She shook her head.
He hung his head sheepishly. “I’m sorry about that. Guess I was a dumb old kuh.”
“You’re not an old cow, Daniel. You just don’t always know the right words to say.”
“Jah, well, I kind of figured you knew how I felt.”
“I—I didn’t.”
“Well, you do now I hope.”
“Jah.”
He took hold of her hand. “So is everything okay between us again?”
She shrugged. “But what about being partners? You did say you couldn’t wait until you could help run the greenhouse, and—”
Daniel stopped her flow of words by planting a surprisingly warm kiss on her mouth, despite their encounter with the chilly creek water. When he released her, Rebekah felt as though she could barely catch her breath. Daniel had kissed her before, but never like that!
“If you would have just listened to me that day at the greenhouse instead of jumpin’ to conclusions about my feelings and all, I would have told you that even though I wanted to run a greenhouse, that was never the reason for me wanting to marry you.”
“It wasn’t? But I thought—”
“I know what you thought. You thought I was just using you so I could get my hands on that business of yours, am I right?”
She nodded. “That is what I believed.”
“Well, it just isn’t so, Rebekah. I’ve been in love with you ever so long. Way back when we first started going to singings, and you would sit there in your wheelchair, so sweet and sincere.” He touched his chest. “I felt a stirring deep in my heart. Why, it was all I could do to keep from rushing right up to you and declaring my love.”
Rebekah stifled a giggle. She could hardly imagine Daniel announcing his love that way; he had seemed so shy back then.
Daniel pulled her into his arms and held her real close, as though his life depended on it. “Please say you believe me, Rebekah. I want you to be my wife, honest I do. It truly isn’t for the business, neither.” He patted her gently on the back. “If it will help anything, I’ll even agree to let you run the greenhouse by yourself. I won’t be co-owner of Grandma’s Place at all. I’ll just keep on workin’ at the dairy farm with my daed and brothers. Jah, that’s what I’ll do.”
Rebekah swallowed hard and nearly choked on a sob. “Oh, sweet Daniel, I couldn’t ask you to do that. I know how much you love flowers. Your love for cows in no way compares to that.”
“That’s right, but my love for flowers is nothin’ compared to what I feel for you. So don’t send me away again, for I just couldn’t bear it. Will you marry me, Rebekah, and love me forever?”
Daniel’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and it tore at Rebekah’s tender heart to see him show his emotions like that. She stroked his clean-shaven face and sighed. “Oh, Daniel, I do love you so much. I’m sorry for doubting your intentions and not giving you the chance to explain.”
“Does that mean you’re willing to become my wife?”
She nodded. “I’d be honored.”
CHAPTER 25
Rebekah was awakened by the sound of someone knocking on her bedroom door. “Who is it?” she called groggily into her pillow.
Mom opened the door a crack and poked her head inside. “You’re still in bed? Such a sleepyhead. I thought you’d be up with the chickens on your wedding day.”
Rebekah yawned and grabbed the sides of the bed in order to pull herself into a sitting position. “I was having such a nice dream, I guess I must have not wanted to wake up.”
“That’s good,” Mom said with a smile. “All brides should have pleasant dreams.” She entered the room and poured fresh water into the basin on Rebekah’s dresser. “It’s time to rise and shine, though. Breakfast is waiting, and it won’t be long before the first of our guests begin to arrive.”
“But Mary Ellen probably won’t be one of them.”
“Now you don’t know that.” Mom handed Rebekah a damp washcloth. “Mary Ellen still hasn’t gone into labor, so why wouldn’t she be here for your special day?”
Rebekah shrugged. “She might not feel up to coming. I can’t speak firsthand, of course, but I hear that women are pretty miserable when they’re this close to delivering.”
Mom nodded. “That’s true enough. At least it was for me. However, some women carry on as usual, right up to the beginning of their labor.”
“Then I guess I can only hope Mary Ellen’s one of them who can carry on as usual, because I’ll be mighty disappointed if she isn’t here today.”
***
“Good morning, wife,” Johnny said, as he stepped into the kitchen.
Mary Ellen had been standing at the counter, cracking eggs into a bowl, and she turned around to face him, forcing a smile. “Morning, husband.”
“Did you sleep all right last night?” he asked, moving over to stand beside her.
“Oh, so-so.”
“You were actin’ kind of restless for a while there, shifting back and forth from one side to the other and scrunching up your pillow like you couldn’t find a comfortable position.”
Mary Ellen gave her protruding stomach a little thump and smiled. “You try carrying this weight around for a while and see how comfortable you are.”
Johnny chuckled and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. “Did you finally get some good sleep then?”
Her only reply was a brief shrug.
“Are you feelin’ okay? You’re lookin’ kind of done in this morning.” He tipped his head and stared at her with a look of obvious concern. “Maybe you ought to stay home from the wedding and rest all day.”
She shook her head. “I’m fine, and I won’t miss Rebekah’s wedding.”
“I’m sure she would understand.”
“Well, I wouldn’t. Rebekah was there for our wedding, and I’m going to be there for hers.”
He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “All right then, if you’re sure you’re up to going.”
“I’ll be okay. Just feeling a bit tired, is all.” The truth was Mary Ellen had been having a few pangs through her middle ever since she’d gotten out of bed, but she was certain they were nothing to be concerned about. Probably just a little indigestion. Jah, that’s all they were. She’d feel right as rain once they got to the wedding and she saw how pretty and happy Rebekah was on her special day.
***
Rebekah sat straight and tall on a wooden bench directly across from her groom. She had chosen to wear her leg braces today so she could stand for her wedding vows, rather than sit in the confining wheelchair. She wore traditional Amish bridal clothes—a plain blue cotton dress draped with a white cape and matching apron, and a white kapp on her head. Daniel was dressed in a white shirt, black trousers, black jacket, and a matching vest.
Rebekah glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Mary Ellen, who sat two rows behind. She knew from the expression on her friend’s face that she was probably not feeling her best, but she cared enough to be here, and that meant a lot.
At eight thirty sharp, the service began with singing from the Ausbund. A lengthy sermon from Bishop Benner followed, covering all aspects of the Christian marriage. Then he read several scripture passages, including one from Colossians that said, “‘And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’”
In a booming voice and with a most serious expression, he quoted from yet another passage. “‘Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.’”
Rebekah looked at Daniel and smiled, feeling kind of shy all of a sudden. He nodded and graced her with a heart-melting smile of his own. His serious brown eyes, filled with obvious adoration, told her all she needed to know. He loved her with all his heart, and if her disability didn’t matter to him, then she wouldn’t worry about it, either. Her life was in God’s hands, and He would see that her needs were met. She would j
ust keep trusting Him.
When the Bible reading was done, two of the ministers spoke awhile. Rebekah fidgeted nervously, wondering if they would ever finish. Finally, Daniel and Rebekah were ushered into Grandma Stoltzfus’s old room for counseling from the bishop. Rebekah’s attendants, Nadine and Sarah Jane, Daniel’s sister, waited in the other room with the guests, along with Daniel’s two brothers, Harold and Abner, who were his attendants.
The counseling session consisted of several more scripture references and a long dissertation from Bishop Benner on the importance of good communication, trust, and respect in all areas of marriage. He reminded the couple that divorce was not an acceptable option among those of their faith, and he emphasized the need to always work through their problems.
When they finally emerged from the bedroom, Rebekah released an audible sigh. Even though she had been allowed to sit during the counseling session, she felt all done in and a bit shaky.
Returning to the main room, Rebekah and Daniel sat on their original benches while the bishop gave a rather lengthy prayer. At long last, he motioned them to step forward and stand in front of him.
Rebekah’s heart pounded like one of Dad’s hammers when he’d worked on the new barn. It seemed as if this had been the moment she’d been waiting for her whole life. She was about to repeat her wedding vows before family and friends, and most importantly, before her heavenly Father.
Daniel gave a reassuring smile, and she steadied herself with the crutches strapped to her arms, waiting for Bishop Benner to begin.
Finally the bishop turned to Daniel and asked, “Can you confess, brother, that you accept this, our sister, as your wife, and that you will not leave her until death separates you?”
Without any hesitation, Daniel answered in a clear voice. “Jah, I do.”
“And do you believe that this is from the Lord and that you have come thus far by your faith and prayers?”
“Jah.”
Then it was Rebekah’s turn. Her quiet voice quavered as she answered each of the bishop’s questions, taking the meaning fully to heart.
A rustling noise on the women’s side of the room drew Rebekah’s attention. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Mary Ellen leaving the room, assisted by Aunt Mim and Aunt Crystal. Maybe she’s tired from sitting so long, Rebekah reasoned. Or could be it’s too warm in here. There are nearly two hundred people crammed into our house today. Maybe this is a bad sign. Maybe...
“Because you have confessed, brother, that you want to take this our sister for your wife, do you promise to be loyal to her and care for her if she may have adversity, infirmities that are among poor mankind—as is appropriate for a Christian, God-fearing husband?”
Rebekah jerked her thoughts back to the present as Daniel answered affirmatively to Bishop Benner’s last question. Then, when the elderly bishop asked the same question of Rebekah, she answered, “Jah.”
Placing Rebekah’s hand in Daniel’s, the bishop pronounced the blessing. “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob be with you both and give you His rich blessings for a good beginning, a steadfast middle, and may you hold out until a blessed end. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Rebekah and Daniel returned to their respective benches as husband and wife.
As soon as the closing prayer was said, everyone who wasn’t helping with the cooking or serving went outside to wait for the wedding meal. Tables were quickly set up in the living room and adjoining room, and the benches that had been used during the ceremony were placed at the tables.
“We need to take our place at the eck soon,” Daniel whispered to Rebekah.
She nodded. “I know, but I want to check on Mary Ellen first. She left the room during our vows, and I think something might be amiss.”
“All right then. We’ll meet at the corner table as soon as you come back.” Daniel gave Rebekah’s arm a gentle squeeze, and she hobbled out to the kitchen. She found Mom and several other women there, scurrying about to get all the food dished up.
“Frieda, do you think these children of ours can keep house?” Mom asked Rebekah’s new mother-in-law.
“Well, if you raised Rebekah as well as I raised Daniel, I believe it will go,” Frieda replied with a laugh.
“Do you know where Mary Ellen is?” Rebekah asked Mom, as she stepped between the two women. “She left during the ceremony, and I’m a bit worried.”
“Mary Ellen’s water broke,” Mom explained. “I hear tell she’s been in labor for several hours already. They’ve taken her upstairs because there’s no time to get to the hospital now.”
Rebekah’s mouth dropped open. “Why did she come to the wedding, then? She should have insisted that Johnny take her to the hospital right away when her labor first started.”
“Mim said Mary Ellen didn’t want to miss your wedding. She thought, this being her first baby and all, that the labor would be a long one.”
Tears welled in Rebekah’s eyes, and she blinked a couple of times. “Oh, Mom, if anything happens to Mary Ellen or the baby, I’ll never forgive myself.”
Mom draped an arm around Rebekah’s shoulders and led her to a chair at the kitchen table. “Don’t go talking such foolishness, now. You can’t take the blame for something like this. Mary Ellen had a choice to make. You didn’t force her to come to the wedding today.”
“I know, but she knew how much I wanted her to be here,” Rebekah argued. “If only she would have had that boppli on schedule. She’s over two weeks late, and—”
“Hush, now,” Mom said, interrupting Rebekah’s rush of words by placing a finger against her lips. “Nothing we say or do will change the fact that the baby was late or that Mary Ellen’s here now. The best thing would be to carry on with the wedding meal so our guests don’t go hungry. Women have been having babies for thousands of years, and we just need to pray that everything will be all right in the birthing room upstairs.” Mom nodded toward the steps. “I’m sure Mim and Crystal are capable of helping with the delivery, but Johnny’s ridden into town to get Doc Manney, in case any problems should occur.”
Rebekah’s hand trembled as she wiped a stray hair from her face. She bowed her head and silently petitioned the Lord for both Mary Ellen and the baby.
***
The wedding meal consisted of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, bread filling, creamed celery, coleslaw, applesauce, fruit salad, bread, butter, jelly, and coffee.
Rebekah sat at the corner table with Daniel while they ate and visited with their guests, but she kept thinking about the new life that was about to be brought into the world. This was Daniel’s and her special day. She should be laughing and enjoying all the jokes and stories people were telling. She ought to be savoring the delicious foods and the love she could feel radiating from her new groom. Instead, she worried and prayed, until Mom finally came into the room and announced, “Mary Ellen’s just given birth to a baby girl. Dr. Manney is with her right now, and the report is that both mother and daughter are doing well.”
A cheer went up around the room, and Rebekah choked back a sob. With tears in her eyes, she turned to Daniel. “Would you mind if I slipped out for a moment so I can see the new boppli and her mamm?”
Daniel shook his head. “Of course not. You need to find out all the details so you can include them in your next Budget column.” He squeezed her hand. “Would you like me to come along? Someone will have to carry you up the stairs.”
“Why don’t you stay and enjoy our guests? I’ll ask Dad to take me up.”
Daniel smiled and shrugged. “Okay then, do as you like.”
With the aid of her crutches, Rebekah made her way out of the crowded room. Soon Dad carried her upstairs, and she found Mary Ellen lying on the bed in Nadine’s room. In her arms, she cradled a small bundle of pure, sweet baby.
Mary Ellen’s cheeks were flushed, and her voice filled with emotion as she whispered, “I’m sorry I missed the end of your wedding.”
Rebekah hobbled ov
er to the bed, then leaned over to give her friend a kiss on the forehead. “You had a pretty good excuse, I’m thinking.”
“Why don’t you say hello to your cousin Martha Rose?” Mary Ellen murmured.
Rebekah’s eyes clouded with tears, and she stroked the baby’s downy head. “It’s soft as a kitten’s nose.” A small sigh escaped her lips, as she blinked back tears. “Today’s been such a perfect day. I’m married to a wunderbaar man, and now I’m looking on a true miracle from God.”
“Jah,” Mary Ellen agreed. “God has surely blessed us with this sweet baby girl.”
Rebekah nodded. “God is truly the God of miracles.”
EPILOGUE
Rebekah closed the drawer of the cash register as an English man and his two small children left the greenhouse, carrying a pot of petunias. It had been a good year for her and Daniel’s business and for them as a married couple, as well.
Their home, built by Rebekah’s and Daniel’s fathers, was connected to her parents’ house. It gave them a place of their own, yet they were near enough to family to have help available should it be needed.
Rebekah smiled to herself. She and Daniel had been married a little over a year now, and their love seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.
Daniel no longer helped his father in the dairy business. He was too busy helping out at the greenhouse or building wooden gadgets to sell. He had added weather vanes, wind chimes, and lawn furniture to the other items he sold in the store. Rebekah had also begun selling wicker baskets and plant stands for her flowers and plants.
In the summertime, they sold bottles of Dad’s quick homemade root beer and some of the tasty shoofly pies Mom often baked. In the wintertime, they offered coffee and hot chocolate and several kinds of cookies.
They were making enough money to live comfortably. Their meat and milk were supplied by Daniel’s father in exchange for fresh vegetables from the garden Daniel tended in the summer months. Mom saw that they had plenty of fresh eggs and chicken meat whenever they needed it, too. Setting her pride aside, Rebekah had learned to accept help from all available sources. She’d proven to herself that she could be financially self-sufficient, but it was no longer so important. What truly mattered was the love of family and friends, and especially, God’s love.
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