A Baby for Hannah by Jerry S. Eicher

the other first.”
    “And what would be best for Mary? That I disappear?”
    “I don’t know,” Jake said. “This situation is a new one on me.”
    “And you think it’s not for me?” Mr. Brunson said, laughing grimly.
    “Would you be willing to join the Amish?” Jake asked.
    “Join the Amish? But why can’t she join me?”
    “I don’t think she would. Mary’s been Amish all of her life. Do you want her to leave the faith now and face a separation from her family? That’s what she would experience if she marries an Englisha man.”
    “No,” Mr. Brunson said. “She’s a sweet woman, and I wouldn’t wish any hardship on her, even for my own benefit. But still—if I at least knew how she felt that would help.”
    “And if she expressed feelings for you, you’d really join our faith?”
    “What would that involve? Do the Amish have any weird doctrines hidden under the surface that would come out to haunt me?”
    “No.” Jake laughed. “I don’t think so, anyway. We are very similar to Protestant churches in matters of doctrine. Where we differ is in our belief that the church needs to be separate from the world. And you can see for yourself how that takes shape. We don’t drive cars, have electricity in our homes, and so on.”
    “And would you take me in as a member? I mean, what could an old man like me lose from joining the Amish? And for a woman like Mary I would be more than glad to.”
    “I don’t think you should rush into a decision,” Jake said. “It’s a lot harder than what it may look like to you.”
    “I can imagine,” Mr. Brunson said. “Is there any way I can talk with Mary, perhaps with you or Hannah present? I could let her know that my feelings for her would prompt me to become Amish. That would prove I was serious.”
    Jake shook his head. “I don’t think that would be fair. She’d think you were joining just because of her.”
    “But I would be.”
    “But that’s not good,” Jake said. “I think you’re going to have to take the risk beforehand. She’ll respect you for that. That is, if she has feelings for you, which I don’t know. If you attempt to secure her affections beforehand, it will never be quite the same. I think she’d want to know you had become Amish because you were convinced it was the right thing for you to do…not just to please her and win her heart.”
    “I don’t know,” Mr. Brunson said. “Are you sure that’s not the preacher in you talking?”
    “It could be,” Jake said, smiling. “But I’m responsible for her as a church member, as are the other ministers.”
    “Still, I think the eloping idea is better,” Mr. Brunson said, getting up. “I’d sweep her off her feet with my offer of marriage. What could the poor woman say to the life I have to offer her? There’s the money. I could take her on cruises to Alaska, to the Bahamas, to Europe, to the Mediterranean, and that’s just the beginning. Plus, she’d be getting me,” he added with a wink.
    “You would be a good catch,” Jake said. “You’re a good man, but we value our faith above anything this world has to offer. That’s part of who we are. Would you wish to take that away from Mary?”
    “I declare you could outtalk a Princeton graduate in rhetoric, Jake. Let alone being a master at making me feel guilty. No, I wouldn’t want Mary to give up her principles.”
    “Then you don’t have much choice, do you?”
    “Look, Jake,” Mr. Brunson said, placing both of his hands on the desk. “At least tell her that I wish to speak with her. Do that for me, and I will take it from there. You don’t have to tell her why, just make it legitimate, let it be someplace where she doesn’t get in trouble for it and can give me a fair hearing.”
    “So you want to get me in trouble?”
    “No, but I have no other choice. I have to talk to her. Do you want me to go down and do so on my own?”
    “No,” Jake said. “I like both of you too much to let that