Free Amanda Weds a Good Man by Naomi King Page A

mixed up with a—a bounder like that? Why, he’s twenty-four and not even joined the church yet!”
    Abby returned to the sink area, where she’d been filling the jars with water and celery. As much as she loved Emma, she wondered if her friend’s habit of jumping to negative conclusions might be standing in the way of her happiness about
anything
.
    But this was no time to discuss it. Through the glass-paned wall, she saw buggies pulling in and Amanda Lambright was stepping down from one of them. “Here comes our bride,” Abby announced. “Try to tolerate Jerome for today, just because Amanda asked you to stand up with her.”
    â€œJah, but only because she has no sisters or—”
    Abby gave her friend a bewildered look. Was it her imagination, or was Emma sounding more like her fussy mother these days?
    â€œYou’re right,” Emma murmured. “I’m making a mountain out of a molehill. It’s just for a few hours. I don’t have to pretend I’m interested in him.”
    Here came Lois Yutzy with a pull cart full of bread, and her husband, Ezra, followed her with a similar cartload of pies. As other folks carried in food and serving utensils, Abby rushed to hold the door for James, who was carefully balancing the two-tiered wedding cake Lois had baked in her shop.
    â€œGut thing you’ve got strong, steady hands,” she said as he brushed past her. Dressed in his crisp black trousers and vest, with a fresh white shirt, he looked so handsome . . . and so much like a groom it made her thoughts wander.
    James gave her a lingering look. “These hands are gut for handling things besides cake, too, Abby-girl,” he murmured. “But we’ll save that thought for later.”
    Oh, but he was in a romantic mood! Abby had to admit that hosting three weddings had put her in a state of anticipation, too, and yet . . . it concerned her that James seemed eager to show his affection in front of everyone. While she had nothing to be ashamed of, courting this fine man, she felt more comfortable about kissing and such when they were alone.
    But first they had to get Wyman and Amanda hitched. Abby had a long day ahead of her and not a moment to stand idle until the dishes were washed after this evening’s supper.
    Neighbor ladies bustled around the big, airy greenhouse to unload the baked goods for Lois. When Abby turned to watch James arrange the wedding cake on the eck, just so, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
    â€œNow there’s a fellow who looks ready to sit up front with his own cake and his own pretty bride.”
    Abby turned and threw her arm around Rosemary’s shoulders. “We thought you and Matt were going to Queen City to visit and collect your gifts.”
    Rosemary watched her Katie toddle behind Matt as he went up to help James. “Mamm and my sister caught a stomach bug, so we’ll go when they’re well. And besides,” she added, gesturing toward another high-sided wagon loaded with pies, “this is my chance to repay you folks for the feast you prepared for
our
wedding.”
    â€œIt was our pleasure to help out,” Abby insisted. “Especially with your Mamm and family living a couple hours away.”
    â€œAnd here you are hosting Amanda and Wyman’s wedding, too,” Rosemary continued as they set her pies on the cutting table. “Honestly, Abby, you and Barbara and Treva make the rest of us look like slackers! Besides, this gave me a gut trial run with my new oven before I start up my baking business.”
    â€œYou and your oven did a fine job, too. These apple pies with the streusel topping smell
so
gut.” As Abby inhaled their sweet cinnamon scent, she watched her nephew talking with James as they set up the chairs at the eck. “Matt looks mighty happy these days, too . . . even if his new beard isn’t quite filled in yet.”
    Rosemary