Read Online Ella's Wish by Jerry S. Eicher - Free Book Online Page B

“We got all the hay up—with Ella’s gut help. She will be an honor to any man who can claim her as his wife.”
    “Daett,” Ella said, but even Dora had to smile a little.
    “Well, it is true,” he said.
    “The food is ready,” Mamm said, bringing two bowls to the table.
    “Then let’s eat,” Daett said as they all took their seats at the table.
    “Our gracious and mighty heavenly Father,” he prayed almost before Ella could get her head bowed. As he finished, Mamm began passing the food around.
    “We’ve got plenty now, so don’t be afraid,” she said.
    “As if I would,” Eli laughed.
    “Yah, you all have gut manners,” Mamm said warmly but with a noticeable catch in her voice.
    Ella glanced at her dad, but he seemed lost in his food. What will he be saying after supper?
    Only minutes later Mamm said, “And now for the cherry pie.” She rose and brought out three pies from where they sat on the counter. “We’ve got plenty. I’ve made sure of it.”
    “You’ll spoil us all,” Daett said. “Ach, can I really find room yet? Perhaps a small piece.”
    “A big one,” Mamm said, sliding the piece onto his plate.
    “Right gut service tonight,” Daett said with satisfaction and a twinkle to Mamm.
    Daett ate slowly and then bowed his head in silent prayer when the last plate had been scraped clean. Eli and Monroe got up immediately and left for upstairs. With a long look at Lizzie, who stood at the counter turned away from him, Daett went into the living room. He returned a moment later to retrieve the gas lanterns from the utility room. He set them on the bench, pumped air into them, and then lit both, leaving one on the nail in the kitchen ceiling and carrying the other stream of light with him. Ella, with her hands deep in soap suds, turned for a quick glance at his retreating back. When will Mamm bring up the subject of Eli? Apparently she wants all the work done first .
    Dora and Mamm cleared the rest of the table while Clara stood at Ella’s right side, drying the dishes. She practically grabbed each item the moment Ella set it on the rack so she could dry each piece quickly.
    “They’re supposed to drip-dry a little,” Ella whispered.
    “I know, but I’m in a hurry.”
    “You’d best be going upstairs,” Mamm whispered from behind them. “I’ll finish wiping the dishes.”
    “I already know about…tonight,” Clara said. “I want to hear what Daett says about it.”
    Mamm shook her head. “This is for grown-up ears. And don’t go getting your feelings hurt over it. I don’t want Monroe here either.”
    Clara’s expression fell, but she offered no comment. They all followed Mamm into the living room, and Ella and Dora found seats on the couch. Clara opened the stair door, gave one last beseeching look to her mom, and then disappeared.
    Mamm waited at the doorway until the sound of Clara’s steps on the hardwood stairs had stopped. “Eli,” she called, “will you come down, please.”
    “What?” the answer came, muffled by the closed bedroom door.
    “Come down here now,” she repeated with a firm tone to her voice.
    Ella saw her dad drop the edge of The Budget . He had a solemn look on his face, and she thought he would say something, but then the paper went back up again.
    “We need to speak of a serious matter,” Mamm said to Daett as they heard Eli’s steps on the stairs.
    “So what’s this?” Eli asked from the bottom step. Wearing a weary grin on his face, he continued, “A family gatherin’? And that after this long day.”
    “You’d best keep your jokes to yourself,” Mamm said. “Sit yourself on the couch. We need to speak with you.”
    “Oh.” Eli’s mood sobered as he sat down beside Ella.
    She avoided his eyes. If he’s honest, he already knows what this is about . Sins are that way. They always get found out, and Eli knows that as well as any of us .
    “So,” Daett said, folding The Budget completely and setting it on his lap, “you