“I’d love that.”
As they drove around looking at beautiful places, Joshua talked about his life and his work in the family business. In turn, she told him about the things that she liked to do. She loved to bake cookies and recently she’d tried her hand at making ice-cream.
“Would you make me some ice-cream?”
“I will. What flavor do you like?”
“As long as it’s ice-cream, it doesn’t matter. I’ve liked every flavor I’ve ever tried.”
Adeline giggled. “Me too. I’ll make you some soon.”
“Wunderbaar, I can’t wait.” He turned his buggy into a park. “Ready for some lunch?”
“Jah. I’m quite hungry by now. I should’ve made up the picnic basket. Your mudder must think me dreadful.”
“Nee. That’s not right. I invited you, so it’s up to me to bring the food. I cheated, though, and asked Mamm to help me. She was only too happy to help.” He stopped the buggy, jumped down and pulled out a blanket and a basket.
She climbed down too. “Can I carry something?”
“Nee. You choose where you want us to sit.”
“Okay.” They walked together for several paces. “What about here, under this beautiful maple?”
“Perfect.” He spread out the blanket and they both sat down with the basket between them.
“Let me do the rest.”
He chuckled. “All right. I won’t argue.”
When she opened the basket, she was surprised to see it was filled with dish towels. “What’s this?” She picked one up.
“Ach nee! I’ve picked up the wrong basket. She said it was the one by the door. There were two and …” He covered his face with his hands. “I don’t believe this. I wanted everything to be so perfect.”
Adeline laughed. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Jah, it does. You must think I’m …” He shook his head. “I wanted to give you the best day. A day you’d love. And now I’ve ruined everything by rushing.”
“You were rushing?”
He smiled at her. “I couldn’t wait to see you this morning.”
“I couldn’t wait to see you either.” She lowered her gaze and knew her cheeks were flushing with color.
“Truly?”
She looked back at him and nodded.
“Adeline, I know you’re still young, but when you’re old enough would you marry me?”
She stared at him not believing her ears. Even Catherine didn’t suggest that he might say that. “Marry?”
“Jah, it’s a concept where you would become my fraa and I'd become your—”
“I didn’t expect this.”
He drew his eyebrows together. “I’m sorry. It was silly of me to ask. This is only our first real date, but I was just sitting here thinking, wouldn’t it be a good story to tell our kinner, that I proposed over a picnic basket full of dish towels.”
She giggled again at the silliness. “Are you certain?”
“Of course I’m certain, Adeline. I’ve liked you for a long time. I can’t imagine being married to anyone else. I can understand if you want to take things slow because of your age. Even a year or possibly two is okay with me.”
“That would be far too long.”
“So, does that mean you want to marry me?”
“I do. I’d like to be a young mudder and have a large familye.”
He chuckled and rubbed his chin. “That suits me just fine. Shall we have twelve kinner?”
“I was thinking more like eight. And I like even numbers, so four girls and four boys.”
“Perfect.”
He looked down at the dish towels, chuckling as he wondered who was eating their picnic, and then looked back at her. “What do you think your parents would say about it?”
“They’ll be pleased. They were very happy when Lucy married Levi.”
He nodded, remembering that his mother wasn’t too happy about Lucy, but Lucy and Levi had been together for a while, so that was a different situation. This was a surprise they were about to spring on everyone.
“Let’s go and get some fish and chips. I’m starving. Then, what do you say we stop by the bishop’s haus and see if we can talk to him about moving forward with our plans?”
“Plans?”
“Marriage plans.”
“Before we talk to our parents?”
“Jah. Sometimes people do that.”
“Do you mind if we say something to our parents first? I think they’d like to know before the bishop.”
“If that’s what you’d like to do.”
“I would prefer it, please. Is it okay with you if we tell mine first?”
Joshua agreed.
Later, over their meal of fish and chips, they made plans for their future. They’d start by looking for a place to live. Joshua had money saved for a deposit, so they were in a good position to buy a small house.
When they were sitting in front of Adeline’s mother and father, with Catherine listening in from the kitchen, Adeline knew her parents wouldn’t be able to believe it. Things had happened so fast between herself and Joshua.
“What is it?” Adeline’s father asked, frowning at the two of them.
Joshua smiled at Adeline, and then looked back at Mr. Miller. “I’ve asked Adeline to marry me and she has agreed.”
Mr. Miller took a sharp breath and then looked at his wife.
Mrs. Miller raised her eyebrows and stared at Adeline. “Is that right, Adeline?”
She smiled. “It is.”
“Are you certain you’re not rushing things?” Mr. Miller asked.
“Dat!” Adeline was shocked. Besides that, she didn’t want Joshua to start having doubts.
“This is what we both want,” Joshua assured him. "This part has happened quickly, but we've both been thinking about it for some time."
Mrs. Miller crossed one leg over the other under her full dress. “What does your mudder have to say about this, Joshua?”
Adeline was concerned that her parents didn't seem overjoyed with the news.
“We haven’t told them yet,” Adeline said. “That’s our next stop. I wanted you and Dat to be the first to know.”
A tiny smile appeared around the corners of Mrs. Miller’s mouth. “If you’re both sure, then I’m very happy for you.”
Instantly, Adeline was relieved. “You are?”
“Of course. We both are,” Mr. Miller said. “Why wouldn’t we be? You're a fine young woman, and Gott has chosen a fine man for you.”
Mrs. Fuller bounded to her feet. “Now how about a cup of tea and something to eat? Nee, why not stay for dinner, Joshua?”
“Nee denke, Mamm. We have to tell Joshua’s parents before their evening meal.”
“Oh, where are you both having the evening meal?” her mother asked.
Adeline stared at Joshua, not knowing what to say.
“How about we come back here?” he suggested.
Mrs. Miller nodded, with a grateful smile.
Adeline had never seen such a pleased look on her mother’s face. “Would you?”
“Jah, Mrs. Miller, we’ll tell my folks and then make our way back here. Is that okay?”
“Wunderbaar,” Adeline’s mother said, while her father chuckled.
On their way out of the house, Catherine ran out of the kitchen. “Stop!”
Joshua and Adeline both turned around to look at her.
“Don't you have something to tell me?” Catherine asked with brows raised and hands on hips.
Adeline laughed, knowing she’d already heard everything from her listening-spot in the kitchen. “We’re getting married.”
Catherine squealed and hugged Adeline and then gave Joshua a quick hug. “I can barely believe it. Oh, I'm so excited!”
“We’re coming back to eat here as soon as we tell Joshua’s parents.”
“And … I guess we’ll talk to the bishop tomorrow. It’ll be too late to do it today,” Joshua said.
Adeline wagged a finger at her younger sister. “Jah, so no telling anyone until our wedding date is published.”
“I know how to keep a secret.” Catherine giggled.
When they were driving to Joshua’s house, Adeline held her stomach. “I’m so nervous. Do you think everything will be okay? I mean, will your mudder be happy?”
“Jah, she really likes you. I can tell.”
“I hope so. I like her too.” Adeline sighed. “But she might not like me as a dochder-in-law.”
“We’ll soon find out.”
“She’s hardly going to tell me if she doesn’t like me.”
Joshua chuckled. “Just watch her face. She doesn’t have to use words to get her point across. Don’t worry. She’ll be happy, I’m certain of it.” He reached out and took hold of her hand.
Now it was Joshua’s turn to be in the hot seat as they sat in front of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller. It was obvious his parents had a pretty good idea what was going on as soon as Joshua had said he and Adeline wanted a word with them in private. Thankfully, none of his brothers had arrived home from wherever they were.
Joshua began, “Mamm, Dat, I …”
Adeline stared at Mrs. Fuller as Mrs. Fuller’s eyes opened wide, hanging onto every word her third-eldest son was saying. Mr. Fuller sat with feet wide apart and his hands clasped, twiddling his thumbs in circles. It seemed Mr. Fuller was feeling impatient. He’d been called in from the barn, so Adeline thought he might’ve been in the middle of a project. Now Joshua was the nervous one, and Adeline was tempted to tell them herself. It would’ve been a lot quicker.
“So, we’re both here today, Adeline and I, because we have something to tell you.”
“Well, go on, tell us. We’re both ready and waiting.” Mrs. Fuller said to her son, and then shot Adeline a grin.
Adeline smiled back, but couldn’t help wondering if that smile might be wiped right off Mrs. Fuller’s face as soon as she heard the news.
“We’re getting married,” Joshua said, looking back and forth from mother to father.
Mr. Fuller clapped his hands together once. “Wunderbaar.”
“Is this true?” Mrs. Fuller asked.
Joshua laughed. “Jah, Mamm, it is.”
“Then I’m delighted.”
"And I'm pleased for both of you, too," said his father.
Adeline put her hand to her heart. She could scarcely believe her ears. Her future mother-in-law approved of her. She hadn't been worried about Mr. Fuller. He'd already seemed to like her the night of Timothy's car-accident woes.
Then Mrs. Fuller jumped up and said to Adeline, “Can I have a hug?”
Adeline stood. “Of course.” The two embraced, and then mother and son hugged.
Mr. Fuller shook his son’s hand firmly, and gave a nod and a big smile to Adeline.
“We told my parents quickly, before we told you. Now we’re going back to have dinner at my parents’ house.” Adeline held her breath hoping that wouldn’t cause friction.
“Of course, it’s only right to have dinner there, and Monday night you can both have dinner here. I’ll cook up something special. Can you come in the afternoon to help me, Adeline?”
“I’d love to.” Adeline remembered Joshua saying his mother didn’t like anyone helping her in the kitchen. This invitation meant that Mrs. Fuller truly liked and accepted her. Adeline couldn’t have been happier.
Joshua stood there in his parents’ living room. He’d been prepared to ignore his mother’s wishes regarding his choice in a wife, and now that he knew she liked Adeline, it made everything that much more special. God had found him a wonderful wife and he would work hard to be a good husband—the kind of husband the sweet and shy Adeline deserved.
“Mamm, I’ve been meaning to talk with you about the picnic basket.”
“Did you enjoy the food?”
“Tell her about the food, Adeline.”
Adeline gave a little giggle. “The dishtowels were tasty.”
Mrs. Fuller put both hands up to her cheeks. “Ach nee! You took the wrong basket. The one you took is not a picnic basket, Joshua, it’s my storage basket.”
Adeline kept giggling, Mr. Fuller laughed, so did Joshua and then Mrs. Fuller joined them.
Thank you for your interest in Joshua’s Choice
The Next Book in the Seven Amish Bachelor series is Book 4
Forbidden Amish Romance
Other books in the Seven Amish Bachelor Series:
Book 1 The Amish Bachelor
Book 2 His Amish Romance
Other books by Samantha Price:
EXPECTANT AMISH WIDOWS
Book 1 Amish Widow's Hope
Book 2 The Pregnant Amish Widow
Book 3 Amish Widow's Faith
Book 4 Their Son's Amish Baby
Book 5 Amish Widow's Proposal
Book 6 The Pregnant Amish Nanny
Book 7 A Pregnant Widow's Amish Vacation
Book 8 The Amish Firefighter's Widow
Book 9 Amish Widow's Secret
Book 10 The Middle-Aged Amish Widow
Book 11 Amish Widow's Escape
Book 12 Amish Widow's Christmas
Book 13 Amish Widow’s New Hope
Book 14 Amish Widow’s Story
AMISH LOVE BLOOMS
Book 1 Amish Rose
Book 2 Amish Tulip
Book 3 Amish Daisy
Book 4 Amish Lily
Book 5 Amish Violet
Book 6 Amish Willow
SEVEN AMISH BACHELORS
Book 1 The Amish Bachelor
Book 2 His Amish Romance
Book 3 Joshua’s Choice
AMISH BRIDES
Book 1 Arranged Marriage
Book 2 Falling in Love
Book 3 Finding Love
Book 4 Amish Second Loves
Book 5 Amish Silence
AMISH FOSTER GIRLS
Book 1 Amish Girl’s Christmas
Book 2 Amish Foster Girl
Book 3 The New Amish Girl
Book 4 The New Girl’s Amish Romance
ETTIE SMITH AMISH MYSTERIES (Cozy Mystery series)
Book 1 Secrets Come Home
Book 2 Amish Murder
Book 3 Murder in the Amish Bakery
Book 4 Amish Murder Too Close
Book 5 Amish Quilt Shop Mystery
Book 6 Amish Baby Mystery
Book 7 Betrayed
Book 8 Amish False Witness
Book 9 Amish Barn Murders
Book 10 Amish Christmas Mystery
Book 11 Who Killed Uncle Alfie?
Book 12 Lost: Amish Mystery
Book 13 Amish Cover-Up
Book 14 Amish Crossword Murder
AMISH BABY COLLECTION
Book 1 The Gambler's Amish Baby
Book 2 The Promise
Book 3 Abandoned
Book 4 Amish Baby Surprise
Book 5 Amish Baby Gift
Book 6 Amish Christmas Baby Gone
AMISH SISTERS
Book 1 Amish Trading Places
Book 2 Amish Truth Be Told
Book 3 The Big Beautiful Amish Woman
Book 4 The Amish Widow and the Millionaire
AMISH MAIDS
Book 1 The Amish Nanny
Book 2 The Amish Maid
Book 3 A Rare Amish Maid
Book 4 In My Sister's Shadow
Book 5 Change of Heart
Book 6 Game of Love
Book 7 Amish Life of Lies
AMISH ROMANCE SECRETS
Book 1 A Simple Choice
Book 2 Annie’s Faith
Book 3 A Small Secret
Book 4 Ephraim's Chance
Book 5 A Second Chance
Book 6 Choosing Amish
AMISH WEDDING SEASON
Book 1 Impossible Love
Book 2 Love at First
Book 3 Faith's Love
Book 4 The Trials of Mrs. Fisher
Book 5 A Simple Change
AMIS
H SECRET WIDOWS' SOCIETY (Cozy Mystery Series)
Book 1 The Amish Widow
Book 2 Hidden
Book 3 Accused
Book 4 Amish Regrets
Book 5 Amish House of Secrets
Book 6 Amish Undercover
Book 7 Amish Breaking Point
Book 8 Plain Murder
Book 9 Plain Wrong
Book 10 Amish Mystery: That Which Was Lost
WESTERN MAIL ORDER BRIDES
Book 1 Mail Order Bride: Deception
Book 2 Mail Order Bride: Second Choice
Book 3 Mail Order Bride: Revenge
Book 4 Widowed and Expecting: Mail Order Bride
Book 5 Mail Order Bride: Too Good For The Doctor
WILD WEST FRONTIER BABIES
Book 1 Mail Order Bride: The Rancher's Secret Baby
Book 2 The Nursemaid's Secret Baby
Stand Alone Novella:
Marry by Christmas (Western Romance)
Contact Samantha Price
Click here to add your email. if you’d like to receive Samantha’s new release alerts.
Follow Samantha Price on BookBub
www.samanthapriceauthor.com
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/SamanthaPriceAuthor
Twitter @ AmishRomance
About the Author
Samantha Price is a best selling author who knew she wanted to become a writer at the age of seven, while her grandmother read to her Peter Rabbit in the sun room. Though the adventures of Peter and his sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail started Samantha on her creative journey, it is now her love of Amish culture that inspires her to write. Her writing is clean and wholesome, with more than a dash of sweetness. Though she has penned over eighty Amish Romance and Amish Mystery books, Samantha is just as in love today with exploring the spiritual and emotional journeys of her characters as she was the day she first put pen to paper. Samantha lives in a quaint Victorian cottage with three rambunctious dogs.
www.samanthapriceauthor.com
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/SamanthaPriceAuthor
Joshua's Choice: Amish Romance (Seven Amish Bachelors Book 3) Page 11