The Amish Christmas Matchmaker

“Doesn’t being at so many weddings make you...interested in finding someone?”

“I’m only twenty-four.”

“I didn’t say you were an old maid.”

“My mamm worries about that, but I’m in no hurry. I’ve been to my schweschder’s often enough to know that running a catering business is less work than three small children.” She paused, and then added, “What about you?”

“Me?” His voice squeaked. He cleared his throat and resettled his hat on his head. “I figure that will happen after I move to Texas.”

“But what if you could find a fraa here and take her with you?”

“Now you’re making fun of me.”

“I’m not.”

“Did you have someone in mind?” The grin he gave her reminded Annie of the cat in her trailer—mischievous and daring.

Annie had a flash of clarity then, staring up into Levi’s blue eyes. There was no doubt that she could find women in their congregation interested in dating Levi Lapp, but she wouldn’t be able to trick him into it. That part of her plan died before she could implement it. Levi was like competition that you had to face head-on.

So she stepped back and crossed her arms. “Do you really think you can convince my dat and bruder to move to Texas?”

“I’m not saying that I can, but it should be their decision...along with your mamm and your schweschder. If it’s what they want, then you should be happy for them.”

She didn’t bother arguing that her mamm and schweschder were quite happy in Goshen. Levi was like a steam-engine train headed in one direction—no U-turns allowed.

“All right. I’ll make you a deal.”

“A deal?”

“You agree to date some of my freinden...”

“Date?”

“Hear me out. You’re not planning on staying. They’re not necessarily looking to get married, but they need...let’s say they need a little experience in the dating area.”

Levi groaned. “You’re going to set me up with the rejects.”

She felt a headache forming just at her left temple. Closing her eyes, she prayed to Gotte for patience, then counted to three.

“They’re shy,” she corrected him. “And maybe they have a lack of confidence. Dating you should help that.”

“Because I’m such a gut catch?”

He grinned, and she realized he was handsome. Not her type, but handsome nonetheless. Yes, this plan could work.

“Let’s say there’s no pressure on either side. That should help. They’ll know you’re not staying...”

“And I’ll know they’re not really interested. This is a terrible plan. Why would I agree to it?”

This was the tricky part. She almost couldn’t believe she was going to suggest it. But then again, what choice did she have? He was going to talk to her dat and Jebediah in spite of how much it bothered her. They would keep asking him questions. He’d keep painting pictures of rosy Texas sunsets.

“When were you planning to leave?”

“You get right to the point, don’t you?”

“Do you even have a plan?”

“Of course I do.” Levi scuffed the toe of his boot against the dirt, and she noticed he was wearing Western boots. Of course he was.

“Why does our bishop let you dress like that?”

“This?” He pointed the toe of his boot up. “These are Ariats. Very comfortable.”

“And that.” She pointed at his hat.

“A Stetson. All Texans wear them.”

“Why are you wearing them? You’re Amish.” She said the last word slowly, in two drawn-out syllables.

“Marcus talked to me about it,” Levi admitted. “He said if I decided to join the community I’d need to dress more conservatively. I assured him I was moving on, so he said it wasn’t a problem.”

“Back to the when of your plan...”

“I hope to go down before Christmas to look for land and move by early spring—my target date is February or March.”

“That’s not spring.”

“It is in Texas.”

She couldn’t hold the sigh inside. She’d hoped he was planning for a move in a year, which would have been plenty of time for her dat’s attention to wander elsewhere. A scouting party before Christmas? That was mere months away. She’d have to work fast if she hoped to save the nice comfortable life she had. She’d already waded in too far to back out now, plus she didn’t have any backup plan. It wasn’t going to be easy to match Levi with someone. Who wanted an Amish cowboy? Though there was one possibility...

Levi was studying her as if expecting her to give up. He didn’t know her very well. She liked a challenge. She thrived in tough situations. Tossing her kapp strings behind her shoulders, she plastered on what she hoped was her prettiest smile. “All right. You agree to date a couple of my friends...not at the same time, mind you.”

“Of course not.”

“And in return, I won’t try and stop you from talking to my family about your plans.”

“As if you could.”

“My point is that you won’t have to deal with my objections.”

He studied her a minute and then said, “Seriously?”

“Ya.”

“What’s in it for you?”

“Me?”