Free An Amish Match by Jo Ann Brown Page B

a silent prayer, Joshua asked Timothy to help Levi with the dishes while Deborah played with Sammy. Before they could answer, he stood and invited Rebekah to come out on the front porch with him. He wasn’t sure who looked the most surprised at his requests.
    But one thing he knew for certain. He and Rebekah needed some time to talk and come to terms with the life they had chosen together. He had put off the discussion since he asked her to be his wife.
    Rebekah lifted Sammy down from the high chair and told him to show Deborah the pictures he’d colored earlier. As the toddler rushed to the little girl, he shot an uneasy glance in Joshua’s direction. His mamm looked dismayed, and she bit her lower lip.
    Joshua said nothing as he motioned for her to lead the way to the front door. When he reached over her head to hold the screen door, she recoiled sharply. Had he surprised her? She must have known he was right behind her, and she should have guessed he’d hold the door for her.
    A grim realization rushed through him. She must be worried that if she lowered the walls between them, even enough to thank him for a common courtesy, he would insist on his rights as her husband. He wanted to reassure her that he understood her anxiety, but anything he could think to say might make the situation even more tense.
    If that were even possible.
    * * *
    Scolding herself for showing her reaction to Joshua’s hand moving past her face, Rebekah knew she needed to take care. He hadn’t been about to slap her, and acting as if he was could betray the secret she kept in the darkest corners of her heart. She hurried to the closer of the two rocking chairs on the front porch. She’d always loved the rockers Joshua and Matilda had received as wedding gifts. Whenever she and Lloyd had visited, she had happily sat in one and watched the traffic on the narrow road in front of the house.
    Now...
    She pushed aside thoughts of being a trespasser. Upon marrying Joshua, this had become her home. She had to stop considering it another woman’s.
    â€œI thought you might appreciate a bit of rest,” Joshua said as he leaned against the railing so he could face her. “I never expected you to toil so hard in the kitchen.”
    â€œYou know how it is. You do one thing and that leads to another and then to another, and before you know it, the whole task is done.”
    He smiled and something spun with joy within her. He was a handsome man, even more so when he grinned because his dark brown eyes glistened. He was past due for a haircut, and strands fell forward into his eyes. She folded her hands on her lap to keep from reaching up to discover if it was as silken as it looked.
    â€œAnd I had lots of help,” she added so silence didn’t fall between them. “Deborah is like a sponge, soaking up everything I tell her.”
    â€œEspecially about making pie.” He patted his stomach. “I may have to take up jogging like the Englischers if you keep feeding us such amazing food.”
    â€œIf you do, I will sew an under-the-chin strap for your hat like I do for Sammy’s so it won’t bounce off.”
    He roared a laugh, slapping his hand against the roof pole beside him. She smiled, glad she’d been able to ease the strain on his face...if only for a short time.
    When he waved at a buggy driving past, he said, “Daniel is late returning home tonight. I wonder if he is courting someone again.”
    â€œSometimes it takes time to find the right person to marry.”
    â€œOh, that doesn’t seem to be his problem.” He stared after the buggy until it vanished over a hill. “I hope this time he doesn’t get cold feet and put an end to it. He’s courted two different girls we thought he might wed. The girls joined the church in anticipation of a proposal, but he hasn’t been baptized. They married other men.”
    â€œMaybe he isn’t