“He truly is. It’s true.”
Sadie kicked off her shoes and continued, “If you ask me, I don’t see him with one of the twins. He’s more suited to someone older, someone more mature like either you or Marcy.”
Lanie was glad to hear it. “Denke.”
“I only hope that he sees that.”
“I’m sure he will. He was probably only considering them because they like him, and they let him know it.”
“That wouldn’t have happened in my day,” Sadie said. “These days women are far too forward.”
“Jah, I know what you mean.” Lanie drank her tea as fast as she could. It was awkward sitting there with Sadie when the woman didn’t approve of what was going on. She saw that Sadie was drinking her tea just as quickly. When they both had finished, Lanie sat her teacup on the saucer and set both down on the coffee table. “I should go.”
“Okay. Denke for stopping by. If I find your coat, I’ll have Matt drop it by.”
“That would be good, denke.” Lanie leaned forward and took both cups and saucers. “I’ll rinse these before I go.”
“Leave them. There’s no need.”
“It’s fine.” Lanie took the dishes to the kitchen and washed them out, dried them and left them on the counter. She then went back out and said goodbye to Sadie.
When she was in her horse and buggy, a little way down the road, she saw the bishop’s tall bay horse coming toward her. In her heart, she knew it was Isaac driving the buggy. She slowed her horse and then she stopped the buggy on the quiet country road. He pulled up beside her.
As soon as she saw his handsome face, she forgot all about her thought of minutes ago—the one where she didn’t mind if Isaac and Jane married.
“Hello, Lanie. We meet again.”
“Hi, Isaac. Are you heading to see Jane?”
“I am. Where are you headed?”
She didn’t tell him Jane wasn’t back yet. “I couldn’t find my coat and I thought I might’ve left it at Sadie’s haus. It wasn’t there.”
He smiled and looked in the buggy. “Where’s your dochder?”
“Ach, I couldn’t get her back from my mudder. She wanted to keep her an extra day and Mary-Lee wanted to stay too. It’ll give me more time to get some work done.”
“What kind of work do you do?”
“I’m a seamstress. I work from home. I make dresses, suits, and I also do mending repairs for some of the local tailors and dry cleaners. I like to keep busy.” She then remembered she’d told him something entirely different the day before. Now she had let him know she was fully self-sufficient. She knew men liked to look after women.
“That’s good. It’s good to do that.”
“I might see you soon, then.” She smiled, relieved he hadn’t noticed her gaffe. When she saw he wasn’t going to say anything else, she didn’t want to stay too long, and quickly moved her horse forward. “I might see you around, Isaac.”
“Bye, Lanie,” he called after her.
Lanie had to get home to make dresses. She’d promised the twins a new dress each for going along with her and Matt’s elaborate plan. Abigail and Marcy were a different story. They genuinely liked him. Still, they all knew it was a set-up and those two also knew Matt wasn’t interested in either of them. She couldn’t blame them for holding out hope.
From Lanie’s end, the only way she could get Matt to commit to her was for him to finally put Jane behind him. He never outright said as much, but she knew Matt was pining for Jane. She only hoped Jane didn’t feel the same. If Jane loved Matt then surely she would never have moved to Ohio.
The troubling question was, why had Jane never married?
Chapter 20
Isaac got out of his buggy and secured the horse to the hitching post. As he approached the house, the front door opened and he plastered a grin over his face, expecting to see Jane. Instead, a large woman filled the doorway. It was Sadie.
“Wie ghets, Mrs. Yoder.”
“Just call me Sadie,” she said with a laugh. “I'm popular today, but I'm sure you're not here to see me.”
“I did arrange to meet Jane here at eleven.”
“You're a bit early. It's only half past ten.”
“Is she not here?”
“Nee, she's gone out with my son, Matt. They should be back any time though. She hadn't forgotten about you picking her up at eleven. The kettle is boiled if you'd like to sit and wait with a cup of coffee or tea?”
“I'd love a cup of coffee if you're having one.”
“I'll be glad to have one. And I might be able to find some chocolate chip cookies.” She opened the door wider and he walked through.
“Have you had another visitor this morning? You said you were 'popular today.’”
“Jah, that’s right. Lanie was here.”
“Oh, that's right she said she’d left her coat here. I met her on the roadway.”
“We had a nice conversation over a cup of tea.”
“That’s good.”
“You sit in front of the fire, now, and I'll get you that coffee.”
As soon as Isaac sat on the couch, a Mr. Grover jumped onto the couch next to him giving him a fright. The cat then stared at Isaac, who slowly put out his hand toward him. Mr. Grover sniffed his hand and then moved toward him and tucked his head under Isaac's hand, responding with loud purring.
“I don’t like cats,” Isaac said under his breath.
“That's Mr. Grover,” Sadie said as she brought out a large tray that contained only two small cups of coffee and a couple of cookies on a plate.
“Well, hello, Mr. Grover.”
The cat proceeded to sit on his lap.
“Get off,” Sadie said pushing the cat away. “There. Now you can drink your coffee,” she said to Isaac.
Isaac leaned forward and took one of the small cups while Sadie sat next to him. After he took a sip, he said, “This is very strong coffee.”
“That's why I serve it in the small cups. Oh, do you take milk or sugar? Maybe cream? I forgot to ask.”
He shook his head. “Just black’s fine for me, thanks. That's how I have it, too.”
When Sadie got herself comfortable, Mr. Grover jumped back onto the couch and stared at Isaac.
“He likes you. He normally doesn't take to strangers.”
“All animals like me.”
“Do you have any pets?”
“I have a goat farm and they are my pets too. It’s hard for people to understand, but it’s true. They each have their own personality.”
“Ah, that's right you said last night that you had the goat farm.”
“No pets beyond the dog that helps me on the farm. He’s not much of a pet, he’s too old for that now. I'm sure my dochder would like a pet when she gets old enough to ask. I might allow her to have some when she’s old enough to look after them. I don’t have the time.”
“That's a good idea, and by that time, she should be able to look after them herself, as you said. It teaches them responsibility.”
“That's the idea,” he said with a smile.
“Tell me about you and Jane.”
He nearly choked on his coffee, and then he looked over at her.
“We've always gotten along. We didn't really have much to do with each other though, before my wife died. She'd only moved in next door a few months before Rosalee was born. Then, soon afterward, is when my wife died and everything changed for me. I had to just keep going with the farm, and the ladies helped me with Rosalee. That's when I really met Jane, and then slowly we got to know each other.
When Jane up and left suddenly, I knew I didn't want to be without her. I saw that as a real possibility, and that's why I wasted no time getting myself here.”
It had been an awkward question and he really hadn't wanted to answer it, but neither did he want to be rude to the person Jane was staying with. Jane was still deciding how to answer his proposal, and if he got this woman offside, Jane could very well see that as a sign to say no t
o him.
“I’m sure Jane appreciates your honesty. And you made a big effort to be here, leaving your farm and your dochder.”
“Denke, Sadie. I hope she sees it that way.”
“I’m sure she does.”
When they heard the sounds of a horse and buggy, Sadie got up and looked out the window. “Here they are, back with ten minutes to spare before eleven.”
“Perfect timing,” Isaac said.
Matt saw the buggy, one that he recognized as the bishop’s, parked outside his mother’s house. He said to Jane. “It seems your admirer is keenly waiting for you.”
“Maybe.”
“I'll come in with you and find out.”
That was a dreadful idea. Jane had to keep them apart. “There's no need to for you to do that.”
“That's fine. I'm keen to meet him since he’s a friend of yours.”
There was nothing Jane could do to keep them apart. Matt walked with Jane into the house. Sadie opened the door for them and then introduced Matt to Isaac.
The air was thick with tension as the two men sized each other up.
“What brings you here, Isaac?” Matt asked getting to the point.
“Jane does,” was all that he said.
Matt raised his eyebrows. He wasn't expecting such an abrupt answer. In Matt’s mind, Jane was his. This didn’t sit well. The worst thing was, Jane had no idea how he felt. But if she did, would she even consider him?
“Goodbye, Jane.” Matt smiled at Jane and then looked at his mother. After he gave her a nod, he said, “Mamm.”
“Are you coming back for dinner tonight?” Sadie asked.
“Jah, Mamm, I'll be back for dinner.” He gave Isaac a nod as well, and then walked out the door closing it gently behind him. As he walked to the buggy, he hoped that him accepting the dinner invitation would stop Isaac from having dinner there as well.
And it did.
Chapter 21
Jane didn't know what to say to Isaac. She knew how to deal with him as a friend but now that he’d confessed his love for her, she didn't know how to react. She probably would've married him if she'd never met Matt, but she had met him. Had grown up with him, still loved him.
The question she had to consider was, once Matt married someone else, should she then marry for the sake of having a family and kinner? She was now alone in life with no family. For so many years she’d longed to belong somewhere, with someone.
Every Christmas, and every other sort of celebration, she had to rely on invitations from friends. She’d much rather have the celebration at her own home with her very own family.
In her heart, she knew there was still a chance of motherhood. Maybe God sent her Isaac to show her that all was not lost.
“How about this table?” Isaac said pulling out a chair for her to sit in.
“Yes, looks perfect.” She sat down, pulled her thoughts together, and took a deep breath hoping that he would say something so she wouldn't have to lead the conversation.
“I hope you don't mind me arriving here suddenly like I did.” He studied her face.
“Not at all, but it was a surprise to see you.”
He took one of the menus that was wedged between the salt and pepper shakers, handed it her and then took one for himself. “I'm ravenous.”
“Don’t they feed you where you’re staying?”
He laughed. “They do, but I wasn't very hungry this morning and I pretty much skipped breakfast. I plan on making up for it now.”
“Please do.”
When they each had a burger and fries in front of them, he took a mouthful then wiped his hands on a napkin. “That is so good,” he raved, after he'd chewed and swallowed.
“Yes, they do make a nice hamburger. I've been here before once or twice.”
“After you left to come here, I got to thinking about something you had said.”
She’d just taken a mouthful and could only raise her eyebrows to signal that he should continue.
“You said your friend, Matt, wanted to speak to you urgently. I've heard you speak of Matt—speak of him very affectionately. And I happen to know he’s not a married man. I asked around, and besides that you've never mentioned he had a wife, and then I got to thinking it could only be one thing.”
She swallowed a mouthful. “And what's that?”
“I'm guessing he's going to ask you to marry him. Am I right? That is, if he hasn’t already.”
If only it were true. It was too embarrassing to tell him why she was there. And the fact that Matt had overlooked her completely was equally embarrassing. “At the moment, the reason I'm here is to help him with something that is confidential. It's nothing really. It's nothing to make a fuss of, and it's not what you just said.”
“It's not?” He searched her face.
“No, it's not. It's not that at all.”
“I'm glad to hear it. I'm delighted to hear that. I wasn't certain what the relationship you had with him was. I knew you were friends, good friends.”
“Yes, good friends and that's the end of it.”
“Will you consider my question?”
“I will—I already have been. It has come as a bit of a shock and I just need time to get used to the idea.”
He smiled. “Rosalee loves you and we would have a perfect life together.”
He was probably right, but she didn’t know if she could overlook the fact that her heart burned for someone else. Would that be fair to Isaac? Even though her stomach was churning, she ate as much as she could of her hamburger, and could only manage a few of the French fries.
As Isaac was driving her back to Sadie's haus, he said, “Jane, I’ve come a long way to see you. Couldn’t you spare me one full day?”
Jane was a little annoyed. She had never asked him to come there, and he worded it as though she owed him something. “I am here to help Matt with something, though. I explained that.”
“Just one day?”
Jane figured it was better to get that one-day over with quickly. If Matt had plans she could have him change them. She knew she’d see him for dinner that night. “Okay, tomorrow, but then I really must be available to help Matt.”
“Thank you, and then will you tell me what you’re helping him with?”
“I can’t.”
“It’s a secret?”
“Not really. Well, maybe it is. All I know is I can’t tell you right now.”
Isaac smiled. “I’ll look forward to tomorrow. I’ll plan something nice.”
“Jane, I have something to confess.”
Jane stopped peeling the potatoes and stared at Sadie, wondering what it could be. “What's that?”
Sadie, seated opposite, kept shelling peas. “I heard you talking to yourself the other night. I know you're in love with my son. This day, there is no use denying it.”
This was dreadful, and what did she mean by saying ‘this day’ there was no use denying it? She remembered Sadie’s mother came from the Swiss Amish rather than being of German origins, so it might’ve been something they’d say. “You didn't tell him, did you?”
“I didn't. But if you feel that way about him, you must say something.”
“Why, to embarrass myself completely? I’ve been rejected by him so many times that I can't take one more rejection.”
“When did he ever reject you?”
“He didn't, not with words. But he ignored me for so many years. The elders forced us apart, and then when we were older he never came back to me. Then he courted a couple of girls. I’ll never forget that.”
“He took a few girls on buggy rides. It was nothing. He never had a real girlfriend, someone he was seriously courting. I would’ve known about it.”
Jane remained silent, as she dug the tip of the knife into one of the potatoes to remove an eye. Many Amish couples courted in secret and only told their parents when they were ready to marry. It was quite possible that Matt had courted many women. Who would know? “I guess that might be
true because he didn't marry from amongst them.”
“That's right, because they weren't you.”
Jane smiled, appreciating Sadie’s efforts. If only Matt believed they belonged together as strongly as his mother did. “I left when I was twenty-five and he did nothing about it. All he did was write to me just like someone would write to a friend, or a pen pal. If I'd meant anything to him, he would've come to fetch me and asked me to marry him.”
“Men are stupid sometimes.”
“If he loved me, he'd say so. If he loved me, he certainly wouldn't have brought me back to help him choose a wife. That's rubbing it in my face.”
“Maybe, but consider that maybe it's easier now for him to see who the real one is that he loves.”
“He hasn't come to that realization so far.”
“How do you know it?”
Jane stared at Sadie. “Has he said anything to you about me?”
“Nee.” Sadie shook her head.
The last spark of Jane’s hope faded away. “It's no use. There's no point. I can't force somebody to love me.”
“You’re the perfect woman for him, Jane. You’re so similar, so well suited to one another. I thought deep down that you always loved him. It just made sense. The two of you just make sense.”
Jane laughed. If she didn’t laugh, she’d cry. “It feels much better to hear you say that. At least we can both see it even if Matt can’t. It doesn’t matter what we think, though.”
Sadie rubbed Jane’s arm. “Do you want me to say something to him?”
“Oh no, that would be dreadful. Please don't say anything.”
“I won't. I'll keep your secret, but I do think you should. The time to say something to him is now.”
“What's the point of that? He already has five to choose from and I don't think he needs six. Anyway, I won’t be counted among them. If he can’t make up his mind, I can’t help him.”
“Maybe he has no idea that you're even interested in him.”
Jane considered what Sadie had said.
Sadie continued, “Just give it some prayer, and some thought. Just make sure that you do something.”
Amish Christmas Bride Page 11
