A Husband For Mari (The Amish Matchmaker 2) Read Free Page B

wouldn’t, if they were honest?” Thomas chuckled. “Pay no attention to her, Mari. Any of these fellows can tell you what a hard worker I am.”
    “I hope you’re not disappointed we’ve got rain instead of snow this week.” James pulled out a chair across from Mari. He unfolded his lean frame into the seat with the grace of a dancer. He wasn’t as tall as Thomas. His hair was a lighter shade, and his build was slim rather than broad, but he gave an impression of quiet strength as he moved. “I know you had plenty of snow in Wisconsin.”
    “I don’t mind the rain,” Mari heard herself say. “And I definitely appreciate the warmer temperature.”
    Her comment led to a conversation at the table about the weather, and Mari just sat there listening, wondering why she felt so conspicuous. Everyone was nice; there was no need for her to feel self-conscious.
    “Well, I hate to leave good company,” Ellie said, getting to her feet. “But if I’m not at school when Samuel’s boys get there to start the fire, they won’t be able to get in.” She tapped the large iron key that hung on a cord around her neck. “They’ll be wet enough to swim home.” After putting her plate in the sink, she picked up a black lunch box and a thermos off the counter. “Are you ready, Hiram?”
    Hiram wiped the last bit of egg from his plate with a portion of biscuit and stuck it into his mouth. “Ready.”
    Ellie smiled at Mari. “See you after school?”
    “Of course. Unless...” Mari glanced back at Sara. “Unless I’m supposed to go to work today.”
    “Ne,” Sara assured her. “Not today. Gideon and Addy have just thrown open their doors, so the pace is still slow. Gideon said tomorrow would be fine. Give you a chance to settle in.”
    “Going to be working for Gideon and Addy, are you?” James remarked as he added milk to his coffee from a small pitcher on the table.
    Mari slowly lifted her gaze. James had nice hands, very clean, his fingers well formed. She raised her gaze higher to find that he was still watching her intently, but it wasn’t a predatory gaze. James seemed genuinely friendly rather than coming on to her, as if he was interested in what she had to say. “I hope so.” She suddenly felt shy, and she had no idea why. “I don’t know a thing about butcher shops.”
    “You’ll pick it up quick.” James took a sip of his coffee. “And Gideon is a great guy. He’ll make it fun. Don’t you think so, Sara?”
    Sara looked from James to Mari and then back at James. “I agree.” She smiled and took a sip of her coffee. “I think Mari’s a fine candidate for all sorts of things.”

Chapter Two
    T he following morning dawned cold and clear. Mari had risen early to help with breakfast and make certain that Zachary was dressed and fed before she left him in the care of Sara for the day. “Wake up, sweetie,” she said, shaking him. “Time to rise and shine.”
    “I want to sleep some more.” Zachary tried to roll over, away from her.
    “Nope.” She put her arm around him. “No can do. I start work this morning.”
    Zachary rubbed his eyes. “I don’t like it here. I want to go home.”
    Mari ruffled his hair. “We can’t, and you know that. We can’t go back to Wisconsin because there’s no money and nothing to go back to.”
    “Can’t I go with you to work?” He stared up at her with large, sleepy eyes. “I don’t know these people.”
    “You’ll be fine.” Mari got up and laid out a pair of jeans and a faded flannel shirt for him. “Sara has been good to us, and she’s doing everything she can to make this easier. I told you she’d be keeping an eye on you for a few days while I’m at work. As soon as I can, I’ll get you enrolled in a new school. You’ll make friends, and before you know it, I’ll have enough money so that we can move into a place of our own.”
    Zachary’s chin quivered, and he looked as if he was about to burst into tears. “My stomach hurts,” he