A Change of Heart - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,1

very generous of Saul’s family.” Their mother nodded toward the green bean casserole. “Kathleen, could you please pass me the beans?”

Kathleen complied, putting Leah’s favorite dish within reach. After her mother scooped a spoonful onto her plate, Leah helped herself.

“Abner and I will be livin’ in the daadi haus, since his grandparents have both passed on. Then when Abner’s brothers and sisters are grown, we’ll move into the main house, and his parents will move to the daadi haus,” Edna said.

“Our haus will be new.” Mary Carol flashed her sister a smile.

“But we will be able to live in our haus right after we’re married,” Edna scoffed. “We don’t have to wait for a home of our own, and—”

“Girls . . .” Their mother’s voice carried a warning. “This is not a competition.”

They all ate quietly for a few moments. Leah could hear their dog, Buddy, barking in the distance, presumably tormenting the cows. The golden retriever was still young and playful and often chased the large animals unmercifully around the pasture, nipping at their heels. Several cows voiced their objection, which only caused Buddy to bark louder.

“Aaron asked about you,” Edna said sheepishly to Leah.

“Why?” Leah narrowed her eyes. Abner’s brother ogled her enough during worship service every other week. Now he was conversation for suppertime?

Edna shrugged. “It’s the second time he’s asked how you are.”

“Ach. You can tell him I’m mighty fine.” Leah squared her shoulders and raised her chin, hoping that would put an end to the subject of Aaron Lantz. He was Edna’s age, a year older than Leah. He was Abner’s only brother, and Leah could smell a fix-up from a mile away. She’d had plenty of them lately. Just because Mary Carol was getting married before Leah didn’t mean Leah would end up an old maid at eighteen.

Just the other day, Amanda Graber had stopped by to personally invite Leah to attend a Sunday singing coming up this weekend at her home, mentioning that Abram Zook might be there. Abram Zook? No, no, no.

Her own mother had invited Stephen Dienner for supper two Sundays ago. What was she thinking? Stephen was a good six inches shorter than Leah. While her mother insisted that it was only a friendly gesture, Leah suspected otherwise.

“Aaron is such a fine boy,” her mother said. She smiled warmly in Leah’s direction. “And very handsome too.”

Leah swallowed a bite of bread. “You’ve always taught us that looks don’t matter.”

“That’s true, Leah. But we’re human,” her mother answered. Then she glanced at their father—a tall man with sharp features and brilliant green eyes like Edna’s. His beard barely reached the base of his neck and didn’t have a single gray hair amid the thick whiskers. He was handsome, indeed.

Her mother refocused on Leah. “I hear Aaron attends the Sunday singings. Maybe you should go this Sunday.”

Leah rolled her eyes and immediately wished she hadn’t. Her father’s expression blazed with annoyance at her display. She dropped her head. “Maybe,” she whispered.

“Actually . . .” Edna cringed a bit. “He’s coming over with Abner for a visit later.”

“Why? Do you and Abner need a chaperone?” Leah pulled her mouth into a sour grin.

“No, we don’t. I thought maybe—”

“You didn’t think. I don’t care anything about dating. I never want to get married! Everyone needs to stop—”

“Enough!” When their father’s fist met with the table, everyone froze. Leah didn’t even breathe. They all watched as he pulled himself to a standing position. He faced Leah with angry eyes, but far worse for Leah was the disappointment she could see beneath his icy gaze. “Leah will clean the supper dishes,” he said after taking a deep breath and blowing it out slowly. “Every night this week.”

“Yes, sir.” Leah pulled her eyes from his and laid her fork across the remainder of her green bean casserole.

“I’ll help you,” Kathleen whispered to Leah when their father was gone.

“No. It’s all right. I’ll get it.” Leah began to clear the dishes.

“You girls will learn not to behave in such a way during the supper hour.” Their mother rose from the table and carried her plate to the sink. “Your daed works hard all day long, and he doesn’t want to listen to your bickering during supper.” She turned her attention to Leah. “Brew a fresh batch of tea for Abner—and Aaron.”

After their mother headed upstairs, Mary Carol and Kathleen went outside to tend to the animals. Edna lagged behind.

“You know, you might like him,” Edna said. She cleared