An Amish Gathering (Three Amish Novellas)

by Beth Wiseman

“Sounds like he has everything planned out.”

  “Ya,” Amanda said, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice.

  But if Katharine noticed her tone, she didn’t mention it. “It’s near lunchtime. Are you sure I can’t help?”

  “Positive. You rest.”

  “Danki, Amanda. You have been such a help to me.”

  “I’m happy to help.”

  “I know you are. You’ve been that way since you were a young child. And when we had Hannah, then the other kinder, I don’t know what I would have done without you.” She sobered. “But I worry I’m keeping you from your own life.”

  Amanda shook her head. “This is my life. Taking care of you and Daed and the children.”

  “But don’t you ever think of having a family of your own?”

  She paused. “Sometimes.” More often than she wanted to admit. “But it seems God’s plan is for me to stay right here, at least for now, until I meet the man He has set apart for me.”

  “Perhaps you’ve already met him.”

  “Oh, nee,” she said, shaking her head vehemently. “Peter Yoder is not the man for me.”

  “I wasn’t talking about Peter.”

  Amanda lifted her brow. “Then who?”

  Katharine leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes. “You’ll have to figure that out yourself.”

  A short while later Amanda had lunch prepared and served to the children. She took a tray of chicken soup and a cheese sandwich, along with a large glass of water, to her mother, but she was asleep. Setting the tray on the coffee table in front of the couch, Amanda tiptoed out of the living room.

  As she made her way back to the kitchen, her mind began to whirl. What did her mother mean about her already having met the man God had set apart for her? Thank goodness she hadn’t meant Peter. She thought about the other young men in her community. While there were some very nice ones, none of them had stirred any feelings inside her. Unlike Josiah.

  Surely her mother hadn’t meant him. That didn’t make any sense, especially after Amanda had just told her that he wanted to sell his house and move to Ohio. Besides, Josiah had been back a total of three days, and they had barely rekindled their friendship.

  But she couldn’t deny that romantic feelings for him had started to grow.

  How did everything get so complicated?

  Josiah ran a brush through his hair, smoothing his bangs over his forehead. He needed a haircut, and maybe he would take the time to get one next week. But he couldn’t worry about that now, not when he had to pick up Amanda in fifteen minutes.

  Two weeks had quickly passed since Peter’s visit. The more time passed, the more he regretted his snap decision to take Amanda to the singing. Everything had gotten too complicated too quickly. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to spend time with her—he did, more than he had a right to. But taking her to this singing meant facing even more of his past. He’d see people he grew up with, and they would undoubtedly ask him a lot of questions he didn’t want to answer. At least with others he could be vague and not have to worry about them pressing the issue. Unlike Amanda.

  He hadn’t seen much of her the past two weeks except at a distance, when she and her sisters were working on their garden patch, pulling up dead weeds and spreading piles of compost on top of the garden to enrich the existing soil. To his chagrin he had spent more time watching her toil than he should have. But he couldn’t help it. Her beauty stunned him, and she worked with such spirit and vigor. Any man would be proud to have her as his wife.

  He would be especially proud. But he was also realistic.

  Taking a deep breath, he slid his arms through his suspenders, then went downstairs to retrieve his hat. A worn-out brim, and a small stain near the hatband. He wished he had a new one to wear, but this would have to do.

  A blast of brisk air greeted him as he stepped outside. It was near the end of October, when days were shorter and the air cooler. The temperature dropped a little bit as evening approached, cool enough to wear a jacket over his light blue long-sleeved shirt.

  He glanced at the Grabers’ house. Should he walk over and get Amanda, or hitch Tater to the buggy? Josiah didn’t particularly care for the name Thomas had chosen, but the boy had a spark of pride in his voice every time he mentioned her by name.

  Before he could make his decision, he heard the sound of a screen door shut and turned to see Amanda striding toward him. His mouth went dry as he gazed at her, taking in her dark green dress and white prayer kapp. She smiled as she neared, and it tugged at his heart.

  He was in for a long night.

  “Missed seeing you at church this morning,” Amanda said as Josiah guided the buggy onto the road.

  He shrugged, keeping his gaze straight ahead. He hadn’t said more than two words to her since she’d met him at his house a few minutes ago. She glanced down at the plastic container filled with fresh-baked monster cookies—packed with oats, chocolate chips, and M&M’s and rolled in powdered sugar. She had taken care with her appearance, knowing that the green dress brought out the green in her hazel eyes. But she shouldn’t have bothered. She doubted Josiah even knew the color of her eyes, he so rarely looked directly at her.

  Silence filled the space between them, and not for the first time she thought this was a bad idea. She hated feeling awkward around Josiah. After a few more minutes of only the sound of the passing cars and the clip-clop of Tater’s hooves, she couldn’t stand it anymore.

  “You were right about Peter,” she said.

  He turned to her. “What?”

  Finally, she had gotten his attention. “I expected at church this morning some of my friends would ask about our going to the singing together, but no one mentioned it.”

  “I’m not surprised. Like I said, Peter hates to lose.”

  “I’m not a prize, Josiah.”

  “Peter thinks so.”

  “Well, I don’t care what he thinks.” She settled against the seat. “I just hope he leaves me alone after this.”

  Josiah pulled on the reins, guiding the horse to make a right turn onto the road where Peter and his family lived. “You let me know if he doesn’t.”

  She hid a smile at his protective tone. She’d never figure this man out. “I remember you spending a lot of time at your aunt and uncle’s. I didn’t realize you and Peter didn’t get along.”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “We’ve got time.”

  He glanced at her for a brief moment, then focused on the road ahead. “I suppose you’ll keep asking until I tell you.”

  “You know me so well.”

  His lips quirked, but he didn’t smile. “We were okay when we were younger. Then when I turned ten, I started helping my uncle in the shop. Peter wasn’t old enough to do much more than clean up and be our gopher, which he hated. I think he resented the time my Onkel John and I spent together. And since Peter has five sisters, Onkel John appreciated the extra help.”

  “But then Peter worked in the shop too, right?”

  Josiah nodded. “He wasn’t quite as angry at that point, but we still didn’t get along. Peter always had everything he wanted or needed, but he still never seemed happy. Then Mamm died.” He swallowed. “My onkel was there for me more than my own daed was.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she said, seeing the stricken look on his face. “I had no idea.”

  “I didn’t want to talk about it. There’s the house.” He nodded toward a large white house several hundred yards away.

  Amanda had only been to the Yoders’ a few times before, for church services over the years and when Peter’s oldest sister, Esther, had gotten married a couple of years ago. As the beautiful house came into view, she couldn’t help but be impressed. Although there was nothing ostentatious about it, the size of the house, shop, and property bespoke of wealth. She had heard stories over the years of how generous John and Vera Yoder had been to families in the community that were struggling financially. She hoped Peter wo
uld keep up that family tradition.

  Numerous gray buggies were parked in the large area near the shop. She spotted a volleyball net in the backyard behind the house, and several young women and men were already playing with a bright yellow ball. The scent of grilling meat greeted her as Josiah squeezed his buggy into the last space near the hitching post. Hamburgers, or maybe chicken, she couldn’t tell. Her stomach growled.

  They disembarked from the buggy, and Josiah tethered Tater. Amanda clutched her cookies while Josiah shoved his hands in his pockets. One look at his uncertain expression, and she knew they shouldn’t have come here together.

  “I’ll take these cookies inside to your aenti,” she said.

  “I’ll come with you.” He fell in step beside her as they went to the house. “I want to say hello to her and Onkel John.”

  They entered through the side door and passed through a large mudroom before reaching the spacious kitchen, where plates and trays of desserts covered the oblong table. Giving the spread a cursory look, Amanda noticed at least four different kinds of cookies, a baking dish filled with date pudding, chocolate-frosted brownies, a huge hickory nut cake, and two double-crust apple pies.

  “Looks gut,” Josiah said, his hands still in his pockets. He nodded his approval, then glanced around the kitchen. “Wonder where Aenti Vera is.”

  Amanda looked out the large, multipaned window that exposed the Yoders’ expansive backyard. Two more tables were set up near the gas grill manned by Josiah’s uncle. Those tables were also filled with platters of food. “We won’t starve here,” she commented.

  “Nee. Aenti Vera always makes sure everyone has plenty.” Josiah walked over to the window and stared outside.

  After shifting a few of the desserts around, Amanda made enough room for her container, then moved to stand by him.

  “I don’t know anyone here,” he said, still looking outside. “Then again, I suppose most of our old friends are married by now.”

  “Ya, they are.” She peered at a young woman and man standing off to the side, watching the volleyball game. From the way they stood close to each other, everyone could see they were a couple. “You remember Ben Weaver and Rebecca Miller, don’t you?”

  He hesitated, then nodded.

  “Her twin sister drowned in a skating accident.” Amanda shook her head. “Such a tragedy. Rebecca had a hard time dealing with it, not that anyone could blame her. She’s found happiness with Ben, though.”

  “I can see that.”

  “They’re getting married in a few weeks.” She nodded toward another couple just arriving. “Leah and Aaron Lantz are here too. Leah Lantz was formerly Leah Petersheim. They married last year.”

  “I don’t know them very well,” he said.

  “You’d like Aaron; he’s a great guy.”

  Josiah didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he looked at her. “I have to admit, I’m surprised you’re not married yet.”

  “I could say the same thing for you.”

  He looked out the window again. “I don’t plan on getting married.”

  Amanda did a double take. Choosing to remain single was almost unheard of among the Amish. She started to ask him why, when his aunt bustled into the kitchen.

  “I know I put the extra napkins somewhere,” she mumbled, tapping her chin with her index finger. Then she glanced in the direction of the window, and a wide grin appeared on her face. “Josiah!” She went to him, squeezing between the chairs around the table and the wall. “I had no idea you were here! When did you arrive?”

  “Just a few minutes ago, Aenti. Amanda dropped off a dessert.”

  Vera looked at Amanda and smiled. “Danki. I hope you found room for it.”

  “I did. Everything looks wonderful.”

  “It’s nothing,” Vera said, batting away the compliment with her hand. “I just hope everyone has a gut time.” She looked at Josiah and smiled. “Especially you.”

  Without replying, Josiah averted his gaze.

  Apparently not noticing her nephew’s reticence, Vera said, “Now, you two geh outside and have fun. They’re starting up another volleyball game. You used to love to play, Josiah.” She moved toward them and made shooing gestures with her hands. “Get out there before the game starts.”

  Amanda hid a smile as she and Josiah left the house and entered the backyard. Fragrant smoke drifted from the gas grill, scenting the air and making her mouth water. The Yoders had a large concrete patio, and several young people were sitting in plastic chairs, talking and watching their friends playing horseshoes and choosing teams for the volleyball game. She and Josiah stood on the perimeter, still unnoticed by everyone else. She turned to him. “Do you want to play?”

  “Nee, not today.”

  “Oh, come on, Josiah,” Amanda said. She enjoyed volleyball and remembered what a great player he’d been. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed his hand. “It’ll be fun.”

  Chapter Eleven

  JOSIAH STARED AT HER SMALL HAND IN HIS LARGE ONE. Warmth traveled from his palm throughout his entire body as he reveled in Amanda’s touch. The way she had grabbed his hand had been so smooth, so natural, he doubted she had thought twice about it, or that she had any idea how her touch affected him.

  “I’m not taking no for an answer,” she said, tugging on his hand. “Your aenti told you to have fun, and I’m going to make sure you do.” She smiled at him, her cheeks rosy from the cool air, the ribbons from her prayer kapp fluttering around her shoulders.

  Those ribbons weren’t the only thing fluttering. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t calm his heart rate.

  Several girls and guys on the patio turned and looked at them, and he realized he either had to follow her to the volleyball net or risk making a scene. Taking off his coat, he took a few steps forward. “All right, you’ve convinced me. Or should I say you didn’t give me much of a choice.”

  “Either one works for me.” She grinned and released her grasp.

  His hand had never felt so empty.

  The underlying anxiety he’d felt since leaving his house threatened to surface as he approached the group of people near the volleyball net. He had spoken the truth to Amanda: he didn’t know very many of them. Then his gaze landed on Ben Weaver, and he felt a little relief at seeing another friendly face.

  “I see my cousin has decided to join us.” Peter suddenly appeared and stood beside a pretty young maedel Josiah didn’t recognize.

  So much for relief.

  “You all remember Josiah, don’t you?”

  A couple of people nodded, although Josiah wasn’t sure who they were. Then he saw Ben tossing the volleyball up and down. Ben gave him a wide grin. “Hey, Josiah. Heard you were back in town. Glad you could make it.”

  Josiah nodded. He and Ben hadn’t known each other all that well; Ben was a couple of years younger. But he’d always been friendly, and Josiah was glad to see that hadn’t changed.

  “We just finished picking teams,” Peter said in an even tone, but Josiah could see a tiny spark of resentment in his cousin’s eyes. “Since I’m one of the captains, I choose Amanda.”

  “We’ll have Josiah,” Ben said.

  The teams assembled, and soon they started playing. Before long Josiah had shed any self-consciousness and immersed himself in the game. He hadn’t played in a long time, but soon he fell into a comfortable rhythm and scored a couple of points.

  At game point, it was his turn to serve. He tossed the ball in the air and executed a perfect serve—directly at Amanda.

  “Mine!” she yelled, extending her arms and clasping her hands together in position to bump the ball either over the net or to one of the players on her team. Josiah watched her, hoping she would make a clean hit.

  She missed the ball.

  Josiah’s team hollered and celebrated their victory, and a couple of the guys clapped him on the back. He accepted their congratulations and walked toward Amanda to tell her good game, but paused as he saw Peter mo
ving to stand next to her.

  “How could you have missed that?” His tone wasn’t overly loud, but loud enough for Josiah to hear him.

  Amanda, to her credit, didn’t cower. “It was a gut serve. I misjudged it.”

  Josiah ducked under the net and went to Amanda. “Is there a problem here?”

  “Nee,” she said, looking straight at Peter, appearing a little upset.

  “Food’s ready!” Onkel John called out.

  Peter walked away without another comment, but Josiah’s anger continued to simmer. He wanted nothing more than to grab his cousin and knock some manners into him. But that wasn’t the Amish way, and even if he were still living an Englisch life, he wouldn’t have done anything to embarrass his aunt and uncle. He clenched his jaw, took a deep breath, then looked at Amanda, grateful everyone else had abandoned the volleyball court in favor of eating. “Sorry about that.”

  “You shouldn’t apologize for your cousin’s bad behavior.” Glancing at Peter again, she added, “Maybe one day he’ll grow up.”

  “We can hope.”

  Amanda turned and faced him, a smile on her face. “You haven’t lost your touch at volleyball, I see.”

  “And you’re still a graceful loser.” He took a step closer to her, her gorgeous smile drawing him in. She had an adorable dimple in her left cheek. He had to fight the urge to bend down and kiss it.

  “What?” She brought her hand to the dimple. “Is there something on my face?” She wiped at her cheek. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s grass or something.”

  He reached out and touched her hand, stilling her movements. “Nee,” he said, bringing his hand up to touch her dimple with his thumb. “You’re perfect.”

  “You’re perfect.”

  But it wasn’t just the words that had made her emotions dance. His gentleness as he touched her hand and her face, the warmth in his eyes as he spoke—all those things made her dizzy with delight. Whether he meant to or not, Josiah had allowed her a glimpse into his heart.

  She gazed straight ahead, taking in the beauty before her. Long narrow clouds streaked the pastel evening sky, as if God had skipped a paintbrush across the heavens. The sun had hidden behind the horizon a short while ago, leaving behind remnants of lavender, peach, and pink. The sharp clip-clop of Tater’s shoes sounded against the pavement. There weren’t many cars on the road to disturb the peaceful scene. The night was perfect.