Free A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller Page B

he’d never succeeded in earning it, and he’d given up trying.
    Except now he had another chance, not only to be free, but to gain his father’s respect.
    Daed set his stony eyes on Sol. “ Sohn , we need to talk.”
    After his father explained his plan and Sol’s part in it, Sol nodded. “I’ll marry her,” he said, his breath held as he waited for his father to respond.
    His father didn’t say anything, only nodded and opened the door.
    â€œ Daed ,” Sol said, unable to stop himself. When his father turned, Sol asked, “What if I’d said nee ?”
    His father regarded him for a long moment, his eyes as flat as they usually were when they dealt with each other. “You wouldn’t have.”
    Sol sank down onto the bed after his father left. He rubbed his aching head and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. This wasn’t sitting well with him. Then again, not much in his life had. He sat up, straightening his shoulders and steeling his nerve. Now he had a chance to change his future, and he would grab the opportunity and run. Sadie Schrock would just have to go along for the ride.

    Still exhausted from lack of sleep and a preponderance of worry, Sadie walked into the store office and sank into her father’s chair. She didn’t know what she was going to do, and she was troubled by her visit to the bishop. She had needed his help, and he refused to give it. He’d lost her trust at that moment, and some of her respect.
    Earlier that morning she’d skipped breakfast and gone outside for a walk. She needed to pray, to clear her head, to get away from the house that held so many memories that it was becoming difficult to be there alone. She missed Abigail and Joanna so much it ached. She didn’t dare think about her parents for any length of time. That pain was more than she could bear. Focusing on her financial problems was stressful, but also a distraction.
    Sadie didn’t know how long she was gone, but by the time she returned she was hungry. She’d opened the door to the store and taken a snack package of donuts off the shelf, snatching a bottle of pop off another shelf as she made her way to the office. Not the best breakfast, but she didn’t care. She needed something to stave off her hunger.
    She stared at the powdered donuts on the desk and sighed. She had the thin plastic packaging halfway open when she heard the knob to the office door turn. She froze. She’d forgotten to lock the store door behind her. She’d never had a reason to be afraid of being alone in the store before, but for some reason a cold shiver shook her spine.
    â€œHello, Sadie.” Bishop Troyer walked into the office, not waiting for an invitation. He closed the door behind him and sat down on a metal chair beside the desk, the one her mother used to sit on when she and her father shared their lunch in the office.
    â€œBishop Troyer,” Sadie said, her eyebrows lifting. “I’m surprised to see you so soon.”
    He looked around the small room with intense curiosity before shifting his gaze back to her. “I told you I would be in touch.” He smiled.
    â€œThen you’ve brought me a check?” she asked, hope igniting within. It was extinguished with the bishop’s next words.
    â€œ Nee . But there is a way to resolve yer situation that will be best for everyone concerned.”
    He was looking at her with complete surety and confidence. What she felt was the exact opposite, and she didn’t want to hear what he had to say. “I’ve solved the problem myself,” she lied. “You don’t have to be concerned about it anymore.”
    He held up his hand. “Sadie, of course I’m concerned. How can I not be? I’m not only here for spiritual guidance, but for practical assistance as well. I’m sure yer vatter would be pleased to know that you and yer sisters will be well cared