Free A Husband For Mari (The Amish Matchmaker 2) by Emma Miller Page A

were similar to what the other Amish boys were wearing.
    “’Kota is one of Hannah’s grandsons,” James explained. “’Kota, this is Zachary. Do you think you could take him up to the hayloft? I’d like you two to roll down eight bales of straw. Sara says we’re going to play a game later, and we’ll need the straw.”
    ’Kota nodded. “Sure. We can do that. Come on, Zach. It’s neat up in the loft.” The two boys dashed off together.
    Mari watched Zachary follow ’Kota up a ladder and climb through a trapdoor overhead. It was all she could do not to call out to him to be careful. “Are you sure that it’s safe?” Mari asked James. “Zachary hasn’t had any experience in barns.”
    “Don’t worry,” James assured her. “Nine-year-old boys climb like squirrels. It comes as natural to them as breathing. ’Kota’s a good kid. Zachary will be fine with him.”
    “Is he Amish?” Mari asked, her gaze still fixed on the now-vacant ladder.
    “Mennonite. His mom, Grace, is married to John Hartman, the local veterinarian. You’ll like Grace and John. They’re good parents. And Zachary needs to make some friends in Seven Poplars.”
    “You’re right,” she said. “He does. And I appreciate your help.” She smiled at him, thinking how nice it was that he was taking such an interest in Zachary.
    She looked at him and he looked at her. He was dressed like all the other Amish men milling around inside Sara’s barn, but there was something that made him stand out. “Well,” she said, beginning to feel awkward. “Guess I’d better go give Sara a hand in the kitchen.”
    “ Ya. Because there will be a lot of hungry people here tonight.” He returned her smile. “Me included.” He paused and gave her a thoughtful look. “And no need to keep thanking me. I like Zachary, and I’ve spent enough time with him to already know he’s going to be fine. You really don’t need to worry about him. I think you just need to give him time and a little breathing room and he’ll settle in just fine.”
    “Easier said than done.” She chuckled. “The don’t worry part.”
    “That’s what my sister says. She tells me that it’s part of the requirements for being a mother. But you need to give yourself some credit. You’ve done a good job with Zachary. He may kick up his heels at times, like any high-spirited colt, but he’s got a level head on his shoulders. He’s a son you can be proud of.”
    “Thank you,” she said. “That means more than you can guess.” She grimaced. “It’s just been the two of us, and sometimes...” She hesitated, surprised that she was talking so easily about her private feelings with James. Again. But oddly, although she’d only known him a few days, James didn’t feel like a stranger. He seemed like an old friend. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m being the kind of mother he needs.”
    “I’m sure you are,” James said. “He thinks the world of you.” He nodded. “Now I’d best get on with my assignments or Sara will want to know where her straw bales are.”
    He strode off in the direction of the loft ladder, and Mari found her way back to the well-equipped kitchen. A plump woman that Mari hadn’t met was standing at a big gas stove, stirring sizzling ground beef in several cast-iron frying pans. “Reinforcements have arrived,” Mari announced to Ellie. It was funny that she’d been tired when she walked to the barn but now she felt so full of energy. And happy to be included in the evening.
    “Goot.” Ellie was standing on a wooden stool to reach the counter. “Anna, this is Sara’s Mari Troyer. Mari, Anna Mast, one of Hannah’s daughters.”
    “Welcome to Seven Poplars.” Anna smiled broadly. She was a big woman with bright red hair tucked under her kapp and a smile that warmed Mari to her toes. “Sara told us all about you. We’re so glad to have you here. You want to take my place or start making up the salsa?”
    “Whatever would help most.”