The Amish Matchmaker's Choice by Patricia Johns

Author:Patricia Johns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-02-24T23:58:13+00:00

* * *

Jake could see Adel in the window, and Delia standing behind her. But it was Adel’s serious, clear gaze that met his. What he wouldn’t give for Adel at his side right now, because the four teenagers weren’t responding to any of his attempts to be friendly.

“How come you lived English?” the oldest, Ezekiel, asked. “You were English for a really long time, too. We know an older boy who went English during his Rumspringa, but only for a few months. He was back before spring.”

“I’m glad he came back so quickly,” Jake said. “That was wise of him.”

“Why didn’t you?” Thomas pressed. He was younger than Ezekiel, but stood an inch taller, just about as tall as Jake was. “You’re avoiding the question.”

“You’re speaking to your elder,” Jake said.

“I’m only asking what my mother will ask you,” Ezekiel replied. “She said we could ask you the questions that mattered most to us. And this one matters.”

“There were other pressures,” Jake said. “My father and I didn’t get along, and when he passed away, I didn’t think my uncle would be glad to see me.”

“We lost our father,” Thomas said. “And nothing would chase us away from our responsibilities right here at home.”

“Are you old enough for your Rumspringa?” Jake asked.

“He’s not, but I’m old enough.” Ezekiel met his gaze like an equal. “I’m skipping mine. I don’t need to go wild to find out what’s important.”

“I’m glad to hear you have the maturity,” Jake said. “Your mamm raised you well.”

“My daet raised us all well.” There was some defiance in that gaze.

“We heard you’ve got a farm,” one of the younger boys said. This was Aaron, and he looked to be about fifteen.

“Yah. I will have a farm...” How much was he supposed to say to teenagers? This was a conversation that should be happening between adults. He looked toward the house again. The women weren’t in the window. The boys had been permitted to question him, and they were perceptive, and not inclined to trust him, it seemed. Should he just walk away from them? This was where he needed Adel’s advice.

“You’ll only have the farm if you marry our mamm.” That was from the youngest boy—Moses. “We know that.”

“You want our mamm to marry you for the inheritance,” Ezekiel said. “She’d be useful to you.”

That sparked anger, and Jake sent the boy an annoyed look.

“Women are not tools to be used. I haven’t even discussed this with your mother,” Jake said. “And I won’t discuss it with the four of you.”

“Our mamm said you have to talk to us first,” Moses said, squaring his not-quite-grown shoulders. “We’re the men here.”

Jake sighed. “You’re boys.”

“She didn’t exactly say that,” Thomas said to his brother.

“But she won’t marry him if we tell her we won’t accept him,” Aaron retorted.

Jake rubbed a hand over his eyes.

“What do you want in a wife?” Ezekiel asked.

Jake shut his eyes for a moment, praying for patience. “I want a good woman who loves Gott.

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