Joshua's Choice: Amish Romance (Seven Amish Bachelors Book 3)

by Samantha Price

  Adeline giggled again. “Okay. Mamm and I are going soon, so you can have some peace.”

  “Good. And before you go can you get me another piece of this?” Catherine held up a piece of pumpkin bread with butter dripping off it. “And the hot tea you forgot?”

  “Okay. Don’t get any of that butter on the couch.”

  “You already sound like Mamm.”

  Adeline swung around and her mouth fell open.

  Catherine giggled. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

  Adeline continued walking to the kitchen, glad that her sister was being cheeky because that meant she truly was feeling better.

  Chapter 11

  Joshua pushed the back door open on Saturday afternoon in serious need of food. He’d spent nearly the whole day oiling the leather sections of all the family’s buggy harnesses. Once he was in the mudroom, he kicked off his boots, and then soaped up his hands and rinsed them thoroughly. Then he continued into the kitchen to see if he could find something to eat to hold him over until the evening meal.

  He stopped in his tracks when he saw his mother slumped over the kitchen table crying. He rushed to her. “Mamm, what’s wrong?”

  “It’s Timothy. He’s leaving for his rumspringa tonight.”

  “You’ve known this has been coming for a while.”

  She nodded. “He’s going with John Stoltzfus. They’re both going together.”

  “It’ll be good that he knows someone.”

  Timothy was the first of his brothers to go on rumspringa. Timothy had also given notice at the family’s joinery factory that he was leaving. He wanted to see if he could make it on his own in the Englisch world.

  “What if he never comes back?” she asked.

  “You can’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet. Anyway, that’s his choice to make. No one can make that choice for him.”

  “I know.” She sobbed into her hands.

  “I don’t like to see you upset like this.” He couldn’t remember the last time he saw his mother cry. He’d seen her shed a tear at funerals, but that was all. Nothing like this.

  “Wait until you have kinner of your own. Then you’ll be able to understand. If I’d had a girl she would have been close to me.”

  “All of us boys are close to you, Mamm.”

  She sniffed and looked up at him. “I’ve been waiting for one of you to marry a nice girl, someone I can think of as my dochder, but Isaac married Hazel and then Levi married Lucy.”

  “And they’re lovely girls. You should give them more of a chance.”

  Hazel had come from a broken home, and Mamm had never liked the Millers, Lucy and Adeline’s family. It had something to do with an uncle of theirs, he thought.

  “Just tell me you’ll marry a gut girl from a nice familye.”

  Now he was in an awkward situation. “Mamm, Hazel and Lucy are nice girls.”

  “I just wanted girls who I could feel were like my own dochders.” She cried some more. “That’s all I ask. I just want Gott to give me a nice dochder-in-law. I’m too old to have more kinner now. I’ve only ever wanted a dochder. Why am I being punished?” She sobbed uncontrollably and for the first time, Joshua felt he had to step into the role of the oldest son.

  It made him uneasy to see his mother crying so hard. She was normally such a strong woman. “Everything will be okay. You’ll love the girl I marry.”

  Her crying lessened. “Will I?”

  “Jah. Now cheer up, please.”

  “Who will you marry? Do you have someone in mind?”

  He chuckled. “I have lots of girls on my mind.”

  She gave a little giggle. “Find a nice girl who’ll fit in with the family and get along with everyone. Some families keep to themselves too much, if you know what I mean.”

  He nodded, knowing she was referring to Hazel and the problem with her mother. Hazel’s mother barely left the house. “Can I get you something, Mamm? Can I make you a hot cup of tea?”

  She frowned at him. “I’ll make one for you.”

  “Nee, I’ll do it.”

  “Nee, you sit and I’ll get it.” She sprang to her feet and in a moment, she had the gas stove lit and the teakettle filled and sitting atop.

  He didn’t want to upset his mother, but he feared she’d definitely be upset if he married Adeline.

  When she sat down again, he said, “Don’t worry about Timothy, he’ll be fine. He’s probably the most sensible one out of all of us. He was born with the brain of a forty-year-old.”

  His mother chuckled. “That’s true. He was always serious. I just hope he returns to us.”

  “Of course he will. He just wants to see what life’s like before his baptism; that’s what rumspringa’s for. He won’t stay away for long, I’m sure of it.”

  “I hope not. Now just tell me again that you’ll marry a girl from a good family.”

  He studied his mother’s face. “What has Timothy got to do with me marrying a good girl?”

  “Nothing. These are the things that have been on my mind, and when I’m upset they all whirl in my head.” She made circular motions with her hand above her head.

  “I will, Mamm. I’ll marry someone you like.”

  She smiled and patted his hand. “I knew you were one son I could rely on. You’ve always been reliable, even when you were a little bu.”

  Chapter 12

  As Adeline’s mother drove the buggy to Hazel’s house, Adeline asked, “Do they know we’re coming?”

  Her mother turned to look at her. “I didn’t say anything to anyone, did you?”

  Adeline shook her head. She'd avoided mentioning it to Hazel yesterday just in case plans had to be changed. It wasn’t unusual for the Amish to stop by one another’s houses without notice. Most everyone did that from time to time.

  “I only hope they’ll be home,” her mother said.

  “We can always stop by another time if they’re not.”

  As they drove up to Isaac and Hazel’s house, they saw clothes on the line. “It looks like someone’s home,” Adeline said.

  “It does.”

  After they had secured the horse, they walked together to the front door. Hazel’s mother lived in the attached grossdaddi haus. She’d come to live with them not long after Isaac and Hazel married.

  Hazel answered the door with a beaming smile on her face. “It’s nice to see you. Come in.” She stepped aside and both of them walked in.

  ”Would your mudder be home?” Mrs. Miller asked.

  “Jah, she is.”

  “Would you mind if I knock on her door?”

  “She’d love to see you.”

  “Good. I’ll leave Adeline with you while I visit with her.”

  Just like that, Adeline was left alone with Hazel. It was the perfect opportunity to inquire about why Jacob was so upset.

  “I just made some fresh lemonade, would you like some?”

  “I sure would.” Adeline followed Hazel to the kitchen and watched her pour two glasses of lemonade.

  “Let’s sit in the living room.” Once they were seated on a blue couch by a large window, Hazel asked, “Where’s Catherine?”

  “She’s sick at home. I’m so glad to get out of the haus.”

  Hazel gasped. “Nothing contagious, is it?”

  Adeline giggled. “It’s just a cold. Although, I guess a cold is contagious, but the rest of the family hasn’t caught it from her. She’s probably just pretending so she’ll get out of chores and cause everyone to fuss over her.”

  “Oh good. I really don’t want to get sick. I mean, I feel sorry for Catherine, if she’s really sick.”

  “I’m glad we got this chance to talk because there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Denke for what you did the other day for Nella …”

  Hazel studied her face. “Did it go horribly wrong for Joshua and Nella?”

  Adeline shook her head. “I’m not certain. I
haven’t spoken to Nella about it. It’s nothing like that, but did I upset you by asking you to arrange for Joshua to go by himself?”

  “Nee, why?”

  “I was at the farmers markets this morning and I ran into Jacob and he tore strips off me for asking you to do that. And I feel dreadful because I thought that was just between you and me. Why did you tell Jacob?”

  “It wasn’t like that.” Hazel's voice quavered a little as she spoke.

  Immediately, Adeline saw that Hazel's eyes brimmed with tears. She felt dreadful for upsetting her, and if she got upset so easily, now she could understand why Jacob was so defensive of her. “Oh, I feel dreadful, Hazel. It doesn’t matter. It’s not important, don’t be upset.”

  Hazel put both hands up to her face and sobbed.

  Adeline moved closer and put her arm around Hazel's shoulders. ”I’m just a stupid girl. Don’t worry about me.” Tears came to Adeline’s eyes as well.

  Hazel stopped crying enough to speak. “That’s not what I’m crying about. I’m pregnant.”

  “What?”

  Hazel nodded. “I’m pregnant.”

  Adeline leaned back. “And you’re not happy about it?”

  “I’m so happy about it, and so is Isaac. We haven’t told anyone yet because the first person we told was my mudder, and she’s upset. She wants to leave and go back home where we used to live. We didn’t even have a home there. We were living with my aente and onkel. This is the only home we’ve both had for the longest time—a proper home that is.”

  “What’s your mudder upset about? I thought she’d be delighted to be a grossmammi.”

  Hazel took a deep breath. “It’s only been me and her for the longest time. We’ve only had each other to rely upon. She had a hard time at first with the idea of me marrying Isaac, and now she thinks the boppli will take all my attention and I won’t want her around anymore.”

  “Ah, I see.” Adeline didn’t really understand, but she knew of Hazel’s mother’s fragile mental state.

  “I should be happy at this time.”

  Adeline didn’t know what to say to make her feel better. Of course she should be happy, but how could she be happy if her mother wasn’t? “Maybe my mudder can help in some way. Do you think your mudder will tell her what’s going on?”

  “I don’t think so. She’s so used to keeping everything bottled up inside. My vadder put us both through so much and we never told anybody how bad it was, not even to this day. Nobody but Isaac knows the half of it.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Hazel, very sorry. That must’ve been so hard for you. Where is your vadder now? Has he passed away?”

  “He’s got a new life and a new Englisch family now. He lives with another woman and her kinner.”

  “Maybe your mudder needs to socialize more and do more activities and then she’ll have her mind taken up with different things. Then she won’t be so reliant on you.”

  “I know you’re right. And I suggested that to her, but she doesn’t want to do anything unless I go with her, and my work schedule makes that pretty difficult.”

  “That’s hard.”

  Hazel nodded.

  “You must be so excited about the boppli.”

  “We’re very excited, and Isaac wants to tell his family, but I don’t want anybody else to know until Mamm is okay with it.”

  “I’m sorry for talking about my stupid problems.”

  “Nee don’t be, and what you said isn’t stupid. What did Jacob say to you?”

  Adeline said, “Nothing, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

  “Tell me. You can be sure I'm not upset with you at all. I'm really happy you came today.”

  Adeline shook her head. “Nee. There's no need to talk about Jacob. And I'm glad Mamm and I stopped in, too."

  Hazel sighed. “I don’t know what I’ll do if my mudder goes home. I need her here, now more than ever. I know she’ll be happy when the boppli comes. I only hope she stays here that long. She didn’t send your mudder away just now, so that’s a good sign.”

  “Would she have done that?”

  “She’s done that to people before.” Hazel gave a little giggle. “I shouldn’t laugh, it’s not funny.”

  Hazel’s problems made Adeline’s worries look so small. She was ashamed of herself for even worrying about them. All her life, she’d taken for granted that she’d been raised in a good home with two loving parents. She hadn’t even thought to thank God for that blessing. She silently prayed a prayer of thanks.

  “I’m so happy for you Hazel—about your boppli.”

  “Me too. I mean, I want to be and I would be if it wasn’t for my mudder being so upset.”

  Adeline put her arms around her and hugged her. “Your Mamm will tell my Mamm and my mudder will set her thinking straight.”

  “Denke, Adeline. I certainly hope so. I really don’t want to be here alone. I mean, I know I’ve got Isaac and friends like you and Lucy, but my mudder and I are so close. There’s nothing for her back there except painful memories. That’s why she was happy for me to come here, and then she followed when I married.”

  “I’m glad you came here, and don’t worry, everything will work out. Gott has a plan, a good plan.”

  “Isaac put so much work into making me a nice home here and building on the grossdaddi haus for Mamm.”

  Adeline rubbed the side of her face. “She had to know you’d have bopplis, though.”

  “I don’t think she gave it too much thought. It was probably a hazy thought—something that would happen in the distant future. Even I didn’t think it would happen this fast.”

  Chapter 13

  Two hours later, Adeline and Mrs. Miller were on the way home. Adeline still hadn’t seen Hazel’s mother. She hadn’t come out of her little grossdaddi haus the whole time.

  “What did you talk to Hazel’s mudder about?”

  “Just this and that. Nothing too exciting.”

  Adeline stared at her mother wondering whether Hazel’s mother had confided in her or not. From the way her mother had clammed up, she guessed that they’d had a long conversation about everything. She hoped her mother was able to help her. They were halfway home, and still nothing was mentioned about Hazel’s pregnancy. Adeline wasn’t going to mention it, since none of the Fullers knew about it yet, except for Isaac.

  “What did you and Hazel talk about?” her mother eventually asked.

  “We had a nice glass of lemonade. She’d only just made it.”

  “Good. And what did you talk about?”

  “It seems her mudder was a bit upset about something.”

  “Do you know what?”

  Adeline could barely contain a smile. “You must’ve found out since you were talking with her mudder.”

  “Maybe I did.”

  “I hope you were able to give her some comfort.”

  Mrs. Miller nodded. “Jah, and I think the two of us will become good friends. We talked about many things.”

  “I’m glad.” No more needed to be said. Adeline looked out across the fields feeling pleased she’d been there to give Hazel some comfort and that her mother had been able to talk with Hazel’s mother.

  Her good feelings didn’t last long because when she and her mother arrived home, Nella’s buggy was there. Then they saw Nella pacing up and down along the porch. Adeline knew instantly that Nella was upset and she silently made a good guess; her friend’s mood was to do with Joshua.

  “I think I need to talk with her in private, Mamm.”

  Mrs. Miller sighed. “You girls and your boy troubles.”

  “How do you know it’s boy troubles?”

  “I used to be young once, you know. What else is there at your age? Go on, talk to her and I’ll unhitch the buggy. Take as long as you want.” Mrs. Miller’s gaze traveled to the porch. “And from the looks of her, you’re going to take some time.”

  “Denke, Mamm.”

  Adeline climbed down from the buggy and Nella ran to m
eet her.

  “Your schweschder wouldn’t let me in the haus. She said she was sick. She wouldn’t even let me wait in the living room.”

  Adeline shook her head at her sister’s lack of social skills. “I’m sorry. She can be like that sometimes. Anyway, what’s wrong?”

  “How do you know something’s wrong?”

  Adeline whispered, “It’s so obvious even my mudder could tell. I’m guessing things didn’t go too well with Joshua. Didn’t he show up at your onkel’s haus?”

  “He did, but I wish he hadn’t.”

  Adeline glanced over at her mother who was now leading the horse closer to the barn. “Come inside and I’ll make you a cup of hot tea and then we can talk.”

  Nella bit a fingernail. “Denke.”

  When Adeline walked inside, her sister was nowhere in sight. “Where are you, Catherine?”

  “I’m trying to sleep. Will you keep the noise level down?”

  “Sorry, I was just wondering where you were.”

  “Well, I’m trying to sleep, so hush.”

  Adeline and Nella looked at each other.

  Adeline said, “It seems her cold is making her cranky.” After Adeline had put the teakettle on the stove, she sat down at the kitchen table with Nella. “What’s happened?” Adeline asked as she placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her palms.

  Nella shook her head. “It was terrible. He came out there to help my onkel and I could tell right away that he knew it was all a setup. He didn’t stay long at all. He barely stayed long enough to do what he’d come to do before he left.”

  “What did you expect would happen?”

  “Naturally, I thought he would stay longer and talk with me. Now I know he doesn’t like me at all and all I’ve done is embarrass myself.” She blinked back tears.

  “Don’t be upset. He could’ve had somewhere else that he had to be. He might have had other jobs waiting for him.”

  She shook her head. “Nee, I could tell. He was being really cold with me.”

  Adeline didn’t know what to say to comfort her friend.

  Nella continued, “And now Mary Lou will marry him and she doesn’t deserve him at all because she’s just horrible and … and… just mean sometimes.”