Plain pursuit

by Beth Wiseman

  “Hello,” Carley responded. “Which one of you is sick?”

  Lizzie stepped forward. “We have an emergency!”

  Noah instantly stiffened. “What’s the emergency?”

  “Mei boppli has a . . . cough,” the woman said shyly.

  Noah pursed his lips. “All right,” he said slowly. “And is she running a high fever?”

  “No,” Lizzie responded.

  “Why do you think it’s an emergency? Has your baby showed other symptoms besides a cough?” Noah leaned in to have a closer look at the child.

  “No. It’s just an emergency.” Lizzie turned toward Mary Ellen. “It’s an emergency, no?”

  Mary Ellen swallowed hard. “Ya, an emergency.”

  Carley was fighting a smile, but Noah seemed to catch on a little late.

  “Oh, an emergency,” he finally said. “Of course. Right this way.” He motioned for Lizzie to head down the hallway to a room on the right.

  Mary Ellen started to follow but paused at the reception desk. “It’s gut you are back. I have jams, jellies, bread, and a pie in the buggy for Noah when we’re done.” She spoke in a whisper but with a smile beaming across her face.

  “Thank you, Mary Ellen,” Carley responded as her sister-in-law- to-be headed down the hallway.

  There were six more emergencies that afternoon. All Amish patrons. Four children were brought in by their mothers—one case of pinkeye, one deeply embedded splinter, and two sinus infections. One woman about Carley’s age wandered in with an earache, and an older Amish gentlemen had pulled a muscle. In every case, the person seeking treatment began by saying, “I have an emergency.”

  The next few weeks brought more Amish patrons, each with an ailment they claimed was a crisis.

  When they weren’t working at the clinic, Carley helped Lillian at the farm. But it was Lillian who often pushed her to spend more time with Noah. So Carley and Noah took walks through the park with Chloe, hand in hand, talking and planning their future. Sometimes they would go to the river, lie on a blanket, and gaze at the stars. Noah was wise about the constellations, and he would enthusiastically educate Carley. And they laughed. They laughed a lot. They were in love. It didn’t matter what they were doing, just that they were doing it together.

  Carley told Noah all about Dalton, the reason he gave for their breakup, and the unworthiness she had felt to share her life with anyone because she was unable to have children. Noah constantly reassured her that he would love her always, and that if it was God’s will for them to be parents, the Lord would see fit to bless them with a family.

  They also talked a lot about God’s will and Noah’s unquestionable faith. Carley still struggled at times, but she had stopped praying only for others and had begun to pray for her own direction in life. She was learning to forgive herself for walking away from Him so long ago, learning to let go of the bitterness she’d harbored since the accident. Noah was a patient man, often listening to Carley talk for hours on end about her growing relationship with God and her admitted disappointment at not being able to be a mother. It seemed to help her to talk about it with him, and he was always a good listener.

  On one of their trips to the river, they lay side by side at the water’s edge, Chloe curled up nearby, bursts of twinkling clusters overhead. Carley had never seen a shooting star.

  “Look! Look!” She pointed upward. “Did you see it? Oh, wow! I’ve never seen a falling star before!”

  She glanced at Noah on her right and caught him staring at her in a way she’d never seen before, his expression filled with a mixture of wonder and contentment, so much so that she didn’t know what to say.

  “Carley.” He took her hand in his. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.” She waited. Then giggled. “Did you see it?”

  Noah laughed aloud. “Yes, I did. And watching you see it was the best part of all.” He turned onto his side, propped his cheek on his elbow, and faced her. “Falling stars are rare, a flash of beauty against a backdrop of infinite space and time.” He took her hand, kissed the tips of her fingers. “Like you. Rare. Beautiful.”

  “Noah,” she whispered, swirling in the magic, never more in love, never happier. She was exactly where she was meant to be.

  “Marry me Saturday.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. “I don’t want to wait.”

  It was Friday when Lillian walked into the clinic with Anna. She smiled at Carley then said, “I have an emergency.”

  “I bet you do,” Carley teased.

  “Everyone wants to use the clinic,” Lillian whispered. “And this is the only way.” She shrugged.

  “Thank you, Lillian. And what emergency do we have here?” She smiled at Anna.

  “She needs her shots. And it’s an emergency because I’m a week late getting them.” Lillian winked at Carley. “I have a peach crisp and a loaf of butter bread for Noah in the buggy.”

  She leaned in closer to Carley. “So tomorrow is the big day!”

  “It is.” Carley grinned. “No hoopla. Just me and Noah vowing to love each other for the rest of our lives. Pastor Marsh from Noah’s church will be here to marry us, and I’m wearing the simple white dress I showed you.”

  “I think it’s wunderbaar that you are marrying here at the clinic. The landscaping is beautiful out back, and it’s become such an important part of both your lives.”

  “That’s what we thought too,” Carley said. “It’s going to be hot, but we don’t care. Thank you for agreeing to come stand with me as my matron of honor. I know that’s not really allowed.”

  Lillian shrugged. “If it was a big church wedding, I wouldn’t be able to. But I think I can do this in gut conscience, as long as you don’t mind me wearing my Plain clothes.”

  “Of course not.”

  “And you can’t take any pictures of me. Is that okay?”

  Carley nodded. “I completely understand. I’m just thrilled that you will be here. Two of Noah’s friends from the hospital are coming—Dr. Bolton and another man I haven’t met. And, of course, Dana. Jenna is our flower girl. It’s going to be very small.” She paused. “Is Samuel or any of the family coming?” She was pretty sure she knew the answer.

  Lillian pinched her lips together and met Carley’s gaze. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Carley.”

  “None of them are coming?”

  “I don’t think so,” Lillian answered. “Samuel knows I’m coming, though.”

  “Is it going to cause a problem for you?”

  Lillian shook her head. “No. Samuel knows how much I love you.”

  “Dr. Bolton is going to be Noah’s best man. Noah said he was sure neither Samuel nor Ivan would show up. But I think he was hoping that Mary Ellen and Rebecca might come.”

  “They haven’t said, Carley. But I wouldn’t get my hopes up.” Lillian’s eyes saddened. “Samuel said he would prefer that I not bring David or Anna either.”

  Carley’s heart was breaking for Noah. “I see.” She knew the entire situation was difficult for Lillian. She forced a smile and said, “Well, I’m glad you’ll be here.”

  Noah gazed across the table at his bride-to-be. Tomorrow he would be a married man. Married to Carley Marek. He knew he should have some reservations about proposing so quickly, and he kept waiting for doubt to rear its ugly head. But nothing came. No regret. No worries. Only anticipation of a life with Carley. He’d had plenty of time to mull over Carley’s concerns about not having children, but living without her wasn’t a future he wanted to face. Adoption waiting lists were long, but God would bless them with children if it was meant to be.

  “I love this restaurant,” Carley said. Her face was aglow as she glanced around the Italian eatery.

  Noah reached across the table and placed his hand on hers. “I love you,” he said. “And I’m so ready to marry you tomorrow.”

  He had never been more certain of anything in his life. He loved Carley. He was glad Lillian would be atte
nding the ceremony tomorrow, and he refused to darken the day with his disappointment that none of his family would be in attendance. Particularly Samuel.

  “There’s Dana. ” Carley nodded toward the door. “She’s headed this way, and it looks like something is wrong.”

  “Hi. Sorry to bother you at dinner,” Dana said when she reached the table. “I stopped by the farm, and Lillian told me you were eating here tonight.”

  “Dana, is everything okay?” Noah asked.

  Dana nervously wrung her hands together. “I hope so.” She took a deep breath. “I have something very important to discuss with you both.”

  22

  GOD BLESSED THEM WITH A PERFECT DAY. THE TEMPERATURE was below average by ten degrees, and the skies were clear and blue. A gentle breeze cooled the air, and Carley’s white cotton dress swirled at her knees. Delicate lace trim around the short cupped sleeves, princess neckline, and hem accentuated the simple dress. It was tasteful and elegant, but plain enough to go with her matron of honor’s simple blue dress, white apron, and white prayer Kapp.

  Noah had never looked more handsome, wearing black slacks, a tailored white shirt, and a black tie. His wavy dark hair was neatly groomed, his face clean shaven, and his clothes ironed to perfection. Carley smiled in his direction as Pastor Marsh instructed the others as to their proper places.

  The others were few. In addition to Carley and Noah, there were Dr. Bolton, Dr. Louis Sharp, Dana, Jenna, Lillian, and Pastor Marsh. Little Jenna was picture perfect, her blonde ringlets flowing around her beautiful face. Dressed in a pastel blue frock, her attire was also simple with a touch of elegance. She held a smaller version of the bouquet Carley was carrying—yellow roses.

  Dipping meadows spanned as far as Carley could see. Amish farmsteads were visible in the distance, with towering silos stretching to the heavens. Faint sounds of the country could be heard—cows mooing, birds chirping, a faraway tractor, and—

  Carley perked up. Could it be?

  They all twisted around, their eyes following the sound of horse hooves coming down the road. Spontaneously they broke formation and wound their way around to the front of the clinic to see one, two, three, four, five buggies. One by one, they watched them turn into the parking lot.

  Thank You, God.

  Carley recognized Mary Ellen, her husband, and their two children in the first buggy that turned into the clinic. Next were Ivan and Katie Ann. Then Rachel and her family, who also brought Esther. And Sadie was in her buggy. Lillian’s mother, Sarah Jane, had brought Lillian’s grandfather, Jonas.

  Carley’s hands had landed on her chest. She glanced at Noah, whose dumbstruck expression was a sight to see. He was clearly overwhelmed, and his eyes radiated with warmth and appreciation. Carley reached for his hand. They walked around the building and greeted each new visitor with a hug.

  Finally, while Noah continued to greet his family, Carley excused herself and headed back around to where Lillian was standing. Her friend looked like she would burst into tears at any minute. Carley knew why.

  “I’m sorry, Carley,” Lillian said with regret. “I was hoping Samuel would change his mind. I see that all the others did.”

  Carley embraced Lillian. “Don’t you be sorry. You can’t control what Samuel does. Besides, you’re responsible for getting the rest of the family here, and I know how much it means to Noah.”

  Carley had already tried to pull at Samuel’s heart by leaving Noah’s letter to him in plain view. Even though Lillian had put the stack of books aside, surely Samuel had found the letter by now. It must not have had the impact she’d thought it would.

  Several times she’d thought about telling Lillian about the letter, but then Lillian would know she had read it—something Carley wasn’t proud of.

  It didn’t make any difference now. Whether or not he’d found the letter, Samuel wasn’t coming.

  Everyone began to gather again. Noah was beaming, but Carley caught him glancing down the road. They faced each other. Pastor Marsh waited until everyone was settled, his Bible in his hands.

  “Dearly beloved . . .”

  Lillian had just left for the wedding when Samuel edged carefully around David, who was standing in the kitchen with a scowl on his face. He knew the boy wanted to attend Noah’s wedding, but Samuel just couldn’t see fit to defy the bishop.

  Although . . . he knew what was going on all around him, with the clinic and all. And the bishop was turning a blind eye. Maybe Bishop Ebersol would turn a blind eye if he attended Noah’s wedding. Or maybe the bishop would just never know.

  He’d prayed about it. But in the end, not only did it defy the Ordnung, but he just didn’t know how to go about going. Lillian had told him repeatedly he would be welcomed with open arms. But had he really done right by Noah by continuing to practice the shunning after what Noah had done for David?

  That was his struggle, his question. Was doing right by Noah doing right by God? How could he do both?

  Samuel trudged up the stairs with the weight of a suffering family on his shoulders, a family that should somehow be loving both Noah and God. He shook his head and walked into his bedroom.

  “Tell me what to do, Lord.” He leaned into Anna’s crib and stared at his precious little one.

  He took a deep breath and reckoned he’d better get started on some of the chores he’d told Lillian he’d work on today—household chores too heavy for her to handle. He glanced at the box of books in the corner of the room and knew he should have moved those to the storage shed weeks ago when Lillian asked him to. They wouldn’t be needing the books until Anna was of reading age.

  He lifted the heavy box, thinking there must have been three dozen old books of David’s inside. The boy had long outgrown such books as the one on top. My Family by Bernard Day. Time to put them in storage and—

  Samuel drew in a long breath, walked to the bed, and set the box down. He remembered. How could he have forgotten?

  The letter from Noah was wedged between the pages, hanging over the edge about three inches. He’d given up looking for it weeks ago. And he hadn’t paid any mind to the box in the corner, forgetting that he’d placed the letter in his favorite childhood book.

  He sat down on the bed and slowly pulled it out—the letter he’d been so desperate to find.

  Carley was ready to take her vows, but once again they were interrupted. This time a car slowed at the entrance to the clinic. Carley strained to see who was pulling in. Barbie Beiler. Carley hadn’t invited her—she didn’t know the woman all that well—but she was a dear friend of Lillian’s. Of course she was more than welcome, even if a tad late.

  Everyone held formation, waiting for Barbie to come around the corner of the building.

  “Sorry we’re late,” she said as she walked up to the group holding Anna.

  Lillian walked to Barbie and joyfully accepted Anna.

  But all eyes were on Samuel and David when they rounded the corner.

  “Hi, Onkel Noah.” David wrapped his arms around Noah.

  Carley could tell that Noah was having a difficult time keeping his emotions under control.

  Lillian began weeping so hard to Carley’s left that Barbie came and retrieved the baby. Carley heard Lillian ask Barbie how she’d gotten her family to the wedding.

  “I was dropping off your money from the bake sale. Samuel was dressed and readying the buggy. I offered them a ride,” Barbie responded.

  “So you didn’t talk him into it? He was already planning to bring the children and come?” Lillian cried harder as Barbie reached down and latched onto Lillian’s hand.

  “Yes, Lillian. He was.”

  Carley hugged David when he made his way toward her, but she didn’t take her eyes off Noah and Samuel, studying them over David’s shoulder, wondering what their next moves would be.

  Noah’s expression left no doubt as to his hesitancy to move toward his brother, who stood tall before him. Slowly Noah extended his hand to Samuel, who was equally
slow to latch on.

  “Danki for coming, Samuel,” Noah said cautiously while still clutching Samuel’s hand.

  “Gut to be here.”

  Samuel handed Noah a letter.

  Carley watched as Noah slowly unfolded the paper. No one moved. No one said anything. And Noah read.

  When he was through reading, Carley watched as the two brothers pulled each other into an embrace.

  When they separated, there wasn’t a dry eye among them all. Samuel said, “I’d like to be your best man if you’d see fit.”

  Noah merely nodded. Carley knew it was all he could muster up. Emotion flooded his face as he turned to Dr. Bolton, who smiled and stepped away.

  “Are we ready to begin?” Pastor Marsh asked Carley and Noah.

  They both nodded. And with Lillian and Samuel on each side of them, Carley and Noah professed their love for each other—with all of the family present to witness the blessed event.

  Two weeks later, Carley was growing anxious, fidgeting on the couch. She looked at her watch, knowing Dana and Jenna would be there any minute. It had been with Noah’s blessing that Carley had redecorated the inside of what was now their home. Pleased with the results, she waited.

  “Are you nervous?” Noah asked, taking a seat beside her on the couch.

  “A little. But in a very good way.”

  “Have I told you today how much I love you?” Noah kissed her on the cheek.

  “I believe you have, but I never tire of hearing it.”

  They sat quietly for a few minutes. Carley prayed, offering thanks and asking for guidance. Her new life was a blessing on so many levels.

  “This is a wonderful opportunity for Dana.” Noah smiled.

  “And for us.”

  Carley recalled the important conversation Dana had wanted to have with them the day before the wedding. She had seemed so scared, yet excited and hopeful. A full scholarship to college at New York State was something to be proud of. After everything Dana had been through, she deserved this opportunity.