A Reluctant Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

apologize to her . . . and he could only pray that she would find it in her heart to forgive him.

    â€œThat will be four dollars.” Sadie smiled as she handed Naomi Beiler a paper bag filled with Fuji apples.
    â€œThat’s a bargain price,” Naomi said, handing Sadie the money. “Cheapest I’ve found anywhere.”
    â€œWe aim to have the lowest prices,” Sadie said. Sometimes too low. But she trusted that her parents knew what they were doing when it came to their grocery and tool business. Even now they were out with Joanna picking more apples from a local orchard to sell in the store. She gave Naomi her change. “Come back soon.”
    â€œI definitely will.” Andrew and Irene’s mother smiled and left.
    Sadie picked up a broom and started sweeping the front of the store, which had seen quite a bit of traffic today. The customers had kept her and Abigail busy, and that had kept last night off Sadie’s mind. Abigail had been irritated about what happened, but Sadie couldn’t help that. She didn’t say anything to either sister when they continued to ask her why they had to leave the singing early. Eventually they both gave up and went to their rooms, leaving Sadie alone.
    She’d spent part of the night trying to forget Sol’s stare and Aden’s light touch. Finally she was able to get the Troyers out of her mind and get some much needed sleep.
    â€œThe cereal is all stocked,” Abigail said, coming from the back of the store. “ Mamm and Daed should be back soon.” She grinned. “Joel said he might stop by today.”
    â€œThat’s nice.” Sadie continued to sweep, pushing away the small carpet remnant from the store entrance and sweeping the dust from underneath.
    â€œIf he does, would you mind if I went with him for a little bit?”
    Sadie stopped mid-sweep. “Where?”
    She shrugged. “Wherever he wants to geh .”
    â€œAbigail—”
    â€œTo lunch, Sadie.” Abigail chuckled. “You’re always so serious.”
    â€œSomeone around here needs to be.” She leaned the broom against the wall behind the counter, then went to one of the shelves nearby and straightened several packages of cookies.
    Abigail stood beside her. “I don’t suppose you feel like talking about last night?”
    â€œLike I said last night, nee . I don’t feel like talking about it.”
    Her sister sighed and went back to the counter. “There’s a picture of you next to the word stubborn in the dictionary. I’m sure of it.”
    â€œI’m flattered.” Sadie focused on the packages of chocolate-cream sandwich cookies in front of her. Hopefully Joel Zook would walk through that door any minute and relieve her of dodging any more of Abigail’s questions. When she heard the bell over the door ring as a customer came in, she smiled. Perfect timing. She turned to say hello, only to choke on the word as both Sol and Aden walked into the store.

CHAPTER 2

    S adie’s hand remained on the package of cookies as she saw Abigail approach the Troyer brothers. As soon as she saw Sol move closer to her sister, Sadie regained her senses and went to stand between them. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her narrowed gaze bouncing from Sol to Aden.
    â€œSadie,” Abigail said, stepping to the side. “That was rude.”
    But Sadie moved her glare back to Sol.
    â€œWe’re just here to pick up an order,” Aden said quietly.
    She glanced at him for a second. Whatever she thought she’d felt last evening when he’d kept her from tripping in his yard had disappeared. She focused her sights on Sol again. Although he hadn’t so much as glanced at her sister, she wasn’t taking any chances. He wasn’t getting near her or anyone else in her family.
    â€œ Mamm talked to yer mudder about it,” Sol added, taking a step toward Sadie.