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What does it matter what they think of me anyway?

Rosa placed both hands against her still-flat belly and swallowed down the bile rising in her throat.

Wait till they find out I’m pregnant and my pretend husband walks out on me and ends our fake marriage.

Rosa knew that even if she never joined the Amish church, at least she and her baby would have the support of her family.

Maybe not Dad’s, though, Rosa thought bitterly. He may always be disappointed in me.

Susan was about to head for her parents’ buggy when a firm hand took ahold of her shoulder. Startled, she whirled around. “Norman! You scared me.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to. I just wanted to talk to you before our folks head home.” His forehead wrinkled.

“You look so serious. What’s up?”

“It’s about that note Rosa said she left in her room before heading out to the young people’s gathering with Ephraim the night of her disappearance.”

“That was over two years ago, and there’s no telling what happened to the note—if she left one at all.”

“I’m well aware of how long it’s been.”

“Then why are you bringing it up now?”

“Because you’re the one who took over Rosa’s room, and if anyone had the opportunity to discover her note, it would have most likely been you.”

Susan’s fingers curled into her palms. “I didn’t, though.”

“What about the messages Rosa said she’d left on our recorder so we would know where she was?”

“She could be lying about that too.”

“What reason would she have to lie?”

Susan shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe she made the whole thing up to get back in Mom and Dad’s good graces. I’m sure she doesn’t want them to think she left home and deliberately didn’t try to contact them.”

Norman looked like he was about to say something more, but she cut him off.

“Listen, I’ve gotta go. Dad went to get his horse, and Mom, Tena, and Alvin are probably waiting for me in the buggy by now. Enjoy the rest of your day, and tell Salina I said hello.” Susan hurried off at a fast pace.

Norman’s questions had irritated Susan. It felt like he’d been accusing her of something, but without coming right out and saying it.

She lifted the hem of her dress a bit and ran for the carriage. Well, Norman is not my keeper, and I don’t have to answer any more of his questions.

Anthony opened his car door and collapsed onto the front seat, then leaned forward, grasping the steering wheel with both hands.

He didn’t know how he’d made it through the three-hour service or the noon meal that had followed.

Strange Amish men looked at him with obvious curiosity, and a few of the younger ones had actually introduced themselves and made some small talk.

One guy, who’d introduced himself as Noah Esh, had asked where Anthony was from and what had brought him to their Amish church service.

Noah had seemed surprised when Anthony mentioned that he was here with the Petersheims and that he was married to Mahlon and Elsie’s daughter Rosa.

The young man’s mouth had dropped open, and then he’d said, “I—I didn’t know Rosa had returned to Belleville.

She’s been gone a long time, and I thought she must be dead. ”

Anthony had given the man a brief update and quickly excused himself to go find his “wife.” He didn’t know how much data Rosa wanted him to share about where she’d been all this time and did not wish to be accused of spreading information about anything regarding her personal life.

So after thinking it through a few seconds, he’d played it safe.

Anthony sat up straight and looked back over his shoulder to see if there was any sign of his pretend wife.

The last time he and Rosa had conversed, she’d said there were a few people she wanted to speak with and suggested that Anthony wait for her in the car.

Eager to get away from the people still lingering about in the yard, he’d happily agreed.

I’ll be glad when all of this is over and I can head back to New York.

Although, I will miss the quiet, peaceful life here in the Big Valley, where I’m sure there’s a lot less crime than we have in the big city.

Anthony rubbed his forehead with circular motions.

And truthfully, I might even miss Rosa when I’m gone.

One thing was for sure: He figured most of the regular customers at his folks’ restaurant probably missed her already, since the young woman they all knew as “Eileen” was a favorite waitress for many.

Anthony watched as Mahlon drove his horse and buggy out of the yard and onto the road.

Although a bit curious about what it would be like to ride inside the man’s black-top carriage, he was glad there hadn’t been room for him and Rosa to accompany her family in the buggy.

Anthony had much preferred to drive them to the church service via the comfort of his own car.

During the noon meal, Rosa had spoken to several women.

Each of them had been kind and said they were glad she was back, safe and sound.

It made it easier that no one had said anything negative to her, and she was glad she hadn’t been asked to provide too much information about her whereabouts over the past few years.

She was not about to give a full account to people outside the family regarding everything that had occurred while she’d been on her own.

Besides, even Rosa’s parents didn’t know every detail about where all she’d been or what she had done since running away from home.

And she certainly didn’t want anyone to know that she and Anthony were merely pretending to be married.

It would be bad enough when he abandoned her and the gossip began to circulate throughout their community.

She could almost hear the talk now. “Can you believe that our bishop’s daughter ran away, married an English man, and is now caught up in a nasty divorce?

” Oh yes, there would be plenty of talk all right, but Rosa would bear up under it. She had to, for her baby’s sake.

Rosa left the circle of women she’d been talking to and was about to head for Anthony’s car when she came face-to-face with Ada Detweiler’s mother, Alice.

“I spoke to your mamm earlier,” the middle-aged woman said. “And I am sure you can imagine what a shock it was to learn that you had returned home after such a long absence and without a single word to your family, letting them know that you were alive and well.”

Rosa wanted to defend herself, but she chose to hold her tongue, figuring Alice probably wouldn’t believe her anyhow. Instead, she forced a smile and said, “I thought Ada might be here today, but I haven’t seen any sign of her.”

Alice shook her head. “My daughter attended services with Ephraim Peight this morning, in his church district.” The woman folded her arms and stared directly into Rosa’s eyes. “They’re to be married the week after Thanksgiving.”

Rosa gave a quick nod. “So I heard.” Then, after a glance in the direction of where Anthony waited in the car, she said, “It was nice seeing you again, Alice. Please tell Ada that I said hello.”

“Don’t you think maybe you should tell her yourself? After being gone all this time, without bothering to contact your best friend, the very least you can do is stop by the greenhouse and let her know you are home.”

“Is she still working there?”

Alice bobbed her head.

“Won’t you be telling her that you saw me today?”

“I could, but it’s not really my place to do so. I think it would be best if she heard it from you. Don’t you agree, Rosa?”

“Yes, I suppose.” Rosa’s stomach roiled, and she feared she might lose what little bit of lunch she’d eaten.

So without even managing a goodbye, she turned and ran for Anthony’s car as fast as her wobbly legs would allow her to go.

She didn’t know which was worse—the nausea she felt, knowing she had to face Ada soon, or listening to what she felt sure that Anthony would have to say about the church service he’d been forced to attend.