Rivals

By Donna and Abs

The Amish men brought the fae girl into town to get a suitable dress.  Then, even though Daniel was still unhappy about it, they went back to their home.  That night Arista made a wonderful dinner of roasted pork, corn on the cob and fresh bread, and Daniel knew his chances of getting his younger brother to change his mind were nil and none! 

John Book was especially happy to be relieved of kitchen duty. He was also amused by the way that his polite conversations with Arista made Moses bristle. 

Young love at its worst had hit poor Moses.  He was insanely jealous already, and sure that any close proximity would prove Book to be a better match for her than himself!  With this in mind it was not hard to see why he flared at every word the other man spoke to her, seeing it as an open threat. 

Daniel was not pleased by the strife that the appearance of this woman was causing in his household (although he could say naught against her cooking!). But so far, Arista had not given him any reason to shun or even to banish her. In fact, she was doing the best she could to learn their ways! 

She was adaptable and sweet natured, almost incapable of the usual female vapors!  If he asked her to make something special for dinner, she did it.  If he gave her a chore to do, it was done, and done well.  The only thing he had against her was his brother's passion! 

At least the English was now occupied building furniture in the wood shop they had adjoining the barn. The problem now was keeping Moses from running to the house to check on Arista every few moments! 

When he had a moment, Daniel went in to speak with Book.  "What is thy intention regarding the faerie woman?" he asked bluntly. 

"Intention?" Book grunted as he used the awl to separate a chunk of wood off the cabinet he was making.  "None really. Just to enjoy her cooking, I guess. Moses is a lucky son of a...," he stopped himself just in time from cursing. 

"Then you must make it clear to my brother that thee has no wish to take the woman.  He is young, Book; he sees you as a rival for her.  Unless he marries her immediately, or you take a bride yourself, this will always be so." 

Book sighed.  "What about you?" he grumped. "You could use a wife too! All right. I'll tell him." 

"I am no threat.  He knows I will not want her for a bride," Daniel said reasonably. 

"Then tell him we have to go into town to get some more of those hard wood planks. I'll explain everything to him along the way." 

Nodding, the blond Amish slipped out of the workshop to tell his brother what the other man wanted to do.  A few minutes later Moses met him at the cart.  He looked at Book sullenly. 

"Get in," Book growled. "Time's a wasting! Come on, the sooner we leave, the sooner you can get back to your woman." 

"My . . . yes," said Moses with a determined jut of the chin.  "My woman."  And he got in beside Book. 

"Hell, boy, I don't want her. Even if I did, she only has eyes for you!" he said as he slapped the reins on the horse's hindquarters. "But to make it easier for your brother to swallow, I suggest that you marry her as soon as possible." 

"But he doesn't approve of her," said Moses.  "Arista won't wed me without Daniel's blessing." 

"I think he will give it. Ask." 

Moses shook his head.  "He thinks her a heathen!"  By now they had made it to town.  As they went through it, on their way to the mill by the river, they saw several pretty women in the streets. 

Book tipped his hat at them, smiling in his boyish, charming way. "Good day, ladies," he said, making them giggle. 

Moses was pleased to see this, and smiled.  The girls saw that and giggled at him, too, but Moses pointed to Book as if offering him for sale! 

"I don't need your help, boy!" Book grumbled, but smiled again as the two Anderson twins came walking towards them along with some of the new fae in town. "Nice girls, don't you think? Maybe I should come to town more often!" 

Moses nodded.  "Maybe you should.  You know, Arista would not mind the help, and she has such a sweet disposition that any other woman - any other *wife* - would not get in the way!" 

"Maybe. But I'm not shopping for a wife today! We have lumber to pick up. I have several orders for handmade furniture to finish." 

Moses nodded, but he noticed how Book nodded to the Andersons.  He'd have his way too. Book would succumb, and Moses would sleep a great deal easier when he did!