An Amish Reunion

by Amy Clipston

  She turned and gasped as Rudy stood at the end of the aisle, his dark eyes focused on her.

  “You startled me.” She placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry.” His lips twitched. “I was wondering if you wanted to take your lunch break.”

  “Is it noon already?” She craned her neck to read the clock on the wall and was surprised to find it was only a few minutes before twelve.

  He pointed toward the back of the store. “Ya, it is. You can go now, if you like. I’ll eat in a little bit.”

  “Danki.” Marlene weaved through the aisles and found her way to the break room, where she washed her hands before carrying her lunch bag to the table. She sat down and, after a silent prayer, began to build a turkey and cheese sandwich. As she took bites of the sandwich, she flipped through a tool catalog she’d found on the table.

  She was perusing different kinds of hammers when Rudy came through the door and moved toward the refrigerator.

  She glanced at the clock and found it was only ten minutes after twelve. Was her lunch break already over? “Is it time for me to go back out on the floor?”

  “Not at all.” He retrieved a blue lunch bag and two bottles of water before sitting down across from her. “I was wondering if I could join you.” He handed her one of the bottles.

  She blinked at him. “Danki.” Why would Rudy want to have lunch with her? Back when she was a teenager, she would have relished having his attention—but now it just felt forced and awkward.

  “Mei dat is taking care of the front for us.” He opened his lunch bag and pulled out a baloney sandwich and a small bag of chips. He opened the bag and held it out to her. “Would you like a chip?”

  “Danki.” She took one and popped it into her mouth.

  “What are you reading?” He raised an eyebrow and nodded toward the catalog.

  “I’m learning about hammers.” She pushed the catalog toward him.

  “Sounds exciting.” He chuckled.

  She couldn’t stop her smile as she studied his face. He was truly handsome, with milk chocolate eyes and chiseled cheekbones. Why hadn’t he settled down with one of the pretty young women in his community?

  “Is something on your mind?” he asked after swallowing a bite of sandwich.

  “Uh, not really.” She cleared her throat and prayed that the heat crawling up her neck didn’t show on her cheeks. “Was it still busy out there?”

  He shook his head as he took another bite, chewed, and swallowed. “It was actually slowing down, so Dat told me to go ahead and eat. I think he was worried you were lonely in here.”

  “He was concerned that I was lonely?”

  Rudy shrugged. “He wants to make sure you feel welcome. He doesn’t want you to quit on your first day.”

  “Oh.” She looked down at her sandwich as the conversation with her father at supper last night echoed through her mind.

  Her face crumpled as she recalled Dat’s frown when he dropped her off at the store this morning. He’d been silent during their journey to town, and his disapproval felt like another person sitting in the buggy with them. Marlene had only wanted to help her father get back on his feet, but her efforts seemed to be more of a hindrance than a support.

  And her worst fear was settling into her bones—that Dat wanted to return to Indiana. How could she convince him to stay and rebuild their lives in Bird-in-Hand? Didn’t living here make him feel closer to Mamm the way it did for her?

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “What?” Her gaze snapped to his, and the warmth in his dark eyes stole her breath for a moment.

  She absently folded a paper napkin as she considered her response. She didn’t want to dump her problems on Rudy, especially since it was her first day working at his father’s store. She peeked up again and he continued to watch her as he chewed more of his sandwich.

  When he held up his bag of chips, she took another one and smiled. A calm settled over her. It was as if Rudy could be the friend she needed today.

  “What’s it like being back after so many years?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess it’s strange.”

  “What do you mean?” He took a drink of water.

  She tilted her head, considering her response. “I have always thought of Bird-in-Hand as my home since I was born here. Still, I feel like a stranger, even though I know people and grew up here. So I’m a stranger, but I’m not. Does that make sense?”

  “Ya, it does.” He set the bottle on the table. “Have you had the chance to see any old freinden?”

  She shook her head while chewing. “I haven’t, but I will at church tomorrow.” Her mind wandered through memories of her friends from school and youth group, wavering between nervousness and excitement. Would any of her old friends recognize her at church? Would they welcome her back? She took a sip of water. “Do you see Laura Riehl at all?”

  Something unreadable flashed in his expression, but then it was gone. “Ya, I see her at church.”

  “How is she?”

  “She’s gut.” He leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the table. “Her name is Laura Lambert now. She’s been married for about three and a half years, I think. She has a dochder.”

  “Wow.” Marlene smiled. “I’m froh for her.”

  “Ya.” He cleared his throat and met her gaze. Something flickered in his eyes. Was it sadness or possibly regret? “Her family has been through a lot. She lost her mamm five years ago, and then her best freind Savilla passed away shortly after.”

  Marlene gasped, cupping a hand to her mouth. “Laura lost her mamm and Savilla?”

  Rudy frowned. “It was a difficult time.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear that.” Tears prickled the corners of her eyes. “I know how difficult it is to lose a mamm. My heart goes out to her.”

  A heavy silence settled over them as they ate. Marlene swiped a few more potato chips from Rudy, contemplating Laura and her family. She was grateful that her old friend was married and had a dochder—surely a source of comfort for Laura during a painful time.

  “I thought I’d be married by now.” The words slipped from Marlene’s lips without forethought.

  To her surprise, Rudy snorted. “Mei mamm would be delighted if I were married. All I hear about is how she wants grandchildren.”

  “Really?” Marlene couldn’t hold back her grin.

  He rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.”

  As if on cue, they both laughed—and she knew the ice between them had been broken.

  Rudy wiped at his eyes with a napkin before finishing his sandwich.

  “I guess it must be difficult being an only child,” Marlene said.

  Rudy nodded. “All of mei mamm’s focus is on me.” He crunched another potato chip. “Mamm once told me that she wanted more kinner but couldn’t have them. I know I’m a blessing to her, but sometimes I wish I had a sibling to absorb some of her attention.”

  “I always wanted an older bruder.” Marlene rested her chin on her hand.

  “I can relate to that.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “If I had an older bruder, then I’d have someone else to help me with the store.” He gestured around the room. “Mei dat wants to give it all to me, and some days it’s a lot of pressure. It feels like an impossible standard to live up to, you know?”

  She considered that and then smiled. “I bet you make your dat very proud.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “You do?”

  She nodded. “Surely your dat is satisfied with your work ethic.”

  A smile played at his lips. “Thanks, Marlene.” He glanced at the clock and then back at her. “But we’d better finish up and get out front before he fires us both.”

  “Okay.” As Marlene stole another chip, she felt her shoulders relax again. After all of these years, she might actually become friends with Rudy Swarey.

  “How did Marlene do at the sto
re today?” Mamm asked as she sat across from Rudy at supper later that evening.

  “She did well.” Rudy glanced over at Dat, who nodded. “She caught on quickly and was very courteous with the customers.”

  “She has experience working at a market, so she knows how busy a store can be,” Dat chimed in as he cut his piece of steak.

  Mamm scooped a pile of green beans on her plate and then passed the bowl to Rudy. “What brought her family back to Bird-in-Hand?”

  “Her dat lost his job at a factory, so they came back to live with her aenti and onkel.” Rudy recalled how quiet she’d been when she’d first arrived at the store this morning, but by the end of the day, she seemed happier. Maybe he’d managed to encourage her when they ate lunch together.

  “That’s bedauerlich.” Mamm clicked her tongue. “Their family went through so much when Rosa Lynn died of cancer all of those years ago. I’m surprised Elias didn’t remarry when they moved to Indiana. Maybe he’ll meet someone here and start a new life. It would be hard for anyone to measure up to Rosa Lynn though. They were so in love.”

  Rudy nodded as he bit into his steak. His thoughts meandered back to lunch and how Marlene had laughed with him as they discussed their romantic lives—or lack thereof. She had such a pretty smile and a sweet laugh. Why hadn’t he noticed her when they were in youth group together? Could they possibly become good friends? Or maybe even more?

  He forced his mind to change course. He had no business even considering having a relationship with Marlene—or anyone else, for that matter. He’d learned his lesson nearly four years ago when his relationship with Laura Riehl had fallen apart and she’d fallen in love with Allen Lambert. After dating for four years, Rudy and Laura had grown apart, and their breakup had turned his world upside down.

  Although Rudy had been guilty of allowing their relationship to deteriorate, he still wasn’t ready to face another painful breakup. He had no interest in risking his heart again, no matter how much his mother pressured him to settled down and bless her with grandchildren. Maybe he was better off alone. Besides, his father’s store demanded nearly all of his focus.

  “Did you hear me, Rudy?”

  “What?” His attention snapped to his mother’s curious brown eyes.

  “I asked if you were going to introduce Marlene around the community again.” Mamm’s lips curled with a smile. “It’s been a long time since she’s seen everyone, so she needs a freind.”

  Rudy frowned. Mamm clearly had designs on him and Marlene that went beyond friendship.

  “I’m sure Marlene will find her way in the community just fine,” Rudy quipped.

  Mamm’s smile broadened. “Ya, but you two have a history. You went to school together, and you’re the same age.” Her eyes rounded. “Maybe Marlene will be the one, Rudy! You’ll finally settle down, and I’ll get some grandchildren.”

  Rudy swallowed a groan and glanced at his father, who stared at his plate and continued to cut up his steak. Please save me, Dat. Say something—anything—to change the subject!

  “I suppose we’ll see Marlene, her schweschder, and her dat at church tomorrow since her aenti and onkel are members of our church district. I remember Marlene was always a schee maedel,” Mamm continued. “She looked like her mamm with her pretty green eyes and that bright blond hair. I’ll make sure I talk to her and introduce her to some of her mamm’s old freinden.”

  Then she snapped her fingers as if an idea had captured her. “You should ask her out now since I’m certain the other young men in our community will be froh to see her back.”

  “I think Marlene is more concerned with finding her way in the community than landing a boyfriend,” Rudy said through gritted teeth. “She said it’s awkward coming back after ten years.”

  “I suppose I can see that.” Mamm tapped her chin, and her eyes brightened once again. “So, I saw Lydia Smucker the other day. She told me that her eldest dochder just got engaged.”

  As Mamm recounted the goings-on of other friends in the community, Rudy’s thoughts once again returned to Marlene’s pretty smile. While he’d never admit it to his mother, Rudy did want to be Marlene’s friend. In fact, he hoped he could make her feel welcome in the community and have the pleasure of seeing her smile often.

  CHAPTER 3

  Marlene walked up the path toward the Glick family’s farmhouse with Anna, Betsy, and Aenti Feenie the following morning. She smoothed her hands down her white apron and pink dress and turned toward the barn, where she spotted her father and uncle talking to a group of men all dressed in matching crisp white shirts, black vests, and trousers.

  The Glick family was hosting the Sunday service today, and Marlene glanced around the crowd near the barn in search of faces she recognized. A few of the men looked familiar, but their names had escaped her.

  Marlene felt the breath tightening her lungs as she followed her sister, cousin, and aunt up the porch steps and toward the back door. Voices sounded from the kitchen, and as she made her way through the mudroom and into the large kitchen, the women were gathered in a circle to visit before the church service began in the barn.

  Marlene closed her eyes and tried to gather her wits. As her sister, aunt, and cousin walked together toward the far side of the room to greet friends, Marlene remained in the doorway, cemented in place by her swirling anxiousness.

  She scanned the kitchen hoping to see someone she knew, but she only saw vaguely familiar but nameless faces. How could she assimilate back into the community when she couldn’t recall the names of any of her friends?

  She bit her lower lip and considered walking back out the door, then going out to the barn to look for Rudy since Aenti Feenie had mentioned he was a member of their church district. But what would the other members say if they saw Marlene talking with Rudy instead of the women before the service? She didn’t want to encourage rumors before reacquainting herself with the members of the community.

  “Marlene!” Aenti Feenie approached and reached for her arm. “Come meet everyone.”

  Marlene smiled as her aunt introduced her to old acquaintances. Her heart warmed when people she hadn’t seen in years offered her bright smiles and warm handshakes. All of her worry evaporated, and the muscles in her shoulders loosened. Oh, it was so good to be back in Bird-in-Hand!

  “Marlene! There you are!” Ada Swarey appeared beside her and shook her hand. “I heard you’re doing a great job at the store.”

  “Danki.” Marlene’s smile widened. “I’m so grateful for the job.”

  “It’s so gut to see you.” Ada gave her hand another gentle squeeze, and Marlene enjoyed the sweet gesture.

  “Marlene? Is that you?”

  Marlene spun and came face-to-face with Laura Riehl Lambert. “Laura?”

  “Hi!” Laura opened her arms and pulled Marlene into a hug. “How long has it been?”

  “Ten years.” Marlene took in her friend’s pretty face. Although they were ten years older now, Laura looked the same as Marlene remembered with her beautiful dark brown hair and striking, bright blue eyes. “You look fantastic.”

  “You do too.” Laura clicked her tongue. “I had no idea you were back.”

  “Mei dat, Anna, and I just came back this week.”

  “Are you back to stay?”

  “I hope so.” Marlene looked down at a little blond girl standing next to Laura, twirling her finger around the tie to her tiny prayer covering. “This must be your dochder.”

  “Ya, it is.” Laura’s smile was wide as she looked down at the girl. “This is Mollie. Her mutter was Savilla. I married her dat, Allen, a little over three years ago.”

  Marlene’s smile faded and she touched Laura’s hand. “Rudy told me that you lost your mamm and Savilla. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “Danki.” Laura cocked her head, looking closely at Marlene. “When did you see Rudy?”

  “I’m working at his dat’s store part-time. I just started yesterday.”

  “Oh.”
Laura touched Mollie’s arm. “Mollie, this is mei freind Marlene. Can you say hello?”

  “Hi.” Mollie waved at her.

  “She’s beautiful.” Marlene smiled at the girl, taking in her babyblue eyes. She recalled Savilla’s chocolate-colored eyes and surmised that Mollie’s father must have blue eyes.

  “How are the rest of your siblings?” Marlene asked.

  “They’re doing well.” Laura nodded.

  Marlene smiled as Laura filled her in on what her older brother, twin brother, and younger sister were doing. She also mentioned that her father had remarried, so now she had three stepsiblings.

  When the clock struck nine, the women began filing out of the kitchen on their way to the barn for the service.

  “I’m so glad you’re back.” Laura gave Marlene’s shoulder a squeeze.

  “I am too,” Marlene said.

  “I’ll see you after the service,” Laura said before disappearing into the crowd.

  Marlene found her sister and Betsy and then walked with them into the barn, where Anna sat between them on the backless benches in the unmarried women’s section of the space.

  As Betsy and Anna whispered, Marlene looked around the barn for more familiar faces. She spotted Laura sitting between a middle-aged woman and a pretty blond, whom Marlene assumed was Laura’s stepmother and her older brother’s wife. Marlene breathed sighs of relief when she found a few more people she recognized as former friends.

  When her eyes moved to the unmarried men’s section, she also saw Laura’s twin, Mark, who looked almost exactly as she’d remembered. Finally she found Rudy sitting a few spots away from him.

  Rudy looked handsome dressed in his Sunday suit. His dark eyes were bright and cheerful as he spoke to the young man sitting beside him who looked to be about their age. Could the man be one of his cousins he had mentioned to Marlene?

  The man said something to Rudy, who laughed before turning toward Marlene. When his gaze tangled with hers, his smile widened, and he lifted his hand in a wave. She returned the gesture with a nod.