Last Bride, The (Home to Hickory Hollow Book #5)

by Beverly Lewis

  “If Tessie would simply put on a colorful dress, someone like Levi just might have the chance to make her smile again.” Emmalyn strolled over to a shelf half filled with pillowcases and pointed out the diminishing inventory to Mandy. “How fast can ya embroider more?” she asked, eyes wide.

  “What if we both do a few over the weekend?”

  Her cousin gave a soft laugh. “Well, I don’t have a husband to fuss with, so I’ll see what I can do.”

  Mandy wasn’t about to say she’d have ample time on her hands, too, since she was mostly caught up on her housework. And Sylvan wasn’t one to require much of her time. Not these days.

  The whole of the landscape was embedded in snowy white all the way to the horizon, obscuring the brown of late autumn in one wintry blast. Low gray clouds crisscrossed the sky in every direction.

  Tessie sat with folded hands as she rode back toward Hickory Hollow with their regular paid driver, Thomas Flory, shaken with the positive results of her pregnancy test. Yet she was also pleased. How could a person feel so anxious, even fretful, yet so happy?

  As for Mamma, she would surely ask about the doctor’s findings. Tessie shifted in her seat and wondered if it was time to reveal the truth. If so, the bishop was the first person she’d have to speak with, even though the thought of revealing her situation to John Beiler and his wife, Mary, made her stomach wrench. Without a doubt, no matter what she did or didn’t do, her father’s wrath was waiting in the wings, and she was just too frail emotionally to bear it.

  On New Year’s Eve morning, a wedding was scheduled to take place at Jerome Smucker’s place. His daughter Fannie Sue was betrothed to marry Jerome’s longtime dairy hand, Jonas Lee Kurtz, neighbor Nate Kurtz’s nephew. Tessie and her parents had been invited some weeks earlier, although Mamma hadn’t known for sure if Dat was even interested in going. So Tessie was surprised to hear just last evening that they were, in fact, attending.

  In a few short hours, Mamma had crocheted two identical white doilies to take as her wedding gift for the bride. Empty-handed, Tessie had robbed her own hope chest, deciding on a sparkling white tablecloth, brand-new and still in its packaging. She’d wrapped it in yellow-and-white-striped paper and made a bouncy white bow out of some medium-width ribbon from the sewing room. She assumed her father would take a newly purchased set of pliers from the Hickory Hollow General Store as his usual gift to the groom.

  The day was windy and dreadfully cold, with heavy snow falling, making it difficult for Amish guests coming from within horse-and-buggy driving distances in and around Lancaster County. On such a frosty morning, Tessie was glad for the extra-thick woolen lap blankets Dat had placed in the buggy.

  They passed by the harness shop and the smithy’s, and Tessie wondered what Marcus’s family had done with the beautiful black courting buggy she and Marcus had ridden around in for years. That’s neither here nor there, she thought.

  After the three-hour Preaching service, the five-minute wedding followed. Later, with the start of the traditional feast, Tessie happened to see tall Levi Smucker, his light brown bangs trimmed just so, and a handful of his male cousins waiting outdoors near the stable. The young men were rubbing their bare hands together and tugging on their black frock coats, all in a huddle. Were they planning a prank on the new couple, perhaps—sprinkling flour between the sheets on their wedding bed, maybe, or taking their horse’s harness? Or worse, hoisting their carriage on top of the woodshed.

  She waited patiently with other single young women, including several of her own cousins, there in the warm enclosed summer kitchen built onto the back of the house. She was certainly glad to be inside on such a day. Naturally Levi would be in attendance today—he was, after all, a first cousin to the timid bride . . . and quite unhitched himself.

  Glancing about her at the other girls, Tessie wondered which of them might be paired up with the easygoing fellow who’d seemed so happy to see her the day she’d snuck off to marry. Same bright smile at the general store, too, she recalled.

  In her awkward state of limbo, she wished she had not been included with the other young women present. A young pregnant widow; how out of place was she? Still, Fannie Sue couldn’t have guessed at any of that, when no one else knew. Tessie trembled at her own deception, but it seemed too late to reveal the secret of her marriage now. She’d waited far too long.

  ———

  Observing her dejected sister over with many of their girl cousins, Mandy recalled the day she’d gone to her last wedding as a single girl, prior to marrying Sylvan the following year. She had been especially excited for the late-night Singing that was to take place in the barn at the bride’s parents’ home. She and Norm had stayed for the whole hour of structured singing, though with little patience, and the minute they could justify slipping away, they certainly had. That night, across the vast meadow in a grove of willows, she’d let him kiss her for the first time ever. And not only once.

  Maybe that’s why I kept his letters, she reasoned, mortified at the thought. She moved away from the window and headed back to help in the kitchen. She wished she could talk frankly with Sylvan about all of this—get it out in the open. Wasn’t honesty the best approach?

  Mandy worked alongside her sister Miriam, who was describing the many sewing projects she had lined up for the winter. Mandy tuned her out, thinking instead of her own earlier matchmaking with Fannie Sue. Oh, goodness, Mandy hoped she had done Tessie a favor by seating her with one of the bride’s most sought-after cousins. After all, the wedding feast and activities following were for the purpose of choosing potential partners for the courting-age young men and women present.

  Mandy glanced over her shoulder at Tessie Ann once again. Her reddish blond hair looked so pretty, shiny and clean. Even so, Mandy wished her youngest sister might raise the corners of her mouth a smidgen and try to look more cheerful. Otherwise, how was the dear girl ever going to get a fellow to notice her again?

  Chapter 16

  It seemed zweifelhaft—doubtful—to Tessie that she should end up beside Levi Smucker at the wedding feast for Jonas Lee and Fannie Sue by pure chance. It was truly cause for suspicion, even though Tessie was having a pleasant enough time.

  Who matched us up? she wondered.

  The white linen tablecloth and other lovely trappings caught her eye at the Eck—the special corner of the bride and groom’s table. Self-conscious, she occupied her thoughts and tried to pretend to herself as she and Levi ate together that she was anywhere but there. And she wondered if those who’d gone on before could ever look down and see what their loved ones were doing. If so, what on earth would Marcus think of this surprising howdy-do?

  “Do ya plan to attend the Singing tonight?” Levi asked later, during the in-house hymn sing, when the young folk—die Youngie—and older adults sat in the front room and sang from the Ausbund hymnal. The livelier songs were saved for the Singing, which could last till midnight.

  “Not this time,” she said, keeping her eyes on her folded hands.

  “Well, if ya change your mind, I’m goin’.”

  She wondered what her parents and Mandy might be thinking just now if they happened to observe the strange circumstance Tessie found herself in. But then, maybe they weren’t watching her at all. Maybe I’m just imagining things, feeling so embarrassed.

  Later, while she ate white wedding cake and strawberry ice cream, Levi talked enthusiastically about having accompanied his father’s parents to Pinecraft, an Amish retreat in the suburbs of Sarasota, Florida. “Ever hear of it, Tessie Ann?”

  It seemed odd to her ears, hearing another young man say her name so eagerly. “Oh jah,” she said, suddenly shy. “I’ve heard that some of the Amishmen there don’t bother wearing their suspenders and hats during the winter months.”

  Levi chuckled. “Snowbirds, they call themselves.” His smile was contagious, and she was captured by his enthusiasm. “It seems the place is a sort of no-man’s land when it comes to following a pa
rticular church ordinance. Makes things downright interesting, ’least according to my grandfather.”

  “No church rules?”

  “Jah. Some say it ain’t for folks with a strict Ordnung back home, if ya know what I mean.” He seemed to note her puzzlement. “It’s just that things happen there that would be looked upon as transgressions up here.”

  Very curious, she asked, “Like what?”

  “For one thing, many of the Pinecraft cottages have electricity . . . in fact, most do.”

  “Interesting.”

  “So what goes on there is kept hush-hush. Evidently the bishops don’t even want to know about it.”

  “Because they can’t enforce anything so far from home?”

  He nodded, and she wondered just then if any of that noncompliance was comparable to what she’d done—going against her parents’ wishes to marry. “Maybe we should all just move to this no-rules life in Pinecraft,” she mumbled.

  “Sorry?”

  “Oh, just thinkin’ out loud.”

  “So I heard.” Levi wore an interested frown. “Why would you want to go there, anyway, Tessie Ann?”

  “Ach, don’t mind me . . . really.”

  He continued to study her as he drank his coffee, and she knew she must be more careful not to mutter her thoughts again.

  Mandy went out of her way to prepare a hot, hearty breakfast for Sylvan on New Year’s Day. Though a little tired upon awakening, she’d gotten up earlier than usual and made scrambled eggs with bits of ham and cheese mixed in, mush made from cornmeal and sausage, and fried potatoes. To top things off, there was snitz pie and hot coffee, too.

  Sylvan surprised her by remaining awhile at the table after the final prayer. He took time to read aloud to her from the Bible—a passage from the New Testament—which gave her pause. Pleased at the extra attention, she waved at him from the window when he headed outdoors to tend to the steers.

  She redded up things right quick in the kitchen, then sat down to make a list of chores. When she heard the knock at the back door, she turned to look, puzzled why the person hadn’t just walked in, like her sisters and Mamma always did. “Door’s open!” she called.

  Oddly, there was another set of light taps, and she frowned, wondering who this could be. She got up, and when she opened the door, she gave a little inward gasp at the sight of Norm’s fiancée, Glenice Lehman, standing there.

  “Hope I’m not disturbing you,” the young woman said, her light brown hair peeking out beneath a navy blue woolen scarf. “It’s New Year’s, after all.”

  Mandy noticed her red, swollen eyes, like she’d been crying, and opened the door wider. “Would ya like to come in?”

  “Denki.” Norman’s soon-to-be bride stepped inside and removed her black coat. “I won’t stay long.”

  Mandy felt like a flibbertigibbet, hardly knowing what to do first. “You can hang your coat up there, if you’d like.” She pointed to an available peg in the outer room, then went to the stove to find a pan for heating up milk. “I’ll make us some hot cocoa. How’s that?”

  Glenice nodded and took a seat at the table where Mandy invited her. “I wanted to talk to you, since you knew Norman best. Well . . . as a former beau, that is.”

  Mandy sloshed some of the milk she was pouring into the pan onto the counter, feeling even more uncomfortable. Quickly, she reached for the dishrag and wiped up the spill, then turned on the gas burner.

  “I doubt anyone suspects, but I’ve really been struggling here in your little hollow,” Glenice confided.

  Not accustomed to such intimate conversations with a near stranger, Mandy only nodded her head slightly. She certainly felt sorry for her, especially if the young woman had been crying this close to her wedding day.

  Mandy was on edge as Glenice recited a list of problems between her and Norman. According to Glenice, Norm had been dismissive of her concerns when she asked him to zero in on holding down one good job rather than a few, worried they’d end up having to live in his bedroom upstairs at his parents’ house for years on end. “Norman also seems uninterested in allowing me to continue my Indiana Amish traditions. Fact is, he’s resistant to nearly everything I’ve grown up with—the way I was raised.” Glenice dabbed at her pretty brown eyes. “I really don’t know what to do.”

  Mandy was appalled. How could she advise her? “Have you discussed these things with Norman?”

  “Believe me, I’ve tried. But he says he prefers to hold down three or four part-time jobs. Those don’t bring in much money. And as for the rest of it . . . he just shakes his head, is all.”

  She really wanted to ask Glenice if she loved Norman, and if so, then shouldn’t she be willing to overlook some of this? But Mandy knew she was not the best counselor for Norm’s fiancée. Not in the least.

  Glenice smoothed her peach-colored dress, a bit loud for Mandy’s tastes. She wasn’t finished, though. “Was Norman ever standoffish when he was courting you, Mandy? Stubborn too?”

  Mandy was taken aback. It could serve no purpose to share the good dating rapport she’d had with Norm. “Ach, I’d rather not discuss my courting years, if ya don’t mind. I’m sure you understand.” Mandy poured the homemade cocoa mix into the warmed milk, then reached for two large mugs from the cupboard and set them on the counter.

  “Maybe things were just fine ’tween you two,” Glenice said, making that leap. “Maybe I’m the problem.” She reached for a hankie from beneath her sleeve and dabbed at her face.

  “I really doubt that,” Mandy said.

  Glenice looked away and stared now forlornly out the window as she blinked back tears.

  Then, lest she press further, Mandy gently reminded her, “I’m married to Sylvan now.” She carried the mugs of cocoa over to the table. “Would you care for some?” she asked, her words stuck in her throat. Never in her life had she been confronted so.

  Glenice nodded and accepted the cocoa, holding the base of the mug with both her hands, as if she were cold. Mandy sat next to her, thinking better of sitting across from her, not wanting to have to look into the young woman’s eyes.

  “Ach, I’ve upset you, haven’t I? I’m so sorry,” Glenice said, her voice cracking.

  Mandy’s heart went out to her, and before she thought twice, she touched Glenice’s wrist. “I hope things work out for you and Norman, Lord willing.” Then she suggested Glenice might want to go to one of the preachers or the bishop. “Or better yet, talk to Ella Mae Zook.”

  “I’ve heard of the Wise Woman.” Glenice sighed audibly. “Unfortunately, there are only a few days left before the wedding, so I’m not sure much can or will change before then.”

  “Seein’ eye to eye can take time,” Mandy said, surprised she’d revealed that. Was she talking about herself and Sylvan?

  “I’ll have to decide right quick if I’m willing to marry someone with such character flaws.” Glenice rubbed her forehead. She repeated her frustration with Norman’s evident lack of interest in getting a good, steady job. Then she added, “’Tween you and me, I have no desire to relocate here . . . so far from home.”

  “Ach, then ya must tell Norman. And soon, too.”

  Glenice hung her head. And by the time they’d drained their cocoa mugs, Mandy said she hoped Glenice felt some better for having made the trek there in the snowstorm. “May the Lord send you forth in His will,” she said, recalling what the bishop said at weddings.

  Glenice nodded and waved briefly, then hurried to put on her coat and scarf over her bright dress, which lacked a cape or apron. She slipped out the back door.

  Watching the tall young woman make her way toward the road in the thickly falling snow, Mandy was beginning to think she’d been spared from marrying a man with little interest in working hard and providing well for his family. Or in listening to the desires of his wife’s heart.

  Character flaws.

  Glenice had used those exact words.

  Tessie braved the snowstorm to get the mail for Mamma
and was very surprised, shocked even, to receive a card from Levi Smucker, wishing her a happy New Year. She hardly knew how to react; the more she considered it, she sensed he wished she had stayed for the barn Singing after the wedding. Still, her heart belonged to Marcus, and she could not release his memory and their love—especially with his child growing inside her. It just seemed so disloyal . . . and far too soon.

  On Friday afternoon, Mandy smiled when she looked up from behind the cash register in her shop and saw her sister Marta coming in the door, carrying chubby Mimi.

  “I’m in need of two weddin’ gifts—don’t have time to do up anything right quick,” Marta announced.

  Cousin Emmalyn had stepped out to get some hot cocoa up the snowy street, so Mandy showed Marta around the place herself, truly happy for the chance to do so. “Whose weddings are ya goin’ to?” she asked.

  “Oh, two of Seth’s cousins on his mother’s side,” she said, shifting curly-haired Mimi in her arms. But the little girl began to squirm, and Mandy took her so Marta had the freedom to look around. “I’d thought of picking up something for Norman Byler and his bride-to-be, too,” Marta said, “but word has it she’s up and left.”

  “Wha-at?” Mandy wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.

  “Apparently made a beeline back to Indiana. Any later, and Glenice would’ve stood up her groom on the wedding day.”

  “Like Katie Lapp did,” whispered Mandy.

  “Funny, I thought of that, too.”

  “Wonder if Norm will stay around, then.” Mandy didn’t think she ought to make a big deal of this, not wanting to give her sister the wrong idea. Even so, in spite of Glenice’s impromptu visit, she was astounded at this bizarre turn of events.