When Levi had Mary Lou alone where no one could hear them, he knew he had to talk fast.
“What did you want to talk with me about?” She tipped her head to one side and smiled sweetly.
He scratched his neck. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “Well, you see, you said some things to me about Lucy and caused some trouble between us.”
“I didn’t mean to. I just thought you should know the truth.”
Levi tipped his hat back slightly. “The truth is a funny thing. There’s your truth, my truth, and Lucy’s truth. They’ll each be a different thing.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Each of us interprets things differently. It’s not as though any of us is lying when we see things differently or our view differs from another. What I’m trying to say is that you told me some things about Lucy and I took them to be bad. When I asked Lucy about them, she explained everything to me. I should’ve looked at her heart. I know she’s a good person and I believed the worst of her and I regret doing that.”
“I see. You don’t believe me.”
Levi saw her eyes well with tears. “I believe that you believe what you told me.” He knew she was exaggerating things but didn’t want to upset or offend her, particularly when she’d just finished being shunned. It would’ve been a hard time for her. She’d been strong to return to the community. “I do. I hope you know what I’m saying.”
She blinked rapidly. “You’re in love with Lucy?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Well, that’s just fine. I’m happy for the both of you.”
He wanted to believe that her words were genuine. “Denke. I hope we can all continue to be friends.”
“We’ve never been anything but.”
He nodded.
“Is that all?” she asked.
“That’s all I wanted to say.”
“Good.” Mary Lou turned and stomped away.
Even though he’d upset her, he had to say something to her. He’d been as tactful as he possibly could.
A crackling sound behind Lucy turned her head. She was relieved to see Levi headed toward her. She stepped out from behind the tree.
“There you are,” he said.
She was relieved that he must’ve been looking for her. Hope filled her body like a beam of sunlight lighting up the darkness. “I just needed some fresh air.”
When he looked down and cleared his throat she steeled herself to hear bad news. He wasn’t smiling and she knew him well enough to guess he wanted to end their relationship. She took a deep breath. She’d surely cry if he gave her bad news, and then she’d have to go home.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Jah. I’m all right.” She wanted him to get to the point. “I heard you were talking to Mary Lou.”
“She’s been a little strange lately and I just wanted to be clear with her.” His gaze flickered to the ground and then he looked back up at her. “I wanted to be clear with her that I’m not interested in her and there’s only one woman I’ve got my mind on. I was surprised to see her here today, too.”
“You didn’t invite her?”
He drew his eyebrows together. “Nee, I didn’t. I’m not sure who did.”
Lucy nervously waited to hear what else he had to say. When he didn’t say anything, she said, “I better get back to help.”
Levi stepped closer to her. “Can we talk honestly for a moment?”
“Jah. We are, aren’t we?”
He nodded. “I don’t like how things have been between us.”
“How do you want things to be?”
“Lucy, I need you to tell me how you want things to be with us.”
She looked up at the sky. A small piece of blue was peeping through the gray clouds. Then she looked into his face and knew she had to be totally honest. “I want us to be how we were before.”
“Do you?”
“Well, do you?” she asked, hoping he’d agree.
“Nee, I don’t want things to be how they were.”
She couldn’t look at him. He didn’t seem to want Mary Lou, but neither did he want her.
He took a step closer to her. “I want things to be better than they were before. These last few weeks have been awful. Lucy, I never want you out of my life. Will you marry me?” He licked his lips, and then asked again, “Will you marry me?”
Lucy heard herself gasp, and then tears of relief fell down her face.
He moved closer and placed his arm around her. “Don’t cry. What’s the matter?”
She wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure about marrying you. That’s the surest I’ve ever been about anything. I don’t like to see you cry. Will you marry me? You haven’t answered.”
All she could do was look at him through tear-filled eyes and nod.
He smiled, tears threatening to fall from his own eyes, and she knew things were going to be okay.
“Come here.” He put his other arm around her and she pressed her head into his shoulder. “I should’ve waited for a private moment when we were totally alone. Now we have to go back there and be with other people. Should we tell them?”
“Nee. I want just us to know for a few days and no one else to know. It’ll be our private thing.”
He chuckled. “Okay, that sounds good to me. How about we spend some time together when we finish here today?”
“Jah, I’d like that.” She stepped back and wiped her eyes on her painting shirt, then she giggled.
“I really didn’t think you’d cry.”
“They’re tears of relief. I was so upset about how things were with us. We always got along so well and then all of a sudden, we didn’t. It was hard to take.”
“All that’s in the past.”
Since he’d asked her to marry him, Lucy felt secure enough in their relationship that she could finally relax. She smiled and looked into his comforting face and he smiled back at her. “Let’s go back. I’ve got painting to do.”
He chuckled again and together they made their way back through the trees.
When they parted, Lucy went to the grossdaddi haus and Levi headed back to the barn.
Lucy pushed the door open. “I’m back.” It was only Hazel in the room again. “Where’s Mary Lou?”
“She forgot she had something to do at home.”
“Really?”
“Jah, she had to do something for one of her schweschders. Are you feeling a little better?”
“Much better, denke. I feel fine now.” Lucy knew her face must be glowing and her eyes would still be red.
Hazel took a good look at her and Lucy knew that Hazel could see she’d been crying.
“Can I get you anything?”
“Nee, truly, I’m fine. You must be excited that your mudder is coming to live with you.”
“I am. She’s a little apprehensive, though. It might take her a while to settle in.”
“She’ll love it. I think she’ll get along with my mudder. Mamm's always felt a little bit of an outsider—not totally accepted by people. I’ll bring her to visit as soon as yours arrives.”
“That would be wunderbaar. She’ll feel much better when she knows some people. Did they meet each other at the wedding?”
“I think so. I think our families have a bit in common.”
“What’s that? That people don’t think much of them?” Hazel asked.
Lucy giggled. “Something like that.” While she resumed painting, all she could think of was being married to Levi. She really wanted to tell Hazel the exciting news, but she couldn’t. It was hard to converse with Hazel because she was so happy she feared the news would just pop out of her mouth every time she opened it. Lucy was relieved when they finished painting the rooms and it was time to go home.
Chapter 15
When Levi took Lucy home, he arranged to call and see her the very next night. Lucy opened the front door of her house, and there was
Catherine waiting for her.
“I’ve been dying to tell you something all day, Lucy. I saw Nella this morning and found out she likes one of the Fuller brothers and it’s not Levi. Nella likes Joshua.”
“Denke, Catherine.”
“You don’t look very relieved.”
“That’s okay, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Catherine scrunched up her nose. “Why not?”
Lucy pushed past her. “Just because I talked with Levi and we’ve sorted everything out.”
“Oh, that’s so good. What did he say?”
Lucy whispered. “I’ll tell you later.” She didn’t want her parents to hear anything about any of this. Now she’d have to be careful what she told her sisters because she didn’t want them to know her good news just yet. It still seemed too good to be true. It had taken Levi being without her for a while to realize he couldn’t do without her. And the same was true for her, having been without him temporarily.
She was so tired she went to her bedroom, fell on her bed and closed her eyes.
A gentle knock on her door woke her. “Lucy, Mary Lou is here to see you.” It was her mother’s voice.
“Coming.” Lucy had fallen asleep and had to work out whether she’d slept through the whole night or whether it was the same day. She looked out the window at the gray evening sky and knew it was still the same day.
With a quick glance out the window, she saw Mary Lou’s buggy. What’s she doing here? she wondered.
Lucy straightened herself up and headed out to see what Mary Lou wanted. When she saw Mary Lou sitting on the couch with her two sisters, she suggested Mary Lou come up to her room. Whatever she had to say was most likely best said in private.
When Lucy had closed the bedroom door behind them, Mary Lou sat down on the bed and Lucy sat beside her.
“You left Hazel’s place early.”
“I did because I was upset with … about a few things.”
“Is that why you’ve come here?”
Mary Lou nodded and then tears trickled down her cheeks. “I’ve been horrible, and a really bad friend. I think you and Levi are perfect for each other and I told you that I didn’t think you were. I’ve been a dreadful friend and I’ve come to ask your forgiveness. You’ve only ever been good to me.”
“Have you done something else?”
“You’ll probably hate me when I tell you what I’ve done.” She took a deep breath. “I used to like Levi, too, and I liked Isaac. Anyway, you know about Isaac.”
“Of course I know about Isaac. It wasn’t so long ago that I’d forget about you and Isaac.”
“Oh yeah.” Mary Lou gave a little giggle. “Do you mind that I liked Levi?”
“You can’t help who you like, but I’m not happy that you told him things about me to make me look bad. Then you tried to influence me not to like him.”
Mary Lou sighed and looked down at her hands in her lap. “That’s why I’m here—to confess what I’ve done and ask your forgiveness. I’ve prayed about the horrible things I’ve done and asked Gott’s forgiveness, but I know He’d want me to ask you to forgive me. When I confessed those things in front of the congregation it was so embarrassing to me that I had to harden myself inside and I didn’t really mean the words. Later, I prayed and I did mean the words.” She looked up at Lucy. “I regret what I’ve done. I used to be a horrible, dreadful person, but I don’t want to be like that anymore.”
Lucy nodded. “I forgive you. I’m so happy you told me all this.”
“Denke. I want to be a better person because nice girls like you and Hazel find good husbands. I can tell that Levi loves you very much, and that’s what I want.”
“You’ll find someone, Mary Lou. I know you will.”
Mary Lou sniffed. “Do you think so?”
“Jah, I do.”
“If I find someone I like, will you help me?”
Lucy giggled. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to help.”
“If you could, would you?”
Lucy nodded. “Jah, I would.”
“Gut because I like Levi’s bruder.”
“Who? I mean, which one?” Lucy’s hand went to her throat, and she fiddled with her clothing. She hadn’t thought it through properly when she’d agreed to help.
“Joshua.”
Lucy was lost for words because she knew that Nella liked him too.
“You see, you’ll be able to help me because he’s Levi’s bruder.”
Now Lucy wondered whether this was the real reason Mary Lou was apologizing, just to get back into her good books. She chose to push that idea out of her mind; she had to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Mary Lou had truly changed, because she had apologized and admitted to what she had done. “What do you want me to do?”
“Put in a good word for me with Joshua.”
Nella was surely a much better match for Joshua, and also Mary Lou was quite a few years older than he was.
“Why are you hesitating?
“I’m surprised, that’s all. He’s younger than you.”
“I know that, but age doesn’t really matter and everyone older than me is married now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Jah, I am. Will you help me or not? I suppose I couldn't blame you for not helping because of everything I’ve just told you.”
Lucy figured that she could say something to Joshua and it was his choice who he chose. It would take her a while to completely trust Mary Lou again. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Denke, that’s all I ask.”
“It’s a little odd that you’ve liked three brothers.”
“Shush. Don’t tell anyone that.”
“I won’t. It’s weird, that’s all.”
“Not really. All the Fuller brothers are handsome and they’re all really nice.”
“Is there anyone else you like?”
“Nee, I just told you there’s no one. Are you saying you don’t think it’ll work out between Joshua and me?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why are you acting funny about it? Do you know something, is that it?”
Lucy gulped and didn’t want to lie, but at the same time she couldn’t betray a confidence. “I’m just shocked. You’ve come here with two things that shocked me.”
Mary Lou giggled. “I know. Do you think Joshua and I are suited?”
“I don’t know. He’s taken a few girls on buggy rides even though he’s very quiet.”
“Jah, that’s why I figured the girls must’ve approached him, so that’s what I plan to do.”
“Oh.”
“Why? Do you think that’s a bad move?”
Lucy frowned. “Exactly what do you like about him?”
“I like that he’s quiet and he has a good sense of humor. I didn’t think anything of him when I was with Isaac. My younger schweschder liked him.”
“Does she still like him?”
“Nee, she’s moved on to someone else now.”
“Oh.”
“I’m so happy you forgive me. I’ve really seen what dreadful things I’ve done.”
Lucy nodded. “I do.”
Mary Lou lunged at Lucy and gave her a tight hug. “Denke. You don’t know what that means to me to have a friend like you.”
Lucy hugged her back, feeling a little bit guilty for not believing her one hundred percent. “Can you stay for dinner?”
“Dinner? It’s way after dinnertime.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. I fell asleep when I came home from Hazel’s and it looks like Mamm didn’t wake me for the evening meal.”
“I’m sure she kept some aside for you.” Mary Lou bounded to her feet. “I’ll go now.” Lucy stood as well. “Denke for forgiving me and agreeing to help with Joshua.”
Lucy smiled at her, wondering if she had agreed. She couldn’t recommend Mary Lou to Joshua. With Mary Lou’s forceful manner and Joshua’s quiet ways, she’d walk all over him. “I’ll walk you out.”
Things were going well. She was soon going to marry Levi and Mary Lou was back to being a friend, but a friend she’d keep a close eye on.
The next night, Levi was excited to see Lucy and talk about their marriage plans. Although he’d agreed to keep things quiet for a few days, he didn’t know if he’d be able to hold the news in for much longer. Isaac had told him all day how pleased he was to be married and how good his life was. Levi had wanted nothing more than to share his own good news with his older brother.
The closer he got as his horse pulled the buggy to Lucy’s house, the more nervous he became. What if she’d changed her mind? He’d built up plans in his head of how their life would be, but what if she was still upset with him? He knew she had every right to be mad at him for believing what Mary Lou had said. And he knew he would have to listen better when Lucy expressed an opinion that didn't match his.
The moment the door opened and Levi saw Lucy’s smiling face, he knew she hadn’t changed her mind. Her face was beaming as though there was a light shining from within her.
“Hello.”
“Hi,” he replied, and then cleared his throat as his voice was kind of croaky.
“Are we going out, or do you want to come inside?”
“Why don’t we go out, and then I’ll come in later—after that.”
“Okay. I’ll tell Mamm and Dat I’m going out.”
He stepped back from the doorway a little. As he waited on the porch, he hoped she’d agree to getting married soon, which also meant that they’d have to tell people soon.
She slipped through the doorway with her black cape over her shoulders, pulling on her black over-bonnet.
“Have you eaten?” He walked with her to the buggy.
“Jah, have you?”
“I had a little. I didn’t know if we’d be eating so I didn’t want to fill up too much. I should’ve made a firm time and firm plans for tonight.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She stepped into the buggy and he hurried around to his side.
As he picked up the reins, he asked, “Have you told anyone?” He clicked his horse forward.
His Amish Romance: Amish Romance (Seven Amish Bachelors Book 2) Page 9
