“I suppose the bakery and its kitchen are a crime scene now.” Tate glanced at the display of freshly baked goods. “Too bad. All of that will probably be thrown away.”
Amber squirreled up her nose. “It’s as if she put all of her anger toward me into baking—baking pies that were supposedly poisonous. Then the relationship with Ryan pushed her over the edge. It’s going to be quite some time before I’ll be eating sweets . . . and definitely nothing mixed and baked by Georgia.”
Forty-One
Ten days later
The early morning hours passed in a blur.
For once Hannah’s brothers had left her alone as she took her time in the bathroom. Mattie had darted in twice, twirling in her new lavender dress and asking, “Isn’t it purty, Hannah? Isn’t it?”
Hannah’s own dress, a lovely bright blue, was also “purty.” When Mary arrived, they helped one another with re-braiding their hair especially so, and pinning the white kapps for one another. New kapps, purchased especially for their wedding day.
Eunice peeked into Hannah’s room twice. The second time, Hannah caught her mother brushing tears from her eyes. She’d hugged Hannah fiercely before she darted back downstairs to see to things.
Things.
Like the large amount of food arriving—chickens stuffed with bread filling, creamed celery, vegetables of every type and color, and more freshly baked bread than their entire community could eat.
Like the stalks of celery set in canning jars on the center of each table and rose petals from their garden sprinkled along the tablecloths.
Like the wedding cupcakes, frosted in yellow for Andrew and Mary and white for Hannah and Jesse. They were arranged on a side table, fashioned in such a way that they resembled a bouquet of flowers, waiting for their family and friends to enjoy.
Like the rows of benches set out beneath the giant maple tree, not so far from the swings Hannah’s father had built for her and Jesse many years ago.
When Bishop Joseph arrived, her mother appeared again. “He’s ready for both of you girls.”
“And Jesse?” Hannah clutched Mary’s hand.
“Andrew and Jesse are both downstairs already.” Eunice stepped forward then, and embraced both girls in her arms, whispering words of blessing and prayers over them.
When she stepped back, Hannah saw Mary’s mother standing in the doorway, an expression of satisfaction on her face. “When girls marry they are blessed with an additional family.”
Fern stepped forward and claimed both girls’ hands. “You two are especially blessed. You’ll gain your husband’s family, ya. But since you are marrying on the same day, and since you will share a home, you’ll also gain each other’s family.”
“It’s true, Mary.” Eunice wiped at her eyes again. “I feel as if I’m gaining another dochder.”
“Hannah, I’ve known you since you were as small as Mattie, but I never thought to dream that Gotte would join our families together like he is today.” Fern cleared her throat, and then commenced to shoo them out of the room. “The bishop will think you’ve changed your mind. He’s waiting downstairs, in the sitting room.”
They walked down the stairs, pausing to peek out the window set midway down the staircase. The view revealed the assembly of guests, and Hannah had the feeling of walking inside a dream, as if none of this was real, but rather a scene her imagination had pulled together.
Both Hannah’s and Mary’s fathers were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They embraced their daughters, and then led them into the sitting room, leaving them with the bishop and Andrew and Jesse.
The moment she saw Jesse, Hannah knew her dreams had become a reality. Her mind flashed back to the day Ethan died, the day Jesse had sought her out, sat by her, and merely listened. They’d been friends before that day, but afterward? Afterward they were connected in a way only God and events could conspire to make possible.
He brushed his fingertips against hers as they sat and turned their attention to the bishop.
It was at that moment that Hannah began to tremble, a tremor starting in her arms and spreading to her hands. She understood that the shaking was not a result of nerves or doubts. She trembled because that thing for which she had dreamed so long, that thing for which she had prayed, was finally coming to pass.
She was to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved, and together they would become a family.
“I’d like to read to you from Paul’s book, the first letter to the Corinthians and the thirteenth chapter.” Joseph’s eyes twinkled as he opened the Bible and set his finger on the German text. “You have heard it before, ya? But I believe that today the words may sound different. Today these words will have a special meaning for each of you.”
Hannah’s heart literally felt as if it were going to burst out of her chest.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
Happiness surged through her, like the breeze through the trees outside the window.
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge . . .”
She glanced at Jesse and found she couldn’t look away from his eyes, from this person she already knew so well.
“And if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
She understood, for perhaps the first time, that their love was about to change. It was about to become something completely different, like the seed in the fields grew and changed to become food for their table.
“If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to hardship, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
The words settled over them, like a blessing, which she supposed it was.
Finally Joseph suggested they bow for silent prayer.
Hannah’s heart swelled with gratitude. She thanked God for those gathered in the room and those outside, who had already begun to sing, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Joseph had once again picked up his Bible and continued reading from First Corinthians, describing to them what love is and what it is not.
Hannah listened, but she also examined her heart as she sat there, the familiar words falling over her. There was so much happiness, and beneath that a little nostalgia, and deep under that still a touch of grief.
The grief was for Georgia, who had seemed like a nice-enough woman. She would now never know the joy of a family, the love of a devoted man, or the peace of looking at each morning’s sunrise from her home. According to Amber, she would probably spend the rest of her life in prison.
Her mind briefly flickered over Ryan and his family. Each day she prayed for his parents. Their loss had been the worst Hannah could imagine. With only the one son, they had no one else to fulfill their dreams, no one else to bring them happiness in their old age—though the community, both Amish and Englisch, was certainly attempting to step into the gap left by Ryan’s death.
Ryan . . . she didn’t want to spoil this beautiful morning by thinking of Ryan Duvall, but he was often in her thoughts since that terrible day at the Village. If he had made different decisions, would he still be alive? Or had he lived his allotted number of years? She simply didn’t understand, and occasionally that lack of understanding melted into fear.
“Love never fails.” The bishop cleared his throat and urged them to again bow their heads in prayer.
Before closing her eyes, Hannah saw Andrew wink at Mary, forcing Hannah to stifle a laugh. As they began to pray, the sound of their guests singing floated through the window—a stronger, fuller sound now as those assembled warmed to the celebration of this day. The melody was a hymn she knew well. Sung today on this bright May morning, sung just moments before they were to be wed, it sounded different. Hannah heard beneath the melody the chorus of blessings sent out to cover both couples at that moment and for the rest of their lives together.
Joseph stood and gave them one last piece of Scripture. “Remember, my fr
iends, ‘These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.’ ”
Then they were walking past the rows upon rows of guests, to the front of the crowd, to the seats that had been reserved especially for them.
Somehow Hannah endured both sermons and yet more singing. She didn’t cry until she watched Andrew and Mary step forward, recite their vows, and be blessed by the bishop. It occurred to her then that God had been so good. He had blessed them repeatedly with his favor, and she could count on that blessing to continue for the rest of their lives.
Yes, they would still encounter trouble, but as she stood up and faced Jesse, and caught again a glimpse of so many friends and family gathered for this celebration, she understood that they weren’t alone and never would be.
“Do you, Jesse Miller, and you, Hannah Troyer, vow to remain together until death?”
“We do.”
Jesse’s eyes were locked on hers.
“And will you both be loyal and care for each other during adversity?”
“We will.”
It seemed as if their voice was one. She couldn’t distinguish hers from his.
“During affliction?”
“Ya.”
The tremor began again in her arms, but Jesse held her hands gently in his. He held her heart in his hands.
“During sickness?”
“We will.”
She thought of Sarah and Reuben, whom she had glimpsed as she and Jesse had walked to the front of the assembly. The tears nearly began to flow again, but she willed them back. This was a time of joy. A time to celebrate, and wasn’t the fact that Sarah was able to attend their wedding one more cause for that celebration?
Bishop Joseph turned them toward the friends and family who were waiting and listening intently. He motioned for Andrew and Mary to step forward and join them, and then he said, “All of those assembled here, as your freinden and family in Christ, and I, as your bishop, wish you the blessing and mercy of God.”
The tears once again spilled from her eyes as Andrew let out a shout of celebration and Jesse slipped his arm around her waist. The clapping seemed to continue forever, and then they were being congratulated. Jesse was repeatedly slapped on the back. Again and again Hannah’s hands were pressed between those of people she loved—those she had known all her life and those of friends she had made recently.
All the time her heart was singing that she was no longer Hannah Troyer. She was now Hannah Miller. Her new life had officially begun.
Forty-Two
Amber, Tate, and Pam stood near the gift table, which was piled high with kitchen gadgets, bed linens, and even fabric. Amber thought it was a beautiful sight—all the gifts and blessings for her two favorite Amish couples.
“Why do they need kitchen stuff?” Pam asked. “They’re living in the house with the boys’ family, right?”
“Right, but in the fall they will begin work on a separate house adjacent to the main one. When that happens, they’ll need all these supplies.”
“Will both couples live together?” Tate asked.
Amber shook her head. “It will be for Andrew and Mary. Jesse thought he’d be staying at his parents’ house, helping them as they grew older. Then Andrew came back. Now Jesse’s looking at some land across from Hannah’s parents’ place. He’s been saving his money for years.”
“So Andrew is the son who will live closest to the parents,” Pam said.
“Exactly. He and Mary will live on the main property, and Jesse and Hannah will move down the road.”
“Say, that volleyball game looks fun.” Pam craned her neck to get a better look at the young people assembling on both sides of a net that had been erected soon after the wedding ceremony was over.
Personally Amber was trying to avoid the games. She didn’t mind a good game of volleyball, but she hadn’t actually dressed for it. Wearing their best clothes didn’t seem to bother the Amish girls and boys who gathered on both sides of the net, however. The girls had already kicked off their shoes, and the boys were rolling up their sleeves. They looked serious about the game.
“I’ve never been to a three-hour wedding ceremony before,” Pam said.
“All Amish weddings are this way.” Amber tucked her hand inside the crook of Tate’s arm. “And actually, the wedding doesn’t end until later this evening. I think their celebrations are lovely.”
“You didn’t want a three-hour wedding,” Tate reminded her.
“I did not.”
“Someone might think you were eager for the honeymoon to start.”
“I was,” Amber admitted, blushing slightly but enjoying the teasing. In truth, Hannah’s wedding had played with her emotions, and she was relieved to lighten the mood a bit. “Seeing Hannah marry . . . it was like watching my own daughter.”
“And Mary. A double wedding! I can’t wait to call home and tell my momma about that.” In a more somber tone, Pam added, “Those girls feel like they belong to us. I sure hope they decide to come back to work at the Village.”
“I talked to Hannah and Mary about that earlier this week. Both girls will come back in a week, on a trial basis. If it goes well, they’ll stay until—”
“Until the babies start coming,” Pam guessed.
“Correct.” Tate pulled Amber closer to his side.
Pam added, “Which should be soon by the looks of this crowd. Seems every family has an entire passel of children.”
Pam spoke in all seriousness, but Amber nearly laughed because she was right. There were children of all sizes and ages everywhere they looked. Some were playing a different version of the volleyball game on a smaller “court” with a lower net. Others had started a baseball game, and some were toddling around with older siblings. Children were more plentiful than the flowers growing in Eunice’s garden, which was a sight to behold.
Amber was thinking about that—children and grandchildren and the natural growth of families—when Hannah and Jesse walked up.
After a round of hugs and congratulations, Pam asked, “Don’t you two need to be planning to throw the bouquet or something?”
“We don’t have bouquets to throw,” Hannah reminded her.
“We’re free for a few moments while the others enjoy the games,” Jesse said. “Soon we’ll begin planning the seating for the evening meal.”
“Evening meal? We just finished lunch.” Everyone laughed at the surprised look on Pam’s face.
“Ya, and I have a few ideas of who I’d like to sit next to each other.” Hannah grinned as if she’d been planning this for some time. “I think I might have a knack for matchmaking. The evening meal is a chance to sit girls by boys we think might be compatible.”
“Unfortunately I won’t be able to stay that long.” Amber once again enfolded Hannah in a hug. “It was a beautiful wedding, and I wish you all of God’s blessings.”
Hannah looked as if she might burst into tears, but Jesse jumped to the rescue. “We’ve been so busy delivering invitations and preparing the house that we haven’t heard from anyone at the Village in days. Is there any news on Georgia?”
“You don’t want to talk about that today.” Pam swiped at an imagined crumb on her mauve-colored dress. It was the only solid-colored thing Amber had ever seen her wear. Apparently she’d asked around about what to wear to an Amish wedding. She had added a scarf stitched with different types of birds. As usual, the ensemble was stunning. “It’ll ruin your mood and your appetite.”
“Nein. It’s okay. If there are any new developments, we’d like to know.”
“Better to know than to worry,” Hannah added.
Amber glanced at Tate, who nodded.
They would read it in the paper or hear it through the Amish grapevine. The news might as well come from her. “Georgia is pleading not guilty to Ryan’s murder.”
“How is that possible?” Jesse asked, his hand on the small of Hannah’s back, his face blanketed with concern.
“Anyone may ple
ad not guilty.” Tate glanced out over the crowd. “It’s the prosecution’s responsibility to prove guilt.”
“And will they be able to?” Hannah raised her thumbnail to her mouth, then dropped her hand to her side, suddenly self-conscious about the habit.
Amber shrugged. “Gordon didn’t share everything with me, but he did give me a few of the details. The prints on the gun are a match—”
“Good thing someone retrieved it from the trash,” Tate said.
“Not the smartest hiding place,” Jesse muttered.
“Apparently she thought it would lie in the city dump forever, undetected and no threat to her freedom.” Amber crossed her arms.
Pam squinted at them. “The woman is crafty and fairly smart. I think she was going to try to nudge the investigation toward someone who had dated Ryan in the past—someone she was jealous of.”
“You don’t know that,” Amber said.
“No. It’s only a guess, but it makes sense to me. She was consumed by jealousy, which is probably what started the whole poison poet thing.”
“What was that about?” Preston asked. He walked up holding Zoey’s hand, Mocha at his side and a goofy grin on his face . . . until he realized what they were discussing.
Amber hadn’t had a chance to speak with him since the wedding began. He and Zoey had arrived as the singing started. She’d spied them as they took a seat in the last row.
“The entire poison thing . . . what was the point?” Preston repeated. “Walter Hopkins, the old guy who works at the police station, stopped in to visit someone at my dad’s house. He told a girl that Zoey works with—”
“Rhonda,” Zoey said.
“She told Rhonda, who told Zoey—”
“Told me yesterday.”
“That the poison thing was a big distraction. According to Walter, Georgia did a lot of research, but she never actually put any poisonous substance in any of the pies—except for the one she left for Leo.”
“Why, though?” Amber was glad for the warmth of the sun on her face. Even talking about Georgia, thinking of the people she could have hurt and the people she did hurt, left her feeling cold and unsettled. “Why even bother with the entire ruse?”
Murder Freshly Baked Page 29
