The Amish Widower by Virginia Smith

Author:Virginia Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736968669
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

THIRTEEN

When Robbie left me at home that afternoon, I went inside to deliver the sponge pie—minus three pieces—before going to check on the livestock. The women of my family worked in the kitchen with a perfect harmony they had rehearsed daily since Aaron’s marriage. Mamm moved from the stove to the cutting board, and the moment she left the simmering pot, Saloma swept into place behind her with a long spoon to give the contents a stir. Becky whirled from the counter to set a bowl of stewed tomatoes on the table, where Mammi sat peeling turnips, little Sadie at her side carefully pulling pickles from a jar and placing them in a dish.

They exclaimed over the pie, and Mamm fixed a too-innocent look on me. “What a shame we did not have this sooner to offer our visitors.”

The sight of her expression, along with the sudden smile Becky tried to hide by bending over the wash bucket, sent my defenses on high alert.

I made the inquiry Mamm obviously expected, though with a degree of caution. “You had visitors today?”

She nodded. “Susan King stopped by, along with her daughters.”

Leah’s comment about Laura having a mind of her own came back to me. She certainly did, combined with a boldness that many would find unappealing in a young woman. I found it disturbing.

Because their silence held an expectant quality, I voiced a vague comment. “That must have been a nice visit.”

“Laura was disappointed to find you not here.” Mamm continued chopping as she spoke, though now she stood sideways to the counter so she could watch me. “She wanted to ask a favor of you.”

Saloma turned from her stirring. “Why did you not tell us you sent a letter while she was in Philadelphia?”

A sharp reply nearly shot from my mouth. Because you would have acted as you are now, as if a simple letter held more meaning than the apology it contained. Instead, I shrugged. “It was not important enough to mention.” Before she could answer, I asked Mamm, “What favor does she want?”

“She hopes you will go with her to pick out a puppy. Her daed promised to buy her one when she returned.”

So that was one of their tactics in convincing her to return. Bribery. Not uncommon, but a puppy?

I actually laughed, though the sound fell hollow in the room. “Let her daed help her, or her mamm or schweschder.”

Mamm gave me a stern look. “She wants you to take her.”

“I know nothing about dogs. We do not even have one.”

Saloma slid the chopped onions from the cutting board into a bowl. “That is one reason you are a good person to take her. Aaron says we need a dog around here to guard the chickens. He’s seen a fox and her kits prowling around lately.”

Sadie looked up from the pickle jar, eyes sparkling. “Puppy!”

I spared a smile for the child. “Then maybe Aaron should take Laura King. I have no time to shop for dogs.”

Becky speared me with a sharp look.

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