Read Online Until I Love Again by Jerry S. Eicher - Free Book Online

into the buggy seat. She handed the reins over to Henry, and they took off down Bishop Enos’s lane. Susanna caught sight of Ernest Helmuth’s face in the yard as theypassed. The man had his head down and was headed for the barn. His two little girls hadn’t been with him tonight. Maybe Henry had been right. Perhaps the man did have hopes that she would allow him to drive her home after the hymn singing.
    â€œI just saw Ernest,” Henry said. “He’ll be following us home, no doubt.”
    â€œStop teasing,” Susanna said.
    â€œHe’s like a coonhound with his nose to the scent,” Henry added with a laugh.
    Susanna stared out into the darkness and didn’t respond. She pressed her hands together and listened to the steady beat of Ranger’s hooves on the pavement. The turn onto Maple Ridge Road was a mile down, but she wished the ride would go for hours. Even with Henry’s teasing, there was a measure of peace inside the buggy that likely wouldn’t last once they arrived at the house.
    â€œI think you deserve better,” Henry finally offered. “You should think about that.”
    Susanna looked at him. “Really! So you’re coming to your senses?”
    Henry didn’t laugh. “I don’t mean Ernest. It’s that Joey fellow who’s beneath you. And there are other options beside Ernest,” he added. “I saw Emory Yoder making eyes at you a few months ago.”
    â€œStop it,” Susanna ordered.
    â€œWould you accept a date if Emory asked to take you home?” Henry asked.
    â€œI’m not responding to that,” Susanna told him.
    â€œIt’s just as well,” Henry went on. “I don’t think Emory is interested anyway once it comes right down to it.”
    â€œWould you stop talking about me?” Susanna got in edgewise.
    Henry ignored her. “In fact, Emory isn’t the only one to lose interest. I seem to remember not long ago Mark Troyer was smiling your way quite a bit. But not lately.”
    Susanna pressed her lips together. Was this true? Both Emory and Mark had considered her, but changed their minds? Henry would have this straight, but she had been too wrapped up in Joey to notice. So why didn’t an Amish man other than Ernest Helmuth follow through on his interest in her? Not that she was interested in them, but still…what was wrong with her?
    Susanna pushed the dark thought away as Henry pulled back on the reins. They bounced into the Millers’ driveway and came to a stop near the barn door. Susanna climbed down to wait while Daett drove his buggy in behind them with James, Noah, and Tobias in the backseat. Mamm stepped down and walked with Susanna toward the house while the men unhitched the buggies.
    â€œCan’t we just go to bed and forget about all this tonight?” Susanna begged at the front door. “It’s already late.”
    â€œYou would be up till midnight if you were on a date,” Mamm said. “We are going to talk tonight, Susanna. Daett has it all planned. Besides, it’s way past time to get this out in the open.”
    Susanna wanted to protest further, but resistance was futile. She took her seat on the couch and waited. The minutes seemed to drag into hours before the voices of her brothers and Daett came from the washroom. The kitchen door slammed next. Henry paused for a moment at the sight of her on the couch, but he hurried on when Daett made a quick motion with his hand toward the stairs. Noah wasn’t so easily persuaded. He walked past Daett and came to a stop in front of Susanna. “What have you done wrong now?” he demanded.
    Susanna tried to smile. “Don’t worry about me, Noah. Just go to bed.”
    â€œBut I want to know,” Noah protested. “Why doesn’t anyone tell me anything?”
    Mamm hurried over and hustled Noah up the stairs and closedthe door behind him. Susanna sat up straight as