The Amish Widow (Amish Romance Mystery) (Amish Secret Widows' Society Book 1) by Samantha Price Read Free Book Online

Elsa-May was the first to speak. “Someone’s out to diddle you, girl.”
    “You think so? But even if they did buy the land, I would make sure that I got a fair price. How would they diddle me?” Emma asked.
    “Well, dear, perhaps they think that you don’t want to sell, so they have to find devious means to get what they want. They may not diddle you financially, but they may diddle you to encourage you to sell when you don’t want to.” Ettie was softly spoken and Emma had to make a special effort to hear what she said.
    The other ladies made murmurs of agreement.
    “What should I do? I kind of don’t feel safe with the vulture man coming to the haus and all, and now I’m worried about Wil.” Emma chewed on the end of her fingernail.
    “More tea?” Ettie picked up the fine china teapot.
    Emma nodded and held the teacup toward Ettie hoping Ettie would not spill the boiling tea on her with her shaky hands. “ Denke , Ettie.”
    While Ettie filled everyone’s nearly empty cups, Silvie said to the group, “What should we do about it? How will we get to the bottom of things?”
    Elsa-May’s eyes narrowed. “You, Silvie, will go and pay the vulture a visit and pretend that you want to buy land in the area.”
    Emma turned to look at Silvie thinking she would be horrified with the idea.
    Instead, Silvie nodded enthusiastically. “ Jah, and I’ll say my husband and I want to buy it, so he might believe it a bit more.”
    Ettie added, “Wear makeup, so you’ll look pretty and be sure to make eyes at him.”
    Emma gasped at Ettie’s words. Ettie was normally so quiet and so proper.
    When Ettie noticed the look on Emma’s face, she said, “That means to flirt with him.”
    “I know what it means; I’m shocked that you’d encourage Silvie to flirt.”
    “It’ll help her get information, Emma,” Elsa-May said.
    Silvie held her chin up high. “I know what to do.”
    Emma swung around from looking open mouthed at Ettie to look open mouthed at sweet, little blonde-haired Silvie. Was she really going to go against the Ordnung to wear makeup – and flirt? “Should we go against the Ordnung ?” Emma felt in her heart she would be just as guilty if she let Silvie go ahead with the plan.
    Elsa-May’s loud voice boomed. “Would Gott want you to be ripped off?”
    “ Nee , but He does say in the Bible that vengeance is His,” Emma pointed out.
    “Humph.” Elsa-May leaned her bottom jaw out as she said, “ Gott gave us a brain, so we could use it.”
    “We’re using a little more than our brain here though,” Emma said. Yes, we are using our womanly ways, would Gott approve of that?
    Everyone’s eyes flew to Emma.
    “We just want to help you, Emma, that’s all,” Maureen said.
    “ Jah . You’re one of us now,” Silvie said.
    “ Gott put you in this group with us for a reason,” Elsa-May said. “Besides, the Ordnung changes all the time. The bishop’s allowing some people tractors now and others can have computers for their businesses. Think of it as, us being ahead of our time and Gott is not constrained by time; He is eternal.”
    Ettie chimed in, “She’s right, Emma, and we’re not hurting anyone; we’re just trying to protect you.”
    The others nodded and continued looking at Emma. Emma could feel everyone’s love and concern. Being protected is what she needed right now. Visions of her pitchfork and spade came to her mind. “All right then. Denke . I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. I am very grateful that you all want to help.”
    “Okay, we’ll call it ‘Operation Vulture Takedown,’” Elsa-May said as she pulled out a yellow note pad and began to write.
    Silvie giggled while Emma wondered what she had just agreed to.

Chapter 5.
    And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
    2 Corinthians 12:9
     
    ‘Operation