Seasons of Sugarcreek 03. Autumn's Promise Read Free Page B

“What?”
    After glancing his father’s way, she’d continued. “We invited Edith over for dessert.”
    “Edith Beachy?”
    “Jah.” His mom stepped forward. Took his hand.
    “She’s anxious to meet you. She’s a widow, you know.”
    “Do you actually think I want to meet a woman?” He pulled his hand away from her grip. “Do you actually imagine I will ever want to meet another woman?”
    His father stepped forward, and to Robert’s amazement, he put a reassuring arm around his mother’s shoulders. Comforting her. “Robert, you will mind your tone.”
    He’d been so angry, Robert had barely been able to look at them. “ Nee . This is my place of work. This is my life. I don’t need your interference.”
    “You are being disrespectful.”
    “I am being honest.” Inside of him, words rushed forth, begging to be uttered. For once, he gave in. “Grace was my life—” Tears choked his voice, then he repeated himself. “Grace was my life and now she’s gone. Now there is nothing else.”
    “Robert!”
    He turned his back to his parents. Unwilling to see his mother’s stricken expression. Unwilling to see his father’s disapproval. “I have much to do. I’d appreciate it if you would leave.”
    For a moment, they’d stood there. Even though his back was still turned, he could imagine their look of disappointment. They slowly, deliberately, turned and left.
    Since then, they had only the most mundane of conversations when they’d see each other at church. It was obvious they were still nursing hurt feelings over the way he’d treated them.
    But what they didn’t understand was that he, too, still hadn’t forgotten.
    Abe waved a hand in front of his face. “Robert? What should I tell your daed ?”
    “Nothing. There’s nothing to tell.”
    “I think differently. People are concerned about ya. Robert, it’s been a fair amount of time since Grace passed. Three years.”
    “I know.” He never forgot how long she’d been gone.
    “You need a wife. If not Edith Beachy, then some other woman.”
    “My parents spoke to you about her?”
    Abe only looked slightly shamefaced. “They’re only thinking of what’s best for you. Robert, you’ve got a nice home and good business. It’s time to think about getting a new partner.”
    Abe talked like it was as easy as going to an auction for a new horse.
    The idea of being set up with a dozen different women from their community turned his stomach. He just wasn’t ready.
    “I appreciate your concerns.” Robert set his rag down and faced his cousin. “Abe, I am grateful for your time, I am. And I am grateful for Mary’s invitation. But I’m not in any hurry to start visiting folks’ homes for suppers. Not yet.”
    “Grace…she’s not coming back.”
    Abe’s words hit him like a blow to the chest. “I realize that. Now I’ve got to get back to work.” Smiling weakly, he added, “It won’t get done by itself, you know.”
    “Robert—”
    “Leave me be. Please. Just tell Mary and my father you tried, cousin.”
    Abe stood frozen in his spot. “But one day? Will you ever be able to move on?”
    “Perhaps.”
    “Perhaps?” Hope entered his voice. “ Sehr gut! Is there anyone special?”
    “Nee.” Although, as soon as he disclaimed it, a sudden vision of a blond woman with curly hair flashed into his head.
    After Abe left, Robert sat down and stretched out his hands. They’d been clenched in an effort to control his emotions.
    Yes, he was finding it difficult to be around friends and family and talk about life like he had nothing more on his mind than the recent weather report.
    But, fact was, he had a great many things on his mind…the least of which was his disturbing attraction to an Englischer . To Lilly Allen.
    She was as unsuitable for him as Grace had been perfect. Of course, Grace had been everything proper and good. She made him happy and centered. They’d believed in the exact same things and seemed to bring out the