Amish Brides

by Jennifer Beckstrand

  He arrived at Madeline’s.

  She smiled and ran out the door in her cloak to greet him. “I didn’t expect you. What a pleasant surprise.”

  Horse tied to the post, he turned to her. “Mamm sought me out at our property. She told me you were at Addie’s when she went there.”

  She grinned. “Addie praised me for my cookies and expressed her happiness about our wedding plans.” She cast her eyes to the ground. “Your mamm said we shouldn’t rush to plan. The date is far away and something could change. She desires for us to part. I’m the last woman on earth she wants you to marry.”

  “I apologize. My parents are digging their feet in the soil and not moving where we are concerned. I’ll finish the haus, move in, and invite them to visit. Maybe then they’ll understand this is happening, despite them, and accept you as my fraa.”

  Madeline rolled her shoe over a small stone. “Don’t apologize for them, but please understand I don’t want to cause dissention between you and your family. I promise to treat them with love and kindness. My hope is they’ll understand how much I love you and see my motives are pure before our wedding takes place. Like I mentioned before, I’m not sure we shouldn’t wait.”

  This sweet woman hadn’t said one negative word about his mamm. She’d treated his mamm with respect and was determined to win her over. He admired her more for it. “I don’t want to wait. No one can change my mind about you.” He kissed her softly.

  Blushing, she hugged him. “You’re the only man for me, Joshua.”

  “I’d better get home to supper. Mamm’s not happy with me already. I’ll not add being late to the kitchen table to the list. I don’t know what I’m facing with Daed. I’m sure she told him what transpired today. Danki for understanding and sticking by me.” He kissed her again, got in his wagon, and departed.

  On the way home, he passed through town. The blacksmith was locking up, and so was the postmaster of the post office, general store, Sally’s Restaurant, and apothecary. Two Englischers in fancy gray wool overcoats and black hats lounged on a bench, smoking cigars. Their sleek leather shoes were heeled and narrow. A cluster of women chatted on the corner in their colorful cloaks. He had to admit the women with their, fancy decorated bustle dresses and the men with their straight pants and double-breasted suit jackets in the spring and summer without winter coats and cloaks painted a lively picture. These worldly things didn’t appeal to him. He’d stick with his simple clothing. There wasn’t any English dress that would make Madeline more beautiful to him than her Amish ones.

  He guided his horse to the barn. Daed slung an ax over his shoulder not far away. He struck the wood just right and split it down the middle. No wave, no acknowledgement. Not a good sign. Mamm must’ve talked to him about their exchange earlier today.

  He took care of his horse, walked outside, and approached Daed. “How was your day?”

  Daed buried the ax in the main stump he used to balance his wood. “Terrible. Your mamm told me how you upset her. She has your best interest at heart, but you won’t listen. I agree you shouldn’t be announcing your wedding date to anyone until it’s closer. Save yourself the embarrassment of having to cancel your big day. Nathaniel wishes he’d never met Catherine. In time, I’m sure you’ll feel the same about Madeline.”

  “The marriage has already been announced. Your judgment about her frustrates me. In spite of Mamm’s cold reception today, Madeline was forgiving and gracious. My haus will have a roof, walls, and doors soon. I’ll move into it in a few days. I’ve been working hard on it, and Elijah has helped me. I want to move in and work on the inside so it will be ready for Madeline to join me after our wedding. You’re wilkom to visit anytime, and I’ll continue to stop by here.”

  Joshua wanted his family to understand he wasn’t abandoning them, just moving on with his plans. He wanted them to be a part of his life and once they were married, Madeline’s.

  “Maybe it’s good you’re moving into your haus early. I’m exhausted from endless conversations to convince you to kumme to your senses about her. If you plan to sit at our table for meals after your mule-headed determination, forget it. You fend for yourself, since you insist on being stubborn and disobedient.”

  “Daed, please. I don’t want to miss our chats about our workday, what’s happening in the community, farming, and taking care of the animals. We share wonderful memories fishing, hunting, and just sitting on the porch and talking. I’m sad about the dissention between us.”

  “Apologize to your mamm. You chose this path for your life. We won’t condone it.” He gripped the ax, pulled it free out of the wood, and didn’t look up.

  To say another word would’ve frustrated his daed further. He’d learned as a child when Daed went back to his task, he was done with the discussion. Where was his bruder? He went inside and found Nathaniel at the cook-stove heating a pot of water. “Are you cooking?”

  His bruder had been known to fry an egg or two, but he’d never cooked a full meal.

  “You’ve made a mess of things around here. Mamm’s been in the garden jerking weeds out and scowling all afternoon. She ran into Madeline at Addie’s. What did that Lehman woman do to upset her?”

  “She’s angry we’re telling our friends about the wedding.”

  “Are you mad? You should keep the date a secret until it’s near.”

  “I’ve heard this from all of you. I don’t agree. I’m sorry you and our parents are upset, but I won’t be here much longer. I’m moving to the new haus I’m building and going forward with my plans for a future with Madeline.”

  “Running away won’t change things.”

  “I’m not running away. I don’t want separation. My goal is to have the haus complete and in good shape before the wedding. If I’m there, I can build the haus and work on the property. If you need me for anything here, all you have to do is ask. I want us to reunite as one big happy family.”

  “Stop being a young fool. Would you want the Lehmans becoming part of our family if you were in my position? Your head is in the clouds.”

  “I could say the same about all of you. Madeline doesn’t deserve to be shunned by you for the sins of her schweschder.” The Bible verse about a soft answer turning away wrath came to mind. He took a calming breath. “Listen, Nathaniel. It’s not my intention to hurt you. Let’s put our differences aside and enjoy the friendship we’ve always had.”

  “Not possible until you clear the dust from your eyes and let her go.” He grabbed potholders and lifted the hot pot.

  Joshua opened the door for him. He watched his bruder take the pot to their mamm. She had two dresses and lye soap. She must have been planning to take stains out of the garments in the laundry shed. He’d observed her doing this many times. He’d miss being with his family, taking part in their daily rituals in his childhood home. She’d taught her sons to clean haus, wash laundry, cook meals, and bake treats. They’d created a lifetime of fond memories together.

  He’d cook supper tonight. Unhooking a pan from the wall, he set it on the hot stove. The fire underneath was going strong. Eggs, bacon, boiled potatoes, and ham slices had been set aside in covered bowls. He cracked the eggs and put them in one skillet and set the meat and potatoes in the other. He rushed to the back door and yelled, “I’m making supper. Won’t take long. You might want to wash your hands and kumme inside.”

  Nathaniel waved, and Mamm gave him a curt nod.

  He slid the eggs onto plates with bacon and ham for each of them. He sliced Mamm’s fresh peach bread and placed it in a basket on the table next to a crock of country butter. He set the plates at their customary seats.

  His family came inside and avoided eye contact.

  This should be an interesting supper.

  They sat and Daed prayed thanks to God for the food.

  With a knot in his stomach, Joshua said, “Mamm, can we reconcile? I don’t want you upset.”

  She wiped tears from her eyes. “I’ll be upset until you kumme
to your senses about her.” She softened. “Joshua, we’re being hard on you because we want you to understand the mistake you’re making. It’s our job to protect you. We love you.”

  “I love you too.” He covered her hand with his. “I don’t need your protection in this case. I know what I’m doing.” He’d move out of his family home tonight. The weather was cold, but the snow showers had slowed and formed no accumulation. He hoped not to see another snowflake and was ready for warmer weather. He had enough blankets to make a bed. The house was enclosed, but it still needed work. He didn’t mind. A wood fire would be sufficient for rudimentary cooking and keeping warm until he could get into town and purchase a sturdy iron stove. The tension had grown unbearable for them and for him. Removing himself would give them time to reflect. “I’m packing a bag and moving to the new haus after supper. I’ll miss you. I want nothing more than for us to heal and restore our relationship.”

  He shoveled food in his mouth and waited for them to respond.

  They didn’t.

  He carried his plate to the sink, filled a pot with hot water for the dishes, then placed it on the stove and wiped his watery eyes. He never thought the day would kumme when his family would distance themselves from him.

  Mamm shocked him and pulled him close. “Amidst my anger, it’s important to me you understand I love you.” She stepped away and wiped tears from her eyes. “I’ll do the dishes. Go pack your things.”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her tight. “I love you, Mamm.”

  Daed raised his head. “Son, you don’t have to move. We’re just protecting you because we care.”

  “Stay, Joshua.” Nathaniel didn’t look up.

  “I’m not leaving in anger, but in sadness. Please search your hearts and trust me to make my own decisions. Please keep in touch.” Joshua went to his room and filled a clean sack cloth bag he kept for traveling, his heart heavy.

  Chapter 3

  The last two weeks had flown by, and the weather had been a bit warmer, with sunshine for church service this past Sunday. Here it was Wednesday already. The week was half gone. Madeline rubbed her temples and peeked out the front window. Joshua had been camping at the new haus and his parents hadn’t kumme to see it. He’d joined his family for meals, and they’d shared laughs and talked about anything but Madeline, according to Joshua. She pressured him to tell her how his parents had treated him. They had been good to him, as long as her name wasn’t mentioned.

  At church, the Stutzmans smiled at her and her daed for show in front of their friends. No conversation. This reinforced her doubt about their getting married. Was this God’s will for their lives? Family harmony was important. Necessary.

  Would Daed remember her request for flour while he was in town? She raised her brows and cocked her head. Was a boppli crying outside her door? Surely not. Opening the door, she gasped and bent to peek at a child. Who would leave a boppli on a porch for even a second? She stood and scanned the property. Catherine. Her schweschder was running to her buggy.

  Madeline picked up the child swaddled in a heavy knit blanket, ran, and yelled, “Catherine, wait!” She reached her.

  “Let me go, Madeline.” She pinched her lips and yanked her arm from Madeline’s hand. “I wrote everything I had to say in the note in the crate with the child.”

  “Is this boppli yours?”

  She refused to glance at the infant. “Yes, it’s a girl. I haven’t named her. I didn’t want to get attached. I want to travel and maybe marry one day. Another man won’t want to raise a baby that’s not his. A child would be a nuisance for my way of life.”

  “Kumme inside,” Madeline pleaded. “Talk to me. I’m desperate to know what’s going on with you. Please. Daed will be brokenhearted you left without saying anything to him. He should be back from town soon.” She let the tears fall. “I’ve missed you. Please kumme home. We’ll raise the infant together.”

  Madeline scrutinized Catherine, barely recognizing her. Her red hair curled in ringlets beneath her hat decorated with flowers and a yellow ribbon. She studied Catherine’s unbuttoned black velvet cloak, then she gazed at Caroline’s dress with long ribbon trim, buttons at the bodice, and a high-necked collar, the waist impossibly tight. How could she breathe wearing it? Her leather shoes had whimsical buttons adorning the sides. The buggy had cushioned velvet seats and a fancier harness than Madeline had ever seen. Where would Catherine get this kind of money? “What are you doing for work? How are you supporting yourself? Please, Catherine, we’re worried about you.”

  Her schweschder squinted, raised her head, and gave Madeline an indignant grin. “I work in the saloon. Rich men have been generous with their money when I’ve agreed to accompany them to supper and dancing. I have a good singing voice, and I earn a decent wage with it. Oh, Madeline, the piano is a wonderful thing. It was the best decision I’ve ever made leaving this boring Amish life.”

  Madeline hugged the child to her chest. A shiver ran through her. Cold, she wouldn’t leave her schweschder. This was her only chance to find out any information from her. She didn’t like Catherine keeping company with men. And a saloon? None of what her schweschder had told her was good. It was as if she were talking to a stranger. “Catherine, you can’t be safe entertaining men in a saloon.”

  A smug smile crossed her schweschder’s face. “Oh, but I am. I’m much happier than I was living here and wearing those plain, ugly dresses and hoeing the garden. Kumme with me, Madeline. We’ll find someone else to raise the baby. Surely you know someone. What about Addie?”

  Madeline frowned. Why would Catherine attempt to sway her? She’d never given Catherine reason to think she wasn’t serious about maintaining an Amish lifestyle. Catherine really didn’t know her at all.

  “I’m not like you. I have no interest in leaving Daed or my friends. I’m getting married to Joshua Stutzman in June. He’s building a haus for us. I plan to have kinner and look forward to a life with him.”

  “Before you commit to Joshua, let me show you what the outside world has to offer. I love the music, dancing, singing, and money. The fancy food, clothes, and buggies. I’ve traveled by boat and by train. Both were thrilling. You’re missing out on so much, Madeline. We can enjoy all of these things together.”

  Her schweschder was way beyond the point of no return. Her jubilation over becoming a part of the outside world shocked Madeline. Defeated, she stared at Catherine, a woman with whom she’d shared a childhood. A woman she no longer knew. She looked at the boppli’s precious face. “How can you leave your little one?”

  Catherine rolled her eyes. “I have no interest in having children. You were the responsible one. If you don’t want her, give her to Addie. If not Addie, I have no doubt you can find someone to take her.”

  “Of course I’ll keep her. She’s a part of us. Who is her daed?”

  Waving a dismissive hand, Catherine avoided eye contact. “I don’t know who her father is, so you don’t have to worry about a man showing up to claim her. Most of the men I meet are passing through town. I’ve traveled and worked in a number of places in Ohio and Kentucky.”

  Madeline’s heart sank. Catherine was proud of herself. She’d chosen a dangerous path in keeping company with strange men. “Please be careful. I’m afraid for your safety. Catherine, none of this makes sense to me. Why would you live this way?”

  Fire in her eyes, Catherine glared at her. “Don’t judge me. You’ll marry Joshua, have a houseful of children, and work all day and half the night in this boring community, obeying its laws and praying to God. Growing old before your time. My life is lively and fun.”

  “God loves you, but He wouldn’t approve of what you’re doing.”

  She hung her head. “You’re right. He wouldn’t approve. That’s the only struggle I have in life, but I’m not willing to change to please Him.” She avoided Madeline’s gaze. “How’s Daed?”

  “He’s healthy and working hard. He misses Mamm, but he’s cop
ing well. Please stay long enough to speak to him. He loves you.” She wondered if it was a good idea for Catherine and Daed to reunite. His heart would break to learn the truth about Catherine’s way of life. She was sick, herself, about her schweschder’s boasting of working in a saloon and accepting money from men for her time. Was she with these men for just supper and dancing? One look at the boppli told her she was fooling herself.

  “Nothing good can kumme from facing Daed. He’d ask the same questions, and his sad eyes would match yours when I told him the same answers. It’s best if I leave.” Catherine kissed her cheek. “I do love you, Madeline.” She didn’t acknowledge the child. “Tell Daed I love him too.” She wiped a tear, untied the horse from the hitching post, and coaxed the horse into a fast gallop.

  Shock rooted Madeline’s feet to the ground. Her foreboding warned her she’d never lay eyes on Catherine again. Their parting seemed final, as if Catherine couldn’t wait to put as much distance as possible between herself and her Amish life, her family, and her own precious boppli.

  She went back to the crate and found Catherine’s note. “Dearest Madeline, you and I both know I have no patience for children. I don’t have the desire or the time. She was quite a surprise and not a pleasant one. I don’t know who her father is, so you don’t need to worry a man will kumme to claim her. She was born December second. I won’t be back. I do love you, and I hope giving you this child will help make up for leaving you. Best wishes. Catherine.”