huff, “you’ll never catch me taking off my shoes and socks so someone like you can press on my feet.”

  Someone like me? Leah’s face burned. Oh, you don’t have to worry about that, Adam Beachy. Even if you gave me a hundred-dollar donation, I would never touch your smelly feet!

  “You have a right to your opinion,” she muttered.

  “That’s right, I sure do.”

  “And I have a right to mine.” Refusing to look at Adam, Leah focused on the road ahead. Her folks’ house wasn’t too far from here, so she should be able to make it that far without saying anything more. She would have liked to give Adam some specific details on reflexology, but what would be the point? He had obviously made up his mind, so she probably wouldn’t get very far defending her skill.

  I wish now I’d never accepted a ride from him, she fumed. I’d have been better off riding my bike the rest of the way home, even in the drenching rain.

  “Where have you been that you got caught in this storm?” Adam’s deep voice penetrated Leah’s angry thoughts.

  She looked down at the plastic sack in her hands, unwilling to tell him that she’d bought massage lotion to use on Sara’s feet. He’d probably have something negative to say about that, too. “I just needed something at the health food store,” she murmured, wiping a drop of water as it trickled down her nose.

  Adam clucked to his horse to get him moving a bit faster. He was probably as anxious to drop Leah off at her house as she was to get there.

  Leah watched Adam pull back on the reins, guiding his horse through a waterlogged area. The small creek, which normally flowed through a pipe under the road, now splashed across the asphalt pavement. As the horse walked slowly through the fast-flooding creek, she noticed the cause of the rising water. The pipe was clogged with debris that had washed down from farther up. Small branches and clumps of dead leaves had caused the creek to detour from its natural flow. The water was still shallow, but if the rain kept coming down like it was, the road might become impassable. Thankfully, they’d made it this far and would hopefully make it home before the storm got any worse.

  They rode in silence the rest of the way, and Leah felt relief when Adam directed his horse and buggy up her folks’ driveway. Except for that one small area of flooding, the drive had been without incident.

  “I’ll get your bicycle.” Adam guided his horse up to the hitching rack. Before Leah could respond, he jumped out of the buggy, secured the animal, and went around back.

  Leah climbed out, too. “Danki for the ride,” she said when Adam pushed her bike around the side of the buggy. She noticed how the rain poured from the top of his hat.

  “Sure, no problem.” Adam speedily untied his horse, stepped back into the buggy, and as he backed the horse away from the wooden rail, he gave a quick wave.

  Leah waved in response then, dodging puddles, made a dash for the house. If Adam hadn’t acted so negatively toward her reflexology, in appreciation of him bringing her home, she might have invited him in for a cup of hot tea and the chance to dry off a little while waiting for the storm to subside. But after that conversation, Leah hoped she would never again be put in a position where she’d have to be alone with Adam Beachy. He might be the most attractive single Amish man in Arthur, but as far as she was concerned, he had the personality of a donkey!

  CHAPTER 2

  Leah Mast may be pretty, but she’s sure opinionated,” Adam muttered as he headed for home. “No wonder she’s not married.”

  Adam had never met a woman as independently determined as Leah. Of course, he hadn’t known that many women personally, since he kept to himself as much as possible when it came to socializing. At a young age, Adam had reached the conclusion that he would never marry. It wasn’t that he had no interest in the opposite sex—he just didn’t trust them.

  Bringing his thoughts to a halt, lest he start feeling sorry for himself, Adam concentrated on the road ahead. It was still raining hard, making it difficult to see. If he didn’t pay close attention, he could end up off the road. So far, his horse, Flash, was behaving himself and didn’t seem to mind the driving rain. Unfortunately, Adam couldn’t say the same about his own demeanor. Thanks to his generosity in giving Leah a ride home and then getting out in this horrible weather to transport her bike, he was wet and cold. Drips of rainwater still hung on the brim of his hat, and his shirt and trousers felt like a second skin. He couldn’t wait to get home and out of the soaking wet clothes. First and most importantly, though, Adam knew he had to keep his mind on the road, or he might not make it home at all.

  Maybe I should have kept going when I saw Leah riding her bike. She was already soaking wet by the time I came upon her. If I hadn’t picked her up, we’d never have had that conversation about foot doctoring.

  The more Adam thought about it, the more upset he became. Leah reminded him of someone he’d rather forget—not in looks, but in that sure-of-herself attitude. Well, the pretty woman with blue-green eyes and golden brown hair could practice reflexology all she wanted, but it wouldn’t change the fact that it was a waste of time. If certain people thought otherwise and wanted to give her a donation, that was their business, but Adam would never let Leah touch his feet!

  “Ach, my, you’re sopping wet!” Mom exclaimed when Leah found her in the utility room, washing clothes.

  “I got caught in the downpour,” Leah replied.

  “I wish you would have taken the buggy instead of your bike. I’m guessing by now you probably wish that, too.”

  Leah nodded. “Where’s Sparky?”

  “Last time I looked he was lying just inside the barn.”

  “Guess he doesn’t want to get wet, either.” Leah chuckled, wiping another drop of rainwater rolling down the middle of her forehead. “Schmaert dog.”

  “Until I closed the window, th
e rain was actually blowing into this room, even with the large overhang on the porch to protect it.” Mom handed Leah a clean towel. “You’d better dry off some before you head to your room to change, or you’ll be leaving a trail of water.”

  “Danki, Mom.” Leah removed her saturated head covering and hung it on a wall peg; then she blotted her hair with the towel. “I’d probably look even worse if Adam Beachy hadn’t come along and offered me a ride home.”

  A wide smile stretched across Mom’s face, and her thinning eyelashes fluttered above her dark brown eyes. “That was sure nice of him. Did it give you a chance to get better acquainted?”

  A jolt of heat traveled from Leah’s neck to her face, despite the chill she felt on the rest of her body. “Oh, we got better acquainted, all right. I found out that Adam doesn’t believe in reflexology, and he really didn’t have much of anything nice to say.”

  Mom’s lips compressed. “I’m sorry to hear that. I was hoping…”

  “What were you hoping… that Adam might be interested in courting me?”

  Mom pulled a towel free from the wringer washer and placed it in the wicker basket at her feet. “Now that you brought up the subject, it would be nice if you had a suitor, don’t you think?”

  Leah shook her head. “I don’t need a man in my life right now. What I do need is to get out of these wet clothes so I’m ready when Sara Miller shows up for her reflexology appointment.”

  Mom glanced at the battery-operated clock on the wall to her left. “Oh that’s right. You did mention before you left that you had a few appointments this afternoon.”

  Leah nodded and turned toward the stairs but paused when she smelled a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. “Do you have something on the stove, Mom?”

  “Jah. It may be the middle of summer, but on a rainy day such as this, I thought a pot of vegetable soup would taste good for our supper tonight. I also made a loaf of homemade bread.” Mom gestured to the adjoining room. “Would you mind checking on the soup before you go upstairs?”

  “Sure, Mom, no problem. Oh, and if Sara gets here before I’ve changed, please tell her to go on down to the basement, and that I’ll meet her there.”