The Christmas Aprons by Tricia Goyer

Author:Tricia Goyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2014-08-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Ammon led Esther down the snowy street to his sister’s house. He glanced down at her gloved hand. Would it be too bold to reach out and take it? He hadn’t meant to have feelings for her. He hadn’t even known whose pie it was when he placed that bid, but he knew that God knew. Was it possible that God had brought them together?

Ammon had spent much of the night trying to figure out what drew him to Esther, and he decided it was her demut. Humility was given a high value among the Amish, but sometimes it was just a show. Esther, on the other hand, seemed truly surprised when someone acknowledged or appreciated her. She seemed tonguetied and unsure of what to say.

He was still trying to decide whether or not to hold her hand when Esther’s feet went out from under her on an especially icy spot. Ammon reached out and grabbed her, holding her up by her shoulders.

“Whoa!” She reached out and clung to his arms, pausing to regain her footing. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome—it is slippery out here. You can hold on to my arm if you’d like.”

She stepped closer and tucked her arm under his, holding tight. “Ja, danki. I appreciate that.” The night was still and the snow glowed in the fading moonlight. Yet, as they neared the home, they heard voices . . . of children.

He paused at the door and glanced over at Esther. Both surprise and humor shone in her eyes at the commotion. “Are you ready for this?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be!”

He opened the door and stepped in. Within seconds, a passel of children gathered around them. Ammon was surprised that the younger children hardly paid any attention to Esther. Instead, they grabbed his arm and dragged him to their mem’s rocking chair that was set in front of the fire.

“Tell us a story! Tell us a story!” they called out.

A woman hurried from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “I’m sorry that they didn’t even say hello.” She nodded to Esther. “I’m Polly.” She swooped her hand in an arch. “Welcome to our home and our chaotic life.”

Esther laughed. “Your children are beautiful . . . and . . .” She tried to find the right word as she watched Ammon sit and a half dozen children clamor for space on his lap.

“And active, I know.” Polly blew out a heavy breath and then tucked her hair up in her kapp. She motioned to the kitchen and Esther followed. Polly moved to a large pot of stew that was simmering on the stove and stirred it.

“Do you want a big family someday, Esther?” She placed the spoon on a spoon rest and turned.

Esther pulled back slightly at the direct question. How serious did Polly think her relationship with Ammon was?

“Ja, of course. I love children. I’ve been a maude for many years. I love caring for bopplis and . . .” Esther didn’t know what else to say.

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