Page 33 of The Pretender (Mifflin County Mysteries #3)
S USAN GASPED AND QUICKLY STEPPED aside to avoid being knocked over when Anthony rushed out of the living room and raced up the stairs.
Rosa was right behind him and didn’t appear to notice her either.
Since Susan had been listening to their conversation, she knew her parents were finally aware of the truth. Well, it was about time.
Susan also figured that after Dad told Anthony he would have to leave, the big pretender had been in a hurry to get out of the room. Was it wrong to hope that Rosa would leave too and never come back?
Now is my chance to set things right with my folks.
With no thought of any consequences, Susan burst into the room.
“See, I told you so, Mom and Dad. You should have believed me when I said Anthony and Rosa weren’t really married.
” She moved close to her father. “I’m glad you told Anthony that he needs to go, but in my opinion, you should throw Rosa out too. ”
“We don’t need your opinion, Susan, and what your mother and I say or do concerning your sister is none of your business.” The wrinkles in Dad’s forehead deepened. “You’re not without fault, you know.”
Susan lifted her chin. “I’m a better daughter than Rosa will ever be. I did lots of things to help Mom after Rosa disappeared, and—”
Dad clapped his hands together, causing Susan to jump. “That’ll be enough! It’s up to your mamm and I to decide how we are going to deal with this, so go on back to the kitchen and help Tena finish the dishes.”
“She’s probably done with them now,” Susan muttered.
“Do as your father said.” It was the first Susan’s mother had spoken since Susan had burst into the room.
“Okay, whatever.” Holding both arms firmly at her sides, Susan hurried off to the kitchen. I hope Rosa doesn’t think Mom and Dad are gonna let her keep living here or that they’ll help her raise that baby after it’s born.
Susan swung the kitchen door open and stepped inside as another thought popped into her head. If Anthony’s not the father of Rosa’s baby, then who is?
With the early morning light filtering into the living room through the two large windows, Anthony squinted and sat up from the couch where he’d spent a miserable night.
It wasn’t just the backache he felt. Anthony had been awake half the night thinking about the conversation that had transpired in this room between him, Rosa, and her parents.
He could still picture the shocked expression on her mother’s face and hear her father’s commanding voice as he’d ordered Anthony to sleep on the couch and leave his house in the morning.
There had been no apologies accepted, even though both he and Rosa had said they were sorry for their actions.
“I thought churchgoing people who called themselves Christians were supposed to be forgiving,” Anthony muttered as he rose to his feet.
He didn’t care if anyone was up and heard what he’d said.
He just wanted to see Rosa, tell her goodbye, and head on out to his car.
The sooner Anthony left this place, the sooner he could put all thoughts of Rosa and her family out of his mind.
When Rosa came down the stairs and saw Anthony by the front door with his duffel bag, she hurried toward him, reached out, and tapped his back. “Hey! You’re not leaving without saying goodbye, I hope.”
He whirled around. “Of course not. I was just going to put my stuff in the car and turn on the ignition to warm it up. Then I was planning to see if you were awake so I could say a proper goodbye.”
“What if I was still asleep in my bed?” She tipped her head back and looked into his eyes. Oh, those beautiful blue eyes. Rosa felt like she could drown in the depths of them.
“If you’d been sleeping when I knocked on your bedroom door, I would have written you a note and slipped it under the door.”
“If you had knocked, I’m sure it would have awakened me. I’m a light sleeper, you know.”
Anthony nodded. “That’s for sure. If I made the slightest noise from my foam mattress on the floor, your sleep was disturbed.”
“I always went right back to sleep, though.”
“True.” Anthony shifted his weight from one leg to the other and then cleared his throat. “Well, guess I ought to get going before any of your family wakes up. I’m sure they’ll be glad when they do get up and see that I’m gone.”
Rosa blinked in succession, trying to keep the tears that were stinging her eyes from spilling out. “Thank you for everything, and I hope you’ll keep in touch.”
“You have nothing to thank me for, Rosa. If anything, I made things worse for you by coming here and pretending to be your husband.” He leaned a bit closer and whispered, “And I don’t think your father would like it if I called or wrote you a letter.”
“I—I guess you’re right.” She paused and drew in a shaky breath.
“Dad can be harsh with his words at times, but I think it’s because he wants us all to live a godly life and not stray from the church rules.
” Rosa placed a hand against her chest and grimaced.
“Out of all his children, I’m pretty certain that I’m the one who has disappointed him the most.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Anthony countered. “From what I’ve seen and heard, I don’t think he’s too happy with Susan either.”
“Probably not, but at least she didn’t run away from home and cause our family so much grief.”
“Well, you’re back now, and you must do whatever you can to keep the peace and make your folks see that you’re sorry for hurting them.”
“You are right—I am very sorry, and I plan to do everything I can to regain their trust.”
Anthony leaned forward and pulled Rosa gently into his arms. “You’ll be fine.
” He held her for a few more seconds and then pulled away.
“I’ve gotta go. If you think you can go back to sleep, I’d recommend returning to bed.
” He brushed a wayward strand of hair off her face.
“Have a nice life, Rosa. I hope everything works out well for you and your baby.” Before Rosa could respond, Anthony turned and rushed out the front door.
Rosa grabbed a woolen shawl hanging on a wall peg in the hall and wrapped it around her shoulders.
Then she stepped out onto the porch and watched as Anthony got into his vehicle.
When he pulled out of the yard and started down the driveway, she lifted her hand in a wave.
Her friendship with Anthony was over now, and she needed to keep her focus on the future and the life she would have here in the Big Valley with her baby.
As Anthony drove onto the main road, his stomach tightened. In some ways he knew he’d miss this place, but in another way he was glad to be heading for home. At least there he wouldn’t have to pretend anymore. He’d simply be accepted for who he was.
Of course, Pop might not accept me at all , he thought. My relationship with him could easily be toast. But there’s nothing I can do about that right now, not until I see him face-to-face and try to talk things out. I just hope he’s willing to listen to what I have to say.
Anthony turned his radio on and cranked up the volume, hoping it would drown out his thoughts. He’d fulfilled his duty almost to the last and wondered now if it would have been better to stage their breakup instead of telling Rosa’s parents the truth.
It was too late for second guesses or reversing his decision. Anthony would keep driving until he made it to New York and then see how things panned out between him and his folks.
I’m sure Mom will be on my side , he thought.
She’ll no doubt welcome me home with open arms. Maybe she’ll even go to bat for me and speak up to Pop on my behalf.
One thing is for sure. Once I return to New York City and everything that’s familiar to me, I’ll forget all about Rosa Petersheim and her Amish family.
Rather than going back to bed, Rosa went to the living room and took a seat on the couch where Anthony had slept last night.
Her eyelids felt hot and gummy, from struggling to hold back the tears.
She reached for a tissue from the small square box on the side table and blew her nose.
It was impossible to see where her future or that of her unborn baby might go.
Rosa felt a strong desire to escape the sadness that had welled up in her soul.
I brought this all on myself , she thought. If only I’d stayed home instead of running off, I’d never have met Anthony, and I wouldn’t even be pregnant right now.
As much as Rosa hated to admit it, she’d foolishly allowed herself to fall in love with Anthony. “And where did that get me?” she murmured, burying her face in her hands.
“Is Anthony gone?”
Rosa lifted her head and nodded as she looked up at her mother standing a few feet away. She’d been so caught up in her sorrow that she hadn’t even heard Mom come into the room. “Jah, he left a while ago.”
Mom took a seat beside Rosa on the couch and reached over to take hold of her hand. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
Rosa couldn’t deny it as she moved her head slowly up and down. “But it doesn’t matter how I feel, because Anthony doesn’t love me, and besides, he’s gone and won’t be coming back.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because his parents, as well as the job he used to have, are waiting for him in New York.”
“But how can you be certain that Anthony doesn’t love you?”
“If he did, I’m sure he would have said so.” Rosa nearly choked as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
“Does he know you love him?”
“No, Mom, I never said the words to him, so it doesn’t matter how I feel.” Her shoulders lifted. “Anthony and I are from two different worlds, so it’s really quite simple. We were never meant to be together, and I need to accept that fact and move on with my life.”
Mom slipped her arms around Rosa and gave her a tender squeeze. “I’m so glad to have you back home with us, and I’m sure that whatever God has planned for your life will eventually be revealed to you.”