Finding Her Amish Love. Rebecca Kertz

them.” And he knew they would accept her into their home without a moment’s hesitation. “Missy and Arlin Stoltzfus are fine people. Arlin is my mam’s brother.”

      As he drove on to his aunt and uncle’s house, Daniel tried further to engage her in conversation and get her to open up. She might be only seventeen, but he had a feeling that everything she’d been forced to endure had made her seem much older than her years.

      “What happened to your family?”

      “They died in a car crash when I was eleven,” she said.

      “Brothers or sisters?”

      She shook her head. “I was an only child. I have no other family.”

      Daniel couldn’t imagine being alone with no family. He’d been raised with seven siblings. That Jess—Emma—had suffered such loss as a child was more than a little upsetting to him. “You lived with your foster family all this time?”

      “No,” she said. “My first foster parents were wonderful.” She grew quiet for a moment, then said, “They couldn’t take care of me after my foster father got sick.” He saw her blink rapidly as if fighting tears. “I don’t know if he is alive or dead,” she admitted.

      “I’m sorry,” he said softly.

      Talking about her past was painful. Emma stared out the side window and sensed the long sideward looks that Daniel gave her. She faced him. “What?”

      “I’m impressed by your courage,” Daniel murmured.

      “What courage? I ran away from a bad situation.”

      “Ja, you did, and it was the best thing for you. You didn’t know what would happen when you left, yet you went. You were brave.”

      She looked at him and was amazed to see that he meant what he’d said. She gaped, speechless.

      He grinned, then turned onto a dirt driveway that led up to a small white two-story house. “Relax,” he told her with a smile. “My aunt and uncle are gut people. Remember they’re also Leah’s parents.”

      She felt her tension dissipate. If this couple had raised Leah, then they had to be good people. A woman doesn’t turn out that kind without having a loving family and home.

      Emma stared at the house without moving. Daniel’s sudden presence on her side of the buggy startled her. His gentle expression eased her fears. He held out a hand, and she accepted his help. Did he suspect that she was bruised? No, he couldn’t possibly know about the bruises. It would be some time before they’d be healed enough to no longer be sensitive, but the dress covered her arms enough to keep them hidden until they disappeared. Daniel startled her when he kept gentle hold of her hand after she got out. He released it to knock on the side door of the house. Within seconds, the woman who appeared saw Daniel, and her eyes lit up as she smiled. “Daniel! Come in.”

      “I’ve brought you a houseguest,” he said. “Leah sent her.”

      The woman who must be Leah’s mother opened the door wider with a huge inviting smile for her. “Come in.”

      “Emma,” Daniel supplied for her.

      Emma hesitated until Daniel’s hand on her back urged her forward.

      “Tea?” Missy invited.

      “I could do with a quick cup,” Daniel said. “Emma?”

       “Ja, danki.”

      Missy looked at her strangely before she turned to put the kettle on.

      “There is something you need to know,” Emma began when the woman took a seat across from her and Daniel, who had chosen to sit by her side. “I’m a runaway. Leah is my friend. She’s given me a job at the store and invited me to stay in your spare room.” She paused. “And I’m now a cousin from New Wilmington.”

      Missy studied her intently. “Emma?”

      “Ja?” She tensed.

      Leah’s mother smiled. “Welcome home,” she said, and Emma was unable to control the tears that overflowed to trail down her cheeks. Tears of relief and happiness that she’d been given a second chance to feel safe and loved.

      Daniel studied his aunt, then observed the young English woman seated next to him. He was startled that she’d been so forthright with his aunt. If anyone would be able to make life better for Emma, it was Missy and Arlin Stoltzfus. He drank his tea, ate two homemade chocolate brownies, then rose. “I need to talk with Reuben briefly before I head to work this afternoon.” He met the Englisher’s gaze. “Emma,” he said, “you’ll be oll recht?”

      She smiled. “Ja, I’ll be fine.”

       “Gut.”

      “I’ll see you on Sunday if not before,” he told his aunt.

      “Ja, give your mudder my best.” Missy smiled. “Please tell her that I might not be able to make it to quilting on Wednesday.”

      “I’ll tell her.” Daniel’s gaze slid over Emma, and he was glad to see her relaxed with a small smile on her face as she moved to stand next to him. He addressed her. “You, I’ll see in the morning. I have to be at work at nine tomorrow, so I’ll pick you up at eight thirty.” He turned toward his aunt. “Will that give Emma enough time to do morning chores?”

      Surprise flickered across his aunt’s expression, then came understanding. “More than enough time.”

      To Daniel’s surprise, Emma excused herself to his aunt and followed him outside.

      “Daniel,” she whispered. He halted and faced her. “Danki for everything.” Her expression was earnest, open and honest.

      He smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

      To his satisfaction, she simply nodded and went back inside. He left with the image of her bright brown eyes gazing at him with gratitude. He didn’t want her gratitude. He wasn’t sure what he wanted, but it wasn’t for her to feel beholden to him.

      He drove back to see Leah first. It wasn’t afternoon yet, so he had a little time to talk with his cousin about the young woman in her parents’ home. When he pulled in next to the hitching post on the side of the building, he waited a moment, his thoughts whirling with questions that needed answering. He got out, tied up his gelding, then went into the building. Henry was behind the counter.

      “Is your wife here?” he asked.

      “She went up to the house, but she’ll be right back.”

      “I’ll wait. I need to talk with her.” He paused. “About Emma.”

      “Leah’s idea,” Henry supplied.

      Daniel blinked. “What?”

      “She picked Emma as Jess’s identity while she’s here, because ’tis a fine name for an Amish girl.”

      “What did Leah tell you about her?”

      “That she lost her parents when she was eleven.”

      Daniel nodded. “Ja, she told me.”

      Henry looked surprised. “What else did she say?”

      “That she ran from her foster family.” Daniel frowned. “She didn’t say much, but what she fears most is being sent back to them.”

      “I’m shocked that she told you about her past. She had a hard time telling Leah, and she considers Leah her friend.”

      “I