Plain Peace (A Daughters of the Promise Novel) by Beth Wiseman

siblings following.
    They held their breath. Jacob could count on one hand the times he’d heard his parents bicker, at least in front of the kinner . Eli went so far as to press his ear against the door, and he nearly fell into their mother when she pulled the door open.
    “Are my kinner eavesdropping?” Mamm tied the strings of her black bonnet. “I’m going out for a while. Your daed is in the bathtub. I’ll be back before dark.”
    Mary Jane followed Mamm to the door. “Where are you going?”
    “To the bishop’s haus .”
    No one moved or said anything as their mother closed the door behind her.
    “Why is she going to see the bishop?” Anna Mae peered out the window as Mamm’s buggy headed down the driveway.
    “I don’t know.” Jacob leaned over his sister’s shoulder, watching the buggy round the corner. Did Mamm not know how strict the bishop was? Would his name come up during her visit?
    He scratched his head and took a step back. “ Ach , well, let’s finish our chores and get bathed.”

    He glanced at the clock on the wall. Six o’clock. Surely Mamm wouldn’t be gone long.

    Cora pulled up to Marianne’s haus , glad she had accepted the other woman’s invitation for coffee and dessert. She was a bit nervous about spending time with Marianne’s husband, but she’d enjoyed her time with Marianne so much yesterday that she was willing to face Bishop Byler as well.
    It had been a long time since Cora had met another woman as interesting as Marianne. Though old enough to be Cora’s mother, she didn’t act her age. And she certainly wasn’t like the bishop’s wife back home, a woman who let you know her standing and expected to be treated accordingly. Cora really looked forward to getting to know her better, even if that meant spending time with the stern-faced man who had forbidden their granddaughter to go out with Jacob on Saturday.
    Cora had offered to explain what really happened—that the children’s failure to attend the singing was her fault. But Marianne had said it would be best to let it lie, assuring Cora that she was working to get her husband to change his mind. Cora hoped that he would. Jacob was a good boy who had taken on the role of head of the household in her husband’s absence. It was a heavy burden, and he deserved some happiness. Anna was a pretty girl, and Cora could see the attraction for Jacob. But she still wished he’d chosen someone who wasn’t the bishop’s granddaughter.
    The bishop’s haus was large and well tended, the flowerbeds immaculate, the shaded porch plain but still welcoming. Cora climbed the steps, thinking how good it felt to be out and about. Herstomach had knotted up a bit when she left John without bringing him his supper. But she was tired of tending to him like a child, as if his emotions were any more shredded than the rest of the family’s.
    She knocked on the door and jumped when a black-and-white cat scurried behind her. Seconds later Marianne answered.
    “I’m so glad you could come to my home.” Marianne pushed the screen door wide, and Cora breathed in the aroma of freshly percolated coffee as she stepped into the living room. A plain room with no décor and only simple furnishings. Cora was going to have to make some changes to her own home.
    “Wie bischt? Danki for inviting me.” She glanced around for any sign of the bishop or their granddaughter, Anna, but no one was around. Cora was still embarrassed that Anna had stayed outside during the ruckus with Eli, but better outside than to have seen such chaos.
    “Sit, sit, my dear.” Marianne motioned for Cora to take a seat on the couch. “I’ll be right back with some kaffi and cake. Hope you like cherry crumb cake.”
    She hurried from the room. When she returned, Bishop Byler followed.
    Cora stood up. “Good evening, Bishop.”
    He walked to where she was standing and shook her hand. “Nice to see you, Cora. Please, take your seat.”
    The bishop sat formally in one