A Groom For Ruby. Emma Miller

explained that he doesn’t want you judged for your circumstances. I don’t often condone misleading a suitor, but I understand your parents’ concern.”

      “My father is a wise man. And I know both he and Mommi want what’s best for me.”

      “Mmm, ya.” Sara picked a potato bug off a tomato leaf and dropped it into the dirt. She squashed it with the heel of her foot. “Nasty things,” she said. “I’ll never understand why the Lord created them, unless it was to teach us something I haven’t learned yet.” She met Ruby’s gaze. “You might as well know that I’m a woman who says what she thinks. And I have to tell you that the swiftness of Joseph’s proposal worries me.”

      Ruby made a sound but was able to keep herself from interrupting.

      “I’m sure he’s sincere, but these matters usually go at a much gentler pace. I had intended to introduce you to someone else.” Sara narrowed her gaze. “Are you certain you wouldn’t like to meet him before we proceed with Joseph’s suit?”

      Ruby shook her head. “Ne. I think Joseph is wonderful, perfect even.”

      Sara pursed her lips. “A perfect man I have yet to meet, although my former husbands all had excellent qualities. I’d be of an easier mind if you and Joseph would just date one another before you consider a formal courtship.”

      “Ne.” Ruby sighed. “I’ve been to enough taffy pulls and barn frolics. I’m tired of dating. If Joseph is willing, I am too. I would love to have him court me.”

      “Courtship is a serious matter. You’ll be strictly chaperoned and the community’s eyes will be on you. When you go out with Joseph, you’ll be in at a decent hour and you will not be alone with him in any private place. And there will be no physical shows of affection. Do you understand?”

      “Ya, ya,” Ruby replied, feeling herself blush. “I understand. That’s fine. So what happens next? When can I see him?”

      “Well...” Sara sighed as if resigned, though still not totally in agreement. “Joseph is coming to share supper with us tomorrow night. We’ll see how that goes. Fair enough?”

      “Fair enough.” Ruby grinned. Tomorrow night! How could she wait that long? What would she wear? What would she say to him? She clasped her hands together. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she managed.

      “Neither can I,” Sara admitted, coming to her feet.

       Chapter Four

      It was close to six o’clock when Joseph got home from work that night. He’d been laying a line of blocks on a house foundation and wanted to use the last of the mixed cement so that it wouldn’t go to waste. It had been a hot day and he wanted to shower before supper. “I’ll be quick,” he promised his mother as he cut through the kitchen. “I’ve got something exciting to tell you.”

      “Your clean clothes are in there,” his mother said, waving in the direction of the bathroom. She was her usual neat and tidy self. She didn’t appear to be a woman who’d done a day’s work and prepared supper on a warm evening. Her kapp and apron were spotless, her complexion was smooth and without blemish, and her shoes were newly shined.

      Hair slicked and dressed fit to sit at the table, Joseph took his seat twenty minutes later. He was so excited to share his news that he could hardly keep from tapping the tabletop or bouncing his heel up and down, both of which always made his mother unhappy. She didn’t scold him the way she had when he was younger anymore, but she had a way of expressing her displeasure without words.

      “Aunt Milly stopped by today and left us a carrot salad,” she said as she placed a platter of cold ham and cheese in front of him. “So hot today, I thought we’d eat light. But if you’re really hungry, I can fry some chicken.”

      “Plenty here,” Joseph said. Which was an understatement. Besides the lunch meat and carrot salad, there was a platter of deviled eggs, coleslaw, sliced onions and tomatoes, Kaiser rolls, homemade applesauce, peanut butter, raisin bread and three quarters of a chocolate pie. “Maybe we should invite the neighbors.”