The Amish Bachelor: Amish Romance (Seven Amish Bachelors Book 1) Read online

  “Is she pretty?”

  He glanced over at Mary Lou. If he told her Hazel was pretty, she could get jealous. On the other hand, if he told her that she wasn’t pretty, that would be a lie. “Some men might find her pretty.” He kept his eyes on the road ahead, feeling pleased with himself for his clever answer and not giving anything away.

  “What would you say? What’s your opinion of her?”

  “I would say that there’s only one woman I look at in that way, and that’s you.”

  She put her hand up to her mouth and giggled. “What’s she doing at your work? What kind of work is she doing?”

  “Bookwork and accounting-type duties. She’s taken over those tasks from me. She’ll end up doing invoices, payroll, and that kind of thing. It’s about time we had someone do that so I can get on with other things.”

  She pouted. “Why didn’t you tell me someone was starting at the workshop?”

  “Because I didn’t know myself until this morning. My vadder forgot to tell me. I walked in and was shocked to see her this morning.”

  She slowly nodded, as though she accepted his answer, albeit reluctantly. “Where are we going tonight?”

  “The same place. Is that alright?”

  Mary Lou was quiet for a while before she said, “That’s okay.”

  “Would you rather go someplace else?” They had gotten into the habit of going to Downtown Diner. Because Mary Lou had insisted on going out two nights a week, if they went to a nice restaurant it would end up being far too expensive. The diner had good food and was reasonably priced.

  “I was just hoping tonight might be a special night, that’s all.”

  He knew that Mary Lou was hoping that he would ask her to marry him. It was a roundabout hint—a little nudge.

  “Isn’t every night we’re together special?” he asked.

  “Jah, it is. It just makes me feel funny that you’ve got someone working for you that I’ve never met.”

  “That’s easily solved. Come in tomorrow and meet her. You’ll like her, she’s very friendly.”

  She twisted her body toward him. “Friendly … She’s not too friendly with you, is she?”

  He chuckled. “Nee, just normal friendly.”

  “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

  He breathed out heavily. “Mary Lou, you’re sounding like you’re a little jealous.”

  “I’m not. I’m just worried, that’s all.”

  “You’re worried about Hazel?”

  After a moment of silence, she said, “Nee, it’s not just her.”

  “Well, what is it, or who is it?” As soon as he asked the question, he wished he hadn’t. He could sense what was coming.

  “We hold the record for the longest engaged couple in the community. I feel like we’re becoming a joke.”

  “A joke? To whom?”

  She shook her head. “Forget it.”

  “Nee, you said it, so it must be bothering you.”

  “It is. I mean, it's sort of a joke that we haven’t gotten married. People are sniggering about us. The couple who are together but never marry, that kind of thing.”

  “I don’t think anyone’s saying that.”

  “Well, it’s true.”

  “Just give me some more time, that’s all I need.”

  “Time to do what? Is it that you’re not sure about me? Do you think someone else might come along who suits you better?”

  “Nee, none of those things.”

  “How long are you going to have me wait?”

  “Not long. Only a few more months.”

  She groaned. “It’s always just a few more months.”

  “Nee, it’s not. I don’t believe I’ve ever said that.”

  “You did.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Three years ago, you said it would just be another three months.”

  “I’m sorry.” Then he said, “We’ve only been together for two years.”

  “Is that all you can say?”

  “Look, I’ve had a hard day. Can we talk about this another time?”

  “Nee, I think we should talk about it now. Two years will turn into three, and then—”

  “Okay, give me four more weeks and then we’ll talk about things further.”

  “What exactly will we talk about?”

  He groaned inwardly. Getting married was the eventual outcome. “A wedding.” He couldn’t blame her for wanting to get married. They’d been happy enough together, so he knew their marriage would be a happy one.

  “Our wedding? We’ll talk about our wedding?”

  He nodded. “Just give me a few more weeks to get used to the idea.”

  “I don’t want to force you into it. If you don’t want to marry me, just let me know.”

  “I do want to.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “Jah.”

  “Gut. Four weeks, you said?”

  He glanced over at her. “Well, jah, and that’s what you just said.”

  “Jah, four weeks.” She flashed him a smile. “I’ll give you four weeks.”

  “Now let’s talk about something else and enjoy our time together.”

  Mary Lou nodded. “Okay.”

  He was a little annoyed that she’d forced him into a corner, but tried his best to hide it. He knew Mary Lou would make a good wife. It was the timing that was all wrong. How would he handle having a wife, and soon children, along with all the pressure of the family business? The only thing that kept him calm after the daily struggles with his father was going home to a peaceful house with nothing but the floorboards to squeak under his feet, the rustle of the leaves in the trees as they swayed in the night’s breeze, and the song of the birds in the morning.

  He’d never considered being a bachelor forever until he’d moved out of his family home. If he never married, he now knew, that would be okay. He could cook well enough to make the basic meals for himself and that’s all he needed. He knew Gott had planned out his life already and He’d designed man and woman to be together. Marrying Mary Lou might be the best thing for him.

  Over a steak sandwich dinner that night, Hazel’s name came up again.

  “What if there’s some scandal she’s trying to run away from?”

  “Are we talking about Hazel again?”

  “Jah. See what you can find out and let me know.”

  Isaac drew back. “I hope you’re joking. I’ll do no such thing.”

  “Don’t you want to know what kind of person you have working for you? She’s the only person who’s ever worked there that isn’t a family member, isn’t that so?”

  “That’s right.”

  “And what do you know about her, again?”

  He looked at the area of his sandwich where he planned to take his next bite. “Very little.”

  “Doesn’t that worry you?”

  “I trust my vadder’s judgment.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I guess I’ll see her at the next meeting and then I can get to know her.”

  “Like I said, why don’t you stop by tomorrow and introduce yourself? If she’s just moved here she could do with some friends, I’m guessing.”

  Mary Lou’s face lit up. “You really wouldn’t mind if I stopped by and said hello to the new girl?”

  “Nee, I don’t mind at all. I think she’s your age, or thereabouts.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her and find out exactly what’s going on with her and why she’s moved here.”

  “I can’t figure out why you’re so interested.”

  “Only because no one knows about her, that’s the only reason. She's a mystery. She works for you and you don’t even know anything about her.”

  “That’s because my vadder employed her. If I had employed her, I would’ve found out everything about her.”

  “There’s your answer, then.”

  He was just about to take another bite of his sandwich, but he stopped. “Answer to what?”

  “Your va
dder must know about her. Otherwise, why would he have given her the job?”

  “I guess you’re right.” Just so she wouldn’t keep asking him, he said, “He certainly didn’t tell me anything about her.” He took another bite of his sandwich. The diner made the best steak sandwiches. The meat was tender, the bread thick and fresh, and there was just the right amount of sauce.

  As they were driving back to Mary Lou’s house in the buggy, his mind traveled back to one of his father’s suggestions of earlier that day. Perhaps he wouldn’t be so stressed if he shared his duties with one of his brothers. He could take Levi with him for a couple of weeks when he was quoting for jobs and pitching for new business. It made sense that someone beside himself and his father could perform that function. If not Levi, one of his other brothers would be suited for that job. And when Benjamin got a little older, he was going to make a great salesman.

  “We’re here already,” Mary Lou said as he stopped the buggy outside her house.

  “Here we are, on another Monday night.”

  “In four weeks’ time, maybe things will be different.” She fluttered her lashes at him.

  He laughed. “Gut nacht, Mary Lou.”

  “Denke for a lovely dinner.” She took him by surprise when she quickly leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she jumped down from the buggy and hurried through the darkness toward her house.

  “Gut nacht,” he said, quietly answering himself even though no one could hear him.

  He turned his buggy around and headed back down her driveway. Mary Lou was a good choice for a wife, he reminded himself. They never had disagreements, and now that he’d made a timeline for asking her to marry him, he had to get things at work in order. His father had been right; having someone there like Hazel would be a good thing for the business.

  Chapter 5

  The next morning, Hazel was engrossed in trying to correct errors when Isaac walked in and stood in front of her desk.

  “Hello, Hazel.”

  He was so handsome and tall. “Good morning, Isaac.”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I suggested to my girlfriend that she come in and introduce herself to you sometime today.”

  For some reason, she was a little surprised that he had a girlfriend. Even though he was handsome, he was so rigid and awkward and he barely smiled. “That was very thoughtful, denke. I don’t really know anybody in the community yet, apart from your family and Ruth and the bishop, and one of their sons.” She wasn’t sure how long she would be staying in the community and wasn’t too keen on getting to know people very well, but his offer was a kind one.

  “I suggested she come about lunchtime.”

  “Well, I’ll be here.”

  “Very good.” He walked away from her, leaving her to work through the errors he’d previously made in the accounting system.

  She noticed he headed to the lunchroom and then came back out with a mug of coffee. After that, he sat in his father's office, next to hers. They were separated by a large glass wall. People from either office had a good view of who was coming in the doorway, but only after they’d taken a few steps inside.

  The way the offices were arranged wasn’t convenient for customers or for whomever was supposed to greet the customers, but Mr. Fuller had informed her that customers rarely came to the workshop. In fact, they were encouraged not to. Isaac carried a full range of samples with him, eliminating the need for foot traffic within the factory.

  She wondered what his girlfriend was like and how long they’d been together. He certainly looked old enough to be married by now, and have a few young children.

  An hour later, Isaac's brothers came into the office, and one by one they greeted her. Benjamin was last and handed her a single flower.

  “Denke, Benjamin. That was thoughtful. It’s so lovely.” She heard sniggers from some of his brothers.

  Benjamin ignored them. “Would you like me to put it in water for you?”

  “Jah, denke, and then you can place it right here on my desk.”

  One of the brothers chimed in, “You can think of Benjamin every time you look at it.”

  She giggled as Benjamin gave him a shove. The boys quickly dispersed toward the workshop when their father came in behind them.

  At the same time, Isaac walked out of his father’s office. “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “The boys are just having a bit of fun, that’s all,” Joshua, the third eldest, said over his shoulder as he walked away.

  “The workplace is no place for fun.” Mr. Fuller put his hands on his hips and his lips downturned into a frown. “Get to work, the lot of you.”

  By this time, Benjamin was hurrying back to her with the flower in a glass of water.

  “What’s this?” Isaac asked, staring at the flower.

  “It’s an unusual and beautiful flower that I saw in Mamm’s garden. I thought it belonged with Hazel.”

  Isaac shook his head. “Well, give it to her and then get to work.”

  Hazel had no choice but to watch the scene unfold. She saw Mr. Fuller doing his best to hide an amused smirk as his youngest son placed the flower on her desk. “Denke, Benjamin. That will surely brighten my day.”

  Benjamin flashed her a big smile and then walked past Mr. Fuller who was still in the doorway of her office along with Isaac.

  “How is everything going?” Mr. Fuller asked her.

  “Really well.”

  “That’s good. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

  “Denke.”

  “If ever Ruth can’t fetch you from work or bring you here, just let me know and I’ll have one of the boys give you a ride.”

  She nodded. “That’s very kind of you, Mr. Fuller. Denke. I’ll remember that.”

  Mr. Fuller and Isaac left her alone.

  The morning followed the same pattern as the one before. After making his phone calls at her desk, Isaac left the office. At midday, after the boys walked out to get their lunch, Hazel pulled out her sandwich, unwrapped it, and took a quick bite. She’d barely swallowed her mouthful when a young Amish woman walked up to her office. Hazel smiled at her and placed her sandwich down on the wrapper.

  The young woman looked at her, smiled too, and then walked forward. “Hello, you must be Hazel.”

  Hazel stood up and offered her hand. “Jah, and you’re Isaac’s girlfriend?”

  “I am.”

  “He mentioned you were going to stop by.” Hazel figured that his girlfriend matched him perfectly. He was a good-looking man, and Mary Lou was fair skinned, dark-haired, blue-eyed, and very pretty.

  “Do you mind if I sit?” Mary Lou asked.

  “Please do.”

  She sat in the same chair that Isaac had used earlier that morning and pulled it closer to the desk. “What brings you to our community, Hazel?”

  “This job, for one thing.” Hazel didn’t want the conversation to be all about herself. “And do you work?”

  “I only have a part-time job at a bakery. I mostly help my mudder at home. I’ve got many younger sisters and brothers.” She gave a little giggle. “We’re quite busy.”

  “I guess you would be. I’m the only one in the family—only child.”

  Mary Lou raised her eyebrows. “That is highly unusual. I barely know any Amish family who has just one child.”

  Hazel nodded. “I know, but that’s just how it is.” Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her sandwich. She was very hungry, but she couldn’t eat in front of Mary Lou because that would be rude. Neither did she have an extra sandwich to be able to offer her one. “Can I make you a cup of coffee or something?”

  “That would be nice. I’ll come with you. I’ve been here several times and I know where the lunchroom is.”

  Soon they were sitting in the lunchroom, waiting for the teakettle to boil.

  Mary Lou looked around. “It’s very quiet in here. Where is everybody?”

  “I’m not sure where Mr. Fuller is.
He’s got to be around here somewhere, and the boys have gone up the road for lunch.”

  “What about Isaac?”

  “I don’t think he’s come back yet from his morning appointments.” Hazel stood and pulled two cups out of the cupboard.

  “I suppose you’re wondering why Isaac and I aren’t married. He’s literally devoted to me, you see.”

  Hazel turned around to stare at Mary Lou. “I generally don’t worry too much about what’s going on in the lives of others. I stay out of other people’s business.”

  Mary Lou giggled. “I know, but you’re a woman and I thought you’d have to wonder.”

  She shook her head. “I barely know the Fuller family at all.”

  “It’s a secret, that’s all.”

  “You’re in a secret relationship with Isaac?” She knew that wasn’t true because he had openly called Mary Lou his girlfriend.

  Mary Lou giggled again but this time a little more high-pitched. “I don’t mean that. It’s a secret that we’re getting married, and we haven’t told anybody yet.”

  “Ah, well that is good news. The best kind of news.”

  “Denke. It’s so hard to have the news and not be able to tell anybody.”

  “You just told me.”

  “I’ve only told you because you don’t know anybody here yet. So, I was just giving you a broad overview of how things work.”

  Now it was clear why Mary Lou was there. She was warning her off her boyfriend. Hazel was disappointed; she could’ve used a real friend at a time like this. She’d grown up without friends because of her father’s behavior. No one in the community wanted their daughters to associate with her or her family. “I can assure you that while I’m here I’m just concentrating on my job.”

  “And that’s just as it should be. If you came to the community looking for a husband, Isaac has many brothers. You look like you’re around twenty?”

  “I’m twenty-six.”

  Mary Lou opened her eyes wide. Everyone thought Hazel was younger than she was.

  “The closest to you in age would be Levi. He would be a wonderful choice for you. Oh, but he already has a girlfriend and she’s my good friend, Lucy. I’m sure they’ll get married.”