A REVELATION in AUTUMN

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Is the boppli keeping you awake?” Mom asked, motioning to Levi, who was still asleep.

  “That’s only part of it,” Meredith murmured. “I’ve been worried about my finances and wondering if I ought to put my house up for rent.”

  “Where would you go if you did that?” Jonah asked, wishing he could solve her problems right now.

  Meredith shrugged. “Probably back home with my folks. I’m sure Luke’s parents would take Levi and me in, but I’d rather not impose on them.”

  Jonah drew in a long breath. If he and Meredith were already courting, he’d ask her to marry him right now so she wouldn’t have to worry about her finances. But now wasn’t the time to speak of marriage. In just a few more months, her year of mourning would be over. In the meantime, he needed to take things slow and not rush her. But if his folks hadn’t been sitting there, he’d ask Meredith if he could court her right now.

  “I think we should go inside now,” Jonah’s mother, Sarah, said after they’d finished eating. “The sun’s going down, and it’s getting too chilly for the boppli to be out here.”

  “You’re right,” Meredith agreed. “I’m thinking maybe it’s time for Levi and me to go home.” She glanced over at Jonah.

  “But we haven’t had our dessert yet,” Jonah said. “Mom made a couple of apple pies.”

  “That’s right,” Sarah agreed. “So why don’t I take the boppli inside, and you and Meredith can sit out here awhile and watch as the sun goes down and the stars come out. After you’ve seen enough, you can join us in the kitchen for a piece of pie.”

  “That sounds nice,” Meredith replied, “but I have to change Levi first. Come to think of it, I haven’t taken the time to watch the stars come out in a long while.” Not since Luke died, she thought with regret.

  “I’ll help clear away the dishes,” Jonah said, jumping up from the table. “Then I’ll grab a blanket from the house in case we get cold.”

  Meredith smiled. She was sure the look of pleasure on Sarah’s face meant that she appreciated her son’s willingness to help out.

  “I’ll move the grill back to the shed,” Jonah’s dad, Raymond, said.

  “Better make sure it’s cooled off good before you put it away,” Jonah commented. “Remember what happened a few years ago when the Bontragers’ barn burned down?”

  Dad nodded. “Who could forget that? It was unfortunate that a day of celebrating turned to tragedy when Ethan Bontrager wheeled their grill into the barn when it wasn’t cooled off yet.”

  Jonah’s forehead wrinkled as he reflected on that evening. The Bontragers had been his folks’ best friends when they lived in Ohio. They’d been celebrating one of their children’s birthdays by having a big cookout. Everything had been going well, until a sudden thunderstorm blew in; then chaos broke loose. Everyone ran, grabbing what they could. The grill, which had still been hot, was wheeled into the barn, and they ended up continuing the party inside the house. In the end, they lost their barn and all its contents, including tools, buggies, two horses, and a milking cow, all because they hadn’t let the grill cool.

  Goose bumps erupted on Jonah’s arm, imagining such a disaster happening to his folks. Thankfully, no one in the Bontrager family had been hurt that night, but having seen what had taken years to acquire go up in smoke because of a careless decision, Jonah knew the little reminder he’d given his dad could do no harm.

  “It’s all good,” Dad said, as he pulled the grill toward the shed. “There’s no heat left at all.”

  While Jonah’s dad headed for the shed, Meredith, carrying Levi’s infant seat, followed Jonah and Sarah up to the house. Once inside, Meredith fed the baby and changed his diaper. When she was done, she set his carrier in the living room, where Sarah and Jonah had gone after the dishes were done. Raymond joined them a few minutes later.

  “Should we go outside now?” Jonah asked, lightly touching Meredith’s arm.

  Meredith looked at Sarah. “Are you sure you don’t mind keeping an eye on Levi?”

  Sarah shook her head. “Not at all.”

  Meredith, feeling a bit apprehensive about leaving the baby, said, “If he starts fussing and you can’t get him settled down, just come and get me.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine. If he does wake up, it’ll give me a good excuse to hold him.” Sarah motioned to the door. “Now you and Jonah go out and enjoy watching the stars.”

  Jonah grabbed a crocheted afghan from the back of the sofa and held the door for Meredith. When they stepped onto the porch, Meredith’s breath caught in her throat. Glowing splashes of color—pink, orange, and red—spread across the sky as the sun sank slowly into the west. She stood on the porch, watching until the sun and its glorious shine disappeared. Suddenly, a multitude of stars peeked out under the dark night sky.

  “Sure is a beautiful night, isn’t it?” Jonah whispered, leaning close to Meredith.

  “Jah.” She shivered, not knowing if the chill she felt was from the cool evening breeze or from Jonah’s breath blowing softly against her ear.

  “Should we stay here on the porch or walk out to the picnic table to watch for falling stars?” Jonah asked, draping the afghan across her shoulders.

  “Let’s go out to the picnic table. I think we’ll be able to see the stars better from there.”

  Jonah led the way, and once they were seated on the picnic bench, Meredith turned to face him. “Luke and I used to sit outside and watch for falling stars. It was a special thing we liked to do. We did some stargazing our last night together.”

  Jonah placed his hand gently on her arm. “You still miss him, don’t you?”

  She nodded. “I wake up some mornings and expect to see Luke lying there beside me. Sometimes I dream that I look out the window and see him walking up the driveway. But just as he nears the house, he suddenly disappears.”

  “It’s hard to lose someone you love,” Jonah said. “I know Luke’s memory will always be with you, but do you think you might ever find room in your heart to love again?”

  Meredith sat several seconds before she replied. “I don’t know—maybe.”

  “I care for you, Meredith,” Jonah murmured. “And I—well, I was wondering if you’d be willing to let me court you.”

  Meredith wasn’t sure what to say. She cared for Jonah, too. He was a good friend, but could she ever love him the way she had Luke? If Luke could reach down from heaven and tell her what to do, would he give his approval for her to be courted again?

  She looked up at the starry sky, and when she spotted a falling star, a lump formed in her throat. Could this be a sign from Luke that it was okay for her to move on without him and perhaps take the next step to continue her life—a new life with Jonah?

  “Meredith, have I said too much? Is it too soon for me to be talking about us courting?” Jonah asked.

  After seeing the falling star, Meredith drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. “No, Jonah, it’s not too soon. I’d be honored to have you court me.”

  Jonah reached for her hand, surprised at how warm it felt. “I’m the one who’s honored.”

  Darby

  “Did you ever see such a beautiful night sky?” Susan asked as she took a seat beside Eddie on the lawn swing in the Baileys’ backyard. Norma, Henry, and Anne had already gone to bed, but Susan had said she wasn’t tired, and when Eddie said he wasn’t either, she’d suggested they go outside and gaze at the stars.

  “You’re right,” he said, tilting his head back to look at the sky. “Some of the stars are so bright it seems like you could almost reach out and touch ’em.”

  “Ever since Anne and I were little girls, we’ve enjoyed watching the stars. It’s fun to search for the Big and Little Dippers and all the other constellations. But it’s not only that. Watching the stars this time of the year holds a special place in my heart.”

  “What do you mean?” Eddie asked, his curiosity piqued.

  “Well, as far back as I can remember, sitting ou
tside on a cool October night is something my family did every year. That is, up until our parents were killed. Anne and I were teenagers when it happened.” Susan paused, and her voice faltered. “But before their deaths, every fall we’d pick a night such as this and call it our ‘make a wish night.’ At sunset, Dad would put a log on to burn in the barbecue pit in our backyard, and we’d wait until the coals turned to embers. By then the sky was totally dark, like it is now. Mom made hot chocolate, and we’d sit side by side and watch the sky, holding our mugs with fingers sticky from the marshmallows we’d roasted.” She paused again, her voice growing lower. “All year long I’d think of one special wish, and I’d save it for that special night. Then, when I’d see a falling star, I’d make my wish. Of course, even back then I knew making wishes was just for fun. From the time we were little, Dad and Mom taught Anne and me about the importance of prayer and how we should ask God to meet our needs.”

  “And has He?” Eddie asked.

  She nodded slowly. “Even though Mom and Dad were taken from us, Anne and I have never done without. Grandma and Grandpa make sure of that, and we’re grateful to them.”

  Eddie reached for Susan’s hand as they stared up at the velvety blackness above. Suddenly, out of the darkness, a shooting star streaked across the sky, causing him to shiver. A strange feeling came over him; he felt like he’d done this before with someone else—a young woman, perhaps. He felt goose bumps rising on his arms. Was it the strange feeling of having stargazed with someone before, or was it because Susan’s soft hand rested securely in his?

  “Did you see that shooting star, Merrie?” he murmured.

  Susan’s hand slipped away from his. “Merrie? Who’s Merrie, Eddie?”

  “I don’t know.” He shook his head slowly, feeling even more confused. “I don’t know why, but I feel like that shooting star has something to do with my past. If I could only remember who I’d seen it with, it might give me a clue as to who I am.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Ronks

  Ach, Meredith, what a surprise! I didn’t expect to see you this morning,” Luann said when she opened the door and found Meredith on the porch with Levi in her arms.

  Meredith smiled. “I’ve been meaning to come by and tell you my news, but Levi’s been fussy all week, and I didn’t want to take him out.”

  “What news is that?” Luann asked, reaching out to stroke the baby’s soft cheek.

  “Jonah and I are going to start courting.”

  Luann gasped. “When was this decided?”

  “Last Saturday Levi and I were invited to the Millers’ for a barbecue, and later that evening Jonah asked if he could begin courting me.”

  Luann sucked in her breath. “Ach, Meredith, are you sure about this? I mean, do you love Jonah?”

  “Not in the same way I did Luke, but Jonah’s a wonderful man, and I’ll get to know him even better when we start courting. If we should end up getting married someday, I’m sure he’ll be a good daed to Levi.”

  Luann stood a few seconds, unsure of what to say. She knew Jonah and Meredith were friends and that he’d gone over to her place many times to help out, but she hadn’t realized things were getting serious between them.

  “You’re awfully quiet, Mom. What do you think about this?”

  “Well, you took me by surprise. I hadn’t realized your relationship with Jonah was anything more than friendship, but if being courted by him will make you happy, then you have my blessing.” Luann paused, and her forehead wrinkled. “I hope you won’t agree to marry him too soon, though, or that your decision will be based on your financial needs.”

  Meredith shook her head. “I know Jonah would be a good provider, but that’s not the reason I agreed to let him court me. I care very much for Jonah, and he’s good with the boppli.”

  “So have you made this decision more for the baby than yourself?”

  “Not more; it’s just one of the reasons.”

  “Do Sadie and Elam know about this?” Luann questioned.

  “No, not yet. It’ll be hard telling Luke’s folks that Jonah and I will be courting, but I know I have to. I wouldn’t want them to hear about it from someone else. It would hurt them deeply.”

  Gordonville, Pennsylvania

  “Wie geht’s?” Sadie asked when she stepped into the bookstore and spotted Sarah Miller browsing through a stack of cookbooks.

  Sarah smiled. “I’m doing well. How are you?”

  “Doin’ as well as can be expected, I guess.”

  “Have you heard Meredith and Jonah’s news?” Sarah asked.

  Sadie’s eyebrows arched. “What news is that?”

  “They’re going to start courting.”

  Sadie’s mouth dropped open, and her heart pounded so hard she felt like her chest might explode. “W–when was this decided?”

  “Last Saturday Jonah asked Meredith if he could court her.” Sarah smiled widely. “Raymond and I think the world of Meredith, and we’re happy Jonah’s found such a wonderful woman. If they were to marry someday, it would mean so much to have someone as special as Meredith for our daughter-in-law.”

  Sadie gripped the edge of the bookshelf for support. Learning that Meredith and Jonah were planning to court was surprising enough, but the fact that Meredith hadn’t said anything to her and Elam about it was disappointing and hurtful. Didn’t their daughter-in-law think they had the right to know? How long was she planning to keep this news from them?

  Sadie looked at Sarah, unable to form any words. Did Sarah expect her to be happy about Jonah and Meredith courting? She knew what a wonderful daughter-in-law the Millers would be getting if Meredith ended up marrying their son. But it didn’t seem fair. Meredith was Sadie’s daughter-in-law, and Levi was her grandson. This year had been difficult enough for her and Elam with the loss of their son. Sadie had been hoping the family’s support would be enough for Meredith and that she would give herself more time before agreeing to let someone court her. Time, though, for who? she wondered. Would I be happy about anyone courting Meredith, or is it just Jonah I don’t approve of?

  Jonah seemed like a nice enough man, and he would probably be good to Meredith and Levi. But if Meredith should marry him, things would be different, and she might end up pulling away from Sadie and Elam. That would hurt so much—especially if they didn’t get to see Levi very often.

  “Sadie, I’m so sorry,” Sarah said with a look of pity in her eyes. “I wasn’t thinking, blurting that out. I should have let Meredith tell you.”

  Sadie squared her shoulders, determined not to let Sarah know how she really felt. “It’s okay,” she murmured. “I’m glad you told me.”

  Sarah looked like she might say something more, but Sadie turned and hurried from the bookstore before the tears welling in her eyes spilled onto her cheeks.

  Bird-in-Hand

  Jonah and his dad had been working hard in the buggy shop all morning, and at noontime, Jonah was more than ready to take a break.

  “Let’s get this wheel put on Aaron Raber’s buggy, and then we can go up to the house for lunch,” Dad said.

  “That’s fine. Guess my stomach can wait a few more minutes,” Jonah said with a grin.

  As they worked together, Jonah told his dad about a house he was interested in buying. “It’s only a few miles from here,” he said. “So if I get the place, I can probably ride my scooter on nice days to get to work.”

  “Are you thinking of puttin’ an offer on it now, or will you wait to see how things work out between you and Meredith?” Dad asked.

  “I think I ought to buy it now ’cause it might not be there in a few months,” Jonah replied. “Besides, if I get the place now, then I’ll have some time to fix it up. I want things to work out for me and Meredith, probably more than you realize. But even if it doesn’t, I’d still like to buy a place of my own. Maybe someday I’ll have a wife and family, like I’ve always hoped for.”

  “That’s good thinking, Son.” Dad gave Jonah’s sh
oulder a tight squeeze. he headed across the room to his workbench. “Think I’d better look for a bigger wrench.” He’d no sooner reached for the wrench when he let out a yelp. “Yikes! I think something bit my hand.”

  Jonah set the wheel on the floor and hurried across the room. “Better let me take a look at that.”

  “I think it was a spider,” Dad said, looking toward the tool he’d dropped, while rubbing his hand. “I’ve been meaning to spray the shop after seeing several webs but haven’t gotten around to it yet. It’s warm in here with the woodstove burning, and since it’s getting cooler outside, I’ve noticed more webs showing up in the shop.”

  “You might be right, but don’t worry about that right now.” Jonah took hold of his dad’s hand. “Let’s hope it wasn’t a black widow.” Taking a closer look, he noticed how quickly the area of the bite had begun to redden and swell. “You’d better get inside and put some ice on that bite while I go to the phone shack and call our driver. The sooner you see a doctor, the better it’ll be.” Jonah knew that, while usually not deadly, the bite from a black widow spider could be serious.

  The wrench still lay on the workbench where Dad had dropped it, and sure enough, on a post right by the table, a shiny black spider was repairing its damaged web.

  A quick look around revealed numerous webs up in the rafters and some spun between several unused tools. Jonah picked up a hammer and stood watching, taking in the spider’s details. Just as the eight-legged menace came out of its web and crawled across the tabletop surface, Jonah smacked it with the hammer.

  Dashing from the shop to the phone shack, he mentally pictured the red, hourglass shape on the spider’s belly. He was positive that Dad had been bitten by a black widow spider.

  Darby

  “Sure will be glad when we get this done,” Henry said as he and Eddie chopped a stack of firewood.

  Eddie stopped long enough to wipe his sweaty forehead. “Guess we can be glad it’s not hot and humid like it was this summer.”