Free Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman Page B

but letting her guard down didn’t come easy. On the flip side, what if David Stoltzfus was the most wonderful man on the planet, his character a mirror of his handsome looks?
    Then she would only set herself up for heartache because marriage won’t be in her future. Just the same, she couldn’t help but look forward to seeing him.
    Mamm hadn’t said much to Emily when she’d returned home from Sister’s Day with Betsy. Emily knew she was mad, but as was Mamm’s way, she’d quickly recovered and made it her business to make sure that everyone around her was happy, including Emily. So, in light of her guilt over the way she’d behaved, Emily faked happiness for her mother’s sake for a few days.
    “Emily!” Hop, hop, hop up the stairs, then Emily’s door bolted open. “ Mamm said to come downstairs. People are starting to get here.” Betsy pointed one toe forward as she put her hands on her hips.
    “I’m coming, Betsy.” Emily sat down on the bed and quickly tied her shoes. “Who’s here?”
    “Hannah, Beth Ann, Edna, Leah, Amos, and...” Betsy rol ed her eyes. “That David Stoltzfus person.”
    Emily stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Now, Betsy, stop that. David is Anna and Elizabeth’s bruder , and they are your friends.”
    “He made you cry.” Betsy’s bottom lip curled under.
    Emily walked to Betsy and squatted down in front of her. She cupped Betsy’s chin in her hand. “Betsy, he didn’t mean to. Sometimes I’m just too sensitive.”
    “Do you think David Stoltzfus is a gut man?”
    Emily thought for a moment, about how she’d thought James was the best man in the world. She could spend her life in fear and worry, or choose another path, one God would prefer. “I’m going to choose to believe that David Stoltzfus is a gut man.” She kissed Betsy on the cheek. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs.”
    When Emily hit the bottom stair, she could hear voices in the kitchen. She rounded the corner to find David surrounded by al the single women—
    Hannah, Edna, and Leah. Al three ladies were seeking a suitor in this smal community, and Emily knew David could have his pick of any of them. She approached the group slowly and greeted everyone.
    “ Mamm has everything set up in the basement,” she said. “There’s plenty of food, games set out, and Jacob set up the shuffleboard table. I think he’s down there playing with Levi.” She stretched out an arm toward the door leading downstairs. “So, please, everyone make yourselves at home.”
    “Come on, David.” Hannah latched onto David’s elbow. “I’ve been here before; I’l show you the way.” Hannah batted her eyes at David.
    David eased out of Hannah’s grip and gave her a soft smile. “You ladies go on ahead. I need to talk to Emily for a minute.” David winked at Emily when their eyes met, and Emily felt one knee give beneath her.
    Hannah’s face twisted with disapproval, and she gave a begrudging nod. David waited until everyone was out of earshot, then walked closer to Emily and said, “Let’s take a ride in the buggy after the singing.”
    Emily’s defenses piqued. “I can’t.”
    “Just a short ride.”
    Footsteps rounded the corner. “She said she can’t .” Levi positioned himself in front of David. “Didn’t you hear her?”
    “Stop it, Levi. It’s fine.” Emily gently touched Levi on the arm, but he jerked away, eyed David, and headed out the kitchen door.
    David arched his brows. “I reckon people from Middlefield are more aggressive than where I come from in Lancaster County. What was that about anyway?”
    Emily shrugged. “ Ach , just ignore Levi. He’s been overprotective since—” She bit her lip, but David seemed to be waiting.
    When she didn’t go on, he said, “It’s okay, Emily. You don’t have to tel me. Now or ever. But just know that you’re always safe with me. I promise.”
    She smiled. “Maybe just a quick ride after the singing later.”
    David smiled. “ Gut.