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M OM AND I ARE GOING into town today to pick up a few things, and we’re taking her horse and buggy,” Rosa told Anthony shortly after breakfast the following morning. “Would you like to come along?”

“No way! If I was going anywhere, it would be in my car, which, in my opinion, is safer and much more reliable,” he replied. “Besides, I need to stay here and make plans for what I’m going to serve you and your family for supper tonight.”

“You really don’t have to cook us a meal, Anthony,” Elsie called from the other side of the kitchen. “You’re our guest, after all.”

“I’m well aware, but I’m also a chef who loves to cook, so the least I can do is fix a meal or two while Rosa and I are staying here.”

Elsie smiled. “And you are more than welcome to stay with us for as long you like. In fact, we hope you’ll find a job and settle here in the Big Valley so we can see you, Rosa, and the baby on a regular basis.”

Anthony looked at Rosa, and when all he got from her was a brief shrug, he said, “That’s a nice thought, but we’ll have to wait and see how it goes.”

“How what goes?” Tena questioned upon entering the kitchen.

“Oh, I was just saying how nice it would be if Anthony and Rosa decided to settle here in our community permanently,” her mother responded.

Tena gave a vigorous nod. “Jah, I would like that very much. Besides being able to spend more time with my sister and brother-in-law, I can’t wait to become an auntie and do some babysitting for my little niece or nephew.” She stood beside Rosa. “Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?”

Rosa shrugged. “It really doesn’t matter to me, as long as the baby is healthy.”

“What about you, Anthony?” Tena asked. “Would you like a son or daughter?”

Anthony cringed inwardly, but he couldn’t allow his feelings to show or say anything that might reveal the truth about the fact that the child Rosa carried inside her womb was not even his.

He put on what he hoped was a pleasant smile and said, “Rosa is right. The only thing that matters is for her to give birth to a healthy child.”

Seemingly satisfied with their answers, Tena told her mother that she would take care of doing the laundry while she and Rosa were out shopping.

“Danki,” Elsie replied. “If there’s something you would like for me to pick up in town, let me know before Rosa and I head out.”

“I will, Mom.” Tena gave her mother a hug and hurried out of the room.

“Well, Daughter,” Elsie said, tapping Rosa’s arm. “Should we put on our warm wraps and see about getting my horse hooked up to the buggy?”

“Sure, and maybe if I work with her awhile, one of these days we can drive my horse Daisy to town. It might take her a while to get used to me again, but I’m sure glad Dad kept her while I was gone.”

“Actually, it was my idea to keep Daisy.” Elsie brought one hand up to her chest. “In my heart, I kept holding on to the hope that you would return to us someday, and I begged your daed not to sell the horse.”

Anthony noticed moisture in his pretend wife’s eyes when she murmured, “I appreciate that, Mom, and as I’ve said before, I am sorry for all the stress and fear that I put you through while I was gone.”

Using one corner of her apron, Elsie wiped her daughter’s tears away. “All’s forgiven now, so let’s not dwell on that anymore, okay?”

Rosa nodded before turning to face Anthony. “Is there anything you would like us to pick up at the grocery store for whatever you’re planning to make for supper?”

Anthony scratched behind his right ear as he contemplated. “I’m still not sure what I’m going to make, but once I figure it out, if I can’t find the ingredients here in your mother’s kitchen, I’ll hop in my car and head to the store myself.”

“Okay.” Rosa moved toward him, like she might say something else, but then she gave a quick wave and followed her mother out of the room.

When the women were out of sight, Anthony leaned back against the counter and released a puff of air. He hated lying to Rosa’s family. But he’d made a promise to Rosa and needed to see it through until it was time for him to go home.

“It feels strange to be driving a horse and buggy again.” Rosa looked over at her mother, sitting in the passenger seat. “I was surprised when you suggested that I be the driver this morning.”

“I thought you might like to get the feel of it again,” Mom responded. “Especially if you’re wanting to work with Daisy.”

“You’re right,” Rosa agreed. “I’m definitely out of practice, and starting with your gentle mare was a good idea.”

Her mother smiled and reached over to give Rosa’s arm a gentle pat. “Words can’t express the joy I feel having you home again.”

“I’m glad to be back too, but to be honest, in some ways the time I spent away from here was good for me.”

Mom tipped her head slightly. “In what way?”

“I got to experience some things in the English world, and in the process it made me appreciate my family and all the things I had grown up with living here in Mifflin County.”

“Does that mean you and Anthony plan to stay?” Her mother’s tone was hopeful, and Rosa chose her next words carefully.

“I—I hope so, but there are still a few issues that will need to be worked out.”

“Such as?”

“I’m not sure life here in Amish country is what Anthony needs.”

“He seems content, and even the fact that he wants to cook supper for us tonight is an indication to me that your husband enjoys spending time with our family.”

“I suppose he does, but Anthony is used to a different kind of life in New York, and he enjoys his job there as a chef.”

“What about you, Daughter? Do you miss the things you had in the big city?”

“No, not really.” At least that’s an honest statement, Rosa told herself. I had a big awakening, when the father of my child made it clear that he wanted nothing more to do with me.

Rosa wondered how her mother would respond if she knew the whole truth. I’m sure Dad would disown me if he knew about my relationship with Jeff. Would Mom be so disappointed that she’d also disown me?

As they approached town, the horse whinnied and picked up a bit of speed, bringing Rosa’s thoughts to a halt.

She took full control of the reins and guided the mare into the grocery store’s parking lot and up to the hitching rail.

Good, we’re here, and the trip didn’t go too bad.

Guess I haven’t lost my touch when it comes to making a horse obey my signals and commands.

“When we finish our shopping here,” Rosa’s mother said, “I’d like to stop by the Meat and Cheese Store before going home. Would you be okay with that?”

“Of course, Mom. We can go wherever you like.”

“Before we get out of the buggy, I’d like to ask you one more question.”

Rosa turned to face her mother. “What would you like to know?”

“I’ve noticed that you wore your Amish attire to church and to your friend’s wedding. Did you do that so you would fit in, or do you have any plans of joining the Amish church?”

“I–I’m not sure yet, Mom. There are several things to consider.”

“You mean because your husband isn’t Amish, and would probably not be comfortable converting to our Plain way of life?”

Rosa held the reins firmly to keep the horse steady and prevent the animal from trying to back up.

She wished this particular topic had not been brought up.

Since she and Anthony weren’t even married and he’d be leaving soon, the notion of him joining the Amish church was not a possibility.

Besides, if they were actually a married couple, Anthony was used to modern ways, and it would be a huge challenge for him to adapt to the Amish lifestyle, even if he so desired.

“I’ve never discussed with Anthony the possibility of becoming Amish, but I’m almost 100 percent certain that he would not be willing,” Rosa replied to her mother’s question. At least that statement wasn’t a lie.

Before Mom could offer a response, Rosa handed the reins to her and got out to secure the horse.

Rosa wished she could reveal the truth about her and Anthony’s situation, but if Dad knew the lie they’d told, he would be furious and might very well kick her out.

No, it was best to keep playing along and follow through with the plans she and Anthony had made that would soon lead to their breakup and the end of their pretend marriage.

Susan had just begun cleaning the front windows at the Meat and Cheese Store when the door opened and Noah Esh entered the building. Although he and his family lived in Belleville, he worked at the harness shop in Allensville, so she rarely saw him except at the biweekly church services.

“My brother’s near the back of the store, so if you need anything you can’t find, I’m sure he can help you with it,” Susan said, barely looking Noah’s way.

“That’s okay,” he responded. “Just stopped by on my way home from work to get some cheese for my mamm.”

She glanced at the battery-operated clock on the far wall, noting that it was half past noon. “Did you get off work early today?”

“Jah, I did. Ephraim, his parents, and Ada went with his grandma to Bird-in-Hand to attend a funeral for one of the grandmother’s friends.

So rather than close the harness shop for the entire day, I was asked to be there for the morning hours only.

” Noah removed his straw hat and fanned his face with the brim, which seemed strange to Susan since it was a chilly fall day.

“I didn’t do any actual work this morning, though.

Just waited on folks who came by to either pick something up that they’d had repaired or to drop off an item. ”

Susan resisted the urge to tell Noah that she didn’t care about that, but if Dad or Norman ever heard her talk to a customer in such a way, she might get fired, or at the very least, lose some of her weekly paycheck.

Instead of commenting on what Noah had said, Susan sprayed the first window with the bottle of cleaner she held and began wiping it clean with a paper towel.

She was relieved when he headed for the other end of the store.

The last thing she wanted to do was make idle talk with him or anyone else right now.

Susan had finished the first window and was halfway through the second one when Noah returned and plunked several packages of cheese and meat on the counter.

She glanced over her shoulder, hoping either Norman or Dad would come up front to wait on Noah, but there was no sign of either of them, so apparently they were both still busy doing something they felt was more important than waiting on Noah—if they even knew he had come into the store.

Since Susan was up front, it was probably assumed that she would wait on any customers who might come in.

Susan set her cleaning supplies aside and stepped behind the counter to ring up Noah’s purchases. She hoped he would remain quiet this time, but no such luck.

“I haven’t seen you at any of the young people’s gatherings for some time. In fact, the last one I saw you at, Ben Ebersol was with you. Have you heard anything from him since he went to prison—a letter or phone call, maybe?”

Susan’s back stiffened. The last person she wanted to talk about was Ben, and she told Noah so too.

“Oh, sorry. Sure didn’t mean to make you umgerennt. ”

“I’m not upset. I just don’t want to talk about Ben.” She gave Noah the change he had coming from the money he’d given her. Then Susan bagged up his purchases and handed him the paper sack. “Have a nice day.”

“You too, Susan.” Noah was almost to the door but turned back around. “This Sunday evening there’s supposed to be another singing. Think you might go?”

She gave a vigorous shake of her head.

“That’s too bad. You’ll be missed.”

Susan held both hands tightly at her sides. I bet no one will even notice I’m not there.

When Elsie and Rosa got out of their carriage, she spotted Noah Esh getting into his buggy.

He waved, and she followed suit. Noah was such a nice-looking man and always so polite.

From what she had heard, he was also a trustworthy hard worker at the harness shop in Allensville.

It was a wonder he didn’t have a steady girlfriend.

At least as far as Elsie knew, he didn’t.

But maybe he was seeing someone and she hadn’t observed them together anywhere.

When Elsie and Rosa entered the Meat and Cheese Store, she saw Susan behind the counter wearing a frown that had created wrinkles in her forehead.

“Is something wrong, Daughter?” Elsie questioned.

“It’s nothing worth mentioning,” Susan replied.

“Your frown says otherwise. Have you had a stressful morning?”

“It was fine until Noah showed up and started asking me questions I didn’t want to answer.”

“What kind of questions?” Rosa asked.

Susan glared at her sister. “Why’s that important to you?”

Elsie stepped forward and shook her finger. “That is no way to speak to your sister. Now please apologize.”

Susan turned her head and looked toward the front window.

“It’s okay, Mom. Don’t worry about it.” Rosa took off toward the back of the store.

Elsie stepped in front of Susan. “I think you need an attitude adjustment.”

Susan plopped one hand against her hip. “And I think some people need to mind their own business.”

“Are you referring to Rosa or me?”

“I meant Rosa and Noah Esh too. He was pressuring me to go to this Sunday night’s singing.”

“That’s not a bad thing, Susan. You haven’t been to one in a long time, and—”

“No! I’m not going, and that’s final!”

Elsie’s heart clenched. It saddened her to hear the sharp tone of her daughter’s voice and to see Susan’s pained expression. All she could do at this point was pray for Susan and hope that she would change her attitude and do what was right.