The Matchmaker by Sarah Price Page A

market, you see.”
    Hannah nodded, hanging onto every word that Emma spoke. Emma was pleased that her friend showed such interest, glad to create a diversion for Hannah after such an emotional morning in regard to Ralph Martin’s letter.
    “Ja vell ,” she continued. “If we were to ask members of the g’may to give us their favorite adages and Bible verses, we could compile them into a nice little booklet to copy and distribute to the widows for Christmas.” She looked up, hereyes glowing. “I do believe those women would love that, don’t you think?”
    A smile crossed Hannah’s face as she gazed at Emma. “That is such a lovely idea, Emma. It almost brings tears to my eyes at how thoughtful and kindhearted you are.”
    “No more so than anyone else, I imagine,” Emma responded modestly. “Although I do confess that it serves the additional purpose of better acquainting you with more people in the g’may. ”
    The opening of a door interrupted their concentration. Emma glanced over her shoulder as her daed walked into the room, Paul Esh following close behind. At the sight of Paul, Emma smiled and immediately set down her needle and thimble.
    “Gut mariye , Emma.” Paul nodded in her direction. “And to you too, Hannah. I’d say that I’m surprised to see you here, but I heard from your daed that you are busy working on a new quilt for the auction.”
    “Hannah is helping me, indeed.”
    “How very good of you, Hannah. It will certainly raise money that is much needed to help those less fortunate.” Paul paused, his eyes drifting over the quilt that was spread taut in the frame.
    At last Hannah stepped outside of her tendency toward shyness, as she replied, “Emma has arranged to donate the quilt to the Mennonite Central Committee. I have never quilted before so this has been a fun, new adventure for me. Emma has taught me so much!”
    “I can only imagine,” Paul said approvingly. “She is known for her many talents. And I’m sure she must certainly be a great teacher.”
    “Oh, ja , the best,” Hannah gushed. “She knows so much about quilting. I have found a new passion, indeed!”
    “A woman who quilts has admirable talents in my eyes. Such creativity and patience. I always said a quilting woman would be the one who steals my heart.” He paused and glanced at the two women. “If that is God’s will, of course.”
    Emma watched the exchange between the two, the smile still on her lips as she recognized a sparkle in Hannah’s eyes that mirrored itself in Paul’s. With a delightful skip of her heart she realized that a courtship would most certainly ensue between the two of them. And she was more than certain that Paul, while vastly different and much more acceptable in her eyes than Ralph Martin, shared one thing in common with the man: marriage on the mind.
    “And what brings you to visit today?” she ventured to ask when a small lull of silence fell over the small group.
    Removing his hat, Paul stood between the two women. His brown hair, cut in a typical Amish style of flat across the forehead and angled by his ears, was flattened on his head, and he quickly ran his fingers through it. “Figured it was time to make good on my promise to your daed and fix that hinge on the barn door. And none too soon, I might add. The old rusty one was more than ready to retire, I do believe.”
    Both Hannah and Emma laughed at his joke.
    “Danke , Paul. His hands aren’t as strong as they used to be.”
    “My pleasure,” he replied with a beaming smile on his face.
    Henry, however, grumbled under his breath at her comment. “Hands are just fine. It’s my eyes that aren’t so good. Need to eat more carrots, I tell you.”
    Ignoring her daed’s complaints, Emma got up from herchair and started toward the kitchen. “I made some fresh bread this morning,” she said. “Let me package some for you to take home. To thank you for your help.” Before Paul could counter her offer, she rested