Anna stepped into the room and looked around. Something didn’t seem right.
Mammi gasped. “Some of my quilts are missing! I had at least three more in here.” She moved the plastic covered quilts, in an effort to locate the missing blankets.
“Do you think Jacob may have used them? Maybe the kinner got cold last night,” Anna suggested.
“He didn’t mention it, but I guess it’s possible. I’ll ask him later. Right now, we need to figure out which quilts you’re taking to sell and get back to that dinner before it burns.”
Anna took four various quilts from Mammi’s limited repertoire. “Don’t worry, Mammi. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for your missing quilts.”
Mammi’s disappointed countenance lifted some. “You’re probably right, dear.”
Anna quickly placed the quilts upstairs in her bedroom and glanced out her window. She groaned when she spotted Aaron’s buggy driving up the lane. She hurried down to chat with Mammi.
“Mammi, I thought you were going to tell Aaron not to come,” Anna said in exasperation.
“I’m sorry, dear. I just couldn’t tell that boy no. He seemed so eager to come,” Mammi explained.
“Mammi, you know Joseph and I…” Anna stopped mid-sentence, reconsidering her words. “I’m not interested in Aaron anymore. I thought I’d already made that clear.” Just the fact that Mammi knew anything about her love life frustrated Anna. It wasn’t their traditional way of doing things. Of course, Aaron was the one to blame for that. If he hadn’t come to visit often and only courted her during singings and such, their prior relationship would have most likely gone undetected by Mammi.
How is Joe going to respond to Aaron’s presence? Anna remembered the last time they’d seen each other and a smile crept across her features. Neither Aaron, Joe, nor even herself for that matter, had any clue that she was going to kiss Joseph that night. She could only imagine what Aaron had said to Joe after she’d gone inside.
One thing she realized about Joseph was that he was strong in presence of mind – and honest. Those were two qualities she could admire in a man.
Or perhaps a husband?
<><><>
Joseph spotted Anna through the window he’d just finished cleaning and tapped it to get her attention. Anna’s countenance lit up at the sight of him and it warmed Joe’s heart. What made him so deserving of such a wonderful woman? Nothing, he’d thought. It had to be God – there was no other explanation for it.
Anna rounded the corner of the house and came to meet him. “Hey.” She smiled in greeting.
“It’s too cold for you to be out here without a jacket.” He opened his own jacket and spread out his arms. “Come,” he invited.
Anna came close and slid her arms around his back inside his jacket. Fortunately they were in a place where no one could see. Joseph held her tight and gave thanks once again.
“I forgot to tell you,” Anna said. “Aaron’s here.”
“I know. I saw him pull up. I plan to go tell him hello as soon as I’m done kissing you.” He raised his eyebrows and grinned.
“Oh?”
Joe smiled and brought his lips to hers, the frosty air rising between them. He released her from his embrace before things heated up a little too much. “Thank you for letting me steal a kiss or two.”
“Oh no, those were freely given,” she admitted, biting her bottom lip.
“Yeah? And can I expect a few more later?”
Anna had never seemed more beautiful. “Maybe.” She winked before turning the corner of the house and disappeared from Joe’s sight.
Joseph released a puff of frigid air and could have jumped for joy, he was so exhilarated. Having Anna as his aldi was like a dream come true. If he didn’t rein in his thoughts, though, he and Anna would be married with kinner in no time.
But he couldn’t think that way. If he’d learned anything by Mary’s death, it was to not assume anything. Only God knew what the future held. And as difficult as it seemed, Joseph realized he must trust God. What if something happened to Anna? What if it didn’t work out between them?
<><><>
“She’s a good kisser, huh?” Aaron’s voice echoed from the opposite corner of the house that Anna had just turned. He walked confidently toward Joseph.
Joe frowned. “What were you doing watching us? It was a private moment.”
“Private? If you want private, I suggest a room. A bedroom, perhaps? Anna does have a mighty fine figure, wouldn’t you say?”
Joseph couldn’t help it when his fist met with Aaron’s jaw. At least that’s what he told himself. After doing nothing when Mary’s brother taunted him, and her dying without receiving due justice, he’d decided he would never tolerate someone disrespecting the woman he loved again. There were just some things he couldn’t – and wouldn’t – stand for.
Aaron sneered and wiped a drop of blood from his lip. “Perfect. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.” He passed Joseph, purposely bumping his shoulder in the process, and moved toward the back door.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Anna hadn’t been happy when she heard that Joe punched Aaron. It certainly didn’t win him any favor with Mammi. As a matter of fact, Mammi had mentioned privately to Anna that she thought it might be better if Joseph and Harvey left.
Why had he done it? She’d asked Joe and he refused to explain, except that he had good reason. Was there ever a good reason to use violence? This certainly would not help his standing in the Amish community either. Frustration mounted as Anna took a bite of her turkey dinner. This was anything but the Thanksgiving she had anticipated.
<><><>
Aaron glanced at Anna across the table. So far, it looked as if his plan was taking shape nicely. She was mad. And not at him – at that vagrant. Aaron appeared casual, but inside he was bursting with joy. Just wait until his next revelation. Joseph Bender would be falling so hard, he won’t even know what hit him.
<><><>
Joseph thought of leaving the dinner early, but Jake insisted he stay for dessert and games. For his friend’s sake, he would. But Anna’s disapproval cut him to the heart. Why didn’t she trust him? Should he have to explain his actions to her? Wasn’t his word good enough?
He and Jake now played chess while Harvey challenged Aaron to game of gin rummy. The ladies sat at the kitchen table talking and minding the kinner.
“How have things been at the fabric shop, Anna?” Aaron asked, grating on Joe’s nerves further.
“Oh, they’ve been great!” she answered cheerfully.
“Have Mammi’s quilts sold? I know you were talking about her Christmas quilt the last time we were together,” Aaron asked warmly. Joseph knew he was doing this just to get to him…and to Anna, but in a different way. Joe didn’t appreciate his blatant audacity.
Anna’s face lit up. “Oh yes! We sold her Christmas quilt yesterday. I was meaning to give you back that money you lent us.” Anna walked to her purse, which she kept on the sideboard.
“Oh no. That wasn’t a loan. You don’t need to repay it,” Aaron insisted.
“I feel like I should, besides…” A frown quickly crossed Anna’s face as she searched through her wallet. “Mammi, did you take any of the money from my wallet?”
Mammi’s face crinkled. “No. Haven’t touched it.”
“But there was over five hundred dollars in here,” Anna exclaimed. “Now there’s only two hundred.” She helplessly looked around at each of them. “Joe? You remember, right? You watched me put the money in my wallet at the store.”
“Yep,” Joe agreed. “Linda gave you five-fifty for the quilt.”
Aaron stood up and moved to where Anna stood. He whispered something in her ear and Anna shook her head in disbelief. He finally spoke aloud, “It wonders me if maybe good old Joseph didn’t take it. Beggars are always in need of extra cash. Three hundred dollars is a nice little sum of money for someone who has nothing.” He looked at Mammi to gather sympathy and
possibly even support.
Joe stood up and challenged him. “That’s ridiculous! Anna knows I’m not a thief.” He looked to Anna whose confidence in him appeared to be dwindling by the minute.
“Isn’t it kind of a coincidence that Joseph knew Anna had that money in her wallet?” Aaron goaded.
“Aaron, stop,” Anna demanded. “Joe didn’t take the money.”
“Are you certain? I bet he’s got it in his pocket right now – or maybe he’s stashing it in his room,” Aaron accused. “I have an idea. Why don’t we check?”
“Go ahead,” Joe uttered between gritted teeth. Joseph’s face darkened in humiliation. How dare this jerk come in here and accuse him of thievery. Now, he wished he’d hit him harder. Aaron’s handsome looks certainly didn’t match his insufferable personality. If he’d broken his nose, they’d probably be equal.
Mammi spoke up. “I think that might be a good idea, Anna.” Joe didn’t take offense at Mammi’s words. He couldn’t blame Anna’s grandmother for being overly cautious.
Joe nodded in permission. “My pants don’t have pockets. You may check my jacket; it’s hanging by the door.”
A worried frown crossed Anna’s face and Harvey, Jacob, and his family minded their own business. No doubt Harv knew what Aaron was up to and Joe was certain it was difficult for him to hold his piece.
“Is this really necessary?” Anna protested.
“It’s okay, Anna,” Joe assured. “I don’t have anything to hide.”
Aaron smirked at Joe and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you?”
Anna looked from Aaron to Joseph in confusion.
“Nothing in his jacket,” Aaron admitted. “But we’d better check his room, just to be sure. It would be terrible if you had a thief living amongst you.” Aaron looked sympathetically at Mammi.
Harvey and Jake now stood up. Harv couldn’t hold his tongue any longer, it seemed. “You have a lot of nerve, young man.”
“I’m not the only one,” Aaron retorted. “I bet Joe’s got it in his room. Unless you’re a thief too, old man.”
“That’s uncalled for,” Jacob now spoke.
Aaron marched toward the door. “Who’s coming with me?”
Joe, Anna, Mammi, and Harv followed him out. Joseph opened the door to the dawdi haus and allowed Aaron to roam around, poking through their stuff. Everyone stood by the door and watched as though a scene from a movie played before their eyes. Joe knew that if he just kept his mouth closed, Aaron would prove himself the fool he was.
After probing the small main room, Aaron opened the door to the bedroom Joseph slept in. He opened up a few drawers of the bureau, finding nothing, as Joe knew he would. Aaron then walked over to the nightstand and opened the top drawer. He pulled out the Bible Joe had been reading. Aaron haphazardly thumbed through the pages when something green fell to the floor. “Well, look what we’ve got here.” Aaron bent down and picked up some folded bills. “Anna, I do believe this is your three hundred dollars.” He handed the bills to Anna.
Anna looked forlornly at Joseph as she counted the bills.
Joe’s mouth hung open, but he finally found his voice. “Anna, I swear –”
Mammi’s gasp cut off Joe’s protests. “My quilts!” She pointed under the bed. “Anna, my missing quilts!”
The disillusioned look Anna gave Joe gripped his heart. He watched as her eyes filled with tears. She’d clearly lost all faith in him.
“Anna, please. I can explain that later –” Joe began helplessly.
“Wait!” Aaron declared. “It gets better. Anna, did you know that Joseph Bender is, indeed, a crook? I did a little research on him, you see. He used to be some company big shot. He went to jail for cheating thousands of people out of their money. Your Joe stole millions of dollars.”
“It’s not true,” Joseph insisted.
Aaron pulled several papers out of his jacket and handed them to Anna. “Let her judge for herself who the liar is here.”
<><><>
Anna burst out of the dawdi haus with hot tears pouring from her eyes. How could she have been so wrong about Joe? She truly had no clue who Joseph Bender was. What had she been thinking to bring him into her home? And worse still, into her heart.
Upon entering the main house, she excused herself and ran upstairs to her room. Why God? Why did you bring Joseph into my life just to have him take advantage of me and Mammi? She didn’t want to believe it was true, but how could there be any other explanation?
She unfolded the papers Aaron had given her and read the words on the page. Every one of them. The truth stared back at her in black and white. There was even a picture of Joe in a fancy Englisch suit. Then there was a picture of him in an orange prison jumper. The article detailed how he hired clients, contributed to their success, and made them millions of dollars. Then stole it.
Joseph…not only a robber of worldly goods, but a thief of the heart as well. Just when she’d thought she finally found the one. Anna sobbed into her palms, blurring the words on the page in her lap.
<><><>
Anna lifted her head at the sound of a gentle knock on the door. She reluctantly shuffled to the door and twisted the knob. Aaron stood in the doorway, an apologetic look on his face.
“Anna, I’m so sorry,” he offered. “I didn’t mean for that to get out of hand.”
She brushed away her tears and sniffled, afraid to speak lest the tears begin falling again.
Aaron spoke tenderly. “When I found out that Joseph Bender was a crook, I knew I couldn’t let him fool you any longer. I knew that even if it hurt you, he must be called on the carpet.” He shook his head. “I hope you realize that my intention was not to hurt you. I’d never want to do that.”
Anna didn’t know what to make of Aaron’s words. She nodded in understanding.
“Listen, whatever happens between us doesn’t really matter. I just didn’t want to see you with the likes of someone like Joseph Bender. I hope we can still be friends.”
This was a side of Aaron she hadn’t seen often. Perhaps she hadn’t given him enough of a chance. This whole time he’d just been trying to protect her, she realized.
Anna studied Aaron. He’d offered her marriage and she’d turned him down. Now he simply offered friendship.
Aaron ducked his head, dismissing himself from the room. She heard his heavy footsteps on the wooden stairs.
Aaron really is a good man. Perhaps she should reconsider his proposal. Maybe she’d been too hasty and misjudged him.
But what of Joe?
Anna shoved the papers into her dresser drawer, willing herself to forget about Joseph Bender. Tomorrow she would ask Jacob to ask Joe and Harv to leave the property. She didn’t know where they would go, but it wasn’t her concern. They were grown men, they could take care of themselves.
A pang shot through Anna’s heart. She’d thought they’d been genuine friends. How wrong she was. She was beginning to realize she was a very poor judge of character. Everything she’d believed about Joe had been wrong. And everything she’d believed about Aaron was wrong too.
Anna took a deep breath and realized what she needed to do. She must go and apologize to Aaron. Perhaps he’d forgive her and they could start all over again.
One thing was certain: she had to do everything possible to forget Joseph Bender. But for the life of her, she couldn’t figure how she could take him out of her dreams. Or remove the pain that plagued her heart.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Joe lit the end of his cigarette, sat down on his crate in the alley, inhaled deeply, then blew out a breath of toxic smoke.
“Joe, that’s your third one in a row. I think you need to take it easy,” Harv warned. “Besides, you should be turning to God in your time of need.”
Joseph released a sarcastic laugh. “God? This is a classic example of what happens when I start trusting in your God, Harv. I’m done.” He pulled a small glass bottle from his pocket, unscrewed the lid, and brought it to his lip
s.
Harvey quickly knocked the bottle out of his hands. “What are you doin’, Joe? You can’t drink that stuff.”
Joe frowned at Harv. “What’d you do that for?” He walked over to the bottle and picked it up out of the snow. After determining it was now empty, he threw the bottle at the brick wall, hollering a curse word in frustration.
“Why don’t you fight for her?”
“What?”
“Fight. If you truly are innocent, why don’t you prove it to her? Show her the articles Mr. Perfect purposely ignored in order to dig out the trash.”
“It’s too late, Harvey. Linda told me that she’s engaged now. Besides, Anna believed what she wanted to. Probably wouldn’t believe me even if I proved the truth to her.”
“Balderdash! She can’t be engaged. It’s only been four days. My, that scum sure does work fast,” Harv said disgustedly.
“Well, she chose him.” Joe shrugged.
“No. She chose you. And I don’t know why you allow her to believe a lie.” Harvey sighed. “Do you really want Miss Anna to marry that jerk?”
Footsteps crunching through the snow drew their attention to the opening of the alley, interrupting their conversation. Joe was pleased to see Linda. It seemed she’d been a true friend and had given him the benefit of the doubt.
“Joe, I need your help,” she requested.
“Sure, Linda. What do you need?”
“Will you come back to the store with me?”
Joe’s eyebrows raised. “Is Anna there? Because if she is, I’d rather not.”
“No. She’s on lunch right now. Aaron picked her up.”
Joe rolled his eyes. It figures. “Okay.” He glanced at Harv for approval.
A Secret Encounter (Amish Secrets--Book 2) Page 10
