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  Susanna’s medical bills and funeral had taken all of his savings, and he was left with no choice but to stay with his parents until he could finish paying off his late wife’s hospital bill while trying to save whatever money he could to have a place of his own. During those awful first grief-filled months, his mother and sister had stepped in to care for Ethan while he took every opportunity to bury his grief with work. Then Mam and Dat had decided to move to Ohio to be closer to Mam’s parents. Dat had suggested that he and Ethan move with them, but Reuben hadn’t been able to bear the thought of another change in his life. When his father gave him Uncle Zeke’s property, it had been like an answer to Reuben’s prayers. After his parents had sold their property, Reuben had moved into Uncle Zeke’s place. It was a disaster, but he could fix it up and make it a home. His sister Sarah had offered to stay and help with Ethan until Reuben could make other arrangements for his son’s care while he was at work.

  Life was tough. He worked hard to feed and clothe Ethan, and although he’d finally paid the balance owed to the hospital, there never seemed to be enough money or time to fix up the house and clear the garbage from the yard. He briefly closed his eyes. So much to worry about.

  Reuben knew the best solution would be for him to marry again, something he didn’t want to do. Still, he had to think of his son first, so he would find a wife, if only for Ethan to have a mother. He would need to find a woman who would watch and protect his son and be content to simply be a quiet, calming companion for him. He wouldn’t promise love, although he would honor her. He didn’t want to marry for love. Love hurt too much.

  He would be practical in his choice of bride. He’d already lost a wife. While Susanna and he had started their relationship as friends, deep affection and love for each other had come with time. When she died, a part of him had died with her. He never again wanted to feel that depth of pain.

  “Reuben, are you hungry?” Sarah entered the room with a smile. “I can make us eggs, toast and sausage.”

  “That sounds gut, Sarah.” He smiled his thanks while he noted something different about her. She looked rested, pretty. She’d redone her hair, and the dress she wore looked freshly laundered. It was only at that moment that he realized how hard it must be for her to care for his young son. His sister was only fifteen, and she received no help or relief from Ethan’s care, except for when Ethan was napping. It wasn’t fair for Sarah to be saddled with a child. He would have to start looking for a wife, and soon.

  Reuben shifted his son in his arms and softened as he studied Ethan’s perfect, smooth baby facial features. His son lay content against him. It had taken him a while to bond with Ethan. His grief had been too stark, at first, that it had been painful to look at his son, who reminded him of Susanna. But his parents’ decision to move had spurred him to change and take full responsibility and care of his child. He’d held his baby frequently, staying up with him at nights when he cried. He’d bathed, fed, and changed his diaper. His time spent with Ethan had created a deep parental bond. He’d discovered a love for his son that was overpowering and joyful. Every time he saw the way his baby lay trustingly within his arms, his love overflowed, overtaking his grief and cementing an even stronger link. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his child—and that included taking another wife so Ethan could have a mother.

  After supper, he left Ethan in Sarah’s care and built a cradle large enough for a toddler to use on the first floor for when he and Ethan were downstairs together. Tomorrow, he would work to replace old and damaged shingles on the roof of his house. The job shouldn’t take long. The area of roof was small, but the house had two floors, with the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs and a second smaller bath downstairs. Plenty of room for three or four, even possibly five people. Although there will be only three of us living here. He had no intention of having more children. He’d learned the hard way that the health risk to a woman was too great.

  The next morning, he got up and checked on Ethan, who continued to sleep. He began to assemble what he’d need to fix the roof. He briefly considered bringing Ethan outside while he worked, but was afraid that his son would get hurt as he stripped off shingles and tossed them to the ground. Ethan would have to remain inside with Sarah. Today, he’d get a lot done with the building supplies that he’d already purchased and stored in the small barn. Money was tight, but he would get paid by the construction company in the next couple of days.

  Reuben felt a measure of peace at his plans for the day, until he remembered that Ellie Stoltzfus had said she’d be back. His good humor and sense of well-being abruptly left him.

  He sighed as he recalled the first time he saw her years ago...sweet, lovely, with golden blond hair and bright blue eyes. He’d been attracted to her.

  He forced the memory away. He had to stick to his plan and find a wife who would accept that they would be companions but nothing more. The last thing he needed was for Ellie to interfere with his life. He had enough to worry about without the attraction he still felt complicating things.

  Copyright © 2019 by Rebecca Kertz

  ISBN-13: 9781488042911

  Their Baby Blessing

  Copyright © 2019 by Heidi Blankenship

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