“You’re going to be brave enough to try something vegan?” Elisabeth laughed at Carson’s surprised tone.
“Maybe,” she teased.
“Well, my favorite is the grilled barbequed seitan skewers with wild mushroom pate.” He rolled his eyes with pleasure, which oddly reminded her of her brother’s dog Barney when someone would scratch him on the belly.
Elisabeth’s eyes widened. “Grilled…Satan?”
Carson caught her confusion and laughed out loud. “No, not Satan like the devil, seitan as in the food. It’s made from wheat gluten and is used as a type of meat substitute. You spell it s-e-i-t-a-n. It sounds the same, but I assure you that their grilled seitan is heavenly.” He pointed to the offering on the menu.
Elisabeth laughed as well.
“But you especially have to try the chocolate lava cake, it’s absolutely delectable.” Carson sounded as though he could already taste the gooey sweetness.
“Hmm…Satan and lava. Have you been reading Revelation twenty again?”
Carson couldn’t help but laugh again. “Are you referring to the passage where the devil is thrown into the lake of fire? Almost sounds like it, huh?” He winked.
Their conversation was interrupted when a couple near her parents’ age approached their table.
“Brianna!” the woman shrieked when Elisabeth glanced up, and everyone in the restaurant turned their gazes in the direction of their table.
Carson immediately spoke up. “No, Mrs. Mitchell. She’s not your daughter. This is Elisabeth Schrock. I thought Elisabeth was Brianna too when I first saw her.”
“Oh my!” The woman’s eyes clouded with tears. “Are you sure? She looks identical to our Brianna. She could easily be her twin.”
“Please, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, meet my fiancée Elisabeth.” Carson stood from the table to greet Brianna’s parents.
Elisabeth stood and politely held out her hand, noticing that the woman couldn’t take her eyes off her face. “Nice to meet you.”
“Forgive my wife and me, please. We are just a little overwhelmed,” Mr. Mitchell said as he shook her hand.
“I understand,” she said sympathetically. She could only imagine how painful it must be for Brianna’s parents. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, dear,” Mrs. Mitchell replied, attempting to regain control over her emotions. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Congratulations on your engagement, Carson.” The man nodded politely, and then turned to his wife. “Caroline, shall we return to our table?”
The woman agreed and Brianna’s parents disappeared into another wing of the restaurant. But Elisabeth noticed that Caroline watched her every step of the way.
<><><>
While seeing Jacob in the barn for few minutes, Rachel had been informed that his folks had gone into Lancaster. Jacob urged her to stay and spend some time with him up in the haymow. Although the idea was tempting—very tempting—she decided it wasn’t a very good idea for them to be alone together for very long. She had to fight herself to say no to him. Not only did she not trust him, but she didn’t trust herself either. She’d decided years ago that when she married, she wanted to be pure for her husband. And as hard as it was to stay away from Jacob, she knew that’s what she had to do to remain pure. She would have been fooling herself to think otherwise.
After the day Jacob had shown up at her house with Brianna, the two of them had gone on several buggy rides and were officially courting now. It was obvious to her that they’d need to get married this wedding season if they were to continue courting. It was a good thing they’d both been baptized last fall. Rachel smiled at the thought of being married to handsome, witty, headstrong Jacob. They’d definitely keep each other on their toes.
Rachel knocked on the back door of the Schrocks’ home, but didn’t hear a response. Since she knew Brianna was in the house, she let herself inside. The smell of fresh baked bread permeated the room, tantalizing her nostrils. Rachel grinned, thinking of the baking lessons she’d been giving Brianna. Her first attempts at baking bread had been amusing. One batch of dough rose so high in the loaf pan, it blossomed over the top and spilled onto the counter. Another batch had come out of the oven hard as a brick. But eventually, Brianna had gotten it right and at the end of the day she was confident she’d be able to provide fresh bread for her family.
Rachel plodded up the stairs to Brianna’s bedroom and knocked on the door. Brianna opened the door with a smile and gave her friend a hug, welcoming her to her private sanctuary. “Hi, Lis. Are you excited about joining the church this Sunday?” Rachel asked.
“Ach, yes! I’ve just been reading over the verses on baptism and the importance of meeting together with believers.” Brianna closed her Bible and set it back on the small nightstand.
“I remember how excited I was when I joined the church last year.” Rachel’s eyes lit up. “I think Luke and Jacob were baptized at the same time.”
Brianna frowned. “I’m sorry I missed it. I should have been here. I would like to have seen that.”
“Don’t worry about what’s in the past because there’s nothing you can do to change it. None of us has been perfect.” Rachel absentmindedly ran her hand over the pattern on the quilt where she sat on the bed. “We just have to live each new day as if it’s a precious gift. When I wake up in the morning I like to think that this day will be better than any day I’ve ever lived.” Rachel laughed, and then continued, “And it is, because I haven’t made any mistakes yet—I think I once read that in a book somewhere.”
“Luke said that God doesn’t even remember our sins. I think that’s pretty amazing.” Brianna sighed. “I wish I could forget my foolish mistakes.”
“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more,” Rachel quoted the verses, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
“I love those verses. Please tell me where they’re from so I can memorize them,” Brianna reached for her Bible and a pen.
Rachel put a finger over her lips trying to recall the references. “I’m not exactly sure. I think the first one is found in Hebrews and the second is Psalm one hundred three.”
Brianna quickly jotted down some notes.
Rachel looked over at a heap of blue material stacked on Brianna’s dresser and her eyes lit up. “Is that for your wedding dress?”
Brianna frowned. “Jah.”
“What’s wrong?” Rachel laughed at her friend’s disenchanted expression.
“Everything!” Brianna whimpered. “I can’t remember how to sew and I’m supposed to have this done already.”
“Didn’t your mamm show you how?”
“Jah, she helped me sew some pants for the boys so I should be able to make some for Luke. But…I’ve never made a whole dress by myself,” she cried. “I just don’t want to mess it up. And there’s the cape and apron to sew also.”
“And your kapp,” Rachel reminded, and then made up her mind. “All right, get out all your material and let’s go sew your dress.”
“But Rachel—” Brianna began to protest.
“Don’t even try to argue with me, Lis. It doesn’t work for your brother and it won’t work for you either,” Rachel insisted.
Brianna chuckled. She had most likely seen Jacob attempting to argue with Rachel and it was obvious who had the upper hand. She and Jacob were absolutely perfect for each other.
The rest of the morning and afternoon Rachel and Brianna worked on the wedding dress. Rachel showed Brianna how to measure and cut out the material, which pieces to sew first, and how to make sure it all fit together properly. When late afternoon approached, Brianna’s new dress and apron were ready to try on.
“Ach, Elisabeth. You look so schee,” Rachel exclaimed.
Brianna laughed. “Just as long as I don’t look like schnee.”
Rachel giggled, recalling her friend’s mistaken word prior to arriving back home. “I remember that
. You’ve been doing much better with your Dietsch.”
“Jah, praise God.” She glanced down at her dress. “I better change out of this before somebody comes home and sees me in it.” Brianna smiled dreamily, probably picturing her wedding day.
“Yes. And I better go spend some time with your brother before he comes in here and bothers us again.” Rachel laughed. “I think he’s jealous of all the time I spent with you today.”
“Just remind him that you were my friend first.” Brianna smiled, and then gave Rachel a warm hug. “Denki for everything, Rachel. You are a very gut friend.”
“Hey, save some of that for me!” Jacob hollered from the door.
Rachel winked at Brianna. “See what I mean, Lis?”
Brianna headed back to the stairs. “I think I’m going to go daydream about my and Luke’s wedding day.”
“You do that, schweschder. And we’ll dream about ours.” Jacob winked at Rachel, then pulled her into his arms as soon as they stepped out into the sunshine, and closed the door behind them.
<><><>
Chapter 15
Frank Mitchell glanced up from his newspaper and watched his wife as she stared into space. The loss of their daughter had deeply impacted both of them, but it seemed his wife had a more difficult time letting Brianna go. Ever since they’d seen Carson’s fiancée at the restaurant, Caroline had been different. Frank knew she was probably dreaming that Elisabeth was indeed their daughter. He himself couldn’t help but wonder about their astonishing resemblance. But something had to be done.
“Caroline?” Frank gently set the newspaper down on the end table beside the couch. “I think it’s time we sort through Brianna’s belongings.”
Caroline covered her face with her hands and shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do it, Frank.”
“We must move on. Our daughter is not coming back,” Frank’s voice shook as he painfully voiced the reality.
“I…I can’t. Not yet.” She leaned on her husband’s strong arm.
“Carson has been able to move forward. Don’t you think we should too?” He put his hand on his wife’s back and lovingly began soothing her tense muscles. “Why don’t we call Ashley? She’d probably be willing to sort through her sister’s things with you.”
Caroline nodded. “She’s already urged me to do it. I know she won’t mind.”
“I think her being here will help to lessen some of the pain for you as well. Would you like me to call?” Frank suggested.
Releasing a pent-up sigh, his wife relinquished a slight nod.
Frank rose to telephone their daughter and returned a few minutes later. “Ashley will be coming over in a few weeks. I’d forgotten they were going to be out of town for a while.”
“That’s right. She and Hayden were going to take the children to that theme park.” Caroline remembered. “Perhaps we can get it done before Thanksgiving.”
“I think that would be a good idea.” Frank picked up the paper again and nodded in satisfaction. This would be a step in the right direction. A painful step, no doubt, but a necessary one.
<><><>
“Mattie Riehl!” The sales representative greeted Mattie and Elisabeth as they entered the bridal boutique.
Mattie beamed. “I’m Mrs. Mattie Greene now.” She held up her left hand, showing off her shiny new wedding ring.
“That’s right. Congratulations! Did you have an enjoyable time on your honeymoon?” the bubbly woman enquired.
“Oh, yes! We went on a seven day cruise to the Caribbean Islands. It was so beautiful, I felt as if I was experiencing a piece of Heaven! Everything about it was magnificent, although I feel like I gained about ten pounds from the exuberant amount of delicious food available to us at all hours of the day.” She laughed.
“I’ve heard that cruises are a lot of fun, but I’ve yet to embark.” The woman smiled. “Now, what did you ladies come into the store for today? Are you in need of preservation services for your gown?”
Mattie gestured to Elisabeth, trying to contain her excitement. “My friend is getting married!”
“That’s wonderful. When’s your big day?”
“We’re planning the wedding for spring. It will give us some time to prepare,” Elisabeth said. “After helping Mattie with hers, I’ve seen how much time goes into it and how much preparation it takes.”
“That’s right, you can never start planning a wedding too early. Now, what style of dress are you looking for?” The sales lady eyed Elisabeth, seemingly assessing her size.
“I want something modest. Not too form fitting and without too much embellishment.” Elisabeth decided.
“I think I have just the thing for you.” The woman led the way to a rack of endless white gowns. “You’ll see that there are several here that meet your description, but I think you’d look fabulous in this one.” She pulled the most expensive gown off the rack.
Elisabeth’s eyes bulged when she saw the price. “That one is little too fancy for my taste.” She didn’t particularly care for the dress anyway.
Another customer entered the store and the sales woman turned to leave. “I’ll just leave you two to look and you can let me know if you need anything.”
Mattie turned to Elisabeth. “Have you thought about bridesmaids’ dresses?”
“Yes, I have.” Elisabeth happily dragged Mattie over to a far wall. “What do you think of this?” She held out a lime green calf-length dress.
“Is that what you want?” Mattie raised her eyebrows.
Elisabeth nodded enthusiastically.
“I think it’s pretty,” she said in a cautioned tone.
“But?”
“It’s just so non-Amish,” Mattie admitted.
“That’s exactly why I like it. We would never be able to wear a dress this color back home,” Elisabeth noted. “I want to embrace and enjoy my freedom. Not that I would ever dress like some of the Englischers we’ve seen.”
“I know what you mean. It’s nice to be able to wear something that you like and that you’ve picked out yourself, as opposed to having all of the choices made for you.”
“Right. And no more straight pins! So…do you like it?” Elisabeth awaited Mattie’s reply with anticipation.
“I absolutely love it!” Mattie exclaimed.
<><><>
A nervous excitement permeated the room as Deacon Yoder announced the candidates for baptism. Brianna, along with three other young women and three young men, sat on the front chairs in the home of Joshua and Annie Hostettler. Brianna discreetly looked around and found Luke sitting in the second row next to her brothers. He caught her eye and sent her a quick wink. She’d never been to a baptism before so she wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, although Rachel had explained the process to her.
After the three hour service, the candidates would rise and go into a designated room to change into a special baptismal garment. Then the candidates, along with Bishop Judah Hostettler, Minister Fisher, and Minister Esh, would lead the way to Millers’ pond. There, each candidate would again confirm his profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and one by one be baptized fully in the water.
Rachel had also informed Brianna of the Old Order Amish baptismal traditions wherein water would simply be poured over the heads of the candidates, as Luke had told her previously. Rachel noted that the Old Order frowned upon their ‘modern’ practices of baptism, although it was first practiced when John the Baptist walked the earth.
Brianna’s excitement rose when Minister Esh called her into the water. She slowly walked out to where the leaders stood, the cool water rose to her waist, momentarily stealing her breath away. Bishop Hostettler explained that baptism was not the means by which one is saved, but simply an outward sign of salvation. Just as an Amishman’s beard is an indication of his marriage and commitment to his wife, so baptism symbolizes our covenant with Christ.
Emerging from the water, Brianna couldn’t hide the smile on her face. She had just participated in on
e of the ordinances that Christ himself practiced and ordained when He was here on earth. Now she felt a common kinship with her community as well. She would now be a voting member of the church, and of course, now she could marry the man of her dreams.
<><><>
Chapter 16
Brianna had just turned in for the night when she heard a small plunk outside her window. She smiled. Luke. Confirming her suspicion, she looked down to see him standing with something under his arm. Brianna waved at him and indicated she would be down shortly to let him in.
After dressing in short order, Brianna quietly flew down the stairs to meet her love. She stepped outside onto the porch and was immediately enveloped in Luke’s embrace. His sweet kiss made her weak in the knees.
“Mm…I love you, Beth,” Luke murmured.
She stared into the eyes of the man she’d be spending the rest of her life with. “I love you too, Luke.”
“Thanks for not screaming at me this time.” He chuckled.
Brianna’s cheeks flushed at the remembrance.
“I brought something for you.” Luke grinned, gesturing toward the package on the swing.
“Would you like to go inside?” Brianna offered, remembering her mother’s instructions on what to do when a beau summoned her from outside the bedroom window. “I can fix us some hot cocoa.”
“In a little bit. Let’s stay out under the stars and admire God’s handiwork for a while, jah?” Luke suggested.
“Should we sit on the porch or go for a walk?”
Luke grasped her hand and led her down the steps. “Let’s walk. You can open your package later when we go inside.”
Brianna gazed up into the clear night, awed by the abundance of radiant light above them. Luke pointed out several constellations, telling her stories about each one.
“Did you know that some people think the message of the Bible is written in the stars?” Luke asked.
“Ach, really? How?” This was the first time Brianna had heard such a thing.
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