Read Online The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis - Free Book Online Page B

droll way, it complemented the man’s reserved demeanor.
    â€œIs this your first visit to Lancaster County?” asked Joanna’s mother, obviously changing the subject, and abruptly at that.
    â€œSure is,” Eben said as he turned to smile at Joanna.
    â€œHad ya thought of comin’ sooner . . . to meet us, I mean?” Cora Jane said, her eyes fixed on her sister.
    Eben had to laugh. “Oh, many times.”
    Dear Joanna fidgeted next to him.
    â€œCouldn’t get away before now,” he explained. “Bein’ my father’s right hand, so to speak.” He thought now was as good a time as any to let Joanna and her family know about his dilemma. “You see, my younger brother’s away from the fold . . . left us two years ago. My father had him pegged to be his partner in running the farm, which hasn’t happened. Not just yet.”
    Cora Jane’s eyes widened, as did Nate’s. Eben didn’t look at Joanna or her mother just now.
    â€œIs that why you didn’t come to court my sister right away?” Cora Jane asked.
    Her father looked at her, face vexed. “Daughter . . .” he said softly, though the warning in his tone was clear enough. Then, turning toward Eben, he said, “You do plan to move here in time, ain’t?”
    Eben nodded. “That’s my intention.” He drew a long breath. “Once my brother returns home.”
    Cora Jane was looking at Joanna now, no doubt sending messages with her big eyes. It reminded Eben of Leroy, who’d always sat across from him at the table, pulling faces.
    â€œWell, you must know by now that Joanna’s already made her baptismal vow to God and the church here,” Rhoda remarked. “In accordance with our bishop.”
    â€œSo how’s this ever goin’ to work, then?” Cora Jane blurted.
    â€œSister, please!” Joanna said, nearly coming up off the bench.
    Cora Jane’s head went down and Nate’s shot up. Rhoda quickly rose and hurried to the stove, where she reached for the coffeepot. She returned to the table and began to pour it rather shakily into everyone’s cups, whether they’d asked for more or not.
    Eben felt it was on him to say something to calm things down. “All of my family, and many others in our community, are prayin’ for my brother Leroy to return to his senses, to join church.”
    â€œThe Lord God is sovereign,” Rhoda said firmly, turning to carry the coffeepot back to the stove.
    â€œHe certainly is,” agreed Eben.
    â€œIn all His ways,” Nate Kurtz added.
    Eben made a mental note to privately ask Joanna’s father his permission to court her on Hickory Hollow soil. Given the concerned reaction at the table just now, that seemed like the wisest approach. Best to stick with my original plan.

Chapter 10

    J oanna was surprised when Mamma let Cora Jane know that she alone was to be responsible for clearing the table and redding up the supper dishes.
    Meanwhile, Joanna managed to keep her composure until Dat took Eben outside to the barn. “You had no right to speak up like that, Cora Jane! What were ya thinkin’, for pity’s sake?”
    Cora Jane still sat at the table, leaning her head into her hands.
    â€œNow, girls,” Mamma said, getting up to look outside. “This’ll never do. Let’s make this a pleasant time.”
    â€œWell, Eben’s trouble.” Cora Jane rose from her seat. “He is . . . you’ll see.”
    â€œListen here, I’d never think of talkin’ up to your beau like that.”
    â€œWell, don’t ya think it’s a gut thing I did?”
    Joanna left the kitchen to go and sit where she and Eben had enjoyed a quiet and relaxed moment, prior to supper. Before Cora Jane came home! She sat there, not knowing what to do. Would Eben take the next van out of here tonight yet? She wouldn’t