Finding the Way (The Amish Millers Get Married Book 5) by Ruth Hartzler Read Free Book Online Page A

next?”
    “He kissed my hand, but then he suddenly
dropped it and acted a bit odd, and then said we should go back to
the haus .”
    Martha smiled triumphantly. “He really likes
you,” she said. “That’s proof.”
     
    Sarah was puzzled. “What, it’s proof that he
likes me? I thought it was proof that he doesn’t. I don’t
understand.”
    “An Amish mann doesn’t kiss a girl’s
hand if he doesn’t like her, silly.” Martha rolled her eyes.
    “But why did he suddenly drop my hand?’
    Martha sighed loudly, “Because he likes you.
Oh Sarah, really, you have no idea about menner .”
    Sarah had to admit that Martha was right
about her having no idea about menner . But was Martha right
about Benjamin? Did he really like her? And if he did, why hadn’t
he asked her on a buggy ride yet? She did not have the answers.
     

 
    John 15:9-13.
    As the Father has loved me, so have I loved
you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide
in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide
in his love.
     
    Chapter
12
    Nash was waiting for Jessie by their usual
place, down by the ruins of the old, stone cottage. She had not
been there the last two mornings in a row; he hoped it would be
third time lucky.
    When Jessie did appear, a faint wave of
nausea washed over Nash. Jessie affected him like no other woman
ever had. He had missed her dreadfully the last few days, and he
realized that she had done her best to avoid him. He wondered if it
was too late for them. Had he already pushed her away before he
even had a chance?
    Nash stood and looked over the rolling
fields. He was beginning to appreciate the countryside, and the
more relaxed lifestyle, and now was not missing the city so much.
Yet there was no rest from the questions that kept assaulting his
mind. Had Jessie been right? Did he have a sense of entitlement?
Was he really a spoiled brat? He had been aware that his mother had
often cried about him, and that had made him feel bad, but now the
first real pangs of remorse were filtering through to him.
    Nash turned around and saw Jessie
approaching. She wasn’t smiling at him, but then, she wasn’t a
smiling sort of person. She is here, and that must be a good
sign , he thought.
    “I didn’t know if you’d come,” he said by way
of greeting.
    “I didn’t know if I would, either,” said
Jessie with her characteristic frankness.
    “Why did you then?” Nash realized that his
voice had sounded sulky; he hadn’t meant it to be.
    Jessie shrugged and pouted. “Dunno.”
    Nash stood, looking at his feet, and moving
from one foot to another. After an uncomfortable silence, he
decided to speak. It’s now or never , he thought. “Jessie,
would you come to dinner with me?”
    Jessie appeared to be quite taken aback.
“What, like on a date?” Her voice rose to a high pitch.
    “Yes, I suppose so,”
    “You said dinner?”
    Nash crossed his arms. “Have you gone
deaf?”
    When Jessie glared at him, he hurried to
continue. “Well, I can’t ask you on a buggy ride, can I, seeing
that I don’t have one. Unless we took your buggy, I suppose.”
    Jessie shook her head. “ Nee , we can’t
take my buggy. That wouldn’t be right.”
    Nash was at first irritated, but then he
realized that Jessie had not rejected him outright.
    “Well, how about it?”
    Jessie narrowed her eyes. “That’s not the
nicest invitation to a date I’ve ever had.”
    Nash laughed. “How many invitations to dates
have you had?”
    Jessie shrugged. “None.”
    Nash was nervous, and Jessie’s behavior was
not helping. She was just standing there looking at him, and as yet
had not accepted or rejected his invitation. His stomach was
churning and all tied up in knots. Jessie was standing directly in
front of him, and her proximity was adding to his nervousness. She
smelled heavenly, like vanilla and roses. He gave it one more shot.
“Jessie Yoder, would you do me the honor of accompanying me