"Ruin and Redemption"

A Reading Lesson with Rebecca and Amanda

Author's Note: Just wanted to let you know, "Ruin and Redemption" is the sequel to my first wattpad novel, "Reckless Lives", although you're more than welcome to read it separately. Hope you're enjoying it so far! I look forward to your input!

Rebecca saw Shadow being tied to the pitching post from her window. Josiah.

She put aside the lesson she had been sharing with her young daughter. She hoped the interruption would be brief; She didn’t want to take Amanda out to Mrs. Baumgartner right now, and she wasn’t really in the mood for work right now, though she couldn’t really afford to turn down the money at the moment, if that’s what Josiah wanted.

She went to the door and opened it, and was surprised by the huge smile on Josiah’s face.

“So what is it today, Josiah?” She asked, careful to keep her voice neutral, though she heard a bit of weariness creeping in. It would be nice sometimes simply to be left alone with her daughter.

“Tea. I think it will be tea from now on,” he grinned even broader.

“Really? Josiah? She said yes, and you’ve decided to wait for the wedding?” Rebecca now couldn’t help being excited for her friend. She had not expected Mindy to agree so quickly.

“Well, um, er, I didn’t exactly haf’ to…She wanted me…She kep’ askin’. ” He said shamefacedly; He was telling the truth, but he was aware that it might sound too incredible to be believed, and he was afraid of being judged for sleeping with Mindy so soon, before they were married, “You ken talk to Izzie if ya don’t b’lieve me,” he added, defensively.

“I believe you, Joe,” she had no right to accuse him, although it was surprising to her that Mindy had been so eager. Nevertheless, she knew Josiah to be an honest man, and her friend. “So she agreed to marry you?”

Josiah echoed her surprise. “Yes, Rebecca. I still can’t b’lieve it! She said yes right away! Din’t haf’ ta think about it, or anything! Told her she didn’t haf’ to; She was welcome to stay, and I hoped she did, but I wouldn’ stop her from leavin’, that she’d haf a horse if she needed one… She wanted to stay Rebecca. She wanted me.” He was incredulous. It still was hard to believe, as if someone had told him that Christmas wasn’t going away this year; that he could have Christmas every day now.

“I’m happy for you, Josiah,” she gave him a quick hug. And she was. Nevertheless, she was a single mother, who had to provide both material and emotional sustenance for her young daughter, and there was only so much time and energy to go around. Who could she replace Josiah with as a client and be certain that they would take no more of her time and energy than he did?

“Are you alright, Rebecca? Is somethin’ worryin’ you?” He asked concerned.

She realized she had been too preoccupied to let him in and they were still talking on her stoop.

“Come in, Josiah. Let me make us some tea.” Rebecca offered, and he followed her, setting his hat and coat on the hall tree and pulling off his boots. Rebecca worried about the boots coming off; it would be some time now before she could get back to her daughter’s lesson, and she now needed some time alone to think. This wasn’t the lengthy engagement she had expected.