Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters)

by Jerry S. Eicher

  Wilma beamed. “You are a wunderbah woman!”

  “Let’s wait and see how things work out,” Ida corrected. “I’m sure there will be bumps along the way.” Ida led the way into the house. “Shall we begin fixing supper then? I believe you and I handle things similarly, so let’s stick with that schedule for the time being. We’ll be flexible, of course. One must always be flexible because change happens.”

  Wilma’s smile widened. “I think I’m going to like having you here very much.”

  “You’re a wunderbah young lady,” Ida said. “Any handsome men knocking?”

  Wilma turned all shades of red.

  Ida gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry if that was too direct. You don’t have to tell me. But I’m here if you ever want to talk or you have any questions or concerns you want to work out.”

  Wilma shook her head. “I’m okay. Well, everything seems to be going okay…umm…I don’t have any questions right now.”

  “That’s okay.” Ida gave Wilma what she hoped was a helpful smile.

  Wilma looked at her pensively. “How did you marry Daett? I mean, how did it start? Was it a sudden thing?”

  Ida breathed deeply as they walked into the kitchen. She hadn’t planned on having this conversation so soon, but why not? Wilma had a right to ask. Ida was, after all, the new woman coming in to take charge of the household. And she did want a close relationship with Wilma. So what better time than now to begin?

  “Maybe we’d better sit down.” Ida motioned toward a chair and took one herself. “When your daett first showed an interest in me, I immediately thought about how the two of us, if we got together, could raise your uncle Melvin’s children. But marriage is holy, and it requires much more than wanting to help someone else. I suffered a lot with the death of your uncle Melvin. I thought Da Hah had led me to him, and that we would be spending our days getting old together and raising the children.”

  Ida gave Wilma a quick glance to gauge her interest level. Had she said too much? No, the girl appeared interested.

  Wilma reached over and touched Ida’s arm. “I can only imagine the sorrow you felt.”

  Ida continued. “After that I wasn’t so concerned about feelings or what I thought life should be like. When your daett noticed me after the funeral and I could see his interest, I couldn’t think of any reason why I shouldn’t say yah. I knew he needed more help. And after we talked and he said he was willing to bring all of Melvin’s children to live with us, I knew it would be a gut situation. Isn’t that how Da Hah works? And soon Da Hah gave me love for your daett and all of you on top of everything else.” Ida stopped as she blushed. She decided that was enough to say. Wilma would have to be satisfied.

  Wilma, though, wasn’t finished. “Have you ever loved someone who didn’t love you back?”

  Ida met the girl’s gaze. “Oh, Wilma, is that what you’re going through? The boy you’re interested in doesn’t return the feeling? Yah, I once did love someone who didn’t return my love.”

  A tear glittered in Wilma’s eye, but she quickly wiped it away. “I don’t know. But he… ”

  “I know it’s hard. It will be okay, sweetheart.” The words spilled out of Ida. “You have nothing to worry about. Da Hah will see that the right man loves you someday. If it’s not to be this one, you can trust Da Hah. He knows what’s right.”

  Wilma studied her face. “You know of this then?”

  Ida winced. “Yah, I know of it well.”

  A soft smile spread over Wilma’s face. “Thank you, Ida. I’m glad you’ve come to help us. Our lives will be better for having you here.”

  Now I will cry, Ida thought. She stood up and wrapped Wilma in a tight hug. Ben interrupted them a minute later when he cleared his throat from the kitchen doorway. “Is supper coming up anytime soon?”

  “Men!” Ida huffed as she wiped her eyes. “They never give women a moment’s peace.”

  Ben laughed and disappeared.

  “Thanks for loving my daett,” Wilma whispered. The two embraced again.

  Thirty-Six

  Debbie slipped out of the house toward the barn. It was Wednesday, and she shouldn’t have waited this long, but she’d wanted to be sure lest she act in haste. Even now she really didn’t have the time for this with all the work that needed doing. And yet this had to be done. Emery had shown an interest again in Crystal at Ida’s wedding, and Debbie couldn’t live with herself another moment if she didn’t at least speak with Crystal. Emery obviously had a soft spot for the woman. Bishop Beiler evidently believed Crystal had the same interest she had about joining the church. But it wasn’t the same at all! Debbie was sure disaster was lying in wait if some things weren’t corrected.

  Maybe it had been Ida’s wedding day and the sight of Lois there without her husband that had finally made it clear to Debbie. Whatever the reason, urgency had risen up inside her. She must speak with Crystal before an unmarried Amish man fell for her, especially if it was Emery!

  She entered the barn and approached Emery as he fed the cows. “Emery, I need the address where Crystal is staying.”

  “And why’s that?” Emery asked in surprise.

  “I want to speak with her. I saw you with her at Ida’s wedding.”

  “Yah.” Emery chuckled. “What do you plan to do?”

  She frowned. “Emery, I just don’t like this situation. Someone has to talk sense into that woman, seeing as you don’t seem to comprehend the danger.”

  “You think I’m going to fall in love with her?” He smiled. “You’re worried I might love her?” he asked with a sly grin.

  Debbie held out a piece of paper and a pen. “I know she has relatives in the area and is staying with them. Please write down the address.”

  He scribbled on the paper.

  Her heart sank. Despite her bravado, she was hoping he didn’t know it.

  He handed back the paper. “You’ve got this all thought out, it seems.”

  She ignored the comment. “Yes, I do. Someone has to speak to her.”

  Emery shrugged. “She’s not staying with a family in the community. She hasn’t behaved in a questionable way as far as I know—in the community or outside. You can’t just order a person away. Especially one who is seeking faith and peace. Be careful.”

  She hesitated. “How do you know where she lives?”

  Emery met her gaze. “It’s common knowledge, Debbie. My knowing means nothing.”

  Yes, it does. She almost said it aloud, but managed to hold it in. She went instead to catch and harness Buttercup.

  Emery helped her, but they said nothing more. They hitched the horse to the buggy, and Debbie climbed in. When she turned down the driveway, she saw him standing in front of the barn watching her drive out.

  This morning Debbie had almost spilled her plans to Saloma, but she doubted if Saloma would think Crystal’s presence was a matter of concern. Why was everyone so blind when it came to Crystal? Did they think because they’d been wrong about her, that they might also be wrong about Crystal? Debbie pulled up for a stop sign. As usual, blame for all Englisha things eventually landed back on her.

  She shouldn’t blame Saloma for her lack of interest when it came to Crystal. Saloma was still mourning the loss of Ida not being at home. They hadn’t spoken of it, but Debbie knew. Adam and Saloma were both struggling to establish a new routine now that all three of their girls were married and gone… now that Debbie was the only girl to help on the farm. Saloma bore the brunt of the loss of Ida since she’d assumed Ida’s chores.

  Debbie pushed her thoughts away and turned on the lane toward the small town of Penns Creek. Buttercup settled into a comfortable gait that would eat up the distance. Debbie’s thoughts drifted back to Ida’s wedding and her time with Phillip. She sighed. She really didn’t want to think about the man. She wouldn’t allow herself to fall for an unobtainable dream again. Alvin had taught her that much. Her heart still needed healing before she could ever consider another man. Philli
p would return to Lancaster next Thursday for Lily’s wedding. Debbie had agreed to sit with him at the hymn singing in the evening when all the Amish youth were paired up with someone. With that ahead of her, she might as well think about him. The evening wasn’t a date, which is why she’d agreed to it. She would have to sit with someone, so why not Phillip Kanagy? He probably felt the same way, so that was that. Phillip would have come straight out and asked her for a date if he was interested in her that way. It wasn’t like he was shy. The man could handle himself quite well.

  Paul would be disappointed that she wasn’t available to sit with him. But he shouldn’t be. She’d told him she wasn’t interested in romance with him. She hadn’t given him any encouragement even though he continued to express affection for her. Yet Paul was more humble since his accident. He’d come down some from his high horse. And he was a known quantity. But that wasn’t enough. She would never marry him.

  So why shouldn’t she consider Phillip? Was she frightened of being in another relationship? She didn’t really know Phillip, but that was why one dated someone. Debbie thought of Emery in the barn this morning and sighed. She was realizing she was drawn to this man who was almost a brother to her. That was the real problem. She had no right to think of Emery as a possible husband, and so soon after Alvin. What was wrong with her? Why was she so tempted with something that couldn’t happen? Yet, Emery was a real man, a solid man, and that’s why she was on her way to see Crystal. Emery couldn’t ever be her husband, but if she could help it neither would Crystal. Crystal was not what was best for Emery.

  Debbie sighed. Why she was dwelling on men and romance, she had no idea. She still needed time to heal from the treatment Alvin had given her. But here she was, with the attentions of a possible new beau in front of her—and the wrong one at that. If anyone knew that she harbored even the slightest interest in Emery as a husband she’d be the outcast of the community for sure. “Gold digger” wouldn’t come close to what she’d be called.

  Debbie pulled to a stop at the lone stop sign in Penns Creek. Enough of Phillip Kanagy. She would deal with him later. She turned left after the road cleared and found the address. An open parking spot was next door, so she tied Buttercup to a telephone pole there.

  Going up to the house, Debbie knocked.

  The door was opened by a woman who appeared friendly. “May I help you?” she asked.

  Debbie smiled. “I was wondering if I might speak with Crystal?”

  “You’re in luck. Crystal just came home from Mifflinburg.” She held out her hand. “I’m Margaret. Crystal’s been such a nice boarder. Are you a friend?”

  “No, I’m just… an acquaintance. My name is Debbie.” Had Crystal lied about having family in the area?

  Margaret ushered Debbie into the living room. “Crystal! Someone is here to see you.”

  Footsteps came down the hall immediately. Crystal exclaimed, “Debbie! What a nice surprise!”

  Debbie’s resolve wavered. “Good morning. I thought I’d stop by to see you… and talk.” Crystal was a beautiful woman, even more beautiful in her Englisha clothing. She’d been beautiful in Philadelphia, Debbie remembered. No wonder both Alvin and Emery had fallen for her.

  “You want to talk?” Crystal was puzzled, but she motioned upstairs. “My room is up there.”

  Debbie followed her after a brief nod to Margaret. Crystal held the bedroom door open, and Debbie took the only chair in the room.

  Crystal made herself comfortable on the bed. “So what brings you here?”

  They could be two sisters meeting for an evening talk before retiring, Debbie thought. Only they weren’t. This was much more dangerous business than that, and the stakes were much higher.

  Debbie gathered her thoughts. “I know we see each other at church, but let me explain who I am and why I’m here. I first saw you in Philadelphia with Alvin. I’d driven there to talk to him, but he wasn’t home. Alvin and I had been interested in each other before he left for Philadelphia. I was waiting outside in my car when Alvin, you, and a large dog walked toward the apartment building. I was so shocked I didn’t even get out of my car. Oh, in case you’re wondering, I was driving a car because I originally came from the outside world—the Englisha world, as the Amish would say.”

  Crystal nodded. “I knew you were Alvin’s ex-girlfriend, and that you came from… our world. But I didn’t know about Philadelphia. That is interesting.”

  Debbie continued. “I’m here, Crystal, because I want to straighten some things out. Things can’t go on like they have been. No one else has told you this, I’m sure, but I’ll be direct. You will never be allowed to marry an Amish man. Within the Amish faith a man cannot wed a divorced woman.”

  Crystal raised her eyebrows. “I realize that. I’ve read some of the Ordnung rules and studied the Amish people. I know every community is different though.”

  “If you join the community, are you prepared to live as a single woman?”

  Crystal gazed out of the bedroom window. “I haven’t decided about joining. There is another option, you know.”

  Debbie looked puzzled a moment, and then she gasped. “You wouldn’t do that. You couldn’t!”

  Crystal smiled. “Maybe, maybe not. I have a right to happiness. Even with an ex-Amish man. It’s happened before, you know. An Amish man leaving the community isn’t the end of the world. You and I both know that.”

  Debbie clutched the edge of the bed. “That can’t happen, Crystal. That would be wrong. Terribly wrong! Leaving the community means giving up everything the Amish person has known and experienced. What if you get an Amish man and one day he realizes what he’s lost? You’ll lose his heart. The Amish people have deep roots in family and the land. His heart is wrapped up in the community. That doesn’t change by saying marriage vows.”

  Crystal met Debbie’s gaze. “Are we in competition by any chance?”

  Debbie kept her voice steady. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Crystal laughed. “A woman knows, Debbie. I can see it in your eyes. You’re in love with Emery and want him for yourself. Well, so am I, and so do I.”

  Debbie controlled her voice. “No, Crystal. Emery’s the bishop’s son. He’ll lose the farm and anything else he has if he leaves the faith. And if he leaves, Emery may never be allowed back, and he can never just take up where he left off. Especially if he marries you. And what if he finds out he’s made a terrible mistake? I guess that’s happened to you before.”

  Crystal frowned. “My past is none of your business.”

  “When the marriage doesn’t work out, you can always find someone else and marry again. Emery would never have that option. He wouldn’t be allowed to marry among the Amish. Are you willing to put him through that depth of sorrow? And all for a few years of happiness on your part—if it lasts that long. Your world is not his world. I know. I come from yours, and now I’m in his.”

  Crystal regarded her for a moment. “So what’s in this for me? If I abandon my hopes, what benefit do I get? Am I to do that because I love him so much?”

  “I don’t believe you love him that much,” Debbie said. “I’m hoping I can appeal to your sense of what is right. You surely understand that concept. Leave and let Emery get over his attraction to you. He’ll be the better and the wiser for it. If you stay nothing good can come out of it.”

  Crystal stood. “I’ll think about this.”

  Debbie rose and offered Crystal her hand. “We have all been shown great mercy by the Lord.” The two shook, and Crystal led the way downstairs. After saying goodbye, Debbie walked to the parking lot and untied Buttercup. Hopping into the buggy, Debbie drove south with only a brief backward glance. Everything would be okay, she thought. The community would never see Crystal again, and Emery was safe. Crystal would do more than think about this. She would leave now that light had been shed on her plans. “Thank You, dear God, for Your help,” Debbie prayed, her face lifted toward the sky outside the buggy door.

&n
bsp; Thirty-Seven

  Debbie sat quietly beside Emery as the two made their way back to Lily and Mahlon’s wedding site for the evening hymn singing. Emery had been cheerful all day. In fact, he’d been extra happy since the weekend when Crystal hadn’t shown up. Did Emery approve of what she had done? The thought took her breath away.

  But she had other things to think about since Friday night. Alvin and Mildred had shown up at the Beiler place. Seeing them pull into the driveway had sent Debbie in a beeline for her room upstairs even as she wondered what in the world those two wanted with the bishop.

  It had taken a while to figure that out, but once she listened to the murmuring of voices downstairs, the reason dawned on her. Alvin and Mildred wanted to be married this fall. There could be no other explanation. Distress should have ripped through her heart, but peace came instead. She’d healed faster from Alvin’s betrayal than she’d imagined possible. In fact, she’d considered going down to make the two feel welcomed, but that would have been a little much. Her expression of forgiveness and acceptance to Mildred at the communion service was sufficient.

  After Alvin and Mildred left, Saloma told Debbie that she’d been correct. Bishop Beiler would publish Alvin and Mildred’s wedding for the last Thursday in November.

  And that’s what had happened on Sunday.

  How Alvin had managed to put their love in the past so quickly did sting a little, Debbie admitted to herself. Obviously she’d been a mere fascination for him and nothing more. How could she have been so wrong? She told herself it was time to move on… to look forward to whatever God had in mind for her.

  There was so much for her to be thankful for. Crystal hadn’t attended the service or the hymn singing on Sunday. Debbie thanked God for His mercy and grace. He had blessed her trip to Penns Creek. Perhaps she should have asked Emery about Crystal on Sunday, but instead she’d waited to see what would happen. She figured Emery would speak about Crystal when he was ready.