Courting Emily (A Wells Landing Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

have you come calling?”
    Emily hopped down from the buggy and grabbed the basket from behind her seat. Her sisters, all save Bea, filed out of the buggy. Susannah went around to unhitch the horse.
    “We came to help you today.”
    Joy’s expression was unreadable as she looked around at all their faces.
    “We brought you some bread and cookies.” Mary stepped forward holding the box filled with goodies. The girls had stayed up late last night baking in order to bring the offering today.
    A smile warbled on Joy’s lips as if she wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. “Come in,” she said, her voice thick. “Come in.”
    The girls smiled and tromped to the porch, stopping to greet little Johanna Riehl as they entered the house.
    “Have you come to mop?” Johanna asked them in Deutsch . At four, she hadn’t learned English yet and wouldn’t for another couple of years when she finally started to school.
    “ Jah, ” Emily said, smiling down at the sweet-faced child. She was blond-haired and blue-eyed just like her mother.
    Johanna popped her thumb into her mouth and solemnly surveyed the older girls.
    “Are you going to help us mop?” Emily asked her.
    Johanna nodded. “I’m a good helper,” she said.
    Emily laughed. “I’m sure you are.”
    She took Johanna by her free hand and led her into the house.
    The girls immediately got to work. Emily and Susannah started on the downstairs while Rose and Mary made their way upstairs.
    Her sisters returned a few minutes later carrying the sheets from the rooms. They laughed and joked with each other as they carted the bedclothes into the screened-in back porch where Joy Riehl kept her propane-powered washing machine.
    Susannah grabbed the broom from beside the refrigerator and started to sweep.
    “Where are your dusting rags?” Emily asked. She would set young Johanna to wiping down the baseboards behind Susannah.
    “I—I don’t know what to say.” Tears filled Joy’s eyes. Emily could see how tired and run-down the poor woman looked, and her heart went out to her.
    “There is nothing to be said, Joy Riehl.” She shot Elam’s mother a quick smile.
    “ Danki, ” Joy whispered.
    “Why don’t you go take a nap?” Emily suggested.
    Joy shook her head. “ Nay . I should help. Strip the rest of the beds . . . draw the water to mop.”
    But Emily wouldn’t hear of it. “A nap,” she said firmly. “You can help us most by taking a nap.”
    Joy grabbed her fingers and squeezed hard. “You are a blessing, Emily Ebersol. You and your sisters.”
    “ Danki, Joy Riehl.” Emily smiled. “Now about that nap.”
    Finally Joy agreed and retired to one of the downstairs bedrooms to rest.
    Emily noticed there were two rooms downstairs and sadly enough Joy and her husband no longer shared a bed. She mentally chastised herself for being such a busybody. But she remembered how happy the couple had looked before the accident. Not that they showed outward affection. But a body could tell when two people were well-suited. Joy and James Riehl were one of those couples.
    “Where do you suppose Elam is?” Susannah asked. She didn’t bother to look up from her task of sweeping under the kitchen table, but Emily could hear the intention in her tone.
    “I wouldn’t know.” Her voice held an edge she immediately regretted. “I suppose he is out in the pasture tending his stock.”
    Mary nodded, a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth.
    “Why?” Emily demanded. “Are you thinking of courtin’ him?”
    “Emily Jane! What a thing to say. Surely you know I was asking for your sake.”
    “My sake?” Emily squeaked.
    “ Jah . Seems to me that with Luke gone, Elam would be the perfect choice for you.”
    “I don’t see how,” she huffed. “Besides, Luke is bound to return anyday.”
    Susannah stopped sweeping. All the teasing had drained from her features leaving her expression serious. “You really believe he’ll come back?”
    Emily nodded