The Amish Marriage Bargain (Love Inspired)

by Marie E. Bast

  “It’s nice to see you, too, Elmer. Lois, you checking on our Leah?”

  “Indeed. She’s a sweet little thing and in gut health. No worry with her, Gretchen. May, don’t forget about the quilting frolic in three weeks.”

  “Jah, it’s on my calendar.”

  Elmer held the screen door for his mamm. “See you later, May.”

  Thad pulled his hat from the peg on the wall and headed out the door with a sideways glance at May. She sent him a glare.

  He’d hurt May when he’d tossed her aside for her sister. There was no way to apologize for that but his sharp-tongued mamm only made things worse. “Come on, Mamm, I’ll walk you out.”

  * * *

  In the evening, May and Leah sat on the porch and watched Thad disappear into the barn after he’d hitched Tidbit to the buggy. Twenty minutes passed. Her gaze swung from the barn door to Tidbit as he pawed the ground nervously, waiting to stretch his legs. Why was Thad taking so long getting ready to go to the dairy association meeting?

  A buggy turned into the driveway, the wheels crunching over the rocks as she watched Elmer park it in front of the haus. He stepped down and waved as he walked toward her.

  Elmer was handsome and his bronzed skin set off his sky blue eyes. He’d definitely be a gut catch for some woman, but not her. She only thought of him as a friend, and he deserved a frau that would liebe him.

  Thad closed the barn door and stalked toward the haus, a grimace plastered on his face as he nodded to Elmer. Ah, now she understood why Thad had stalled after hitching Tidbit. Elmer.

  When they were all kinner in school, Thad and Elmer had some kind of rivalry. It seemed like everything was a competition to them, horseback riding, swimming, but it was more than that. But she couldn’t quite tag it. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Thad was jealous. Nein, that couldn’t be. It was just their old silliness, like two small buwe.

  A smile tugged at her lips as Elmer got closer. He had donned a clean blue chambray shirt and trousers. Gut. He had smelled like cheese curds earlier in the day.

  Before Elmer reached the steps, Thad smacked the reins across Tidbit’s back, and the buggy shot off down the driveway toward the gate. May gripped her apron as she watched the speeding buggy. She relaxed as Tidbit slowed before he crossed the road.

  “Gut evening, May. How are you this evening?”

  “A bit tired.”

  “Jah? I’ll stay only a little while.”

  She faced Elmer, then glanced at the road after Thad. A twinge of sadness washed over her. She couldn’t believe that Thad might lose the farm. Her family’s farm. Daed and Mamm fought hard for years to keep the farm, to make the payments and to put food on the table every day. This land ran through her veins almost as much as her blood did. It was who she was. Even if she had to go door-to-door in town with a bucket of vegetables to make a sale, she’d do it.

  Her heart pounded. That was a bad sign. Why was it that the mere sight of Thad made it hard for her to breathe? To walk in a straight line? And when his hand touched hers when she handed him the potato bowl, she nearly melted on the spot.

  Jah, she either had to hide her heart or convince the angel Gabriel to protect it, or Thad would steal it away. Nein, not again! She didn’t know what was worse...losing the farm or losing her heart.

  But could she risk sticking around to find out?

  Chapter Two

  The next morning, Thad ran his hands through his hair as he entered the kitchen. “Mmm, sausage and eggs smell gut.”

  “Thought it was my turn to treat you to breakfast this morning,” she turned and faced him. “How’d the dairy association meeting go last night?”

  He pulled a chair away from the kitchen table and plopped down. “It doesn’t look like the USDA is in any big hurry to make changes. That means that many farmers are going to have to sell organic for the regular milk price. We’ll lose money, about 33 percent, by doing that, but it can’t be helped.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I know how hard you work.”

  “Jah, well, times are changing.”

  “Maybe you could sell the cows and put in all produce?”

  “The reason why we diversify is because a storm could wipe out the whole crop. This way we still have milk money to fall back on. The president of the association called the newspaper and a reporter showed up. He was going to put a story in the paper. Maybe the Englisch politicians will take notice. I’m praying for that.”

  May flashed him a hopeful smile.

  “How’s Leah? When I’m outside, I don’t see her much.She’s not up yet?”

  “She was up earlier playing and had her breakfast. Now she’s napping. We were outside all yesterday afternoon. She missed her nap, and went to bed early. It threw her off schedule.”

  “How is your vegetable stand doing?”

  “It’s doing very well. Lots of Englisch stop by the roadside stand wanting to buy fresh produce.”

  “Ah, gut. At least there is something we grow that the consumers like to buy.”

  They hadn’t talked this much since they’d courted. Yet, if he was going to persuade her to stay, they’d need to be getting along a whole lot better. She set the breakfast on the table and sat opposite Thad. After the blessing, she poured his coffee and dished up her plate.

  She only tolerated him, but in all fairness, he had dumped her and married her sister. He truly regretted that.

  They both wanted the farm to succeed. And he sure hoped her liebe for it and Leah made her come to the right conclusion. But he needed to know where he stood with May.

  A flash of fear tugged at his gut as he aimed his gaze across the table. “Have you made a decision yet about leaving Iowa?”

  She raised her head and he could read the surprise on her face.

  The words popped out before he could bite them back. He knew he shouldn’t rush her. She needed time. He’d only push her into making a hasty decision. That probably wouldn’t be in his favor.

  “Nein. I’m taking my time—a move to Indiana is final. It’s a big decision, and I want to get it right.”

  A sigh whooshed out before he could stop it. That meant he still had time to sway her decision.

  But how could he convince her to stay?

  * * *

  May lugged the baskets of tomatoes and bins of green beans and peapods to her roadside stand she had put at the end of the driveway by the white fence. She arranged the quart-size cartons of strawberries in rows, then sat the plastic bags and cash box on the opposite end of the table.

  She blotted her forehead with her hand as she glanced at the blanket on the ground where Leah sat playing. Her pumpkin was the only sweetness in her life. For sure and for certain, she was going to miss that little bit of sugar if she headed to Indiana. She’d told Thad she hadn’t made a decision, but in truth, it was for the best that she moved. But she needed to consider it from all angles.

  Someday Thad would want to remarry, and that would make it uncomfortable for her. Edna’s offer was only for a short while, and she needed to take advantage of her generosity.

  A warm breeze danced across her face, drying the perspiration on her forehead. She turned in that direction, stood for a minute and fully enjoyed the blessing.

  It reminded her of the times she and April had sat under a tree one summer and talked about buwe. Who was the cutest, which one had the best personality, and who owned the broadest shoulders? Thad and Alvin tied for the win in all categories. A few pangs of homesickness stirred in her, knowing these would be her last few weeks on the land if she decided to move.

  May glanced toward the barn where Thad stood looking her way. It was hard even imagining losing the family’s farm.

  She finished arranging her vegetable stand, then took a step back and glanced at the display in front of the white fence. Perfect.

&nb
sp; She’d miss her garden and the stand, but surely Aent Edna had a patch behind her café and bake shop.

  She picked up Leah and the blanket she was sitting and crawling on. Leah smiled so sweetly that it stole May’s heart as she swung the tyke around. Leah giggled while little wisps of taffy-colored hair bounced around her cherub face. “Mamm, more!”

  “Nein, it’s time for your nap, little one.”

  “Mamm,” Leah laughed.

  May reached the porch and laid the blanket on a chair. She turned when she heard wheels rumbling into the drive.

  Bishop Yoder climbed out of his buggy and walked a few steps in her direction. “Gut afternoon, May. Another hot July day, jah? Is Thad around?”

  “I believe he’s in the shed boxing vegetables, Bishop. Would you like a glass of lemonade?”

  He looked toward the shed, then back at May. “That does sound gut. Just a small one.”

  He followed her into the kitchen and plunked down on a chair waving his hat across his face.

  “Would you rather sit on the porch?”

  “Nein. This is fine.”

  She sat Leah on the floor by her toys, cut a piece of banana bread, poured a glass of lemonade and set them in front of him.

  He took a bite of bread, then washed it down with the cold drink. “Mmm, they are both gut.”

  “I’m just going to put Leah down for a nap, but I’ll be right back.”

  She laid Leah in her downstairs crib and returned to the kitchen.

  She poured herself a glass of lemonade and joined the bishop at the table. “It’s a hot day for visiting.”

  “Indeed. Tell me, May, does Thad work the farm every day, and do you cook his meals?”

  A chill ran up her back. “Jah.”

  “How’s this situation working out for you?” He took another sip and waited for her reply.

  “I’m not sure I understand the question, Bishop.” She rubbed her finger down the glass through the condensation.

  “Jah, he jilted you years ago, is that right? So is it uncomfortable for you to live here? Together?”

  “This is my family farm that Thad inherited from April, but Daed said I could stay here until I married.”

  “But he’s here all day.” The bishop gestured with his hand to the outside.

  “He lets me stay, so I watch Leah and cook the meals. That’s all. Otherwise, I see very little of him during the day.”

  The bishop finished his refreshment, pushed his chair back and gave May a nod. “See you on Sunday.”

  She froze in her chair, and waited until his footfalls left the porch. She looked out the window. What was that all about? Why was he asking such questions?

  May sipped her lemonade, sat the glass down and dried her hand on her apron. No doubt, she wouldn’t like the answers to those questions.

  * * *

  Thad took off his straw hat, slapped it against his leg to shake the dust and soil off, and plunked it back on his head. He watched the youngies he’d hired to pick vegetables leave for the day, then he sealed the cartons of tomatoes, beans and peas going to market.

  It was a hot day, but at least it hadn’t rained. He’d prayed for a sunny day, and Gott had answered. He sighed as his mind drifted to May.

  They had started getting along, putting the past behind them. At least he hoped so. Their conversations seemed more relaxed, and she was at least still considering staying. Maybe her hesitation to make a decision about moving was due to the thought of leaving Leah.

  The shed door squeaked open and pulled his attention to footfalls approaching. He tried to hold back a smile. Jah, May was coming out to talk. He peered over his shoulder, then jerked around in surprise as he saw the bishop approaching. “Bishop Yoder, hullo.”

  “Hullo, Thad. I was visiting with May. She made some delicious banana bread and lemonade. Did you have some?”

  “Ah, no, not yet, probably for supper. What brings you out here today?”

  “An elder brought it to my attention that you and May were still living together.”

  Thad’s back stiffened. “Nein, we aren’t living together. I inherited her family’s farm, and my parents are staying in the dawdi haus. Why bring this up now? April has been dead a year.”

  “Exactly, your year of mourning is over and now it is not acceptable. So you live in the dawdi haus with them?”

  “I still sleep in the same bedroom that April and I shared.”

  The bishop kicked at a few peas that had landed on the floor before aiming his gaze at Thad. “To others in our district, they think this is not a gut arrangement. You are here all day and all night unchaperoned in the same haus. I heard that she was moving to Shipshewana to live with an aent?”

  “Jah, that’s what she said, but I think she is having a hard time leaving Leah.”

  “Is it just Leah that she is having the hard time leaving?”

  Thad took a step back and clenched his teeth, then released. “I’m not sure I understand what you are talking about, Bishop.”

  “You courted May before you married her sister, jah?” The bishop’s tone was the one he used for preaching.

  “What are you saying, Bishop?” A rigidness seized Thad’s shoulders.

  “It’s time May was married.”

  Thad felt the blood drain from his face.

  The bishop walked to the door, then glanced back over his shoulder. “You need to think seriously about how this living arrangement looks to others. It cannot be allowed to go on much longer.” The bishop walked out, letting the barn door bang closed.

  Thad stared after him and scrubbed his hands over his face. Why, Gott, why have You done this? I was hoping May would decide to stay but this...this will drive her away. And if the bishop finds out Elmer is always hanging around, he’ll try to matchmake them. I had hoped to win her back.

  * * *

  The next morning, Thad’s gut clenched when he saw Elmer’s buggy pulling into the drive. What did he want? But he already knew. May.

  Perhaps the bishop had sent Elmer out here to see May. Thad settled his feet like a bulldog with his paws planted squarely in the center of the walkway.

  “Gut morgen, Thad.” Elmer smiled as he approached.

  Thad nodded. “Elmer. What brings you out this way?”

  “Come to help May in her garden and visit with her a while.”

  Thad shot Elmer a cold stare, stepped off the walkway and stalked across the barnyard, the dust flying off the heels of his boots. He grabbed his toolbox off the shed’s workbench and headed back to the haus.

  He shook his head and tried to clear May out of his brain. She had a right to a life of her own but all he could see were her smoky-gray eyes staring at Elmer. Those same eyes made his heart swell until he could hardly breathe. Her hair and skin smelled like strawberry blossoms on a sunny June day.

  He took the porch steps two at a time, stopped and caught his breath before entering the kitchen. Bumping the screen door open with his hip, he maneuvered his toolbox through the doorway and set it on the floor, letting the door bang closed.

  May and Elmer turned and scowled at his abrupt entrance. He looked up and locked on to her eyes, then let his gaze drop to her peaches-and-cream cheeks.

  “What are you doing, Thad?” She squared her shoulders and lifted a brow. “Forget something?”

  “Nein. I just remembered you wanted the doors fixed. Since Elmer was here, I thought it would be the perfect time to take off the swollen cupboard doors and fix them. Leah’s door also sticks from the humidity. It squeaked when I opened it. We can take it off the hinges and plane a couple of spots to make it level. Since Elmer has two gut hands, I figured he’d want to help.” Thad felt his face trying to smile but he controlled the urge.

  Elmer pursed his lips and tossed Thad a displeased stare. “Jah, okay. Let’s get
to it so I’ll have a few minutes to visit with May.”

  “We’ll start with the kitchen doors.” Thad’s instincts kicked in and told him he was in trouble, but he wasn’t going to let Elmer have the upper hand before he tried to work things out with May.

  He felt Elmer’s glare as they finished up in the kitchen. Of course, he forgot a couple of tools and had to go to the shed twice. Thad nodded toward the stairway that led to the second floor and to Leah’s room, but as he did, the glare in May’s eyes and her furrowed brow signaled he’d upset her plans for a nice afternoon with Elmer.

  Gut. A pang of uneasiness settled in his stomach. May deserved a nice man to court her, and Elmer was a gut-hearted man with many skills that kept him in demand, like his cheese business. But Elmer was also a stern man who worked his employees hard and no doubt would demand his frau do the same.

  As Thad picked up his toolbox, he shot another glance in May’s direction. A rosy blush tinged her cheeks like a January wind had just whirled through the room. She held her back straight as a yardstick and stared him down. He’d made his choice, married April, and now he should step aside and let May find happiness.

  But he just couldn’t. After speaking to the bishop, he wanted one more chance. With May.

  Jah, he had no right disrupting her time with Elmer. Regret crept up his back but a smile curved his lips as he turned to head upstairs.

  He had tossed May aside to marry April, now he was trying to prevent her from courting Elmer. What was wrong with him? Why did he keep hurting her? She was a wunderbaar woman any man would be proud to have as his frau.

  Guilt pushed out a frustrated sigh, and his insides warred. He needed to back away and let May have her chance at happiness. Elmer needed his chance at winning May’s heart. Thad owed her that, but why did it feel like a pitchfork was stabbing his heart?

  * * *

  May fumed under her breath as the men tromped up the stairs. She heard banging and pounding, feet shuffling around the wood flooring and a loud clink when the door hinge pin slid back into place.