Excerpt for AMISH BABY SNATCHED

Beth removed her good dishes from the cabinet shelf. Her china set had been an engagement gift from Henry because it wasn’t the Amish way to give engagement rings. Instead, china or a clock was given at the time of this romantic event. She loved the small blue floral accents on the dinnerware.

Henry opened the back door and showed her a bouquet of flowers he’d picked for her. “Will these do for the table?”

Grinning, she nodded. “Ya. You did good.”

“What time is Chloe coming?” Henry asked, setting the flowers next to the sink.

“Around five o’clock. She had to work at the restaurant today, so will go home first to change her clothes.” Beth opened the oven door and peeked at her meatloaf. “I hope she’ll like what I fixed for supper.”

“Your meatloaf is always moist and delicious.”

“I hope she likes the peanut butter pie I made for dessert. Maybe I should have made chocolate pie instead. She loved the one she ate when we had lunch together.”

“She’ll love the pie. I’m glad you made the peanut butter one.” Henry took Beth in his arms. “It’s nice you invited Chloe, but I wish you wouldn’t be concerned about having her here. You don’t need to worry that I’ll open my mouth and say something wrong.” He grinned. “I’ll behave.”

Beth saw tenderness in Henry’s gaze as he peered at her intently. She kissed Henry, and when their lips met, she almost wished Chloe wasn’t coming to their house. Having an intimate meal with Henry would be wunderbaar. “I was happy that I invited Chloe for this evening until Violet told me about her background. Maybe I should have had it another evening when Violet could have been here too. When I invited Chloe, I hadn’t realized she comes from a wealthy background. Violet’s brother, Adam, is getting married today.”

It’d been a surprise to Beth when her father told Violet she could be a bridesmaid in an English wedding. She supposed it was because Violet hadn’t been baptized yet in their church. She imagined the wedding would be impressive, with it being a senator’s son getting married.

Henry gently tucked a lock of her brown hair inside her prayer covering. “It’s going to be fine without Violet. I guess you think it’d help to have another non-Amish woman present to help Chloe to feel more at ease in our home.”

“Violet told me that Chloe’s parents own a mansion in an expensive neighborhood. Her mother is famous for the work she’s done in the cancer field, and Chloe’s dad is a highly regarded lawyer. Chloe doesn’t act snobbish or anything, but still, our lives are so different from what she is used to.”

Henry gave her shoulder a squeeze. “From what you have told me, I have a feeling Chloe might feel more at home here than at her house.”

During their lunch, Beth had given Chloe her phone number and explained to her how Amish didn’t have phones in their houses. Beth gave Chloe the times she could be in the phone shanty so they could talk. This past week it had been fun talking with Chloe on the phone. She was glad Chloe had accepted her invitation to come to their house this evening, but now wondered if she should’ve invited her for an afternoon visit instead. Chloe might be tired after working all day in the restaurant.

Glancing at the wall clock, Beth saw it was four thirty. “I better finish up here before she comes. I’m glad the weather isn’t too hot today. Chloe’s used to air conditioning.”

Beth walked to the sink to fill a vase with water for the flowers. “Chloe told me on the phone about the families she’s considering for adoption. She’s going to bring their files this evening. What if she asks me which couple I’d choose? I’m sure Violet could help her better in choosing an English couple. Chloe mentioned how one family said they would have a college fund for her baby. She said that was important too. We don’t go to college, so I wouldn’t even consider that a reason to choose a couple.” She carried the vase to the table, placing it in the middle.

Henry frowned at her. “You could tell her to keep the baby. God might not want her to give the baby away. Her family should be able to help her with raising the child.”

“Her parents are in favor of adoption, so that’s not an option for Chloe.”

When she heard a car door slamming shut in the driveway, Beth said, “That’s probably Chloe now. Do you think I look okay?”

“Ya, you look cool as a cucumber and very schee in your dress.”

“I don’t feel cool. I’m nervous and hope everything goes fine.”

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