Free Amish Sweethearts by Leslie Gould

patted her twin’s shoulder as he passed by. “See you tomorrow.”
    Daniel nodded but didn’t say any more.
    “I should get going too,” Reuben said. He’d only stopped by to bring her a plate of goodies from his sister, Sarah, and had then offered to help Dat. Reuben was probably happy to escape too.
    He nodded toward the door.
    “We’ll see you Wednesday,” Lila said. Their family would visit Reuben’s and then their grandparents on the day after Christmas. She had until then to finish all of those gifts at least.
    When Reuben didn’t leave, Simon laughed. “Lila, you’re so dense. Reuben wants to talk with you. In private.”
    She glanced up at Reuben. He nodded again. She followed him out the door, grabbing her coat again. More snow had started to fall. She prayed Zane would beat the worst of the storm.
    Reuben headed toward the barn, and she followed, hoping he wouldn’t want to talk for long. She’d never get her gifts finished and Christmas Eve dinner on the table if she didn’t get to work soon.
    After he retrieved his horse, they walked back to his buggy. For over two years now they’d been going to singings. Two times he’d brought up marriage, but she’d said she was too young.
    “I heard Daniel and Jenny are thinking of marrying soon,” Reuben said as he hitched his horse.
    “Daniel needs to find a better job. And they’ll both need to join the church,” Lila replied.
    Reuben turned toward her. “When do you plan to join?”
    Reuben was five years older than she was and had joined several years ago. “I’ll take the class this spring,” she said.
    A pleased expression passed over his face. “Do you believe we have control over whom we fall in love with?” he asked.
    “Of course,” she answered. “Love is a commitment, right? We have to choose it.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “Do you love me, Lila?”
    Her breath caught. “Of course.” Why did he need to bring this up now?
    “Can you tell me?”
    “Now?” she blurted.
    He nodded. “I need to know if my continuing to wait for you is the right thing to do. I don’t want us to court and court and court only to have you change your mind. . . .” His voice trailed off.
    He was asking about her love, but he’d never told her that he loved her. Was he waiting for affirmation from her first?
    Anxiety swept through her and she crossed her arms. “Could we wait to talk about this?” she asked. “When we have more time? When I’m not feeling overwhelmed?” She still needed to get the dinner rolls started. And finish her sewing. And get the gifts wrapped.
    His face fell. “Of course. I’m sorry.”
    “Denki,” she said.
    He sighed. “See you Wednesday,” he said as he led the horse and buggy to the driveway.
    She nodded and said, “Merry Christmas,” and then headed toward the house.
    The tears started before she reached the halfway point. She kept her head down as she waved at Reuben rolling by in his buggy, and then ran up the steps, hoping Simon wasn’t still in the kitchen.
    Of course he was, along with Rose and Trudy.
    She hurried on through with her coat still on, hoping they wouldn’t notice her face.
    “What’s the matter?” Rose asked, rising to her feet and following Lila. “Reuben didn’t break up with you, did he?”
    Lila shook her head and dashed to the bathroom, closing the door and locking it before Rose could follow.
    “Let me in,” Rose said as she pounded on the door.
    “I’m fine,” Lila said. “I just need to wash my face.” She sat down on the toilet lid and grabbed the hand towel, burying her face in it, trying to keep from sobbing. But it was impossible.
    “Lila?”
    She didn’t answer. She’d hated Christmas since her mother had died. Dat was always in a bad mood. The younger children had expectations she couldn’t meet. She did her best to cook the foods Mamm had and keep the traditions, but she always failed.
    Having Zane stop by had made her think of all the Christmas Eves