A Simple Kiss (The Amish Bonnet Sisters Book 3)

by Samantha Price

  “Would you write to me?”

  That was it? Instead of heaving a large sigh, she contained it and nodded. “Of course, I’ll write.”

  The serious look hadn’t left his face. “I'm hoping there’s something good in our future for the both of us.”

  “Me too. Time will tell.”

  His face softened when he laughed. “Not too much time, I hope. Might we see our friendship as something a little more while we write?”

  “Jah. I thought that's what we were doing by agreeing to write to one another.”

  He nodded. “Good, I just wanted us both to be clear. Communication is very important in a relationship.”

  She wondered how often he’d write and what she’d write in return. Lots of things happened at the orchard, but most of it wasn't very interesting. He wouldn't want to know the latest dramas with the girls. Maybe she could tell him about the orchard and he could write to her about his farm.

  Florence liked the way he got to the point about things. A man like that would love her and cherish her. That was how she wanted to be treated by her husband and in return, she’d be a good wife.

  She watched him get into the buggy. Once he'd picked up the reins, he moved them into one hand, and gave her a wave before he steered the horse and buggy down the long driveway.

  Wilma hurried out to join her. “Well? Did he mention marriage?”

  Florence put a hand over her mouth and giggled. “Nee, he didn’t. But we’re going to write to each other.”

  “He didn't discuss marriage at all?” Mamm’s eyes opened wide.

  “Nee, but I know he likes me. I think he knows me well enough to know that I'm not the kind of person who’d rush into something.”

  “Like Cherish?”

  It wasn't only Cherish it was Honor, and possibly Joy as well, but Florence didn't want to say it. “I wasn't speaking about anybody. I think there could be something special between us. It’s not a crazy kind of love at first sight or anything, it’s more of a dependable kind of love.”

  “I agree, and he'd make a fine husband. Now, do you forgive me for allowing Honor to get married?”

  “It's your choice. There’s nothing to forgive. I wouldn't have allowed it, but that doesn’t matter.”

  “When we have a moment alone, I’ll tell you exactly why I allowed it and then you’ll see there are at least two sides to a thing.”

  “Jah, there are. The right side and the wrong side.”

  Mamm shook her head. “What about the inside and the outside? We’ll have that talk as soon as we’re alone. Maybe when the girls are in bed.”

  “I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say.”

  Mamm chuckled. “I'm so pleased you met Ezekiel. Ada’s done well choosing men for you girls.”

  “She didn't choose Jonathon, or come to think of it, Isaac.”

  “Well, it's two out of four. And we didn't ask her to find anyone for Joy or Honor.”

  “Let’s get in out of the cold,” Florence suggested.

  Chapter 15

  Over breakfast the next day, Mamm announced they needed Cherish back to help with the wedding preparations.

  Honor groaned. “Nee, Mamm. You know how she thinks she’s in love with Jonathon? How can I have her around at my wedding?”

  “She’s your schweschder. You can’t leave her out of it.”

  “Nee! You can’t do this to me.”

  Florence said, “How about she comes back just a day or two before. That way, everyone will be so busy it won’t matter.”

  Honor shook her head. “I’ve got a better idea. How about she doesn’t come back until the day, or even better, the day after.”

  “I’ll arrange for her to come back two days before, and I hope Dagmar can come with her. She’ll have to find someone to look after her farm—I hope she's able to.”

  “Please, don’t have a lot of attendants if you want me to sew,” Florence told Honor.

  “Nee, I’m only having Joy.”

  Everyone looked at Joy, who looked delighted.

  “I knew you’d choose her,” Favor said.

  “She’s the next closest in age, that’s all. I’m not choosing favorites.”

  “That’s fine by me.”

  “And, the men already have suits. Jonathon has the one he wore to Stephen’s wedding and he’s happy to wear that one again.”

  That was good news to Florence’s ears. “You don’t mind him not being in a new one?”

  “Nee, it’s a waste. It’s money we can put toward our home when we get one.”

  Mamm and Florence exchanged smiles.

  When Honor and Joy went to work at the markets, Florence sent Favor and Hope to clean the laundry room. She was anxious to hear what Mamm had to say about allowing Honor and Jonathon to marry. It sounded like Wilma had a story to tell. After Florence made two cups of coffee, she settled down with Mamm in the living room.

  “Mamm, now we’re alone …”

  “I can see you're still annoyed, Florence. Do you want to talk about it, or wait a bit?”

  “Jah. Please begin. You said you’d tell me more when we were alone, and now we’re alone.” A wave of emotion came over Florence. It was awful having to discipline the girls when Mamm had the final say. “First Mercy and Stephen got married, which I suppose is fine because we all know they get on great. But now you've given Honor permission to marry Jonathon. Jonathon, of all people. And next, before we know what will happen, Joy will marry Isaac.” She paused, drawing a breath.

  “I know, but you like Isaac.”

  “That's not the issue. I'm worried that they're all getting married too young.”

  “They’re marrying when they fall in love.”

  “But, are they old enough to know what love is?”

  A small smile hinted around the edges of Mamm’s lips. “Florence, let me tell you what I know. There was a woman I knew very well.”

  “Before you tell me a story, let me tell you one. There is a woman I know very well and she thought she was in love. After she married in haste, she had years of misery before Gott turned it around. I just don't think those years of misery were worth it. People say marriage takes work, but does it have to be that hard? And, perhaps it wouldn’t be so much work if one chose one’s husband more carefully. Those are some of my thoughts from what I’ve seen.”

  Mamm’s eyebrows rose. “Florence, if you will listen to me, you’ll see why I haven't put my foot down to stop your sisters from marrying.”

  “Go on.”

  “There was a woman who was very much in love with a man in the same community, but her parents thought she was too young.”

  “How young?”

  “She was sixteen and the young man was eighteen. Their parents refused to allow them to marry. He went on to marry someone else years later.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “Ah, that's a totally different story. Heartbroken that their parents wouldn't allow them to see one another, she left the community thinking that would make their parents agree to the marriage. It didn’t happen. She got in with the wrong crowd, and became pregnant, or she might’ve already been pregnant before she left. That’s my guess. Away from her friends and family and as an unmarried mother, she faced many struggles and her life was ruined.”

  “Who was it, Mamm?” Many scenarios ran through Florence’s mind. She couldn’t have been talking about herself, could she?

  “I might as well tell you. To you, she’d be your step-Aunt Iris.”

  Florence tried to make sense of everything. She knew there wasn’t an Iris on her father's side and she was sure her stepmother only had one bruder, Onkel Tom—and his wife's name was Ruth.

  “I have a step-aunt, Aunt Iris? Is she your schweschder?”

  “Jah. My younger schweschder. I haven't seen her for many years. She stopped by one day when I was pregnant with Mercy, and I told her she should leave. Something that I regret to this very day.”

  “You can
't blame yourself. You thought you were doing the right thing.”

  “It doesn't matter what I thought. I've learned since then that closing my heart off to others doesn't help them. I mean, how could it?”

  “Don't be so hard on yourself.”

  “I’ve never heard from her again. I think about her every day, hoping she’ll find the courage to knock on my door.”

  Florence swallowed hard. That explained why Mamm was so soft on everyone. She’d been hard on her own sister and, as a result, lived with not knowing where Iris was or whether she was okay. And, Mamm had to wonder what had become of the boppli.

  “I don't know what might happen, but do you see now why I am not standing in their way?”

  Florence nodded. “I do. You're afraid if you stop them, they’ll do something drastic.”

  “Well, also, imagine her heartbreak to learn that the man she loved and probably still does to this day is married to someone else.”

  Florence thought about that for a moment. “I wouldn't want any of my sisters to leave the community over a man.”

  “Honor very nearly did.”

  “I guess there are two different ways of looking at these things, aren't there? There is the story of my friend, and then there’s Iris.”

  Mamm nodded. “And they’re both true.”

  “And we’re both trying to do the best we can for the girls.”

  “That's true. But I truly think at their ages they know their own minds.”

  “I'm sorry, Mamm, but I know when I was sixteen, I would have chosen a very different man compared to the one I’d choose today. Sixteen is not old enough.”

  “I must disagree with that.”

  “Denke for telling me about your sister. It's a sad story when you're not in love with the person you marry. You were in love with Dat, weren’t you?”

  “From as far back as I can remember.” She giggled.

  “Only after my mamm died though, right?”

  “Of course.”

  Florence smiled. She’d only remembered her father with Wilma. From what she remembered, they’d been in love. They were always talking to each other, and they always agreed on everything.

  “Our coffees have gone cold.”

  Florence giggled. “I’ll make us more.” She stood up, and leaned over and hugged Wilma. “I hope one day we’ll find out what happened to your schweschder.”

  “If Gott wills it, we will.”

  Chapter 16

  The weeks flew by and Florence was so busy organizing the household and the wedding, she hadn’t had any time for herself. Now just two days remained before the wedding and it was time for Cherish to come home.

  At five in the evening, Wilma excitedly yelled out, “She's here!”

  Florence went to the kitchen window and looked out. Caramel, Cherish’s dog, was out of the car first, and then Cherish stepped out looking none too happy. The expression on her face was exactly the same as the one she had worn when she left. Florence was immediately filled with dread. With so much left to do they didn't need any more complications.

  The girls raced out to greet her and Florence was the last one. A tiny smile met Cherish's lips as her sisters hugged her in turn. Then Caramel charged at Florence pulling the leash out of Cherish’s hand.

  Florence bent down to pat him as he jumped up at her. “How have you been, boy?”

  “It seems like you're more pleased to see Caramel than me.”

  She looked up to see Cherish right there. What she said was true, but Florence couldn't admit it.

  “It's so nice to have you home,” Florence stood up and hugged her, while Caramel ran onto the grass.

  “I've got your bag, Cherish. I'll take it up to your room.”

  “Denke, Favor.”

  All the girls ran after Cherish to hear about her stay with Dagmar. That left Florence and Mamm standing at the bottom of the stairs.

  “I know we haven't talked about this, but do you intend for Cherish to stay?” Florence asked.

  “I've made no promises to her. Aunt Dagmar’s pleased for her to go back to her. She’s pleased for the companionship.”

  “So, you will send her back if she hasn't changed?”

  “Jah, I don't want her to get into any kind of trouble.”

  Florence nodded as she recalled the conversation they’d had recently about Wilma’s long-lost sister.

  That night, when everyone was seated around the dinner table, Cherish began with the stories. “Aunt Dagmar has this tiny bird that she keeps in a cage. His name’s Timmy. And all I hear all day is, Timmy, Timmy, Timmy. She’s trying to teach him to talk.”

  The girls giggled.

  “I can't tell you how annoying I find it. 'Timmy, Timmy,'” she tried to mimic Dagmar’s voice and all the girls laughed louder.

  “You should be grateful she’s welcomed you with open arms,” Mamm said.

  “If she hadn't wanted me, where would you have sent me?”

  “Somewhere really bad,” Florence chipped in.

  Cherish’s eyes grew wide as she stared back at Florence. “It is really bad, Florence. Haven't you been listening to what I've been saying?”

  “Nee, all I've heard is you being rude about a person who's been kind. It wouldn’t hurt you at all to develop some patience and gratitude.”

  That kept everyone quiet for a few moments, until Cherish started once more. “I feel like a prisoner there. I don't have to go back there again, do I?”

  “I told you, you can stay here as long as you behave.”

  Honor said, “And don't imagine that Jonathon likes you, please don't think that he does. He’s marrying me. Anyway, you're far too young.”

  Cherish’s face screwed up. “I didn't like him. Not like that,” she insisted, but everyone knew she was making that up. Florence took a large drink of water, and when she put the glass down, Cherish said to her, “I hear you have a boyfriend.”

  Florence hadn't thought about Ezekiel as a boyfriend, but perhaps that’s what he was. “Maybe I do.”

  “I heard he’s a pig farmer. I bet he smells awful, a bit like a pig, or pig swill, or even pig manure.”

  Amongst a flurry of giggles, Mamm said, “Cherish, you shouldn't say such things.”

  “He does smell—he smells nice,” Florence said, trying to make light of things.

  Cherish’s eyes danced with mischief. “Ah, so you've been close enough to smell him, have you?”

  Mamm shook her head at her youngest. “No more, Cherish, or you'll be sent to your room.”

  Hope whispered in Cherish’s ear, but it was loud enough for Florence to hear, “Don't say any more or they’ll send you right back.”

  Cherish put her head down and then looked back up at Mamm and then Florence, as though summing them up. “I believe it,” she muttered back.

  “I hope everyone is ready to do a lot of work tomorrow," said Mamm. "We’ve got a big day ahead of us. All the ladies are coming to give the haus a going-through. Then the day after, we’ll concentrate on the food.”

  “I was hoping to have a rest. Can't I have a rest?” Cherish whined. “I'm tired from all the traveling.”

  “You’ll get a good sleep tonight and you'll be okay,” Mamm said.

  Cherish played with her food. “At least I know how to make baskets now.”

  “You should've brought some with you,” Joy said.

  “I'd like to know how to make baskets,” Favor said.

  “I can show everyone, if I get to stay here.”

  Favor leaned forward. “Was it really that bad?”

  “I like Aunt Dagmar. I didn’t at first, but then I got to like her. When she’s not talking to Timmy, that is. The thing I don’t like is, she lives out in the middle of nowhere and I feel like a prisoner. When I’m feeling sad, Dagmar starts talking to her stupid bird, trying to make him talk and that makes me feel worse.”

  Mamm smiled a little, and then coughed to cover it up. “What did Caramel think of the bird?”
>
  “Nothing, nothing at all. He just ignored him.” Cherish sighed. “I can't believe that there's just four of us left now.”

  Favor giggled. “Joy will be marrying Isaac next.”

  Florence suddenly realized they’d have to close down the stall at the farmers market. It wasn’t practical for them to keep it going.

  Joy shook her head when everyone stared at her. “That won't be happening. Not for years and years. Not for a couple of years, anyway. I'm in no rush, not like the rest of you.”

  “We aren't,” Favor said. “I'm not.”

  “Neither am I,” said Hope. “Maybe if there was someone I liked, I might be in a hurry, but there’s no one for me.”

  “Well, if Florence can find someone, anyone can,” said Cherish.

  “Denke, Cherish.” The comment was said to upset Florence, but she wasn't going to let what Cherish said bother her.

  Mamm glared at her youngest. “It's not a very nice thing to say.”

  “Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I'm so sorry, Florence.”

  Florence smiled at her, figuring it was the best thing to do. “The ladies will be arriving early in the morning. We’ve got a busy day of cleaning ahead of us.”

  “The place is already clean, if you ask me,” Favor said.

  Mamm smiled. “It’ll be cleaner than clean by the end of the day tomorrow.”

  Chapter 17

  The day after next—the day before the wedding—a crowd of women gathered at the house to cook, just as they had for cleaning the previous day. Even Jonathon came to see if he could be of any help. Wanting to keep Jonathon and Cherish far apart, Florence knew she’d have to keep him busy with jobs far away from Cherish.

  For his first task, Florence asked him to go to the building that they operated as a shop, at the front of their property, to count the cakes that they’d stored there. Florence knew exactly what was there and how many of each, but Jonathon didn’t know that.

  When she went back to her own task, she noticed Cherish was leaving the cleaning task she’d been given, assisting with dishes for the cooks.

  Florence quickly asked Favor to temporarily take over Cherish's task. When she stepped out onto the porch, she saw Cherish hurrying down the path that led to the shop. She was deliberately following Jonathon. This wasn’t good.