A Secret Amish Love. Rebecca Kertz

holding them. After her sister Meg became gravely ill, and Michael—the man she’d loved—had died, her animals had been Nell’s only solace.

      Working the afternoon at Pierce’s Veterinary Clinic, she believed, was God’s reward for doing the right thing.

      Her father was standing on the front porch gazing at the horizon when Nell joined him.

      “Dat?”

      “Gut, you’re here.”

      “Dat, if this is about today, I’m sorry that you were worried. I called Bob as soon as I knew that I’d be staying. I didn’t know about Joshua and the accident.”

      “This isn’t about today,” he said, “although I was worried when you didn’t come home.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      “You did what you should have. Joshua explained everything.” He turned to stare out over the farm. “’Tis about something else. Something I’ve been meaning to talk with you about.”

      “What is it, Dat?”

      “You’re twenty-four, Nell. ’Tis time you were thinking of marrying and having a family of your own. Other community women your age are married with children, but you have shown no interest in having a husband. I’m afraid you’re spending too much time with your animals.”

      Nell’s heart lurched with fear. He’d talked previously of marriage to her but not negatively about her animals. “Dat, I enjoy them.” She inhaled sharply. “You want me to get rid of them?”

      He faced her. “Nay, Dochter, I know you care for those critters, and as unusual as that is, I wouldn’t insist on taking anything away that gives you such joy. But having a husband and children should be more important. You’re getting older, and your chances at marriage are dwindling. You need to find a husband and soon. If not, then I’ll have to find one for you.”

      “How am I supposed to get a husband, Dat?” She’d loved Michael and hoped to marry him until he’d died of injuries from an automobile accident.

      She knew she was expected to marry. It was the Amish way. But how was she to find a husband?

       Chapter Three

      Saturday morning found the five Stoltzfus sisters in the kitchen with their mother preparing food for the next day. This Sunday was Visiting Day, and the family would be spending it at the William Mast farm. Nell and her sister Leah were making schnitz pies made from dried apples for the gathering. Mam and Ellie were kneading bread that they would bake today and eat with cold cuts tomorrow evening after they returned home. Meg and their youngest sister, Charlie, were cutting watermelon, honeydew melons and cantaloupe for a fresh fruit salad.

      “I’m going to Martha’s on Monday,” Meg announced as she cut fruit and placed it in a ceramic bowl. “We’re planning to work on craft items for the Gordonville Mud Sale and Auction.”

      “What’s so special about the Gordonville sale?” Charlie asked.

      Ellie smirked. “She’s hoping to see Reuben.”

      Meg blushed. “I don’t know that he’ll be there.”

      “But that’s your hope,” Nell said.

      For as long as Nell could remember, Meg had harbored feelings for Reuben Miller, a young man from another Amish church community. She’d met him two years ago at their youth singing, after their cousin Eli had invited Reuben and his sister Rebecca, whom Eli liked at the time, to attend.

      Reuben had struck up a conversation with Meg, and Meg immediately had taken a strong liking to him. Although the young man hadn’t attended another singing, Meg continued to hold on to the hope that one day they’d meet again and he’d realize that she was the perfect girl for him.

      Nell eyed her middle sister. “Meg, if you see Reuben and find out that he’s courting someone, what are you going to do?”

      Meg’s features contorted. “I don’t know,” she whispered.

      “You could be hurt, but still you won’t give up...” Leah added.

      Meg nodded. “I can’t. Not if there is the slightest chance that he doesn’t have a sweetheart. I know we spent only a few hours together, but I really liked him,” she admitted quietly. “I still do.”

      “If you want a sweetheart, why not consider Peter Zook?” Nell suggested, anticipating Meg’s negative response.

      “Peter!” her sister spat. “I don’t want Peter Zook’s attention.”

      “Peter’s a nice boy,” Mam said.

      “Exactly! He’s a boy.” She sniffed. “Reuben is a man.”

      Nell held back a teasing retort. Peter was the same age as Reuben. He was a kind and compassionate young man who’d had the misfortune of falling in love with her sister, who wanted nothing to do with him. In her opinion, Meg could do no better than Peter Zook.

      If only she could find someone her age who was kind, like Peter, to marry. An Amish friend she could respect and eventually regard fondly as they built a life together.

      “I hope it works out for you, Meg,” she said as she squeezed her sister’s shoulder gently.

      Meg smiled at her. “Danki.”

      “Would you and Martha like help on Monday? I can make pot holders for the sale,” their youngest sister offered.

      “That would be nice, Charlie,” Meg said. “Danki.”

      The day passed quickly with the sisters chatting about many topics while they worked, including their Lapp cousins and who they expected to visit tomorrow at the Mast home.

      Sunday morning arrived warm and sunny. At nine o’clock, their father brought the buggy close to the back door. The girls filed out of the house with food and into the buggy. Nell handed them the pies she and Leah had baked before climbing inside herself.

      “Dat, Onkel Samuel and Endie Katie are coming, ja?” Leah asked as Dat steered the horse away from the house and onto the paved road.

      “Ja, so your onkel said,” he replied.

      “Endie Katie said the same when I saw her the other day.”

      “Will all of our cousins be coming with their kinner? Noah and Rachel, Annie and Jacob, Jedidiah and Sarah?”

      “I believe so,” Dat said.

      Nell smiled. She enjoyed spending time with her male cousins and their spouses. And she was eager to see Ellen, William and Josie’s daughter, who had come to her aid and taken her and Jonas to the vet the day Nell had rescued him.

      Buggies were parked on the lawn to the left in front of the barn when Dat pulled in next to the last vehicle.

      Nell got out of the carriage first. Seeing her, Ellen Mast waved and hurried to meet her.

      “Hallo, Nell! How’s Jonas?”

      “He’s doing wonderfully. His leg is healed, and he’s gained weight. I’m about to start him on heartworm medicine.”

      The young blond woman looked pleased. “I’m so glad. I think it was a gut thing that you were the one to rescue him. I’m sure he’s happy and well.”

      Nell beamed. “I’d like to think so.” She and Ellen strolled toward the house as the other members of her family slowly followed.

      Another gray family carriage parked next to theirs. “Look!” Charlie exclaimed. “’Tis the Adam Troyers!”

      “Charlie!” Rosie Troyer called as she exited the vehicle. Abigail climbed out behind her and waved. The eldest sister, Maggie, and their brother Matthew followed