His Suitable Amish Wife. Rebecca Kertz

after learning about a problem at his current job site.”

      She glanced at her watch. “’Tis nearly supper time. Do you want me to fix you something to eat?”

      “Nay. I’m not hungry.” In her anxiety, Sarah clasped her arm. “The chicken corn chowder and strawberry pie I made are in the refrigerator for you and Reuben. Promise me you’ll take care of Ethan no matter what. I know my bruder can be difficult.”

      Ellie briefly closed her eyes. “I can handle Reuben.”

      “Then you promise?”

      She nodded. “I promise I’ll take gut care of your nephew.”

      Sarah released a sigh of relief. “Danki, Ellie. I’ll get word to you as soon as I can.”

      “Should I stay here until Reuben gets back?”

      “I don’t know how long he’ll be gone. If it’s too long, you can leave, telling him that you have Ethan at your haus,” the teen suggested.

      Ellie thought for a moment. “I’ll do that.”

      Sarah hugged her. “Danki, Ellie. You are a true friend.”

      A cry from the other room announced that Ethan was awake. “Go get your bag, Sarah. I’ll take care of this little man.” While the girl ran upstairs, Ellie went into the gathering room, where Ethan sat up in his cradle. She picked him up and cuddled him. The smell of his diaper told her it needed changing.

      “Well, little one...’tis you and me for a while. Let’s fix your problem, then we’ll spend some time together, ja?” The little boy was a beautiful child who resembled his father. What was Reuben going to say after learning she’d agreed to babysit indefinitely for his son? The man hadn’t wanted her to clean his house. She could imagine what he’d have to say about watching Ethan.

       What have I gotten myself into?

      She needed to get word to her parents about what had happened. Using her cell phone, she made a call to their neighbors and asked them to let her family know that she’d be home as soon as she could.

      School currently wasn’t in session. Perhaps Charlie could help with Ethan’s care until Ellie figured out a way to make time from her cleaning schedule for babysitting.

      Less than an hour later, Sarah left. Ellie waited another hour and a half for Reuben’s return before deciding to head home with Ethan.

      Before leaving, she bathed and powdered Ethan, then wrote Reuben a long note, explaining what had happened and where Ethan was. She’d made sure she’d packed a bag with diapers, a bottle and food for the new charge. She hoped Reuben wouldn’t be too angry that she’d left with his son. But she felt that she and Ethan were better off at her parents’, since she didn’t know how long Reuben would be gone.

       Dear Lord, please help Reuben understand why I’ve taken his son home with me.

      * * *

      It was late when Reuben made it home after dealing with a plumbing emergency in the house they’d been building. He’d shut off the water, then had to figure out a way to clean up the mess while salvaging whatever he could in the rest of the house for his employer and the future homeowner.

      It was close to nine when he drove his buggy into the yard. When he’d left the house earlier, he’d met an English driver hired by the construction company to transport their Amish crews. Reuben, newly promoted to foreman on this job site, had discovered that the plumber had failed to check his apprentice’s work before leaving for the day. The flood of water from an improperly connected pipe had done an undeterminable amount of damage.

      His body ached from stress as he climbed out of his vehicle and went inside. The house was silent, but he expected it to be. Ethan would have been put to bed earlier, and Sarah was probably in her room reading or fast asleep.

      It was nearly dark outside and pitch-black inside, so he felt his way to the drawer where he kept a flashlight. He clicked on the light before he washed his hands at the kitchen sink and splashed water on his face. He was exhausted. The only thing he wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep for as long as possible before meeting up with his boss the next day.

      After drying his hands and face with a towel, he tossed it into the washing machine in the back room. When he returned to the kitchen, he spied a piece of paper on the dining table. He read the note, then growled with frustration. His son and sister weren’t at home. Sarah was no longer in Happiness. She’d gone to Ohio, summoned by their father. Ethan was with Ellie Stoltzfus at the woman’s house. Ellie had written that she thought it best to take Ethan there to wait for his return. If he came in late, he shouldn’t worry about coming to get him. She’d bring him home first thing in the morning. She knew he’d been working hard and he needed his rest.

      Reuben growled with frustration. Ellie Stoltzfus had his son? He wasn’t about to leave him with the Stoltzfuses. And he needed to know more of what had happened.

      He sank into a chair to catch his breath and to summon the energy to get moving again. He scowled when he thought of Ellie and her nerve in taking his son home with her.

      Anger gave him impetus, and he rose and grabbed his flashlight. He got back into his buggy and headed out to get his son. He’d have a few choice words with Ellie. He was more than annoyed. Having to make this trip was the last thing he needed, but he wanted his son safe and at home.

      What was he going to do about Ethan now that Sarah was gone?

      Reuben knew he had to find a wife and quickly. But first he had to contend with Ellie Stoltzfus and get the full story from her.