A Dark Amish Night Read Online Free Page B

the bishop and the church deacons this morning. You think you’ll be okay on your own?”
       Timothy shrugged. “I’ll be fine, Ma. Go on.”
       “Okay, then.” Timothy pulled away from his mother when she bent to kiss him on the head, but rather than be offended, Hannah smiled. “I’ll be back for you here in one hour. Quinn, I’ll see you then too.”
       Hannah loaded Ruth Anne and her new doll onto the buggy and headed for the church. She wasn’t sure what to expect from the church deacons, but was totally unprepared for what they expected from her.
       “You want me to submit to an arranged marriage? Surely you must be joking?” Hannah was indignant, and not sure if she’d understood correctly.
       “Hannah, it wouldn’t be like that. Think of your children and your farm. As it is that you have no other family that can take you in or lend you help, the church must help provide for you as a true widow of the faith. We are prepared to assist you financially and help run your farm until an appropriate suitor can be found for you, and of course you will choose the final candidate. A young woman with land such as yourself would have no problem finding a good man to care for you and your children. There would be an appropriate amount of time for you to grieve and then be properly courted of course.” Bishop Miller stood in front of Hannah as she addressed him and the church deacons.
       “So, that’s it then. As a good woman of the plain folk I should submit to an arranged marriage instead of trying to support my family on my own with a business of my own. I don’t understand if the church wants to help support me financially then why won’t you help me start my own bakery? I suppose that if I were past childbearing years like Pattie Sue, we wouldn’t be having this ludicrous conversation.” This whole situation was becoming surreal to Hannah.
       Her bold statement caused some rumblings from the church deacons. Bishop Miller left Hannah standing where she was and went to the circle of deacons to confer with them.
       Hannah shifted her weight with Ruth Anne in her arms fast asleep. Dear Lord, Please intervene here. I cannot even bear the thought of living with another man right now. Don’t let this stand. Please, just don’t.
       After a few moments Bishop Miller came back to stand in front of Hannah again.
       “Very well, Hannah, we will consider your request and I will let you know of our decision personally. Remember you are much loved and respected in this community and we only desire that you and your children be safe and happy here. It is my hope that you will reconsider our offer to help you remain on your farm with a husband to cherish and protect you.”
       Hannah’s heart softened. She could see that the bishop and the deacons did have a care for her and her children. “Yes, Bishop Miller. I can see that you only have my best interest at heart. But I loved my husband. I’m not yet ready to be wed to another, and I don’t know if I ever will be.” Hannah thanked all the deacons and the bishop before she left. Her heart was heavy with her loss of Eric, more so now than ever, but she was leaving with some small hope for a secure future for herself and her children. The matter was in God’s hands now and Hannah would abide by his will.
     
     
     
       Quinn walked with Timothy around the town square. The dogwood trees were fully dressed with deep magenta colored blossoms and the air was fragrant with fresh flowers blooming everywhere. Timothy hadn’t uttered a single word since they’d left the station.
       “So, how are things at home, son? I can imagine it’s been real hard on all of you. But it must be real hard on you stepping up to be the man of the house and all now.”
       Timothy looked up at Quinn with big round eyes. “Yes, I hope to make my Pa proud by looking after Mom and Ruth Anne.”
        Good, now we’re breaking the ice here. Quinn