The Matchmaker_An Amish Tale of Jane Austen's Emma by Sarah Price

Author:Sarah Price [Price, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Denominations & Sects, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Amish Christianity, Pennsylvania Dutch, Traditional, Clean Romance, Farming & Animals, Simple Living, Plain Clothes, Mennonite, Buggy Travel, Amish Country, Amish Courting, Old Fashion Ways, German Language, Hearts Desire, Bible Teaching, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, The Amish Classics, Jane Austen's Emma
Publisher: Realms
Published: 2015-02-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON Emma returned home later than anticipated from the applesauce canning at the Blanks. It had been almost one o’clock when she left, and she took advantage of the mobility that having the buggy provided to stop at the natural food store, which was only a mile out of her way. She needed to replenish some of the staples in her pantry, and the stop would save her a trip on the following day. More importantly, with such a hectic and emotional week behind her, she was looking forward to a quiet Saturday at home. She needed the time to relax, reflect, and recuperate.

As expected, the applesauce canning was a long, drawn-out affair. While there were several young women there, including her friend Rachel, and many of the older women from the neighborhood who should have distracted her and kept her entertained, it became evident that this was not to be. The conversation, which usually would have delighted Emma, focused on two things and two things only: Francis Wagler’s return to Lititz and Jane’s surprise visit from Holmes County. Neither topic interested Emma and, with Jane’s continued ability to respond to questions without actually responding, Emma quickly lost the inclination to even pretend an interest in the discussions.

After peeling and coring dozens of apples, and being forced to listen to Hetty’s endless prattle about Jane—almost as if Jane were not sitting there to engage in the conversation herself, something she apparently rarely did—Emma was more than ready to leave when the last jar of applesauce was sealed in the water bath canner and the small kitchen was cleaned. Hetty had wanted her to stay and sit for a while, perhaps have some coffee and a piece of cake that she had prepared the previous day for her guests. Emma, however, had no intentions of staying even one minute longer. With feigned regret, she made her apologies for not being able to linger.

“I really must leave,” she said. “Daed will surely be expecting me soon.”

Hetty frowned. “It won’t be the same without you, Emma.”

At that, Emma merely smiled. “That’s most kind, but you do have Jane here to delight you with lovely conversation and stories about Ohio!”

Nobody noticed the sarcasm in her voice.

Hetty merely nodded her head in agreement. “This is true! Oh, bless Jane’s heart for making such a long journey!”

With a big sigh of relief, Emma hurried outside to put the harness on her horse and hitch it to the buggy. The horse could not trot fast enough to carry her away from the Blanks’ home.

By the time that she finished shopping at the food store, it was almost two o’clock. She had run into a few of her friends at the store and paused to catch up on the latest news. To her dismay, they too only wanted to talk about the unexpected arrival of both Francis and Jane. Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Emma had barely been able to keep a smile on her face as she listened to the excited gushing of her friends.

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