“Most couples who’ve been courting as long as me and Elam would at least be talking of marriage by now.”
“I know Elam must love you, Priscilla. He wouldn’t keep coming around if he didn’t. Your daed and I have seen the way he looks at you, too.”
Using one corner of her apron, Priscilla dried her eyes. “Then you must see something I don’t see, because I’m not sure how Elam feels about me anymore. All this time we’ve been doing things together, I’ve never gotten a hint of him wanting to take me as his wife.”
“How do you feel about him?”
“Mom, don’t be silly. I would have broken up with Elam by now if I didn’t care deeply for him.”
“Caring for Elam and being in love are two different things.”
Priscilla faced her mother. “I love Elam, and if he asked me to marry him tomorrow, I’d say yes, for sure.”
Mom placed her hands against Priscilla’s hot cheeks. “Then bide your time and try to be patient. Good things come to those who wait.”
Priscilla didn’t argue. She appreciated Mom’s advice. But as each month went by, the waiting became harder. She couldn’t wait indefinitely, or she’d end up an old maid.
CHAPTER 8
H ey, Mom, I need to ask ya something,” Jared hollered when he entered the kitchen Monday morning.
Cora placed two bowls of steaming oatmeal on the table. “You can ask your question while you eat, because if you don’t hurry you’ll be late for the bus.”
Jared glanced at the clock above the refrigerator before sitting. “There’s still plenty of time.”
Cora took a seat across from him. “Now what did you want to ask me?”
He spooned some brown sugar on his oatmeal and poured milk over the top. “Is it okay if I go over to Scott’s after school? We need to work on a science project. It’ll probably take this week and next.”
Cora took a sip of coffee. “Christmas break is next week, Jared. Wouldn’t you have to turn your assignment in by this Friday?”
Jared gulped down some milk and wiped his mouth with the back of hand. “Actually, it’s not due till we go back to school after our winter break, but we wanna get it done before Christmas so we can relax and enjoy our time off from school.”
Cora handed Jared a napkin. “Use this to wipe your face, please. I’ve taught you better than that.” Would her son’s table manners ever improve? “It’s good you’re planning ahead. It shows you’re being responsible, rather than waiting until the last minute.”
“So you’re okay with me going there after school?” Jared asked around a mouthful of oatmeal.
“Please don’t talk when there’s food in your mouth,” she admonished.
“Sorry,” he mumbled after he’d finished chewing. “So is it okay if I go over to Scott’s?”
Cora nodded. “Just don’t stay too late. You need to be home in time for supper, and don’t forget your chores.” Cora had insisted on one thing when she’d rented this house: Jared had to pick up after himself. A place this small could become overrun with clutter if things didn’t get put away.
“No problem, Mom. I’ll be home in plenty of time.”
Cora smiled. It was nice to see her son in such a good mood.
Adam pulled out his pocket watch and whistled. Where had the day gone? In two-and-a-half hours it would be time to close the store. He looked forward to locking up, knowing Leah would have supper ready and he could find out about her day. He was anxious to see the girls and talk about their day at school, as well. Going home after work was so different now that he had a family. Adam wouldn’t trade it for anything. No matter how tired he was after a busy day at the store, seeing his family brought a smile to his lips.
I’m blessed
, he thought, moving toward the front of the store to see if Ben needed help with customers.
Approaching the counter, Adam saw Scott enter the store with his friend. Adam had met Jared a few times when he’d come by to visit Scott. The first few
“I know Elam must love you, Priscilla. He wouldn’t keep coming around if he didn’t. Your daed and I have seen the way he looks at you, too.”
Using one corner of her apron, Priscilla dried her eyes. “Then you must see something I don’t see, because I’m not sure how Elam feels about me anymore. All this time we’ve been doing things together, I’ve never gotten a hint of him wanting to take me as his wife.”
“How do you feel about him?”
“Mom, don’t be silly. I would have broken up with Elam by now if I didn’t care deeply for him.”
“Caring for Elam and being in love are two different things.”
Priscilla faced her mother. “I love Elam, and if he asked me to marry him tomorrow, I’d say yes, for sure.”
Mom placed her hands against Priscilla’s hot cheeks. “Then bide your time and try to be patient. Good things come to those who wait.”
Priscilla didn’t argue. She appreciated Mom’s advice. But as each month went by, the waiting became harder. She couldn’t wait indefinitely, or she’d end up an old maid.
CHAPTER 8
H ey, Mom, I need to ask ya something,” Jared hollered when he entered the kitchen Monday morning.
Cora placed two bowls of steaming oatmeal on the table. “You can ask your question while you eat, because if you don’t hurry you’ll be late for the bus.”
Jared glanced at the clock above the refrigerator before sitting. “There’s still plenty of time.”
Cora took a seat across from him. “Now what did you want to ask me?”
He spooned some brown sugar on his oatmeal and poured milk over the top. “Is it okay if I go over to Scott’s after school? We need to work on a science project. It’ll probably take this week and next.”
Cora took a sip of coffee. “Christmas break is next week, Jared. Wouldn’t you have to turn your assignment in by this Friday?”
Jared gulped down some milk and wiped his mouth with the back of hand. “Actually, it’s not due till we go back to school after our winter break, but we wanna get it done before Christmas so we can relax and enjoy our time off from school.”
Cora handed Jared a napkin. “Use this to wipe your face, please. I’ve taught you better than that.” Would her son’s table manners ever improve? “It’s good you’re planning ahead. It shows you’re being responsible, rather than waiting until the last minute.”
“So you’re okay with me going there after school?” Jared asked around a mouthful of oatmeal.
“Please don’t talk when there’s food in your mouth,” she admonished.
“Sorry,” he mumbled after he’d finished chewing. “So is it okay if I go over to Scott’s?”
Cora nodded. “Just don’t stay too late. You need to be home in time for supper, and don’t forget your chores.” Cora had insisted on one thing when she’d rented this house: Jared had to pick up after himself. A place this small could become overrun with clutter if things didn’t get put away.
“No problem, Mom. I’ll be home in plenty of time.”
Cora smiled. It was nice to see her son in such a good mood.
Adam pulled out his pocket watch and whistled. Where had the day gone? In two-and-a-half hours it would be time to close the store. He looked forward to locking up, knowing Leah would have supper ready and he could find out about her day. He was anxious to see the girls and talk about their day at school, as well. Going home after work was so different now that he had a family. Adam wouldn’t trade it for anything. No matter how tired he was after a busy day at the store, seeing his family brought a smile to his lips.
I’m blessed
, he thought, moving toward the front of the store to see if Ben needed help with customers.
Approaching the counter, Adam saw Scott enter the store with his friend. Adam had met Jared a few times when he’d come by to visit Scott. The first few
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