Two Suitors for Anna Read online

  “I’ll be quick.” Anna motioned for him to accompany her outside. She stepped out the door, blinked, and hugged herself tight. He’d left her in Berlin to pursue his selfish desires. She’d never expected him to return. A bundle of joy, confusion, and frustration swirled through her.

  He reached for her hands. “Anna, I should’ve waited until your workday ended and you were at home to show up unannounced, but I couldn’t wait to speak to you. I’ve missed you. My life is incomplete without you. I made a terrible mistake leaving you, and I beg your forgiveness. If you’ll grant me another chance, I’ll stay in Berlin and we can raise a family like you asked.”

  She blinked back tears. “Your desire to wander wasn’t our only problem. You shrugged off my concerns when I said we no longer fit together, and you didn’t think they were worth your remaining here and working them out. Why now?”

  Gazing into her eyes, he clasped his hands to his chin. “I love you and I believe we can solve whatever problems we may encounter. You still love me, right?”

  Doubt, fear, dread, and love clouded her mind. She was confused. Noah was her first love, and she had good memories with him before their relationship turned sour. She had no doubt she loved Daniel. Her heart ripped in two. “Love isn’t enough to build a firm foundation for marriage. Before you left, we argued more than we enjoyed pleasant conversations.”

  Noah paled. “Are you saying you won’t give me a chance? Please, Anna, don’t give up on us.”

  “You’re the one who gave up on us, Noah.” Her head throbbed. She must consider Daniel. “I’ve had a lot of changes in my life since you left.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She clasped a fistful of her apron and focused on her feet. She must tell him she’d fallen in love with Daniel. Gossip spread like a knocked-over pail of fresh spring water. She took a big breath and blew it out slowly. “Do you remember Daniel Bontrager?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Jah, what would Daniel have to do with you and me?”

  “Daniel is a good friend of our family. He’s helped us in numerous ways. I’ve invited him to suppers, and we’ve taken walks and had conversations about life, our hopes, and our dreams. Our friendship has grown more serious. I’ve agreed to marry him.” She kept her chin to her chest and waited. The silence awkward, she closed her eyes for a moment. Why doesn’t he say something? She glanced at him.

  His damp cheeks and pale face hurt her soul. Noah had been the love of her life. The man she’d envisioned becoming her husband until they had argued more frequently about their differences and he’d chosen to leave Berlin.

  “Is it a marriage of convenience or are you in love with him?”

  “I love him very much.” Her words were true. She had no doubt about her love for Daniel.

  He gasped and his face paled. “Do you still love me?”

  “I don’t know how I feel about you. I opened my heart to him because you and I no longer had a future.”

  “I beg you.” He stepped closer to her. “Please tell him to step aside. Give us time to heal.” He tucked his chin to his chest and stared at the ground. “Please, Anna, may I kumme to your haus later? I must apologize to your family and ask them to forgive me. Getting back on good terms with them is important to me, no matter what happens between us.”

  Her family loved Noah and Daniel. They would voice their opinions, but they would abide by her decision and accept whoever she chose with open arms. She would have to tell Daniel about Noah and this conversation. She needed time to sort out her emotions. Would Daniel understand and give her time or would he withdraw his proposal? Her stomach clenched. She’d upset him with her request to work after the birth of a boppli, and she hadn’t had a chance to recant. She had to right this wrong between them. She couldn’t imagine letting him go. Would he listen and try to understand? “Noah, I’m shocked you’ve kumme back. I’m confused, anxious, and happy, all at the same time. I need to tell Daniel about this conversation, and I’ll need time to think.”

  He gently lifted her chin with his forefinger to meet his eyes. Those same captivating blue eyes she’d fallen in love with three years ago. “You’ve had little time with Daniel compared to the three years we were together. Those years must mean something.”

  He was right. Their time together had created precious memories of laughter, fun, and serious plans for their future before they encountered their differences and he left Berlin. Those years loving him did mean something, whether she wanted to admit it or not. She and Daniel hadn’t needed much time to fall in love. They were compatible and comfortable with each other. They shared the desire for the same lifestyle. He hadn’t attempted to change her or the way she did things. She owed it to herself, Noah, and Daniel to sort out her feelings before she could commit to either one of them. She gazed at him in silence.

  He touched her forehead with his. “I’m going to pray you choose me.”

  She stepped back and rubbed her arms, scanning the grounds for anyone within earshot. A man fetched water from his pump and went back inside. “If there would be any chance for us, and I’m not saying there is, you have to be content with me the way I am and stop trying to change me.”

  “I regret not taking your concerns more seriously. I shouldn’t have nagged you to alter your ways. I’ll try my best not to change you to fit my mold.”

  She didn’t want the man she married to constantly be annoyed with her choices. She questioned when he left and again now whether they were well matched. Had he matured and discovered he loved her for the way she was? She pressed her hands to her face. Confusion, memories, and mixed emotions rumbled in her mind.

  Part of her wanted to believe Noah, and the other part said marry Daniel. Noah had scarred what they once had together. Daniel had introduced her to a future of comfort and security. Reuniting with Noah would be fraught with uncertainty and risk, but he’d been her first love. Should she give him a second chance? He’d left her. She groaned. She couldn’t have any lingering doubt about Noah. She had to kumme to a clear conclusion. Choosing Daniel or Noah would be one of the hardest and most important decisions she would make in her life. “I need time, Noah. There’s much to consider. I should get back inside.”

  “I’ll leave you alone, but only for a few days. I’m not giving up until you tell me I no longer have a place in your heart.” He brushed her hand with his, flashed her a sad grin, and disappeared around the corner of the building.

  The rush of happy memories she’d once had with him returned with force again. The brush of his hand on hers sent a flurry of excitement through her. The same flutter of excitement she enjoyed when Daniel touched her hand. She had crucial matters to discuss with Daniel tonight.

  Leah met her at the back door. “Kumme inside. It’s been like walking on jagged stones waiting for you to tell me about your conversation with Noah. And don’t skirt the details.”

  Anna went into the shop and closed the door behind her. “Noah wants immediate forgiveness. I’m frustrated with him, and I need time to unravel my feelings, and I love Daniel. Oh, Leah, I am so confused.”

  Leah rubbed her shoulder. “Noah is funny, kind, smart, and adventuresome. His downfall was leaving you and trying to change you the last several months you were together.”

  “He claims he’ll stop trying to change me to fit into his mold. I question if he’s matured and time away from me has given him clarity about us. It would take time to find out. I’m not sure where my heart is with Noah. I love Daniel, but I can’t marry him while my mind is muddled about Noah.”

  “Daniel is calm and settled, but he’s also humorous, intelligent, and kind. He hasn’t tried to change you, but you don’t have a longer history with him like you do Noah. You have a difficult choice to contemplate.”

  Slam. Clang. Anna whirled around to face the open door. She froze. Butch Winter.

  Leah trembled and gripped Anna’s hand.

  The bully barged in. “Your friend and the bishop showed up at my hous
e complaining I’d been threatening you, Leah. They upset my parents.”

  The man’s eyes glittered with resentment. His bold demeanor was threatening and fierce. Staring at the rifle in his hand, Anna quivered and moved in front of Leah. “Please leave. We don’t want any trouble.”

  “Me and Leah got some catchin’ up to do. Don’t we, little lady?” He shoved Anna against the wall.

  Her heart racing, she stumbled but pressed her hand against the wall to right herself.

  “Let go of me!” Her schweschder jerked her arm from his grasp and rushed to Anna.

  The bold Englischer came between them and reached for Leah again. “You come here, Leah, or I’ll shoot her and drag you outta here!”

  Anna elbowed her way in front of Leah again. “Get out!” She eyed the rifle and sucked in her breath for a moment. Would he shoot her? She shuddered.

  The shop door slammed open. Anna pressed a hand to her chest. “Daniel! Be careful! He has a rifle!”

  Butch scowled and spat tobacco on the floor. “You shut your mouth, or I’ll shoot all of ya.” He turned and waved the rifle at Daniel. “You get over here with them where I can keep an eye on ya.”

  Daniel rushed to Anna and Leah, turned his back to them, and shielded them with his widespread arms. He faced the menacing young man, spread his legs in a confident stance, and crossed his arms against his chest. “Leah has told you she’s not interested in you. You were in jail for a while. I’m sure you’re not anxious to return.”

  Pointing the rifle at Daniel’s chest, Butch scoffed. “You don’t tell me what to do. Get out of the way, or I’ll shoot you.” He pushed the rifle hard into Daniel’s chest.

  Anna’s eyes widened. Her heart pounding, she clasped Leah’s hand and, with the other, gripped the back of Daniel’s shirt. He had stood fearless and confronted Butch. His courage was admirable and frightening. Butch might kill them.

  “Please leave us alone!”

  The sheriff and Butch’s daed charged into the shop.

  The lawman aimed his sidearm. “Put the gun down, Butch!”

  Mr. Winter got between Daniel and his son. “You don’t want to do anything you’ll regret. You’ll be put to death! Think of me and your mother. You’re our only child. We don’t want to lose you.”

  Butch lowered the rifle but raised it again. “Step out of the way. I aim to teach these simpleminded people a lesson.”

  Daniel put his arms back and huddled the women behind him. “Don’t pull the trigger, Butch!”

  Grabbing the barrel of the rifle, Mr. Winter struggled with Butch.

  Bang!

  Wide-eyed and mouth open, Mr. Winter crumbled to the floor. He groaned and pressed his hand against his shoulder. Blood spread from the wound through his dark green shirt.

  “Oh no!” Butch knelt next to him. “Dad, look what you made me do!”

  “Ack! Mr. Winter!” Anna put her hands to her cheeks and stared at the blood forming a puddle on the floor around Mr. Winter’s shoulder.

  Leah pressed fisted hands to her cheeks. “He needs help!”

  The young man dropped the rifle and wrung his hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, Dad. Why’d you have to get in the way?”

  The sheriff kicked the rifle away. It slid across the floor and landed at Daniel’s feet. The lawman grabbed the back of the criminal’s shirt, forced him facedown on the floor, and handcuffed him. He yanked the young man to his feet. “I’m sorry, folks. Butch’s father noticed his son riding out fast from his place with a rifle. He saddled a horse and took off after him but couldn’t keep up. When Butch headed into the shop, George came to fetch me.” He nodded to Butch’s daed. “You did the best thing. I’m holding Butch in jail to wait for the circuit judge, but you can stop and talk to him when you’re strong enough.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff.” George Winter winced and moved his head. “Don’t cause any more trouble, Son. Do what the lawman tells you.”

  “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to shoot you, but you shoulda stayed outta my way.”

  The sheriff kept a firm hold on his prisoner. “Your dad saved you from making a big mistake, you ungrateful brute.” He turned his attention to Daniel. “Will you run over to Dr. Rogers’s office and ask him to tend to George?”

  “Jah, I’ll be glad to.”

  Anna threw a handful of towels to Daniel. “You can use these to slow the bleeding.”

  He knelt next to Mr. Winter and applied pressure to the wounded man’s injury but held his other palm out to Anna and Leah. “Don’t move from where you are until the sheriff leaves with Butch.”

  Butch squinted and sneered at Anna, Leah, and Daniel. “I wish I’d shot every one of you.”

  The sheriff shoved him toward the door. “Shut your mouth.” He lifted his chin to Daniel. “He’ll be locked up for a long time. You won’t have to worry about him. The judge will be disgusted Butch brandished a gun and threatened lives in the short time he’s been released from custody. I’ll leave Butch’s rifle. George can take the weapon home. Take care.”

  Daniel placed Mr. Winter’s hand on the towels covering the wound. “Press your hand firmly on the towels to slow the bleeding.” He hurried to open the door.

  The sheriff gripped Butch’s cuffs and the back of his shirt and pushed him toward the door.

  Butch planted his feet and spit in Daniel’s face. “You’re lucky to be alive!”

  The sheriff growled and thrust him over the threshold. He leaned back and glanced over his shoulder at Daniel. “Sorry. This one is rowdier than most.”

  Daniel swiped the sputum from his face with his sleeve. “Good day, Sheriff. Danki again for your help.” He ignored the dangerous culprit.

  Anna’s love for Daniel swelled. He remained calm under immense pressure. She snatched another handful of towels and sat at Mr. Winter’s side. “I’ll take over while you fetch Dr. Rogers.”

  “I won’t be long.” He pointed to their store sign. “Do you want me to turn your sign to show the shop is closed?”

  “Please do, and danki.”

  Watching him turn the sign and leave, she couldn’t believe his resolve to stand strong with a rifle pointed at his chest. Daniel had been willing to give his life to protect them. She hadn’t doubted he would, but his fearlessness and protective stance surprised her. She had gripped his shirt, and he hadn’t trembled during the horrifying experience.

  “Leah, lock the door and don’t open it until the doctor gets here.” She applied more pressure to the gunshot wound.

  Mr. Winter groaned and blinked a few times.

  “Try to relax. The doctor will be here soon.”

  Leah stood over them. “I’ll lock the door and get water from the pitcher.” She hurried to the door and locked it, went to the stand, poured water in a pot, and brought it to Anna.

  “How are you doing?” Anna dabbed sweat from Mr. Winter’s forehead with a clean cloth.

  Opening his eyelids halfway, he winced. “I’ll be fine. I’m worried about my son and my wife. She’ll be wrought with grief over our son’s violent behavior.” His eyes moist, he gazed at her. “I’m so sorry for the trouble he’s caused your family. I hope you can forgive him.”

  Leah returned and sat next to Anna, near Mr. Winter, and passed the pot to Anna. They exchanged a sympathetic glance.

  Mr. Winter’s sad face pricked her heart. He loved his child and, no matter what his son had done, he wanted the best for him. Anna couldn’t imagine the pain the man must suffer watching his child struggle with such a fierce anger and need for control. It had been apparent Butch didn’t need much of a reason to fuel his temper. “We forgive him, and we don’t hold you responsible for his actions.”

  Leah wiped a tear from her face and nodded. “I’ll get the empty flour sack from underneath the counter. We can use the sack to put the bloody cloths in.” She got the bag and accepted the soiled ones from Anna. After plunging them in the sack, she dropped the soiled bag behind her.

 
Anna leaned way over and reached for a small flat pillow from a chair. “Can you raise your head?”

  Mr. Winter raised his head and moaned.

  She slid the pillow beneath him. “Does the pillow make you more comfortable?”

  “Much better.”

  Dr. Rogers and Daniel tried to open the locked door. Leah jumped to her feet and let them in.

  Anna rose and stepped back.

  “We’ll get out of your way, Dr. Rogers.” Anna relaxed her tense shoulders.

  The doctor would help him better than they could.

  “Thank you. I’ll take over. George and his wife have come to me for minor things from time to time like you and Leah, so we’re already acquainted.” He smiled. “Good afternoon, George. Looks like you’ve had better days. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of you.” He lifted the soiled towels. “Anna and Leah, you’ve done a fine job to control the bleeding.”

  “Danki, Doctor.” Anna’s cheeks warmed.

  Leah took a step back from Mr. Winter, tucked her chin to her chest, and smiled.

  Dr. Rogers removed the bloody towels. He studied the wound. “Let’s check the bullet entry and exit. I hope the bullet went clear through.” Carefully he lifted Mr. Winter’s shoulder to check the other side.

  The man groaned.

  “I’m sorry. I had to find out if the bullet was lodged in your body. I’m relieved to report it went clean through. We won’t have to dig the projectile out of you.” Dr. Rogers sprinkled antiseptic powder on the wound.

  Mr. Winter grimaced. “I’m relieved. Digging a bullet out of my shoulder sounds awful.”

  Dr. Rogers threw his bag open and tended to his patient. “You need stitches, but your wound should heal fine if you change the bandages and keep the injury as clean as you can to prevent infection.” Dr. Rogers removed his supplies. He drew up a syringe.

  “What a relief. I’m grateful for your help, Doctor.” Mr. Winter winced as the needle penetrated his skin.

  Daniel came alongside Anna. “How are you?”

  “We’re shaken up but fine. Butch’s daed is a sweet man. I feel sorry for him.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “I’m so relieved you came in when you did. I can’t believe how you stood up to Butch Winter.”