by Molly Jebber
“I understand. I can’t danki you enough.” She squinted and stared at her hands. “Joel, we still have to put off any plans for a future until your mamm softens her heart about me.”
“God has turned bad into good. I trust God will take care of Mamm’s disposition. We can put it behind us, and your family will help Peter overcome any fears he has left about this experience.”
“Peter’s been through a lot of turmoil and sad times. I’m impressed with how he overcomes adversity for someone so young.”
“If folks aren’t told that you and he aren’t really bruder and schweschder by birth, they would never believe it, considering you both have so much in common. You’re both strong-willed, are determined, speak your minds, and are brave.”
“I’m not sure if you’re complimenting us or not.” She laughed.
“Compliments, for sure. All right, maybe not on the strong-willed trait.” He touched her nose with his forefinger. “You’re a beauty, Ellie Graber. How could I not fall in love with you?”
She blushed. “I’m glad you did.”
He kissed her on the cheek and bid her farewell. “Give your family my regards.”
* * *
“I will.” She waved to him, went inside and checked on her family, and then left for the bakery. She left the horse and buggy at the livery and hurried across the street and inside the shop.
Hannah threw up her hands. “What happened? Is Peter all right? Are you all right?”
“Jah. Everyone’s fine.” She recounted the details to Hannah.
“How horrible!”
“It’s been quite a day. After having such a terrible experience, Joel and I had a good talk before he left my haus. I just wish his mamm wasn’t a problem.”
“I’m sorry she’s being so obstinate toward you. I’m happy you and Joel made up.”
Customers entered and gathered around the counter.
“Will you man the counter? I’ll go back to baking.”
“Jah. I’ll be fine.” Ellie turned to the women. “What may I take off the shelves for you?”
The women each gave her their requests and paid for the purchases. They took seats at the tables and praised their desserts.
Ellie was glad the bakery was profitable and popular among the townsfolk. She had found solace, love, and peace working here.
She dragged a stool behind the counter and sat. Would Peter escape this unscathed? She’d be sad if he let it dampen his gift of looking on the bright side of things. His positive attitude was one of his best traits. They’d all help him get through the days ahead until this horrific event faded.
Joel had become close with her family, and they loved him. She was happy he wasn’t interested in Magdelena. He loved her! What could she do to persuade Mrs. Wenger to really talk to her? She couldn’t think of a thing. She’d depend on God to intervene.
* * *
Joel slumped his tired shoulders. The tension of Peter’s rescue had depleted his strength. He didn’t care. Ellie and he had reconciled, and they would pick up where they’d left off. She’d been quick to forgive him, and she hadn’t made him grovel. He wouldn’t have blamed her if she had. He’d thrown one question after another at her during her confession, and not in a kind way. Rehashing in his mind their talk, he was ashamed of himself. Proud of her to have withstood his tongue-lashing. She’d been humble and caring.
He secured the wagon and horse and went inside. His parents sat at the kitchen table having corn and potato soup.
“I was away for longer than I’d intended. I’m sorry.”
“Where have you been?” His mamm got up, scooped soup into a bowl, poured him a glass of water, and then set both before him.
He sat on the hardwood chair and recounted what happened in town while he ate.
Daed sat upright. “Son, I’m relieved everyone came out of this all right.” He rested his elbows on the table and held his palms out. “What are the odds something so horrible would happen in Charm? Our little sleepy community. I’m glad this woman will be prevented from harming anyone else, but I feel sorry for her. She’s not well.”
Mamm swiveled her head to her husband. “The woman is a menace. She deserves punishment for her actions, mad or not. Taking a child and putting him in harm’s way. I have a hard time stirring up empathy for her.”
Joel was sure she would’ve said the opposite before Maryann’s leaving. She’d have empathy for most anyone. How could she change so much? He’d prayed to God and asked forgiveness for resenting Maryann and blaming her for Mamm’s drastic personality change. “I have some work to do outside. I’ll be in the barn.” He put his hand on the doorknob.
Daed rose. “I’ll go with you.”
They strolled together to the barn. Daed rubbed Joel’s back. “I’m proud of how you helped the Grabers, and I’m relieved you all survived unharmed. How about we grab our tools and hang the new shelves I made for the wall inside the barn?”
“Good idea.” Daed, for the umpteenth time, was there for him. He’d calmed his nerves and stayed next to him while they worked. Daed’s attempt to take Joel’s mind off his problems was thoughtful, but it wasn’t working. Ellie had a hold on his heart, and he had to talk to her about the importance of their future and not allowing anyone to stand in their way, and soon.
Chapter Ten
Ellie hugged Peter. “Are you sure you’re all right to go to school today? You can kumme with Liza and me to the bakery.”
“Nah. Daed said the sheriff will make sure the mean woman is in a special place where she can’t get out and take me again.” He grinned. “And this is Thursday, when we get two treats if we memorize a longer verse than usual. I memorized my Bible verse, so I’ll get a piece of candy from the teacher.”
Ellie smiled and tapped him on the top of the head. “What is it?”
Peter licked his lips and, feet apart, stood straight. “‘And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.’”
“Where’s it found?”
Peter gave her a curt nod. “Ephesians 4:32.”
“I’m impressed, little bruder. The verse isn’t an easy one to recite. Very good.” She rested her hand on his shoulder. “Do you forgive the woman who took you?”
He nodded. “I forgive her, but I don’t ever want to see her again. She’s scary, and she said really bad words.” He put fingers to his mouth.
“What did she say?” Ellie would rather explain to him what they meant instead of him bringing them up to his teacher or friends.
“Shut up.” His eyes widened and his shoulders raised.
Bad but could be worse. She didn’t need to explain what those words meant, and Peter understood by his big-eyed expression and hand over his open mouth they were wrong to say. “Jah. We shouldn’t use those words.”
He shook his head. “Nah. We’d be in big trouble if we said what she did.” He tilted his head. “I knew you’d kumme and get me.”
She loved her little bruder. They were blessed he’d kumme to live with them after his mamm passed. Mae must’ve suspected her illness was serious. Ellie was thankful the woman had written a letter asking them to take Peter should anything happen to her. She remembered the day the sheriff brought Peter and the letter he found the day Mae passed. She’d liked Mae, and she had formed a bond with Peter and his mamm when she watched Peter while Mae worked in town.
He’d been through so much, and he hadn’t allowed the grief over the passing of his mamm, daed, or schweschder to taint his desire to love, show compassion, and be kind to others. He loved life and trusted everyone until they gave him a reason not to. He had kumme through this most recent nightmare like a brave little soul.
She gazed in wonder at him. She’d learned much by his example. “You have a good heart, little bruder.” She kissed his temple and then glanced out the window. “You better go. You’ll be late. Daed’s getting in the wagon to take you to school.”
He hugged her, carr
ied his dinner bag, and skipped out the door.
Liza came out of the bedroom minutes later. “Has Peter left? I couldn’t find my list I’d written out before I went to bed last night. I found it on the floor under the nightstand. We had breakfast together, but I wanted to bid him farewell.”
“He did leave, but don’t worry, he’ll be fine.”
“Should we have kept him with us today to make sure he’s really all right after having such a frightful experience?”
“I asked him, and he was confident in his decision to go to school. Getting him back into his routine may be the best medicine. Peter’s tough. All his trauma has definitely made him stronger.”
“He bounces back from all the difficult situations he’s been through. He never ceases to surprise me.” She squeezed Ellie’s fingers. “You’ve been through your share of tragedy and hardships. The latest being your upset with Joel. Are you stronger because of it?” Liza tucked her list in the clean flour sack and hoisted it over her shoulder.
“I leaned on Mamm and Daed too much before she died. The good thing kumming from what I’ve been through is I’m stronger and better prepared to handle difficulties. I’m more mature, and I take time to consider the cost of my actions. I’ll make mistakes, and my stubbornness will still land me in trouble, but I’ll not stray from God or the Amish life.”
Liza chuckled and opened the door. “We’ll all disappoint and upset others at one time or another. I admire the woman you’ve become, Ellie. I’m blessed to call you dochder.”
“You provide a home full of love and warmth, Liza. Danki for taking care of us like you do.”
“I have everything I’d ever need or want with my family. I pray you have the same someday with your husband and kinner.” She motioned for Ellie to follow her to the wagon. “Let’s go visit Mrs. Wenger after work. We need to do all we can to show her she’s wrong about you.”
Ellie climbed in the wagon and slid onto the bench next to Liza. “Should I tell Joel?”
“Nah. Let’s surprise her and Joel.”
They picked up Hannah at her haus. “Liza and I are going to visit Mrs. Wenger after work. I’m hoping she’ll wilkom us and we can have a pleasant conversation without her animosity kumming through.”
Grimacing, Hannah held the rail as the wheel hit a bump in the road and jostled the three of them on the bench. “She might, but her nasty looks at you after church and badgering you when you went to dinner with them upsets me. I don’t like you being disrespected over and over again by this woman.”
Ellie raised her hands and lifted her shoulders. “I have to make an effort to change her mind about me. Otherwise, Joel and I may as well sever ties. God isn’t going to bless our union one day if Mrs. Wenger is so against us being together. The ongoing turmoil for years to kumme for Joel and his parents, over me, would fill me with a mountain of guilt.”
“First, let’s go to her haus and have a friendly visit.” Liza folded her hands in front of her. “If it goes well, then you’ll be encouraged. If not, you may need to alter your decision to pursue a future with Joel. I love your daed, and we have a good marriage, but our lives together are not without sacrifices, compromise, and hard work.”
Ellie kept her chin to her chest and looked at Liza. “You wouldn’t marry Daed until I approved. Mrs. Wenger’s objection to me is similar. I better understand the helplessness you must’ve experienced when you reached out to me and I rejected you.”
“God intervened and blessed us more than we could’ve imagined. He may do the same for you or introduce you to another man later. Read the scriptures and pray. Seek God’s will and be open to it. He doesn’t promise life will be easy. He does promise to always be with us and to not give us more than we can handle.”
Love had sprung joy in her heart the first time she’d realized Joel was the man for her. The sick ache she’d had each day he’d stayed away from her after she told him about her time in the world had been painful. Losing him for good would be agony. She’d imagined love as a happy and wonderful time when she’d get to experience it with someone. With Joel, she did enjoy the thrill of being in his presence, his woodsy scent, and the brush of his lips on hers when he kissed her. She wanted a lifetime with him. She pulled into the livery and walked to the bakery with Liza and Hannah.
Hannah walked in the middle of them on the boardwalk, halted on the side of the road, and pulled Liza and Ellie back. “Watch out!”
A motorcar came around the corner and the thick-mustached owner shook his fist. “Get out of the way, you simpletons!”
Her hand fisted, Ellie raised her arm halfway, then dropped it to her side. Liza and Hannah would never make such a gesture at the Englischer. A bit of rebellion reared its ugly head at times, and she struggled to control the urge to lash out. Being around Liza and Hannah and living the Amish life had helped. Her fear was speaking before thinking if Mrs. Wenger proceeded in centering on her faults. Not something she could afford to let happen if she wanted to accomplish her goal in winning the woman over. Having Liza with her to go to Mrs. Wenger’s was a very good idea.
* * *
Ellie sold the last rhubarb and cherry tart. “We sold everything off the shelves today.”
“The Englischers are having a social gathering at the inn this evening, with dancing and music. I overheard two ladies saying the event had been advertised and a lot of visitors came to attend.”
Ellie lifted a clean cloth from the shelf behind the counter. The piano music had mesmerized her at the dance hall she and Jane had gone to. The piano player’s fingers had glided across the white and black keys, creating a rhythm and sound that made her want to tap her foot, clap her hands, and sway to the music. She’d loved being a part of those happy times. The Amish would be appalled she’d learned steps from Jane and participated in such a gathering. Her cheeks warmed. Joel would be even more disgusted than he had before knowing those details. Nothing she could do about her prior poor decisions.
She’d moved on, and she’d not dwell on them. “I like having a steady stream of customers. The day goes by fast.”
“Hannah and I have the kitchen in order for tomorrow. The front is clean enough. We’ll drop Hannah off and head to Mrs. Wenger’s.” She held up a plate. “I’ve got her molasses cookies.”
“Your cookies would make anyone smile. Hand her one off the plate first. It’s sure to put her in a good mood.” Hannah stuffed her dirty apron in a clean flour sack.
Ellie chuckled and followed Liza and Hannah out the door, locking it behind them. “Let’s go!” Ellie hurried with them to the livery. She drove Hannah home, and she and Liza went to visit Mrs. Wenger. Her hands shook as they walked to the front door and rapped on it.
Mrs. Wenger cracked open the door. “Ellie, Liza, what do you want?”
“We’ve kumme to chat with you, if you don’t mind.” Liza offered her the plate. “I hope you like molasses cookies.”
“Oh . . . well . . . kumme in. Danki.” Mrs. Wenger accepted the cookies. “Have a seat.”
Ellie scanned the room. She assumed things might not be as neat and clean in the home, since they’d caught Joel’s mamm off guard. She’d been wrong. The woman had her patchwork quilts folded over hardwood quilt racks in two corners. The maple furniture had stuffed dark blue cushions without one piece of lint on them, and her floors were minus a speck of dust. There wasn’t a broom or dusting cloth in sight.
Ellie scanned the haus. The open entryway to the kitchen gave her a full view of the empty counter and organized pots and pans hanging on wall hooks. Their haus always had a pan or two on the stove or Peter’s toys or a pair of socks lying somewhere. An empty coffee cup or spoon ready to wash. The cushions or quilts were never as straight as Mrs. Wenger’s. The home lacked warmth and coziness. She wondered if Joel had to have everything as tidy and clean as his mamm. She wasn’t one to make a big mess, but leaving a cup in the sink or a blanket bunched on her bed, or knitting left out of the bag happened often. “How has y
our day been, Mrs. Wenger?”
The woman scowled at her. “Very busy. I’m not accustomed to uninvited guests.”
“Forgive us for dropping in on you. I’m used to my friends stopping by without notice, and I assumed you wouldn’t mind.” Liza smiled. “You and I haven’t had a conversation yet, and I wanted to get to know you better.” She motioned to the patchwork quilt. “This is lovely.”
Mrs. Wenger rose and lifted the coverlet. “This belonged to my grossmudder. I didn’t repair the tattered pieces of material in the middle. I didn’t want to add more handiwork to hers. I find the frayed edges of the material endearing and showing its years of use. We were close, and she taught me to stitch clothes and quilts much better than Mamm.” Mrs. Wenger folded the quilt and returned it centered on the rack. “Would you like some hot tea? I made some earlier. I’m sure it’s still warm.”
“I’d love some. May I help you?” Ellie stood.
“Nah. Please sit. I’ll be right back.” Mrs. Wenger padded to the kitchen.
Liza and Ellie sat silent.
Ellie tapped her foot on the floor and fidgeted her hands.
Liza covered her knee. “Relax. Everything will be fine.”
Mrs. Wenger returned from the kitchen. “Your molasses cookies are delicious, Liza. I’ve had them at the social. They’re quite a favorite among the women.” She set the tray with cookies, plates, napkins, and cups of tea on the long, plain oak table in front of them. “Help yourselves.” She took a cookie.
“Since Ellie and Joel have formed a friendship which has blossomed into them considering a future together, I thought we should meet and tell you they have Jacob’s and my full support. We couldn’t ask for a better suitor for Ellie.”
Mrs. Wenger held her cup and threw her shoulders back. “Mrs. Graber . . . uh. . . .”
Palm up, Liza smiled. “Call me Liza.”
Blushing, Mrs. Wenger licked her lips. “And call me Naomi.”
