A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller

coffee.
    After their parents’ burial she’d managed to pull herself together a little bit more. Sadie knew how difficult it was for her sister. She was the most carefree of the three of them, but she also had the biggest heart.
    â€œMiddlefield is far.” Sadie mentally calculated the cost of hiring a taxi to travel the nearly hour’s drive to the city. Even without one of them visiting Joanna every day, it would be expensive. That plus the cost of the facility, the hospital bills . . . her temples started to throb.
    â€œI have an idea, Sadie.” Abigail leaned her hip against the wall. “You might not agree with it, but I think it’s our best option.” She paused. “I want to call Mary Shetler.”
    Surprised by the suggestion, Sadie asked, “ Mamm ’s cousin?”
    Abigail nodded. “I’m sure once I explain the situation I can stay with her. I already looked up the facility’s address, and it’s a short taxi ride from Mary’s haus .”
    â€œI don’t know . . .”
    â€œI realize it will leave you shorthanded at the store.” Abigail’s lower lip started to tremble. “I don’t want to leave Joanna alone, Sadie. She needs one of us with her.”
    She touched Abigail’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” she said softly and was pleased to see Abigail steady again. Remembering her friend’s offer of help, she added, “I can ask Patience to work with me at the store for a little while. I’m sure Timothy won’t mind.” She paused. “But what if Mary won’t let you stay? We’re not close to Mamm ’s side of the familye .” Her cousin had come to the funeral but hadn’t stayed long. Sadie barely remembered speaking with her.
    â€œWe have to try,” Abigail said. “If that doesn’t work, I’m sure God will provide another way for me to be with Joanna.”
    â€œ Ya ,” Sadie said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sure he will.” She looked at the small placard beneath the room number. J Schrock. Her heart lurched as she thought of her sister’s long recovery. She and Abigail wouldn’t let Joanna go through the healing process alone. She needed family with her, even if it was only one sister and a cousin they didn’t know.
    â€œI’ll geh make the call,” Abigail said.
    As Abigail walked away, Sadie leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. “Make a way for her, Lord,” she whispered. “Please, make a way for all of us.”

    On Friday of the following week, Sadie stood in front of Schrock Grocery and Tools holding the key to the door in her hand. The store had been closed since the day the sheriff’s deputy had arrived, almost two weeks ago. The day her life had changed forever.
    She paused before unlocking the door, biting her bottom lip and steeling her determination. She couldn’t let her emotions overcome her, not now. Joanna and Abigail were on their way to Middlefield. Mary had agreed to let Abigail stay with her as long as she needed to. With her sisters somewhat settled, Sadie needed to make good on her promise to her parents, and that included making sure Schrock Grocery and Tools would be open for business on Monday. With a deep breath, she put the key in the lock and turned it.
    She walked inside, memories immediately washing over her with so much force she had to use the counter for support. Every inch of the store reminded her of her parents. She picked up a yellow pencil off the counter and put it in the plastic cup next to the simple cash register, one her parents had purchased last year after Sadie had begged them to buy it. Despite acquiring the little bit of technology Bishop Troyer had approved for their business, her mother had still used a calculator, a scrap of paper, and her favorite yellow pencil to tally up customer purchases. “This way is easier for me,”