Claire rose to her feet. “I didn’t plan to have an attendant or a bridesmaid, but will you stand next to me when I’m joined in marriage?”
“Of course I will.”
“Well, we had better make a start.” Claire rushed to the window and looked out. “There’s hardly anyone here. Just close relatives of Donovan’s and a couple of Donovan’s friends. That’s Joshua in the white shirt?”
Lucy stood beside Claire and peered out into the gardens behind the safety of glass and a sheer, lace curtain. “Jah, that’s Joshua.”
“He’s all grown up. I remember him as skinny.”
“Jah, he was skinny when he was younger. Now, let’s forget about him and get you married.” Yes, let’s get you out of this room before you say Joshua would be a good match for me.
As Claire came to the back of the garden, Mrs. Billings gave the signal for the three musicians to announce the bride's arrival. Lucy walked to the front first, and when she turned around everyone watched Claire as she walked up an aisle made between two groups of fancy white chairs.
The guests sat, and the music ceased when Claire reached Donovan. A male celebrant stepped forward and said a few words. After Donovan and Claire said their vows to each other, they were pronounced husband and wife. Everyone clapped as Donovan and Claire kissed and then the music started up again.
Lucy looked around for Joshua. He caught her attention by raising his hand. From his pleasant expression, he hadn't minded too much that she had practically ignored him the whole time since they’d arrived.
“I’m sorry, Joshua. I got talking to Claire, and she asked me to stand with her. I didn’t mean to leave you alone.”
“I’m all right. I’m glad to be here with you to see one of your friends get married. There’s so much unhappiness in the world; I like to be amongst happy people.”
Lucy hoped he wasn’t making himself sad again by thinking about Grace.
“Looks like you’re getting the hang of those crutches.”
“I’m becoming an expert on them. I can go quite fast sometimes.”
The celebrations went into the night, and when Joshua and Lucy got in the car to go home, it was well past midnight.
Lucy looked at her house as they approached it from a distance. “I thought I saw a light in the window of the haus, and now it’s gone.”
“Could’ve been a reflection of the headlights.”
Lucy squinted as she looked closely at the house, and there was definitely no light there.
Joshua stopped the car in front of the house and sprang out of the car. “Here, I’ll take your crutches.” He leaned into the car and took hold of the crutches, propped them on the car and helped her out.
“Denke.” Lucy noticed his arm lingered around her for longer than needed. Her gaze went from his hand on her shoulder straight into his eyes.
Their eyes locked, and in the moment, she knew he had the same feelings for her as she had for him. A swirling trail of chilling air engulfed them, causing Lucy’s body to shiver.
“You’re cold.” He drew her into his arms.
She closed her eyes and melted into his hard chest, protected by his love.
A sudden noise from the house caused them to jump apart. Their eyes flew to the front door to see the looming figure of Lucy’s father in the doorway.
“Dat, what are you doing here?”
“Perhaps saving you from doing something foolish.”
“Mr. Fuller, I can explain.” Joshua stepped toward him, and Lucy took hold of her crutches.
Mr. Fuller looked down at his daughter’s foot. “What’s happened to you?”
“I fell off my bike.”
“Go to your room, Lucy,” Mr. Fuller said.
Lucy looked up at Joshua and then walked past her father and into the house. She had never seen her vadder not happy to see Joshua. She climbed the stairs slowly, and once she was in her room, she looked down at the two men through her window. She opened the window a crack to listen, hoping she could hear what they said.
“Joshua, I’ll have to ask you to keep away from Lucy.”
“I don’t know if I can do that.”
Lucy saw her father looking at Joshua’s car. “Are you coming back to join us?”
“I’m not sure what I’m doing. I need some time to sort a few things out.”
“What are your intentions toward Lucy?”
“I’ve fallen in love with her.”
Lucy gasped at hearing him confess such a thing to her father.
“Are you going to change your mind about Lucy the same way you changed your mind about Grace?”
What?
Lucy nearly spluttered, and covered her mouth with her hand just in time. He’d changed his mind about her sister?
She listened hard as her father continued, “Her mudder thought that was what brought her sickness on, and that was what killed her.”
Lucy put her hand to her heart as it thumped harder than ever. They were blaming him for Grace’s death.
Joshua’s hand flew to his head. “It wasn’t like that with Grace. It’s what both families wanted, and we both just went along with it. I’m sure Grace felt the same.”
Her father shook his head and looked down at the ground. Lucy knew her father would think a man should not go back on his word no matter what the circumstances. He was disappointed in Joshua for breaking Grace’s heart.
It all made sense. Joshua was a man of indecision. He couldn’t decide about the farm or coming back to the community, and he had changed his mind about marrying Grace all those years ago. Lucy chewed on her lip. Joshua had told her father he was in love with her.
She looked down at the two of them. Their voices were quieter now and she couldn't hear any more. She watched Joshua walk to his car; the headlights beamed. He turned his car around and drove to the road. Lucy watched until the car disappeared. Lucy wondered if her parents disliked Joshua so much they had ignored her message about his mother’s funeral.
The front door shut firmly and her father’s footsteps headed toward the stairs. “I’ll be taking you to work and back from now on, Grace. I mean, Lucy.”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “Denke, Dat,” Lucy called out. Her parents often called her Grace, and she rarely corrected them. Sometimes, it annoyed her, but she was used to it.
Lucy slipped between the warm covers of her bed, and the conversation between Joshua and her vadder replayed in her mind. Why hadn’t Joshua been in love with Grace? Everyone loved Grace. Her father was not happy about the idea of Joshua and her together, and it was clear he never would be.
Her stomach churned; she had wanted to kiss Joshua and might have if her vadder hadn’t been home. Now things had become impossible between the two of them. She could never marry a man without her vadder’s consent. She wasn’t as brave as Claire, and now Joshua had as good as said he hadn’t been in love with Grace; he’d never have her parents’ approval.
How would she put him out of her mind? It was something she simply had to do. She couldn’t put her trust in a man who didn’t know his own mind. Grace must’ve been devastated to find out he didn’t love her. From what her vadder had said Joshua had called off the wedding. No one had ever told Lucy the wedding had been called off. Joshua must’ve fled the community through shame and guilt rather than heartbreak.
Lucy put her hand to her head. Her stomach churned, and she knew she had a migraine coming on. She needed to wrap ice in a cloth and put it on her forehead, but she couldn’t go downstairs and face her vadder, not when he was in this mood.
Still unable to sleep because of the headache, Lucy cluncked downstairs with her crutches after she heard her father walk up the stairs and close his bedroom door. After drinking a large glass of water, she unfolded a clean dishrag and placed cubes of ice in it then made her way back up to her bedroom.
The ice eased her sore head once she was lying back in bed, but her body was full of annoying tension gripping her shoulders like a vice. What wo
uld she say to her father tomorrow about Joshua? She sent up a silent prayer. She didn’t want her parents to be upset with her, and she didn’t want them to feel anger toward Joshua.
Joshua drove away from Lucy’s haus upset at having had unpleasant words with her father. Mr. Fuller had always been like an onkel to him. He would never be able to be with Lucy, and without her there was no reason to stay. How could he stay here with Lucy’s parents blaming him for Grace’s death? If he married Lucy, it would rub salt in their wounds. Besides, Lucy’s father had asked him to stay away from her. Everyone would be better off if he left.
Once back at his house, Joshua opened the door and walked to the center of the darkened room to flick on the overhead gaslight. A meow from Muggins came from the direction of the back door. Knowing he’d filled his food bowl twice already, Joshua went to see why Muggins was meowing.
“Hello there, boy. I hope your day was better than mine.”
Muggins had enough food and water in his bowls, so Joshua walked back into the living room and threw himself heavily onto the couch. “What a mess I’ve made of things. I should never have told Grace I didn’t want to marry her.” He sighed. “Now, I’ve got some decisions to make, decisions that can’t wait.”
Chapter 23
The next morning, Lucy was pleased her headache had gone. Now, she had to go downstairs and face her vadder. The sun streamed through her window, which meant she’d slept longer than normal. Her vadder would think her lazy for not feeding the animals and doing her chores at the crack of dawn. Even though she was injured, that was no excuse.
Getting washed and dressed was not an easy task when she only had one arm that worked properly; everything took twice the time.
Lucy found her vadder in the kitchen. “Morning, Dat.” She noticed he was making his breakfast. “I would have made that for you.”
“You were asleep. A person who is slothful in his work is a bruder to him that is a great waster.”
“Jah, Dat. I’m sorry.” Her father often quoted Scripture at her when she did something that made him unhappy. “I’ll have something to eat and then feed the animals.”
“You can clean my dishes, too.”
“Okay. Is everyone staying longer in Ohio?”
“I came back when I got word of Ilene Hershberger’s death. Seems I’m too late for the funeral, but I came as soon as I could.”
Lucy nodded. Normally she would’ve said Joshua would’ve appreciated it, but it was best not to mention Joshua this morning.
Her father walked out of the kitchen leaving her alone with the toast she was making. When she heard the front door shut, she looked out the kitchen window to see him heading to the stable. He had surely gone to check his horse she’d had Joshua put out into the field. She knew she had done the right thing for the horse since he hadn’t been worked for days. The horse could not stay in a stable for days when he was not being regularly exercised.
Lucy sat down and ate her toast, glad her father hadn’t mentioned Joshua.
When he came back inside, she asked him, “Dat, could you drive me into town to meet the girls?”
“It’s the girls you’re meeting? You’re not sneaking away to see Joshua?”
Lucy was upset with what her vadder said. He wouldn’t have said that to Grace or anything of the kind. Lucy had never done anything to show she was untrustworthy. “Nee. I wouldn’t do that. I meet the girls nearly every Saturday—well, often on Saturdays. Mamm knows that.”
“What time do you want to be there?”
“Three o’clock and one of the girls will bring me home.”
“Very well.”
* * *
The whole day had nearly passed with Joshua’s name only being mentioned once until they were on the way into town.
“Joshua came back to bury his mudder then?”
“Jah, Dat.” She looked over to see if she could determine which way the conversation would head.
“What were you doing with him?”
“He was helping me since I hurt myself and he was bringing me home from Claire’s wedding. I told you Claire was going to marry the Englischer.”
“I thought you wouldn’t have gone to the wedding. No gut will come of mixing with the Englischers. Joshua isn’t one of us anymore, so you’d do best to stay away from him.”
Lucy clamped her lips together and looked out the window at the fields. Everything within her wanted to see him again and be held in his strong arms. Had Grace ruined her chance at love? Grace should have known Joshua did not love her. And if the two families had not expected Grace and Joshua to marry, Grace might be alive right now, and Joshua might be free to marry her.
Why weren’t things simple? She was tired of living in Grace’s shadow. Even though Grace had died years ago she was still affecting every part of Lucy’s life.
Her father stopped the buggy around the corner from the coffee shop.
“Denke, Dat. I’ll see you later. I’ll be home in time to cook the dinner for you.”
“Bye, Grace.”
Lucy was nearly out of the buggy with her crutches on the ground. She gained her balance, turned to her vadder and said, “Nee, Dat. I’m Lucy; I’m not Grace. I never will be Grace, and I’m sick and tired of Grace ruining my life. I’m alive, and Grace is dead.” She instantly wished she could have taken back the words that spilled out of her mouth. Up until now, Lucy had never raised her voice to either of her parents.
They stared at each other for a moment, each as shocked as the other, before Lucy looked down, moved her crutches into position and walked away. She could not apologize for the words because they were true. The words should have been said a long time ago.
Lucy was the first of the circle of friends to arrive, and she sat at the usual table, which Dan had placed a ‘reserved’ sign on. Dan came toward her as soon as she sat down.
“Lucy what happened to you?”
“Bike accident, I’m afraid.” She pointed to the reserved sign. “I hope this is for us?”
“It is. Do you want to wait for the other girls or do you want something now?”
Lucy smiled at him. “I’ll wait.”
Ten minutes later, the other three girls sat listening while Lucy told them all about Claire’s wedding. All the while she felt bad for having spoken so harshly to her father.
“Did you know Joshua’s leaving?” Olive asked Lucy.
“When did you hear that?”
“Elijah went to see him this morning, and he was getting the farm ready to sell. Joshua’s going to leave as soon as it’s sold. He said he’s got an offer from one of the developers.”
Lucy gasped. “He wouldn’t.”
Olive shrugged her shoulders. “I know you spent some time with him; did you tell him about what you’re worried about with the development in the area and everything?”
“Jah, he even went to one of the area meetings with me on Monday.”
The girls all looked at Lucy.
“I have to go.” Lucy pulled her crutches under her arms.
Olive sprang to her feet. “Where are you going? I’ll take you.”
“Nee, I’ll go alone.” She had to see Joshua and stop him from selling his farm.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, the taxi stopped at Joshua’s farm. She couldn’t see his car anywhere. She paid the driver and walked toward the house.
After knocking on the door loudly for several minutes, she could only assume he wasn’t home. Had she missed him? Had he signed contracts with the developers and then left town? She heard a meow and looked down by her feet. It was Muggins, Mrs. Hershberger’s cat. “Wie gehts, Muggins? I guess he wouldn’t have left you here alone. And if he has, you’re coming home with me.”
Lucy walked a few steps and lowered herself into one of the porch chairs, and the cat strolled toward her and sat at her feet.
Hearing a car, she closed her eyes and hoped it was Joshua. She opened her eyes to see it was. Joshua’s dark blue c
ar stopped in front of her.
“Lucy.” He slammed his car door and walked to her.
She stayed seated.
“Does your vadder know you’re here?”
“Joshua, is it true you’re only here to sell your farm?”
“I told you I came here not knowing what I was doing. I had hoped that time here would help me to figure things out.”
“I heard you’re selling your land to one of the developers, Keaghan or Ryan.”
“I worked for Mr. Keaghan once. I was considering it; jah, it’s true. But, now I’ve taken into consideration everything you’re concerned about.”
“It’s not just me who’s concerned, it’s thousands of people.”
“I’ve already made application for an easement, so the land of my familye will never be sold or used for anything other than farming.”
Relief covered her like a warm blanket. “You have?”
He rubbed his chin. “Did you come here to stop me leaving?”
“Nee, I was having coffee with my friends when Olive said you were leaving and selling your farm.”
He kneeled down in front of her. “You didn’t want me to go?”
She looked away. “I didn’t want you to sell the farm to a developer.”
He picked up her hand and held it in his. “I had words with your father last night. He’s not happy about the idea of the two of us. I know I haven’t said any of this to you, but I said something about how I feel about you to him.”
“What did you say?” She had heard most of it except for the low-pitched words they had spoken to each other at the end.
He smiled and pulled her to her feet. “Come inside. I’ll make us a cup of tea and we can talk.”
She stood and took hold of her crutches, and made her way into the house. He pulled out a chair for her to sit on. Just as he had the kettle under the tap to fill it, he said, “Looks like your father heading here, to the haus.”
Then she heard a buggy. “Really? Ach nee. He asked me if I was coming to see you, and I said no. He’ll never trust me now.”
The Amish Maid's Sweetheart Page 16
