Read Online Following Your Heart by Jerry S. Eicher - Free Book Online

nothing we can do about it. You’ll just be putting trouble off until some other day.”
    Susan let go of Teresa’s arm and moved to the living room window.
    â€œHe’s not coming in,” Susan said after she’d watched awhile. “Looks like he’s planning to speak with Daett in the barn.”
    â€œCome away from the window,” Anna commanded. “It’s not proper that he sees you staring out at him.”
    â€œPlease invite him to come in,” Teresa said, now seated on the couch with Samuel in her arms. “I don’t want you taking anything bad for me. I’m the one who deserves whatever the man has to say.”
    â€œHe shouldn’t be saying anything,” Susan muttered. “ Daett already told him everything he needs to know. You would think they could give a soul a little peace around here.”
    Teresa’s voice trembled. “I’m sure he’s a man of God and knows what’s right and wrong. I’m willing to speak with him and listen to what he has to say.”
    â€œThat’s very gut of you,” Mamm said, her lips pressed together. “You already speak as one of our people should.”
    â€œWell, don’t speak for me,” Susan said. “I want to hear what he has to say first before I agree with him. I can’t imagine that anything has to be done so quickly. We haven’t even been to church yet. And it’s not like I’ve brought the world home with me.”
    â€œPerhaps he thinks so,” Teresa said. “You know what I’ve done.”
    â€œBut we have all sinned,” Mamm said, sitting down beside Teresa and holding her hand. “Perhaps Deacon Ray brings gut news for us all.”
    â€œI wouldn’t be counting on that ,” Susan muttered, still standing at the window. “I saw how he looked at us the other day.”
    â€œIs he still speaking with Daett ?” Mamm asked, still holding Teresa’s hand.
    â€œ Yah , but it looks like he’s getting ready to leave.”
    â€œThen it must be gut news he brings,” Anna said, trying to smile. “He wouldn’t be leaving without speaking with Teresa if it wasn’t.”
    â€œThat would be nice to think, but I don’t believe it,” Susan said. “Oh, gut , he leaving. He’s climbing into his buggy now.”
    Silence filled the room as they waited, even Samuel holding still as if he felt the tension in the air.
    â€œ Daett is coming in,” Susan announced moments later.
    Menno entered by the washroom door, making bumping noises as he cleaned up.
    Susan knew he was removing his coat and boots.
    Her daett opened the kitchen door, appearing seconds later in the doorway, his hand stroking his beard.
    â€œWell, sit down and tell us what Deacon Ray wanted,” Mamm said, motioning toward his rocker.
    â€œPerhaps I should speak with you first,” Menno said.
    â€œPerhaps you should,” Mamm agreed.
    Teresa held up her hand. “Please. If this is about me, will you tell me now? I need to know.”
    Menno looked at Mamm and nodded. “ Yah , it might be for the best. We cannot hide what has happened.”
    â€œMenno, please,” Mamm said. “Do not tell us there is bad news.”
    â€œI must say what I must say. The ministry has met this morning, and Deacon Ray has come to tell us what they decided. They are not allowing Teresa to attend the church services. If we wish to keep her in the house, then that is up to us. But she is not to mingle with the people.”
    â€œDaett!” Susan gasped. “This cannot be true.”
    Mamm had jumped to her feet, her face white.
    â€œThis is a hard thing, Menno,” she said. “How can this be?”
    Menno hung his head. “I don’t know. But I do know I can do nothing about this.”
    Susan rushed over to Teresa. Surely her friend would burst into tears any moment.
    Instead Teresa held up her