If my father knew just how much I loved Elijah, he would probably keep too close an eye on us, and I enjoyed being alone with him—not because I intended to do anything wrong, but because of the way I felt when we were together. I’d liked a few boys at the public school back in my home town, but I’d never felt like this before. Being with Elijah felt natural, and I never had to force myself to think of things to say to him. He didn’t intimidate me the way other boys had; he was a gentleman who genuinely cared to treat me with respect and true friendship.
I looked out at the rain as I grabbed my heavy raincoat and pulled on a pair of rubber boots from the mudroom. Nadine and I shared the boots, and usually only used them to fetch eggs from the chicken coop or to rake the hay in the barn. I didn’t care how I looked in the boots; my only concern was the icy puddles that dominated the ground between where I stood and the Zook’s barn.
Elijah was already waiting for me when I entered his barn.
“I was beginning to worry the rain would keep you from coming today.”
“No way.” I pulled off the raincoat and hung it on a nail near Eli’s stall, then, climbed the ladder to the loft and kicked the boots against each other until they dropped in the haystack below. “I would never let a little rain keep me from seeing you.”
Once I was settled in next to him, he kissed my cheek but I turned my head so I could kiss him fully on the mouth. With his mouth slightly open, I pressed my tongue lightly to his. He responded by doing the same. This was something different, and I liked it so much I continued to kiss him with a slightly open mouth, catching his tongue on mine every few kisses. Nadine had told me that she’d kissed a boy like this once, declaring how he’d practically slobbered all over her face. This was nothing like her horror story. It was almost like a dance that we were keeping perfect time with; a very rhythmic dance that was perfectly choreographed.
Before long, it grew dark in the barn, and it was time for us to leave each other. We hadn’t even talked.
We’d spent the entire hour kissing—making out—as Nadine would call it. I didn’t want to leave him, but I had to help my mother with the evening meal.
“I could kiss you forever.”
Elijah smiled at me. “Don’t worry, you will. We will be married and we will be able to kiss each other for the rest of our lives.”
“That’s cool. I like the sound of that.”
“Go home, before I start kissing you again. I’m not sure I could stop if we started again.”
I kissed him again on purpose just to test him.
He kissed back and held me so close it sent a rush of adrenaline through my entire body.
I knew then it was time to stop.
I jumped down from the loft and began to push my feet into my boots hoping to grab my coat and go before Elijah descended the ladder, but he grabbed me playfully and pulled me to him once more.
“I better not kiss you like that anymore if it’s going to scare you away like that.”
“You didn’t scare me away. I just can’t afford to stay here and kiss you for another hour. I get too caught up in you, and my mamma will ground me if I don’t get home. Then it will be a long time before I can kiss you again, and I don’t know if I can go even a day without kissing you.”
He let me go so I could put my raincoat on.
“Then I won’t kiss you again until tomorrow. I love you, Jane.”
“I love you too, Elijah.”
I walked out of the barn without turning back. I knew that if I looked in his blue eyes I’d want to kiss him, and I couldn’t risk being grounded; not even for kisses as wonderful as we just shared.
****
The wedding grew near, and the weather colder. Rebekah worked diligently putting the finishing touches on her gown in time for the wedding. It was more like a dress than a gown, for Abraham had scolded her regarding the fancy dress her heart desired to make. He allowed her the long length and a frilly collar, but not the ruffled skirting to make the dress expand at the bottom. She was to have a plain, simple gown that reflected more the Old Order than the fancy ways of the world. She had argued with her father regarding a veil, but in the end; he gave in and allowed a simple veil.
I feared that when my time came to marry Elijah, there would be an argument as to whether I would be allowed to wear a veil. I liked fancy things, and didn’t think I liked the control the church could have over my wedding. I hoped that Nadine’s stubbornness before me would change the unbending minds of the elder Amish men. Some of them had not yet fully accepted the freedom from the Old Order traditions, but instead, held fast to the strict rules of the Ordnung. My father explained that some of them were set in their ways and hard pressed to change.
In the end, it was decided that a combination of traditions from both families would be incorporated into the wedding. It would be just fancy enough to satisfy Rebekah’s desire to blend with Mitchell’s upbringing, yet traditional enough to humor the majority of the Elders of the Ordnung.
Meanwhile, Nadine and I scrambled to make our bridesmaid dresses for the upcoming day. My mother helped with the cutting, but the slowness of the pedal-operated Singer sewing machine certainly didn’t help to speed up the process.
With so much to do before Mitchell’s wedding, there was little time to spend with Elijah. When we did see each other, we kissed more than we talked, and I was falling more in love with him every day. We talked and planned of how we wanted our own wedding to be. He didn’t protest when I voiced my desire to have a less simple gown than his sister’s. He told me that he wanted me to have everything that would make me happy—including a veil. I felt fortunate to have such an understanding man for a future mate.
Nadine and I were to stand with Rebekah. Mitchell would have Elijah and Benjamin to stand with him. I was excited knowing that I would hold Elijah’s arm as we walked down the aisle of the church, even if it wasn’t the two of us who were getting married. What excited me even more was the barn dance that would follow the dinner. This would be my first opportunity to dance with Elijah, and I could scarcely wait.
The surrounding neighbors and family were a-buzz with planning the food for the wedding meal. The checklist was made, and Nadine and I were to assist Rebekah with all the final details. The women continued to sew the things for Rebekah’s dowry, and clean the Zook’s house in preparation for the wedding meal. The Bishop had “published” their upcoming Thursday wedding at the services on Sunday. With only two days left before the wedding, all that was left to do was to prepare the food.
Since the Zook’s chose the Lapp family to do the serving of the wedding supper, they helped to prepare the food, but we all pitched in. The women made pies and peeled potatoes, while some of the men cleaned celery and cracked nuts. After a while, I helped Elijah with the nut cracking because I was sick of peeling potatoes. A few of the men were out making adjustments to the Zook’s barn for the dance.
****
At six o’clock in the morning the day of the wedding, Rebekah came over so that we could decide on a style in which to do our hair. Since we were each determined to wear our hair the same way, we tried for one style in particular. While the three of us crowded in the bathroom, my mother stood at the door in her usual spot, chuckling about our unreasonable quarrel. After noticing our increasing aggravation at each of us wanting our way, she held up a hand signaling us to be silent and pay some heed to her ever-so-sensible advice.
“Now, hold your horses young ladies. I think that we all will agree that your bickering is pointless. I think I’ll take matters into my own hands,” she advised, with a hint of laughter still present in her voice.
By this time, Naomi had entered the upstairs hall, making her presence known. After asking for a brief description of the hairstyle, she set to work with my mother so we could finish quicker. A kapp was placed on Nadine’s head and then on mine, while the hair was maneuvered around it, leaving most of it showing—not traditional Amish style. Rebekah’s hair looked the
most beautiful with the ring of the veil surrounding the piles of reddish-brown curls that rested on top of her head. My mother and Naomi piled on the Dipity-Do to hold our hair in place. Having no mirrors in the Zook’s house, Rebekah felt privileged to take advantage of seeing her hair take shape before her eyes in our mirror. She seemed to marvel at the sight of her beauty, and Naomi allowed the indulgence.
SEVEN
A TIME TO WED
At last, the time had come for the wedding to begin. We all arrived at the church at around the same time. I arranged and rearranged the pale green bow at the waistline of my cream colored dress as I waited for Elijah to join me in the entry hall of the church. Benjamin entered first, and I watched him swoon over Nadine as he kissed her softly on her lips. They were so lovable together I was convinced there was no one else on earth for either of them. It made me happy to see my older sister so much in love, but my heart leapt with excitement for my big brother, Mitchell. To finally be able to appreciate and love him was wonderful. To be proud of the way he turned his life from potential disaster made me whisper a small prayer of thanks.
Promptly at nine o’clock, Elijah entered the tiny hall with his sister on his arm. He looked proud as he walked with his older sister. Abraham then took his position at Rebekah’s side with loving eyes that showed a hint of tears. Elijah took his place at my side and kissed me gently on my cheek, while he gave my arm an excited squeeze. I felt happy and loved to be such a big part of the most important day in my brother’s life.
Thoughts of my own wedding whirled around in my head, as I took Elijah’s arm to follow behind Nadine and Benjamin down the aisle. I wondered how I would manage to convince Mr. Zook that it would be all right to have a fancier wedding than this one. The church was beautiful, but I wanted more flowers, and bows on the ends of the wooden pews. I envisioned my gown to be fancy with trailing lace. My bouquet would be overflowing with pink roses, instead of the daisies that made up Rebekah’s primitive bouquet.
We took our places and turned to watch as Rebekah made her entrance from the back of the church. The look of pure joy on her face, made me realize that none of the fancy things mattered to her. Her rosy cheeks glowed as she kept her eyes on Mitchell the entire trip down the aisle of the church. I reached up a hand to touch the kapp that I was required to wear for the ceremony, and suddenly wondered why I had made such a fuss when Rebekah presented it to me.
A Bible verse came to mind as I tried to shake off my pride-full thoughts. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.
I reflected on the day that I had decided to memorize the verse from the scripture. It was from 1 Peter, and most memorably, the first day I had dared to quote scripture to my mother. I felt thankful for the strength God had given me to endure her harsh words nearly three years ago. Suddenly, I realized; had I given up that first day, I might not have known the happiness I now treasured in my constantly changing heart. Elijah, Benjamin, Nadine and I took our places at the front pew, as Mitchell and Rebekah went to a private room to the side of the altar. The Bishop followed them through the door, where they would be given instructions relative to the marital duties of both parties. If they both consented, they would return to recite their vows. Hymns were sung in German from the Ausbund as we waited for their return.
At last, the couple made their appearance and the sermon began. The music stopped and I pushed aside my thoughts to pay attention to the wedding vows being exchanged between Mitchell and Rebekah.
The ceremony itself was incorporated in the sermon, and I found it rather difficult to follow. Mitchell, however, seemed to know exactly what to do and when to do it. I secretly hoped that Elijah would cue me when we got our chance at the altar.
The Bishop prompted the couple to answer if they were confident as to whether they were ordained by God to be husband and wife. Mitchell and Rebekah agreed in unison, broad smiles spreading across their faces. I quickly looked away from the Bishop in fear I might start giggling. I turned my attention to my mother and Naomi. They both had tears falling down their cheeks. I tried to get my mother’s attention so that I could offer a consoling smile, but it seemed as if all that mattered to her was to make sure she wouldn’t miss one single moment of Mitchell’s wedding.
As the ceremony neared its end, the Bishop laid his hand over the clasped hands of the bride and groom and gave the blessing upon the newlywed couple. I turned my attention from my mother so I could hear the same words that would soon bind Elijah and me together.
“May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be with you to carry out the abounding blessing of married life, having made your vows before Him on this day. May the Lord’s face shine upon the two of you. Go forth and be fruitful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
The kiss was simple and quick.
“May I present Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Reeves,” the Bishop finished. He then motioned for them to exit the church. Everyone stood to sing the usual wedding hymn, while Elijah and I locked eyes, sending the silent message to one another that we were both eagerly anticipating our own wedding day.
Rebekah took Mitchell’s arm and the two walked down the aisle followed by Benjamin and Nadine, then, Elijah and me. I locked onto Elijah’s waiting arm as we exited the church to his waiting courting buggy. Mitchell and Rebekah were on their way, followed by Benjamin and Nadine in his courting buggy.
Elijah and I stayed behind for a few minutes to talk. Eli seemed impatient to pull the buggy, but Elijah held him in check.
“I have been waiting all day to tell you how absolutely beautiful you look,” he said through a wide grin. He had turned to face me, and now looked deep into my eyes. Grabbing the sides of my face, he pulled me to him and kissed me several times. Then he reached back and unpinned the kapp from my head, and threw it in the back of the buggy.
“There, now that’s much better, jah? Now I can see more of your beautiful hair.”
His remarks caused me to blush, and I cast my eyes downward. He lifted my chin to make me look at him.
“Don’t be embarrassed by the things I say to you. I love you, and I think you’re beautiful.”
“I’m sorry,” I said humbly. “I suppose I haven’t ever been able to take compliments very well. My mother used to call me a lot of bad names, and it made me feel ugly and unwanted, I guess.”
“Don’t apologize. But I know your mam is good to you now, so there isn’t any reason for you to be insecure anymore. Give your hurts to God. He loves you more than I do—and that’s a gut amount.”
“I know that, but over the years, the bad stuff has just been easier to believe,” I said solemnly.
He held me close for a time, stroking my hair and kissing my temples.
Then, grabbing the reigns, he clucked at Eli prompting him to trot. Our course was set for the Zook farm, where the wedding supper awaited our arrival. Mitchell and Rebekah reached the farm way ahead of us, and they went to her bedroom upstairs. Their wedding gifts had been placed on her bed, where the couple admired them. When Elijah and I arrived, we headed up the stairs to alert the newlyweds that the meal was due to be served soon. Our timing was right on cue, for we walked in the room just in time to catch them kissing romantically. Our intrusion appeared to embarrass Rebekah because she covered her blushing face and giggled when she noticed us.
“We’ll be down in a minute, Jane. Thanks for letting us know,” Mitchell said.
Dinner lasted nearly two hours by the time all the guests had been served. I began to get impatient for the barn dance to commence. Elijah seemed to pick up on my mood, and excused the two of us from the company of my brother and his bride.
Outside, the air was a little crisp, but not enough to see a full breath of air
when you breathed out through your mouth. Elijah led me to the barn, which had been closed off for days in preparation for the festivities that would soon take place. Inside, lanterns hung above our heads for light, and the barn doors served to protect against the wind. It was quite warm in the shelter of the large barn, and I knew it would only get warmer with the number of guests that would soon fill it.
Tables were set up in the loft for guests to have refreshments of punch and the wedding cake that lay before us on a separate table. Mitchell had requested a separate wedding cake to be eaten aside from the usual pies and pastries that were being served in the house with the dinner itself. At the far end of the barn, a makeshift stage had been assembled which would serve for the playing of musical instruments.
Elijah stepped onto the platform, and picked up a stringed instrument. He began to strum it beautifully, much to my surprise. I was amazed at his talented efforts with the instrument. After he played an unrecognizable tune, he bowed slightly, causing me to giggle.
Little Wild Flower, Amish Romance/Amish Fiction/Christian Romance Page 10
