A Seat by the Hearth

by Amy Clipston

  Why was he changing so quickly? He felt like a new man, a different person since he’d decided to get married.

  “Is it true?”

  Mark spun and came face-to-face with Franey. Her pretty face featured a deep frown as her eyes trained on his.

  “Is it true?” she repeated as she took a step toward him.

  “Is what true?” Who was he kidding? He knew exactly what she wanted to know.

  “You’re marrying her, aren’t you?” Her voice shook as her lower lip quivered.

  Oh no. Please don’t cry. Not here.

  He nodded. “Ya, I’ve asked Priscilla to marry me.”

  “Why?” Her eyes glittered. “I’ve waited five years for you. Five years!” Her voice broke as tears spilled down her pink cheeks.

  “Ach, no.” Guilt, hot and searing, sliced through Mark as he pointed to the far corner outside the barn, away from the curious crowd that turned toward them. “Why don’t we walk over there?”

  “Why?” Franey’s voice grew louder. “You don’t want everyone to hear how you’ve hurt me?”

  Mark’s shoulders hunched.

  “Five years, Mark!” She nearly spat the words at him. “I’ve invited you over for hundreds of meals. I’ve sat on my father’s porch and talked to you for hours. I’ve welcomed you into my home. Yet she’s back barely two months, and you propose to her. What does she have that I don’t? Am I not schee enough? Am I not schmaert enough? What is it, Mark? What’s wrong with me?”

  “It’s not that at all. There’s nothing wrong with you.” He reached for her arm, and she stepped away from him. “Franey. Kumm.” He took her arm and steered her away from the barn door as questioning eyes locked on them. “It’s not you. You’re a wunderbaar maedel, and you’ll make a husband very froh someday.”

  She gave a cry. “Apparently not. I thought you cared about me. I was blind.”

  “I do care about you—as a freind.”

  She groaned and wiped at her tears.

  “Franey, listen. I never meant to hurt you.” He tried to smile. “I’ll cherish the time we’ve had together. This wasn’t anything I planned. Love is just unpredictable sometimes. Priscilla and I have a deep connection I never expected.”

  “I thought we had a connection.”

  “Look, I’m sorry.”

  “How could you?” Her eyes narrowed. “How could you lead me on like that for so long?”

  “I didn’t lead you on.”

  “Ya, you did.” She pointed at him. “You called me twice a week and you even invited yourself over some nights. Why would I not think someday you’d propose to me?” Then she turned her finger toward herself. “I knew you were seeing Ruthann too, but I thought you and I had something special.”

  “I never made you any promises.” But Mark did a mental head slap. Laura was right. What he’d done was wrong.

  “No, you didn’t make me any promises, but you kept me hanging on for years. You acted like you liked me.”

  “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry I ever believed in you.” Franey shook her head. “I meant nothing to you. I was just someone to pass the time with until you met your true love.”

  “No, you’re a freind, a gut freind.”

  She shook her head, and then her expression darkened. “You know, I had a feeling something was going on between you and Priscilla the day you brought her to the fabric store.”

  He blinked. “Why would you say that?”

  “It was the way you acted when you purchased the fabric for her. I should have known then that you had fallen in love with her.”

  Mark tried to hide his surprise at her comment.

  “You were seeing her before her shunning was over?”

  He shook his head. “No, of course not.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter now.” She lifted her chin. “I wish you many blessings in your marriage.” She pushed past him and headed back into the barn.

  Mark leaned his back against the barn wall and rubbed his forehead. How could he have been so blind? Why had he allowed his relationship with Franey to get so complicated? Guilt was a snake slithering around his insides.

  Closing his eyes, he blew out a deep breath.

  Priscilla’s heart pounded as she stood on the back porch of the house. Mark and Franey were standing close together and talking by the corner of the barn. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it was obvious that the conversation was emotional and intense.

  Mark reached for Franey’s arm and leaned in closer to her, and Priscilla tried to swallow back the jealousy that rolled through her. So he did still have feelings for Franey. Would he cheat on Priscilla with Franey after they were married?

  Acid churned in her stomach. Priscilla wanted a marriage in name only, but she cared if he had feelings for Franey because she didn’t want any more humiliation than she’d already had to endure since she returned. How would it look to the community if they found out Mark was seeing Franey behind her back? They’d both be shunned.

  Another thought gripped Priscilla. What if Mark told Franey the truth about their marriage? Surely Franey would tell her friends, and then the entire community would know Mark was marrying her not only to avoid being shunned, but to get half of her father’s business and some of his land. That was worse than his having an affair.

  “Priscilla?”

  “Ya?” Priscilla turned toward Cindy’s curious expression.

  “Could you please help me serve the kaffi?” Cindy held up a carafe.

  “Of course.” Priscilla plastered a smile on her face.

  “Are you all right?” Cindy asked.

  “Ya, I’m fine.” Priscilla stepped into the house. “Do you want me to take this carafe or fill a second one?” As she busied herself with the task of helping to serve the food, her worries about Mark and Franey taunted her.

  “Have you thought about table decorations?” Mamm asked as she and Priscilla sat on the back porch later that evening.

  “No, not really.” Priscilla pushed the glider to life with her toe as she looked toward the swing set where Ethan was going down the slide.

  “What’s on your mind?”

  “Nothing.” Priscilla shrugged and cradled her mug of warm tea in her hands.

  “Priscilla, I can tell when you’re upset. It might help if you talk about it.”

  “It’s gegisch, really.” Priscilla averted her eyes by studying her plain white mug.

  “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”

  Priscilla sighed. “I saw Mark talking to Franey today. They were having what looked like an intimate conversation outside the barn before we had lunch. And, well, it bothered me.”

  “Why did it bother you? Mark is marrying you, not Franey.”

  Priscilla pressed her lips together. “You know the truth of why he’s marrying me. He’s avoiding being shunned. And he’s also going to be well off, thanks to Dat’s business and land.”

  Mamm looked unconvinced. “I think he cares about you.”

  Priscilla gave a sardonic smile. “Mamm, I hope you realize nothing happened in the barn that day when Dat and John say they ‘found’ us doing ‘inappropriate’ things.” She made air quotes with her fingers. “We were talking. That’s it. Mark and I weren’t dating in secret. He doesn’t love me.”

  “But you’re freinden.” Mamm patted her leg. “That’s a great foundation for a gut marriage.”

  Priscilla clicked her tongue. “We’re not close freinden. We’re just acquaintances trapped together now.”

  “That’s not what I see.” Mamm gave her a knowing smile. “He cares about you.”

  “No, he doesn’t.” But if only he did . . .

  “Just give it time. It will all work out. The Lord works in mysterious ways.”

  As Priscilla took a sip of tea, she longed for her mother to be right. But instead, she was certain their marriage was headed for disaster.

  NINETEEN

  “S
IS.” MARK APPROACHED THE VAN AS LAURA CLIMBED out of it the following Thursday afternoon. “I didn’t know you were planning to visit today.”

  “Hi. I came to help Priscilla with her dresses for the wedding. She doesn’t have long to make them.” Laura balanced a cake saver in her hands as she hoisted her purse onto her shoulder.

  “Give me that.” Mark took the container, and she paid the driver. “That’s nice that you offered to help her.”

  “That’s what family is for, right?” Laura smiled up at him. “I’m so glad you’re marrying Priscilla. You’re going to be perfect for each other.”

  “Ya, we are.” He gave a wry smile. “Where’s my favorite niece?”

  “She’s playing at Irma Mae’s today. I thought it would be easier if she went there so I could concentrate on helping Priscilla.” She pointed to the cake saver. “I just might have brought over a chocolate kuche for you.”

  “Really?” He grinned. “For me?”

  “Maybe. But you have to promise me something.”

  “I’ll do anything for your chocolate kuche.” He shrugged as they walked up the porch steps.

  “You have to be extra nice to Priscilla and supportive of her while she makes the wedding plans. You know how stressful wedding planning can be. You’ve seen me go through it.”

  He opened the front door, and she stepped through. “Okay.”

  “Danki.” She smiled up at him. “You seem different since you made the decision to get married.”

  “Oh. Do I?” He lifted his chin and posed. “Am I more handsome? Funnier? Less resistible?”

  “Ugh.” She swatted his arm, and he could feel her irritation. “You’re hopeless.”

  “That’s why you love me. Priscilla is probably upstairs since I hear the sewing machine going. Her mamm is in the utility room doing laundry.” He pointed toward the kitchen. “Would you like me to put the kuche in there for you?”

  “Ya. Danki.” She gave him a little wave. “I’ll see you later.”

  As Mark set the cake carrier on the counter, his twin’s words rattled through his brain.

  I’m so glad you’re marrying Priscilla. You’re going to be perfect for each other.

  He shook his head. How could his twin be so blind? This marriage was doomed to fail, but he’d make the best of it. At least Ethan seemed to like him. Ethan was a blessing for certain.

  “I’m here to help.” Laura slowly sat down in a chair across from Priscilla and rested her hands on her belly, which looked like it already protruded a little more than it had the day before. “Put me to work.”

  “I’m so froh you’re here.” Priscilla pointed to the notebook on her bed. “I have everyone’s measurements there. Do you want to start cutting out Cindy’s dress?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Priscilla gathered supplies for Laura and then returned to working on her own dress.

  “How are things going for you?” Laura asked. When Priscilla met her gaze, Laura added, “With your dat?”

  Priscilla shrugged. “Okay, I guess. He still doesn’t talk to me much at all, but he’s kind to Ethan, which I appreciate.”

  Laura seemed to study her, and Priscilla looked down at the dress.

  “Did Mark tell you I know the truth about why you’re getting married?”

  “Ya.” Priscilla nodded, keeping her eyes focused on the dress. Was Laura going to try to talk Priscilla out of marrying her twin? If she succeeded, what would she say now that the announcement had been made to the community? How could she ever face the bishop again?

  “I’m not upset, Priscilla.”

  “Really?” Priscilla looked up, shocked to find her best friend’s smile.

  “Why would I be upset? I’ve been praying for years that Mark would settle down, and he’s finally going to. You’re a blessing.”

  “A blessing?” Priscilla shook herself. Had she heard Laura right? “How is being forced to marry me a blessing?”

  Laura set the scissors on the desk beside the sewing table. “God has a reason for everything that happens, and he has the perfect plan for each of us. There’s a reason why your dat and the bishop found you both in the barn.”

  Priscilla grimaced. “It sounds so bad when you say it that way.”

  Laura chuckled. “Mark told me what happened, and I know it was innocent.”

  But I wanted him to kiss me . . .

  Priscilla dismissed the unwelcomed thought. “But I’m ruining his life.”

  “What?” Laura shook her head. “No, you’re not. You’re forcing him to grow up, and it’s about time.”

  “We should get back to work.” Priscilla turned her attention to the dress, and they worked in silence for several minutes.

  “You know,” Laura began, breaking through the quiet, “Mark is a gut man, and he’ll take gut care of you and Ethan.”

  Priscilla glanced at her.

  “He uses humor and arrogance as a defense mechanism. Deep down, he’s just as humble as Jamie. And he’s a hard worker.”

  Priscilla nodded. “I’ve seen how hard he works here, and he’s very kind to Ethan.”

  Priscilla’s thoughts swirled as they turned their attention back to their work.

  “I think he cares about Franey,” Priscilla blurted.

  “What?” Laura’s forehead furrowed.

  “I saw them talking at church yesterday.” Priscilla described their body language. “It was intense.”

  Laura shook her head. “I don’t think he cares about her as anything more than a freind. When he told me he was going to marry you, he didn’t mention Franey or Ruthann. He talked only about you.”

  Priscilla was unconvinced.

  “What are you thinking right now?” Laura asked.

  “I’m wondering how we’re going to adjust to living together. How can we be a gut example for mei sohn if we don’t love each other?”

  “Give it time. It will all be fine. Just pray about it and ask God to guide your heart and give you patience.”

  Priscilla nodded and turned back to her sewing machine.

  “So what are you considering for table decorations?” Laura asked. “I was at the market yesterday, and I saw the most gorgeous red candles that would match this material.”

  They talked about the wedding, and then Laura gave her updates about people they’d both known in school and youth group.

  Later they took a break and had cake with her mother and Ethan in the kitchen before Priscilla walked Laura outside to call her driver.

  “I had a great time,” Laura said as they stood in the driveway waiting for the van.

  “I did too.” Priscilla hugged her. “Danki for helping with the dresses.”

  “Gern gschehne.” Laura grinned. “Soon we’ll be schweschdere.”

  Mark jogged up behind them, his dark trousers and gray shirt speckled with white paint, evidence that he’d been working in the daadihaus. “You’re leaving, sis?”

  “Ya. I need to get home and start supper. Irma Mae is going to bring Mollie home soon.” Laura pointed to the house. “I left you chocolate kuche.”

  “Danki.” He rubbed his hands together.

  Laura turned toward Priscilla. “I have to warn you. You’ll probably find yourself baking a lot of chocolate kuche after you’re married.”

  “Please.” Mark gave Priscilla an adorable smile. “I promise I’ll work hard to earn it.”

  Laura snickered as her driver steered his van up the rock driveway. “I’ll see you two soon.”

  “Danki again,” Priscilla said. “I’ll return the kuche saver.”

  “No hurry.” Laura climbed into the van and waved before it headed down the driveway.

  “Well, back to work,” Mark said when the van was out of sight. “The daadihaus isn’t going to paint itself.” He turned and started up the path to the small house.

  “Mark,” Priscilla called after him, and he spun toward her. “Would you like to stay for supper?”

  He studied her for a m
oment, and then his lips curved into a smile. “Only if I can have a piece of mei schweschder’s kuche.”

  “Of course.”

  “Great. Then I’ll stay.”

  As he strode toward the house, she tried to imagine their marriage. Would it ever be filled with laughter and love as well as chocolate cakes?

  No. A marriage had to be built on a foundation of love. How could love come later? That wasn’t how it worked.

  With a frown, Priscilla walked back into the house and tried to put the negative thoughts out of her mind, but they lingered there, mocking her as she returned to her sewing project.

  “Was mei schweschder any help today?” Mark asked as he sat on a rocking chair beside hers on the front porch later that evening.

  “Ya, she started on Cindy’s dress while I worked on mine.”

  “Gut.” Mark looked off toward the row of barns, and she longed to read his thoughts.

  They had chatted about the wedding and Ethan’s day at school during supper, and then he’d helped her father and Ethan take care of the animals while she and her mother cleaned the kitchen.

  “How is the painting at the daadihaus coming along?” she asked.

  “I’m almost done with the first coat.” He rested his hands on the arms of the chair. “I’m hoping to finish the second coat before the end of the week. The walls look gut.”

  “Great.” She moved the chair back and forth as her thoughts turned to Franey. While she longed to ask him what they had discussed on Sunday, she didn’t want to seem clingy or reveal the jealousy she’d felt. Instead, she stared out toward the barns and hoped he’d say something to kill the awkwardness between them.

  “What’s bothering you?” he finally asked.

  She strangled a moan. That wasn’t what she’d hoped he’d say. “Nothing.” She forced a smile. “I was thinking about the daadihaus.”

  “No, you weren’t.” He swiveled toward her and smiled. “You were thinking about something much more interesting than my painting skills.” He sat up a little taller. “By the way, I am talented with a paintbrush, in case you were wondering.”

  Her thoughts moved to Laura’s comment earlier that day. Did Mark use humor and arrogance as a defense mechanism? No, she doubted it. He truly believed he was talented and handsome, and he was right.