An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid

Author:Ruth Reid
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2015-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Micah stormed into the kitchen behind Abigail. “You certainly are quick to talk and slow to listen. You—you disregard the rules. You’re blatantly defiant, is what you are.”

Abigail didn’t so much as flinch at his words. She merely opened the cabinet drawer, removed the bread knife, and began slicing the loaf.

“The Ordnung clearly directs us nett to break bread or fellowship with shunned individuals. You know the rules and yet you expect me to invite him to mei table?”

She twisted toward him, wagging the knife. “I expect you to have compassion.”

His jaw twitched. In other words, she expected him to bend over backward for a man who wasn’t part of the fold.

“Your food is on the table,” she said.

He leaned against the counter beside her and folded his arms over his chest. The woman was impossible. He was a fool to be mixed up with her. Before the week was over she would have him standing before the bishop, giving account for his involvement.

Abigail opened the jar of peanut butter, dipped the knife inside, and pulled out a glob, then slathered the slice of bread rather thickly.

He cleared his throat, which drew her attention. Micah eyed the sandwich she was making. “Thomas must love peanut butter.”

“Even a horse that works all day in the field is fed extra oats,” Abigail mumbled. She dipped the knife back into the jar and plopped another mound on the bread. “Jesus didn’t send the multitude away when they were hungry. He fed them.”

“Jah, I know.”

“Do you think Jesus sat on the other side of the mountain so He didn’t have to fellowship with the sinners?”

Micah clenched his jaw.

“Of course He didn’t. He had a heart for the lost.” She exaggerated a shrug. “Shouldn’t our actions and compassion toward others reflect His?” Her piercing eyes held his gaze.

Micah turned his attention to the sandwich. “That’s a lot of peanut butter for someone to—”

“I’ll replace the jar tomorrow.” She punctuated each syllable through clenched teeth.

Micah pushed away from the counter and went to the far cabinet. He removed his father’s thermos from the shelf, then filled it with milk. “If you’d give someone else a chance to talk,” he said, setting the thermos on the counter in front of her, “maybe you’d discover I’m nett as inconsiderate as you think.” He motioned to the sandwich. “All that peanut butter will stick to the roof of his mouth if he doesn’t have something to wash it down with.”

The lines softened between her big green eyes.

“Danki.” She quickly collected the sandwich and container of milk, then headed toward the foyer.

“Hey.” He rushed after her. “I wanted to talk with you about tomorrow.” He reached the door at the same time and grasped her hand when she went to turn the knob. Her face angled toward him at the same time he moved closer. For a half second, they were nose to nose.

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