Liza's Second Chance

by Molly Jebber

  Jacob grabbed the reins and tied them to the hitching post. He showed her a note. His heart raced. “I got home and found this. I’ll read it to you.” He couldn’t stop his hands from shaking as he stood next to Liza and held the paper out in front of them.

  “Daed, I’m going away with Bill Phillips. He told me you met him today. I didn’t want to face you. I knew it was wrong to meet him in town without your knowledge, even though we have not even held hands. He’s a friend, nothing more. I have met him in town a few times and even gone to his haus and met his mamm. He’s a gentleman and I can trust him. I knew you wouldn’t approve and I didn’t want to argue with you. I’d planned on leaving at some point, and now seemed like the best time.

  “I’m not going to tell you where we’re going, and I don’t want you to search for me. I must find out once and for all which path I will choose for my life. I won’t commit to when, but I will write you when I’ve made my decision. I must do this for me.

  “Please tell Mae and Peter I’m sorry. Bill had to get out of town in a hurry and I chose to go with him at the last minute. He picked me up at the end of our lane and we left. I didn’t want to take a horse you may need. I hope you can find it in your heart to understand. I love you, Daed. Please tell Peter I love him too. Ellie.”

  He pressed the note to his chest and let tears cloud his eyes.

  Liza opened her arms.

  He cocked his head in question. He didn’t want to show her disrespect if someone were to kumme down the lane and witness them in an embrace. Nothing would feel as good as being comforted by Liza, but not at her reputation’s expense.

  Liza fluttered her fingers to beckon him. “I don’t care if it’s proper or not.”

  He held her tight and wept, not caring about his vulnerable and distraught state. Moments later, he swiped tears with the heels of his hands from his eyes. “I’m a mess over this. What should I do?”

  “Mrs. Phillips told me Ellie had had dinner with her and Bill one day. I don’t know the exact date. Mrs. Phillips confirmed what Ellie has told you. She said Bill is smitten with Ellie, but she said Ellie thought of him as a friend.”

  “My worst fears have kumme true. She and Bill have been meeting behind my back and he has enticed her to discover all the world has to offer. Some of which could be dangerous. She’s too trusting of this young man. Putting her life in his hands. So much could go wrong. I’m sick with worry.” He darted his eyes to the barn. “I’m going to the Phillipses’ to ask if they have any idea where Ellie and Bill could be headed. Then I’ll stop by the sheriff’s office and ask him to keep an eye out. Hopefully, I’ll find out information from the Phillipses and I won’t need to alert the sheriff.”

  Liza wrung her hands. Fear clawed through her. “Please don’t go to Bill’s parents’ haus. Mr. Phillips scared me with his temper in the bakery the day you were there and he was too impatient to wait his turn. He may be angry his son left. You don’t know what he might do. I’m afraid he’ll turn his bad temper on you.” She put a hand on his shoulder. “Do you want me to tell Mae about Ellie not watching Peter?”

  “I don’t want to put you in a difficult position. I’ll speak with Mae.” Sliding his palms one over the other, he said, “I must go to the Phillipses’. I have to try to find Ellie.”

  “Please stop by my haus before you go home. I won’t rest until I know you’re all right.”

  He nodded and kissed her cheek. He untied her horse’s reins and waited until she’d left to ready his horse and buggy. Peter would be disappointed Ellie had run out on him. He gripped the reins tight. Ellie had certainly proved Liza’s concerns about Ellie being unreliable with Peter correct. It would be a wonder if Liza ever considered a future with him after Ellie’s abrupt departure.

  He pulled his wagon over to the side of the road and bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, speak to Ellie’s heart. Guide her back to You and bring her home to Charm and her Amish life. Wrap Your arms of protection around her. Give me patience, wisdom, and understanding. Give me the strength to endure the heartache while I go through this. Danki, Heavenly Father. I love You. Amen.”

  Jacob rolled his stiff shoulders and took a deep breath. He flicked the reins and went to Mae’s.

  Peter kicked his ball to the side and ran to him. “Jacob!”

  Mae set a pail of water next to the pump and approached him. “Jacob, Ellie left a while ago. She and Peter had a grand time today. He hasn’t quit telling me what a jolly time they had together. Is anything wrong? You appear distressed.”

  Worry mixed with frustration festered in him. How could Ellie be so thoughtless as to get this little boy’s hopes up and then let him down? Peter had opened up to her and his dochder hadn’t considered what this might do to his fragile mental state, still getting over his schweschder’s passing. “Peter, do you mind if I speak to your mamm a minute?”

  Peter shook his head. “I have to go to the outhaus. I’ll be right back.”

  Mae wiped her wet hands on her apron. “Would you like to sit on the porch?”

  He shook his head. “I won’t keep you. I’m sorry to have to tell you Ellie won’t be available to care for Peter.”

  Wide-eyed, she gasped. “Why not?”

  “She’s left town and I’m not sure how long she’ll be gone. I’m sorry she didn’t give you notice.”

  Peter came up behind him, his eyes wide with worry. “Where did she go?”

  His chest tightened. “I’m not sure, Peter. I’m praying she’ll be back soon.”

  “How do you know she won’t be back tomorrow?”

  “She left me a note saying it might be a while.”

  “Did she leave a note for me?”

  Jacob bent to meet his gaze. “She did say in the note to me to tell you she loves you and she’s sorry to leave you.”

  Tears pooled in Peter’s eyes.

  Jacob knelt and drew him in a hug. “I’m so sorry, little friend.”

  Peter wrapped his arms around Jacob’s neck. “Why would she leave me?”

  Jacob hurt and could understand the boy’s bewilderment. He didn’t have answers why Ellie did or didn’t do things. She puzzled him most of the time. He did understand she had put her desires before his or Peter’s, without thinking of the repercussions or caring enough about him or Peter. Hannah would be upset too.

  “She loves you. She said so in my note. She didn’t leave because of anything you did or said.”

  Mae took Peter’s hand. “Go inside and pick your toys off the floor in your room. You can have another candy cookie when you’re all done. I’ll be in soon.” She bowed her head and put a hand to her mouth as she coughed.

  Peter darted his eyes from her to Jacob. “I’m glad you came to see me, Jacob.” He hugged his legs, then dragged his feet to the front door.

  Mae crossed her arms and glared at him. “I shouldn’t have trusted her. She’s broken my little boy’s heart. Leah said Ellie was too interested in the world for her liking when she met her at Liza’s social a while back. I dismissed her remarks and gave Ellie a chance. Shame on me.”

  Jacob removed his hat and raked a hand through his hair. She had coughed each time he’d been around her. Was she all right? He didn’t want to ask and get too personal. He might offend her. Maybe he’d mention it to Liza. This woman wasn’t well on top of having to work and care for her child. He was frustrated his dochder was responsible for adding to Mae’s burden. “I apologize for my dochder’s actions. I don’t approve of her decision, but I’m praying she’ll realize the error of her ways and kumme back. Please include her in your prayers tonight.”

  Mae harrumphed and marched inside.

  He didn’t blame her. His news had left her with the task of finding someone to watch Peter while she went to work next week. Peter was so disappointed, and she’d have to console her son and hope he wouldn’t withdraw from her and everyone again. Ellie thought only of herself. Liza had a business to run and was content with her life. She might not
want to be associated with this quandary Ellie had created. Did she realize the effect of her actions? She’d left him to answer for her and he didn’t know what to tell people.

  He could handle the criticism and disgrace, but he couldn’t handle Ellie slipping out of his life, not being there when she married or had kinner. Just being a part of her life as her daed.

  He’d passed the Phillipses’ place several times, and now he drove to the front of the big red haus with white curtains fluttering in the open windows. The property stretched far and wide, with several corrals teeming with cattle and horses. Two freshly painted large barns on the right side not far apart from each other would hold many animals and whatever else the man wanted to store. A pond with geese in a straight line paddling their feet presented a pleasurable sight. Mr. Phillips must be doing quite well for himself. Good for him. Why was the man so unhappy? He guessed there could be any number of reasons. He hoped he’d find Mr. Phillips in a better mood than when they’d last encountered each other.

  Jacob secured his horse. He went to the door and knocked. A round and nervous-looking woman with silver hair opened the door halfway. “How may I help you?”

  “I’m Jacob Graber. Ellie’s daed.”

  She held up her palm to interrupt him. “I suspect you’re here because of Ellie and Bill taking off. My husband is furious about it. Bill left us a note. I’m so sorry. We don’t know anything, and I’m afraid my husband will take his anger out on you. I suggest you leave.”

  Jacob rose his brows in alarm. “Should I worry about you?”

  “No. He yells and screams, but he would never lay a hand on me, though he doesn’t hesitate to take his frustration out on my son or other men. Please leave. I don’t want him to unleash his temper on you.”

  “You have no idea where they went?”

  “No. I wish I did. My son is a good boy. He would never take advantage of Ellie, and he’ll do his best to protect her. He has had enough of his father’s outbursts, and he said in his note Ellie wanted to leave and have Bill show her more of what the outside world had to offer before she settled on what to do with her life. Bill said he loved me and he’d write when Ellie was comfortable with him telling me where they were. She probably knew you’d come here asking if I had information on their location.”

  “If you hear anything, please let me know. I live at Ten South Road.”

  “I will. Now please go. I’m afraid for your safety. My husband is a hot-tempered man.” She shut the door.

  Jacob stepped off the porch and froze.

  Mr. Phillips was pointing a rifle at him. “What are you doing here talking to my wife?”

  Holding his arms up in self-defense, Jacob took a step back. “Your son and my dochder, Ellie, are friends. I came to find out if you have any idea where they went. She wouldn’t say in the note she wrote to me.”

  The menacing man squinted. “You were in town with Ezra one day, and at the bakery when I was with my boy, Bill. What’s your name?”

  “Jacob Graber.”

  “You’re Mr. Do-gooder. Men like you make me sick. Always wanting to do the right thing.” He sneered. “You Amish hide behind your Bible to avoid settling a dispute with your fists like a man.”

  Jacob glanced at the haus. Mrs. Phillips had shut the door. He was relieved she’d chosen to stay out of this. He didn’t want her in trouble with her husband because of his visit. “Mr. Phillips, I mean no trouble. I’m only here to ask for any information you may have to help me find my dochder. Do you know where Bill might have taken her?”

  He waved the rifle. “I don’t know and I don’t care. Bill has been a disappointment to me. Now he’s gone off with an Amish girl of all things. You must have a wild one on your hands. She ran off without a word to you. Didn’t think a respectable Amish girl would do such a thing. Now get off my property. The two lousy kids deserve what they get.”

  Jacob took a deep breath and left. No sense in trying to reason with this man. He’d have to pray Ellie would return to him. Frustration and worry swirled inside him. Why, why, why, couldn’t she be content with her life? Could he have done something more to steer her in the right direction? He drove through town on the way home and talked to the sheriff, giving him a description of Ellie and when he’d last seen her.

  He hadn’t wanted to involve the sheriff. The Amish didn’t like to ask for assistance outside their community, to involve Englischers. But the sheriff would know other lawmen, and he could ask them about Ellie. If she wore her Amish clothes, she’d stand out. He’d do anything to find her.

  Sheriff Williams wrote a note about Ellie and left it on his desk. “I’ll check with other sheriffs in surrounding communities and keep an eye out for her. It’s the best we can do.”

  “I appreciate it.” He tipped his hat and left. He drove outside of town, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ellie. Nothing. He drove to Liza’s with a heavy heart.

  She met him outside. “Did you learn anything from Mr. Phillips?”

  “You were right. His temper had the best of him and he doesn’t care about his son or Ellie leaving town. I talked to Mrs. Phillips. She said Bill didn’t say where they were going. She urged me to leave before her husband discovered I was on their porch. I didn’t leave in time and he pointed a rifle straight at me. He hurled insults and the visit wasn’t productive at all.”

  “Jacob, we’ll get through this together. I don’t have kinner, so I can only imagine how painful Ellie’s leaving is for you. I’m so sorry. Please don’t give up hope she’ll return.”

  “The last time she left me, I was alone in dealing with the constant fretting and loss of her from my life. At least this time I’ll have you to talk to. I’m so grateful for you, Liza.”

  Her beautiful, empathetic expression and hand on his arm calmed him.

  “I believe God will protect her and she’ll kumme home to you. She loves you. She returned before and she will again.”

  Ellie had turned her back on him and God as far as he was concerned. It seemed harsh, given the fact that he’d provided a good home for her and he’d raised her with love and understanding. “God gives us free will. Ellie has to want to turn to Him. I fear she may not. I don’t understand her decisions.”

  “I’ve gotten to know Ellie and I don’t believe she’ll stay away for long. If she does, I’ll be shocked.”

  He loved Liza so much. The short time they’d gotten acquainted didn’t matter to him. The kindness in her voice, the gentleness of her spirit, and the way she looked into his eyes, as if she could touch his soul, captivated him. Her wisdom and thoughtful ways continued to lift him up.

  She could’ve reiterated her reluctance for Ellie to care for Peter. Instead, she’d comforted him and placed more faith in Ellie than he did at the moment. Her words of encouragement and support were what he needed to calm the emotional fury in his bones. He’d trust God to give him the grace to accept whatever path Ellie chose. Not easy. As Ellie’s daed, he wished to protect her and force her to kumme home.

  Shaking his head, he pressed his tense arms to his sides. Where would he search? His dochder and Bill could have gotten a ride with someone or taken a train. They could be anywhere. He gazed into Liza’s eyes. “I can’t even think straight at this point. Danki for standing by me.”

  “No need to apologize. Kumme inside. There’s nothing you can do at present. Try to calm your nerves. Can I interest you in something to eat or drink?”

  Food didn’t sound good. Maybe something sweet. It was getting late. He should go home. But being alone would make things worse right now. He managed a half grin. “Pie would be a nice distraction.”

  “And here I thought my company would be a good enough distraction.” She gave him a shy smile and opened the door.

  Her attempt to flirt and lighten his mood brought a smile to his face. He couldn’t help himself. It was so out of character for her. Her guard down and her sweet grin on those petal-soft lips took his mind away from Ellie for a moment. “You are
always a wilkom distraction, Liza. And it goes without saying, my dear.” He gently touched her cheek.

  Asking Liza to make plans for the future, not knowing what Ellie would do or what he would be faced with if she did kumme back wouldn’t be the way to start a marriage with Liza. He doubted Liza would want to consider a future with him knowing Ellie kept his life in turmoil. Would he ever lay eyes on his dochder again? The unknown answer stabbed him in the heart.

  Chapter Six

  On Monday morning, Liza covered nuts with a clean cheesecloth and crushed them with a rolling pin. She peeked out the window at the newsboy, whose orange-red hair was hard to miss.

  “Read all about it! President William Howard Taft, born in 1857, talks about growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio!”

  She raised her brows. Interesting. The president was from Ohio. She enjoyed tidbits of information about the presidents and world events, even though the Amish were not to concentrate on such things. Dr. Harrison and Sheriff Williams’s discussions about politics and the latest inventions mentioned in their newspapers kept her somewhat informed. The owner of the newspaper office must be happy to have such a dedicated boy intent on selling their papers. He raised his voice and shook the latest news in his palm with vigor.

  She paused before pouring the nuts into the bowl. Ellie had been gone three weeks without a word. The young woman should’ve written her daed to let him know she was alive and well. Jacob visited her each workday around three. Business was most always slow at that time, and she enjoyed having a cup of coffee with him. He’d not dwelled on Ellie in conversation. She admired his trust and faith in God. It was evident in his calm demeanor when he talked about his dochder.

  Not having kinner, she wasn’t sure how she would have handled the situation. She hoped she’d have faith and trust in God like Jacob and not want to shut down her life. Jacob worked hard every day, maintained his property, and asked how she was doing. His gaze and attention to her were sincere. Her love for him had grown through this time, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted the turmoil bound to kumme if Ellie returned. The young woman was unpredictable and stirred up trouble consistently. It was easier to have meals and discussions with Jacob while they were living separate lives and she wasn’t a part of his family. Or responsible for Ellie. Even the idea frightened her. She was glad he hadn’t broached the subject of marriage yet.