Patricia Johns’s newest book arrived in the mail. It was packaged in brown paper and tied up with string, and when Amelia opened the package, there was a little note from Patricia inside thanking Amelia for her hard work on this book.
Amelia loved to read the books she’d edited once they were released, and Grave Amish Secrets was no different! So after breakfast was finished and George went out to check on the animals, Amelia pulled out her book and started to read.
There was a knock on the door, though, and Amelia opened it to find her friend and neighbor, Mary Lapp standing there.
“Hello, Mary!” Amelia said. “Come inside.”
Mary was happy to come in out of the cold. She’d brought Amelia some yarn she thought Amelia might find useful, so Amelia had to put her book aside, and she put some tea on the stove.
“Do you have a new book?” Mary asked.
“I do!” Amelia said. “I edited this one myself… Mary, do you read Amish fiction?”
Mary was an Amish lady, and she blushed. “Well… not that I admit to. Is that one a good story?”
“It’s very good!” Amelia said. “It’s about this police woman who has Amish relatives, and–“
“Perhaps I could borrow it?” Mary asked hopefully.
But if Amelia let go of her book now, she’d never get to read it through!
“Just give me today to read it,” Amelia said, “and I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.”
Because Amelia was a good friend, and she knew that Mary could be trusted not to fold down the pages.
When George got back from chores, Amelia was reading a book. Patricia Johns’s newest book had just come out, and George knew very well that Amelia ALWAYS read the book when it released, even though she’d edited every word herself.
“I feel so bad!” Amelia said. “You’re working so hard, and I’m here reading. Why don’t I go out to the barn and muck out the horse’s stall, and you can stay here with Brigette. She needs a bath soon.”
George thought that was a wonderful idea, and Amelia took her book with her and headed out to the barn.
But she took a very long time coming back. Minutes ticked by. Then a couple of hours. Brigette’s bath was done. Was Amelia all right? He was starting to feel a little worried.
George took Brigette with him and they headed out to the barn together.
“Let’s see if Mommy is okay,” George said.
But when he got to the barn and he opened the door, he spotted Amelia right away. She’d finished mucking out the horse’s stall–it was neat and clean–and she’d stopped to read.
“Amelia?” George said.
Amelia startled. “Oh, George! I lost track of time! But this story is just so good! I know who did it, of course, but it’s a fun ride!”
“I was worried,” George said. “But come back into the house. It’s warm there, and you can read better.”
“Oh, George, you really are the best,” Amelia said.
George understood his wife. She’d be back to normal just as soon as she finished the book. It was better for everyone if he just made sure she got time to read!
That night, Amelia was so close to being finished the book, and she curled in bed with the very last chapter.
“I have to finish reading it tonight!” Amelia called across the hall to the bathroom where George was brushing his teeth. “I told Mary I’d let her borrow the book tomorrow.”
“Does Mary read Amish fiction?” George asked, and he popped his head into the bedroom.
“She wants to borrow it, so I think she does!” Amelia said. “And why shouldn’t she? These are great stories.”
“That one has a murder in it,” George pointed out.
“It’s an old murder,” Amelia said. “I don’t think old murders count, do they?”
“I’m not sure,” George said, and he went back into the bathroom to rinse out his mouth.
When George came back, Amelia had finished the book, and she laid it down beside the bed. She was thoughtful.
“Mary has a very peaceful life,” Amelia said. “And so do I! I have you and Brigette, and I’m a very loved frog. But when I read, I love to see the excitement of bodies dredged up from old wells, and people with secrets to hide… It’s because my own life is quite the opposite.”
“Considering that, I think Mary will love the book!” George said.
“I agree.” Amelia smiled. “Besides, George, this book is very well-edited.”
And they laughed her little joke. But the truth was, Amelia was very proud of the books she edited for Patricia Johns.
They blew out the lamp, and snuggled into bed.
“I’m glad there are no bodies in our wells, George,” Amelia said in the darkness.
“Me, too,” George agreed.
If you haven’t picked up a copy of Grave Amish Secrets yet, it is on the shelves right now! If you read this post later, you can always find the book online. Amelia and I might be a little biased, but even reviewers seem to be enjoying this one!
Happy reading!
❤
Patricia Johns 
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