Runaway Amish Bride. Leigh Bale

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       Chapter Two

      “What’s taking her so long?”

      Abby heard the impatient words as she reached the bottom of the stairs. The voice sounded grouchy, like it came from a young boy. No doubt Reuben was hungry and she was keeping him waiting.

      Smoothing one hand over her apron, she subconsciously patted her white kapp before entering the kitchen. A gas lamp hung from the high ceiling, filling the room with warm light. Through the window above the sink, Abby saw the dusky sky painted with fingers of pink and gold. The warmth from the woodstove embraced her chilled arms and hands along with the delicious aromas of food. She hadn’t eaten since the day before and her stomach grumbled as she took another step.

      “I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” She stood in the doorway, gazing at the occupants of the room.

      Two children, a boy and girl with identical chins and eyes, stared back at her. The boy sat on Jakob’s left with the girl next to him. As Naomi turned from the woodstove with a plate of steaming biscuits, Jakob and an elderly man scooted back their chairs and rose from their places at the head of each end of the long table. Their respect was not lost on Abby, and she stared at them in surprise. No one had ever stood up for her in her father’s home.

      “Here she is.” Naomi spoke in a lilting voice as she showed Abby a happy smile.

      “Willkomm to our home.” The elderly man hobbled over and took Abby’s hands in his.

      This must be Dawdi Zeke, Jakob’s grandfather. His long beard was white as snow, his face lined with deep creases. A pair of wire-rimmed spectacles sat on the bridge of his nose, his gray eyes sparkling with humor and the experience of a long life. As Abby looked at him, she found nothing to fear.

      “Danke,” she said, conscious Jakob was watching her.

      “Sit here.” Naomi pointed to a chair on Jakob’s right.

      As Abby rounded the table, the two children stared at her...the girl with open curiosity, the boy with open hostility.

      “But that’s Mamm’s seat,” the boy said.

      Abby hesitated, her hand resting along the high back of the wooden chair.

      Jakob’s mouth tightened and he didn’t say a word, but his dark eyes mirrored his son’s disapproval.

      “I can sit here.” Abby sat across from Ruby instead, not wanting to stir up any more animosity.

      In spite of her effort to please him, Reuben gave a gigantic huff and rested his elbows on the table, his chin cradled in the palms of his hands. He eyed her as though she were a stinky dog that shouldn’t be allowed in the house.

      “Sit up straight and mind your manners,” Naomi told him with slightly raised eyebrows.

      The boy did as asked, but his glare stayed firmly in place. Abby tried not to squirm beneath his unfriendly gaze and decided that ill-mannered children should be ignored. She instead focused on Ruby and was rewarded for her effort. The girl grinned, showing a bottom tooth missing in front.

      “You’re pretty,” Ruby said.

      “Danke. So are you,” Abby said, feeling the heat of a blush suffuse her face. She wasn’t used to such praise, even from a child.

      “You’re not our mamm. You never will be.” Reuben blurted the words angrily, then scooted back his chair and raced out of the room. The chair toppled to the floor with a loud clatter.

      Abby flinched.

      “Reuben!” Jakob called, but the boy kept going.

      Abby blinked, not knowing what to say.

      “I’ll go speak with him.” Jakob stood and walked around the table to set the fallen chair back up, then left the room.

      Abby stared at her hands. It was obvious that Reuben didn’t like her. That he felt threatened by her. And if she were going to stay here, she must figure out a way to show him that she meant no harm.

      “Where did Reuben and Daed go?” Ruby asked, her little chin quivering.

      “Reuben isn’t feeling well. Your vadder will look after him, but he will be fine,” Dawdi said.

      The СКАЧАТЬ