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Chace took a step toward her. “I shouldn’t have called him without discussing it with you first, but I’m at the end of my rope. Today I finally admitted to myself I’m in over my head and I have no idea what else to do.”
Mia wiped her hands over her wet eyes. “He has the money to help us.”
“So then what’s the problem? Why are your parents so determined to treat us like strangers instead of their family?” As he stood over her, something inside of her crumbled.
“They wanted me to marry someone else.”
“What are you talking about?”
Mia leaned against the kitchen counter. “The day I told my parents I was pregnant and going to marry you, they told me if I insisted on keeping the baby, they would help me until I found someone more ‘worthy.’ In fact, they hoped I could marry the son of one of my father’s partners, someone they had already been thinking about, someone they thought would take me even though I was pregnant with your child. Someone willing to hide my—their—shame, with vested interest in keeping the firm and their standing in the community free from gossip.”
Her voice was thick as Chace’s eyes narrowed. “When I called my mom the day Kaitlyn was born, she said she would be a part of Katie’s life, but only if I left you. She said you would never give Katie and me what we needed.”
“Wait a minute.” He held his hand up to stop her from speaking. “I thought your parents cut you off because you got pregnant. Are you telling me they actually disowned you because you chose to marry me?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Once they accepted I was never going to make an adoption plan, that’s what they offered.” The words tasted bitter in Mia’s mouth.
A muscle in Chace’s jaw ticked. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you,” Mia said, her words tumbling out of her mouth. “I don’t care what my parents think of you. I love you, and I belong with you, despite what they think a marriage should be based on. I don’t care what profession you choose. I just want to be with you and Kaitlyn. We’re a family.” When his brow furrowed, she added, “My parents have no part of this relationship. It’s about you, Kaitlyn, and me. We don’t need their blessing or their money.”
“We promised there would be no secrets between us.” He pointed between them. “You say we’re in this together, but you never trusted me enough to tell me the truth. You still don’t trust me, do you?”
“That’s not true!” Tears clouded her vision.
He headed for the door and pulled on his coat.
“Where are you going?” Alarm gripped her.
“Out.” He wrenched the door open and then stopped, facing her. “Your parents are right. I can’t give you and Katie the life you deserve. You should go home to them so you won’t have to worry about Kaitlyn’s well-being.”
“You don’t mean that,” Mia croaked between sobs.
Chace nodded. “Actually, I do.” Then he disappeared out the door, slamming it behind him.
Mia pulled Kaitlyn into her arms, held her close, and sobbed.
Chace shivered and zipped up his coat as he descended the steps. He had no idea where he was going, but he had to get out of the cabin to process what Mia told him. Although he’d been aware of Mia’s parents’ disapproval of him, he never realized how deep their rejection ran. Hearing that the Whitfields had tried to convince Mia to marry someone else had nearly unraveled Chace.
What if Mia had agreed to dump me for the partner’s son?
Chace gritted his teeth and stalked past his truck, continuing down the rock path toward Isaac’s barns and house. His pulse pounded with resentment toward Mia’s parents and also with fear that Mia would leave him. But how could he blame her if he couldn’t even afford an apartment with electricity and heat?
“Chace?”
He turned toward one of the barns, where Isaac and Adam stood watching him. He nodded a greeting.
“Is everything all right?” Isaac asked.
Chace paused, torn between pouring out his heart to his friend and keeping all his swarming emotions bottled up until he finally exploded.
Isaac said something to Adam, and the boy waved to Chace before scurrying up the porch steps and into the house. Then he turned to Chace. “You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your young shoulders. Would you like to talk?”
Chace cupped his hand to the back of his neck and squeezed at the tense muscles. “I feel like I’ve burdened you enough with my problems.”
“You’re a freind, not a burden.” Isaac pointed toward the porch. “Let’s sit.”
Chace dropped his hand to his side. “That would be great.” He followed Isaac up the back steps of the large porch and then sat down on a rocker as Isaac sank onto a nearby swing.
“You seemed upset this afternoon at work.”
“You could tell?”
Isaac chuckled. “Ya, it was apparent when I saw the condition of the phone book and found the scuffs on the wall. When I saw you throw a roll of masking tape at the wall in the shop later, I was able to put it all together.”
Chace winced. “I’m sorry. I try to suppress my temper, but it gets the best of me sometimes.”
“We’re all human. I’ve been known to kick a barn wall a time or two.” Isaac crossed his arms over his coat. “Sometimes it helps to talk about it before it eats you up inside.”
Chace rested his work boot on his opposite knee and looked out toward the cabin. “Mia and I are from different backgrounds. She grew up in a wealthy family with every privilege and opportunity available to her. I, on the other hand, grew up with nothing. My father went to prison for life when I was an infant, and my mother died in a car accident when I was four. Since I didn’t have any other family members, I was swallowed up by the foster care system. I bounced from home to home until I turned eighteen.”
Chace moved the rocker back and forth. “I met Mia when she was in college. Her parents didn’t approve of me, but she didn’t let that stop her from falling in love with me.” He rubbed his chin, debating how much to share about the circumstances surrounding their quick engagement and marriage. “Mia’s parents disowned her when she married me.”
Isaac faced Chace, his eyebrows raised. “They disowned her?”
Chace nodded.
Isaac looked baffled. “Why?”
“They wanted her to marry someone who was successful.” Then Chace explained how he’d called Mia’s father, detailing the conversation as Isaac shook his head. “When I told Mia about the phone call tonight, she was upset. Then she told me more about how her parents feel about me.” He shared what Mia had told him earlier, his shoulders tightening with renewed ire.
Isaac adjusted his hat on his head. “Are you angry with Mia or with her parents?”
The question was simple, but it touched something deep inside of Chace. “Now that I’ve cooled off, I understand why Mia kept it from me, but it still hurts knowing her parents wouldn’t even give me a chance. I never had a real family, and I want to be a good husband and father. I want to show the world I’m more than just a punk who got lost in the foster care system. I want to be the father I never had.” He blew out a deep sigh as tears threatened in his eyes. “Sometimes I just don’t feel worthy of Mia, and I feel like I’m living a dream.”
“Do you feel that way because her family had more money than you?”
Chace nodded.
Isaac frowned. “The Englisch put too much importance on money and worldly possessions. We’re all the same in God’s eyes, no matter how much money we make or how many expensive things we have collected.” His expression softened. “But, aside from that, if Mia had been worried about having expensive things, she wouldn’t have married you. You need to stop punishing yourself for not being perfect in her parents’ eyes. We all make mistakes, and we have to ask God for guidance.
“One of my favorite Scripture verses comes from Proverbs. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on y
our own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’” He pointed toward the sky. “Trust in God. He is the light of the world, and he will guide you onto the right path if you follow his Word.”
Isaac’s words punched Chace right in the center of his chest. He cleared his throat against a swelling lump.
“Mia loves you.” Isaac tapped the arm of the swing. “She’s stuck by you despite her parents’ attempts to bribe her into leaving you. You need to stop worrying about what they think and just concentrate on doing your best. Be a gut freind and a gut husband to her. You also need to talk to Mia. Don’t run away when things get tough. Stay and work things out.” He paused for a moment. “You don’t need to beg Mia’s parents for help. If you need anything, let me know. Vera and I can help you get back on your feet.”
Chace blew out a shuddering sigh. “Thank you. I’m grateful for your generosity.”
“The Lord tells us to help our neighbors. Things were tough for us when I started my business, so I understand how you feel.” Isaac pointed toward the cabin. “Go home and tell Mia you love her. Before you go to sleep tonight, pray. Ask God to guide you. If you invite him into your heart, he will lead you down the right path. You’re a gut man. I’m certain you will be fine.”
“Thank you.” After shaking Isaac’s hand, Chace hurried down the rock path toward the cabin. As he approached his truck, he suddenly remembered the two jars of baby food he’d picked up at a convenience store during his lunch break.
Chace pulled the keys from his coat pocket, unlocked the truck, and retrieved the small bag on the floorboard. He closed and locked the truck before heading into the cabin. No one was in the family room or kitchen. Panic seized him as the cruel words he’d spat at Mia before he left echoed through his mind:
“You should go home to them so you won’t have to worry about Kaitlyn’s well-being.”
Was she packing? Was she planning to call for a cab and flee their misery?
“Mia?” His voice was tight with worry. “Mia?”
The bedroom door opened, and Mia stood in the doorway, frowning.
“I just got her to sleep.” Mia pulled the door closed behind her. “She was getting cranky.” Once the door clicked shut, she studied him, folding her arms over the front of her red sweater. Her dark eyes were red-rimmed, and a pang of guilt slammed through him.
He hung his coat on the peg by the door and then closed the distance between them, holding the small grocery bag out to her. “I forgot to give this to you earlier.”
“What’s this?” Her brow puckered.
“Take it.” He gave the bag a little shake.
She pulled out the two small jars of food. She looked at them and then back up at him. “You bought baby food?”
“Yeah.” Chace took the jars of baby food and put them back into the bag and set them on the chair behind him. “After I hung up with your dad, I was so furious I walked over to the nearby convenience store and picked up a sandwich and drink. I know it’s wasteful to buy lunch, but I needed to blow off some steam. When I saw the display of baby food, I remembered Katie’s reaction when I gave her the pears and bananas the other day.” His heart twisted with contrition. “We weren’t sure how she’d react to solid food since it was our first attempt at introducing them, but she’d squealed with delight. I wanted to hear that laugh again. Actually, I would do anything to make you and Katie happy.” He gripped her forearms. “I’m sorry I keep hurting you. I didn’t mean it when I said I wanted you to go back to your parents. If you left me, I don’t know what I’d do.”
Mia’s lips formed a sad smile as she cupped her hand to his cheek. “I know that.”
He leaned into her touch as if it were his lifeline. “Thank you for choosing me despite your parents’ objections.”
“My parents are so blinded by their materialism that they don’t see how amazing you are. I love you. That won’t change no matter what my parents say or do.”
He pulled her against him and kissed her. She looped her arms around his neck, relaxing against him. When he broke the kiss, she rested her head against his chest and he breathed in the sweet scent of her shampoo.
“I’m sorry for not eating supper,” he whispered.
“You don’t need to apologize. It was pretty awful.” She looked up at him and scrunched her nose. “I’ll ask Vera for some cooking lessons.”
He tucked a long strand of her soft, dark hair behind her ear. “And I’ll do everything I can to take care of you and Katie.” Resting his cheek on her head, he closed his eyes and recalled Isaac’s advice.
Thank you, God, for bringing Mia and Kaitlyn into my life. Please show me how to be a better husband and father. Please guide my path. Amen.
CHAPTER FIVE
KAITLYN BLEW RASPBERRIES AND YANKED MIA’S HAIR AS Mia knocked on the Allgyers’ back door the following morning.
“Ouch.” Mia laughed, trying to untangle Kaitlyn’s pudgy fingers from her hair. “I should’ve pulled my hair up this morning.”
Kaitlyn continued to spray spit bubbles and tug Mia’s hair hard enough to tip Mia’s head to the side.
“You have some grip for a little one,” she mumbled.
The back door swung open and Rhoda grinned. “Mia! Kaitlyn!”
Kaitlyn squealed and kicked her feet into Mia’s side.
“Hi, Rhoda.” Mia smiled, despite her throbbing scalp. “I was wondering if I could talk to your mom.”
“Of course.” Rhoda held her hands out to Kaitlyn. “May I hold her?”
“That would be fantastic.” As Mia handed Kaitlyn to Rhoda, Kaitlyn released the lock of Mia’s hair. Mia rubbed her head and followed Rhoda through the mudroom to the kitchen. “She enjoys trying to rip my hair out.”
Rhoda chuckled.
“Kaitlyn!” Smiling, Susannah rushed over from the kitchen counter to greet her, then touched Kaitlyn’s hand as she gurgled. “Hi, Mia.”
“Gut morning.” Vera smiled as she finished drying a dish.
“Good morning.” Mia dropped her diaper bag onto a kitchen chair. “If you’re not too busy, Kaitlyn and I thought we’d come for a visit.” Her cheeks heated. “I was also wondering if I could get some cooking lessons from you.”
“That sounds like fun.” Vera placed the clean dish on the counter. “The girls can take care of Kaitlyn, and we’ll cook and chat.”
Rhoda and Susannah nodded in unison.
“We have that boppli swing now,” Rhoda said. “We can use it here and then carry it to the cabin for Mia.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “You have a baby swing I can borrow?”
“Ya, we found it in the attic this morning, and Rhoda and I cleaned it up for you,” Susannah said.
“I’m certain our aenti would be happy you’re getting some use out of it.” Rhoda smiled at Kaitlyn, who gave a sweet sigh while fingering the ribbons on Rhoda’s gauzy head covering.
“Thank you so much.” Mia was overwhelmed. “I’ve missed the swing we had before.”
“We’re grateful you can use it,” Vera said.
“Let’s take Kaitlyn into the family room and see if she likes this swing.” Rhoda gestured for her sister to follow her.
“So what would you like to learn how to make today?” Vera put a large cookbook on the table and started flipping through it.
“I’m open to learning anything. My mom never cooked, so I never learned. When I was in college, I mostly ate in the dining hall or out at restaurants.”
“Your mamm never cooked?” Vera furrowed her brow.
Mia shook her head. “We had a housekeeper. She did the cooking and the cleaning so my mom could spend her days socializing and volunteering for charities.”
Vera nodded. “I see. Would you like to try a chicken casserole?” She examined the book as she spoke. “I already have enough leftover cooked chicken. We can put it together, and then you can store it in your refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. Does that sound gut?”
Vera peered up at her. “I’m not concerned about that. I just want to make sure you’re eating well. Let’s get started.” She pulled out a mixing bowl and baking dish.
As she walked over to the counter, Mia scanned the large, open kitchen, taking in the plain white walls, sparsely decorated with a single shelf that held a few candles and an antique clock. The floor was a worn tan linoleum pattern, and a long wooden table with six chairs sat in the middle of the room.
The far end of the kitchen included a propane stove and refrigerator, resembling the appliances in the cabin. This kitchen, however, had ample counter and cabinet space. A small window over the sink looked out over a yard with large, thick trees decorated with bird-houses. The kitchen was warm and homey, despite the absence of her mother’s ornate decorating.
“How was the meat loaf last night?” Vera asked.
Mia groaned and rolled her eyes. “Terrible. That’s why I need cooking lessons. I burned it. I put it in the oven and then Katie woke up from her nap. I changed her diaper and spent time with her, and I lost track of time. I didn’t realize it had burned until I served it to Chace, but obviously the meat loaf had been in too long.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’ve done that too.” Vera explained the recipe to Mia and soon they were gathering the ingredients and supplies.
“How did you meet Isaac?” Mia asked while dicing chicken.
“We met at a singing.”
“What’s a singing?”
“That’s when the youth get together to play games and sing hymns. Isaac grew up in a neighboring church district, so we went to different schools. Our youth groups were combined that night, and we became friends.” She looked over at Mia. “How about you and Chace?”
Mia wiped her hands on a paper towel. “It was sort of the same situation. I was in college and we met at a party. I didn’t want to go, but my roommate insisted I studied too much and needed some fun. Chace and I saw each other across the room. He smiled, and I smiled back at him. He was the most handsome man there.” She laughed. “He introduced himself to me, and we spent the rest of the night talking. He asked me for my number, and that was it. That was almost two years ago.”