Read Online A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller - Free Book Online Page B

make the decisions you’re incapable of making yourself.”
    She popped up from the chair, indignant. She might be young, but she wasn’t stupid. She could make any decision necessary, with prayer . . . and some financial help. “All I need is some money from the community fund. Which I will pay back as soon as possible.”
    The bishop shook his head. “Really, now, Sadie. If you were a mann . . . maybe.”
    A mann? She had to force herself not to snap at him. Yes, she understood that her father had been the head of their household and that her future husband—which she did not intend to have—would be the head of hers. That was biblical. However, to assume that she couldn’t manage a house and a store because she was female—that wasn’t fair.
    She could see now that he wasn’t going to give her any money. With the weird look in his eyes, she didn’t want anything except to leave. “I need to get back home,” she said, moving toward the door.
    â€œ Ya ,” he said, standing. “You do need to geh home.” He moved toward her and put his hand on her arm, causing her to flinch. “Rest assured, there is a solution. I’ll be in touch.” He opened the door and held it open for her. She didn’t have any choice but to leave.
    When she walked into the living room, it was empty. From his office doorway, the bishop nodded in the direction of the front door. Sadie let herself out.
    Confusion stunned her as she traveled back home. Fortunately her horse knew the way because she was having trouble concentrating. What did he mean by a solution? Why couldn’t he have given her the money she asked for? She even offered to pay it back, but it was like he’d never heard her request.
    She pulled into the driveway and put up her horse. The barn needed cleaning. The laundry needed to be done. Winter would be here before she knew it, and there was still firewood to be cut, split, and laid. Her stomach lurched as she thought of everything she had to take care of. The bishop had been right about all the responsibility she had to carry. She knew all she had to do was say the word and members of her community would help.
    But she had asked for help, from the leader of the community, and he hadn’t given her what she asked for. I’ll be in touch. What did that even mean? Maybe he would change his mind after some time to think about it. He had to know she had nowhere else to turn.
    She readied herself for bed, the house eerily quiet. She’d never felt so alone. Even God seemed distant. A couple of women had offered to stay with her for a few days, but she didn’t want to take anyone away from their own families, including Patience.
    Sadie pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes, praying for help. God would provide, she kept reminding herself over and over. Yet it was hours before she was able to fall into a fitful sleep.

    The next morning, Aden finished up the chores in the barn, making sure their two horses had their breakfast hay. They didn’t keep any other animals now, and Aden didn’t count his bees as part of the family assets. They were his alone.
    He went back into the house, and even though he was hungry, he thought about skipping breakfast. Sometime during the night he’d heard his brother stumble into his room, which was next door to Aden’s. Over the past couple of years they had formed a sort of truce—or at least Sol got drunk to release his frustration instead of pounding on Aden. He could almost feel sorry for his brother . . . and then he’d remember all the times Sol had never shown him mercy. And as for himself . . . he could never let himself be angry, much less allow it to show. Keeping up appearances. Showing strength at all times. That was part of being a man.
    Secrets and shame were also part of being a Troyer man.
    He bypassed the kitchen for the stairs. The smoky scent of cooked