He grumbled and walked away.
* * *
When Willow was finished for the day, she went to Valerie's home. Valerie was one of her mother's good friends, and Aunt Nancy's close friend, too—she might know if her mother was sick. If she knew and had been asked to keep it quiet, Willow might be able to see it in her face. If Valerie knew nothing, Willow wouldn’t know where to turn. She couldn't ask her parents outright, because if they wanted her to know, they would've told her already.
When she got to the house, she saw that Valerie already had a visitor. One look at the beautiful black horse with its one white sock told her it was Ed Bontrager who was visiting. They’d been seen together more and more since Valerie's husband had died a couple of years ago. Ed had been a widower for quite some time. They weren't officially a couple and they could be just good friends, but she'd been told the pair had dated when they were young. Willow knocked on the door, and an instant later it was opened. Ed was just putting on his hat and making his way out the door.
"Hello, Willow."
"Hello, Mr. Bontrager."
He turned around. "Goodbye, Valerie."
Willow could tell by the soft tone of his voice when he said Valerie's name that the man was smitten, for sure and for certain.
"Goodbye, Ed," Valerie said with a similarly affectionate tone. She then turned her attention to Willow. "Come in. What brings you to visit me today?" She looked around. "Are you by yourself?"
“Jah. I'm just on my way home from work."
"You've got a job?"
"It's a one-week trial for a job at the Hostetlers’ lumberyard."
"That sounds like a good position. I hope you can secure it."
"Me too. I like working there. I just hope I'm doing a good job. Tomorrow is the last day of my trial and I’ll find out if they’re keeping me. Say a prayer for me?"
“I will.”
When they had sat down in the living room, Willow blurted out, "Is there something wrong with my mother?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know if she's sick or anything?"
Valerie rubbed her neck. "She has looked rather pale lately, come to think of it."
"So you don't know anything for certain?"
"Nee."
Willow could see that Valerie genuinely knew nothing.
"Why do you ask?"
"She's been sleeping a lot. And she's also got it into her head that she wants me to marry, and Dat keeps asking me and Violet to make sure that we help her, even though we always help her with the chores anyway. And I saw a black car driving away from the haus one day, and she said it was someone from the doctor’s office because she left something there after a check-up. She never has check-ups.”
“That does seem odd.”
“I thought it looked like a doctor driving the car. Not an office lady.” Willow took a deep breath and continued, “I do most of everything now that Violet is working part time. Ah, I suppose that if I get the job I won't be able to do very much to help her. What if she's really sick, like dying?"
"Have you asked her?"
“I can't. If they haven't told us, then they don't want us to know. I figured that that's why Mamm wants me to get married; so I can have a child before she dies. And she'll know Violet and I will be married and she can die knowing we’re both going to be okay."
"I haven't heard of anything, but I'll see what I can find out. Now you've got me concerned. She certainly hasn't been herself lately."
Willow was worried when she saw the faraway look in Valerie's eyes.
Valerie looked back at her. "I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, Willow."
"I hope you're right. Do you think you'll be able to find out?"
"I'll try."
"Denke, Valerie. I'll have to get on home so I can take over cooking the dinner. I think Violet went to work today." Willow stood up.
Valerie pushed herself to her feet, and said, "I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I hear anything. Don't worry yourself too much. We'll get to the bottom of it."
"Denke, Valerie." Willow gave Valerie a hug and then headed out to her buggy. She untied the reins and patted the chestnut horse on his neck. “Good boy, Rusty. We’ll be home soon."
* * *
The next afternoon when she was about ready to go home, Mr. Hostetler walked into the office. “Willow, I’m glad I caught you before you left.”
“Jah, Mr. Hostetler?” She knew what was coming. He’d either let her go or he’d give her a permanent job.
“How have you liked working here?”
Her heart thumped against her chest. She desperately wanted the job. “I’ve loved it.”
“Would you like to stay?”
“Do you mean it?”
He smiled and nodded.
“Denke.” She wanted to fling her arms around him and kiss his ruddy cheeks, but instead she put out her hand and he shook it.
“We’re happy to have you as a member of the team.”
“I’ll do a good job for you.”
“You already have been. You're a quick learner, just as you promised. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Bye.” Willow headed to her waiting buggy, feeling like she was walking on air. Then she remembered she had to stop by Valerie’s house to find out about her mother. The worry over her mother overshadowed her good news.
If Valerie hadn’t managed to find out anything, she didn’t know what her next move should be.
When she arrived at Valerie’s house, she secured her horse and walked over, poking her head through the open doorway. "Valerie!"
"Come in, Willow."
She walked in to see Valerie sitting on the couch and she hurried over and sat down next to her. "Were you able to find anything out?"
Valerie shook her head. "Not a thing. I visited two of your mudder's closest friends and laid a few hints, but neither of them seemed to know anything. I also visited Nancy and asked her outright and she didn't know a thing."
Willow's shoulders drooped. "If she knew something, she probably would've told you."
"Nancy seemed worried, but I told her I was asking on your behalf. That way she wouldn't think we both thought independently that your mother was ill."
"Denke. That was a good idea."
Valerie said, "I don't know how else to find anything out."
"We might have to wait until she says something to someone."
“Perhaps. Would you like a cup of hot tea before you go home?” Valerie asked.
"Nee, denke. I don't feel like anything. And I need to get home to help with dinner."
"Willow, is there a possibility that you might be wrong about this whole thing?"
"I guess anything's possible. I hope like anything that I’m wrong."
Valerie slowly nodded. "Me too."
* * *
Willow walked into her home and found Violet and their mother in the living room sewing Violet’s wedding dress.
“Guess what?” Willow said.
They both looked up.
“What is it?” Violet asked.
“Mr. Hostetler is happy with me and gave me the job permanently.”
Violet jumped up and hugged Willow. “That’s wunderbaar.”
“Very good,” her mother said, smiling, while Violet sat back down. “I’m glad you’re happy.”
“I am.” Willow could smell the dinner cooking. “Something smells nice.”
“It’ll be ready soon. It’s just leftovers.”
“When are you finishing my dress?”
“It’s hanging up in your room.”
“Really? You’ve finished it already?”
Violet put her sewing to one side. “I’ll show you.”
The girls ran upstairs and Willow saw the long-sleeved dark-blue dress hanging in her doorway.
“Try it on.”
“Okay.” Willow pulled the dress on and felt it was a little big and baggy but didn’t want to say so. “It’s lovely. How does it
look?”
“A little on the large side, but once the cape and apron go over the top you won’t notice.”
Willow nodded, not too happy. She felt she was a little on the heavy side and didn’t need a big dress and extra layers on top. It wasn’t her special day, though; it was going to be Violet’s, so she kept quiet.
Chapter 9
Violet’s Wedding Day
* * *
Over the past several days, Willow had been out a few times with Samuel but they weren't officially dating. She had also spent more time at work with Liam and knew him better too. Today being Violet’s wedding day, Willow knew that both men would be vying for her attention. Each man had different qualities that she liked. Samuel was quiet and attentive while Liam was vibrant and exciting. Liam was handsome and he knew it, which made him a little cocky, in Willow’s opinion. Samuel was handsome, too, in his own way, but seemed more comfortable in his skin.
Willow had been too excited to sleep because Violet was getting married in the morning. She waited until daylight and ran into her sister's room and jumped under the covers with her.
"You're getting married today, Violet. You’ll be Mrs. Beiler in a few hours."
Violet slowly opened her eyes. "Is it morning already?"
“Jah. I couldn't sleep."
"Neither could I." Violet sat up and stretched her arms above her head. “I’ll remember today for the rest of my life.”
“Me too. I’m so happy for you.”
“I hope everything goes well. Do you think it's funny how we don't have any visitors staying at the haus?" Violet asked.
“Jah. I thought that, but I didn't want to say anything.”
“Nancy, Valerie, and even the Hostetlers have people staying at their places. I’d say Dat’s arranged that so Mamm doesn't get overworked. I wonder when we’ll find out what’s going on with Mamm.”
“Today. I’m going to go through their room today and see if I can find a clue,” Willow said.
“Do you think you should?”
“I don’t want to, but I can’t figure out another way to find out what’s going on.”
“Let me know.”
“Jah, of course I will.”
"I’m so excited for today."
"Me too," Willow said as she pulled one of her sister's pillows closer. "It's going to be strange without you in the haus."
"I won't be that far away."
"Be sure to visit a lot, Mrs. Beiler."
Violet giggled. “That sounds strange, as though I should be so much older. And of course I’ll visit a lot. Who else would I visit? You’re my closest friend.”
“I'm sorry I didn't like Nathan at first."
“Don't worry about it," Violet said.
"You knew that you liked him right away, didn't you?"
"I liked him, jah, but I didn't know I was going to fall in love with him. I felt sorry for the way everybody was treating him. Like he was an outsider."
Willow screwed up her face. "He was an outsider back then. He only came back because his mudder died."
"I suppose that's true."
"But that’s all in the past. He’s one of us now."
"And that's just as well or I wouldn't be marrying him," Violet said.
"What's the time?"
"We should get up soon. The wagon will be coming with the benches soon and we should have breakfast before that.”
The wedding was taking place at their house, and all the furniture would be moved out and replaced with long benches. An annex outside the kitchen was set up for the overflow, to provide for the hundreds of meals that would be prepared. There was never an exact number of guests at an Amish wedding. Invitations were sent out to family and friends, and it was always advertised in the Amish newspapers; normally hundreds of people showed up.
The girls headed down to have breakfast and found their mother in the kitchen wiping her eyes.
"What's wrong, Mamm?" Violet asked her.
She shook her head. "You'll be married and gone from the haus. You were my little girl; you were once so tiny you were the length of my wrist to my elbow. That's how small you were and now look at you. You’re all grown up and you’re leaving me."
Violet sniffed and hugged her mother. "You're not losing me. I'll still be here. And now you'll have Nathan as a son."
As Willow listened, she wondered if her mother really meant that it was herself who was leaving all of them. Then Willow got an idea. If her mother was sick, then surely she would be taking medication. That’s what she had to look for when she went through her parents' room. With hundreds of wedding guests to distract her parents, it would be an ideal time for her to sneak into their bedroom to see if she could find anything—medication, paperwork, or something else to tell her what was going on with her mother. After the wedding ceremony and while everyone was eating would be the very best time to do just that.
"I'll still be in the house, Mamm," Willow said.
“I know.” And that was all her mother said.
* * *
A couple of hours later, Willow and Violet got ready in their bedrooms. As soon as Willow had dressed, she went to Violet’s room.
“People are arriving,” Willow said, looking out the window. “There’s Liam and the Hostetler family. Liam looks handsome.”
“Not as handsome as Nathan will look,” Violet said with a giggle.
“Here he is now.”
Violet raced to the window and looked at Nathan, seeing him for the first time in the suit her mother and she had made for him. “He looks good.”
“Jah,” Willow agreed.
They looked out the window, watching the rest of the guests as they arrived.
“And here comes Samuel with his parents,” Violet said.
Willow watched Samuel as he got out of the buggy. Now that she knew him better he seemed more handsome, and he certainly looked nice in his dark suit and crisp white shirt.
Fifteen minutes later, their mother walked into the room.
“Everyone’s waiting on you, Violet. Willow, you come down with me, and then Violet can walk down the stairs last.”
Willow and her mother hugged Violet and then headed down the stairs. All eyes were on them as they walked down the stairs and then they walked past an excited Nathan who was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for his bride.
They watched as Violet walked down the stairs and took Nathan’s hand. Together they walked to the front of the living room where the bishop stood waiting for them. Two hymns were sung and then the bishop said some words about marriage and what it meant. He likened it to Christ and His Church. Willow had never really listened to what the bishop said at weddings, but this time she did.
Then they were pronounced married.
Willow looked at her mother to see her wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. She patted her mother on her shoulder to comfort her while she looked at all of her cousins who were there with their spouses. It seemed everyone was a part of a couple.
Before Willow realized what was happening, everyone was filing out of the house. It was time for the men to exchange the long benches for tables. Due to the cold, the tables had to be set up indoors rather than in the yard like Willow’s mother had hoped.
Looking around, Willow caught Samuel’s eye and he walked over.
Chapter 10
While Willow was talking to Samuel after the wedding ceremony, Liam deliberately stood between them and talked about something entirely different. He was being totally obnoxious.
Being an attendant at the wedding, along with her twin cousins, Lily and Daisy, Willow sat at the main wedding table. She was thankful for that, otherwise, she most likely would've had Liam on one side of her and Samuel on the other. At first, it had been flattering having two men giving her attention—now it irritated her.
Halfway through the meal, Willow managed to slip away and she headed into the house just like she had planned. Before she went up to search her parents’ bedroom, she loo
ked out the window to see that her mother and father were still eating. She ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and once she was in their bedroom, she closed the door behind her. The dresser was the first thing she looked through. There was nothing there.
Then she looked in her father's bureau in the corner. When she pulled out one of the drawers, her eyes fastened on something that she had never seen before. It was a bottle of pills. She squinted at the small print, and going by the long name knew it had to be medication. Willow had no idea what condition the pills were for, but she tried to commit the long name to memory before she put them back where they’d been. Before she left, she searched the whole room looking for something else. She found a repeat prescription and nothing else.
There was only one person she could tell and that was Valerie. She couldn't say anything to Violet, not on her wedding day. And she couldn't say anything to Nancy because Nancy could very well say something to Mamm. Willow walked out of the house and headed to Valerie. She tapped Valerie on her shoulder, leaned down, and whispered, “Can I see you for a moment?"
Valerie looked up into her face. "What's the matter?"
"I need to have a private word with you."
Valerie walked away with Willow and when they were around the side of the house, Willow began, "I found some tablets in Mamm and Dat’s bedroom and they said … they said …” She frowned. “Oh, nee, I’ve forgotten the name.”
"And are they your mudder's tablets?"
"Jah, I found them in her room."
“If you could remember, I’d probably know what they are.”
Willow looked around the corner, and seeing her mother and father still eating, she grabbed Valerie by the arm. “We can go in the back door and go up the stairs and I’ll show you.”
“Nee, I can’t go into their room. Bring the bottle down to me.”
“Okay. Stay here.”
“I will, but be quick.”
Willow grabbed the bottle and took it down to show Valerie.
“That’s for stomach problems, I’m sure. And the label’s come off at the top. Are you sure they’re for your mudder?”
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