Love at Pebble Creek

by Lisa Jones Baker

  She didn’t respond. Because she wasn’t exactly sure what point he was trying to make.

  “Being open-minded means that you can stay here or you can come home after you leave. That is, if you do. And Anna . . .”

  He looked away a moment, but when he focused his attention back on her, the combination of seriousness and need in his eyes nearly took her breath away. “If you stay here . . .”

  She swallowed with emotion while he paused. And when he finally continued, he lowered the pitch of his voice to a tone that was so soft, so serious, it was barely audible.

  “Or if you go away and come back, I’ll be here. As a friend. And more.”

  Anna’s heart pumped as it had when she’d run to the Conrads’ pond to rescue the boys. As his words sunk in, her jaw dropped. Finally, when she got what he was trying to say, she offered a slow nod of understanding.

  “Jesse, I don’t want to disappoint you. I don’t want to disappoint myself.” A breath escaped her throat while she tried to find the right words. Finally, she lowered her voice so that it was barely audible. “You see, I feel the same way about you.”

  To her astonishment, he gave a nod. “I thought so.” After a short hesitation, he added, “And I’m glad.”

  “We like each other and want to be together. Oh, why is this so complicated?”

  His voice was firm yet filled with understanding. “It isn’t really, Anna.”

  “Please pray strong prayers for God to guide me in the right direction.”

  He offered a nod. But a few moments later, he moved closer to her and took her arms. And he told her about the Norris farm.

  Excitement filled her until she wanted to burst with joy. Because Jesse was about to have his dream come true.

  Then he took her hands in his. “Anna, I need strong prayers from you, too.”

  “Because you want the Norris farm?”

  “Jah. It’s up for sale as of today, and Daed and I are going to make an offer. This morning, in a couple of hours.”

  “That’s wonderful!”

  He nodded. “But mostly because I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And if you move away, I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”

  His admission took her breath away.

  He released a sigh. “There’s something else I want, but I’m restricted from doing it.”

  As she looked at him to go on, the expression in his eyes captured her until she didn’t know what to say. She was mesmerized. And her chest was pumping way too fast.

  “Anna, can I kiss you?”

  * * *

  Later that morning, Jesse and his father sat opposite Sandy, the real estate agent who’d listed the Norris farm. He couldn’t help reflecting on Anna, his deep feelings for her, what she’d learned about her birth mother, and that she’d denied him the kiss he’d so badly wanted. He felt a bit guilty now for asking but reasoned that this was the girl he wanted to marry.

  Inside the old two-story structure that had been built nearly eighty years before, the agent dug into her brown-leather satchel and pulled out paperwork.

  She looked up and smiled. “I’ve let the couple know that a cash offer’s coming.”

  As she got out a pen and looked over the typed pages, Jesse took in the dining room from where he sat at the large cherrywood table. The walls definitely could use a fresh coat of paint. The house had electricity, which the Ordnung didn’t allow, but there was an easy solution for that.

  The home was close enough to town that he’d be able to tap into natural gas, which was permitted. Of course, the change would cost money. But according to the church members his daed had talked to, it wasn’t complicated. He imagined a gas line that ran across the ceiling and reading his farm magazines in front of the fire in an oversize recliner.

  The air-conditioning made a loud sound as it shut off. He enjoyed the cool air on his arms, though he knew he could live without it. But today, he certainly enjoyed it. However, to Jesse, nothing could compare to the outdoors. Fresh air on his skin. The climate God had created.

  From the corner of his eye, the open door allowed him a glimpse of a brick fireplace in the living room. An oak mantel loomed above it. The simplicity of it reminded him of the mantel in his own home.

  His daed offered him an affectionate tap on the shoulder. The real estate agent’s voice broke the silence. “Everything’s in order here. All I need is your signature, Jesse. And your father’s, because he’s cosigning.”

  The enormity of what was happening hit Jesse with such a strong ferocity, he had to catch his breath. Soon the farm would belong to him. Hopefully, anyway. More importantly, the hundred and some acres would be his means of earning a modest living. For the rest of his life, he would put food on his table and feed his wife and family by farming the land. He’d prayed for this for years; even so, it was hard to believe that God was already answering his prayer. Thank you, God.

  “Okay. The first paragraph just states your current address.” She leaned forward and pointed to the following numbers. “Here’s the amount of your offering.” She moved her finger to another line that was highlighted in yellow. “This shows that it’s a cash offer.” She smiled appreciatively. “Whether it’s cash or loan, the money’s the same.” She paused while she lifted a thoughtful brow. “However, cash makes things easier because there isn’t that extra step of working with a financial institution.”

  She slid the paper to Jesse’s daed first. “I’ll need both of your signatures here and here.” She moved her hand and pointed with long, polished nails.

  Jesse’s pulse jumped with excitement and a bit of uneasiness while he watched his father examine the fine print. Excitement because this was his dream coming true. Uneasiness because with his name on these pages came a huge financial responsibility. It was common for Amish families within his particular community to help their own by pooling money together. Still, the blessing his parents and aunts and uncles were offering him was so large, Jesse wasn’t sure it was possible to thank them enough. Family’s everything. And someday, I’ll have my own. We’ll raise them to be God-fearing and family-centered. A wife and children will complete my dream.

  He returned to reality as his daed dragged his hand over his face and chin before sliding the paperwork to him with one hand. Jesse had never signed anything so important. He carefully read the typed print, signed, and leaned forward to slide the paper to Sandy, who turned that page facedown and to her right.

  She continued to explain what lines needed signatures, and Jesse and his daed continued to read carefully and sign to the very last page.

  “When will we know?” Jesse’s voice shook with excitement.

  Sandy narrowed her brows as she skimmed each signed page, one by one, and straightened them before putting a binder clip at the top. “I don’t see any problem. As soon as I have the owners’ signatures, the property will be yours. Congratulations!”

  She stood, and Jesse and his daed followed suit. A phone ringing interrupted their conversation. Sandy glanced at Jesse and the bishop and held up her hand. “Just a moment. Let me take this.”

  While she talked, Jesse watched the corners of her lips slip a notch. The pitch of her voice changed from enthusiasm to concern. And her dismayed expression nearly stopped his heart. Her tone became less confident than it was just moments ago.

  “There are other offers coming in? But I’ve already spoken with the owners. And there . . .”

  Jesse’s heart rose and fell much too quickly. And the expression on his father’s face was that of great concern. As Sandy clicked Off on her cell phone, she breathed in and looked down before finally lifting her chin and expelling a discouraged sigh.

  “Of course, we shouldn’t be surprised that there are other offers. But one’s coming in that’s for more money than the owners have asked.”

  Jesse’s daed spoke in a low tone. His words came out with confidence, but Jesse was quick to note that his fingers hooked over his trouser pock
et shook.

  “I thought we were the first. And we offered full asking price.”

  “That’s true . . . but here’s what’s going on. Another farmer from out of town really wants the parcel. He’s aware of your offer and is topping it.”

  Jesse and his daed looked at Sandy in silence, waiting for her to continue. “In other words, he’s upping the ante.”

  Jesse let out a low whistle while his daed shook his head in dismay. “Can he do that?”

  Sandy nodded. “I’m afraid so. In my twenty years as an agent, I’ve had this happen only twice. But I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise because farms in this area come up on the market so seldom.”

  She reclaimed her seat and strummed her fingers against the table, pressing her lips together thoughtfully. “We’ve still got a shot. That is, if you’re able to come up with a higher offer. And if you can, we’d better act now. There’s not much time.”

  Jesse’s heart sank. Everything was happening so quickly. In his mind, he’d already become the owner of the farm. But reality had quickly snatched that from him.

  His father turned to him and laid an affectionate hand on his shoulder. “Sohn, never forget that God has the final decision on who gets the hundred-some acres. Let’s pray.”

  While Jesse squeezed his eyes closed, he listened to the heartfelt words. And he felt renewed. That someone else might get the land slipped from his worries. And he directed his attention to Sandy.

  She pressed her lips together thoughtfully. When she finally spoke, concern edged her voice. “There’s something we can try. But it’s up to you and your family.” After tapping the toe of her shoe against the hardwood floor, she lifted a skeptical brow. She motioned to the table, where the three reclaimed their chairs.

  “We’ve got to act quickly. Because Mr. and Mrs. Norris will soon have the other offer. Before they sign.”

  * * *

  That same morning, Anna and her maemm pulled dry laundry from the clothesline in the side yard. The light, warm breeze moved the navy-blue dresses and broadfall pants up and down in an uneven motion. Jesse and his daed were making an offer on the land.

  Still, he was on Anna’s mind. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way his voice had cracked with emotion when he’d asked to kiss her. She didn’t regret her decision not to let him.

  Even though she’d wanted very much to feel his lips on hers, she knew she wanted to save that special first kiss for the man she married. And right now, even though she loved Jesse, she couldn’t spend the rest of her life with an Amish man if she left the community.

  Anna focused on this special time with Maemm. Because, since the remodel of the bakery, she’d pretty much adjusted to life without her eltern. However, since Maemm had told Anna that she loved her, Anna had felt a strong connection to her.

  She broached the subject. “I’m so glad the remodel at the bakery is almost done.” In a shy voice, Anna added, “I’ve missed you and Daed.”

  Her role model eyed her with regret. “And I’ve missed you, too.”

  “But . . .” Anna cleared her throat and lowered her voice to a more serious tone. At the same time, excitement laced her words. “I feel like a whole new person now.”

  Wearing a smile, Maemm turned to Anna. “Ich bin froh.” After a slight hesitation, her mother lowered the pitch of her voice. “I’ve been wondering, Anna, what did your birth mother say in her letter?”

  Anna told her.

  When silence followed the explanation, Anna stopped to regard her maemm with curiosity. “You knew, didn’t you?” Before allowing her mother a chance to respond, Anna went on. “That my mom died in childbirth.”

  Her maemm offered a regretful nod of her head.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  As a trail of white lined the sky behind an airplane, her maemm’s eyes sparkled with moisture. “We didn’t know if we should or shouldn’t, Anna. You know . . .” She continued plucking garments from the line as she spoke. “Being a parent, it’s sometimes hard to make the right decisions. And your daed and I . . . Telling you was something that weighed heavily on our minds, but we never did it. And I’m sorry. I can see now that we made a mistake.”

  “It’s okay. And I understand. About being a parent, that is.” Anna smiled a little. “I don’t think there’s a person in this world who makes one-hundred-percent perfect decisions.”

  A long silence ensued before Maemm changed the subject. Finally, she expelled a sigh and smiled a little. “It’s a good thing Jesse’s been around to keep you company.”

  Anna agreed with a nod. She had so much on her mind, the last thing she wanted to talk about was him. Especially because she feared giving away their love for each other. She’d best try to keep it to herself, especially with her future so uncertain.

  Because of that, she decided on a simple, honest reply. “He’s a hard worker.”

  Her mother turned to Anna and narrowed her brows. “I know that. Your daed and I . . . We can’t believe all he’s accomplished since he started here. But his most important accomplishment was getting you into the barn during that awful storm.” After a short hesitation, emotion edged her voice. “I would hate to think what could have happened to you out here on the farm all alone.”

  The memory of the time she and Jesse had spent together that day prompted the corners of Anna’s lips to lift into a wide grin. A laugh escaped her. She wasn’t sure why; there’d been nothing funny about the storm or her injury.

  Finally, she reasoned that the laugh was a result of the unexpected happiness she’d found in her daed’s farmhand. Finally, she glanced at her mother and realized that her role model was awaiting a response.

  “I’ll never forget that day. But there’s no need to worry about it now. God protected me.”

  “Jesse did, too,” Maemm chimed in. “The two of you . . . you both work hard, but I’m hoping you’ve been able to spend some time together?”

  As Anna unpinned a large black sock, she accidentally dropped it, and the moment it met the ground, a baby goat grabbed it and ran. In the distance, Anna watched another goat steal it. She and Maemm looked at each other and laughed.

  “They’re pests, jah?”

  Anna nodded agreement. But in her heart, she truly enjoyed the mischievous creatures, even though she couldn’t trust them.

  Continuing to fold and place the sun-dried garments into the green plastic laundry basket, Anna’s mother went on in a calm voice. “Your daed and I have really taken a liking to the Beiler boy. ’Course, we always knew he was from a good family. And he’s always been a hard worker. And polite. But now we realize . . .”

  She stopped. For a moment, Anna forgot about the apron between her hands and dropped in on the ground. With one quick motion, she bent to pick it up, brushed off a few pieces of grass, and slowly folded it while she considered where this conversation was headed before Maemm stopped in midsentence. She was thankful that the goats were already occupied.

  As she regarded her mother, she stopped and rested her palms on her hips. “What were you going to say?”

  Several moments later, her maemm offered a gentle lift of her shoulders and went on in a steady voice, as if she’d never intended not to finish her sentence. While Anna waited to hear the rest, the delicious-smelling aroma of homemade yeast rolls floated out of the kitchen screen and all the way to the clothesline. Anna breathed in the mouthwatering scent and realized that it was nearly lunchtime.

  “Oh, I’m sure it’s already crossed your mind.” Surely Maemm wasn’t playing matchmaker. Anna hoped not anyway. In a voice edged with skepticism, she narrowed her brows with curiosity.

  “What?”

  As if on cue, they stepped away from the empty line and began removing clothing from the second line, which was parallel to the first. “Jesse, well, he’s an eligible single man. Paul and I were talking about him the other day, and to our knowledge, he’s never courted anyone. And, for that matter, neither have you.” She lifted h
er shoulders in a nonchalant shrug. “And both of you are of marrying age.”

  While the gentle breeze caressed Anna’s face, she took in the significance of her mother’s words. She knew where this conversation was leading, yet she feigned ignorance. She wasn’t sure why. “What are you saying?”

  By now, the second line was empty with the exception of one single pin, which Anna quickly removed and added to her container. At the same time, she and Maemm each lifted a plastic laundry basket and began slowly stepping in the direction of the back porch. Anna stepped away for a moment to avoid a dip in the earth. When she returned to her mother’s side, the conversation picked up again.

  In a soft, thoughtful voice, Maemm continued, holding her basket in front of her. “Honey, you’re just shy of being twenty-one. Most girls your age are married, with children. Your daed and I have never pushed you to get married; we just figured it would happen naturally. But Jesse . . .” She hesitated before going on in a serious voice. “We think you’re well-matched.”

  When Anna stayed silent, her maemm added, taking a step back so she walked side by side with Anna, who slowed her pace as she acknowledged what her mother was trying to say.

  “Jesse’s the answer to all of our prayers. There’s no better family in our church than the Beilers. As you know, Jesse’s daed is the bishop, and his mother . . .” She let out a satisfied breath and lifted her chin with new confidence. “No one in our community does more for the needy; that’s for sure.”

  They neared the porch. Anna was still absorbing how very significant and unexpected this conversation was. Anna frowned at the thought of someone choosing her spouse for her. She appreciated that her parents were trying to help, but when it came to finding a husband, that was something Anna would do by herself.

  Without a doubt, her mother’s words about Jesse were true. He did come from good kin, but to Anna, having good kin played only a small role when choosing a life partner. Anna hadn’t given marriage much consideration, but what she did know was that when she decided to settle down, her partner would have to be supportive of her decisions and love her unconditionally.