Maybe,” Beulah said. She studied Amy’s face. “And Andrew?”
“What about him?”
“Will it be harder on him, too, if you stay?”
Amy sighed. “It doesn’t matter one way or the other to Andrew. As long as he has someone to care for Susie, he’ll be fine.”
Beulah made a face and snorted. “I imagine, he’d much prefer you looking after Susie than Mavis.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s true. That Mavis… No wonder Mamm never liked her.”
Amy squirmed into a sitting position. “That’s not fair. Mavis has lost a lot recently.”
“She was mean to you, Amy. You know she was.”
Amy didn’t respond.
“Anyway, I’m sure you’re glad to be home so Peter can continue courting you more easily.”
Amy glanced at her open door. “Shh. Someone might hear you.”
“Someone might,” she said. “Would that be so bad?”
“I don’t want anyone to know yet.”
Beulah made a face. “You’re being difficult, Amy. You do know that, don’t you?”
“Nee, I’m not.”
Beulah stood. “Whatever you say.”
“How’s Uriah?” Amy asked, abruptly changing the subject.
Beulah grinned and sat back down. “Wonderful gut, as usual.”
“I forgot to tell you that I saw him the other day. Well, quite a while ago, now. He was in an Englischer’s car.”
“And I s’pose you’re telling me so I’ll know once again how horrid Uriah is.”
Amy bit her lip. Was that true? Was that why she was telling her?
“Well, don’t bother.” Beulah stood again. “I know exactly who Uriah is.” She raised her chin a fraction of an inch. “And he’s an amazing person, Amy. Just because he doesn’t always conform to every tiny little rule we have, doesn’t mean he’s horrid. It means he has a brain, and sometimes, he thinks for himself.”
“We think for ourselves, Beulah,” Amy answered, wondering why she was getting so upset with Beulah.
“Right. As long as the bishop and the deacons approve.” Beulah shook her head. “We’re not encouraged to question anything, doubt anything, think about anything.”
“That’s not true!” Amy cried. “We’re not robots.”
Beulah shrugged. “I s’pose not.” She walked to the door. “I am glad you’re back,” she said. “But I’m not sure if it’s the best thing or not. I’ll reserve judgement on that.”
She turned and left the room. Amy stared after her, breathing fast. Beulah always did know what to say to irritate her. She sighed. Maybe that was a good thing, because for a few moments there, she hadn’t thought about Susie or Andrew once.
But now they were back. She grabbed her bag from the floor and began unpacking. It didn’t take long. Now she should go downstairs and help her mother. That was what Fiona expected. She started for the door and stopped. Was Susie awake now? Was Mavis rocking her? Did Mavis remember how Susie liked to be held—tipped just so, with her arm down? What was Andrew doing? He was likely back home by now.
Oh, what difference did it make anyway? She gave a moan and shoved her suitcase under the bed. She was reaching for the doorknob when Beulah stuck her head back in.
“I forgot to give this to you…” She held out an envelope. “Peter must have assumed you’d come back with me the other day. Or he assumed you were home by now. Whatever the case, this came.”
Amy took the envelope.
“You going to tell him?” Beulah asked.
“Tell him what?”
“That you’re smitten with Andrew?”
Amy’s mouth dropped open. “Beulah! Will you stop going on and on about it? Truly. I mean it. I’m engaged.” She dropped her voice. “I’m marrying Peter. There is nothing going on between Andrew and me. He just lost his wife. He has no interest in anyone right now. Just stop.”
Beulah didn’t move. She just looked at Amy. “You finished?”
Amy took a deep breath. “Jah.”
“Okay, then. Whatever you say, Amy. But believe it or not—and I’m sure you don’t believe it—I care about you. I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” Amy insisted, her breath coming fast. “Why do you insist on making problems where there aren’t any?”
“Am I, Amy? Am I making problems? If what I’m saying is nonsense, then why do you get so upset about it? If I’m completely off base, then why do you even care? Why not just shrug and laugh and tell me I’m nuts?” She gave Amy a compassionate look. “But, nee. You get upset. You defend yourself. You care, Amy. Whether you want to admit it or not.”
Amy began to tremble. She swallowed hard and couldn’t think of one thing to say back.
“I’ll leave you to your letter,” Beulah said, waltzing off as if they’d only been discussing the upcoming quilting frolic.
Amy’s hand shook as she stared at her letter. Peter. She needed to see him so badly. He’d put things right. Just being with him would put things normal again. Amy went back to her bed and sank down on the quilt. She fumbled a bit with the envelope before she got it open. Then she unfolded the letter inside.
Dear Amy,
I’m assuming you’re back home now. I heard that Mavis and Bart came back. Mavis is likely taking over Susie’s care now. I’m sure you’re relieved to be back home with your family.
What? Didn’t he realize how much Susie meant to her?
I’ve missed you so much lately. Now that you’re home, we should be able to see each other more frequently. I know you wanted to keep our engagement secret, but I’m eager to spread the news. And now that we’ve talked about where we’re going to live once we’re married, I see no issue in at least letting our families know.
What do you think?
Amy’s brow scrunched into a frown. She wasn’t ready for that yet. Not yet.
I can’t thank you enough for your sweet attitude about living here with my folks. You’ve taken such a burden off me. I was worried, Amy. But now, I can just go about my chores without fretting. I think I’ve already told you that the crop looks good this year. For all of us in the district, I think.
Ach, but I’m going on and on. I meant this to be just a short letter asking you to meet me at the end of your drive. I’m counting on this letter reaching you in time. I’ll be there Thursday evening. If you don’t show up, I’ll know you didn’t get this letter. And I’ll come back on Friday.
Either way, we’ll get to be together soon.
All my love,
Peter
It was Thursday. She would see him that night. She let out her breath with relief. She would see Peter tonight and feel much better. And the next time Beulah harassed her about Andrew, she would shrug and laugh—just like Beulah said she should.
Yes. And then Beulah would realize once and for all that she was wrong with her suppositions and innuendos. Amy laughed. Innuendos? No. Beulah never gave those—she just came right out and declared what she thought was true.
Sometimes, despite herself, Amy admired that in her sister. She herself didn’t have the nerve to be so upfront about things. But next time, she would be. She’d show Beulah once and for all that Andrew was merely her best friend’s husband. Nothing more.
Chapter Fifteen
Bart left for home that morning. Mavis stayed back with Susie. Andrew was glad to get out to the fields to work. The entire atmosphere of his house had changed. Again. Before going out to work, he’d found Mavis and Susie in the front room. Susie was asleep on Mavis’s shoulder. When he first walked in the room, Mavis was silently weeping. He’d tried to back out without her seeing him, but it was too late.
“Sorry,” he said, embarrassed to have walked in on her crying.
She sniffed and wiped her tears, her expression immediately stiffening. “What for?”
“Uh… I just wanted to let you know that I’m back. I saw Bart out front. He took the cart home. I k
now he’s eager to check on his fields. I’m right glad you got the Troyers to look after them while you were gone.”
She nodded.
“Anyway, if you don’t need anything, I’ll be heading back outside.”
“If I need something, I’ll get it myself,” she said tersely.
Andrew inwardly groaned. Mavis had never been an easy person, but she seemed to be getting worse by the hour.
“Is Amy gone?”
“I took her home.”
Mavis pressed her lips together and nodded. For some reason, he thought she was going to comment further, but she didn’t.
“All right, then,” he muttered and left the room. Once outside, he breathed deeply of the late summer air. It sank deeply into his lungs and for a brief second, he closed his eyes. He always felt better when he was outside. Always. He glanced at the garden, noting that the beans looked ready to be picked again. Amy would—
He stopped himself. Amy wouldn’t be doing anything around there anymore. She wouldn’t be picking the beans. She wouldn’t be making the meals. She wouldn’t be caring for his daughter.
She wouldn’t be doing anything for him anymore.
Someday, she would be doing all those things for Peter Raber. The man was clearly courting her. Well, good. Peter was a nice fellow, a good man. Amy deserved to be happy, to have her own family.
Then why did he feel such a sense of loss just thinking about it? He blew out his breath. Get ahold of yourself, he thought. Amy is wonderful, but she’s gone. The only reason she was there in the first place was because of Grace.
Grace. How he missed his wife. Somehow, with Amy’s leaving, he’d lost another part of her. It didn’t feel good. In truth, his stomach was upset. It hurt, twisting around inside of him. He shook his head. He had to get it together. He was going to need all his strength and presence of mind to deal with Mavis.
Things were easier when it was just Amy and Beulah.
* * *
Under the stand of maple trees, Amy shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Peter should be coming any minute, and she could hardly wait. The afternoon had dragged by, even though she was busy every minute helping her mother. All she could think about was Peter and when he was going to get there and seeing him again.
She craned her neck down the road, looking for his buggy. Nothing yet. She forced her thoughts away from Susie. It would do her no good to keep thinking about the little girl. Mavis was no doubt doing a fine job caring for her. Amy winced. Stop it, she thought. Stop thinking about her.
From the distance, she heard the clip clop of a horse. She leaned toward the road again, sighing with relief. He was coming. By the time his buggy pulled to a stop, she was already running to the passenger door.
“Amy!” Peter cried with pleasure. “It’s right gut to see you.”
He opened the door from the inside, and she climbed in. “Hello, Peter.”
“So I was right, and you are home.”
“Jah. I only got back today.”
“Oh? I thought that Mavis and Bart arrived yesterday.”
“They did.” Amy situated herself in the buggy. She looked at Peter and smiled. It was good to see him. Very good.
“But you stayed an extra night?”
“Susie seemed upset. Andrew thought it best.”
Peter’s brow crinkled at the mention of Andrew’s name. “I see.”
But Amy didn’t want to talk about it, so she smiled even more brightly. “I was right glad to get your letter today.”
His expression relaxed. “Were you?”
“It was a gut homecoming gift.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “A gift, huh?”
“Jah,” she said, nodding. “How have things been going for you.”
“Fine. Normal.” His eyes danced. “Shall we tell our folks, Amy? I know we haven’t been published yet, but I think it’s time. My mamm will be so excited. I hope your folks will be, too.”
“They will be. They’ll be glad that I’m engaged to such a fine man.” Amy was feeling better now. The more she talked to Peter, the calmer she felt. She almost wept with relief. Lately, thoughts and images of Andrew and Susie had crowded out everything in her mind. But right then, she was content and well-pleased to be speaking about her engagement.
“So? What do you think?”
“How were you thinking to do it? You tell your folks, and I tell mine?”
“If you consider that best…”
She bit the corner of her lip. She’d been dead set against telling them even a minute sooner than necessary, but why not? Right then, she couldn’t think of one good reason. Telling them would mean she could freely talk about Peter at home. So could her parents and siblings. It would mean she could get excited about their plans, their future, and not try to hide it anymore. She drew in a breath. She wondered what her parents would think about her and Peter living with his parents indefinitely.
And how did she think about it, now that she’d had some time to digest the news?
Truth was, she’d kind of gotten used to having her own kitchen to fuss about in at Andrew’s. She quite liked it. But at Peter’s house, she’d have to give deference to Peter’s mother.
But she could be with Peter. She’d be married. She smiled at the notion. And God willing, she’d be with child right quick. That way, she wouldn’t have to yearn for Susie. She’d have her own baby to love and care for. And her own husband. She wouldn’t be cooking for someone else’s man.
“I do think it best,” she said, grinning now. “You can tell your folks, and I’ll tell mine.”
“Today then?” he asked, his tone hopeful.
“Today.”
He steered the buggy into a wide spot at the side of the road and pulled up on the reins. He turned to her and clasped her hands in his. “Amy, I’m so glad. Thank you.”
He was so excited that it was easy to get swept up in his emotion. “You’re welcome,” she said and laughed.
He leaned toward her then and brushed his lips softly across hers. He drew back and gazed into her eyes. “I love you, Amy.”
She pulled one of her hands loose and touched his cheek. “I love you, too, Peter.”
And she did. Of course, she did. They had been courting for a long, long time. She cared deeply about him and wanted him to be happy and to have a good life. He would make a fine husband, and she prayed she’d make a fine wife.
He picked up the reins again, and they continued down the road. Amy hardly even noticed which way they were going. All that mattered was that everything was all right again. She was back home where she belonged. She was riding out with Peter, her fiancé. She was happy and at peace.
Peter loved her, and she loved him.
And her grief was slowly lessening. She had thought it would mostly be gone by now, but it wasn’t. And that was all right, too. She liked thinking of Grace—liked imaging what Grace would say about things. And Grace would be happy for her right then. She had eagerly awaited the day when Amy would be engaged to Peter.
And today, Amy would tell her parents about it. They’d be thrilled. She knew they would.
“I think I want to go home,” Amy said.
Peter gave her a questioning look. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“I want to tell my parents.” Why it suddenly became a burning need, she didn’t know. But she was ready. She was more than ready.
Peter laughed. “Do you? Ach, Amy, I was worried.”
“What do you mean?”
“When you didn’t want anyone to know, I was worried. I thought maybe you regretted your answer. Regretted your decision.”
“Nee. I’m sorry you were worried.”
“I thought, well, I thought…” He looked at her, and she saw the worry again in his eyes. “I thought that maybe Andrew…” His voice faded, and he didn’t finish.
Thanks to Beulah, Amy thought. Beulah and her wild accusations.
“Never mind,” Peter continued, laughing again. “Just m
y imagination. How about we drive a little further before I take you home? I hate to cut our evening short.”
“All right,” Amy agreed. “Let’s drive a little further.”
The conversation switched to old funny memories they both had of growing up. Amy hadn’t laughed that much in weeks. It felt wonderful. More than once, she wiped tears of mirth from her eyes. They ended up spending another hour driving around.
“I s’pose I should get you back, or your folks will have turned in, and you won’t be able to tell them.”
“It’s been fun tonight. Thank you, Peter.”
He smiled at her tenderly. “You’re welcome, Amy. I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Me, too,” she said and was happy to realize that she meant it.
In a few minutes, Peter pulled the buggy to a stop at the end of her drive. “Considering what you’re about to tell your folks, I could probably drive right up to the porch.”
She laughed. “Don’t bother. I’ll get out here like always.”
He leaned over to kiss her cheek. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow evening, too, all right? We can share how the news telling went.”
She nodded. “I’ll be here.”
“Gut night, Amy.” His voice was a whisper.
“Gut night, Peter,” she replied.
She turned and ran toward the house, glad to see that the lanterns were still lit in the front room. The yellow light fell through the window, stretching shadows across the porch. She ran inside and saw her parents sitting side-by-side in the front room, reading.
“Ach, Amy, why are you in such a rush?” Fiona asked.
Amy slowed down and stood in front of them. She took a deep breath. “I have something to tell you,” she said.
“Goodness, please let it be gut news, child.” Fiona put her book down and folded her hands on top of it.
“Jah. It’s gut news.” Amy sensed someone behind her and turned to see Beulah standing in the doorway. Amy quickly turned back to her parents.
“Peter Raber and I are engaged.” Amy raised her chin slightly.
Susie's Mammi (Amy's Story Book 2) Page 7
