Two Suitors for Anna

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Two Suitors for Anna Page 22

by Molly Jebber


  Beth giggled. “Otis and Cotton have been inseparable since you’ve arrived.”

  He enjoyed his meal with the Planks. Afterward, he got up and lifted the dish tub. “I’ll fetch the water for the dishes.” His cheeks dimpled. “I’ll dry them if you wash them, Anna.”

  Mamm pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’ve got a terrible raging headache.”

  Leah rushed to the cabinet and took out a packet of aspirin powder. She passed the packet and a glass of water to Mamm. “Swallow the powder and please go to bed. We can take care of what needs to be done before bedtime.”

  “Yell if you need anything.”

  Beth went to her side and hugged her.

  “Take care, Mrs. Plank.” Daniel accepted and dried a glass from Anna.

  He waited until Mamm was out of sight and then gave Anna a mischievous grin. He splashed water on her.

  She splashed him back and laughed.

  Leah and Beth giggled.

  “Waa! Waa!”

  Beth stood and kicked her chair back. “Daisy’s up. I’ll warm the milk.”

  “I’ll read her a story and play with her in Anna’s room. You can bring the bottle to me and join me until she goes back to sleep.” Leah winked. “Let’s give Anna and Daniel time without her pesky schweschders around.”

  “Sounds good to me!” Beth skipped to the icebox.

  “Finished!” Anna wiped the counter, wrung out her dishcloth, and hung it over the side of the tub.

  “I should go home and gather what I need for my repair jobs tomorrow.”

  “I’ll walk you out.”

  Otis followed him out, jumped on the bench, and sat.

  Anna laughed. “Cotton must’ve worn Otis out. He’s ready to go home.” She reached for Daniel’s hand. “Daniel, I’m happy you’re comfortable with Daisy. In the short time we’ve had her with us, she’s already brought so much joy into our lives. Even before you met her, I had made up my mind to tell you how much I love you and I’m not in love with Noah. I am clear he’s a friend and nothing more. Since his return and having spoken with him, I discovered we are not compatible and we desire different lifestyles.

  “I fell out of love with him sometime during the year before he left. I was letting the past with him baffle me. You are the one for me, and no one else. I love you, Daniel Bontrager.”

  His heart thumped hard. With Daisy’s arrival, he’d changed his mind about telling her his thoughts until another day. He loved her, but he needed a little time to digest the emotional turmoil he’d been through. He couldn’t put it off. He had to tell her. “Anna, I love you and your family. But the time you’ve taken to contemplate your feelings for Noah has clouded my mind about whether we are right for each other.”

  Her eyes blinded with tears, she stepped back. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve been upset our relationship didn’t seem solid to you. Your reaction to Noah’s return shocked me.”

  “Are you saying you don’t want to marry me? Have I ruined what we had together? Please tell me this isn’t so.”

  He couldn’t stand for her to cry. His intention wasn’t to upset her, but he had to be true to himself and honest with her. “Your declaration is what I’ve been waiting for, but I’m not ready to set a date for the wedding.”

  “Do you need time away from me to contemplate what you want?” She wiped her wet face with the corner of her apron, already damp from washing dishes.

  He shook his head and gently wiped a tear trailing down her cheek. “I’m sorry I’ve upset you. I had to share my heart with you openly. I’m not abandoning you or our courtship. I want to continue courting you and see if we can’t get back to where we were before Noah returned.”

  “My head understands, but my heart is breaking. I’ve been selfish thinking only of my needs, and I’ve put our relationship in jeopardy.”

  “I’m thrilled you are clear you want us to marry. I just need to get over the hurt of your indecision at Noah’s return. Let’s give it time.”

  She held his arms with a determined expression on her face. “I would marry you tomorrow without any reservation, Daniel.”

  He wouldn’t allow himself to ignore the hurt he needed to overcome before he could commit to marriage with her. “I love you, and in time, I’m hoping to ask you again to marry me. I’m hurting too, and I need to heal.” He kissed her lips and hugged her tight. “Good night, sweetheart.”

  She managed a weak smile and wave. “Will you kumme by the haus Sunday, since we won’t have services that day?”

  “I will.” His head throbbed. The conversation had been a difficult one. If he couldn’t get past this, he doubted he’d love another woman for a long time. Had Noah’s return and her confusion about the man scarred them beyond repair? He ached at the possibility.

  Chapter Twelve

  Anna blinked back tears pooling in her eyes. What had she done? Daniel had proven she could count on him from doing the smallest repair to protecting her from harm. He’d promised to provide for her and their future kinner. He was attractive, strong, a devout believer in God, and had everything she’d ever want in a husband. She understood his pain. She’d have felt the same way had their positions been reversed. She wished she could take it all back.

  She went inside. Leah and Beth must be in with Daisy. Mamm must’ve fallen asleep. She poured water from the white porcelain pitcher into a bowl, rinsed, and dried her face with a towel. Knock. Knock.

  She dried her hands and opened the door. “Noah, it’s a little late. Is anything wrong?”

  Noah curved his lips in a wide smile. “I was thinking of you and I wanted to stop by for a few minutes. Where is everyone?”

  She didn’t relish hurting him, but his timing couldn’t have been better. She was anxious to show Daniel she’d chosen him. Another way to prove it to him was to tell Noah. She’d explain Daisy’s presence first, in case the little one woke up. She told him about finding Daisy on their porch. “She’s beautiful, delicate, and no trouble. She’s a delight to have around. We love her. Beth and Leah are with her in my bedroom. Would you like to meet her? She might be asleep.”

  Noah shook his head and wrung his hands. “Anna, I want one child, and I’d like the boppli to be ours. Are you set on keeping Daisy?”

  “I appreciate your honesty. It’s a lot to consider, but don’t worry. What I have to say will ease your mind where Daisy is concerned.” She pressed a hand to her throat and swallowed. “Noah, I had doubts about a future with you before you left Berlin. Your return sent my mind back to when we first met, but it didn’t take long to figure out I was no longer in love with you. I have given my heart completely to Daniel. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cause you pain, but I must be honest. I care about you as a friend, and I want you to find a fraa who loves your need for change and delights in it.”

  His shoulders slumped. “I did wish you were more spontaneous like me, and I did try to change you. It was foolish of me, wasn’t it?” He frowned, his eyes sad.

  “Noah, there’s nothing wrong with your choices or mine. We’ve grown up. Instead of drawing us closer, our differences drew us apart.”

  He stood and gently pulled her to her feet. “I would marry you in spite of our differences, and my heart tells me to do whatever I can to win you back. My mind agrees with you, because you’re right. We are different people, and I was wrong to pressure you to bend to my ways. Daisy is another reason marriage isn’t right for us. I’m not comfortable raising another man’s boppli, especially since I would prefer to have only one child.”

  She swallowed the sob rising in her throat.

  He rubbed his thumb over her hand. “Daniel’s a blessed man to have you in his life. It softens the blow to have gotten acquainted with him and I have no doubt he will take good care of you.”

  She swiped an escaping tear with her finger. “Will you remain in Berlin?”

  “No. I have no ill will toward you or Daniel, but returning to Lancaster would be easier for me. I’
ll love you for a long time. I wish you and Daniel the best, but running into you in town and church would be too painful. I’m going to approach Mamm about selling her place and leaving with me.”

  If she were in his shoes, she would want a fresh start too. She hoped Jane would leave with him, so they could be together. She understood his desire to avoid her and Daniel together. “You’ve touched my life in a special way. I wish you the best, Noah.” She fought to control the sob in her throat.

  He kissed her cheek. “I wish the same for you, Anna.” He gave her awry smile. “I should go. I’m sure we’ll run into each other before I leave. Take care.”

  She hugged him and noticed his tear-dampened cheeks. She walked him to the door and waited until his wagon was at the end of the lane before closing it. Their discussion had gone much better than she’d anticipated. She wished hers and Daniel’s had ended on a better note.

  Daniel had taken to Daisy as soon as he’d met her. She sucked in her upper lip. She’d been foolish to think her revelation would end with his proposing to her. She’d concentrated on her feelings and not his. Of course he would’ve suffered pain with her asking him to give her time to put Noah’s return into perspective. Her thoughtless request might have cost her the love of her life. She couldn’t bear to think of losing him.

  * * *

  She woke on Sunday morning, changed clothes, and picked up a wide-awake and smiling Daisy. Saturday had kumme and gone fast. She and Mamm had cleaned the haus all day. She was glad for a day of rest. She buried her nose in the boppli’s neck. “I love you, little one.” She changed her and carried her to the kitchen. Ham and bacon sizzled in the skillet. “Good morning, Mamm. Where are Leah and Beth?”

  “They’re in the chicken coop gathering eggs. I suspect they’re taking their time and playing with the hens and chicks.” She leaned forward and kissed Daisy’s fat little fingers. “I enjoy the bishop’s messages and visiting with our friends after the service, but I’m glad to stay home today.”

  “I feel the same way, Mamm.” Anna balanced Daisy on her hip and lifted milk out of the icebox. She poured some in a pan on the stove and set a clean bottle on the counter. She took a chair and bounced the little maedel on her knee and waited for the milk to warm. She wanted to tell her family once they were all together about her conversations with Noah and Daniel. “When did you get rid of your headache, Mamm?”

  “I’d guess about an hour after I went to bed last night. I woke up refreshed. Daniel seemed to enjoy Daisy.”

  Leah and Beth scampered in the door, interrupting them.

  Beth carried a basket of eggs. “I dropped one and the shell broke.”

  Leah smiled at Anna and kissed Daisy’s nose. “I’m to blame. I chased her to the door and caused her to drop the egg.”

  Mamm grinned. “We’ve got plenty. I’m glad you have a good time together.”

  Beth stuck her finger in the warm milk on the stove and poured it in the bottle. She passed it to Anna. “Leah and I heard you talking when we put Daisy to bed. We peeked out and saw Noah. He was here kinda late. Is he upset about something?”

  “I’ll tell you about his visit when we sit down together.”

  Mamm scrambled the eggs in the pan, put them on plates, and served them. She sat next to Anna and paused to give the blessing before picking up her fork.

  Anna pushed her plate aside and fed Daisy her milk. “First, I’ll tell you about my discussion with Daniel. I told him I had already fallen out of love with Noah when I gave my heart to him. When Noah returned to Berlin, I let the past with him cloud my judgment.”

  Leah got up, grabbed a basket of sliced bread on the counter, and removed canned peaches from the cabinet. She set them on the table. “Was he overjoyed?”

  Beth wiggled in her seat and grinned. “I’m excited! I want you to marry Daniel right away!”

  Mamm lifted her palm. “Wait and listen to what Anna has to say.”

  Anna put the bottle beside her plate and shifted Daisy to a burping position on her shoulder. She patted her back. “Daniel’s been hurt by my putting him off. I don’t blame him, and I’m sad I put a big gray cloud on our relationship. He’s disappointed I was so uncertain where I stood with Noah. He’s hurt. He’s disappointed I didn’t have clarity about him and me. He’s asked me for time to reconcile this in his mind.”

  Beth gasped and frowned. “Will he still visit us?”

  “We’ll spend time together, but Daniel isn’t ready to marry me. I’m hoping he can heal.”

  “Me too.” Beth frowned. “He belongs in our family, and so does Otis.”

  * * *

  Hours later, Anna rocked Daisy in the chair on the porch and gazed at the wagon kumming down the lane. Daniel. She got up and waited by the hitching post for him.

  He arrived and tied his horse to the post. “You look lovely.” He kissed Daisy’s forehead. “She’s a cheerful soul.”

  “I’ve enjoyed rocking and cuddling her. I’m happy you’re here.”

  “How’s your Mamm?”

  “Her headache is gone. She’s doing well. Let’s go to our spot and chat. Noah came by after you left. I’d like to tell you about our conversation.” She grabbed a blanket from the back of the chair.

  “I’m surprised.” He walked beside her to their spot, spread the blanket, and sat next to her. She rocked Daisy to sleep.

  “I told Noah what I told you. He admitted he was pushing me to do things his way, and he had noticed, but ignored, my reluctance to do so. Neither of us had a thorough discussion about our differences until last night. He agrees we drifted apart.”

  “Did he meet Daisy?”

  “I told him about her, and he wouldn’t have wanted to raise her as his. He is set on having one child and would prefer the boppli be his flesh and blood.”

  Daniel’s eyebrows lifted. “I’m glad you had already told me you wanted us to resume our courtship before he found out about Daisy. It leaves no doubt you didn’t choose me because of my acceptance of Daisy.”

  “Me too. I don’t want you to question my decision in any way. I told him I was clear I’d given my heart to you completely before he came back to Berlin, before I told him about Daisy. He is fond of you, and he does wish us well. He is asking his mamm to sell her property and leave with him. He’s confident she will agree to go with him. They’re so close. He wants to move to Lancaster in a week or so. Mr. Zook will probably look after their place until a buyer kummes along. We ended the evening without animosity.”

  He blew out a sigh of relief. “I must say, Noah’s going to Lancaster does make me feel better. I’m fond of Noah, but his leaving Berlin will make things easier for all of us.”

  They played with Daisy and enjoyed their time together.

  He kissed her good-bye and left. She cradled Daisy and watched him until he turned the corner at the end of the lane. She’d settled her differences with Noah, and she’d declared her love for Daniel. She was ready to move forward and vow before God and all their friends she would stand by his side until her life on earth ended. She wished he matched her immediate desire to marry and was ready to set a date on the bishop’s calendar. But she wouldn’t push him. She caused this upheaval and she’d have to live with the consequences.

  * * *

  When Anna and Leah arrived at the shop Monday morning, two gray-haired Englischers were waiting to get in. “Good morning. I’ll unlock the door for you. I’m Anna Plank, and meet my schweschder Leah. Are you in search of something special?”

  “It’s about time you showed up.” Hands on hips, the tall woman looked down on them. She pushed past them and barged in the door. “Do you have a remnant box? I’m shopping for scraps of material for my daughter to stitch a patchwork quilt.”

  Leah gestured her to the back and dragged a box to the woman. “You’re wilkom to rifle through these remnants.”

  The shorter woman followed Anna inside. She smiled and extended her hand. “I’m Irene Tisdale, and the woman who came in ah
ead of me is Etta Foster, my sister. You have a wonderful display of quilts on the walls. I need swatches for the quilt I’m working on. Do you have another box I can sift through?”

  Anna gestured to a box underneath a shelf of aprons against the wall. She pulled the box out for the patron’s convenience. “Here you go. Take your time, Mrs. Tisdale.”

  The kind woman held up a green swatch of cotton. “Do you like this one, Etta?”

  Mrs. Foster pinched her lips. “It’s not the color I want.” She grimaced at Anna. “Do you have another box I can root through?”

  Why was this woman being rude? Mrs. Tisdale, her schweschder, was pleasant and jolly. “I have and I’ll bring another box out from the back.”

  “Don’t bother. I can walk. Show me where the swatches are.” The woman’s demanding, cold eyes stared at her.

  Anna pointed to the back room and stepped into the open doorway. The woman brushed past her and bent to sort through the remnants. This woman was quite a challenge to please.

  “You can go. I won’t steal anything.”

  “I apologize if I’ve made you feel uncomfortable, Mrs. Foster. I stood by in case you might like help picking out certain colors or patterns. I’ll be out front if you need me.” Anna forced a smile and left the woman.

  Mrs. Tisdale was humming as she fingered the fabric in the other box.

  Leah sidled up next to Anna and leaned close to her ear. “These two couldn’t be more opposite.”

  Mrs. Foster hurried to her sweet schweschder, carrying a fistful of swatches. “I can’t find my small coin purse. Do you have it?”

  “No! Didn’t you put your coin purse in your pocket? Maybe it’s in the buggy.”

  “I wouldn’t question you about it if I had it in my pocket! We must head to the livery. I must find it.” Throwing the material she carried onto the counter, Mrs. Foster glared at Anna. “I’ll be back. Don’t let anyone buy these.”

 

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