Courting Ruth by Emma Miller

It was the way he had made her uncertain about the life decisions she’d made. And then there was the matter of Miriam. She couldn’t deny that Eli was exciting, but at the same time, she was afraid that her sister was becoming too attached to him.
    Abruptly, she yawned and covered her mouth with the back of her hand. Thinking about that beautiful chest with the carved birds and the fear that Eli had made it for Miriam had kept her awake until after midnight last night. By the light of day, Ruth knew the idea was preposterous, but silly notions did that to you at night sometimes; they made you totally illogical.
    “Roofie?” Susanna was standing beside her, a sugar bowl in her hand. “Can I put the sugar in now?”
    “Just a minute.” Ruth began to stir mayonnaise and lemon juice into the grated slaw. “Now,” she said to Susanna.
    Susanna carefully carried the sugar bowl back to the table. Watching her, Ruth couldn’t help but smile. Susanna was such a sweet soul. Dat had been right. She was a blessing to their family. Eli didn’t understand why Ruth had made the decisions she had. God had trusted her family with Susanna, and it was only right that Ruth be here to care for her. It was selfish to consider anything else. Some day, Mam would grow old, and they both would need strong hands to support them.
    “It was good of you to ask Eli to dinner,” Fannie was saying to Mam. “He’s a good boy, no matter what some people say. I’m hoping that if families like yours welcome him, others will.”
    Mam glanced at Anna. “Could you help Susanna find a clean Kapp and apron?”
    Since it was just the family this morning, her sisters had covered their freshly washed hair with kerchiefs, but would need Kapps before male company arrived. “I can do it,” Ruth offered. “I’m ready, and I finished the slaw.”
    “Ne.” Anna caught Susanna’s hand. “Come on, Susanna-banana. I’ll braid your hair.” Susanna giggled and followed her out of the kitchen.
    When Susanna was safely out of earshot, Fannie spoke softly. “I know you’ve both heard the rumors about Eli, but I wanted you to know I don’t believe them. There are things the boy isn’t telling us. Roman says he has a good heart.”
    Ruth tried not to listen, but it was impossible not to hear Mam’s reply. “I keep telling Martha and Alma it’s wrong to judge Eli without proof.”
    Fannie sniffed. “That Alma asked me straight out if Eli was shunned in Belleville. He wasn’t.” She leaned close to Mam and lowered her voice. “Roman thinks the world of his sister Esther, but he thinks she’s ill-treated Eli. You know about Eli’s real father, don’t you?”
    Mam shook her head.
    “He left the Old Order Amish church. Went to the English.” Fannie glanced across the kitchen. Ruth concentrated on prying open a plastic container of sesame seeds.
    “You needn’t fear to speak in front of Ruth,” Mam soothed. “She’d not spread ill about anyone.” She chuckled. “Our Susanna is another story. She means no harm, but whatever she hears…”
    “Well, it’s no secret,” Fannie continued. “The way Roman tells it, Eli’s father abandoned his family and his faith. He always had an eye for worldly ways. He liked the English women with their legs all bare and their bosoms showing, and they liked him, too. One day, when he was plowing, he just left his team in the field and walked away.”
    Ruth couldn’t contain her curiosity. “He just abandoned his family?”
    Fannie nodded. “Too handsome for his own good, some said. They claim Eli is the spitting image of him. The oldest boy favored Esther’s side of the family, and she had a soft spot for him. But their father…” Fannie shook her head. “’Course, he died before Roman and I started courting.”
    “There was a tragedy with Eli’s older brother, too, wasn’t there?” Mam asked. “Terrible for your sister-in-law.”
    “And for Eli, I imagine.” Ruth sprinkled sesame seeds over