C Is for Courting

Surprises abound in the latest heartwarming inspirational tale of four English-raised siblings who return to their grandparents' Ohio community with plans to become Amish-but discover, one by one, that even the simple life has its complications . . .
The second eldest, Beth Schrock always believed herself the most level-headed sibling. After all, in the wake of their parents' divorce, it was she who emerged as the caretaker and steadying presence. Yet after almost two years in Ohio, Beth's life remains the most unsettled.
Unlike her younger sister and brothers, Beth has yet to become Amish, or fall in love, much less marry.
Still, she is about to take on the biggest responsibility of them all. She is going to be a mother. A single mother. While she's not proud of her actions, she is excited, and hopeful about the sense of purpose this change will bring.
When Beth happens to meet family acquaintance Junior Lambright, they bump heads a bit. But after she takes a part-time job at his successful candle factory, it doesn't take long for sparks to ignite-or for Junior to decide to be the friend Beth clearly needs.
Still, neither expects a romance. Ten years older than Beth, Junior seems content to devote himself to work and his two senior Labradors. And as Beth's due date looms, she must choose a path. She considers returning to Cleveland and her high-paying, high-stress, realtor job. She could hire a nanny. But she'd miss so much about Walden-including Junior.
And then, Junior proposes.
Beth is sure Junior's sweet offer is only to save her reputation. . . . Unless, like her, Junior is also yearning for something more. With faith, and the courage to open their hearts, they might soon find out . . .

Shelley Shepard Gray is the two-time Holt Medallion Award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over one hundred novels. Her novels have been translated into multiple languages and highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, NPR and USA Today. An active member of her church and the mother of two young adults, Shelley lives with her husband in Ohio and writes full time. Please visit her online at ShelleyShepardGray.com.