Page 47 of Unforgiven

“Not anymore.” Her mother smiled like a cat with a full bowl of cream. “I’ve convinced Fran and her family to consider staying a few more days. I think they’ve just about made up their minds to do that.”

“Mamm, really?” Lorne’s entire family was staying in the dawdi haus, which meant that her grandparents were now sleeping in Seth’s old room. They weren’t happy about it, and neither was she. Worse, Lorne’s family had found fault with everything about the dawdi haus. Actually, they found fault with most everything . . . and that wasn’t even counting how they felt about Seth.

“You need to have a better attitude about this, Melonie. It will give you and Lorne some precious time to get to know each other.”

Precious time? What in the world? Every word her mother was saying felt like the buzzing of an annoying fly. “Why do you think Lorne and me need to know each other better? I barely see him once a year. I can’t remember the last time you got together with your cousin Fran.”

Her mother wandered to the window and peeked out. “While it’s true that our families haven’t always been close, that can be changed.”

“Why?” As in, why would her mother want to see them more often?

“Well, we were talking. Fran and I, that is. We believe you and Lorne would be a good match.”

Match? Melonie climbed off her bed. “What are you talking about?”

“You heard me.” Her mother lowered her voice. “Melonie, Lorne is in the middle of a somewhat shy and awkward phase, but he’s a good man. He would make you a fair and generous husband.”

“I don’t want someone fair and generous. I want to fall in love, Mamm.”

“Falling in love is overrated. Stability is what counts.”

Stability sounded like a poor excuse for unhappiness. “I disagree.”

“That’s because you don’t know any different. When you are in an easy, stable relationship, the value will shine through. You need to give Lorne a chance.”

Her mother had lost her mind. “Mother, you canna be serious.” When her mamm just stared, Melonie waved a hand. “He’s my cousin!” Wasn’t that illegal or something?

After glancing at the door to make sure it was closed, her mother inched forward. “Keep your voice down and stop acting so shocked. Lorne is your second cousin.”

“Same difference.”

“I disagree. There’s nothing wrong with second cousins marrying.” She propped her hands on her hips. “It happens all the time.”

“No, it doesn’t. And even if it did, there are a lot of things wrong with this scheme of yours. First of all, he’s my cousin, so eww. Second, we don’t know each other. We’re practically strangers.” Before her mother could speak, she added, “Third, what I do know of him isn’t good. Lorne and I have nothing in common.”

“You two could, if you gave him a chance.”

“We won’t, because he’s boring.”

“Melonie, you shouldn’t say such things.” Mamm sounded so disappointed in her.

She reckoned her mother was right. She should be ashamed for sounding so heartless. But what could she do? Sometimes only plain speaking got one’s point across. And she really needed to get her point across. Loud and clear. “Mother, this matchmaking serves no purpose anyway because . . . because I have my eye on someone else.”

A muscle in her mother’s cheek jumped. “If you are referring to Lott Hostetler, we both know that you could do better.”

“I’m not sure about that.” At least she wasn’t related to Lott.

Mamm shook her head. “Your father and I think you need someone older. Studious. More mature.”

“I disagree. I . . . I think I’m in love with him.”

Her mother inhaled sharply, then quickly tried to gather her bearings. “You don’t know the first thing about love or relationships.”

“I do.”

“I don’t see how. Of course you have your father and me as role models, but your brother doesn’t have anyone.”

“There’s a whole lot more people in our community besides just our family, Mamm. Besides, Seth does have someone. He’s seeing Tabitha Yoder,” she blurted.

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