ready to go.
Elnora fussed over Beanie’s outfit while Rebekah and Samuel tidied up the kitchen.
“Thanks for letting me help, Daughter.”
Rebekah stowed the white sugar back in the safety of the highest cabinet, far away from grabby boy fingers. “Thank you for letting me measure out the salt and sugar!”
They shared an easy laugh, just as the evening birds began their nightly song.
Samuel twirled a rag around his hand. “Young Joseph should be getting here soon.”
Rebekah froze.
Samuel’s words came out soft as the spring rain. “No matter what happens tonight, Rebekah, follow your heart. Your mother and I want nothing more than your happiness.” Giving the rag a fling, it landed expertly in the dry sink.
Before she could contemplate her father’s heartfelt words, Jeremiah stuck his head in the kitchen. “Joseph’s here.” With his lips pulled back in his most mischievous grin, he continued “And boy does he look pretty!”
Flushing, Rebekah tugged at her cape. After straightening her covering she smoothed at her dress.
“Are you going to leave him waiting for you all night?”
Satisfied, Rebekah swept past her biggest little brother. “Of course not, silly.”
Everyone had congregated in the sitting room, but she spotted Joseph in a moment. A head taller than even her father, he stood out in a crowd. Rebekah sucked in her lower lip as she beheld the sight of him, laughing and teasing with her mother. His black felt special occasion hat was clutched in one hand while the other was tucked securely in a pocket. Those ebony curls that never failed to grab her attention were slicked back and he wore his deep green shirt; the one that matched her favorite dress. He was long, lean, and in Rebekah’s eyes, most beautiful.
“My mother and father took our food on to the festival,” Joseph explained. “Do Rebekah and I need to take any of the pies for you?”
Samuel shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I believe we can handle those pies.” He offered a hand to Joseph.
Carefully, Joseph removed his hand from his pocket and shook Samuel’s hand. Quickly, he tucked it away again.
“ Hallo .” Rebekah was aware that her voice was quiet, but Joseph took instant notice. Stepping through the throng of little brothers, though he rightly could have stepped over them what with being so tall, he joined her.
Joseph’s eyes were especially blue as he offered her his arm. “Shall we go?”
Cheeks afire, Rebekah flitted a glance to Elnora, only her mother wasn’t looking at them. Instead, she was sharing a smile with Samuel. Together, they turned their attention to the young couple. What is going on? Why so much secrecy tonight?
Following Joseph, mostly because she held his arm, they made their way out the front door.
Just before the door closed, Elnora’s voice met Rebekah’s ears. “We will see you there!” Then, she and Joseph were alone.
The festival was a wonderful gathering of friends and family and, once he had gotten over his initial shyness or whatever had him so out of sorts, Joseph had been a perfect gentleman. For Rebekah, being with him was as easy and natural as getting honey from a beehive. The few looks Katie had tossed their way were easy enough to ignore. Still, it was no secret that the younger of the Knepp twins spent the evening wishing she had arrived on Joseph’s arm.
Rebekah twirled the clover thistle Joseph had picked for her on the way between her fingers. “Thank you for a lovely night.” The evening of food, fun, and fellowship – and of course being near to Joseph-- had left her starry-eyed and a bit giddy.
“I should be the one thanking you. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have had a soul to drink apple cider with.” He rubbed his belly with one hand. “And to share that last piece of your Ma’s apple pie. If I had been forced to finish it all alone, my folks may well have had to roll me home!”
Rebekah dipped her head to sniff
Elnora fussed over Beanie’s outfit while Rebekah and Samuel tidied up the kitchen.
“Thanks for letting me help, Daughter.”
Rebekah stowed the white sugar back in the safety of the highest cabinet, far away from grabby boy fingers. “Thank you for letting me measure out the salt and sugar!”
They shared an easy laugh, just as the evening birds began their nightly song.
Samuel twirled a rag around his hand. “Young Joseph should be getting here soon.”
Rebekah froze.
Samuel’s words came out soft as the spring rain. “No matter what happens tonight, Rebekah, follow your heart. Your mother and I want nothing more than your happiness.” Giving the rag a fling, it landed expertly in the dry sink.
Before she could contemplate her father’s heartfelt words, Jeremiah stuck his head in the kitchen. “Joseph’s here.” With his lips pulled back in his most mischievous grin, he continued “And boy does he look pretty!”
Flushing, Rebekah tugged at her cape. After straightening her covering she smoothed at her dress.
“Are you going to leave him waiting for you all night?”
Satisfied, Rebekah swept past her biggest little brother. “Of course not, silly.”
Everyone had congregated in the sitting room, but she spotted Joseph in a moment. A head taller than even her father, he stood out in a crowd. Rebekah sucked in her lower lip as she beheld the sight of him, laughing and teasing with her mother. His black felt special occasion hat was clutched in one hand while the other was tucked securely in a pocket. Those ebony curls that never failed to grab her attention were slicked back and he wore his deep green shirt; the one that matched her favorite dress. He was long, lean, and in Rebekah’s eyes, most beautiful.
“My mother and father took our food on to the festival,” Joseph explained. “Do Rebekah and I need to take any of the pies for you?”
Samuel shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I believe we can handle those pies.” He offered a hand to Joseph.
Carefully, Joseph removed his hand from his pocket and shook Samuel’s hand. Quickly, he tucked it away again.
“ Hallo .” Rebekah was aware that her voice was quiet, but Joseph took instant notice. Stepping through the throng of little brothers, though he rightly could have stepped over them what with being so tall, he joined her.
Joseph’s eyes were especially blue as he offered her his arm. “Shall we go?”
Cheeks afire, Rebekah flitted a glance to Elnora, only her mother wasn’t looking at them. Instead, she was sharing a smile with Samuel. Together, they turned their attention to the young couple. What is going on? Why so much secrecy tonight?
Following Joseph, mostly because she held his arm, they made their way out the front door.
Just before the door closed, Elnora’s voice met Rebekah’s ears. “We will see you there!” Then, she and Joseph were alone.
The festival was a wonderful gathering of friends and family and, once he had gotten over his initial shyness or whatever had him so out of sorts, Joseph had been a perfect gentleman. For Rebekah, being with him was as easy and natural as getting honey from a beehive. The few looks Katie had tossed their way were easy enough to ignore. Still, it was no secret that the younger of the Knepp twins spent the evening wishing she had arrived on Joseph’s arm.
Rebekah twirled the clover thistle Joseph had picked for her on the way between her fingers. “Thank you for a lovely night.” The evening of food, fun, and fellowship – and of course being near to Joseph-- had left her starry-eyed and a bit giddy.
“I should be the one thanking you. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have had a soul to drink apple cider with.” He rubbed his belly with one hand. “And to share that last piece of your Ma’s apple pie. If I had been forced to finish it all alone, my folks may well have had to roll me home!”
Rebekah dipped her head to sniff
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