The Amish Bachelor's Bride by Pamela Desmond Wright

Author:Pamela Desmond Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-10-31T14:31:44+00:00

Chapter Eight

Come Easter Sunday, the house was full to the brim. Almost every member of the Mueller familie had arrived to enjoy a day filled with food, fellowship and fun.

Taking command of her kitchen, Lavinia kept a close eye on the pies she’d popped into the oven.

“Twenty more minutes,” she murmured, reminding herself not to let them burn even as she directed the other women where to set the food they’d prepared for the potluck. The countertops overflowed with homemade delicacies. Each woman had contributed her signature dish, which would, in turn, be devoured by hungry men.

As the men were unwilling to sit idle, they’d pitched in to help with the larger repairs that needed to be done outside. Having shown up with his tools in his buggy, Samuel had replaced a few rotting boards on the veranda. Rolf had helped, prying away the old wood and carrying in replacements. Abram was also skilled with a hammer, so he and Noem worked to reset loose posts and mend the broken pickets on the fence. Elam had volunteered to give the house a gut whitewashing. He’d brought some of his Englisch friends to help, and the work progressed at a steady pace. Gabriel tilled the soil in his flower beds. Excited about bringing them back to life, the old man chattered away with Wanetta Graff about the flowers he’d selected. He’d also begun to lay out a vegetable garden and looked forward to the time when he could start sowing the seeds.

The youngies, too, were engaged in a project of their own. While the Amish didn’t have any belief in the Easter Bunny, they still participated in activities like coloring eggs. And though they didn’t have a dedicated church service for the event, there would be a prayer session later to give thanks to Gott. A minister, Abram would deliver the sermon.

Satisfied all was on schedule, Lavinia poured herself a fresh cup of coffee from the pot brewing on the stove. Her feet ached from standing all morning. She longed to sit down and have a break. But there was too much to do. Up at dawn, she’d hurried to get herself and the kinder ready to greet company. She took a sip of the caffeinated brew and released a sigh.

“A penny for your pondering,” Annalise said, jarring her thoughts.

“Is that all they’re worth?”

“You tell me.”

“Just thinking about the changes in my life. My head’s still spinning. I’ve barely had a minute to catch my breath.”

Annalise frowned. “I know you were pressed because the house sold. But you always had a place to go. You know that. You didn’t have to marry Noem. My spare bedroom was always open to you and Sophie.”

Returning to the stove, Lavinia topped off her coffee. The percolator was running empty, so she discarded the dregs and set a fresh one to brewing.

“I could have stayed with familie. But it’s not what I wanted.”

“You’re braver than I am.” Annalise shook her head. “Taking on an ehmann and two little ones on short notice.

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