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“We know we don’t have to, but it wouldn’t be the same without you and if you leave, father will be obligated to promise one of us to Jacob and none of us want that.” She has a point.
“So, what are you proposing?” I ask them, wondering if they have a plan.
“Help us make ads as well.” Well that is not what I was expecting them to say.
“Are you sure? All of you?” They all nod with serious looks on their faces.
“Alright then. Let’s do this together.”
Thank God for that.
ChapterOne
Jasper
I stare at the handwritten response to my ad, which I still haven’t seen by the way, and marvel at the neatly written words. The rose-colored paper even smells like roses. I can’t help but imagine her sitting at a little writing desk, writing and rewriting this letter, getting it just right. The fact that it’s handwritten stirs something in me. She’s a simple woman and I want her sight unseen. I never thought about getting married, but I never thought I’d get this opportunity. The fierceness I feel about that makes me think that it’s destiny or some such shit. I never gave much credence to fate but I’m coming around on that.
Ranch life is harsh. Life on Mine Creek Ranch is no different. I’m not saying we don’t have internet and cable, but the hours are long, and the animals depend on us to keep them fed and safe. In turn, they provide my living which I share with my brother and my parents. We have horses, sheep, goats, even an emu named Peter Parker. We also have cows for slaughter as well as dairy cows. It’s the balance that keeps us in harmony. I also have a stud farm for my horses. People come from all over for a chance for their mares to breed my horses, especially Thor’s Hammer, my thoroughbred Arabian. He’s a Triple Crown winner and his breeding rights go for $150,000 per live foal. I’ve made the money work for my family through investments and improvements to the ranch.
Dear Mr. Sutton,
My name is Sadie Yoder. I am twenty-one years old. I would be honored if you chose me for your wife. I gather from your ad that you run a ranch with various animals. This is a blessing because I am good with animals. Very good. This is not me bragging, it is just fact. I will do everything I can to make your house a proper, Christian home. I can make my way to you in mere days. I would ask that you welcome my five sisters into your home along with me. They will be no trouble; in fact they will be most helpful. Please let me know at your earliest convenience. I am eager to find a husband and I believe you and I will get along nicely.
Looking forward to your reply,
Sadie Bethany Yoder
As soon as I finish reading her response, I know that I am going to ask her to come here and marry me. The urge I have to make her mine is strange. I don’t know her, I don’t know what she looks like, but I have to make her mine. She’s adorable, The fact that she has five sister’s isn’t lost on me. Part of me wonders if that’s why Lloyd selected this response out of the fifty or so he said he received. Going to my desk, I pull out a piece of paper with the ranch’s logo on the top and begin my response.
Dear Sadie,
I received your response to my ad. Thank you for such a thorough response. My ranch spans 600,000 acres. It’s the largest in the state. My days are long and tiring and I do believe that having a wife to come home to will ease my burdens. My home is 5,000 square feet, but I do have a housekeeper to keep it up. It’s a lot of house that I don’t currently use. Your sisters are welcome to join you. I have rooms for all of them.
I will be a good husband to you in all ways, always. Build a life with me.
Please come to me, Sadie…
Jasper Jonas Sutton
515 Sutton Valley Road
Hollow’s Hollow, West Virginia 25301
I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I’m already anxious as hell for her response. She’s clearly Amish, given her last name and the fact that her return address is care of a general store in Millersburg Ohio. I make a point to begin to research Amish culture as my limited knowledge of it comes from the Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley movie,For Richer or Poorer. She can’t get her fast enough for my tastes.
I may not have wanted this at first, but I do now.
ChapterTwo
Sadie
One Week later
I cannot believe I am sitting on a bus on my way to a new life. When I awoke this morning, I thought I was in a dream. I thought I had too much of Mrs. Sammers wheat dough and my mind had left me. When my mother came into our bedroom, pouring her heart out begging us not to abandon her and my Daed, I felt like a horrible person, but I refused to change my mind. In front of her, I attempted to change the mind of my sisters however, letting them know once again I would understand if they stayed. I pleaded with them on behalf of our parents, but they also refused to change their minds. In the end our Daed came in and took Mamm to the church to pray for us.
When we left one hour later, they turned their backs to us, letting us know we were officially shunned and it hurt more than I thought it would, although I knew it was coming. But, I made my choice and now, here I am on this bus holding a letter from my future husband.
I have read and re-read this letter dozens of times in the last few hours trying to garner information about him. From the ad I gathered his home and land was massive, but when he responded and actually said how much acreage he had, I was astounded and excited. My sisters and I love animals so helping out around there won’t be a chore. I would like to make my focus on the house of course, acquainting myself with it, watching how he likes it run and making sure it is as such.
