Plain Peace (A Daughters of the Promise Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page B

together, and tried not to look his way. But as her grandfather concluded the service, her eyes drifted in Jacob’s direction. Sure enough, he smiled again. Anna felt her cheeks warming, and while she couldn’t help but question his intentions, she found herself conjuring up a plan.
    She waited until after the noon meal and cleanup before she approached Jacob. He was standing among a group of fellows, including Rubin and Ben. She avoided everyone’s eyes but Jacob’s. “Can I talk to you for a minute, please?” Anna swallowed hard as she wondered what they all must be thinking.
    Jacob grinned as he tipped back the rim of his hat. “ Ya . Sure.”
    Anna turned, and without looking back, she walked around the corner of the barn. The Saunders had a small home, but they had an enormous barn where they could hold worship service. She could hear footsteps behind her but waited until she was clear of the crowd to turn around. Taking a deep breath, she knew this would be the boldest thing she’d ever done.
    “Hello,” she said softly, attempting a smile.
    “Wie bischt?”
    Anna swallowed hard as her heart thumped in her chest, but Jacob strode up to her with the confidence of a hundred men, his perfect lips curled up into a grin and his eyes twinkling. How could anyone look this good? And why in the world would he even consider accepting her proposal?
    “Would you like to take me to the singing tonight?” Anna blurted it out, then held her breath as she watched him rub his chin, frowning. Ach, nee . . . he’s going to turn me down . “I’m sorry. Never mind.” She shook her head, backed up, then turned around. She’d only taken a few steps when Jacob called her name. Biting her lip, she slowly turned.
    “ Ya , I’d like to take you to the singing.” Jacob frowned again, and for someone who said one thing, he sure looked like he felt differently. “There’s just one problem.”
    Anna shook her head again, feeling ridiculous. “ Nee, nee . It’s okay.”
    Jacob eased a step closer to her, and it took her a few moments to realize she was holding her breath. “The problem is that I don’t have my own buggy.” His face reddened as he looked at the ground, then back up at her. “We only brought one buggy from Middlefield. I’m hoping to have mei own soon, but right now, I have to check with my folks.”
    Anna let out the breath she was holding, unsure what to say. Maybe that’s just an excuse . She looked down, kicked at the grass with one foot, and shook her head. “It’s really okay, and—”
    “Wait. I’ll be right back.” He held up a finger. “Don’t go away.”
    Anna waited as he disappeared around the corner. She knew it was only a matter of time before Jacob became interested in Emma or one of the other girls in their district. But in the meantime, maybe they could help each other.
    She thought again about what Ben and Rubin had told Jacob—that she was undateable. She leaned against the barn, bent her knee, and propped one foot against the siding, knowing Jacob would come back and say he wasn’t able to use his parents’ buggy.

    Jacob spotted his father standing under an old oak tree on the north side of the Saunders’ house. He sighed. He’d rather seek permission from his mother, but she was nowhere in sight, and if he didn’t hurry, Anna might leave or change her mind. Jacob approached his father slowly. He’d been surprised that his father joined them for church service at the Saunders’. But he was glad too, though Daed hadn’t had much to say. He had missed his father. But here Daed was right now, and for the first time in over a year, Jacob was feeling almost cheerful.
    “Daed . . .” He stopped a few feet away.
    “Ya?” His father squinted in the midday sun, his eyes as dark as the circles beneath them, and Jacob nearly changed his mind about asking him anything. But the thought of spending time with Anna prodded him forward.
    “I . . . I was wondering if I could use the