His Suitable Amish Wife. Rebecca Kertz

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СКАЧАТЬ wore no head covering, and tendrils of hair were pulled out as if she or her baby had tugged on the blond locks. Her light blue tab dress was stained with what looked like baby food and who knew what else. She had dark circles of exhaustion under her eyes.

      “The bishop sent you.”

      Ellie nodded. “You’re the one who spoke with him, then? He’s a gut man.” She meandered around the room, taking stock of what needed to be done, which looked to be a great deal. “Is there any particular place you want me to start?”

      She hid her horror at the condition of the kitchen as she tied on her apron. The floors were stained and warped, and the walls needed several coats of white paint. The countertops didn’t look much better. She wondered why this young family had moved here and about the state of their finances.

      “You can start here, in the kitchen,” the girl said, gesturing about the room. The baby cried louder, and Sarah tried to soothe him.

      Ellie felt bad for the young mother, who looked ready to keel over. The girl clearly needed her rest. She’d offer to hold the little boy, but she had a job to do and the work had to be completed first. She grabbed her broom and started on the floor, which was covered with dust and dirt. With even sweeps of the corn broom bristles across warped wood, she swept the filth into a pile, then onto a metal dustpan, which she dumped outside.

      The floor done, she began to wipe down the countertop with a wet, soapy sponge. After checking inside the cabinets, she removed the meager contents and ran a damp sponge over the shelves. Sarah had left the room. She could hear the baby crying from upstairs. Trying to ignore the sound, Ellie did what she could to clean the kitchen. The stove looked new and required little but a damp cloth. She spent a good amount of time on the small gas-powered refrigerator at the end of the counter, removing the food that was inside—a carton of eggs, milk, a pack of sausage and a few other items—and scrubbing it inside and out. It was a heavy task, for it looked as if the appliance hadn’t been used in a long time and the last person who’d owned it hadn’t taken the time to clean it thoroughly. Satisfied with the results, she went into a back room where she found a gas-powered freezer along with washer and dryer. She checked over each appliance, pleased to find them in better condition.

      The baby continued to wail as Sarah descended the stairs, the sound growing louder as she approached. Ellie came out of the back room.

      “I’m sorry,” the girl apologized. “I can’t get him to stop.”

      “May I hold him?” Ellie asked gently, softening her gaze.

      “Ja, danki.” Sarah handed her the child.

      The baby instantly quieted in her arms. “What’s your soohn’s name?”

      The girl shook her head. “He’s not my son. He’s my nephew. I’ve been watching him for my bruder while he works.” She eyed the baby helplessly. “Ethan,” she murmured sadly. “His name is Ethan.”

      “I see.” Gazing into the baby’s bright blue eyes, Ellie smiled. “Do you have a clean diaper?”

      “Ja, but I don’t think it will help. I just changed him.”

      “Has he eaten?”

      Sarah glanced at her wristwatch. “’Tis not time.”

      “Babies know when they are hungry. Do you have milk for him?” The girl nodded. “Will you make up a bottle?” Sarah proceeded to fix it. “Where’s his mother? She busy, too?” Ellie asked, curious.

      “She’s dead. She died right after she gave Ethan life.”

      “I’m sorry,” Ellie said with genuine sympathy, although she believed that the woman was in a better place. God would have taken her into His house and made her happy that she’d sacrificed her life for her son’s.

      Sarah approached with the bottle and reached for the boy.

      “May I feed him?” Ellie watched her closely. “Why don’t you wash up,” she suggested softly after Sarah nodded. “Do you have fresh garments?”

       “Ja.”

      “Go, then, and take a few moments for yourself. You deserve it. I’ll watch Ethan for a while until you feel better.”

      “Danki,” Sarah murmured shyly before she headed upstairs.

      Ellie heard the slam of a door. “Sarah?” a man’s voice boomed. “How’s Ethan?”

      He entered the room and froze when he saw her. She released a startled breath as she recognized him. The baby’s father was Reuben Miller, her sister Meg’s former sweetheart, the one who’d lost control of his buggy one rainy night and sent Meg into the cold, dark depths of a creek.

      “Ellie?” he said unhappily. “Ellie Stoltzfus?”

      “Reuben,” she greeted, acknowledging that she knew him.

      “What are you doing here?”

      “I’m cleaning house.”

      He scowled. “Why?”

      She raised her chin. “Because the place needs it, and—”

      “And?” he prompted.

      She stared at him. He was sweaty and disheveled but still an attractive man. He had removed his straw hat and his blond hair was matted. Golden hair a shade darker than the hair on his head ran along his jaw, the beard proclaiming him as having married. But it was his eyes that drew her attention the most. They were a beautiful shade of blue, like the light blue of a bright sunny summer sky. His features were strong and symmetrical. She suffered a fluttering like butterflies in her belly. Reuben Miller was an extremely handsome man.

      “Ellie?”

      “Bishop John told me to come.”

      “I didn’t ask for someone to clean for me.”

      He clearly didn’t want her here. She saw his face change as he realized that she was holding his child. Reuben approached and extended his arms.

      Clutching the baby closer, she resisted his unspoken request and stepped back. “I won’t hurt him.”

      He sighed. “I know you won’t.” The man closed his eyes, looking tired beyond measure, and Ellie felt a deep welling of sympathy for him.

      With a soft murmur for Ethan, she gave Reuben his son, then turned for her cleaning supplies with the intent to continue on to the next room. To her surprise and relief, the baby snuggled against his father’s chest without a whimper.

      “Ellie?” Reuben said when she headed toward the gathering room beyond the kitchen.

      “Ja?” She faced him.

      “I don’t need you here.”

      She flushed with anger. “I’m not here for you, Reuben. I’m here for Sarah and Ethan.” After a brief pause, she added, “If you have a problem with me, talk with the bishop.” Ignoring him, she began sweeping the floors in the other СКАЧАТЬ