An Amish Country Christmas by Naomi Charlotte; King Hubbard Page B

finished. “I’m not letting
     this cat out of the bag and getting another lecture on our birthday.” She was already
     slipping the bridle over Felix’s head, while Mary hurried out of the barn, toward
     the house.
    Fifteen minutes later Bram’s rig was pointed toward the road. He waved to the twins
     and they waved back, but the regret he saw on their faces weighed heavily on his heart.
     He wasn’t used to being rejected—especially not by two girls in the same day—and that
     thought made his resentment simmer as he urged Felix into a trot . . .
    Keeping both of those girls happy would’ve been more work than it was worth, anyway,
     even if you could’ve convinced them of your honorable intentions. They’re joined at
     the hip, unable to think for themselves . . . probably would have pulled more of their
     switching tricks if they’d come to work for you . . .
    And yet, as the miles went by, Bram realized he’d acted brashly . . . would have been
     better off talking up his auctioneering business while Nate was around to soften his
     sharp edges. It wasn’t the first time he’d spoken in all-out excitement and then overstepped
     some lines. And even if they teased their dates with their sparkly blue eyes and hot
     kisses, nice girls like Mary and Martha stayed within the lines. He could see that
     now.
    When he got home, Nate was still enduring some stiff talk from their parents. Bram
     heard their voices in the front room as he came in through the kitchen door, so he
     paused to get the gist of the conversation.
    “. . . not the way I’d figured on spending my Christmas, with my family scattered
     hither and yon,” Mamm was saying. “What possessed you boys to take up with girls you’d
     never seen before?”
    “And why would their parents go along with it?” Dat asked sternly. “Seems a sign that
     their daughters might play fast and loose, inviting you into their home so quick-like.”
    Bram closed his eyes, waiting for Nate’s answer. Some of the blame belonged to him
     for jumping at the chance to get better acquainted with Mary and Martha, after all.
    “It wasn’t like we were staying with English,” his brother replied with a resigned
     sigh. “The Coblentz family observes the same traditions we do. We went to the scholars’
     program on Christmas Eve with them, and—”
    “I could tell from the tone of Bram’s voice message that he started all of this,”
     Mamm broke in. “And that explains why he stayed behind, too. At least you had the
     sense to realize those girls were up to no gut , and come home.”
    Oh, but that remark went too far! Bram entered the front room and let his duffel drop.
     “There’s nothing loose about Mary and Martha Coblentz,” he stated as they all turned his way. “And their
     family seemed pleased to have Christmas visitors.”
    “ Jah , well your aunt and uncle gave me an earful, I can tell you!” Mamm retorted. “Beulah
     Mae wasn’t one bit happy that you boys changed her plans, and I can’t say as I blame
     her.”
    Bram slipped into his usual seat on the couch, sighing inwardly. His parents and his dat ’s mother, Mammi Essie, were all seated as though they were ready for the day’s reading
     of the Christmas story, but the big Bible lay open on the table beside Dat, forgotten.
     Had Uncle Abe called to inform them that he’d been sweet-talking Mary in the stable?
     Hinting that he’d like to leave the Old Order church? Discussions like this one rubbed
     him like a starched collar . . . made him even more ready to jump the fence. But this
     wasn’t the time to express such opinions.
    “Like I’ve said already, it wasn’t our intention to upset anybody,” Nate murmured.
     “We were just having a little fun, and now we’ve come home to spend the rest of Christmas
     Day with you. I’m sorry about this whole thing.”
    “ Jah , me, too,” Bram added with a sigh. Better to go along with his brother’s apology
     and get their