The Fiddler (38 page)
Authors: Beverly Lewis
For now, it’s a joy to spend time with my sweetheart-girl as I come to appreciate the many facets to this special young woman who rediscovered God’s peace and contentment in the very Amish country I was fixing to leave. I love everything about Amelia, including her serious playing and her fiery fiddling. This beautiful young woman the Lord allowed to burst into my life on a stormy summer evening, whose heart will join with mine when we say “I do.” Each for the other, and both for the Lord.
When we can, we take brisk jogs around Hickory Hollow, and play some very competitive chess, too. We share our goals and dreams, as well as individual past struggles, blending our hearts ever so slowly as we get happily lost in conversation. And, oh, what laughter! I’ve taught her to ride a horse, catch a fish, and to lay out a vegetable garden, at least on paper. And Amelia’s taught this former Plain boy a thing or two, as well: how to hold a violin correctly, and more recently, how to play a two-octave scale—the latter with my earplugs handy . . . for her sake!
I was privileged to meet Amelia’s parents before her father passed away late this fall. We attended the memorial service together, Amelia weeping softly by my side.
Little by little, Amelia is saying good-bye to her old life in Columbus. She has a buyer for her townhome and will move in with her mother, a soon-to-be published novelist. That is, when Amelia is in Columbus and not playing in Philly with the orchestra, where she will continue to be concertmaster.
Jah, it won’t be too long and we’ll be blending my Amish family with her English one. We look forward to having my parents meet her mother sometime soon, once the weather gets warmer. Needless to say, there’s plenty of curiosity all around!
Amelia and I often pray together as I hold her in my arms. I reach for her hand and offer thanks for God’s great gift of love, our hearts made new . . . knit together by divine grace. Despite our vastly different backgrounds, we are much better together than apart. Like a fiddle needs its bow.
I
n this book, my passion for music, as well as the Plain community of Lancaster County, where I grew up, came together like a patchwork quilt. I’ve been waiting nearly a lifetime to write this book!
I’m forever grateful to my parents, especially my mother, who instilled in me the incredible joy of making music at the piano, with the violin, and vocally. Beginning in fourth grade, I studied violin. I enjoyed it so much, I played all through high school and college, after which I taught beginning violin students in my home-based music studio. While I was never as proficient a violinist as my protagonist, Amelia Devries, I’m thankful that my copy editor, Helen Motter, plays professionally. Thanks, Helen, for catching anything I may have missed in the details of Amelia’s musical life.
My deepest appreciation also goes to Julie Klassen, with whom I brainstormed my initial ideas for
The Fiddler,
prior to her becoming a full-time novelist. Keep those bestsellers coming!
Special thanks to David Horton, who faithfully cheers me on and develops my most story-worthy ideas. And to my longtime editor and partner in fiction, Rochelle Glöege, whose amazing expertise makes my stories sing. I am so thankful!
The following consultants and research assistants were invaluable to me during the writing of this book: First of all, my Amish friends, who prefer to remain unnamed; Dale and Barbara Birch, David and Janet Buchwalter, Hank and Ruth Hershberger, Jake and Ruth Bare, Edwin and Marion Rohrer, Erik Wesner, John and Jim Smucker, and Brad Igou. Thanks very much!
The splendid Amish setting of Hickory Hollow—popularized by
The Shunning
and its
Heritage of Lancaster County
sequels, as well as the Hallmark movie—is a fictional one. Yet it continues to live on in my psyche somewhere between the Old Philadelphia Pike to the north and Route 30 to the south . . . just as it did when Katie Lapp and Daniel Fisher were first birthed in my heart. (Not so far from my childhood home.)
Many thanks to my devoted reader-friends for your ongoing encouragement and prayerful support. You are a joy!
I can’t thank my dear Dave enough for his TLC—and experienced editorial input—especially as my first reader during the initial draft.
Most of all, I offer my grateful heart to the always amazing Source of life, light, and indeed beautiful music.
Soli deo Gloria!
BEVERLY LEWIS
, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is the
New York Times
bestselling author of more than eighty books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother’s Plain heritage has inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with
The Shunning
, which has sold more than a million copies.
The Brethren
was honored with a 2007 Christy Award.
Beverly lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.
Home to Hickory Hollow
The Fiddler
The Rose Trilogy
The Thorn • The Judgment • The Mercy
Abram’s Daughters
The Covenant • The Betrayal • The Sacrifice
The Prodigal • The Revelation
The Heritage of Lancaster County
The Shunning • The Confession • The Reckoning
Annie’s People
The Preacher’s Daughter • The Englisher • The Brethren
The Courtship of Nellie Fisher
The Parting • The Forbidden • The Longing
Seasons of Grace
The Secret • The Missing • The Telling
The Postcard • The Crossroad
The Redemption of Sarah Cain
October Song • Sanctuary
(with David Lewis)
• The Sunroom
Amish Prayers
The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook
