Clara brought another tray with two pitchers of freshly squeezed lemonade. She set them on the tables in the middle of the yard before admiring how much of the new stable had been already rebuilt. There were fewer volunteers than for a full barn raising, but the new stable would be finished before dark tonight except for a coat of paint to match the barn. The smoke stains there were covered by the new white paint.
Esther and Ruth walked over to the table. They were the only two of Isaiah’s siblings she hadn’t met before, because they lived too far away for easy visits when Ruth had a young baby and Esther was very pregnant.
“Perfect timing,” Esther said. “The men were talking about taking a break and hoped you were making something gut to drink.”
“Tell them to komm and get it!” she replied with a laugh.
Esther cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted, “Lemonade!” At Clara’s shock, she laughed. “I used to be a schoolteacher. I know how to be heard.”
Cheers met the announcement, and the men put aside their tools before hurrying to the table to quench the thirsts they’d been working up on the hot, humid day.
Clara smiled when Isaiah moved close to her and smiled. “I heard some interesting news.”
“Not more rumors, I hope.”
He gave an emoted shudder, then chuckled. “I got this news right from the horse’s mouth.”
“That’s no way to talk about your mamm.” Wanda wagged a finger at him, and everyone laughed.
“What’s the news, Isaiah?” asked Esther. “You can’t leave us hanging like clothes on a line.”
“Do you want to tell them, Mamm, Reuben?” asked Isaiah.
Reuben grinned and said, “Wanda and I will be publishing our intentions to marry in October.”
More cheers erupted, and everyone was hugging everyone else.
Isaiah took Clara’s hand and drew her away from the crowd. Out of earshot, he said, “I hope you’re not disappointed that we won’t be the next one to get married.”
“As long as we get married.”
“Let’s get married two weeks after Reuben and Mamm. It’ll give everyone time to prepare for a second wedding, and we should be able to get in a few visits to family before the adoption proceedings begin.”
“Those can’t be started until the relinquishment of parental rights paperwork is signed by Melvin’s parents and Debra.”
“It’ll be soon, and then you’ll be a wife and a mamm.”
She put her arms around his neck, not caring if anyone saw them. “And you’ll be my forever husband and their forever daed.”
“There’s nothing I want to be more.” He confirmed that with a kiss.
* * * * *
Don’t miss these other AMISH HEARTS stories
from Jo Ann Brown:
AMISH HOMECOMING
AN AMISH MATCH
HIS AMISH SWEETHEART
AN AMISH REUNION
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com