The Wonder of Your Love - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,51

as she spoke. “Tell us about . . .” She grinned. “Her.”

“Who?”

“Katie Ann.”

He glanced around the room at his five daughters. Why were they gathered here and asking about Katie Ann?

“Aenti Vera told us you spent a lot of time with her while you were in Canaan.” Frieda pushed back a strand of dark hair that had fallen from beneath her prayer covering. “So we were just wondering . . .” She gave a little shrug.

Eli slowly took off his coat, then his hat. He hung them both on a rung by the front door and folded his arms across his chest. You could have heard a pin drop on the wooden floor beneath his feet. “And which one of you called Aenti Vera to check on me?” He tried to keep a serious voice.

Hannah laughed as she took a seat in a rocking chair in the corner. “We didn’t have to call Aenti Vera. She called us. We’re so happy for you, Daed. We’ve been praying that you would find someone to share your life with. You deserve that, and Katie Ann sounds wonderful, perfect for—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Eli held his palm toward Hannah, whose expression dropped. “There is no romance between me and Katie Ann.”

His kiss with Katie Ann flashed through his mind, and he knew it was the most romantic thing that had happened to him in seventeen years, but he wasn’t about to admit that to his daughters. “We are friends. That’s all.” He looked at all of his daughters, one by one. “Now, why the long faces?”

Maureen was standing across the room, her expression possibly the most forlorn of the group. “We were hoping you’d found someone special.”

To insinuate that Katie Ann was not special caused a knot in Eli’s stomach. “She is special. A special friend.” Eli unfolded his arms from across his chest and put them on his hips. “Since when did all of mei dochders become so interested in mei personal life?”

“Maureen is married and out of the house now, Daed. We’re all out on our own.” Hannah walked closer to Eli. “It’s time for you to find someone to grow old with.”

Eli chuckled. “In case you haven’t noticed, I am old.” He walked to the coffee table and picked up his mail. “And none of you needs to be fretting about me.” He flipped through the envelopes. “Besides, I told you girls that I planned to do some traveling.”

“First of all, that’s just not normal.” Frieda scowled. “What sort of Amish man wanders the countryside?”

Eli put down his mail, rubbed his forehead, and wondered when his daughters all grew into such headstrong women. He looked at Frieda, stroked his beard for a moment, and then shook his head. “I’ve told all of you that I plan to take some time for myself.”

“Well, that was before you met a woman who is perfect for you.”

Maureen leaned back against the couch, her pouting expression reminding Eli of when she was a small girl.

“Ya. And you’re going to blow it, Daed.” Karen also leaned back against the couch, folding her arms across her chest.

“Perfect for me?” Eli faced off with all his girls, glancing around at each one of them in turn. “She is not perfect for me.

Katie Ann has a baby that is almost three months old. She is just now starting her family. I’ve raised six wonderful kinner, and I think I deserve a little time on my own.”

Ida Mae huffed. “That sounds mighty selfish, Daed.”

Hannah spoke up next. “Hush, Ida Mae.” She turned to Eli. “It’s not selfish, Daed. And we do think you should have some time for yourself, but—”

“Danki for your permission, Hannah.” Eli smiled, but when Hannah’s eyes teared up, he silently reprimanded himself for the comment. Hannah was his most sensitive child, even though she was the oldest daughter. “Girls,” he said softly, glancing at each one of them. “If ever there was a time when I needed a fraa, it was when you all were young. I regret that you grew up without a mother for so long, and some of you not at all. So I’m going to say this one time, then that’s the end of it. Katie Ann is a beautiful, wonderful person. We grew close while I was there, and we plan to stay in touch. As friends.” He pointed a finger around the room. “Everyone clear about that?”

The girls all gathered near the door, nodding as they bundled up in coats