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Anthony was about to pick up his hammer to continue working on the shed roof when his thoughts overtook him, so he paused and stood up straight.

He reflected on the conversation he’d had with Rosa yesterday and wondered if there was any way they could make Rosa’s mother believe that things were okay between them.

Or maybe it would be better to start quarreling in front of Rosa’s family now, so that they won’t be shocked once we finally announce that we’re splitting up.

Anthony’s thoughts came to a halt when his cell phone rang.

He pulled it out of his pocket but wasn’t able to answer before it went to voicemail.

Anthony punched the button, and after listening to the message, he felt a huge sense of relief.

The mechanic he’d left his vehicle with said that the part for Anthony’s car had finally come in and he now had the vehicle running and ready to be picked up.

Anthony’s excitement over hearing this news pushed him to work even harder on the roof, which meant that he would probably have it done in plenty of time before he took his leave.

Anthony had been working about two hours, trying to put the finishing touches on the shed roof, when a horse and buggy pulled into the yard.

Glancing up, he expected to see Elsie or Rosa returning home, but it was an older Amish man who guided his horse to the hitching rail and then climbed down from his carriage.

A few minutes later, Anthony was taken by surprise when the man introduced himself as Melvin Peachey and explained that he was one of the ministers in the Petersheims’ church district.

Anthony set his tools aside and shook the man’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Anthony Reeves.”

Melvin nodded. “Yes, you’re Rosa’s husband, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.” What else could he have said? Anthony sure couldn’t blurt out to the minister that he’d only been pretending to be married to Rosa.

“How are things going between you and your wife?” Melvin questioned.

“Umm … okay, I guess.”

Melvin reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a hankie.

After blowing his nose on it, he stuffed it back.

“I’ll get straight to the point, Anthony.

The reason I came here today is because someone mentioned that you and Rosa might be having some marital discord.

” He took a step closer to Anthony … so close that Anthony could detect the odor of peppermint on the man’s breath.

“Someone?” Anthony repeated. “And who might that be?”

The minister shuffled his feet a few times, looked down at the ground, and then looked back at Anthony. “Well, it was your mother-in-law.”

Anthony’s arm muscles tensed. “She did, huh?”

“Yes, she’s concerned. So I came here with the hope that I could talk to both you and Rosa, and maybe be of some help concerning your situation.”

“Actually, Rosa isn’t here right now,” Anthony stated. “And the truth is, we don’t need any outside counseling, because Rosa and I are working things out between us.”

“Oh, I see. Well, that’s a good thing.” The minister clasped Anthony’s shoulder. “Please remember, though, that I’m available to talk anytime if you should ever need me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for coming by, Minister Peachey.”

“Melvin. Just Melvin,” the man said before he turned and headed back to his horse and buggy.

Anthony watched Melvin free his horse, get into his buggy, and back away from the hitching rail.

Wow! I can’t believe Elsie would go to the minister behind our backs and tell him that Rosa and I need to be counseled.

I hope he doesn’t speak to anyone else about this, because it seems that things are getting messier all the time.

When Rosa got home, she saw Melvin Peachey’s horse and buggy pulling out of the yard and wondered why he had come here. It wasn’t likely that he’d wanted to speak to her father, because everyone in the valley knew that at this time of day, Dad would be at the Meat and Cheese Store.

She spotted Anthony working on the shed roof, and when he saw her, he waved and came right over to the hitching rail where Rosa had directed her horse. Anthony secured the animal and then hopped into the buggy to sit beside Rosa. “We’ve got problems,” he said.

“What’s wrong?”

Rosa listened with interest as Anthony told her what the minister had said to him. “I couldn’t believe it when the man said that your mother asked him to come by here and counsel the two of us because we were having marital problems.”

The muscles on both sides of Rosa’s back tightened. “I can’t believe she would do such a thing.”

“Well, she did, and if that man tells anyone else what she said to him, soon your whole church district will know about it.” Anthony rubbed his forehead where there was a sheen of sweat. “Pretty soon, we’ll have more visitors trying to solve our marriage problems for us.”

Rosa drew in a quick breath and released it slowly in an effort to relax.

“We can’t go on like this any longer, Anthony.

We either have to tell my parents the truth now or stage our fake breakup.

Then you will have no other choice but to go home, even if you have to find some other way to get there. ”

“I already have the means to travel home, Rosa,” Anthony stated. “I got a call from the mechanic this morning, stating that my car is ready. I just have to figure out some way to pick it up.”

“Oh, that’s good news. I can take you there by horse and buggy.”

“Thanks, Rosa.” Anthony touched her arm gently. “Say, an idea just came to me.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“I’ll write a note for your parents, grab up my clothes and personal items, and stuff them in my duffel bag.

Then I will leave the note on the kitchen table, or just give it to you, saying that things aren’t working out between us and I’m going back to New York to see a lawyer so I can file for divorce.

I’ll even say that you’re better off without me.

You can share the note with your parents this evening. ”

Rosa’s eyes widened. “You’re going to just take off like that and leave me here to face my parents and deal with all their questions alone? I thought we were going to do this together.”

“I figured it would be better this way. Less chance of a big scene, don’t you know?”

“So you think there won’t be a scene if you’re not here when they read the note, huh?

” Rosa’s face felt like it was on fire, despite the cold air that had begun blowing since her arrival.

She placed both hands on her hips and glared at Anthony.

“For your information, Mr. Reeves, my mother’s going to be very upset, and Dad will most likely be furious. ”

“Yeah, I know.” Anthony pointed at Rosa.

“But he’ll be angry at me, not you. You’ll have their pity, and I’m sure they would never toss their pregnant daughter out of the house.

They’ll be loving and encouraging, and you can join the Amish church and be part of their happy family.

That is what they’ve always wanted for you, right, Rosa? ”

“Well, yes, but there’s one big issue you’re not aware of, Anthony.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“If they continue to believe I am a married woman, and your letter says you’ll be getting a divorce, I will not be allowed to join the Amish church.” She smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. “We didn’t think this one through very well.”

“How come you wouldn’t be allowed to join the church?”

“It’s one of our church rules, because the Amish don’t allow divorced church members.”

“Another man-made rule of the church, huh?”

She shook her head vigorously. “It’s God’s rule, by which all Amish church rules have been established.”

Anthony reached under his stocking cap and scratched his head. “So if we go with our original plan, and if they believe I’m leaving you to get a divorce, then what?”

“I just told you—I won’t be able to join the church.”

“Would they allow you to continue living with them?”

“I–I’m not sure. Maybe—at least till the baby is born and I can find a job to support myself and the child. Then I might have to move out.”

“Would you stay here in Mifflin County?”

“I–I don’t know. I want to, but—”

Anthony clasped Rosa’s arm and pulled her close to his side. “And we thought we had this plotted out so well. You know what? We’ve put ourselves right in a box with no way out.”

She gave a quick shake of her head. “No, Anthony. I’m the one in the box. As soon as you pick up your car, you’re free to go back to your job and family in New York. Then I won’t be your problem anymore. You can be well rid of me and this mess I created by leaving home in the first place.”

Anthony’s long lashes blinked rhythmically as he stared at her.

“Then there’s only one thing we can do, Rosa, because I cannot leave you in the position where you won’t be able to join the church.

” He leaned closer and stroked her face gently with his thumb.

“We’ll tell your folks the absolute truth, and we’ll do it tonight, right after supper. ”