Rebecca's Choice by Jerry S. Eicher

her, and read the article. The page dropped to the floor. John saw her face register stunned disbelief as she turned in his direction.
    “It’s okay,” he said and got up. “Really, it is. I just thought we should talk about it.”
    “Is it true?” Rebecca asked. “Is someone playing a joke?”
    “I’m afraid not.” Lester’s face was stern. “Not if it’s in here. Do you want to tell us about this?”
    “There is nothing to tell.” Rebecca sat back on the couch, and John followed.
    “You didn’t know anything about this?” Lester’s voice was tense, his expression puzzled.
    Rebecca shook her head.
    “You did see Emma when you went to Milroy to help Leona with the baby, right?”
    “Yes.” John could see Rebecca meet her father’s eyes.
    “Did Emma say anything about leaving you money? About marrying Amish?”
    Rebecca shook her head. Quickly, John thought, which confirmed his confidence in her.
    “Did you talk about John? About Atlee?”
    “Yes,” Rebecca said, letting her gaze drop to the floor, “I asked her advice. She told me some good things.”
    “Nothing about money? For…” Lester said, almost choking on the words, “marrying someone?”
    “No,” Rebecca replied, her voice angry now. “You surely don’t think I would?” She looked around the room.
    “Of course not,” Mattie said quickly. “I’m sure you didn’t.”
    “I already said it’s not your fault,” John added.
    Lester seemed to ponder the question. “Mighty strange,” he finally said. “Embarrassing too. That’s the worse, I guess. Even if it was true.”
    “It’s not true,” Rebecca said, her voice sharp, “that I would marry for money or know I’m getting any.”
    “I believe you,” Lester said, his voice calm now. “Just asking. Better that way than wondering. It could still be true you are named in the will.”
    Rebecca turned to John and seemed to see him again. “Do you believe it? That I would marry you for money?”
    “No,” he said. “I came over to warn you. Thought we should talk about it.”
    “Really?” Her eyes searched his face.
    “Really,” he said, and she seemed satisfied.
    Silence descended on the room. The only sound heard was a thump or two from upstairs.
    “You think Rebecca is getting money?” Mattie asked.
    “If she marries John.” Lester let a grin cross his face. “From the sounds of it.”
    “Now isn’t that a surprise. Emma left you something,” Mattie said, “even if you didn’t expect it.”
    “I don’t like it,” Rebecca said. “Just don’t. Something’s wrong about the whole thing. Something is really wrong.”
    “Now don’t turn down good money—not when it lands on your doorstep,” Lester told her. “It might come in handy. A few thousand doesn’t go far, but it might help a young couple just starting up.”
    Rebecca shook her head.
    “It sounds like more than a little,” Mattie offered.
    Lester found the paper again and scanned the article. “I guess it does. What do you think, John?”
    “Rebecca has nothing to do with it. Of that I’m sure,” he said. “Beyond that I don’t care. I hope to provide for my own family. Hopefully she’ll be satisfied with that.”
    Lester’s chuckle told John he took the joke well. Rebecca rolled her eyes at him but managed to smile a little.
    “It’ll all blow over,” Lester said confidently. “People will forget all about this next week. More troubles. More houses burned down. More people got married. It’ll all be over. I wouldn’t worry.”
    “I’m glad someone feels so,” Rebecca said sighing. “There’s something fishy going on. That’s all I can say.”
    “Your father knows what he’s talking about,” Mattie assured her.
    “I suppose he does,” Rebecca allowed.
    “Are you going to go to Milroy for the money?” Mattie asked Rebecca.
    Before Rebecca could answer, Lester said, “No. If she’s got money coming, they will find her. The English are probably involved—with a