Read Online Where Love Grows by Jerry S. Eicher - Free Book Online Page A

help,” she chirped.
    â€œBut this is dirty work!” Susan exclaimed. “And you’re a guest.”
    Maurice didn’t hesitate. “Nonsense. So how much more do you have to do?”
    â€œI just started. All of this area where the service will be held has to be swept down.”
    â€œThis is one thing I know how to do, and I’m helping,” Maurice stated. “Your mom and sisters are baking up a storm, and I’m in the way in the kitchen.”
    â€œThere must be something you can do in the house,” Susan insisted. “Anything would be better than sweeping down the barn beams.”
    Maurice shook her head, taking in the long beams with a steady glare. “Spiderwebs here I come!” Maurice waved her broom like a weapon.
    Susan laughed and resumed her sweeping.
    Maurice pawed fiercely at the stubborn webs above her, pausing to say, “So, you really will be having the wedding in here. I’m having a hard time imagining it.”
    Susan stopped for a moment. “Well, the men will have the horses outside for the day. And they will either clean the harnesses or move them. The stalls will be all cleaned out and fresh straw put down. Things will look much better by the time James and Teresa walk in together.”
    â€œThat’s a nice young man your dad’s got working for him,” Maurice said, sweeping again.
    â€œSteve? Yes, he is.” Susan also resumed her work.
    â€œIs there anything between the two of you? I noticed you invited him to supper the first night I was here.”
    Susan jerked to a stop. “He’s more like a friend. I haven’t known Steve that long because he’s from another Amish community.”
    â€œYou sure? I would declare he’s sweet on you.”
    â€œReally?” Susan felt her neck growing warm. “Steve’s just a friend. And I’m seeing someone else. Didn’t Teresa tell you?”
    Maurice smiled. “Teresa did tell me about a young man, and I guess his name isn’t Steve. Well, it’s none of my business. Tell me more about Teresa and James. She gave me only the bare details. I don’t think she’s telling me everything.”
    â€œSo what did she tell you?”
    â€œThat James’s father used to have objections about her because of Samuel. That I believe. I mean, you people are living pretty holy lives here. And then Teresa was supposed to marry this Yost fellow, but he dropped her for some reason. She wouldn’t tell me why.”
    Susan grimaced. “I guess we’re all a little embarrassed over what happened to Teresa because of Yost. And the reason she’s not telling you is that she’s trying to be nice. Thankfully, someone got everything figured out before it was too late.”
    â€œSo was Teresa in love with this Yost? Did he dump her? I have a hard time imagining that. And she’s never had much of a thing for older guys.”
    â€œNo,” Susan said. “Yost called off their relationship for…um…‘ personal reasons,’ shall we say.”
    â€œYou need to be more specific than that, Susan. Teresa’s my daughter, and I think I have a right to know what happened. And what was Teresa doing with him in the first place?”
    â€œOkay, but please don’t tell Mamm this. I never told anyone else, and neither has Teresa, that I know of. The only reason I know is because I was with Teresa the day we went to clean his house. That’s when Yost told Teresa their age difference was simply too much for him. That he didn’t want her bearing children far into his old age. Now, I’m not sure that was his real reason, but that’s what he told us.”
    â€œThat’s funny.” Maurice burst out laughing. “Why was the old fogy dating her in the first place?”
    â€œThey never really dated. They talked to each other a few times. You know how badly Teresa wanted to join the community.