A Change of Heart - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,3

of our days.” He grinned at Marian. “You, me, and Leah.”

Marian chuckled, glad that he was making light of his worries. “No, James. She will not live with us forever. Leah is finding her way. You must give her time.”

“She is eighteen. Of proper marrying age.” He sat tall again and twisted to face Marian. “And what kind of fraa will Leah make?”

Marian shared her husband’s concerns about Leah and thought about it often.

“She cannot cook. She does not sew well.” James brought both hands to his forehead. “Leah has no hand for gardening, nor does she do a gut job cleaning haus. These are all things a fine Amish fraa must do. Instead, she writes fanciful stories that have no place in our world.”

“Now, James. You know that there are several people in our community who are writers. A few of them have even sold stories to people who print such tales. And it is allowed by the bishop, as long as the stories are wholesome and in line with our beliefs.”

“It is a waste of time and will not help Leah to find a gut husband.”

Marian heard the clippity-clop of horse hooves. She stood up and walked to the window. Abner was pulling onto the dirt driveway leading up to the house, and Aaron was with him. “Maybe she and Aaron will come upon a friendship,” Marian said. She twisted around and smiled at her husband.

James joined her at the window, and they both watched as Edna met the boys at the buggy. “Edna will be a fine fraa,” James said. “And Mary Carol too. Even young Kathleen will make a gut wife.”

Marian patted James on the arm. “Leah will make a home with someone when she’s ready.”

“Where is Leah?” James pressed his face close to the window and peered against the sun’s bright rays.

“Hmm. I don’t see her.”

James grunted. “Probably writing in that notebook she takes everywhere. Maybe you best go tell her that company is here.”

“There she is.” Marian was relieved to see Leah slowly making her way across the yard toward Edna and the boys. “Everything will be fine, James.”

James twisted his mouth to one side. “I hope so.”

Aaron stepped out of the buggy, waved at Edna, and then fixed his eyes on the lovely Leah. She was taller than most of the women he knew, but Aaron still towered over her by several inches. Her soft brown eyes, always brimming with curiosity, met briefly with his. He loved the way her two tiny dimples were visible even when she wasn’t smiling, a detail that softened her expression even when she was deep in thought.

He remembered when he saw her walk into the small schoolhouse on their first day of class, her eyes twinkling with wonder and awe. She asked more questions than any of the other students, and everyone wanted to be her friend. It stayed that way until their graduation from the eighth grade, but Aaron never seemed to be in her circle of friends, nor did she seem to notice him at the Sunday singings when they got older. But he wasn’t the shy boy of his youth anymore.

If he took into account everything that he knew about Leah, he should not be considering a courtship, no matter how much she intrigued him. From what he’d heard from his sisters, the girl was flighty and irresponsible, couldn’t cook, couldn’t garden, couldn’t even use a needle and thread successfully. Yet his heart skipped a beat at the mere mention of her name.

“I brewed a fresh batch of meadow tea,” Edna said as she batted her eyes in Abner’s direction. “Let’s sit on the porch.” She swung her arm in that direction.

“Hello, Leah.” Aaron got into pace alongside her. “Danki for inviting me.” He smiled with enough hopefulness for both of them, but Leah’s eyes widened with surprise. She twisted her head in Edna’s direction, and Aaron knew he wasn’t supposed to see the scowl on her face. Too late.

“Sure,” Leah said when she turned her face back to his. Her lips curled upward, but it was a sorry attempt to rectify her initial response.

Aaron glowered in his brother’s direction. A guilty expression flashed across Abner’s face as he moved his shoulders in a shrug of innocence. Aaron had wondered why Leah invited him over, since he’d been trying unsuccessfully to get her attention. Twice he’d offered to take her home after a Sunday singing, and she’d politely declined. During worship service, he was