Grace Given (Touch of Grace)

by Beth Shriver

  Katie sat back in her chair. “In case I’m shunned?”

  Mamm gave Katie a look that told everything, and Katie turned away. “Give your daed some room. He’s beside himself with anguish.”

  “Meredith and I gathered up some luncheon meat and bread to make sandwiches; help yourselves.” Ruby set a plate on the table with cheese.

  “Thanks for lunch.” Katie ate more meat, bread, and canned peaches than anyone. “How’s Will?” she asked Ruby.

  “He’s gut. He’s missed you.” Ruby moved awkwardly as if she wasn’t sure what was appropriate to discuss. “Are you feeling all right, Katie?”

  “Jah, only a little sick at first, but I’m fine now.”

  Mamm nodded. “Gut.” She tried to eat, but she barely nibbled on some cheese. Mamm got up and left the table to start cleaning up in the kitchen. Elsie knew she was fighting with her emotions. There were rules to follow and traditions to respect. But what were they, and how did they apply to this situation?

  Ruby got up and went to help, and Gideon left as soon as he finished eating. Once Elsie was alone with Katie, all the questions came forward. “Will you be comfortable in your old bed?”

  “It’ll be different to share with my sister again, but yea, I’ll be fine.” Katie continued to eat as if she hadn’t for a week. She’d eaten almost a whole jar of peaches by herself.

  “All of your clothes are in the closet or in the attic.”

  She looked down at her stomach. “I don’t think they’ll fit.”

  “We could let them out.”

  “I’ll need to as I get bigger.”

  “Are you and Jake married?” Elsie watched Katie’s eyes dart toward her.

  “Yes.” Katie looked back at her plate and took the last bite as if she’d just answered a question about the weather.

  “So, you’re Katie Fisher now.” Hearing the names together threw her a little. She’d imagined her name with Jake’s but never Katie’s.

  “We were before we found out about the baby.” She leaned back and put both hands on her belly.

  “I see.” Elsie said softly as she absorbed what she’d just learned.

  It was good they were married first. Omar may go easier on her this way. But since she didn’t know the dates exactly, Elsie hoped she was right.

  Katie did a double take as if deciding something and then asked, “I know you and Jake were good friends. It must have been hard when we both left. But we couldn’t see any other way to leave without trying to be talked out of it.”

  This was the first time Katie made any real reference to how Elsie felt about Jake, and now she knew why; she considered them just friends. Elsie never told anyone how she felt, but people probably knew by the way she acted when she was around him. Elsie wondered what Jake thought of their relationship. Had it been all in her mind?

  “Gideon is a good man,” Katie replied with meaning and a touch of sadness. “I’d like to lie down.” Katie turned to stand.

  “You’re probably tired from the bus ride.” Elsie instinctively went to help her.

  “I can walk up the stairs, Elsie.” Elsie was glad in a way. She needed some time to take this all in—and talk to Gideon about Katie, and even more, what was to come. “All right then. Get some rest.” She watched Katie lumber up the stairs. From behind you wouldn’t know she was with child. But she waddled as if it was difficult for her to get around.

  She stopped and turned back. “Elsie, it’s good to see you.”

  Elsie smiled, “You too.” Her words were true, but the resentment of Katie leaving lingered. She hadn’t even asked if the English men who harassed them were still a problem, among all the other events that had gone on. But then Katie had only known about the one incident, and she didn’t want to upset Katie with yet another issue to deal with, but it was heavy on her mind. Elsie wished she could tell Katie what she really felt. But it was better this way. It kept her tongue as it should be, dull not sharp.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  GIDEON PUT A hand-crafted playhouse in the wagon and strapped it down next to some lawn furniture customers had purchased at the bizarre. While he was in town, he also planned to check in with Minister Miller, who was at the new community that was growing on the other side of Beeville.

  As he made his way to Yonnie’s Gideon noticed the clouds rotating in the morning sky. The sun coming up was a dark, golden color covered with murky, twisted billows, like small tornadoes skittering across the sky. Betsy and Ross had extra pep in their stride, so Gideon let out some slack on the reins.

  Yonnie and two of his brothers were walking along a skeleton frame of the dawdihaus they were building for his dawdi and mammi. They took turns balancing on a beam trying to knock the others off and be the last man standing. Gideon heard the whoops and hollers as one fell after another, with Yonnie’s the loudest.

  “Yonnie!”

  Yonnie looked up, and his brother took the opportunity to knock him over. He got right back up and proceeded to push off two of his brothers. They landed on the ground, tucked and rolled, and then climbed back on.

  “Yonnie, come on,” Gideon called out, but he couldn’t help but be entertained. He spent a lot of time doing the same stunts with his four brothers. But he wanted to get back so he could see Elsie.

  “Hold your horses,” Yonnie yelled back. He put his fists in front of him, against his chest, and stuck out his elbows to make his way through. He jumped out of the wooden frame then grabbed his shoes and socks. He hoisted himself up and sat down on the bench seat. Yonnie hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “You’ve got quite a load.”

  “Jah, we sold a lot at the last bizarre.”

  “The crowds are getting bigger this time of year with summer around the corner.”

  “Actually, today is the first day.”

  “By the calendar, not by our crop, if we’re going to help the newcomers.”

  “We’ll have a chance to find out. I’m going to stop by after we unload all of this furniture.”

  “Gut, I’d like to meet them.”

  “And see Minister Miller. He’s been there for quite a while, so they must still not have chosen a minister.”

  “Jah, I wonder if he’ll stay.”

  Gideon didn’t want to consider that option. He was new to their own community and just learning his way with them. To start over with a new community so soon seemed to be a lot to handle. And then there was Zeke vying for the spot, which created mixed feelings. Gideon knew Jonathon Miller was the better choice, but he didn’t miss Zeke leaving their community. “It’s either him or Zeke.”

  Yonnie groaned. “Jah, that’s what I’m worried about.” He looked up at the sky as thunder rolled in the distance.

  Gideon glanced up at the gray sky. “Heavy humidity today.”

  “So, do you want to talk about it?” Yonnie’s face held no expression. His usual excitement and energy seemed to dissipate.

  “You must mean Katie.” Gideon tried to put his thoughts aside until he had more time to talk to Elsie. It would be so easy to judge or blame, but neither would result in anything good. But Katie’s demeanor made it difficult for Gideon to unconditionally accept her decisions, choices that were now affecting her family. The painstaking months she was gone were difficult, yes, but living with the outcome of that choice was another thing all together.

  “I hope it doesn’t change your mind about courting Elsie.”

  Gideon turned to him. “How do you know I’m courting her?”

  He grinned. “I didn’t. I was just hoping.” He slugged Gideon in the arm, which hurt almost as much as Solomon’s back slaps. “I’m courting Beverly Zook.” His grin grew as he tugged the blond hair from his eyes.

  “Congratulations, my friend.” Gideon felt great happiness for Yonnie, whom he thought might never find a bride. But this was just the beginning of a long and demanding process. There would be classes each week and commitments to the church to prepare for marriage. Gideon and Yonnie were baptize
d, but Elsie and Beverly weren’t, so that would have to take place as well.

  “What about Katie?”

  “She came home.”

  “Well, that’s gut, jah?”

  “Jah, because she’s in a family way.”

  Yonnie paused, but only for a second. “So, why don’t you seem happy for them?”

  “Jake didn’t come with her.”

  Yonnie frowned. “What a rat!” He shook his head. “Katie will have a lot of help. It’s gut she came back.”

  Gideon nodded but didn’t want to discuss it any further, and Yonnie didn’t seem to either.

  It started to rain, and Gideon wished he’d attached a cover to the wagon. It didn’t last long, but the sky continued to darken and the clouds overhead grew larger and spun faster.

  When they got to town, they went straight to the drop-off point. The store owner came out to help them organize where to put it all and raved about the craftsmanship of their work. It made Gideon wonder what the English furniture looked like in comparison when hearing the compliments. After they finished, they kept going east through Beeville and to the new community. It wasn’t hard to find when the signs started popping up—fresh country eggs, Guernsey milk, baked goods, and more goods for sale.

  When they got closer to the area, Gideon stopped at the first white clapboard home, which was where Minister Miller was staying. They were greeted by an older man and his family. Gideon and Yonnie introduced themselves and stepped inside the immaculate home. The feminine touch of six daughters and their mamm showed in the decoration, furniture, and small details.

  “You’re just in time for lunch.” Minister Miller came into the room and pumped Gideon’s hand and then Yonnie’s.

  As they made their way to the large table, Gideon asked the minister how things were shaping up. “How many are in this community now?”

  “There’s about thirty-six, I believe.” The minister rubbed his chin in thought.

  “Thirty-seven with Janet’s newborn.” Ephraim, their host, pointed at Minister Miller with a chubby finger.

  “We’ve kept the minister busy with the upcoming weddings and babies being born.” The mamm tapped her daughter’s hand to stop her staring at their visitors, and she started eating again.

  “You’ve been missed. When will you be coming back?” Yonnie asked around a bite of potatoes.

  Minister Miller looked up from his plate, and the instant Gideon saw his expression, he knew the answer.

  “I won’t be coming back.”

  “You’re staying here, then?” Yonnie obviously needed the confirmation as much as Gideon did.

  “I’ve enjoyed serving here, and they need a minister.” Minister Miller’s young face glowed with appreciation. “And there are many in your community who are capable to serve in my former position. I recently informed the deacon.”

  “God’s speed to your work here.” Gideon was glad for the minister but prayed for his own community, knowing Zeke would quickly replace him.

  Gideon tried the shoofly pie even though whoopie pie was his favorite dessert. The flavors mixed together on his tongue and made his eyes water. He’d had this pie all his life, but it never tasted like this. “I was wondering if you’d had any problems with the locals in town.”

  “Nee, nothing more than the staring and the expected curiosities.” His friendly demeanor didn’t change. These behaviors were expected for the Amish living down south.

  “We still get that and have been for over a year,” Yonnie took a bite of the pie. Gideon watched Yonnie’s eyes grow as he took another bite. They’d always had good cooking, but this was even better than they were used to.

  The father dropped his fork on the plate. “I don’t like some of the youths’ comments to my girls, but they are good to ignore it.”

  That made Gideon pause and wonder exactly what was said to Elsie. Maybe he didn’t want to know. The harassers made him want to do things he’d never thought of before. And when it came to Elsie, he had a harder time controlling those actions.

  “This was an incredible meal,” Yonnie said in a boisterous tone, making everyone smile slightly.

  The girls brought a pitcher and poured more water and then served them seconds without asking. Their mamm kept a sharp eye on them, but when one young lady glanced at Gideon too many times, he decided it was time to leave. “We should go before this weather takes a turn for the worse. Danke for your hospitality.”

  Yonnie gave him a grave look and took once last glance at the girls then stood to go. “Jah, danke for the meal. One of the best I’ve had.”

  “We’re opening a restaurant in town, Essenhaus Style Inn.” The father grinned. “I already have a full staff.”

  Gideon smiled. “We’ll try it out the next time we’re out this way.”

  They waved as they walked to the wagon, inspecting the gathering dark clouds on the horizon. “Looks like it might hold.” Gideon wanted to see Elsie even more so after the lunch they’d just had. Sharing a meal with six girls without her beside him made him a bit uncomfortable.

  “Who can think about the weather after that meal.” Yonnie’s eyes widened. “And all of those young ladies.”

  “You’re a committed man, my friend.” Gideon reminded him.

  Yonnie stared, still with shock on his face. “Nee, I’m just hoping for the sake of that daed there’s a lot of young men in this little community.”

  Gideon chuckled, thinking that Yonnie was indeed faithful to his girl, Beverly. He wanted to continue his rounds to meet more families, but the sky was turning an ugly shade of black. He held tight onto the reins in case the horses spooked. Lightning hit the ground in the distance, and he waited. A clap of thunder made Ross lurch forward, but Betsy stayed a steady course with ears alert.

  “Let’s get home while we can.” Yonnie leaned forward in the bench as if it would improve their momentum. “Glad that wagon’s empty.”

  As they drove down Main Street, the car in front of them slowed down and stopped on the side of the street. People came out of stores to watch the ominous sky. Some stayed indoors, peering through windows in the local stores or restaurants.

  “They act like they’ve never seen a storm before.” It started to sprinkle, but Gideon worried about what looked to be a coming downpour. He wanted to try and make it home, but he didn’t want to drag his friend through a storm for his sake.

  “Stay ahead of it, and we’ll be fine. I want to see Beverly as much as you do Elsie.”

  Once they left the town, they would have to spend almost two hours on the highway. A few farms dotted the landscape between town and home, but the distance between them was great. Gideon was glad to hear Yonnie agree. Extreme weather was part of living in tornado alley.

  He kept the horses at an even trot. Ross wanted to forge ahead, but Gideon kept pulling him back. “Atta boy.” Gideon tried to calm him, but he had to yell to be heard above the thunder.

  “This is gonna be a long ride home.” Yonnie wrapped his arms around his chest and blinked against the slapping rain. They didn’t bring jackets, not used to the changing weather of this climate.

  “Or a short one with the way these horses will run.” After they’d gone a couple more miles, Gideon pulled over. “The wind is too strong.” He climbed in the back of the wagon.

  “What are you looking for?” Yonnie turned around to see what Gideon was doing.

  “Is it this?” He held up an overhead cover that would help block the rain. “I don’t know if it’ll hold in this storm, but we can’t keep getting pounded.”

  The two of them strapped it down and locked the cover into place. “Think it’ll hold?” Yonnie examined the wind pushing against the back of the cover.

  “Unsnap the back. We can make do with only the top and sides.”

  Yonnie complied. The sides stopped shaking, relieving the cover of the harsh wind that was blasting them in the face. The rain still kept them plenty wet, but some protection was better than none.
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br />   The weather seemed to get worse the closer they got to home. He watched Yonnie, who had his eyes closed and his head down against the gusts of wind. Gideon watched a windmill spin like it was going to take off into the sky.

  “This is narrisch!” Gideon yelled over to him.

  “There’s a farmhouse up the way if you want to stop.” Yonnie nodded forward to point out the house without removing his arms from around his chest.

  As soon as he said it, a circular wall of clouds underneath the largest one created a funnel swirling and twisting faster and faster. Lightning scorched the ground as a dazzling rod of lightning hit the asphalt road behind them.

  As they watched the light and sounds, a familiar car drove up behind them. Gideon couldn’t miss the dark blue color and fat wheels. A pipe in the back made a loud purr as it drove up behind them. Gideon kept an even stride and did his best to ignore them, but he knew Yonnie couldn’t.

  “What is that car doing? They can go around.” Yonnie was about to wave them on when Gideon put a hand on his arm.

  “Don’t. Those are the Englishers who have been giving Elsie a hard time. I don’t want them to see me. It’ll just make it worse.”

  “When did this happen?” Each time the car jumped forward Yonnie had to stop himself from turning around.

  “A while ago. Just when I think it’s over, they do something again.” Gideon felt much more emotion than he was telling Yonnie. The one good thing was they were taunting him and not Elsie.

  They revved the engine and tapped on the back of the wagon, giving the horses a slight jolt. “It’s all we can do to ride against this weather, let alone be pushed around by some Englishers.” They came up to the side of the wagon and moved closer until they were almost touching the side. Yonnie’s angry voice pierced Gideon’s ear. “They’re gonna run us off the road.”

  “Hang on.” Gideon whistled and then pulled taut on the reins. The horses stopped almost in sync. Gideon pulled on Ross’s rein, and he moved back in line with Betsy.

  The car moved ahead and stopped in front of them. Gideon held his ground, waiting impatiently for their next move. The car spun its wheels, fishtailed, and sped down the road with tires squealing.