With Paul at her side and Mother’s warm smile encouraging her from the back of the room, Suzanne shared her story. People drew back in surprise at her confession of becoming pregnant when she was seventeen. Mouths opened in shock when she told about giving her baby away for adoption. Admitting she’d raised a baby abandoned behind the home for unwed mothers proved the most difficult as memories of that confusing time of both intense pain and unspeakable joy rolled through her. Tears swam in some eyes as she confided her reasons for not returning to her family.
She finished, “God led me back to Arborville so I could make things right again with my mother, my siblings, and my baby’s father. I stand forgiven in God’s eyes, and I now seek your forgiveness for misleading you. Thank you.”
Deacon Epp stepped close. “Brother Aldrich, do you have anything to add?”
“Yes.” Paul gave Suzy a brief look that communicated his complete support and deep love for her before facing the congregation. “I fathered Suzy’s child. Therefore, I’m equally at fault for Suzy leaving Arborville and being separated from her family all these years. If there is judgment, it belongs on my shoulders, too.”
Deacon Epp cleared his throat. “Thank you, Brother Aldrich and Miss Zimmerman. You may return to your seats.” He stood in silence while Paul escorted Suzanne to her bench and then made his way to his own bench on the men’s side. The deacon clasped his hands over the flaps of his suit coat. “Before we make a vote, would anyone like to speak?”
Shelley stood so quickly the ribbons on her cap bounced. “I would.”
Suzanne’s heart seemed to lodge in her throat, cutting off her breath.
Deacon Epp nodded. “All right, Sister Unruh.”
“I’ve been mad at my sister for years. Mad at her for leaving. Mad at her for not coming back. Then mad at her because she did come back.”
Suzanne shrank at Shelley’s harsh tone. She closed her eyes and reached blindly for Mother’s hand, and warm, strong fingers curled around hers, offering comfort.
“Everything inside of me wants to say no, she can’t rejoin this fellowship the way she’s rejoined the family—as if she’s never been away. But after today’s message…about resisting temptation…I can’t. If I said no, it would be for me, not for her. It would be my will, not God’s will.”
Suzanne popped her eyes open and stared disbelievingly at the back of her sister’s stiff form.
“I don’t want to err, so I won’t be voting this morning.” She sat as abruptly as she’d risen. Sandra laid her head on Shelley’s shoulder, and Shelley rested her temple on the top of Sandra’s cap for a moment. The simple, silent communication between the two of them brought a sting of tears to Suzanne’s eyes.
Deacon Epp scanned the room. “Anyone else?” Heads turned, people glancing around, but no one rose. He gave a brusque nod. “All right then. Miss Zimmerman, would you please step into the cloakroom while we cast our votes?”
Suzanne removed her hand from Mother’s grip and scurried around the corner. She leaned against the wall, her heart seeming to beg with every beat, Your will, God. Your will…
Deacon Epp’s voice boomed. “All who wish to welcome Suzy Zimmerman into membership with our fellowship, indicate so by raising your right hand.”
Franklin
Alexa
Alexa dropped her cell phone on her bed and clattered across the hall to Linda and Tom’s closed bedroom door. They’d gone in nearly an hour ago for their regular Sunday afternoon nap. She hoped they’d rested enough because she couldn’t wait one more minute to share Mom’s news.
She gave the door three hard thumps with her fist. “Tom! Linda! Can I come in?”
Linda’s croaky voice answered. “Yes, but use the doorknob. Don’t break the door down.”
Giggling, Alexa darted into the room and plopped down on the end of the bed. She pinched Linda’s toes through the afghan covering her. “Sorry I interrupted your nap, but you have to hear this.”
Linda jerked her feet away and glowered at Alexa, but the scowl lacked real fury. “Girlie, this better be good.”
Tom yawned and balled his hands into fists, stretching. “I agree. I was dreaming about playing golf and was just ready to tee off.”
“Trust me, Tom, this is better than golf. It’s better than chocolate and a T-bone steak and cheesecake and coffee and—”
Linda bumped her with her foot. “What is it?”
“Mom rejoined the Arborville fellowship.”
Two sets of eyebrows rose.
“And the deacons gave her and Paul Aldrich permission to get published.”
They both sat up, making the bed bounce. “What?” They chorused the startled exclamation.
Alexa nodded, smiling so broadly her cheeks hurt.
Linda threw off the afghan and swung her feet to the floor. “When? How?”
Alexa stifled a giggle. Linda at a loss for words was a rarity. “This morning after the worship service in Arborville. The deacons had Mom share her testimony, then my aunt Shelley stood up and said something about not erring, and the congregation voted to let Mom be a member. After that, the deacons took Mr. Aldrich aside and told him they approved him courting Mom.” Alexa flipped her hands outward. “It all happened in one swell foop!”
Linda continued to stare at Alexa with her mouth hanging open. Tom leaned forward and put his hand on Alexa’s shoulder. “Honey-girl, I think you mean ‘one fell swoop.’ ”
Alexa laughed, shaking her head. “I’m so excited I can hardly talk.”
Apprehension tinged Tom’s face. His fingers squeezed gently. “I know you’re happy for your mama, but how do you feel about all this?”
Alexa frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Just thinking…” Tom scratched his chin, fluffing his snow-white whiskers. “If your mama joins the church, she’ll go back to wearing a cap and homemade dresses. If she gets married, you’ll be getting a stepdaddy and a stepbrother. She’ll move in with her husband and his little boy instead of living at the farmhouse with you.” He paused, searching her face. “Are you okay with all that?”
She blinked, confused. “Shouldn’t I be?”
Linda rounded the bed and sat beside Alexa. She draped her arm across Alexa’s shoulders and scowled at Tom. “Now, don’t be planting reasons to worry in her head. Let her be! She’s happy for our Suzanne, and she ought to be.” She tugged Alexa against her side. “I think it’s all good news, and I think we should do something special to celebrate.” An impish grin dimpled her full cheeks. “Like eating chocolate cake.”
“We don’t have any chocolate cake.”
“So bake one.” Linda waggled her eyebrows. “I know how much you like to bake.”
Alexa snickered. “And I know how much you like to eat what I bake.” She stood. “All right, one rich, gooey, chocolate celebration cake comin’ up. And then”—she sucked in a breath—“I think I’m going to look for airline tickets and go home.”
For the second time that day, she rendered Linda speechless.
Tom came to life, though. “Home? But what about that DNA test? Don’tcha want to wait and see if that PI is working for your birth mother?”
For reasons she hadn’t yet fully understood, the deep need to find her birth mother had eased. Maybe Melissa’s unselfishness had erased some of Alexa’s resentment. She chewed her lip. “Well…”
“And if you leave now, you won’t get to go to the concert.”
Alexa shrugged. “You could use my ticket. You and Linda could go instead.”
Linda found her voice. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not skipping out on me, girlie. Besides, you were looking forward to seeing that reporter friend of yours and the little gal who stayed at the bed-and-breakfast. You gonna skip out on them, too?”
Technically she wasn’t skipping out on Briley or Nicci K since they had no idea she’d even be at the concert. But Linda’s comment made her reconsider. She had anticipated saying hello to Briley and seeing Nicci K pe
rform. “I guess a few more days won’t hurt.”
“ ’Course it won’t.” Linda’s staunch reply sealed it.
“Okay. I’ll stay through the end of the month. But then…” She sighed. “Home.”
On Monday morning Alexa drove to Indianapolis to visit Melissa. Ms. Reed called Melissa to the parlor, and to Alexa’s relief the girl seemed glad to see her. She pulled a photograph from her pocket and held it out. Alexa took it and gazed at the image of a smiling man and woman standing on a small arched bridge. The man held a tow-headed little boy.
“This will be Evvie’s family.” Melissa tapped the faces. “This is Kristian and Allen. They adopted Rylin when he was a newborn. He’s four now. Doesn’t he look like a happy little boy?”
Alexa nodded. They all looked happy—the dad, the mom, and the boy.
Melissa cradled her ever-blossoming belly and sighed. “They told me Rylin’s been praying for a baby sister, so they were really happy when they found out my baby was a girl.” Awe bloomed on her face. “I can hardly believe my little baby is going to be somebody’s answer to prayer.”
Tears stung behind Alexa’s nose. She whispered, “Beauty from ashes.”
Melissa tipped her head, her brow crinkling. “What?”
“It’s what God does. He takes our ashes—our mistakes—and He makes something beautiful out of them.” Just like He had when He’d led Mom to that box behind the garage. “That’s because He loves us. He redeems our errors.”
Melissa sat in silence for a few seconds, her face reflecting wonderment. Then she blurted, “Guess what else?”
Alexa shrugged and held out her hands in query.
“They had planned to name her Adrianna, but they decided to name her Evelyn instead.” Tears winked in Melissa’s eyes. “Evelyn Adrianna. Isn’t that pretty?”
Alexa nodded. “It’s a beautiful name.”
“Uh-huh.” Melissa took the photo back and gazed at it, joy and pain mingling in her moist eyes. “They took a picture of me, too, for Evvie’s baby book so she’ll know what I look like. They said I could write her a note to put with it. I’ve been working on something. It’s kind of turned into a poem.” She angled a hesitant look at Alexa. “Want to see it?”
“Sure.”
Melissa unfolded a slip of paper and pressed it into Alexa’s hands. Alexa held the page toward the window and began to read.
My life wasn’t ready to call you my own.
I had nothing to offer, not even a home.
Then along came a family who promised to be
All the things that I couldn’t, and they told me,
“We’ll love her forever. We’ll raise her up right.
Her days will be happy. She’ll be safe at night.”
So I collected all the love I could gather,
And I used it for courage to give you over
To the ones who were ready to be Mom and Dad.
The parting is painful, but I am so glad
You’ll have lots of love from a good family.
My dear little Evvie, please think kindly of me.
When Alexa finished reading, a veil of tears made the words shimmy on the page. “It’s…” She swallowed. “It’s…”
Melissa grimaced. “It’s corny, isn’t it?” She took the paper back and sighed. “It’s so hard to say what I feel. I wish I was a real poet.”
Alexa impulsively hugged the other girl. “You are a real poet. A real poet shares her heart, and you did that.”
Melissa pulled back, hope shining on her face. “Really?”
“Really.”
“Then you think she’ll understand? She’ll know it wasn’t that I didn’t want her?”
“You’re putting her into the arms of a loving mother and father, Melissa.” Unlike her own mother, who left her in a box to freeze. “She’ll understand.”
Melissa blew out a mighty breath, relief slumping her shoulders. “Good.” She slipped the poem and photograph into her pocket, and they spent the next hour chatting about other things.
When lunchtime arrived, Ms. Reed asked Alexa to join them, but she said no. She had another errand in Indianapolis before she drove back to Tom and Linda’s. So she hugged Melissa, cautioning her that she might not see her again since she’d be going back to Kansas soon. She gave Melissa her phone number and Arborville address, and Melissa promised to let Alexa know when Evvie was born.
Lines from Melissa’s poem to her baby echoed through Alexa’s mind as she drove into downtown Indianapolis. Thanks to Mom and wonderful people like the Dennings, she’d always known love. Her days had been happy. She’d been safe and secure. Everything Melissa wished for her little girl Alexa had received. But her birth mother hadn’t bothered to write a note or leave a picture or anything. Did she really want to look into the face of the person who’d abandoned her?
She left the car in a parking garage and walked to Owen Mallory’s office. The noon sunshine made her squint but did little to warm her. She was glad to find his door unlocked so she could dart inside out of the cold.
The private investigator sat at his desk, bent over a sheet of paper. He glanced up when she entered. “Well, well, well…” He set the paper aside and remained in his chair while Alexa crossed the tile floor. “Funny you’d come in just now.”
Alexa draped her hands over the back of one of the plastic chairs. “Why’s that?”
He patted the page he’d been examining. “Reading a DNA report. No match to my client.”
Alexa borrowed a Tomism. “Told ya.”
Mr. Mallory laughed—one short snort of humor. “Guess I’m going to send yours through now and see what happens.”
Alexa tightened her grip on the chair. “Would you not, please?”
He frowned, his eyebrows dipping into a sharp V. “What?”
“I’d rather you didn’t run my DNA.”
“Let me get this straight. You came to me claiming to be the baby I’ve been hunting, and now you’re telling me you’re not?”
She shook her head. “I’m not denying I’m the baby your client abandoned. I’m her, all right. What I’m saying is, I don’t want to be found.” She gave the top of the chair a little smack and took a backward step. “So just tell your client—”
He bolted up and rounded the desk. “Wait a minute.” The man’s usually emotionless eyes snapped. He stopped within inches of her. “I’m not into game playing, missy. You can’t waltz in here wanting things one way and then turn them upside down.”
Alexa’s heart pounded. Maybe she should have brought Tom with her. But didn’t he always say a soft answer turned away wrath? Alexa chose a calm, reasonable tone. “I’m not playing games, Mr. Mallory. This is my life we’re talking about. I have a family—a mom who raised me and loves me very much. Sure, I’m curious about the woman who gave birth to me, but I don’t need to meet her. She couldn’t possibly be better than the mom I already have.”
He narrowed his eyes into slits. “You don’t know that.”
“Actually, I think I do.” A smile of fondness formed effortlessly. “I’ve got the best mom in the world. God handpicked her for me.”
He huffed. “Well, you aren’t my client, and I have an obligation to follow every lead I’m given. So I’m running your DNA, and I’ll give the results to my client. You can’t stand in the way.”
Alexa nibbled her lip and considered his statement. Finally she shrugged. “Okay. Run it. Like you said, you work for her, and she’s expecting answers. But just because we match doesn’t mean I’ll be willing to meet.” She moved to the door. To her relief he didn’t follow.
At supper she shared with Tom and Linda about confronting Mr. Mallory. They both scolded her for going to the office alone and made her promise not to do it again. She gave the assurance easily. She had no desire to see that man or his client. She only wanted to go home to Mom and settle into her new routine of having a stepdad and stepbrother.
On Tuesday she slept in and wandered into the ki
tchen well past the breakfast hour. Linda was bent over rummaging in the refrigerator, her backside sticking out. The clink of jars banging together competed with the radio set to a talk show where two people were arguing. Loudly. Alexa cringed at the ruckus as she passed the radio and eased up beside Linda. She reached over Linda’s shoulder for the milk.
Linda rose with a start, nearly clunking Alexa with her elbow. She clutched her chest and glared at Alexa. “Gracious sakes, girlie, don’t sneak up on a person like that. You wanna send me to meet my Maker?”
“Sorry, Linda. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She frowned at the blaring box on the counter. “You’d have heard me if the radio wasn’t going full blast. What are you listening to?”
“Humph.” Linda marched over and slapped the Off button. “Tom put it on and then he left. He likes listening to all that jabber. I don’t.” She balled her fists on her hips. “You missed our morning eggs and toast. I already cleaned up dishes. Are you gonna make a mess now?”
Alexa’s stomach growled. She grimaced. “Sorry, Linda, but I think I am. I won’t make much of one. Just some cereal or something will tide me over until lunch.”
Linda waved her hand and laughed. “Oh now, I was teasing you. I know you always clean up after yourself. Fix whatever you want to. I’ll sit at the table and drink another cup of coffee while you eat.” She plunked into a chair and sighed. “Can’t hardly believe you’ll be gone to Kansas soon. Tom and I got used to having our girl around again.” She sniffed. “We’ll miss you.”
Alexa wrapped her arms around Linda from behind and planted a kiss on her plump cheek. “I’ll miss you, too. Maybe you and Tom should think about moving to Arborville.”
Linda patted Alexa’s arms and then pulled loose. “Gracious, girlie, as if we’d want to be the only two pepper flakes in a saltshaker.”
Alexa laughed.
Linda laughed, too. “We’ll visit, that’s for sure, but we’re not suited to small-town living. Kinda surprised your mama’s taken to it so easily after all her years away.”
When Love Returns Page 30
