Free The Matchmaker by Sarah Price

standing blocked her way.
    “I admit that you have helped her tremendously, Emma, but I am not so sure that your presumption about Ralph Martin is fair. She is a young woman with a questionable family background and upbringing.” Emma gasped at his words, but he did not let her interrupt him. “As for Ralph, he’s a godly man with a spotless reputation and a lot to offer your friend.”
    “He’s a pig farmer.”
    Gideon tilted his head and blinked his eyes just once. There was a look of complete disbelief on his face that made her feel uncomfortable, and she tried to look away. “What does being a pig farmer have to do with his being a fine match for your friend? He’s a hard worker, honest, and kind!Aren’t those the most important things, besides that she finds a man who honors God and his community? And lest you forget, he seems to be quite taken with her.”
    To this statement she did not reply.
    “Why, Emma Weaver! This has nothing to do with Ralph Martin or his occupation, which you find so distasteful for some unknown reason! It has everything to do with your fixation on Paul Esh marrying her instead!” He laughed, but there was no mirth to his laughter. “That is most ridiculous. You know that, don’t you?”
    “I’m sure I do not know what you mean!”
    He placed his hand under her chin and made her look at him. “You should know better than to meddle, Emma. Ralph Martin may be a pig farmer, but he is a right gut man and is well thought of in his g’may . I think highly of him and know that he would make your friend a fine husband. She would have a gut future with Ralph, and that is what you should be focused on.”
    Placing the needle on top of the quilt, Emma stood up and moved away from Gideon. His brotherly advice was getting on her nerves today, and she was having a hard time holding her tongue. “A girl like Hannah would do far better with someone like Paul,” she proclaimed. “She is not farm girl material, Gideon. Certainly she is more familiar with labor in a store than a field.”
    “Not farm girl material?” He ran his fingers through his hair, his eyes wide and full of disbelief at her statement. “Since when have you become so very proud, Emma Weaver? I am disappointed in your hand in this matter.” He didn’t wait for her answer. “There is so much advantage for Hannah in this match, one that is before her and not one that you dream of! Even I would think that you would see that!”
    “Then you must think very little of me!”
    “What I think of you right now, I prefer not to say,” he admitted rather harshly. “The goodness and godliness of Ralph Martin is unquestionable. Despite your desire to seek better for your friend, I do fear that you will not find it, Emma. I only hope that Ralph will be able to move on and maintain his godly spirit that you so quickly dismiss because of his occupation.” He turned his back to her and stared out the window. “And for what? A hopeless dream that Paul Esh will fulfill your need to meddle and matchmake? Ja vell , Emma, I dare say that Paul will think more rationally than you. His desire is to marry a woman who is suited to be part of a bishop’s family. Despite your protests, Hannah is not that woman!”
    Emma caught herself from gasping at Gideon’s words. Lifting her chin, she narrowed her eyes and looked at him. “You criticize me for thinking Ralph is not good enough for Hannah, and then declare that Hannah is not good enough for Paul.”
    “Indeed it appears that I did,” Gideon shot back, leveling his gaze at her as if speaking to a child. His condescending tone did not go unnoticed by Emma, and she fought the urge to squirm under his rebuke. “Apparently I have a much more mature awareness of what matches are suitable as well as realistic.”
    Emma tried to hide her discomfort and hurried over to the kitchen, wishing that her daed would return from his walk. While Gideon always tended to be on the critical side when it