The Amish Bride of Ice Mountain by Kelly Long Page A

session, his father would make sure not to be home when they got there, and his grandfather would congratulate him. And Carol . . . well, Carol would kill him, plain and simple.
    He put the phone down, deciding against any forewarning. For the hundredth time, he wished he hadn’t given up his apartment when he’d left, but the lease had been up. He’d rationalized at the time that he could stay briefly with his parents upon his return from Ice Mountain, then get a place to live near the university. Now he had a wife and a wolf and absolutely no idea what he was doing . . .
    He glanced up as the adjoining door of the suite slid open and Mary appeared in one of her neck-to-toe nightdresses. Even completely covered, with her hair braided atop her head, she still managed to send his pulse racing.
    “Can’t you shlofa ?” she asked in a whisper, coming toward him. Jude recognized the golden shine of Bear’s eyes following her and sighed.
    “No, I guess I can’t. To tell you the truth, I—I mean—we—are going to have to see my parents and—everyone at some point. I have books and things at their house. I’ll get us an apartment as soon as I can, but I was thinking that maybe we should stay at another hotel until we . . .”
    “Nee.” She laid a small hand on his arm and he breathed in the comforting scent of her closeness—lavender and the mountain all drifting together. “No, Jude. I want us to stay wherever you see fit, of course, but I’d love to get to know your family.”
    “No, you really won’t love it once you know them.”
    She laughed. “You got to know my dat .”
    He had to smile and pulled her idly closer. “Your father is a good man—a loud man, but a good one.”
    “And—your dat ?”
    What am I supposed to say to you? How can I explain that my father has never believed in me, supported me, nothing . . .
    He swallowed, staring into the shadows behind her head. “My dad is—who he is.”
    “I’m sorry. I won’t press.” She moved to step out of his arms but he pulled her back.
    “You’re very astute, little girl. I like that about you. I like what you said tonight to that saleswoman. You were right.” He bent his head to brush his mouth across her forehead. “Oh, Mary King, what have I done? Bringing you here?”
    “We are wed.” Her voice was solemn and he realized how aroused he was becoming by her nearness.
    “That’s right.” He spoke with abrupt haste, putting her from him and ignoring the quizzical growl from Bear. “You’d better go back to bed now. We’re in for quite a day tomorrow.”
    He looked down, not wanting to see the confusion and concern in her pale face, and waited until the sound of the door closing let him know she had gone.
     
     
    Mary burrowed her hand in Bear’s neck and tried to stifle the tears that swelled at the back of her throat. A wedding into a marriage? But how? How could she reach a man who seemed so distant at times? Then she began to do what came naturally and started to pray.
    Dearest Gott , I need Your wisdom and guidance now. I’m going places and doing things I’ve never done and I get scared. But You know this . . . Ach, Derr Herr , let me become a wife to Jude, let me help him with his family, give him comfort . . . and kinner one day . . .
    She opened her eyes wide in the dark. Where had the thought of children come from? And how could that girlhood dream ever become a reality when he had yet to even share his heart and life with her? I must go carefully . . . She allowed herself to be lulled by the thought and finally found the peace of dreamless sleep.

Chapter Eleven
    The following day, as they pulled into the wide circular sweep of the drive, Jude hoped in desperation that it would be Bas, the butler, who opened the door to them. He needed a little time before the confrontation he’d only begun to consider in detail since they took the exit for Marietta.
    He glanced at Mary, her head bent in her white kapp , as they