Her Secret Read online

  I always felt an education was important, as children should be taught as much as possible. Unfortunately, not all Amish feel that way. Some families are very strict and send their children to Amish schools only. Over all, our Amish schools are good; but, then, we do have some that have a share of problems with students and teachers.

  Shelley: What might surprise others about the Amish?

  J: That I don’t think our way of life is hard at all. It is a blessed life, being close to nature, which God created. God is good.

  Others might be surprised that not many people in some communities are farmers. We have a lot of woodshops, sawmills, welding shops, grocery bulk-food stores, variety stores (like Walmart), too. We also have sewing shops and fabric stores. All are owned and managed by Amish.

  Also, if you want, you can buy all your Amish clothes. You don’t have to make them. We also like to shop at Walmart and Aldi. Also Kohls!

  Something else some might find surprising is that we would pay a driver to take us on vacation. A lot of Amish own houses in Sarasota, Florida, and will spend the winter months there.

  And some Amish youth, when they turn eighteen, will sometimes buy a car and drive, but most time will sell the car after a time and become a member of the church. Most parents do not approve but will allow the child to stay at home with the family. There are some (few) parents who will not allow their child to stay at home if they have a car.

  Shelley: Thank you both so much for doing this interview with me! I loved learning more about you and your families. I think my readers will enjoy learning more about the Amish, too.

  Questions for Discussion

  1.What is your first impression of Hannah? How might you have reacted to receiving such an envelope? What did you think about her family’s decision to move?

  2.Have you ever moved to a brand-new area like Hannah and her family did? What were some of the things you found different? How did you adjust?

  3.Isaac Troyer’s life changed after he survived a terrible illness. Why do you think it often takes a major event like that to appreciate each moment a little more?

  4.The Hilty and Troyer families couldn’t be more different. Who, besides Isaac and Hannah, do you think you are going to be able to connect with?

  5.Had you heard of an Amish benefit auction before? What about a sandwich sale? Have you ever participated in any event like these? What were they like?

  6.A lot of people in the Hilty family have been harboring secrets. How does each secret and its revelation change the family dynamics?

  7.What did you think about Jenny Hilty’s growth? What do you think will happen to her in the future?

  8.Below is the scripture verse from James that guided me during the writing of the novel. What does it mean to you?

  How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. James 4:14

  9.Below is this book’s Amish Proverb. Which character in the book do you think could use this good advice?

  Rare indeed is the person who looks for trouble and fails to find it. Amish Proverb

  Read on

  Facts About Hart County

  1.Hart County is located in the middle of Kentucky Cave Country. Mammoth Cave National Park is located in this region, as well as a number of lesser-known caverns, many of which are open to the public.

  2.A Civil War battle took place in Hart County. The Battle for the Bridge took place right along US Highway 31. The bridge in question was the L&N Railroad Bridge. A technical marvel for its time, it was almost 1,200 feet long and was 125 feet tall.

  3.When driving around Hart County, be sure to look for the fifty painted quilts on the barns. The Barn Quilt Trail is a popular tourist activity.

  4.There are all kinds of stories about how Horse Cave, Kentucky, got its name. Some say the name came from Native Americans. Others say that it was named because outlaws liked to hide their horses in the cavern. The town of Horse Cave was built over the cave, and the entrance is located in the middle of Main Street.

  5.The Amish came to this area in the 1970s. Kentucky has the fastest growing Amish population in the United States.

  6.The area is located about two hours from Louisville, KY, and two hours from Nashville, TN.

  Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.

  Also by Shelley Shepard Gray

  SISTERS OF THE HEART SERIES

  Hidden • Wanted • Forgiven •Grace

  SEASONS OF SUGARCREEK SERIES

  Winter’s Awakening • Spring’s Renewal

  Autumn’s Promise • Christmas in Sugarcreek

  FAMILIES OF HONOR SERIES

  The Caregiver • The Protector • The Survivor

  A Christmas for Katie (novella)

  THE SECRETS OF CRITTENDEN COUNTY SERIES

  Missing • The Search • Found • Peace

  THE DAYS OF REDEMPTION SERIES

  Daybreak • Ray of Light • Eventide •Snowfall

  RETURN TO SUGARCREEK SERIES

  Hopeful • Thankful • Joyful

  AMISH BRIDES OF PINECRAFT SERIES

  The Promise of Palm Grove

  The Proposal at Siesta Key

  Redemption

  A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn

  A Wish on Gardenia Street (novella)

  A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft

  THE CHARMED AMISH LIFE SERIES

  A Son’s Vow • A Daughter’s Dream

  A Sister’s Wish • An Amish Family Christmas

  Credits

  Cover design by Laura Klynstra

  Cover photographs: © Laura Klynstra (woman); © Brian Flaherty / Offset / Shutterstock (barn)

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  HER SECRET. Copyright © 2017 by Shelley Shepard Gray. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  FIRST EDITION

  EPub Edition March 2017 ISBN 9780062469113

  ISBN 978-0-06-246910-6 (paperback)

  ISBN 978-0-06-265957-6 (library edition)

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