Two Suitors for Anna Read online

  “She’s a sweet and kind woman. I’m thrilled for both of you. Do you think you’ll wait till November?”

  The tense moments they had experienced earlier melted away. The man’s happiness about his news had lightened Daniel’s mood. “Anna and I haven’t discussed a date yet. We’re still getting acquainted.”

  “It’s wise to spend time together and ensure you’re both well suited for each other. You tell me when you and Anna are ready, and we’ll announce the date to the members in church a month beforehand.”

  As soon as Anna agreed to marry him, he’d not waste any time setting a date for their wedding. He hoped Butch would calm down and they could get on with their lives.

  The bishop was quiet for a few minutes. Another awkward silence loomed. Was he going to mention his displeasure about Daniel speaking with the sheriff about Butch Winter again? Daniel thought he’d smoothed this over with the bishop.

  Daniel stole a glance at the man. His face serious, he had his arms crossed against his round middle in deep concentration. Daniel would endure the silence and wait for the bishop to speak.

  “You were in a bad position with Butch, and you had to tell the sheriff your concerns. I understand you had to act quickly. Your decision was right this time.” He drummed his fingers on his knee. “Hmm . . . maybe Mrs. Plank should consider sending Leah to live with Noah’s aunt and uncle in Lancaster for a couple of months until Butch settles down.”

  Daniel’s stomach churned. He didn’t want the Planks to have ties to Noah and his family. “I would rather we not ask Leah to leave. She’s a big help to her family and to Anna at the shop, and they are close. We have no guarantee Butch wouldn’t travel there and harm her. How would Noah and the Schwartzes protect her?”

  The bishop shrugged. “I just thought putting distance between Leah and Butch Winter might discourage him and he’d tire of tormenting her.”

  Daniel turned down the lane to Mr. Winter’s haus. It would be hard to miss on the edge of town with its big sign WINTER’S FARM out front, many rows of tobacco plants, beautiful garden, and impressive hay field. He had no trouble finding the property.

  Relief eased through Daniel’s shoulders. He halted the wagon and tied the horse to the hitching post. Mr. Winter ceased sweeping his front porch and propped his broom beside the front door. He walked across the yard to greet them. “I don’t believe we’ve met. How may I help you? I’m George Winter, and please call me George.” The tall, robust man resembled his son’s physical appearance, but not his arrogant demeanor. He had kind eyes and a cheerful voice.

  They shook hands with George. “I’m Bishop Weaver, and with me is Daniel Bontrager.”

  Daniel smiled and tipped his hat. “Call me Daniel.”

  Winter made a sweeping gesture toward the house. “We can sit on the chairs on the porch.”

  The bishop and Daniel went to the porch and settled in shiny new maple high-backed chairs. “Danki for your time.”

  “Lemonade?”

  “No, we’re fine.” The bishop told George of Butch’s aggression at the shop and their suspicions about the accident with Beth and Leah and their wagon on their way home from church.

  George groaned and shook his head. “I’m sorry. Our son’s a bully, and he’s been a problem for my wife and me for a while. His crimes are increasing in seriousness, and I’m worried he’ll hurt someone real bad. I’ve disciplined him in every way possible, and nothing works.” He sighed and raised his arms. “I’ll have a serious conversation with him. I pay him well for the work he does for me. When I threaten to throw him out, he behaves for a few weeks. I’ll do what I can.”

  Daniel shook the man’s hand again. “Danki for your help.”

  The bishop nodded, and they bid George Winter farewell.

  Climbing into the wagon, Daniel jerked his head to the lane. Butch’s horse raced toward them.

  The bishop got in. “Let’s get out of here!”

  The angry young man yanked his horse to a rearing stop, blocking their wagon. He glared at them. “What are you stinking Amish doing here?”

  “Son, leave these men alone.”

  Butch stood his ground.

  “Bishop Weaver and Daniel were leaving. Let them go. Come inside. We have important matters to discuss.”

  Butch sneered and beetled his brow. “What did you tell my father?”

  Daniel didn’t flinch at the man’s angry gaze.

  The bishop swiveled toward the scowling young man. “We mean you and your family no harm. We have stated our purpose to your daed and he will explain to you why we are here. Please let us leave in peace.”

  Butch snatched the leads from Daniel. “You’re not going anywhere. Get out of the wagon.”

  George threw open the front door, reached in, and retrieved his rifle. He fired off two shots toward the sky.

  The young man jumped and scowled at his daed.

  Daniel grabbed the leather leads from the troublemaker and flicked them hard. The horse bolted and the wagon bounced over the ruts down the lane. He held his breath for a moment and hoped the dangerous young man wouldn’t pursue them. He yelled at his horse. “Go boy, go!”

  The bishop shuddered. “I owe you an apology. You were wise to notify the sheriff. Butch Winter is a dangerous man.”

  Daniel respected the bishop, but the man had set his teeth on edge questioning him about alerting the sheriff. Weighing the facts, he’d proceeded quickly to avoid the Planks’ being harmed. There hadn’t been time for Daniel to consult with the bishop before alerting the sheriff. Butch’s threatening actions had been unfortunate, but he wasn’t sorry the bishop witnessed the man’s reckless anger firsthand. Bishop Weaver now had a clearer picture of the evil troublemaker’s violent nature. Mr. Winter had his hands full. Sighing, Daniel shook his head. The incidents today had been sad and frightening.

  The bishop’s hands trembled as he rested them on his knees. “The young Englischer is a menace. He had his eye on you. I fear he’ll seek to harm you and Leah.”

  “The sheriff will be keeping a watchful eye, and I’ll be alert. I’m a light sleeper. If he kummes to the Planks’, I’ll hear him. Otis has a keen ear. He’ll bark at any hint of an intruder.”

  Daniel stopped in front of the bishop’s haus. “Danki for talking with Mr. Winter, Bishop Weaver. On a happier note, I can’t wait to tell Anna I spoke with you about our growing interest in each other. She’ll be delighted we have your blessing.”

  “Jah, you most certainly do have my blessing. You’ve impressed the men in the community. Doing repairs for many of them has given you a chance to get acquainted. I’ve observed you in the services every other Sunday, and I’m happy with what your friends say and what I’ve observed.” He sighed. “Be careful, son, and keep me informed.”

  “Will do. Good night.” Daniel turned the wagon around, drove home, packed a bag with clothes, and grabbed his toolbox and threw them in the back of the wagon. “Kumme on, Otis.”

  Otis jumped in and settled on the bench next to him. He hurried to the Planks’ and told them what had transpired with Butch and Mr. Winter.

  Anna handed him a ham sandwich on a plate with cut cubes of cheese on the side. “You must be starved. I’ll sleep better with you here tonight.” She filled a bowl with table scraps and offered it to Otis. “Here you go, you good boy. It will be a comfort having you here too.” She petted the dog’s head.

  Otis put his nose in the bowl and didn’t look up until he’d polished off every last morsel.

  Beth wiped milk from her upper lip. “I like having Daniel and Otis here too.” She poured Daniel a glass of water and passed it to him.

  “Danki, little one.”

  Leah moaned. “I’m to blame, and I’m so ashamed. The bishop must hate me.”

  “Nonsense.” Mamm covered Leah’s hand. “He doesn’t hate you. He cares about you.”

  Daniel bit his lip. “The bishop suggested you inquire if Noah’s aunt and uncle would consider Leah staying wit
h them in Lancaster until Butch simmers down.”

  Anna splayed her fingers on the table. “We’ll not abandon her by handing her off to another family. Noah chose a life away from us. Sending Leah to live with his family would be awkward for everyone. Leah’s leaving Berlin isn’t an option I’m willing to consider!”

  This was a side of Anna he hadn’t observed. She was upset. He didn’t blame her. The bishop had raised the hairs on his neck when he mentioned Leah leaving Berlin. He would keep silent.

  Mamm stamped her foot. “Anna Plank, you calm down. The bishop has her best interest at heart. I’ve forgiven Leah, but she is responsible for her error in judgment. We, as a family, have to deal with the consequences. I agree we won’t send her away. We will stand our ground and ask God for His protection and guidance.” She refilled Daniel’s water glass. “Daniel, we are blessed we have you here to watch over us.”

  “I will do what I can to keep your family safe. I’m confident the sheriff will too.”

  Otis wagged his tail and barked.

  Beth laughed, knelt on the floor, and petted the dog. “Otis is trying to get my attention.” She petted his head. “You’re a good boy.” She gave Mamm her best puppy dog expression. “Can Otis sleep in my bed? Please, Mamm?”

  Leah raised her sad face to her Mamm’s. “I’d rest easier if you’d let Otis stay in our room tonight.”

  Scratching the dog’s back, Mamm looked at Beth. “He can stay in your room if Daniel agrees.” She rolled her shoulders and stretched her arms. “I can hardly keep my eyes open. Let’s go to bed.”

  Daniel grinned. “It’s fine with me if Otis sleeps in your room.”

  Beth bounced on her toes. “Danki, Daniel!”

  Mamm, Leah, and Beth bid Daniel good night and left him and Anna alone at the kitchen table.

  Otis stayed close to Beth.

  Anna’s face softened and she slumped in her chair.

  Daniel fought to reach out and gently cover her hand. She had a fierce love for her family. Noah should’ve understood leaving them would’ve ripped her heart in two. His family had been close, but the Planks had a tighter bond. It hadn’t taken him much time to recognize their bond. He enjoyed being accepted into their snug, warm circle. “I’ll get up early and help with the morning milking and feeding the animals before I take you to the shop.”

  He followed Anna to the sitting room and watched her unfold the clean set of sheets and blankets and make the bed. She fluffed the feather-stuffed pillow and put it on the cot. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

  She spoiled him by fixing his bedding and serving him food. Her eyelids were heavy and her shoulders slumped. He longed to kiss her good night, but he wouldn’t dare. “No, I’m fine.” He threw her an impish grin. “I had an interesting conversation with the bishop about you.”

  Anna lifted her eyebrows. “Me?”

  “Jah. I told him I asked you to consider marrying me when you were ready.”

  A mischievous grin crossed her lips. “You didn’t actually ask me to marry you.”

  “Anna Plank, asking you to consider me for a husband is the same as asking you to marry me.” He wrinkled his nose and shrugged. “Am I right?”

  She lifted her left shoulder and raised her eyebrows. A coy smile tugged the corners of her sweet mouth.

  He’d mishandled asking her to marry him. He should make his proposal a formal one. Kneeling on one knee, he took her hand in his. “Anna Plank, I love you. Will you marry me?”

  “Why, Daniel Bontrager, I’d be thrilled to!” She clasped his hand. “Do you mind keeping our news a secret for a while? I’m not ready to set a date. I’d like us to continue spending time together and to wait until the unpleasantness with Butch is over. Surely he’ll soon leave us alone.” Daniel’s proposal had sprung happiness in her soul, put a bounce in her step, and had met all her expectations. They didn’t have any problems between them putting her nerves on edge, unlike when Noah had proposed before he left. She looked forward to building a life with him, becoming the mamm of their kinner, and couldn’t wait to share her life with him.

  Daniel clapped a hand to his chest. His heart raced. He and Anna were getting married! “We can wait, but I’d marry you tomorrow if I could!” He lowered his voice barely above a whisper. “I’d kiss you if I didn’t think your mamm or schweschders might walk in on us.”

  She chuckled. “I wouldn’t object if it wasn’t so risky.” She tapped his nose. “I love you, Daniel.”

  “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world tonight.” He brushed her fingers with his. “Get a good night’s rest.”

  She left him and shut the door.

  Daniel got on his knees and folded his hands. “Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me where I have failed You. Please protect me and the Planks from Butch Winter. Guide me to the right decisions. Danki for Your love and mercy. Amen.”

  After rising, he went to bed in his stocking feet and clothes. He didn’t want to worry about being indecent if something happened during the night. He got comfortable in his cot and stretched the soft covers to his neck. Staring at the ceiling, he patted his racing heart. Bursting with excitement, he doubted he’d sleep a wink tonight. Mrs. Anna Bontrager. His fraa. He couldn’t wait to have her by his side.

  Crash!

  Otis ran to the door and barked.

  Daniel leapt to his feet, opened the door, and scanned the grounds. There was quiet in the dark night. The only light came from the full moon illuminating the barnyard. A gray tiger cat scurried off the porch. The animal had knocked an old, empty metal water pitcher off a small oak table.

  Otis sailed past him and shot off after the cat.

  He whistled sharply. “Otis! Kumme back to the haus!” He and the Planks didn’t need any further commotion from these rascals tonight.

  Tail between his legs and head down, Otis padded reluctantly back inside.

  Anna poked her head out her door. “What caused the noise?”

  Her long, beautiful braid hung over her shoulder, and he blinked in surprise. His breath caught at the sight of her, radiant, even when sleepy. “A stray cat. Go back to bed. Everything is fine, sweetheart.”

  She yawned, nodded, and closed the door.

  He got back in bed. For the first time since he’d met her, Anna didn’t have her kapp on. Her braid had been much longer than he’d thought. She is so pretty and sweet. He would do everything in his power to protect her.

  He swallowed the lump in his throat. Tonight the intrusion was an animal. What if the noise had been caused by Butch? He squeezed his eyes shut in anger. He’d never encountered a man as mean as Butch Winter. The bully was determined to inflict harm on him and the Planks. He doubted talking sensibly to the troublemaker would dampen his resolve to punish them because of Leah’s rejection of him. His Amish vow to remain nonviolent would be sorely challenged if Butch raised a hand or gun to someone he loved. Most especially Anna.

  * * *

  Monday morning, Anna cooked eggs and pancakes with Mamm while stealing glances out the window. Daniel was feeding the hog notorious for escaping the pen the minute the door opened. He had a close eye on the animal. Her schweschders were feeding the chickens. It was as if she’d known him all her life. Yet she looked forward to learning more about his life before he came to Berlin. They had finished the early morning milking, feeding the animals, and collecting the eggs. Daniel had completed most of the chores and he played hide-and-seek with Beth and teased Leah, chasing her with a little white mouse. They laughed and enjoyed him. She’d relaxed and been comfortable, unlike the unrest she’d experienced with Noah the last several months before he left. Even with Butch’s threatening behavior, she was assured Daniel would handle whatever problem came their way. His staying last night in the next room had been a great comfort to her.

  He, Otis, and her schweschders scrambled in the door chuckling, their faces flushed, and smiling.

  Leah gasped, bent, and held her stomach. “Daniel chase
d me around the yard, while Otis followed and barked for him to stop.” She pinched off a piece of bread and fed the morsel to the dog. “Good boy.”

  Beth giggled. “I think he peeks when I go hide. He finds me right away!”

  “I’ll never tell.” Daniel grinned and shook his head at his faithful companion. “Otis is a traitor. He loves Beth and Leah more than he does me.” He pouted his lips and scratched Otis’s back. “You fickle boy.”

  Otis barked, nudged his leg, walked over to Beth, and flopped at her feet.

  Sitting next to Daniel, Anna buttered her pancake. “Your dog keeps an eye out for his master at all times, even when he’s playing with Beth. It’s sweet.”

  Leah scratched Otis’s ear. “He snores, but I’m not complaining. I slept soundly having him near to protect us last night.”

  Mamm served freshly scrambled eggs. “Daniel, don’t be shy. There’s plenty of food here. Eat up.” She set a steaming bowl of grits, a plate of hot bacon and ham, a small bowl of butter, and a basket of warm, fresh-baked bread on the table.

  “I never have a big breakfast at my haus. What a treat!” Daniel placed a snowy-white cloth napkin on his lap.

  Leah forked a slice of ham and slid the pork onto her plate. “I read the front page of the newspaper the other day about the Ford Model A. It was quite interesting.”

  Mamm set her coffee cup on the table and heaved an aggravated sigh. “You shouldn’t be reading the newspaper or dwelling on motorcars.”

  Beth wiped butter from her mouth with the back of her sleeve. “May I ride in a motorcar someday, Mamm?”

  “Where are your manners, Beth Plank? Use your breakfast cloth.” She sighed. “If we need to travel a long distance, we may pay an Englischer to take us by motorcar or we may go by boat or train. As you’ve already been told before, we Amish are not to drive or purchase motorcars. We don’t allow ourselves to get caught up in worldly things. We need to maintain our simple life and concentrate on things of God.”

  Anna waited for Beth to argue. “Do you understand what Mamm is saying?”