by Beth Shriver
“That’s gut.” She couldn’t read him well enough to know what else he had on his mind. She hoped it had nothing to do with her.
“It might help if you’re there, in case you saw or remember something I didn’t.”
She paused and shook her head without thought. She had no intention of going, even if he would have given a better reason. If he would have asked for her moral support or just to be with him, she might have felt obligated, but his only concern seemed to be this boy. Before she could answer, Mamm walked in. “Elsie, your nephew is here.” Mamm stood at the back door waving them in.
They looked at one another. “You have a nephew?” Gideon asked sheepishly.
“Jah, Uncle Gideon.” She thought surely that would break him from this trance he was in concerning a stranger rather than the family he was promised to. She waited one extra beat, waiting for a response, a smile, or anything that showed he cared. When he finally stood, but quietly, she picked up her dress and took quick steps up to the house leaving Gideon behind her.
Aaron met them at the door. “I’m an uncle!” He took Gideon’s hand and dragged him through the kitchen. Elsie did her best to keep up with Gideon but finally let him slip away. She watched them climb the stairs together, and Gideon glanced her way. But instead of the usual feeling of warmth, the disconnection between them lingered.
Chapter Thirty-Four
THE HOUSE WAS unusually quiet as Gideon stood at the front door peering in through the screen. He knocked again, then heard footsteps coming from the kitchen.
Elsie walked through the entry room and opened the door. She kept her distance and hesitantly went through the kitchen. He could read the signs through her actions, guarded and careful around him. He would make it up to her, but this wasn’t a good time. “Sorry, I was helping Mamm with breakfast before we left.”
“Are Katie and the baby awake?”
“Jah, little Solomon sleeps a lot, but Katie doesn’t.” Elsie tapped on the door that was open and stuck her head in.
He stepped into the room behind Elsie. The sweet smell of lavender filled the air from the piles of pale colored blankets and the white diapers stacked on a small oak table. Then a cradle caught Gideon’s eye. The workmanship was unmistakably Solomon’s. So the stubborn man was letting go of his pride long before he let on. Love for his unborn grandchild poured out in every detail, especially through the cherub on the top.
“Morning, Gideon.” Katie’s eyes were soft, and her relaxed composure was comforting to see. She held little Sol swaddled in a blue blanket, tiny tuffs of reddish hair sprung up on top of his head.
“How is little Sol?”
As he stroked the baby’s pink cheek with his finger, he heard heavy boots behind him. Solomon slapped Gideon’s back, but much gentler than usual. “He has a good name.”
“Jah, he does. I can’t imagine how he’ll live up to it.”
Katie smiled at her daed. Gideon watched the eye contact between daed and daughter. It took new life to bring them together again. Gideon hoped it stayed that way.
“So you’re going into town today.” Katie looked up from the baby and turned to Elsie. “I didn’t realize how hard it was with the Englishers after I left.” Katie twisted at the waist to comfort him. “I didn’t think they’d continue to bother you.”
“That’s what I thought as well, but hopefully it’ll be over now.”
Katie seemed sincere and gave Elsie a long look. “Jah, me too.”
As they left the house, Elsie’s face tightened. He knew he had a lot to say to her, but he wanted to get through this day, just one more day, and he’d smooth things over with her.
“Are you ready for this?” He reached over to clasp her hand, but she moved away.
“As best as I’ll ever be.” Elsie was making it clear she didn’t want to go, and he didn’t blame her.
Gideon didn’t want to speak in the courtroom; it was not the Amish way. He wanted Nick to have consequences that would make him a better person, not punishments that would leave him embittered by the English system. He found himself wondering why this boy instead of a nother. The blond-haired leader of the group seemed more deserving of punishment. Gideon stopped the thoughts and wondered why he felt so protective of Nick. Their conversations were brief, but maybe that was enough. He felt God’s tug and pull to take action on behalf of Nick, and he would obediently follow.
He helped Elsie into the buggy and saw her clench her hands together, knuckles white in her lap. The concern he had for him-self overshadowed Elsie’s obvious dread of facing the English boys again. He put a hand on hers before she could stop him. “If you are uncomfortable with this, you don’t have to go into the courtroom.” He stared at her. “I mean that.”
“I’ll be seeing them again one way or another since we come into town to do business.” She looked out at the ripe corn ready for harvest. “Best it’s in a controlled environment like today.”
“All right then, danke for supporting me. This might do us all some good.” He knew he had a lot of forgiving to do, and so did Elsie. This would test their faith in ways that were new to them. It was one thing to pardon an Amish brother or sister in the Amish way. Gideon knew how to approach one of his brethren, but would the Englishers accept their offer to move on and live in peace?
As they got closer to town, Gideon could see Elsie tense, and she didn’t say a word once they passed the Beeville sign. She scanned the area, alert to everyone they passed by. Elsie usually enjoyed going into town, shopping and selling her handmade goods. Now it was as if a forbidden boundary wedged between them, and once crossed she was in their domain.
“Elsie.” She jumped when he touched her arm. “Why don’t you go to Ephraim’s restaurant? I’ll come and get you when it’s over.”
She took a deep breath. “Nee, I’m going in with you.”
He offered his arm, and she grasped onto him, staring at the scar on her wrist. She’d been burned by a hot axle trying to calm the horse when the fireworks were thrown in the buggy and around the horse. He swallowed hard. His motive for bringing her to Beeville to rise above her fears may backfire on him. But he felt she had to try, or those visions would continue to haunt her. He stopped at the doors to the courthouse and met her eyes. “Refuse to listen to the voice of fear; listen instead to the whisper of courage.”
She looked away as tears filled her eyes. “I should be the one encouraging you.”
He patted her hand then laced his fingers with hers. “You are by being with me.”
Gideon ushered Elsie into a windowless room covered by dark paneling and filled with rows of wood benches. His skin tingled with a chill of foreboding that matched the coldness of the court-room. Jonas slid down and made room for them.
Many young people, too many in his opinion, were seated with their parents. Across the room Nick slouched on the bench next to a stout man. What little was left of the man’s hair was white. Deep lines creased his face, and the years had bowed his back. A folded walker rattled in front of him when a younger man in a dark blue suit settled in on the other side of Nick. Gideon guessed the man was Nick’s lawyer.
Waiting through the proceedings was daunting, but finally Gideon heard them call Nick’s name. The elderly man patted the boy’s shoulder, and Gideon could see the concern that clouded the man’s watery blue eyes. Nick took the stand but wouldn’t take his eyes off the floor.
The judge grew tired of his one-word answers and not looking up when he spoke. “You didn’t do this alone. Now tell us who helped you.”
“No one.”
“I’ve heard of this Amo-bashing; it isn’t done by one individual.” The judge leaned toward the boy, his voice firm. “Others were involved. What are their names?”
Nick clenched his jaw in determination. “It was only me.”
Gideon shook his head, remembering what Nick said about belonging to the group. Nick was choosing to take the blame alone rather than have the other boys out to get him.
“I’ll be right back.” Gideon moved away from Elsie and maneuvered up to the bench behind the defense attorney.
The judge glanced at Gideon and narrowed his gray brows. Gideon sat back and waited for a chance to talk with the lawyer, which came when the judge went over a file from the police department.
“Did someone press charges?”
The lawyer evaluated him from top to bottom, taking in the straw hat he held, suspenders, and boots. “You must be the Amish man involved.”
“Jah, Gideon Lapp.” He held out his hand and gave the lawyer a surprise pump of his hand. “Who pressed charges?”
“The owner of the store in front of where your buggy was parked. Burning debris caused damage to his property too.”
That shop was owned by an Englisher Gideon had done business with. Now that he mentioned it, Gideon remembered there was some damage in other areas. “What will happen to Nick if this goes through?”
“Juvenile Hall in San Antonio.” The lawyer glanced around the room. “There are a few people in town who want an example to be set for the vandals around here. This boy is taking the brunt of it.”
Gideon’s throat became dry, and he knew his emotions were showing. His nostrils flared and he felt his face grow hotter. “Are you going to let that happen?”
“Order.” The judge looked directly at them, but Gideon couldn’t let this go. There had to be a way to fix this.
The lawyer sat down, assuming there was no recourse by Gideon’s silence. “Let me think of something,” Gideon whispered to the lawyer.
He didn’t turn around but answered, “This kid is the only minor; that’s probably why the gang gave him up.”
“Nick didn’t want to be in the gang.”
“How do you know this? Do you know the boy?”
“Jah, he told me he had to do whatever they asked him to do to stay in or get out.”
The lawyer turned to face him. “What’s the recourse?”
“Order, counselor.” The judge seemed as curious as irritated with them.
“What if he works for me, on the farm?”
The lawyer rubbed his cheek and watched the judge give him an ugly frown. “Do you really want that responsibility, Mr. Lapp?”
“Would you gentlemen like to share something with me?” The judge looked down at them over his bifocals.
Gideon turned to glance at Elsie. She stared back and lifted a shoulder, not understanding what was happening. “Jah, I do.”
The lawyer stood. “Your Honor, may I approach the bench?”
“You may, but this better be important.”
“It is, and can Mr. Groder, owner of Groder’s Hardware, approach the bench as well?”
The judge nodded.
Nick finally lifted his head and noticed Gideon. His fore-head wrinkled then softened as if absorbing what was happening. Gideon didn’t take his eyes off of him, praying he was doing the right thing and that he would give good guidance to him. By the time he finished his prayer, the lawyer was back in his chair, and so was Mr. Groder.
Gideon held his breath. The district attorney and the judge left the room. Minutes passed, and hushed conversation filled the silence. A door clicked open. Everyone stood while the two men returned to the courtroom. After the judge settled in, he bent over the police report in silence. Gideon’s heart pounded in his chest. The judge shuffled papers then reached for the gavel. Bang!
“Counsel has suggested I sentence Nick Hansen to one hun-dred hours of community service, to be completed on weekends. During this time he will be working for Gideon Lapp or Harold Groder, making restitution for their losses. The court accepts Counsel’s recommendation.” The judge pounded the gavel and sat back in his swivel chair. The bailiff called the next name.
Nick’s face was ashen and his eyes wide with surprise and confusion. He looked over at the judge as if he needed to be told again that it was over. He watched as the elderly man huddled in conversation with the lawyer who had helped decide his fate. Nick slid from the chair and walked to Gideon first. “What just happened?”
Gideon enjoyed seeing the bewilderment in his eyes with only a slight amount of the bitterness he’d seen before. “I hope you have some muscle on you. You’ll be learning how to work a farm.”
“Yeah, not burn it!” Mr. Groder walked by. “Some of those hours will be at my store cleaning the mess you made.”
Nick kept the sour look on his face, but he nodded compliantly.
The lawyer shook Gideon’s hand again as Nick made his way up to the judge. “I hope this goes as well outside of the court-room as it has here today.”
“Jah, me too.” Gideon knew he was in for a challenge. But to think of the other option the boy was given, he felt he had no choice.
They all turned to the rattle of wheels. “That’s my grandpa.” Nick pointed to him.
The old man clutched the handles on his walker. “Good thing you did for the boy. After his folks died, he’s been hard to manage.” His eyes narrowed as he stared at Nick. “You do what these men say.”
Nick hesitated for a moment then nodded.
Gideon noticed his resistance but was determined to win him over. “I’ll pick you up bright and early tomorrow morning. Be ready.”
The boy’s shoulder’s rounded. “I will.”
Nick’s grandpa cleared his throat. “I told your lawyer who those boys were. Even if there’s no proof against them, the police should be talking to them.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “That’s just great,” he mumbled sarcastically.
Gideon hoped that would be enough. God had blessed him so far, he would trust Him with anything that may happen later. Then he heard the rustle of skirts and saw Elsie approaching. Her bright smile of approval lifted all the dark clouds that had been hanging over him. With the love in her eyes, she brought him a rainbow.
Chapter Thirty-Five
MORNING.” ELSIE STEPPED lively down the stairs of her house and to Gideon. “It’s nice to have Nick stay more than one night now that he’s out of school.”
“We have gone to Beeville a lot lately for supplies with the houses that need to be built anyway.” He gave her a sideways glance with half a smile.
Gideon hadn’t talked much about if they would be living with her family for a while or building a place of their own once they were married. Now that fall was almost here, the weather would be pleasant to build a home. Then she had an idea on how to possibly get a hint of what he was thinking. “What supplies do you need today?”
“The regular restock items, and we need a lot of seed to get the wheat planted. We have about eight weeks before the weather changes.”
Since he didn’t have the wagon, it was obvious he wasn’t getting lumber or anything he’d need to start construction on a home. He did have two horses, but that was due to the weight of the seed.
On their way through the community they passed by Gideon’s family farm. Nick was in the field with Gideon’s brothers hefting hay bales onto the wagon. He stopped to wipe the sweat off his brow. The noon sun was blazing down on them. One of Gideon’s brothers tossed him a straw hat. Nick caught it and put it on. Another brother patted Nick’s back. Elsie smiled, knowing Nick would be just fine.
After they got the supplies, they went to the buggy shop. Elsie felt Gideon’s arm wrap her waist as he guided her to Jonas’s. A black buggy that looked almost new was in front with no horse hitched to it. Elsie was hopeful Jonas had made a sale.
She looked at Gideon. “I’m still grateful for your gesture in buying the buggy. We’ll have one soon enough.” As much as she meant the words, they both knew it would take years to save the money again.
He gave her a forced smile. “Jah, or we could just ride Betsy and Ross into town and church on Sundays.”
She softly laughed as they met Jonas at the door.
Jonas held out his hand. “God be with you, Gideon.”
“If you’re referring to Nick, it was a challenge at first, but he�
�s coming around.”
Jonas scratched his beard. “Jah, it was good you helped that boy. If ya need a hand with the youngster, let me know. And since we’re doing good deeds, I think you’re due.”
“I’d like to see how the repair is coming along.” Gideon looked around to where the fire had been. Elsie knew Gideon felt bad for Jonas. That shop was his livelihood, but the damage could have been a lot worse if more than one buggy caught fire. That was one of many things she was curious about, if they purposely targeted Gideon’s buggy.
“You don’t need to see any more of the fire damage. Besides, you had a long ride here and another going back ahead of ya.”
Jonas pulled at Ross and harnessed him to the buggy they’d walked by. “Betsy is still hitched up where you parked her,” Jonas informed them.
Elsie turned at Gideon with surprise then to Jonas. “What are you doing, Jonas?”
“That buggy is yours.”
“Nee, Jonas—” Gideon started to protest.
Jonas stood his ground. “Now don’t ruin this for me. You did for the boy. I’m giving to you.” He smiled. “It’s the Amish way, jah?”
Elsie gave him a gentle hug and watched Gideon as it all soaked in. He seemed reluctant, but she could see how elated he was by the way he was looking at that buggy. It didn’t have all the accessories and showed some wear, but it was his, and she thanked God for their friend helping Gideon with his need. Jonas and Gideon shook and shared mutual satisfaction for doing a kind deed. “I don’t know what to say; danke.”
Jonas nodded. “Now get in your buggy and follow Elsie home.”
Gideon stroked the smooth leather seat with longing in his eyes. Exposure to the sun made a crack on the bench covering, otherwise it was beautiful.
Elsie insisted that she go behind so she could admire Gideon in his buggy. She watched the dust kick up on the road from Gideon’s new-old buggy as he went down the lane to his home. He unharnessed Betsy and parked his daed’s buggy then climbed into his buggy.
Gideon grinned. “What a day.” He patted a spot next to him on the buggy seat.
