Two Suitors for Anna Read online

  Disgusted and having a hard time keeping his fisted hands at his sides, Daniel wasn’t prone to violence and had never used them to solve a dispute, but Butch was testing every fiber of his self-control. “Get out!”

  “Leah, honey. Tell the man he’s wrong.”

  “He’s not wrong. I want you to honor our wishes.”

  Daniel pointed to the door. “Go!”

  Butch drew his eyes in a cold stare, huffed, and slammed his fist in the side wall, winced, rubbed his knuckles, and stomped out.

  Staring at her feet, Anna sighed. “I’m sorry you had to stand up to Butch on our account.”

  Leah bowed her head. “I made bad choices, and I’ve brought trouble to us. I’ve been a foolish woman.” She cast a forlorn look at Daniel. “I met him a couple of times. He was kind at first, and then he turned forceful and scared me. I’m ashamed of myself for flirting with an Englischer. I’ve upset my schweschders, and I’m sick about what I’ve done.”

  Lifting his hat, Daniel ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. “Leah, we all make mistakes, but the lessons we learn from them are what counts. Have you asked God to forgive you?”

  Blushing, she bobbed her head up and down, tears pooling in her eyes.

  “Good. I recommend you put the ordeal behind you.” Glancing at the women, he saw the color had returned to their cheeks and their trembling had eased. He’d hidden his astonishment about Leah’s surprising revelation. Young and innocent, Leah could’ve been attacked physically and scarred in her perception of men for the rest of her life. Thankfully, she’d escaped unharmed. Uncertain whether Butch would return, he was glad he’d be working on their shop roof for a few days.

  “Danki for your understanding, Daniel.” Leah startled when the door opened. She ran to greet the two young Amish women entering the shop.

  Sheepishly Anna held his gaze. “I’m embarrassed you were drawn into our family problems with that unscrupulous man, but I’m relieved you were here to defend us. His stance and temper are unsettling. I’m grateful you stepped forward and helped us. Please don’t tell anyone what happened.”

  “I won’t.” Anna was sweet. She was protecting her schweschder from worry. If only she were free to consider him for a suitor. He longed to pursue her. “You can ask me for anything. I’m happy to help you or your family in any way.” He swallowed. Maybe he’d been too forward. It wasn’t his intent. He hoped he hadn’t created an awkwardness between them. Hiding his attraction to her proved more difficult than he had anticipated.

  “I trust you to keep our secret, Daniel. I suspect most Amish men would’ve been appalled at Leah’s conduct and lectured her. You spoke your mind and pointed out her actions weren’t acceptable, but you showed her compassion. Danki.”

  He breathed an inward sigh of relief. He hadn’t offended her by offering his help. “There’s no need to admonish her any further. Her slumped shoulders and trembling lips were enough to tell me she understood the magnitude of her actions. Besides, I’m not in a position to reprimand her.”

  Anna waggled her finger. “I don’t agree. When you defended her, you earned the right to speak your mind.”

  Smiling, he stood at attention. “I stand corrected.” Her approval of his response to Leah delighted him. “I hope never to lay eyes on Butch again.”

  Chapter Three

  Noah pushed the door open. “Daniel, I’m surprised to find you here.” He flashed Anna a big smile, then shook his head. “You still haven’t moved those quilts.” He dragged a small table of linens to the far wall. “A little change can make all the difference. Don’t you agree, Anna?”

  Anna swallowed and gave him a curt nod. Daniel was here, and she had customers. No, she didn’t agree, but she’d bite her tongue. Why did Noah find it necessary to rearrange her displays? There was nothing wrong with them.

  Leah waved. “Good morning, Noah.” She returned her attention to a customer.

  “Good to see you, Leah.” Noah waved back to her. Daniel turned to Noah. “I’m here to give Anna a price to repair the roof.”

  Noah glanced at the blemished spot on the ceiling. “It’s good to fix the damaged roof before a big storm kummes and makes the leak worse.”

  Anna nodded. “I’m grateful to you, Daniel. I wouldn’t want to lose our dry goods due to water damage.” Why wasn’t Noah working at Mark’s? What an odd time of day for him to kumme to the shop. “You’re usually working for Mark this time of day.”

  He removed his straw hat and held it tight at his side. “I should wait until after work to speak to you, but I didn’t want to wait. Can we talk in private?”

  Daniel cleared his throat. “I’ll get the ladder and check out the roof damage.”

  Anna smiled at him. “I won’t be long, Daniel.” She sighed as the door closed. She was relieved Daniel had excused himself and separated from them. What she had to say to Noah should be said in private. Leah was helping another customer. “Leah, would you mind if I left with Noah for a short while? We’ll be in back of the apothecary if you need me.”

  “No, take your time. I’ll fetch you if I need you.” Leah nodded to Noah and returned her attention to the patron.

  Anna walked with Noah outside into the sunshine. The heat warmed her cheeks. She led him to their quiet and private destination. She waited for him to speak.

  Noah pressed his hat to his chest. “I was anxious to hear your answer. I don’t have much time to wait. Are you going to marry me and relocate to Lancaster, Anna?”

  She’d contemplated her answer and had kumme to the right conclusion for her. She hoped she wouldn’t regret her decision. She loved him, but they both sought different lifestyles. She gazed into his sea-blue eyes and tears welled in hers. “I’m sorry, Noah. I’m staying in Berlin. For the past few months, our conversations have been strained and we’ve grown apart. I love you, but we also need to have shared values and accept each other for who we are if we’re going to commit to each other for a lifetime.”

  Noah reached for her. “Please, Anna, reconsider. You’re making too much of my little suggestions to you. I love you. Please leave Berlin for me.”

  His last words frustrated her. Why couldn’t he remain in Berlin for her? “If I leave for you, I’ll be making a mistake. To go with you shouldn’t be such a heart-wrenching decision for me or for you to make a life in Berlin. You’re set on moving to Lancaster, and I’m set on remaining here. I disagree your ‘little suggestions’ to me are insignificant. Your constant need to show me how to improve my ways makes me feel inadequate. There’s nothing wrong with my choices. I need to be sure you can accept me the way you did when we first met. Stay and give us this time.”

  Noah hung his head. “I understand you’re having a difficult time leaving your family and job, but I assumed you would choose me when making your final decision. I don’t agree we need more time before we marry. I’ll stop imposing my suggestions onto you, since they bother you so much. But we’re bound to have problems. No marriage is perfect.”

  Since his suggestions bother me so much? She couldn’t get through to him how troubling his trying to change her every move was to her. His disregard of her concerns validated her decision. “I have other reasons why I need to reside in Berlin.” She recounted her story about Leah and Butch. “My family needs me. Leah is going through an impressionable time. I have a good job, friends, and family in Berlin. You and I haven’t gotten along lately. You’re not willing to stay and work through our differences. Remaining here is best. I feel it in my heart.”

  Noah jerked his head back wide-eyed. “I’ll find and have a serious talk with this Butch Winter.”

  Waving a dismissive hand, Anna shook her head “No. Daniel was here when Butch came in earlier. He told Butch to leave us alone. I doubt he’ll grace us with his awful presence again.”

  Shoulders relaxing, Noah’s face softened. “I’m relieved Daniel faced off with him. No telling what could have happened.” His nostrils flared and he crossed his arms. “
I’m surprised Leah would agree to meet him in the woods. What she did is a disgrace to your family.”

  His judgment pained her. She wished she hadn’t confided in Noah. The least number of people aware of Butch causing havoc in their lives, the better. “Please don’t say a word to anyone about her and Butch. She’s regretful, and I’m confident she has learned her lesson.”

  He relaxed and softened his voice. “Berlin is a tight-knit community. Your family and my mamm have lots of friends willing to help them with whatever they need. They’ll be in good hands if you kumme with me. Don’t do something you might regret.”

  “My heart hurts. I’ll need time to heal, but I’m confident I’ve made the right choice.”

  Noah held her gaze. “Don’t shut the door on us yet. I’m leaving for my aunt and uncle’s tomorrow. If you change your mind, meet me in the morning at my haus by five o’clock. Tell Leah good-bye for me. I’ll go around front where I hitched my wagon.” He lingered with pleading eyes, squeezed her hand, and, moments later, left.

  Tomorrow. He’d shattered her heart. Their problems couldn’t be fixed in a day. Anna hugged herself and swallowed the bile rising in her throat. She blinked back tears and went back inside the shop.

  Holding an armload of aprons, Leah rushed to her. “Why are you frowning? What happened?”

  “I told Noah I wouldn’t marry him and move to Lancaster.” She pressed a hand to her throat. “He’s leaving in the morning.” She fell against Leah and cried.

  Leah held her and stroked her back. “I’m sorry you’re in pain. I can’t imagine how awful you must feel. Noah’s been a part of your life most of the time we’ve lived in Berlin. Your love was evident in the adorable way you looked at each other, but maybe your parting is best, considering what you’ve told me.”

  She wanted the angst to end. She’d miss his lopsided grin, his enthusiasm for their simple and big victories. He’d brought a smile to her lips more times than she could count with his thoughtful words and acts of kindness. He’d delivered cut wood to her family in the winter, carved Amish dolls for her, and brought her favorite desserts to the shop. She would run out of room on a sheet of paper if she wrote down all the wonderful things he’d done for her. They had outweighed their differences, until the last few months when things had turned troublesome. “Mourning his loss will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  “You’re strong, courageous, and determined, Anna. Pray and ask God for grace to accept Noah’s decision to leave. Do you believe not leaving with Noah is God’s will for your life?”

  “I do and after reading the Bible and praying about my decision, a peace came over me and the answer was clear. I should remain here.”

  “Selfishly, I’m relieved. I hope you, Beth, and I will marry good Amish men and live close. I want our kinner to grow up together. I’m fond of Noah. I’ll miss him too. I wish him the best.”

  Anna enjoyed the natural rhythm of rural life in her Amish community. The rolling land and the daily and seasonal routine of working in the soil beside family and friends represented security and provided all of life’s needs. She couldn’t think of anything Lancaster could provide for her to entice her to leave Berlin. She stared at her feet. “Let’s discuss something else. Daniel may kumme back in any minute.”

  Daniel returned with a cheerful grin, turning sympathetic in seconds.

  She suspected he noticed her tearstained cheeks. He was too much of a gentleman to ask why.

  He took off his hat and traced the brim with his fingertips. “I’ve got good news. The leak isn’t as bad as I’d anticipated.” He handed her a note. “Here’s my estimate.” He scanned the shop. “Did Noah leave?”

  Leah knelt to pick up a loose thread off the floor. “He left the shop a few minutes ago.” She tossed the thread in the trash box. “You won’t see him in Berlin after tomorrow. He told us he’s moving to Lancaster.”

  Anna bit her lip. Daniel’s eyes had widened. She hoped Daniel didn’t ask any questions about Noah. She knew Leah’s remark was innocent, but she wished Leah had let him find out the news from someone else.

  She quickly glanced at the note. “Daniel, your price is a generous one. I hope you aren’t underpaying yourself.” She waited, hoping Leah or Daniel wouldn’t mention Noah again.

  He waved a dismissive hand. “If you’re satisfied with my work, you’ll tell others in the community. Your recommendation will help grow my business. Working for you would be my pleasure.”

  She relaxed her tense shoulders. Changing the topic of Noah to Daniel’s price for repair had worked. She wouldn’t argue with him, but she doubted he was collecting enough money to pay for the supplies. He was a kind man. “Grace granted me permission to accept or reject your price. I’m ready for you to do the work once your schedule permits. She and her husband, Mark King, are the sole owners of this shop now. Mark constructed a new sign, but he hasn’t had time to hang it. Would you mind hanging the sign and how much would you charge?”

  “I’ll hang the new marker the same day I repair the roof for no additional charge.”

  “We must pay you something to cover your cost for the extra work and time.”

  “I wouldn’t turn down a batch of oatmeal cookies.” He wore a friendly grin.

  Leah chuckled.

  Anna managed a half grin in spite of her sadness. “Oatmeal cookies aren’t a fair trade for hanging the sign, but I’ll accept and provide you with a basketful.” The single man was probably starved for homemade meals and desserts. Feeding him was the least she and Leah could do for his trouble.

  “Is tomorrow soon enough?”

  Leah nodded. “We’ll bake your cookies tonight and have them ready for you in the morning!”

  New in town, he hadn’t a chance to meet many people yet. Anna would’ve chatted with him further and not rushed him off, but she couldn’t concentrate. Her heart was heavy from her discussion with Noah. “Tomorrow would be perfect. Danki.”

  He gazed at her. “I’ll meet you here around eight.” He patted his stomach. “I’ll have some cookies for breakfast.”

  She grinned in spite of her dark mood. “We’ll have coffee to go with them.”

  She and Leah bid him good-bye. She waited until the door closed to speak. “Smiling when my heart aches is difficult.”

  “Your bloodshot eyes and tearstained cheeks are hard to ignore. Daniel must have noticed and sensed the time wasn’t right to engage in casual conversation.” Leah glimpsed at the note in Anna’s hand. She gasped. “He’s almost working for free at this price.”

  “We haven’t represented our Amish community in the best light. Most of the women in our community wouldn’t have let him leave until they’d offered him food and three cups of coffee. He must wonder if we have any manners.”

  “We should bring him some of Mamm’s leftover chicken stew along with the cookies. He can enjoy the food for his supper.”

  “I agree. Doing something nice for someone else might cheer me up.”

  An Englisch couple came in. Leah greeted them and showed them blankets.

  Anna walked to the back room, grabbed a towel, and buried her face in it. Tears wet the cloth. She mourned the loss of the happy life she’d envisioned with Noah as his fraa before he’d suggested they start life anew in Lancaster. What did God have in store for her? Would she ever get over Noah and find love again? She couldn’t dwell on her hurt. She had to work. Wiping her tears, she breathed deep and forced a smile on her face. She pushed Noah out of her mind and focused on the customers. “What did the couple purchase?”

  “A green blanket and the pretty embroidered apron Mrs. Beiler brought in last week. They traveled here from Canton by motorcar to visit a sick aunt, and they are going home in the morning.” She peeked out the window. “The couple argued about what to buy. I couldn’t wait for them to leave.”

  “Traveling can be draining and tiresome. I have sympathy for them driving such a long distance. No wonder they might be grumpy.” Her moo
d wouldn’t be the best if she had traveled with Noah to Lancaster. She and her family had a rough time coming to Berlin from Lancaster three years ago. A wheel broke, they ran out of water, and Leah had an upset stomach. She could’ve endured the ride to Lancaster with Noah, but not the uncertainty of whether she would have a happy life with him.

  “I don’t share your sympathy for them. The husband bragged about his motorcar he bought in May in Toledo.” Leah gave Anna an impish grin. “Traveling by motorcar would be easier and faster than by buggy.”

  “We don’t need such worldly experiences or material things. The simpler our lives are, the better. Our attention should be on our Heavenly Father. I should heed my own advice. I’m guilty of concentrating too much on myself lately.”

  “God understands you’re sad. Don’t worry. My curiosity about a motorcar won’t steer me away from my present life.” She tapped Anna’s hand with her finger. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” A wave of relief washed over Anna. Leah had scared her mentioning her interest in motorcars. She didn’t want any sign her schweschder would entertain further thoughts of worldly desires after her encounter with Butch.

  Customers strolled in the rest of the day, purchasing quilts and towels. Heavyhearted, Anna forced a smile and glanced at the clock. Five o’clock couldn’t kumme soon enough for her to lock up and go home.

  Two Englischers walked into the shop. The older woman had her hair wound in a gray, braided bun. She supported her hunched back and thin frame with a smooth oak cane. Her beautiful green silk dress had a smart white collar and gold buttons from top to bottom. She had a sparkle in her eyes and cheerful tone. “Juanita, my cousin, wrote me a letter. She bragged President Roosevelt visited Wyoming where she lives. She stood in front of the crowd and he shook her hand before he spoke.” She beamed. “He’s the youngest man we’ve had as president in the United States, and he’s doing a fine job. I wish I could’ve been there to listen to his speech to preserve our natural forests and other news.”