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

the sound of another set of buggy wheels could be heard in the driveway. Mamm and Daett exchanged looks, and Daett rushed outside again.
    â€œWho is that?” Susanna asked. Visions of a visit from Deacon Herman flashed through her mind. Had Daett gone to such extremes? Surely her transgressions didn’t merit a visit from the deacon on a Sunday evening?
    â€œIt’s Ernest Helmuth,” Mamm said, her lips set firmly.
    Susanna drew a long breath. “You have set up a date with the man—for me, without asking me?”
    â€œNo, but behave yourself,” Mamm said. “This is the end of the line, Susanna. That’s all I can say. At least your Daett has the sense to finally tell you the truth.”
    Susanna tried to breathe as the room tilted on its axis. Something serious was afoot, and she had no idea what. One couldn’t be married without consent, even if her parents wanted her to. Susanna quieted the wild thoughts and clasped her hands tightly. No matter what caused her parents to act this strangely, she would survive. She always had before. Besides, Mamm and Daett loved her and wanted the best for her. She would take comfort in the thought.
    The front door opened, and Ernest followed Daett inside. Ernest held his hat in his hand and didn’t appear too happy, but that was understandable. What man would if he were in a woman’s home uninvited at such hours and under such circumstances?
    â€œHave a seat,” Mamm told Ernest, offering him a chair. Ernest sat down and squirmed, his hat still in his hand.
    â€œI’ll take that,” Mamm said, and Ernest handed over the hat. Mamm laid it gently behind the stove.
    Daett waited until Mamm returned to her rocker. “This is a most serious moment in our lives,” Daett began. “I had always hoped this time would never come, but I see I was quite wrong, and Ibeg forgiveness from all of you. First from Susanna, but also from Mamm and now from you, Ernest. I have wronged each of you greatly, even though I have tried these many years to make things right. It seems my sins have followed me, and now others must suffer for what I have done.”
    Daett paused and Mamm reached over to hold his hand. Susanna kept her eyes on Ernest’s shiny, black Sunday shoes. Nothing seemed real or appropriate at the moment. Was Daett going to say something that would change her life forever? Yah , somehow she knew he would, as if the words had already been spoken. But what? She couldn’t imagine, though the cloud hung heavy and dreadful over the whole house.
    Daett cleared his throat. “I would have wished to never tell you this, Susanna, but now I must so that you will understand why Ernest is here. He has offered to marry you this fall after you have been through your baptismal classes.”
    Susanna gasped. “But Daett , this cannot be. I—”
    Mamm hushed Susanna with a wave of her hand. “Listen to what your father has to say.”
    Daett ’s face was white, and Mamm touched his arm as he continued. “Once I tell you what I have to say, you will understand, and I think you will agree to Ernest’s offer.” Daett hung his head for a moment. “The truth is, you are my daughter, Susanna, but Mamm is not your mother. That is what we have never told you. You were born of an Englisha woman before Mamm and I were married. Your real mamm was a girl named Mindy Whithus who died shortly after your birth. You were taken care of by other people until Linda agreed to marry me. After our wedding, you came to live with us, and Mamm has always done her best to treat you as if she had birthed you.”
    Susanna let out a gasp as Daett continued. “I know this is a shockto you, but I did what I thought was the best. I always will be grateful to Linda for her love and her willingness to accept me as a husband after such a sin. You should also be grateful for how Linda has taken you in as her own daughter,