The door creaked open, and thinking it must be Anna, she wiped her eyes and sat up. Shock waves spiraled through her when she saw her husband standing inside the door. She scrambled off the bed and rushed toward him but was disappointed when he took a step back.
Grace held her arms rigidly at her sides. “Did you get a lot of honey orders on your trip?”
He nodded. “Trouble is I can’t fill any of ’em now.”
“Why not?”
“Hives, bees, and all my equipment are gone—burned out—every last one.”
“What? How?” Grace could hardly believe her ears, and she wondered why she hadn’t heard anything about this until now.
“Ivan said it looked like someone had deliberately set the fires.” Cleon huffed. “I sure didn’t need this right now.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Don’t know. Guess I need to find another job, because it will take some time before I can get any new hives going well enough so I’ll have some honey to sell.” Cleon’s eyes looked weary and spent. “Just when I was beginning to think I might be able to make a decent living as a beekeeper.”
Grace took a tentative step toward him. She wanted to offer support and let him know how much she cared but was afraid of his rejection. “I’m sorry, Cleon. Sorry for everything.”
His broad shoulders shrugged. “Jah, well, it’s all part of life, I guess. You think you’ve got things figured out and you’re on the path to happiness. Then everything gets knocked out of kilter.”
Grace was sure Cleon was referring to their messed-up marriage. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and decided a change of subject might help. “Were you surprised to see that the house had been finished in your absence?”
He nodded. “Didn’t expect anyone to do the work for me.”
“My daed and your bruders wanted to surprise you, and they thought it would be good if Anna and I got moved into our new home.”
“It looks nice. They did a fine job.” He glanced around the room. “’Course anything that pertains to building would be done well if your daed had his hand in it.”
“You did well with your part of the building, too.”
“It was all right, I guess.”
A sudden wave of weakness washed over Grace, and she sank to the edge of her bed. “Cleon, I think we should talk about us.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” he said with a wave of his hand. “You kept the truth hidden from me, and that’s that.”
“It’s not as simple as you make it sound. There’s more I’d like to explain.”
“It’s a little late for explaining, don’t you think?”
Grace sat trying to decide how best to respond. Should she list the reasons she had kept Wade and Anna a secret, beg Cleon to forgive her, or suggest that they try to forget the past and move on from here?
Before she had the chance to respond, Cleon spoke. “While I was on the road, I did a lot of thinking.”
A ray of hope welled in Grace’s soul. Cleon had come home, so that was a good sign. She placed one hand against her stomach, wondering if now was the time to tell him about the child she carried—his child, a product of their love. “Cleon, I—”
“Please, hear me out.”
She lowered her gaze to the floor.
“After thinking things through, I realized that I have an obligation to you—and to Anna.”
“Does that mean—”
“It means I’m back, and I’ll provide for your needs. But I’ll be sleeping in some other room.”
“So our marriage will be in name only? Is that what you’re saying?” Grace almost choked on the words.
He nodded.
“Is there anything I can say or do to make you change your mind?”
“Not unless you can undo the past.”
“You know that’s not possible.” Grace clenched her fists as frustration raged within her like a whirling storm. Cleon had come home, but he hadn’t forgiven her. They would be living in the same house but not sharing the same bedroom. He was the father of the baby she carried, yet she didn’t feel free to tell him. Not now. This wasn’t the right time.
“I’m going out to your daed’s shop,” Cleon said. “I need to speak with him about the possibility of giving me a job.”
Grace nodded. When Cleon left the room, she moved over to the window and pulled the curtain aside. What am I to do, Lord? Cleon and I used to be so close, and now it’s as though we’re strangers. I know I can’t keep the news of my pregnancy from him indefinitely. Sooner or later, he’ll have to know.
She squeezed her eyes shut as tears threatened to escape. When Cleon had walked into the room moments ago, her hopes had soared. Now she was certain that nothing would ever be right in her world again.
Chapter 33
Ruth had just set an angel food cake in the bakery case when Martin Gingerich entered the shop.
“I heard you started working for Abe Wengerd last week,” she said as he stepped up to the counter.
“Sure did, and I think I’m going to enjoy learning how to make and repair harnesses. Always did like the smell of leather.” A wide smile spread across his face as he motioned to the counter full of pastries. “’Course, what you’re smelling here every day would be a lot better.”
“Jah, it’s enough to make me feel hungry the whole time I’m working.”
“I imagine it would. Fact is, I’m feeling hungry right now.”
“Would you like to sample something?”
He shook his head. “Better not. My mamm’s fixing stuffed cabbage rolls for supper tonight, and she’d be sorely disappointed if I didn’t eat at least five.”
Ruth chuckled. She couldn’t imagine anyone eating that many cabbage rolls. If Martin’s mother made them as big as Ruth’s mother did, she’d be lucky to eat two.
“So what can I help you with?”
“Actually, I didn’t come to the bakeshop to buy anything.”
“You didn’t?”
“No, I …” Martin’s voice trailed off, and he stared at the floor as his face turned a deep shade of pink. Finally, he looked up, although he kept his focus on the pastries inside the case. “I … uh … heard that you …” He paused and swiped at the sweat rolling down his forehead.
“What did you hear?”
“I heard that you and Luke broke up.”
“That’s true.”
“Mind if I ask why?”
Truthfully, she did mind. The last thing she wanted to talk about was Luke and her mistrust of him.
“If you’d rather not say, I understand. It’s just that … well, I’ve heard some things, and—”
“What kind of things?”
“Heard he’s been hanging around with a bunch of rowdy English fellows, and my daed mentioned that he thinks Luke might have been in on that cow tipping over at Bishop King’s place some time ago.” Martin lifted his gaze to meet hers. “I thought maybe you knew about it, too, and that’s why you broke up with him.”
Ruth swallowed hard. Should she share her suspicions with Martin? She’d known him since they were little, but they’d never been close friends. Besides, she wasn’t sure what his reaction would be if she told him what she thought Luke might be up to. She couldn’t be sure Martin would keep what she said to himself.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t press.” Martin’s hazel-colored eyes held a note of sympathy.
She nodded. “Danki. I’d rather not.”
Martin shrugged. “Anyway, finding out why you and Luke broke up isn’t the reason I dropped by.” He shifted his weight and pulled his fingers through the back of his thick, Dutch-bobbed hair.
“What is the reason?”
“There’s going to be a young people’s get-together at our place this Saturday evening. We’ll be playing some games, and of course, there’ll be plenty of refreshments furnished by my mamm.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“I came by to
see if you might be free to come. Your sister Martha’s invited, too, of course.”
Ruth’s first thought was to decline the invitation because she hadn’t felt like doing anything fun since she and Luke broke up, not to mention the stress she’d been under because of all the trouble at home. But as she thought about it more, she decided that she and Martha might need an evening of fun with others their age. “I’ll speak to Martha this evening and see if she’s wants to go.”
“Good. I hope to see you on Saturday then.” Martin hesitated but finally turned and headed out the door.
Ruth smiled as the door clicked shut behind him. For the first time in many days, she felt a sense of anticipation.
After Cleon went to his house to speak with Grace, Martha decided to take Anna out to the barn. Mom had gone to visit Alma Wengerd, who’d sprained her ankle a few days ago, and Martha figured Mom might stay awhile, which meant she’d probably have to keep an eye on Anna for most of the day.
“Can I play with the puppies?” Anna asked as they neared the end of the barn where the kennel had been built.
“Jah, sure.”
Anna grinned up at her. “I like Rose the best.”
“Rose?”
“That one right there.” Anna pointed to the runt of the litter—the pup no one wanted.
Martha smiled and patted the top of Anna’s head. “How would you like to have Rose as your own?”
“You mean it?” Anna’s blue eyes lit up like a firefly.
“If your mamm says it’s okay.”
“You think Mama will let me keep her at the new house?”
Martha was pleased that Anna had referred to Grace as Mama. She finally must have accepted Grace as her mother. “You can ask your mamm after supper tonight. How’s that sound?”
Anna’s smile quickly faded. “Is that man gonna eat supper with us?”
“What man?”
“The one who came to our house today.”
Martha nodded. “I think Cleon will be joining us. He was on a business trip for a while, but his home is here with you and your mamm.”
Anna thrust out her chin. “I don’t like him. I wish he’d go away again.”
Martha was about to reply when she heard the barn door open and shut. She turned and saw Grace heading their way with shoulders slumped and head down. Martha figured things hadn’t gone so well between her sister and Cleon.
“I’ll get Rose out of the kennel, and you can sit over there and play with her,” Martha said, leading Anna to a nearby bale of straw.
“Okay.”
Once the child was seated, Martha stopped by Grace. “I’m going to get one of the pups for Anna to play with, and then the two of us can talk.”
Grace nodded.
“As soon as Anna and the puppy are settled, I’ll meet you in the tack room.”
Grace glanced over at her daughter, who sat on the bale of straw with her chin resting in the palms of her hands. “That’s fine.”
Grace headed for the tack room, and Martha hurried to the kennels at the back of the barn. A few minutes later, Anna had a sleeping pup nestled in her lap.
“Your mamm and I need to talk, but we’ll be back soon.” She gave Anna’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Don’t leave the barn, you hear?”
“I won’t.”
Martha hurried to the tack room and found Grace sitting on a wooden stool, her head down. “Why do you look so sad?”
Grace lifted her head. “Cleon’s back.”
“I know. He came by looking for you, and when I told him your place had been finished and that you were over there, he headed that way.” Martha slipped her arm around Grace’s shoulders. “Did he speak with you?”
“Jah. He had some bad news.”
“You mean about his beehives being burned?”
Grace nodded. “He’s going to Dad’s shop to see if he might be able to work there.”
“I thought he helped with the farm at his folks’ place.”
“He’s never enjoyed farming that much. I think he’d be happier working in Dad’s woodworking shop.”
“What did Cleon say when you told him about the baby?”
“I—I didn’t tell him.”
“You didn’t tell him you’re pregnant?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“He made it clear that he’s only staying with me out of obligation.” Grace drew in a quivering breath. “From now on, Cleon and I will be sleeping in separate bedrooms. He’ll be my husband in name only.”
Martha had known Cleon was upset about Grace’s secret, but she didn’t think he would still be nursing a grudge. She massaged Grace’s shoulders and neck, feeling the tension in her sister’s knotted muscles beneath her fingers. “What are you going to do about this?”
“There’s not much I can do.”
“You could start by telling Cleon that you’re carrying his boppli. That might make him see things in a different light.”
“Or it might make him feel more resentful—like I trapped him on purpose.”
Martha’s forehead wrinkled. “That’s lecherich. It’s not like you planned to get pregnant.”
“It might seem ridiculous to you,” Grace said with a catch in her voice, “but Cleon is full of hurt and bitterness right now, and he might think I’m capable of doing most anything.”
Martha moved to face Grace. “You can’t hide this from Cleon forever. Before long, you’ll be showing.”
“I know.”
“Besides, you’ve already told our folks. If you wait to tell Cleon and he finds out on his own, he might accuse you of keeping another secret from him. You don’t want that, do you?”
Grace shook her head as more tears pooled in her eyes. “I’ll tell him tonight after Anna’s in bed.”
Chapter 34
Roman was about to close up for the day when a customer entered his shop. At least he thought it was a customer until he looked up from his desk and saw Cleon standing inside the door.
“Cleon! It’s good to see you. How long have you been back?”
“Got home this morning.”
Roman’s forehead wrinkled. “This morning? You’ve been here that long?”
Cleon nodded. “Went over to see the damage that had been done to my beehives; then I stopped in to see my folks.”
“What damage was done to your hives?”
“Somebody set fire to ’em. Every last one is gone.”
“I’m real sorry to hear that. Do you have any idea who might have done it?”
Cleon shook his head. “Ivan figures it was probably some rowdy fellows out for a good time. Could even be the same ones who dumped over those outhouses near Kidron and were involved in the cow tipping.” He moved closer to Roman’s desk. “Since I have no bees, hives, or equipment, I’m out of a job.”
“But spring is here, and you’ll be farming with your daed again, right?”
Cleon’s fingers curled through the ends of his beard. “I’ve never enjoyed farming, and I’d rather do something else.” He took a step forward. “I know I’m not an expert carpenter, but I can handle a hammer and a saw fairly well. So I was wondering if you might be able to use an extra pair of hands here in your woodworking shop.”
“As a matter of fact, I could use some help. I had to fire Luke for being late to work so many times, and now he’s working for John Peterson.” Roman nodded at Cleon. “Judging from the work you did on your new house, I’d say I’d be getting more than an apprentice if I hired you.”
Cleon shook his head. “I can’t take credit for all the work done on my house. You and my brothers helped in the beginning, and from what Grace told me, you finished it up in my absence. I appreciate all your hard work.”
“I figured you and Grace would want to get settled into your own place before the boppli is born.”
Cleon’s eyebrows drew together. “Boppli? What boppli are you talking about?”
“Surely Grace must have told you.”
“About her being in a family way.”
Cleon’s face turned red as a cherry, and a vein on the side of his neck bulged. “I just came from talking to Grace, and she never said a word about any baby.”
Roman reached up to swipe the trickle of sweat rolling down his forehead. Apparently Grace hadn’t learned her lesson about keeping secrets. “I’m sorry you had to hear it from me. Should have been my daughter doing the telling.”
“You’re right about that.” Cleon grunted. “Of course, she seems to be real good at keeping secrets, so I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s kept this one from me, as well.”
“Maybe she was waiting for the right time.”
“The right time? And when would that be?” Cleon crossed his arms.
Roman shrugged. He wanted to defend his daughter, but the truth was, he hadn’t quite forgiven Grace for not telling them about her English husband and the little girl she’d allowed her in-laws to take. He couldn’t blame Cleon for being angry that Grace hadn’t told him about the baby she carried. That should have been the first thing out of her mouth when she’d seen him today.
Cleon’s lips parted as if he might have more to say, but the shop door opened. Luke stepped into the room.
“I hope you’re not here about getting your job back,” Roman said, irritation edging his voice. He motioned to Cleon. “You’ve been replaced.”
Luke’s face flushed as he shook his head. “Came to see if I left my sunglasses here. I think I had ’em with me that day you fired me, and—”
“Well, it’s about time. What took you so long?”
“Huh?”
“Never mind.” Roman pointed to the shelf across the room where the fancy pair of sunglasses lay. “They’re right over there. My wife found ’em on the ground, not far from where her clothesline had been cut.” He squinted at Luke. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would ya, boy?”
The color in Luke’s cheeks deepened. “Are you accusing me of cutting your wife’s clothesline?”
Roman shrugged. “Not accusing, just asking, is all.”
A Sister's Secret Page 22
