A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston Page A

women began cleaning up the kitchen while Joshua and Dat headed for the mudroom.
    “ Danki for the meal,” Joshua called to his mother while putting on his hat and coat.
    “ Gern gschehne .” Mamm approached him as she reached for her cloak. “Let me walk you out.”
    Joshua fought the urge to groan, knowing she would want to discuss Lena again.
    “Good-bye, Onkel Josh,” Lily called with her hands submerged in the soapy sink.
    “Good-bye.” Joshua waved to Anna Mary and Lena, who smiled and waved.
    Joshua followed his parents outside and stood on the porch with them.
    His mother clamped her hands together and smiled. “So, you liked Lena?”
    “She was nice.” Joshua sighed as he decided the direct approach was best with her. “ Mamm , I appreciate your effort, but I don’t think there will ever be anything between Lena and me.”
    “What are you saying?” His mother looked confused.
    “I’m not interested in her.” Joshua shrugged. “She’s a nice maedel, but I don’t have time to date. I’m too busy running the farm. I have customers calling daily, and I have horses to train and feed. My life doesn’t leave any room for a relationship right now.”
    Mamm gave Dat a pleading expression. “Eli, tell him he’s talking narrisch . Tell him he needs to date. Explain to him that the Lord wants us to bear fruit, and it’s not natural to be alone.”
    Joshua hoped his father would back up his feelings.
    Dat shook his head. “He’s old enough to make his own decisions, Barbie. I think you need to just let God take control.”
    Joshua swallowed a sigh of relief. Danki, Dat!
    “You’re both narrisch .” Mamm waved off Dat’s words. “Lena is perfect for you, Josh. That’s why you need to go to those socials, to get to know her. But I was afraid you’d break your promise to me, so I brought you over here to meet Lena.”
    “ Mamm , I told you I’m not interested. Please back off.” Joshua tried his best to keep his words respectful despite the exasperation building inside him. “I need to go. See you soon.”
    Before his parents could respond, Joshua headed to his waiting horse and buggy. During the ride home, he silently prayed for patience with his mother and also asked God to redirect her efforts from his love life to something else.
    He considered Lena as he drove the rest of the way. Although she was attractive, he felt no spark for her, and therefore he couldn’t imagine trying to forge a relationship with her. How could he possibly get to know her better if they had nothing to talk about?
    If he did want to date, he would want to find someone who was more interesting to him. He also would want to feel an attraction to the woman.
    But he wasn’t interested in dating. He only wanted to work on his farm. Why couldn’t his mother understand that?
    He arrived home and then went into one of the barns to check on the animals. He noticed a stall that needed to be repaired and went to work on it.

    Carolyn’s temper flared as she guided the horse past a sign that read Glick’s Belgian and Dutch Harness Horses. She wasdetermined to give Joshua Glick a piece of her mind. She led the horse up the rock driveway toward a row of barns. After halting the horse, she hopped down from the buggy and marched toward a large barn where the doors were open wide. The loud bang of a hammer sounded from within.
    “Joshua Glick!” she called over the racket as she stepped into the barn. “Joshua Glick?”
    The hammering stopped, and Joshua stepped into her line of sight. “Carolyn? May I help you?”
    “I’d like to talk to you about Benjamin.” She started toward him. “He came home covered in mud and muck.”
    Joshua shrugged. “So? That’s how I look every day after I work out here.” He turned his back to her and resumed hammering a nail into a stall door.
    Resentment boiled within her as she watched him work. “Excuse me, I’m speaking to you.” He looked over his shoulder at her. “Don’t