Read Online A Heart Once Broken by Jerry S. Eicher - Free Book Online Page A

no longer expected that her daughter could win Ezra’s hand in marriage.
    â€œYou’ll never succeed now with Ezra,” Mamm had said this evening, just before Amos had arrived.
    What now meant, they both knew. But Mamm was wrong. She had to be, just as Mamm was wrong about her relationship withAmos. But Sandra couldn’t do anything about that, either. Mamm hadn’t enjoyed her first dates with Amos. That much was obvious from her pained expression afterward. Yet Mamm hadn’t denied Amos further visits. And she wouldn’t. That was just the way things were. Mamm was committed. The least Sandra could do was tolerate Clyde’s presence for a few hours if that pleased Mamm . After all, if Mamm married Amos, they would have to live in the same house, so she might as well practice.
    The idea of Mamm ’s marriage to Amos still chilled her. But Daett ’s death had changed life dramatically for them, so she couldn’t blame Mamm . Daett couldn’t be brought back.
    Now if only Ezra would hurry and make up his mind, things might turn out great. But Ezra seemed the same as always. Why the man was so thickheaded was beyond her. She was a perfect match for him and was ready to marry this fall—if only Ezra would come to his senses in time. She would have to double her efforts tomorrow at the service and also at the evening hymn singing. She had to maintain a positive attitude or she’d lose all hope. Once married to Ezra, she’d have to find some way to repay Lydia for stepping back. How, she wasn’t sure, but maybe she could help Lydia capture the attentions of some other handsome young man. They weren’t that plentiful in the community, but she would do what she could. In the meantime, Lydia understood her cousin’s situation.
    Sandra pulled herself out of her thoughts to call out, “Supper’s ready!”
    The voices stopped in the living room, and moments later she heard the front door open and Mamm ’s voice hollering toward the barn, “Supper, boys!”
    Sandra bit her lip. This did sound like a family’s supper time, but it wasn’t. Daett was gone, and Amos couldn’t take his place. He never could.
    Sandra jumped when Amos walked into the kitchen with a big smile on his face. He greeted her with a cheerful, “It all smells so goot , Sandra.”
    â€œThanks,” Sandra replied, without an expression. She pointed to an empty chair. “You can sit there.”
    Amos didn’t seem fazed by the cold reception. “You’re looking mighty chirpy tonight,” he teased.
    Sandra ignored him, and thankfully Mamm showed up seconds later.
    â€œIt’s ready,” Sandra told Mamm . “All you have to do is sit down.”
    The washroom door slammed behind them, and Mark and Clyde entered noisily. Sandra waited until the two had taken their seats before she sat down herself. She made sure her eyes didn’t catch Clyde’s.
    â€œLet’s pray,” Mamm said, looking at Amos with a smile.
    Amos led out in prayer at once. But that was just the man’s way, Sandra told herself. She pushed the bitter thoughts away and bowed her head. Amos could sure pray—that much was clear. He could almost match Bishop Henry’s prayers. Or perhaps Amos was just trying to impress Mamm . He didn’t have to bother, Sandra thought. Mamm wasn’t impressed with such things. Mamm would never have consented to a date with Amos, let alone a marriage proposal, if Daett hadn’t left them in such dire financial straits.
    â€œAmen,” Amos said, and they all lifted their heads.
    Sandra leaned over the table to pass the mashed potatoes, followed by the gravy.
    Amos took the bowl first to proclaim loudly, “ Goot eating here, I would say. We have much we can be thankful for, and such Christian hospitality.”
    â€œThank you,” Mamm whispered with a tear in her eye, which she quickly wiped away with