Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters)

by Jerry S. Eicher

  He stepped closer. “But I’m not your brother, Debbie. No one thinks like that. When I took you to the table on the night of Alvin’s wedding, no one thought us a strange couple.” He gently gripped her upper arms. “Look at me, Debbie. We are not family. Not in that way. And you know that.”

  Heat burned like fire in her face. “But… but Emery… How can we… we… ”

  He continued. “How can we not, Debbie?” He seemed to know what she was thinking and what to say, as if he’d thought through the situation. “First, we need to tell Mamm and Daett that we’re thinking of each other in this way. That is, if you want to see me that way. I don’t expect you to make your mind up for sure right away. But I do think they should be told that we’re interested in each other. I’ll start sleeping in the basement or in the barn so it will look right. We don’t need to date officially until you decide yah or nee. But the truth is that I’d wed you tomorrow—if you’d agree and if it were possible.”

  She tried to breathe.

  He paused and then said, “Debbie…Debbie, if…if you tell me nee, no one will ever have to know. We can go on like before. I’ll straighten up my feelings the best I can. But I feel that you and I together would be so right. You love this place like I do. You’re committed to my people as I am. You belong here with me.”

  When she still said nothing, Emery let go of her and stepped back. “You will at least consider it?”

  She finally answered slowly. “This is not how I thought life would turn out. I always thought I’d marry Alvin. But obviously God had other plans. You are… ” She took both of his hands. “You are too good for me, Emery. But, yes, love for you sneaked into my heart when I wasn’t looking.”

  He gently pulled one of his hands out of hers and touched her face. “Who knows how the heart works, Debbie? We don’t have to figure it out. What we can have here would be ours alone. A new love would grow strong in our hearts. Our kinner would be on this place. And we would love each other, Debbie. I know we would!”

  Her voice trembled. “And your sisters and parents? What will they say?”

  He didn’t seem fazed. “I don’t know, but we’re not doing anything wrong.”

  She touched his smooth face. “I guess I’ll get to watch your face grow a beard—from close range.”

  He smiled and she giggled. They sat on the bed.

  “So the answer will be yah?” he asked. “You know already… for sure?”

  She smiled at him. “The answer is yah! More than yah!”

  He drew her close. “We’d best tell Mamm and Daett.”

  “I can’t tell your parents,” she managed. “I just can’t. They’ll be shocked. And what if they disapprove?”

  “I’ll tell them for us.” He hesitated. “They do have to be told.”

  She nodded. There was nothing wrong with what she felt for Emery, and yet she felt like a thief or a schemer. Maybe they would think she’d moved in to snatch the prize—their son.

  “I can move back in with my parents,” she whispered. “That might be for the best. I can still come and help with the chores and the housekeeping.”

  “No, you won’t.” Emery regarded her for a long moment. Then he rose and made his way out of the room.

  Debbie heard his footsteps on the stairs. She sat still and listened. She could hear the murmur of voices from the living room. Suddenly she found herself in tears. She’d just been offered a fresh start. A husband better than insecure Alvin, or Paul and his bombastic ways, and even the handsome Phillip. Emery was solid. He would stand the test of time. And he loved her. And she loved him! So why was she crying as if the world were coming to an end? Hadn’t Ida shown her the way?

  It seemed like hours before she heard footsteps and the stairs creaking. A soft knock sounded on the door frame. “Come in,” she whispered.

  Saloma entered and sat on the bed. She slipped her arm around Debbie’s shoulder and hugged her. “You poor thing,” Saloma cooed, comforting Debbie as if she were comforting a baby.

  “I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Debbie said through sobs. “I really am sorry.”

  Saloma continued as if she hadn’t heard. “Da Hah has brought you a long way, Debbie. You’ve become like a daughter to us, so maybe we’re partly to blame for the mess Emery and you are in.”

  “It is a mess, isn’t it?” Debbie asked through her tears.

  Saloma looked at her with compassion. “Yah, Debbie, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. Daett and I feel quite badly for what has happened. It was our selfishness in taking you in like we did and not looking forward to see what might come to pass. So dry your eyes, and we’ll see what can be done about this.”

  “You’re blaming yourselves?” Debbie didn’t hide the shock in her voice. “But I’m the one to blame.”

  Saloma gave Debbie a soft smile. “Nee, this is not your fault, dear. That’s the last thing that crossed our mind. Daett’s down there giving Emery a talking-to. This situation should never have happened like this.”

  Debbie gulped and stopped crying. Saloma was right, the murmur of voices downstairs was still going on. “So you and the bishop disapprove?”

  “Oh, nee, Debbie. We approve! We just believe Emery should have handled things better. If he’s had feelings for you, we should have been told long before now.”

  Debbie lowered her head, still not sure. “Don’t blame him for everything. There were warnings for both of us. I think we just didn’t want to believe them.”

  “Daett and I should have been on the lookout ourselves,” Saloma said. “Now come downstairs. Daett wants to talk with you.”

  Saloma stood and offered her hand to Debbie. Debbie took it and stood. After squeezing her hand, Saloma turned and headed downstairs with Debbie following close behind. In the living room, Debbie hardly dared to look up and meet Emery’s gaze. She sat down on the couch beside him. He looked chastened but still happy, which was a good sign.

  Bishop Beiler regarded her for a moment. “Debbie, first I want to apologize for Emery’s behavior. We should have been told about his growing interest in you a long time ago. And it was most indecent of Emery to speak with you so suddenly about this matter. I can imagine how you feel. But now that it’s out in the open, Mamm and I wish to help where we can. And the first thing that must be done is getting Emery out of the house. He will move into the barn with his blankets tonight. The stove is still out there from Ida’s wedding and working just fine. We’ll get him set up in there.”

  “But I’m the one who should leave,” Debbie interrupted. “I could go home to my parents.”

  The bishop glared at Emery and then smiled at Debbie. “Nee, he needs a little suffering before he gets handed a decent frau like you, Debbie. Emery won’t freeze, and it’ll do him a lot of gut. And we’ll get our dawdy haus built by late spring. You can then move into it with us, and Emery will move back into this house. Until that time, you’re not to date officially. Is that understood?”

  “Yah, I understand,” Emery said as he looked at the floor.

  “And you?” Bishop Beiler asked, turning his gaze in Debbie’s direction.

  “Of course.” Debbie stole a glance at Emery, and found he was stealing a glance at her. The corners of his lips turned up.

  Saloma rose. “Well, let’s get Emery moved then.” She turned to face Debbie. “And you’re not to help. This is between Emery and us.”

  “Are you sure? I can help… ” Debbie paused as Saloma shook her head. “Is it okay if I go up to my room for a while?”

  “That sounds like a good plan, Debbie,” Saloma said.

  Debbie stood and slipped up the stairs. She heard Emery say, “I’m going to get some of my stuff.” Then his footsteps were behind her. She turned to wait for him at her bedroom door.

  He paused close to her. She looked up and his eyes were shining.

  “I love you, Debbie!” he whispered. “And watch out because I’ll be stealing kisses whenever I can!”

  She sm
iled, turned, entered her room, and closed the bedroom door, all the while thinking she should have stuck out her tongue at him at such a remark. But then she’d probably end up in a kiss with him, and that would have been good—too good.

  Forty-Three

  New Year’s Eve found Debbie upstairs in her bedroom changing into a Sunday dress. She’d helped Saloma all day with the food preparation. They’d added all the extra leaves to the dining room table. Everyone was coming today. They’d been told there would be a family related announcement, and it was important to be there. Reuben and Wayne had arrived with their families a short time ago. Verna and Ida, with their families, were expected soon. To Debbie’s surprise her parents had accepted their invitation and were coming too. Lois and her Englisha husband, Doug, would round out the guest list. Bishop Beiler had decreed the family gathering the day after Christmas. Saloma and the bishop had insisted the news of Debbie’s engagement to Emery remain a secret until New Year’s Eve so the entire family could hear about it first.

  “This is not our normal practice for engagements,” he’d told Debbie. “But under the special circumstances, we believe it would be best to clear the air with everyone in the family first—and with your parents especially.”

  “Thank you, Daett.” Debbie gasped, horrified by the slip of tongue. But when she looked up, a smile had crept across the bishop’s face. Saloma had heard from the kitchen. She came to the doorway. “And, Debbie, you are to call me Mamm now.”

  Debbie pressed back the tears as she hurried to Saloma and answered with a tight hug.

  Saloma glowed with happiness.

  Debbie smiled as she remembered the scene. She paused to look out the window. The only darkness on the horizons in the lives of the bishop and Saloma was Lois. But Da Hah was working in their hearts because the bishop had invited Lois and Doug to the gathering. Debbie hoped she’d played a small part in healing the rift. Debbie hugged herself at the thought. She would be Emery’s bride the next wedding season, and in so doing would truly become a sister in the Beiler family. What Lois had left, she’d replaced. Who would have thought things would turn out this way?

  Debbie’s thoughts whirled until the sound of buggy wheels in the driveway interrupted them. She turned and hurried to pin on her kapp. She’d hoped her parents would arrive first so she could speak a few words with them. The news of her engagement should come to them through her first, she thought. Debbie was sure her mom suspected something like this anyway. Hadn’t she made the wry remark soon after Debbie had decided to board at the Beilers about a dozen children? Debbie felt the heat rise up her neck at the memory. Her mother might have been on target all along. She could easily imagine the farm filled with wunderbah children—Emery and hers!

  A knock on the door made Debbie jump. Would Saloma have come up for a final word? No… this wouldn’t be Saloma. There could only be one other person outside her bedroom door at this moment. Debbie rubbed her face with vigor, but that wouldn’t deceive Emery. He already knew her too well. With a quick pull she opened the door. “Yah?”

  Emery was leaning against the doorframe grinning. His look took in her flushed face. “Nervous are we?”

  “Maybe a little.” A smile spread over her face, and she felt blood rushing into her cheeks. Emery was much too manly for his own good! Thankfully he didn’t seem aware of all his charms, which added to his attractiveness.

  “I’ll be sitting beside you at suppertime.” His grin was still broad. “I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable with that.”

  “You know I’d love it!” The words slipped out so easily. She’d not dared imagine this engagement would ever happen, but now that it had her moments with Emery were the most natural in the world. It was like they’d always been meant to be together. And perhaps they had.

  His grin turned wicked. “It will be a pleasure on my part.”

  She wanted to kiss him right then and there, but this wasn’t the time. “You’d better go on downstairs. I’ll be there soon.”

  He didn’t budge. “You look ready to me.” His gaze took in her dress and shoes. “Pins and needles all in place?”

  “Okay, I’ll come now.” She took his arm and marched down the stairs with him. At the stairway door, she released him as he led the way. Debbie entered the living room close behind him. Verna and Ida had both arrived and were standing there with puzzled looks, obviously unaware of the news about to be announced.

  “What’s this all about?” Verna asked Debbie, as if she suspected it had to do with her friend. That Emery was with her caused a light to go on in her eyes.

  Ida too was now staring at them. She clapped both hands against her face. “Oh! Don’t tell me that… ”

  “Both of you be silent now,” Saloma commanded from the kitchen doorway. “You’re not to breathe a word more.”

  Verna ignored her mamm and drew in a long breath. “My own brother and Debbie?” She wrapped Debbie in a tight hug. “I can’t believe it!”

  “Believe it!” Emery said with a sly grin.

  “Now we are sisters! Really sisters!” Ida had tears on her cheeks. Her hug was even tighter than Verna’s had been. “You and my little brother! How did this happen?”

  “You showed me the way,” Debbie whispered.

  “Enough of this now,” Mamm interrupted. “Debbie’s parents just arrived, and she needs to welcome them.”

  As soon as Debbie and Emery were on the porch, he said, “I’ll give you some time with your parents.” He turned to head toward the barn where Joe, Ben, Wayne, Reuben, and Daett were talking.

  “You’re not scared are you?” Debbie teased.

  Emery rubbed his forehead with his forearm. “Maybe a little.”

  She laughed and shooed him toward the barn.

  He grinned and walked away.

  Debbie approached the car as soon as it pulled to a stop in the driveway.

  “Debbie!” Her mom gave her a long hug when she got out of the car. “What’s this all about?” Her mother looked around, and her gaze took in the gathered knot of men by the barn.

  “Bishop Beiler wants to make an official announcement at suppertime, but I wanted to let you know ahead of time. I’m engaged to Emery Beiler!”

  “Engaged!” both parents said at the same time.

  “Yes! Can you keep the secret until suppertime so Bishop Beiler can make the formal announcement to the rest of the family?”

  “Secrets, secrets!” Herbert laughed as he embraced his daughter. “You look very happy. And that makes me happy too.”

  “Do you love this young man?” her mom asked.

  “Yes, Mom, I do. I really do.”

  “Okay, we’ll keep your secret.”

  Just then Doug and Lois drove into the lane.

  “Well, if the wayward daughter and her worldly husband have also been invited, all must be forgiven and forgotten.”

  Debbie had no reply to that. The Beilers would always feel the pain of their daughter’s departure into the Englisha world. But they would also always love Lois.

  Callie walked over to greet Doug and Lois. Debbie and her father followed. After the hellos, they turned and headed toward the house, the men following behind the women. Lois rushed ahead and was already at the front door, smiling and feeling perfectly at home.

  There are indeed wunderbah things afloat tonight, Debbie decided.

  As they entered the house, Lois was already talking to her mamm. She turned around to look at Debbie. “I can’t wait to hear what this is all about. Will you tell me now?”

  “I’d better not,” Debbie said. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Lois didn’t pursue the subject as she chattered on. “I was telling Mamm she should have asked, and I’d have come over earlier to help with supper.”

  “Well… ” Saloma hesitated, obviously not sure if they would have felt comfortable with Lois and Doug coming that early just yet. Healing was going to take some time. “I’m just thankful you’re here, Lois. An
d Doug too.”

  Lois’s face softened a little. “I do understand how things are, Mamm. But just know I’m available if you need my help. Remember that, okay?”

  Saloma nodded and took Lois by the arm. Together they walked toward the kitchen.

  Debbie watched with contentment. Each time they got together was another opportunity to help heal the hurt. She would help all she could in that direction. As Emery’s frau, the opportunities would abound.

  Minutes later, Saloma ushered her girls out of the kitchen and into the dining room, their arms filled with food bowls. Debbie hurried to help, and moments later the table steamed with a delicious supper set out.

  Saloma went to the living room doorway and announced, “Supper’s ready!”

  Debbie waited in the background as everyone traipsed in and was seated at Saloma’s direction. She then slipped in beside Emery. Ida dabbed her eyes and Verna glowed as if she’d birthed another boppli. From the look on Lois’s face, she too had finally figured things out.

  Bishop Beiler cleared his throat. “Before we eat, I have something to say. First I want to welcome everyone, especially Debbie’s parents, Herbert and Callie. You are always welcome in our home.”

  All eyes turned to Debbie’s mom and dad as the bishop paused, cleared his throat, and continued. “Lois and Doug, we welcome you too. We thank Da Hah for His blessings this past year and ask that His grace continue in the next. May His hand be with us as we gather to celebrate a most happy occasion.” A smile crept across the bishop’s face. “An occasion that has surprised even me.”

  Minister Kanagy grunted from his place at the table, and Bishop Beiler gave him a brief look before he continued. “I’m sure all of us here will want to join in the joy that my youngest son, Emery, and our dear friend Debbie feel tonight. I’m pleased to announce that Emery has asked Debbie to be his frau, and she has consented.”

  There were small gasps of surprise and joy, even from Verna, Ida, and Lois, who had guessed the news. The bishop continued. “Because of the… unusual circumstances involved, Saloma and I thought it best to gather you all together for this announcement before it was published in the church service.”