“Danke,” Sovilla whispered to Mrs. Vandenberg.
“For what?”
“You know.” Sovilla couldn’t yet put her new relationship into words.
Mrs. Vandenberg’s eyes twinkled. “Indeed, I do.”
Wilma was too wrapped up in her own relationship to notice the covert glances Isaac and Sovilla exchanged, but when they reached Lloyd’s house, her cousins picked up on it right away. They muscled Isaac into a corner.
They may have believed they were talking quietly, but Sovilla could hear.
“So you didn’t tell her.” Roy’s accusation had a threatening undertone.
“I did.”
Sovilla’s heart swelled with pride at Isaac’s calmness and confidence. Her cousins surrounding him that way had to be intimidating.
“Liar,” Marvin said.
“We’re going to tell Sovilla,” Albert taunted.
“Go ahead.” Isaac disentangled himself from the circle.
Sovilla gave Isaac a thumbs-up for holding his own amidst her cousins’ bullying. But with Lloyd watching their every move, they went in different directions. Sovilla enjoyed chatting with the women as she helped in the kitchen.
Isaac sat in the dining room with Wilma, Eli, David, and Mrs. Vandenberg. He’d positioned himself so he had the best view of her. As much as it thrilled Sovilla, it proved too distracting. She had to concentrate on pouring milk into the glasses instead of onto the counter.
Good thing they were only setting out sandwich fixings instead of cooking a regular meal. Otherwise, she might have been putting sugar into a casserole instead of salt.
After everyone had gathered around the table and prayed, Wilma plunged into conversation before anyone had taken a bite.
“Because I don’t need or want anything from my Lancaster life and I’d rather not relive that painful time of fear, loneliness, and homelessness”—she sent a pointed look in Lloyd’s direction—“Eli and I made some plans.”
Eli beamed at her.
“I’m announcing them in front of witnesses to be sure nobody tries to change them. I’m sure you understand why, Lloyd.” She favored her brother with a fake smile.
He pretended to ignore her dig and her scrutiny as he nonchalantly took a bite of his Trail bologna and Swiss sandwich. But the vein throbbing in his neck and the flush spreading across his cheekbones revealed his agitation.
“I’ve asked Mrs. Vandenberg to sell my Oldsmobile, since I won’t be needing it anymore.” Wilma flashed Eli a smile.
“Because it’s an antique and in pristine condition,” Mrs. Vandenberg said, “it’ll be worth a small fortune.”
Lloyd’s eyes widened.
With another sharp look at her brother, Wilma continued, “The money will be donated to New Beginnings.”
Lloyd winced and dug his fork into the heaping mound of potato salad on his plate.
Wilma directed her next comments to Annie. “New Beginnings is a home for teen mamms, so I’m sure you understand why I chose them. I’ve asked Liesl to be sure they set some of it aside for teens leaving the shelter who have no family to provide for them.”
Annie nodded, her eyes welling with tears.
Lloyd shoved back his chair. “This potato salad needs more salt.” He rushed into the kitchen and banged several cupboard doors.
“And Sovilla, I’d like you to clean out all my closets and dressers. Donate all my Englisch clothing and shoes to a homeless shelter.” She emphasized the last two words and spoke them loudly enough that they’d carry into the kitchen over the noise of slamming doors.
“I’d be happy to.” Sovilla pinched her lips together and struggled to hold back tears. When she’d first arrived in Pennsylvania, she’d have done anything to leave and to get away from Wilma. Now, she’d miss her aenti.
Isaac sent her a sympathetic glance. Sovilla loved how he could tell when she needed support. She tried to convey her thanks with her eyes. The loving messages passing back and forth between them made Sovilla forget all about eating.
“So, Sovilla,” Albert said, breaking the connection between her and Isaac, “whatever happened with your boyfriend? Henry, wasn’t it?”
“Why don’t you tell me?” Sovilla challenged.
Beside Albert, Roy’s smirk faded.
Albert’s voice faltered, “Isaac told you?”
“You mean about your plan to break up Henry and me?” Sovilla enjoyed seeing the cousins who’d taunted and teased her throughout childhood looking discomfited.
Annie studied her boys with a frown.
“I have to thank you for sending Henry that fake breakup letter.” Sovilla smiled at each of her cousins in turn, making them squirm. “It worked out perfectly, because I found Isaac.”
Isaac struggled to hold back a grin, but he wasn’t very successful. A huge smile peeked out when she looked his way.
“You did what?” Annie’s normally quiet voice shot up several decibels. “I want an explanation.”
Heads down, they mumbled a brief reply.
Mamm gasped. “So that’s why Henry started dating Nancy? Sovilla, I’m so sorry. If I’d known they couldn’t be trusted . . .”
Sovilla longed to point out they’d never been trustworthy as children, so why would they be as adults? Instead, she smiled at Mamm. “It’s all right, Mamm. The Lord had a different and much better plan for my life.” Sovilla flicked her eyes in Isaac’s direction.
Mamm lit up. “He certainly did.” She included Isaac in her radiant smile.
“I’m glad it worked out well for you,” Annie said. “But what my boys did was terrible.” She zeroed in on her husband, who seemed quite focused on scraping the last bit of potato salad from his plate. “Lloyd, you’ll speak to them, won’t you?”
“What?” His head jerked up, and he stared at his wife with an uncomprehending expression on his face. “Of course, of course,” he muttered.
“If your father doesn’t, I will.” Annie’s eyes flashed fire. “I won’t have any sons of mine hurting others. This family has been through enough pain.”
Judging by Annie’s furious look, her sons wouldn’t be the only ones to endure a lecture. Sovilla almost felt sorry for her onkel. Almost.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Isaac woke on Monday morning filled with joy. Although he couldn’t wait to return to Pennsylvania, another state now held a special place in his life. If he hadn’t come to Ohio, he might never have discovered the truth about Henry or about Sovilla’s feelings. He’d have gone on admiring her from afar.
They’d be leaving at daybreak for breakfast at Annie’s. After that, they’d load up Sovilla and her family before heading home. Isaac went out to the van early to reserve the back seat for him and Sovilla. Because it extended across the aisle, there’d be plenty of room for Snickers too.
Isaac slid his suitcase under the seat to allow room for baggage from their additional passengers. Sovilla had been overjoyed her family would be coming with them. After Isaac fed, watered, and walked Snickers, he settled in the van, waiting for everyone else.
David stayed close beside Wilma as she clicked along with her walker, her steps almost jaunty. She’d spent the night at the hotel, while Sovilla had stayed with her mamm. Tonight, Wilma would move into that bedroom and prepare to begin her new life with Eli. Given the circumstances, the bishop had arranged for her to take special baptismal classes. Mrs. Vandenberg had already announced her intention to bring a vanload of relatives for the wedding.
When they arrived at Annie’s house, Sovilla greeted them as if they’d been gone for months rather than overnight. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Her initial welcome included everyone, but then her gaze rested on Isaac. She looked as if she’d like to throw her arms around him and melt into his embrace. Isaac hoped he was the only one who could read her message and the one he returned.
Annie bustled up behind Sovilla. “Breakfast is almost ready.” She talked rapidly, and her hands moved nervously. “
I apologize Lloyd couldn’t be with us. One of our neighbors lost his barn in a fire late last night. Lloyd insisted he needed to speak to Martin and organize the barn raising before it rains.”
“At sunrise?” Mrs. Vandenberg pointed out the ridiculous excuse.
Annie shrugged. “Jah, well . . .”
No one doubted that Lloyd’s eagerness to help his neighbors was only a ploy to miss another uncomfortable meal. But with Wilma staying here, he’d have plenty of chances to face his past.
David carried Wilma’s suitcase and kapp container upstairs to the bedroom, while Isaac brought down Barbie’s things. Behind him, Sovilla and her sisters toted their own luggage.
After Sovilla headed out to the kitchen to help, Isaac and David moved Barbie’s quilting supplies out to the van. They filled a few of the extra seats, but Isaac made sure nobody stowed luggage in the back seat.
By the time David and Isaac finished moving everything and went into the dining room, all the women, except Mrs. Vandenberg, were busy setting dishes on the table. This time, Isaac could enjoy watching Sovilla working. He imagined the two of them preparing meals together and sitting down at the table with her on his left side. And later, their children would gather around the table.
He had no time to dwell on his dreams, because Sovilla’s cousins filed into the room, eyes fixed on the ground, looking subdued.
“I’m sorry,” each one mumbled in turn to Isaac and Sovilla. Their apologies must have been orchestrated by their mamm, because she watched intently from the kitchen.
“I hope you won’t do something like that to anyone else,” Sovilla said. “I’m just grateful God had a better plan for my life.”
Isaac wished he could take her hand and squeeze it. She’d acted so gracious and forgiving.
If her cousins had broken up him and Sovilla, Isaac might have a hard time letting go of his antagonism. This time, however, their interference had given him the most wunderbar girl ever.
At the end of his silent prayer, Isaac thanked the Lord for Sovilla.
* * *
After they’d finished breakfast, Wilma beckoned to Sovilla. “Could I talk to you for a few minutes before you leave?” When Sovilla nodded, Wilma added, “Alone.”
Disappointment clouded Isaac’s and Eli’s expressions.
“We’ll be right back,” Wilma assured them.
Sovilla followed her aenti upstairs to the bedroom, where Wilma reached for Sovilla’s hands. Her aenti cleared her throat several times, but her words still came out thick and hoarse.
“First of all, I want to give you these.” Wilma pressed keys to the back and front doors into Sovilla’s palm.
“I don’t feel right taking them. You could take back ownership of the house, and we could pay you rent.”
Wilma shook her head. “No, no. I want nothing to do with my Pennsylvania past. You’ll be much happier there than I ever was. Besides, you deserve the house and so much more after what I put you through.”
When Sovilla tried to protest, her aenti interrupted. “I want my sister to have a place to live where she’ll be safe from”—Wilma choked on the name—“Lloyd. And I don’t want your sisters around his sons.”
As much as Sovilla agreed with that, she still felt guilty about accepting the house. “You could still do that if you owned it.”
“It’s too much trouble. I don’t want anything to distract my attention from Eli and our life together.” A sweet smile crossed Wilma’s face. “If it weren’t for you, we’d have never found each other again. And we wouldn’t have met David. For that alone, you should have the house.”
“But—”
Wilma held up a hand. “Everyone’s ready to go, and I still haven’t said what I need to. Please let me finish.”
Sovilla pressed her fingers to her lips to show she wouldn’t interrupt.
Hanging her head, Wilma swallowed several times. “I’m so sorry for the way I treated everyone in Pennsylvania, but especially you. No matter what I did or said, you still treated me with kindness. A kindness I didn’t deserve.”
Her aenti would never say those words if she’d heard some of the uncharitable thoughts Sovilla had harbored.
“I know I shouldn’t even ask this. Not after the way I treated you. But I want to make things right between us before you leave. Will you forgive me?”
“Of course.” Sovilla had forgiven her aenti long ago, once she’d discovered the truth about David. “If you’ll forgive me for the resentment I felt toward you.”
Wilma lifted her bowed head, and her damp eyes met Sovilla’s. “That was more than justified. There’s nothing to forgive.”
Then Wilma opened her arms, and Sovilla stepped into her very first hug from her aenti.
When the two of them returned to the kitchen, with tear-stained cheeks and brilliant smiles, Isaac hurried to Sovilla’s side. Eli rushed as eagerly toward his future bride.
Mamm turned from the sink she’d just filled with water. Plates and cups had been piled on all the nearby counters.
Annie shooed everyone from the room. “Leave those dishes, Barbie. I know you need to get on the road. I’ll take care of the cleanup later. I do have three fine helpers who’ll be happy to assist.” She eyed her sons.
They stared at her, their eyes reflecting shock and horror.
But when she pressed them—“Am I right?”—they all fixed their gazes on their shoes and choked out, “Jah.”
Sovilla suspected they’d be paying for their prank for quite a while. Perhaps now that Annie was aware of her husband’s and sons’ actions, she’d work to keep them all in line.
“I’m sorry about how my cousins treated you the other night,” Sovilla whispered to Isaac, wishing she could take his hand. “I think they saw how happy we were together and wanted to ruin our relationship.”
“Like you said, God had a different, and much better, plan.”
Her eyes brimming with tears again, she met Isaac’s adoring gaze. “I’m so glad He did.”
She still couldn’t believe the joy God had given her. It only increased when Isaac helped her to the seat he’d chosen in the back of the van. He settled Snickers on his opposite side and slid in beside her. They’d be able to sit and talk privately during the six-hour trip home. And maybe even secretly hold hands.
Wilma, Eli, and Annie gathered beside the van to say goodbye. Sovilla’s cousins hung back.
Both Wilma and Eli fought back tears as they said goodbye to David.
“I’ll write often,” he promised. “And come to visit whenever I can.”
“I’ll make sure he does.” Mrs. Vandenberg leaned out the passenger window. “I guess I picked the right size van after all, didn’t I, Wilma?”
Jah, Mrs. Vandenberg had picked the right van. For Sovilla, cozied close to Isaac, the van was the perfect size.
And Sovilla was grateful for another “van”—Mrs. Van-denberg. This trip wouldn’t have been possible without her.
Danke, Lord, for Mrs. Vandenberg and all she’s done. For reuniting Wilma and Eli. For bringing my family to Pennsylvania. And most of all for Isaac.
As the van started off, heading toward Sovilla’s future home and her life with Isaac, her heart overflowed with gratitude to be traveling in this van filled with all of those who were dear to her. A van filled with blessings. A van filled with happiness. A van filled with love.
Epilogue
Sitting across the room during the communion service, Isaac smiled at his wife, who was holding their newborn daughter. It was hard to believe he and Sovilla been married almost two years already. Her eyes met his, and she returned his tender look.
How his love for her had grown since the day he’d asked her about courting! Most days when he thought about her, his heart expanded until his chest ached. And now his love had multiplied to encompass their first child.
Today, the church would be choosing a new minister. After one last adoring glance at Sovilla and the baby, Isaac bowed his head and clo
sed his eyes.
Lord, please direct my heart and mind as we choose the man to serve you.
One by one, the members filed out to walk past the side room where the bishop and two other ministers waited. Each person who passed whispered a name through the crack in the door. Isaac struggled to decide. God had not laid a name on his heart, but his turn had come. He suggested the name of a kind neighbor, one who seemed godly and upright. Then he returned to his seat.
A short while later, the bishop emerged and called out the men who’d been nominated. As he named them, the men moved to the front row. Isaac rejoiced when they named his neighbor.
But his heart seemed the only happy one in the congregation. Men who’d been singled out and their wives, and even their relatives, sat sober or burst out crying.
The bishop studied the sheet in his hand and read off the last name: “Isaac Lantz.”
Neh, he must have misheard. He froze in his seat until the bishop located Isaac in the congregation and nodded for him to come forward.
His throat dry, he stood and looked to Sovilla, who wore a serious expression, but she sent him encouragement.
Unlike the others, he walked forward in a daze, his lips pinched together, not making a sound. A sense of inadequacy twisting his insides, Isaac sat beside the other men, all of them older and wiser. Until today, he’d never really understood the groaning and weeping during the selection process. Being a minister was a huge and solemn responsibility. For him, the job came with an extra burden—it required speaking. Would it be right to pray for someone else to be chosen?
But what was he doing up front? Surely there’d been a mistake. Nobody in the congregation would have suggested him. They all knew he stuttered. He’d almost conquered it over the past few years, but he still avoided speaking in public. God would never pick him to deliver messages to the congregation.
Isaac brought his attention back to the bishop, who’d already inserted the slips of paper into the Ausbunds in the stack, but only one slip had a verse on it. After Laban shuffled the hymnbooks, each of the nominees chose a book.
Isaac dithered over his choice. He couldn’t bring himself to beg God not to give him this responsibility. That didn’t feel right. Instead, he sent up a quick prayer.
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