CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

 

Aaron opened the wooden cabinet above the bathroom sink and removed the small hand-mirror. It was essential that he look his very best tonight if he stood any chance of getting Anna back. After determining he hadn’t missed any stray facial hairs with his razor, he ran a comb through his locks to be sure they weren’t unruly.

He thought of his visit to Anna’s yesterday. Her cousin Jacob seemed pretty nice and didn’t balk at allowing him to help around the farm. They’d had a very valuable conversation, Aaron had thought. However, he was extremely disappointed to hear that Anna had taken in not one, but two loathsome beggars. How dare those grown men take advantage of two single women who were scarcely making it themselves. Anna and her grandmother didn’t need two extra mouths to feed, especially with Anna’s cousin visiting.

In learning of his real name, which Jacob unwittingly volunteered, Aaron had uncovered some pretty interesting facts about Anna’s favorite homeless man. He would be none too happy to share them with her. Aaron couldn’t wait to see the look on the loser’s face when he divulged his information in front of Anna’s family. Surely, he knew far more about Joseph Bender and his past than Anna was aware of.

Aaron came up with a plan last night after combing the internet at the library all afternoon. He had a trick or two up his sleeve – hopefully, ones that would present himself as the hero once Bender was out of the picture for good.

He had the feeling that Mammi was going to try to deter him from coming today, so he was sure to tell her how much he was looking forward to it. He praised her cooking abilities and offered to do several chores around the house just so she wouldn’t have the heart to tell him not to come. Thankfully, it must’ve worked because Anna’s grandmother had kept mute on the subject, although he sensed her discomfort when he mentioned that he’d be seeing her when he returned for Thanksgiving dinner. He wasn’t bothered by it, though.

No, the thought of seeing Joseph Bender squirm under Anna’s watchful eye would be all the satisfaction he needed. A slow smirk slithered across Aaron’s clean-shaven face.

 

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When dinner preparations were well underway, Anna beckoned Mammi to the spare bedroom where she’d moved her quilting frame. She didn’t want to forget to bring more quilts to the shop tomorrow as Linda had suggested. Just the thought of selling one more quilt thrilled Anna to the bone; she couldn’t imagine selling several in one day. The sale from Mammi’s Christmas quilt along with her normal paycheck would be enough to cover their mortgage payment this month, but it would still leave them short on the property tax bill. But like Mammi said, God would provide for them somehow.

Anna stepped into the room and looked around. Something didn’t seem right.

Mammi gasped. “Some of my quilts are missing! I had at least three more in here.” She moved the plastic covered quilts, in an effort to locate the missing blankets.

Do you think Jacob may have used them? Maybe the kinner got cold last night,” Anna suggested.

He didn’t mention it, but I guess it’s possible. I’ll ask him later. Right now, we need to figure out which quilts you’re taking to sell and get back to that dinner before it burns.”

Anna took four various quilts from Mammi’s limited repertoire. “Don’t worry, Mammi. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for your missing quilts.”

Mammi’s disappointed countenance lifted some. “You’re probably right, dear.”

Anna quickly placed the quilts upstairs in her bedroom and glanced out her window. She groaned when she spotted Aaron’s buggy driving up the lane. She hurried down to chat with Mammi.

Mammi, I thought you were going to tell Aaron not to come,” Anna said in exasperation.

I’m sorry, dear. I just couldn’t tell that boy no. He seemed so eager to come,” Mammi explained.

Mammi, you know Joseph and I…” Anna stopped mid-sentence, reconsidering her words. “I’m not interested in Aaron anymore. I thought I’d already made that clear.” Just the fact that Mammi knew anything about her love life frustrated Anna. It wasn’t their traditional way of doing things. Of course, Aaron was the one to blame for that. If he hadn’t come to visit often and only courted her during singings and such, their prior relationship would have most likely gone undetected by Mammi.

How is Joe going to respond to Aaron’s presence? Anna remembered the last time they’d seen each other and a smile crept across her features. Neither Aaron, Joe, nor even herself for that matter, had any clue that she was going to kiss Joseph that night. She could only imagine what Aaron had said to Joe after she’d gone inside.

One thing she realized about Joseph was that he was strong in presence of mind – and honest. Those were two qualities she could admire in a man.

Or perhaps a husband?

 

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Joseph spotted Anna through the window he’d just finished cleaning and tapped it to get her attention. Anna’s countenance lit up at the sight of him and it warmed Joe’s heart. What made him so deserving of such a wonderful woman? Nothing, he’d thought. It had to be God – there was no other explanation for it.

Anna rounded the corner of the house and came to meet him. “Hey.” She smiled in greeting.

It’s too cold for you to be out here without a jacket.” He opened his own jacket and spread out his arms. “Come,” he invited.

Anna came close and slid her arms around his back inside his jacket. Fortunately they were in a place where no one could see. Joseph held her tight and gave thanks once again.

I forgot to tell you,” Anna said. “Aaron’s here.”

I know. I saw him pull up. I plan to go tell him hello as soon as I’m done kissing you.” He raised his eyebrows and grinned.

Oh?”

Joe smiled and brought his lips to hers, the frosty air rising between them. He released her from his embrace before things heated up a little too much. “Thank you for letting me steal a kiss or two.”

Oh no, those were freely given,” she admitted, biting her bottom lip.

Yeah? And can I expect a few more later?”

Anna had never seemed more beautiful. “Maybe.” She winked before turning the corner of the house and disappeared from Joe’s sight.

Joseph released a puff of frigid air and could have jumped for joy, he was so exhilarated. Having Anna as his aldi was like a dream come true. If he didn’t rein in his thoughts, though, he and Anna would be married with kinner in no time.

But he couldn’t think that way. If he’d learned anything by Mary’s death, it was to not assume anything. Only God knew what the future held. And as difficult as it seemed, Joseph realized he must trust God. What if something happened to Anna? What if it didn’t work out between them?

 

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She’s a good kisser, huh?” Aaron’s voice echoed from the opposite corner of the house that Anna had just turned. He walked confidently toward Joseph.

Joe frowned. “What were you doing watching us? It was a private moment.”

Private? If you want private, I suggest a room. A bedroom, perhaps? Anna does have a mighty fine figure, wouldn’t you say?”

Joseph couldn’t help it when his fist met with Aaron’s jaw. At least that’s what he told himself. After doing nothing when Mary’s brother taunted him, and her dying without receiving due justice, he’d decided he would never tolerate someone disrespecting the woman he loved again. There were just some things he couldn’t – and wouldn’t – stand for.

Aaron sneered and wiped a drop of blood from his lip. “Perfect. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.” He passed Joseph, purposely bumping his shoulder in the process, and moved toward the back door.