Free Change of Heart by Molly Jebber Page A

understood. My father is a surgeon. She is used to patients’ needs taking priority over dinners and parties.” He steered his horse toward the livery. “Mother and her friend would have headed home by now. I am going to take you to dine there anyway before I take you home.”
    â€œI’m starving. It sounds good to me.”
    He stopped and handed the reins to the liveryman, and they walked to the restaurant.
    â€œYou haven’t told me much about your parents. Tell me more about them.”
    The waitress delivered their food and a basket of warm bread.
    Matt lathered butter on a slice of bread. “My father and I are close. In spite of being a busy surgeon, he found time to take me fishing and target shooting. I asked a lot of questions concerning his work as I grew older, and he answered each one in a way I could understand. His patience in explaining why he had to do different types of surgeries for his patients generated an interest in me to become a doctor.”
    â€œAre you close to your mamm?”
    Matt wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I love my mother. She bought me the finest clothes, read me stories before bed, and took me to dinner in town at least twice a week. She taught me proper manners from the time I was a child. She is too caught up in what she considers appropriate dress and behavior, though. Acceptance in high society is of primary importance to her. She is prejudiced against people who do not live up to her social standards. We have argued about this subject many times.”
    Ruth had also told her Mrs. Carrington looked down on people not up to her social standards. When she met her, Mrs. Carrington lived up to what she had heard about her. It explained her cold attitude toward her. Ruth was right. Mrs. Carrington might be a problem. She certainly didn’t fit into Mrs. Carrington’s social circle. “She didn’t appear to approve of me as your nurse.”
    He sighed. “I have not visited my parents for a few weeks. It is unusual for me not to do so. She was upset with me and in a bad mood. Do not take it personally.” He covered her hand with his. “I told her you were more than my nurse. I told her we are courting.”
    Becca stopped chewing. She stared at Matt for a moment then swallowed. “What did she say?”
    Matt shrugged and glanced away. “She was stunned. She does not understand Amish culture. She will be fine once she gets to know you. I will arrange a time for you and me to have dinner with my parents sometime soon.”
    Umm. She doubted Mrs. Carrington had anything nice to say regarding her after the way she treated her when they first met. She hoped the woman would like her when they had a chance to finally sit and chat. With what she had been told about Mrs. Carrington so far, she doubted it.
    She pushed Mrs. Carrington out of her mind and listened to Matt talk about the patients they had treated in the last two days. They finished their meal, and he delivered her to Ruth’s house. He kissed her good-bye, and her heart raced. Her life had changed for the better. The decision to leave her Amish life overwhelmed her at first, but after spending time with Ruth and meeting Matt, she had no doubt she had done the right thing. Yes, she looked forward to her future in Massillon.

    Matt went home and guided his horse into the barn. His mother’s buggy was inside. What was she doing here?
    His mother was in the sitting room, sipping tea. “It is time you came home. Where have you been?”
    â€œI had no idea you would be here. I told you Becca and I went to help a young woman birth her baby. It took longer than I expected. The baby died. We stayed to comfort the family as much as we could. After we were finished, I escorted Becca to the Massillon Restaurant for supper before I dropped her off at Ruth’s.” He placed his bag on the floor and sat. “Did you enjoy your evening?”
    â€œI am