Belinda held up her trembling hand. “Please don’t say anything more, Monroe. You must realize that I’m still in mourning.” She pointed to her black dress.
“I am well aware, but in four more months, it’ll be a year since Vernon’s death, and—”
Belinda shook her head determinedly. “While that is true, it won’t change the way I feel about my late husband, or about you.”
Laying a hand against his chest, Monroe drew a noisy breath. “I understand, and if my coming around so often is a problem, then I’ll back off.” A slight smile formed on his lips. “I’m a patient man, so I will wait till you’re not wearing mourning clothes and feel ready to begin a new relationship.”
Belinda pressed her lips together tightly. Doesn’t this man understand? Why is he not getting it?
She cleared her throat and looked directly at him. “I may never be ready to begin a new relationship, Monroe.”
“Then again, after some time’s passed, you might change your mind.”
This man is relentless. I hope I don’t weaken and give in to his influence. “Although anything is possible, it’s doubtful that I will ever change my mind, Monroe. I loved my husband very much and still do.” She paused to collect her thoughts and make sure her words were spoken correctly. “I hope you understand, but it would be in everyone’s best interest if you didn’t come around asking about us.”
He winced, as though he’d been slapped. “I’ve only asked about you because I care and am worried about your welfare. And I thought maybe now that Vernon is gone, I might have a chance with you.”
“I appreciate your concern, but as I said before—”
“There’s no need to say another word. I understand completely.” Monroe pushed back his chair and stood. “I won’t come around anymore unless I need to buy something from the greenhouse.” He hurried from the room so quickly Belinda didn’t have a chance to say anything else.
When she heard the back door open and click shut, she lowered her head and closed her eyes. She’d hurt Monroe’s feelings and felt bad about that, but it was necessary to let him know where he stood. Unless sometime in the future Belinda changed her mind, she would never have a relationship with Monroe Esh. From some of the things he had said, it almost seemed as if he’d been waiting for Vernon to die.
She pulled her fingers into her palms. Oh, surely that couldn’t be possible. No decent man would wait for a woman in hopes that her husband would pass away.
“Did we have company?” Sylvia asked when she entered the kitchen a few minutes later. “I heard a horse and buggy pull into the yard, and then you speaking to Henry briefly. After that, I thought I heard you talking to someone else in here.”
Belinda turned to face her daughter. “It was Monroe.”
Sylvia frowned. “What did he want this time?”
“Said he came by to see how we were doing, and he seemed disappointed that we’d already eaten lunch.”
Sylvia’s gaze lifted upward. “That’s not such a surprise. Whenever he comes around it’s usually close to mealtime.”
“Well, he won’t be coming here again unless it’s to buy something from the greenhouse.”
“Oh?”
Belinda pointed to a chair at the table. “Have a seat and I’ll tell you about it.”
Sylvia did as asked, and Belinda sat in the chair beside her. She quickly went over everything that had transpired while Monroe was there. “I think I hurt his feelings, though.”
Sylvia leaned close and gave Belinda a hug. “You did the right thing, Mom. I’m glad he took it so well and agreed to back off.”
“I’m not really sure that he did take it well, but at least I finally got up the courage to speak my mind. By inviting Monroe to join us for meals and such, it probably seemed to him that I was interested in a personal relationship that could eventually lead to marriage.” Belinda sighed. “There’s a fine line between being courteous to people, and showing them so much kindness that they take advantage or expect something of you in return. I think that’s what happened where Monroe was concerned. My being friendly and nice made him believe that he might have a future with me. And the fact that he’d mentioned that in four more months it’ll be a year since your daed’s death made me even more eager to put a stop to his pursuing me.”
“I can’t imagine you being married to someone other than Dad. It wouldn’t seem right for another man to move in here and take over the role of your husband.”
Belinda gave a nod. “I love your daed very much, and always will.”
“I understand, because that’s the way I feel about Toby. No one could ever take his place in my heart.”
“I understand, Daughter. I wholeheartedly understand.”
“What a lousy day I’ve had,” Virginia mumbled. She’d decided to make something new for supper, and it was taking longer than she’d anticipated. Earl won’t be happy if he comes home and there’s nothing ready to eat.
The lamb roast she’d bought yesterday wasn’t a tender cut, so she’d chopped it into smaller chunks to hurry it up. The microwave had been acting funny, so Virginia had put the baking potatoes in the oven, but they still weren’t ready to serve.
Virginia walked from the kitchen out to the living room. Looking at the front door, she stepped out onto the porch for some fresh air. She saw Amy come out of the house and get into an Amish buggy. The man with her looked familiar. Hey, isn’t that the fellow who reroofed our garage? Virginia stared intently. Yep, I think it is him.
Virginia had met Jared when he’d come over to give them an estimate and had spoken to him again during the roofing process. He seemed like a nice young man, although she still wasn’t too sure about the Amish people in general. In fact, when she had first seen Jared’s horse and buggy parked in her and Earl’s driveway, she’d nearly freaked, hoping the beast didn’t do his business right there on the concrete. Virginia had felt sorry for the horse in a way. The poor animal having to work like it did, hauling people and work supplies around every day, seemed like animal abuse.
But then what do I really know about horses? she mused. Virginia had heard it said that horses, like mules, were beasts of burden and didn’t mind the hard work of pulling a wagon or carriage.
I just don’t get the whole Plain life those Amish people live. Yet they seem content with it. Shaking her head, Virginia moved away from the porch railing and went back into the house. After checking the potatoes and seeing that they still weren’t done, she picked up her cell phone and called Earl. She wanted to catch him before he headed home from work.
Virginia punched in her husband’s number and a few seconds later, he answered. “What’s up, Virginia?”
“Well, the meal I thought would be good tonight isn’t cooking so well, and it’s taking longer than I expected.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pick up some take-out when I’m done here, which should be soon.”
“Oh, that would be nice, because the oven isn’t heating up well, and I’m sure that our microwave is completely shot.”