“Yep!” Alvin said crisply. “Where can we begin work?”
“Hold your horses there,” another of the cooks told him. “Dinner’s not served for a while yet, but I guess you can wash the pots and pans if you have all that energy.”
“Why not?” Alvin glanced at Debbie. “Are you willing?”
“You think Englisha girls don’t know how to wash dishes?” she shot back at him. That wasn’t what she’d intended to say—at least not in that tone of voice, but it had slipped out.
Surprisingly, Alvin appeared amused. “So you have learned how to work at the Beilers’?”
“Like I didn’t know how to before?” she asked.
He didn’t respond this time.
She followed him over to where the pots were piled high. Once there, she plunged her hands into the bowl of soapy water.
He cleaned scraps from the pots and handed them to her. “I guess you did grow up around the Beiler family.”
“You’re more conceited than you look,” she told him. “I’ll have you know that my parents taught me how to work. And I have finished college—and debt free at that. With Mom and Dad’s help, of course, but I worked summers.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect,” he said, sounding puzzled at her defensiveness.
She was supposed to charm him, Debbie remembered. And here she was practically in an argument with the man. She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry myself. Isn’t this a beautiful day for Joe and Verna’s wedding? I’m so happy for them! After what they had to go through with those false charges and all.”
“They did go through some rough spots,” Alvin allowed, his attention fixed on the spot where he was scraping a pan. “But all’s well that ends well. That’s what our people say.”
This was not going well, Debbie thought. She stole a glance at his face. She might as well make the plunge. It really couldn’t get any worse. She blurted, “There’s nothing between Paul Wagler and myself. I wish you’d stop thinking so.”
He gave a short laugh but said nothing.
Debbie kept going. “I used to drive past your place for a reason. I didn’t stop doing that because of Paul. I stopped because I thought it might no longer be appropriate since I’m living at the Beilers’ place.”
His face showed a flicker of interest. “Then why were you cavorting in town with Paul at Andrea’s Pizzeria?”
“Did Paul tell you that?”
He shrugged. “I don’t see that it makes any difference who said it. It did happen, didn’t it?”
She took another deep breath. “The fact happened. But I was working on Joe and Verna’s case. Paul requested the meeting.”
He seemed to process the information. “Well, then it’s gut.”
Debbie pressed her advantage. “I’m planning to stay Amish, you know. Maybe I’ll even join the spring baptismal class, now that Joe and Verna’s problems are past.”
“I see.”
Debbie continued to wash as the noise of the crowd behind them increased. Alvin should be impressed with her work if nothing else. And perhaps she’d reached him with her direct approach. He looked less stern than he had at the morning service.
He didn’t say anything more though.
Moments later a cook appeared. “Time to get ready, you two. My, you’ve done some work! But get those soap bubbles out of your hair, Debbie.”
Debbie wiped her hands on the offered cloth. She dabbed her face and hair with gentle touches. Were all of the offending bubbles off? There was no way to tell without asking, and the cook had vanished. Alvin solved the problem. He stepped closer and took the cloth from her hand before she even thought to ask him.
“Hold still,” he said. He touched her forehead in several places with the dishcloth. “There! All done.” He stepped back to give her a once over and smiled with satisfaction. “You look perfect now.”
A quick retort sprang to her lips, but Debbie kept it inside. “Thank you, Alvin.”
“By the way, I always liked it when you drove past my place in your car.”
“You did?” she whispered.
“Maybe you should do it again sometime.” His voice stopped as if a surprising thought had just occurred to him. “I suppose it’s up to me now?”
“Alvin…” Debbie caught her breath. “Please understand that I…I…” She couldn’t say the words. They seemed inappropriate now that the moment had arrived. She should let him take the lead. That was the Amish way. But, oh, this was hard. What if Alvin never fully understood the depth of her affection for him?
“We’ll have to see then,” he said as he turned to lead the way back to the other waiters. They were milling around and peering out through the curtain at the long tables of seated guests. It was just as well they all were busy, Debbie thought. Someone might notice her blushing face otherwise. But what did she care if they did? The advancement of one’s love life on a wedding day was just about perfect. And she’d taken hers forward by great leaps and bounds, she was sure.
If Verna could think about anything other than Joe for a moment, she would be thrilled. Perhaps Verna would even notice her glowing face when they served the corner table. Why, she almost had a date lined up once she joined the instruction class! Alvin hadn’t said so for certain, but he would get there before long. Debbie was sure of that. Her thoughts were interrupted by Bishop Beiler’s voice calling for prayer.
When the bishop finished praying, the waiters filled their arms with bowls of food and spilled out from behind the curtain. Debbie led the way to Joe and Verna’s table, which was set up at the far end of the hayloft.
Verna had insisted on a marvelous array of fresh fruits and vegetable arranged on the table around her—the only decorations allowed. Now with Verna and Joe beaming, the whole place seemed lit up with light and joy. The scene couldn’t have been more perfect, Debbie thought…except for the sight of Paul, who winked at her.
Debbie set the bowl of potatoes down and gave Paul a quick glare before she spoke to Verna. “Congratulations! You finally made it.”
“Yah, we have. By Da Hah’s grace.” Verna’s face glowed. “And thank you, Debbie, for everything. You have been so wunderbah.”
“And congratulations to you!” Debbie told Joe while ignoring Verna’s gushing praise. “Just tell us if you need anything. Alvin and I are at your beck and call.”
Alvin had set down his dishes and joined her, sharing his own congratulations with the happy couple.
Debbie turned momentarily when Paul sang out “living on love” in her direction. Then she tried to ignore him.
“They sure are a charming couple,” Alvin whispered as they left to pick up another round of filled-to-the-brim food bowls.
And so are we! Debbie almost said. She gave Alvin a sweet smile instead. “Thank you for serving the tables with me today.”
His face also glowed despite Paul’s inappropriate remark.
Debbie felt as if Verna’s grace had overflowed onto her. Love was finally taking root in the right places!
“I was delighted to accept, Debbie.” Alvin reached over and brushed her fingers with his. His gaze lingered long on her face.
Discussion Questions
1. How do you feel about Debbie’s mother wanting her to move out of the home now that she had finished college?
2. Is Lois’s fascination with the Englisha world a wise choice to make for an Amish girl?
3. What is your reaction to Callie’s concerns that Debbie will “wither” if she boards at the Beilers?
4. What do you think of Bishop Beiler’s reasons to accept Debbie as a boarder at the Beiler home?
5. What are your feelings about the Amish practice of rumspringa for their young people?
6. Do you think Debbie’s influence on Lois to remain Amish will last?
7. What lies at the heart of the Amish’s reluctance to deal with lawyers and the law?
8. How could Paul have approached Debbie with his attentions that would have won her hea
rt?
9. What do you think of Debbie’s handling of Paul?
10. Should Minister Kanagy have taken such a strong stand against Joe and Verna in his attempt to keep the congregation pure?
11. Did Bishop Beiler do the right thing as he became more sympathetic towards the plight of his girls?
12. Was Debbie wise to continue her pursuit of Alvin Knepp?
The Beiler Sisters Trilogy
Watch for books 2 and 3 in Jerry S. Eicher’s
The Beiler Sisters
TRILOGY!
Seeing Your Face Again
(MAY 2014)
Finding Love at Home
(AUGUST 2014)
About Jerry Eicher
Jerry S. Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 500,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, Hannah’s Heart series, The Fields of Home series, Little Valley series, and some stand-alone novels. He’s also written nonfiction, including My Amish Childhood and The Amish Family Cookbook (with his wife, Tina).
After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies.
About the Publisher
* * *
To learn more about Harvest House books and to read sample chapters, visit our website:
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
* * *
Ready to Discover More?
Do you love reading Amish fiction? Are you drawn to the simplicity of the Amish culture?
VISIT AMISHREADER.COM TODAY AND DISCOVER:
• Free Short Stories by Your Favorite Authors
• Authentic Amish Recipes
• Exclusive Book Previews and Giveaways
Click here to visit
www.AmishReader.com
Other ways to connect:
www.facebook.com/AmishReadercom
www.twitter.com/AmishReader
Click here to sign up for email updates!
Holding a Tender Heart Page 30
