the other men in the church with the desire to take a place as their minister. He may be new to us, but he’s strong-willed and intelligent. I have no doubt the matter will go before the church, regardless of my wishes.”
A chill passed over me at his words.
Rose’s reputation would forever be clouded within the community if she was with child. Elijah would use it against us...and my entire family. If Rose and I could hold on for a while longer, she’d be old enough to marry me without her father’s approval. Then we could begin our lives unsullied.
With a sudden change of heart, darkness settled over my spirit. I said a silent prayer that Rose wasn’t pregnant.
2
Rose
I was glad they couldn’t see the fresh tears on my cheeks. They’d been so good putting up with me the past few days—I didn’t want them to think I was turning into a sputtering fool again. I had to be strong.
“What are you thinking, Rose?” Summer’s voice was soft and muffled. She must be leaning against Sam’s chest, but the way I was resting on the bed in Aunt Debbie’s guest room, I couldn’t see them on the floor, and I didn’t even have the energy to turn my head to look their way.
“Everything...and nothing at all.” I sighed and dropped my head on the pillow.
“God, please tell me you’ve changed your mind,” Sam said.
His rough words made me shiver. He was becoming irritated again. Things were always so cut-and-dry with him. Couldn’t he understand where I was coming from?
“No, Sam, I’ve made up my mind.”
“You just keep making dumb decisions—why won’t you ever listen to the voice of reason and good sense?” Sam’s voice rose with each word.
“Shhh, your aunt will hear, and that’s the last thing we need right now,” Summer chastised. She pulled away from Sam and climbed on the bed beside me. “We’ve gone over it a million times. This is the best plan for now.”
Even in the semidarkness I could see Sam’s head jerking back and forth. “I don’t agree. As much as I hate the guy, he should know what he did to Rose. She shouldn’t have to deal with it by herself.”
“I’m not alone. I have you guys,” I piped up.
“And, Sam, it’s only for a few weeks. Really, you’re making more drama than necessary.” Summer said it quietly and slowly enough that I was betting Sam wouldn’t argue.
But I was wrong.
“Dad should at least know. This is serious business—” his hand waved into the air at me “—she needs to see a doctor.”
“Women have been having babies forever, a few weeks won’t make a difference,” Summer said with a shrug.
“We aren’t even certain she’s pregnant, though.”
“Don’t be dumb. She took five prego tests. She is, and that’s the end of it.”
Sam muttered under his breath, “Damn, females are diabolical.”
I heard him loud and clear, though...and I was suddenly afraid.
3
Sarah
Glancing sideways, I quickly looked back into the laundry basket and blushed. Micah had been watching me.
Oh, goodness, what should I do?
Trying to ignore what my eyes had just told me, I reached into the basket and pulled out a pair of pants still heavy with dampness. Snapping them on to the line, I nearly jumped out of my skin when Micah spoke close behind me.
“Would you like some help with that?”
His words were fuzzy in my mind, and his face blurred for a second. Did the brown-haired boy with the prettiest green eyes I’d ever seen just ask me if I needed help hanging the laundry? Surely, I must be dreaming.
Coming to my senses as quickly as I could, I looked around for anyone watching before facing Micah.
“Uh, no...but it sure is nice of you to offer—none of my brothers ever have,” I said, turning back to the work.
As much as I wanted his company, I wished he’d leave. If Father or Mother caught him talking to me, I’d be in trouble for sure. Especially with everything so mixed up with our families and all. Oh, if only Noah had never gotten involved with Constance. He hadn’t taken my advice, and now we all were paying the price—especially me.
Micah chuckled softly and said, “My mother and sisters trained me well.” He paused and took a wet work shirt from the pile and began hanging it. “Actually, I don’t mind helping you at all.”
I quickly grabbed the garment from his hands and tugged. “You mustn’t do that. Someone might see, and then questions will be raised.”
Micah was strong, and he wouldn’t let go. He pulled the shirt back and argued, “There is nothing wrong with me assisting you. I hardly see why anyone would complain.”
Nearly frantic, I glanced around and yanked hard. The rip was loud, and I didn’t need to see the shirt to know a seam had split. The material came loose from his hands, and I stepped back.
My cheeks felt warm when I said, “Now look what you’ve gone and done. You’re supposed to be building a fence with Peter. And with all the trouble brewing, you should be happy that Father invited you to do so.”
Micah must have lost his mind, I thought, when he came forward and whispered close to my face, “If you hadn’t refused my help, that wouldn’t have happened. Besides, the only reason my father allowed me to come over here at all was to spy.”
I felt light-headed and ignored the possibility of others watching us.
“What are you talking about?”
Micah did a quick scan of the area and said, “I shouldn’t have said anything, but I don’t guess you’ll tell anyone. You used to talk to me and smile sometimes, and now you won’t even glance my way. Is it because of your brother and my sister?”
Sighing, I said, “Of course, silly. I’m not sure why we became friends, but the things that your father has said about Noah and my family have made it impossible for our friendship to continue. It wasn’t proper, anyway. I’m going to begin courting Edwin.”
His hand shot out and grabbed my arm. The heavy feel of it made the blood drain from my face. “What...?”
“Are you crazy, Sarah? You don’t even like him.”
“Course I do. And who are you to say so?”
Micah leaned in and said with a sureness that made me believe him, “’Cause you like me, that’s why. Things will settle down soon between our families. Don’t do something that we’ll both regret.”
