Courting Ruth (Love Inspired) by Miller Emma

Author:Miller, Emma [Miller, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Published: 2010-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

“It took forever, and by the time I got back, Eli and Ruth had sold all the strawberries,” Miriam chattered. “Can you believe that?” She dropped the handle of the red wagon. “Your turn, Ruth. This is halfway.”

The evening was so nice that Miriam had suggested the five of them walk to Aunt Martha’s. The shortest way wasn’t by the road but through the apple orchard, down the woods trail and across Uncle Reuben’s meadow.

“All them strawberries,” Susanna echoed. She was wearing a new robin’s-egg-blue dress tonight and was so pleased with herself that she kept hopping from one foot to the other.

“What Miriam’s not telling you is that she abandoned me,” Ruth teased. With a mock sigh, she picked up the handle of the child’s high-sided wagon. She would need to take care not to turn it over in the sandy lane and spill the treats they were bringing to share. As usual, Anna had used her time wisely, and the cookies and molasses doughnuts had already been made when they got home from the sale. The wooden wagon was even heavier to pull this evening because Mam had insisted on bringing three pounds of butter, a gallon of buttermilk and four quarts of strawberries. What Aunt Martha needed with more strawberries, Ruth didn’t know, but it was one of those instances when it was easier to go along with Mam than to argue with her.

“Can’t you walk faster?” Anna asked. “We’ll be late for the prayer.”

“Go on ahead,” Ruth said. “Aunt Martha will be put out if she has to wait.” She didn’t mind pulling the wagon. Anna had done all the baking today, and it was a beautiful night for a walk. Birds were singing in the apple trees; frogs were croaking, and the air smelled sweetly of honeysuckle. “If I’m late, I’ll just sneak in the back.”

“Maybe we should go ahead,” Mam agreed. She stopped beneath the spreading branches of an apple tree. “But I have something I need to talk to you about first, girls. It’s Irwin. Samuel said that the board members have been getting complaints from parents. Some of the other children are saying Irwin started the fire at the schoolhouse. If anyone brings it up tonight, say nothing that will contribute to the gossip.”

“What a terrible thing to accuse him of,” Anna exclaimed.

Miriam considered the accusation. “The poor boy is ornery, but setting the school on fire?”

Ruth looked at her sisters, then at Mam. She wished she could tell Miriam and Anna about seeing Irwin running from the school after the fire broke out, but she’d promised Mam not to tell anyone. As time passed, as difficult as it was to believe that the boy would do such a terrible thing, there were no other suspects, and it seemed as though he might be guilty. And if he was, she didn’t know what would happen. Someone who started fires was dangerous. She hoped that no one would bring in the English police. No matter how serious, it was better to keep Amish trouble in the community.

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