Free A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller

bacon and freshly toasted bread almost made him change his mind about breakfast. But sitting through the evening meal with his family was torturous enough.
    Then he heard his father say Sadie’s name. Aden stopped, then he crept nearer to the open doorway. He’d wondered what had happened between Daed and Sadie when she was in his office last night, but he hadn’t dared ask. He hadn’t seen Sadie leave, so he had no idea if their conversation had gone the way she’d wanted it to. For her sake, he hoped so.
    â€œIt’s the only practical solution for her,” his father continued.
    Aden peeked around the corner and saw his father standing at the end of the table, his coffee cup in hand. A platter of bacon, a dish of eggs, and a stack of toast were on the table, but he wasn’t eating. Neither was Mamm . She sat on the opposite end, darning a black sock.
    â€œIt must be soon. There is nee time to tarry.”
    Aden’s brow lifted. What was his father talking about?
    â€œEmmanuel.” Mamm ’s voice sounded small, but there was a tiny bit of force behind it. She laid the sock on the table and lifted her gaze to his. “Why not give Sadie the money she needs?”
    His father shook his head. “Because her situation isn’t one that will be solved with a check.”
    â€œAnd you think it will be solved with a marriage?”
    Aden sucked in a breath. Marriage? Surely not to Sol. Even his father wouldn’t be that controlling . . . or cruel. Not to someone who wasn’t his son.
    â€œI have always done what is best for the members of this community,” Daed continued. “Sacrifices must be made, sometimes, for the betterment of all.”
    Sacrifices? How would Sadie marrying Sol be better for anyone ?
    â€œDo you trust me, Rhoda?” his father asked.
    Aden peeked farther into the room to see his daed looking at Mamm , his profile intent and expectant. Was he asking for approval? Aden doubted it. More likely, he expected her compliance.
    She lifted her eyes to him and nodded. “I always trust you will do the right thing, Emmanuel.”
    Clenching his teeth, Aden pulled away. His father was not doing the right thing, and either his mother was blind to that fact or she was agreeing to avoid conflict. She was completely devoted to him, something Aden found difficult to understand as he got older.
    But even though his mother would go along with Daed ’s plan, Aden refused to. He hurried upstairs and barged into Sol’s room. The smell of stale alcohol immediately hit him as he saw the lump that was his brother underneath a pile of quilts. He hadn’t woken up yet. Aden pushed against Sol’s shoulder, not caring if he drew the man’s anger.
    Sol opened his eyes. They were glassy and red-rimmed. Aden didn’t drink, and after seeing his brother hung over like this a few times before, he wouldn’t touch the stuff. “What?” Sol snarled.
    â€œDid you know?”
    â€œKnow what?” Sol sat up, his forehead falling into his hands. He groaned, keeping his head down.
    â€œAbout Daed ’s plan.”
    Sol looked up and glared at him. “You sound ab im kopp . Get out of mei room before I throw you out.”
    Aden held his ground. “Did you know Daed wants you to marry Sadie Schrock?”
    Sol didn’t move. “What?” he finally said after giving Aden a blank stare.
    Aden filled his brother in on what he heard downstairs. As he talked, Sol scrambled out of the bed, now at attention. “He’s crafty,” Sol mumbled. “I’ll give him that.”
    Now it was Aden’s turn to be confused. “What are you talking about?”
    Sol shrugged. “I suppose there are worse women I could be stuck with.”
    He’s still drunk. That was the only explanation for his casual acceptance of his father’s life-altering plans and backhanded compliment to Sadie. Sol would be lucky to