Two Suitors for Anna

by Molly Jebber

  Beth told Leah, and Leah grinned at Anna. “I’m praying the same prayer before I go to sleep.”

  Anna had a tight-knit bond with her schweschders. A future without them near wasn’t something she could fathom. Anna wished them each a good night and went to her room with its plain pine bed, small table, and stool in the corner. She knelt by her bed. “Dear Heavenly Father, what is Your will for my life? Please give me the clarity I need. Is Noah the husband for me? Am I wrong to not follow him to Lancaster? Can he go back to accepting me for who I am and the way I do things? I love You, Heavenly Father. Danki for Your grace and mercy. Amen.”

  She flipped through her King James Bible and scanned the Book of John. Shutting her Bible, she breathed in the gentle breeze coming through the window. Noah filled her mind, and she couldn’t concentrate on anything else. How long would he give her before he pressed her for an answer?

  * * *

  Daniel peeked in the windows of the Berlin Restaurant. They stayed open the latest, besides the saloon. The scent of mouthwatering fresh bread and fried chicken wafted out their open window. He strolled inside and nodded to two Amish couples dining at two small tables in the corner. He eyed their full plates of chicken and dumplings. The waitress carried a slice of flaky-crusted cherry pie past him and set the dessert in front of a gray-haired, short and stout Englischer in a linen suit and fancy leather shoes.

  The waitress, a young blond woman, wore her hair in ringlets pulled back and tied with a pink ribbon. Her printed ankle-length dress was tight-fitting with a white ruffled apron covering the front and tied in a bow in the back of her neck and waist. “You walked in two minutes before we close, but you have enough time to order and enjoy your meal. We won’t rush you.” She tapped her pencil on her pad of paper. “I’m Bridget. I haven’t seen you in here before. Are you new in town?”

  He removed his hat and set the straw topper in the empty chair beside him. “I’m Daniel. Jah, I moved to Berlin from Lancaster.” He breathed deep. “The chicken aroma drew me in.”

  “We’ve got good food, except for today’s apple pie. The cook burnt the crust.”

  “I’ll have chicken and dumplings, please.” He studied the covered glass shelves lined with desserts. “Would you mind saving me a piece of cherry pie?”

  “I’ll put one aside for you. Smart selection. You won’t be sorry.” She winked and headed for the kitchen.

  Daniel nodded. The restaurant had red-and-white checked curtains and white tables and chairs. The tablecloths and napkins matched the curtains. The two couples paid for their meals and left. He and the Englischer were the restaurant’s remaining customers.

  The waitress delivered his food. “Enjoy, and if you need anything, wave me over.”

  “Danki.” He dipped his big spoon in the mixture and savored each bite until his plate was empty.

  The waitress approached him. “Are you ready for your cherry pie?”

  He nodded. “I’m full, but I can’t pass up dessert.”

  “I’ll be back.” The waitress scampered away, returned a few minutes later, and set the pie full of cherries on a small plate in front of him. “I found two pieces and hid the other one back for you if you want another slice.”

  “Danki.” He slid it close and devoured the sweet-and-sour-tasting pie in minutes.

  The waitress handed him his bill and collected his payment. “I hope you come back. You’re a cute one.” She flashed a big grin.

  Daniel’s cheeks warmed. He blushed and rushed out the door to the livery. Leaving the livery, he drove home. He’d never be comfortable around Englisch women. They wore their clothes too tight and were too forward. He much preferred Anna. She was plain but pretty with her thin frame, soft voice, and kind eyes. He couldn’t get her off his mind since meeting her. She and Noah had exchanged endearing looks. They were most likely more than friends. He envied Noah. He wished he could’ve gotten better acquainted with her to find out if it would grow into something more.

  He went home and stowed his horse and wagon in the barn. He pumped water in a bucket and lifted the salt he kept in the far corner. He sprinkled salt in the water and sprinkled the hay with the mixture. He offered the combination and fresh water to the horse. He petted the animal. “You’re doing a good job for me. Danki.”

  He crossed the yard and opened the door, and Otis ran and jumped on him.

  He caught the medium-sized brown dog in his arms. “Good to see you, my friend.”

  Otis licked his master’s face and wagged his tail.

  Daniel chuckled and set him on his feet.

  Otis took care of business and returned to Daniel.

  They went inside, and Daniel filled Otis’s bowls with food and water. “Here you go. Enjoy your grub.”

  The dog dug his muzzle in the mixture until the bowl was licked clean. He drank his water until there was no more.

  Daniel laughed. “You do enjoy mealtime.”

  Otis moved his paw to clang the two dishes together. He tilted his head and barked.

  “No more for you. You’ve had enough.”

  Daniel pushed the door open and waited for Otis to join him. He sat in the white swing on the porch and stared at the orange sun peeking through the tall green trees. “What a beautiful evening.”

  Otis raced through the yard and chased a butterfly then a squirrel. A few minutes later, he jumped onto the swing and rested his head on Daniel’s lap.

  “I’m enjoying Berlin, Otis. I met a lovely Amish woman named Anna. Noah is a fine Amish man and very wilkoming, but I wish he didn’t have his eyes on Anna. She’s the first woman I would consider for a potential fraa. She’s a beauty and quite delightful.”

  Meeting Anna had taken him by surprise. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. A wisp of her pretty brown hair had escaped and her hazel eyes sparked. She was radiant.

  Women in Lancaster had shown their interest by bringing him meals and desserts, but he’d been too busy to invest the time he would need to get acquainted with a potential fraa. With the sale of his parents’ property and his things in place at Jonathan’s, he could concentrate on finding a woman to share his life.

  He scanned his wide pond, with its water rippling in the breeze, and chuckled at the ducklings struggling to paddle behind their mamm. To the left of the pond, the garden had vegetables lined in perfect rows. Hay covered the field in golden waves farther back from the garden. His haus had enough room for him, a fraa, and several kinner someday. The covered porch was a pleasant place to rest at the end of a long day.

  He went inside and removed his bruder’s and schweschder-in-law’s clothes from the dresser drawers and clothespress. He found infant blankets he assumed Adele had knitted and clothes she’d stitched for the boppli who had died along with Adele during childbirth. The soft coverlets brought back sad memories of cleaning out his parents’ home after they died.

  He pressed Adele’s white prayer kapp to his cheek. The fabric was soft like her voice. She’d been like a delicate flower. Quiet and soft-spoken and always smiling and sweet. Jonathan had told him how much he cherished his fraa. Glad his bruder had found love and married Adele, he hoped to experience the same happiness with a fraa of his own someday. He put the worn, thin cotton bonnet in the crate, along with the other garments. He grasped the boppli blanket and closed his eyes. An ache of loss ripped through his chest. At least they were in Heaven together.

  Jonathan had written letters to him about what a smart and supportive partner Adele was. He said they could discuss any problem and resolve their issues without raising their voices. He claimed, although she was shy, she offered advice when she had a strong opinion about something. He wished his bruder and sister-in-law would’ve remained in Lancaster where they could’ve spent more time together. He felt guilty for not moving to Berlin sooner.

  He hoped to marry a fraa he could depend on for advice. He clutched the hairbrush and comb from the top of the dresser and tossed them on top of the clothes. He went
to the kitchen and smiled as Otis’s tail swiped his leg as they walked. After picking up his new kitchen towels, he folded them and set them on top of the counter. He’d ask Anna Friday if she knew of a family who would want the garments he’d tossed in the crates.

  He reached in the drawer to check for anything he’d missed, then grabbed and pulled out a wooden-handled pocketknife, the one his daed had given Jonathan on his wedding day. Turning the cherrywood handle from side to side, he admired the craftsmanship, then put his newfound treasure back in the drawer. The knife would be a memorable keepsake of the times he’d practiced target shooting, fishing, and working alongside the two most important men in his life.

  He stood and rubbed the ache in his back. Pulling the door open, he stepped out onto the porch and inhaled the humid, dark night air. He wished to enjoy summer all year long. He wilkomed hot weather. He yawned and stretched his arms, stepped back inside, closed the door, and headed for his bedroom. After shrugging into his nightclothes, he turned down his kerosene lamp, whispered a prayer, and went to bed. Anna’s grin and heart-shaped face came to mind. A pang of guilt washed over him. He shouldn’t dwell on his attraction and wanting to know Anna better. But his mind wouldn’t listen.

  Chapter Two

  Anna approached two customers on Tuesday afternoon. A smiling Englisch woman in a calico printed ankle dress with reddish hair pinned in a tight bun came in accompanied by a young man with fierce, dark eyes. He strutted inside like he owned the place and flexed his muscular arms. He was of average build, but his thrown-back shoulders and raised chin irked Anna. The man oozed rudeness. She guessed his age would be close to Leah’s at sixteen.

  She forced a professional smile. “May I help you?”

  “I’m Mrs. Donna Winter and this is my son, Butch. Would you please show me your pinwheel quilts?”

  The obnoxious man didn’t acknowledge her but waggled his eyebrows and smiled at Leah. “Hi, little lady.”

  Leah dipped her head and gave him a shy grin.

  Anna shivered at the young man’s boldness. Leah eyed him like she’d met him before. Her schweschder had a giddy air about her, and the way she swayed and gazed at him set Anna’s teeth on edge. She forced a smile at Mrs. Winter and gestured to the quilts on the wall. “We have an assortment in various patterns and colors. We also have keepsake pocket quilts.”

  “What is the purpose of the pocket?”

  “You tuck a letter to a loved one inside.”

  Mrs. Winter’s cheeks dimpled. “What a clever idea.”

  The woman had a pleasant tone and kind demeanor. She certainly didn’t match her son’s arrogant tone and stance.

  “Take your time to browse. I’ll be here if you need me.”

  Anna noticed Butch and Leah were grinning and conversing as if they’d been friends for quite some time. Her schweschder’s brazen behavior wasn’t appropriate.

  Anna frowned as Leah batted her eyelashes and Butch whispered in her schweschder’s ear.

  Their familiarity sent waves of trepidation through her. She was more than ready for the obnoxious young man to leave. “Mrs. Winter, do you have any questions?”

  “I would like to purchase the yellow, blue, and white pinwheel quilt.”

  Anna moved the wooden stepladder to it and unhooked the quilt from the pegs. She stepped down and carried the woman’s selection to the counter. She couldn’t stand to watch her schweschder’s delight in the Englischer’s interest in her one more minute. “Leah, would you mind wrapping Mrs. Winter’s purchase while I record the sale?”

  Leah rushed to Anna’s side and pulled out paper and twine.

  Butch stood back and rocked on his heels. His intimate gaze swept over Leah. His mouth curled in an inappropriate and sly grin while he eyed her schweschder from head to toe.

  Stifling her urge to ask him to leave immediately, Anna hurried to accept payment from Mrs. Winter and stowed the journal under the counter. “Danki for coming in.”

  “Thank you for your help.” She hooked her arm through Butch’s. “Come along, Son.”

  Butch ogled Leah again with a cunning smile, stepped to her, and leaned close to her ear. “See ya soon, little lady.”

  Blushing, Leah smiled wide and waved to him.

  Anna stiffened and pursed her lips. Her obedient and faithful Leah had shocked her.

  The door banged shut, and she whirled around. “I’m ashamed of you. You shouldn’t act so familiar with Butch Winter. Batting your eyelashes and hanging on his every word. The way he stared at you was not honorable or respectable. You encouraged him with the sway of your skirt and shy smiles. You acted like you’ve met him before.”

  Eyes swimming with threatening tears, Leah pressed a hand to her chest. “I ran into him in town a few times and we chatted. I didn’t mean any harm.” Leah darted her eyes away from Anna and wrung her hands.

  Her schweschder’s embarrassment and anxiousness worried her. Leah had wilkomed Butch’s attraction to her. She was young and innocent. She didn’t understand Butch’s intentions might not be honorable. The man scared Anna. Leah would be considering marriage in the next couple of years, and she’d assumed to an Amish man. She swallowed and stared at her. “Leah, would you consider an Englischer for a potential husband?”

  Her schweschder bit her trembling upper lip. “I’m not sure.”

  Anna’s breath caught in her throat. She’d been contemplating leaving with Noah and living in another Amish community. The thought never entered her mind Leah or Beth might become interested in an Englischer and leave the Amish community. The reality of either of them leaving Amish life would tear her and their mamm’s hearts in two. “Leah, answer me. Could you leave us and handle being shunned?”

  Leah shivered and thrust her chin stubbornly. “I don’t want to discuss this anymore.”

  “Keep away from him. He’s not a gentleman and certainly didn’t treat you with respect. And until you choose whether to remain Amish, you shouldn’t complicate your life considering an Englischer. And not a man such as Butch Winter.”

  Leah had been responsible, smart, and loyal. Her schweschder hadn’t inquired about the world outside their community, and she possessed a deep-rooted faith in God. Butch had put this temptation in Leah’s head. Leah was too inexperienced to realize the danger she put herself in. Anna hoped she never encountered the arrogant Englischer again. Her schweschder hadn’t responded to her warning. She wanted to protect her from harm. Would Leah listen to her?

  She and Leah waited on customers the rest of the afternoon. The small talk between them had been strained after Butch and his mamm left. Anna closed the shop at five and hooked her arm through her schweschder’s. “I don’t like this dissension between us. You’ve got me worried over you and Butch Winter.”

  Leah patted her hand but looked away. “Don’t be silly. We’re fine.”

  Anna wasn’t convinced, but Mamm would be joining them on the way home. She had to trust Leah for now. Leah had been trustworthy and sweet and had never exhibited flirtatious behavior like she had with Butch Winter. She didn’t want to make more out of it than necessary. She had enough on her mind with Noah’s proposal and stipulation they move to Lancaster.

  She and Leah retrieved the buggy and picked up Mamm. They headed home.

  Mamm talked about her day. “My feet are hurting. We worked hard today. We had a constant flow of customers in our shop. Tuesdays aren’t usually so busy.”

  Anna drove the buggy and nodded now and then. Arriving home, she halted the horse and put the animal in the barn.

  Beth ran from Mrs. Hochstetler’s next door to greet them. “I gathered and mixed the ingredients to make butter cookies. Mrs. Hochstetler helped me a little bit.” She held up a basket of cookies. “She sent some home with me for us.”

  The sun shone bright on her schweschder’s full cheeks and freckles across her small nose. A red curl escaped her kapp and hung above her eyes. She pushed her hair back in the kapp.

  Anna grinned. “
Good work, Beth. They’ll make an excellent dessert.”

  Patting Beth’s shoulder, Mamm beamed. “I can’t wait to bite into one after supper!”

  Leah grinned. “Me too!”

  Mamm yawned and stretched. “Anna, I’ll cook.”

  “I’ll cook for us if you’ll feed the animals. I know how much you enjoy them. There’s enough mixed feed for the horses at present, but I’ll need to make more for tomorrow. I’ll prepare the ingredients to soak overnight after we finish our supper. Leah can help me prepare supper.”

  “I’m going to the cellar to get canned peaches, salted ham, and green beans.” Leah headed to the cellar doors.

  Beth handed her basket to Mamm. “I’m going to talk to Thomas.” She ran to him not too far away.

  Mamm sighed. “Danki. I do need to keep your little schweschder from pestering Thomas all evening. She doesn’t understand why he won’t commit to marrying her when they grow up.” She shook her head. “He’s at a disadvantage living next to Mrs. Hochstetler. He probably wishes she wasn’t taking care of Beth. I’m certain she watches for him to go outside and play each day.”

  Anna chuckled. “Poor Thomas. He doesn’t have a chance. She’s determined to win him over.”

  Leah grinned and approached them, carrying her pickings for supper. “I overheard what Anna said, and I agree. You can’t sway Beth’s opinion on anything. Believe me, I’ve tried more than once.” She gestured to her arms. “I’ll take these in and open them.”

  An hour later, Anna glanced at her family sitting around the table. Mealtime was her favorite time of the day. The food was good, but the conversation was better. She and her family discussed customers, supply orders, and the latest gossip in town. They had to talk out troublesome issues at times, but they solved their problems together. Having time, with her family erased from her life if they left Berlin, would be like losing one of her limbs. She blinked back tears and forced a smile on her face.

  Leah extended her hand. “Hold hands, and I’ll give thanks to God for our food.” She raised her head after completing her prayer and passed dishes of steaming boiled potatoes and ham. “Mamm, Anna and I met Daniel Bontrager yesterday. He’s new in town, but he lived in Lancaster. Anna remembered him from church a couple of times, but I didn’t.”