An Unlikely Match

by Beth Wiseman

  His father smiled and walked to Veronica. She made room for him to sit beside her. Jayce couldn’t hear what was being said, but the expression on Veronica’s face told him his father was making progress.

  He unfolded the note written on lined white paper and read.

  Life is a journey to be enjoyed as much as the destination. But there is no guarantee of a tomorrow.

  Jayce paused, recalling his father saying the same thing, obviously after he’d read this note.

  Each day is a gift from Gott to be cherished. Fill your heart with the people you love. Cling tightly to your convictions, but allow room for change and growth. Be the person you want to be, and never forget that anything is possible. Above all else, stay wrapped in Gott’s presence and follow His lead. Think of today as tomorrow, in case tomorrow doesn’t arrive with the expectations you’ve set forth. Sometimes it’s okay to set logic aside and let the heart rule.

  The note wasn’t signed, but he could only think of one person who could have written it.

  Jayce lay back, more confused than ever. God, what do You want me to do? Am I defining Your thoughts and words in my head the way I want to?

  “What should I do?” he whispered aloud.

  Then there was a loud boom. A blowout.

  After they’d slid to a safe stop, Jayce just smiled.

  * * *

  Evelyn forced herself to go back out to the chicken coop. If Jayce ever did come back, she wanted him to see that she’d gotten over her phobia of birds. It wasn’t going to happen overnight, but as she stood with her hands on her hips and faced off with the most aggressive rooster in the bunch, she said, “I’m going to win this battle.”

  She needed a distraction, and when she was around the chickens and roosters, she was on high alert.

  Movement far down the road caught her attention. A man walking.

  She dropped the feed pail she was holding, which sent the hostile rooster shuffling and squawking in her direction, followed by several hens. The blue T-shirt had her full attention. As Jayce’s long dark hair blew in the wind, Evelyn’s feet began to move toward him.

  Had something happened? Was something wrong? Did she dare hope he might stay?

  They walked toward each other down the middle of the gravel road, and with each step Evelyn increased her pace until she was standing right in front of him.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked as her heart pounded.

  He shrugged. “The motor home had a blowout.”

  Her heart sank. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Jayce grinned. “Really? Because I kind of took it as a sign from God that I should stay.”

  Evelyn didn’t say anything. Was he joking?

  He took her face in his hands and kissed her, over and over again. When he eased her away, he held on to her arms. “I know what I want. And I know the logistics of all of this are complicated. So we can analyze it to death or just roll with it. I want to live on a farm. I know there are farms in most states, and I could go anywhere. But anywhere doesn’t have you.”

  Evelyn’s jaw dropped.

  “We don’t know each other well yet, and I’m not Amish. I realize that, but I know how I feel.” He grinned. “I’ve never had this sick feeling in my stomach, or this pain in my chest. I guess I didn’t know love could be so painful. And of all people, my father was the one who said something that made the most sense. He said there is no guarantee of tomorrow. I wonder where he got that from.” He playfully rolled his eyes before his expression turned serious. “Will you date me if I stay? I can’t give you any guarantee that I have what it takes to convert to the Amish ways any more than I can guarantee tomorrow, but I’d like to try.”

  Evelyn’s heart swelled as a smile spread across her face. “Then let’s accept the guarantee of this moment and take it one day at a time.”

  Jayce kissed her again. “I know I’ve made the right decision,” he whispered.

  * * *

  Esther and Lizzie sat in the rocking chairs in the living room. It was eerily quiet. Rose had gone to town for groceries. All the movie people were gone, and Esther found herself surprised that she missed having other folks around. Maybe not as many as they’d had for the past two and a half weeks, but a few. When Rose returned it would be like having three or four people in the house. The girl could carry on enough conversations at one time to wear a person out. Esther decided to take advantage of the quiet.

  Then there was a knock at the door, and Esther saw Gus on the other side of the screen. She cut her eyes at Lizzie, warning her sister to be nice. For once, Lizzie didn’t respond by rolling her eyes or scowling. She just sat with a somber expression.

  “What is it, Gus? Do you need something to eat or a slice of pie?” Yesterday had been a hard day for him. Esther opened the door to let him inside.

  Gus’s nostrils flared as he paced the room. “That cat had a dozen kittens!”

  Lizzie covered her face and shook her head. “I knew it. I’m cursed.”

  “Oh, quit fussing,” Gus said to Lizzie before he turned to Esther. “They all seem to be fighting for room to nurse.” He scratched his head. “Am I supposed to do something?”

  Esther pinched her lips together in her effort not to smile. “Everything should be all right, Gus. Whiskers will know what to do.”

  “What am I gonna do with thirteen cats?” Gus raised his palms. “Tell me, Esther. I can’t have all those cats running in and out of the house.”

  Lizzie stiffened, her eyes suddenly wide. “Are they all black?”

  At first Gus wouldn’t look at her, but Esther gave him the same warning look she’d given her sister earlier. “Lizzie asked you a question, Gus.”

  He took a deep breath, kept his eyes on Esther, and said, “Four of the little things are black like the mama. The rest are black and white.”

  Lizzie shook her head. “We might as well be a coven of witches with all those black cats nearby.”

  They all turned at the sound of another knock at the door. Gus was closest so he pushed the screen open. “What are you doing here, kid?”

  Jayce stepped over the threshold, and Esther smiled when she noticed two suitcases on the porch.

  “Can I stay here awhile until I find a place of my own? I’ve decided to make Montgomery home.”

  Gus belly laughed. “Well, I’ll be. You decided to stay around for the girl after all.”

  Lizzie jumped up and bounced on her toes, clapping her hands together like an excited child. “You and Evelyn?”

  Jayce nodded. “Yep.”

  “Of course you can stay.” Esther pressed her hands together, smiling.

  “We know it hasn’t been long, but we’d like to date and see how it goes.” Jayce paused, looking down before he lifted his head and looked back and forth between Esther and Lizzie. “It was the weirdest thing. I had a conversation with my father that seems a little surreal right now, but in a good way. He said some things that shifted my way of thinking. And there was this note . . .” He paused, seemingly lost in thought. “Anyway, I asked God what I should do and”—he snapped his fingers—“boom! We had a blowout. It had to be a sign, and I already knew I didn’t really want to leave.”

  Lizzie pressed her palms together and smiled. “Wonderful news. Um, not about the blowout, but we’re glad you’re staying.”

  Rose stumbled to the door carrying two bags of groceries, and Jayce was quick to open it for her.

  “Oh no.” Gus grumbled as he stepped aside for her.

  “Jayce! What’s happening?” Rose stopped barely inside the house. Jayce took the bags from her and placed them on the coffee table as she went on. “Is something wrong? Why is everyone here? Jayce, I thought you left, and—”

  “Stop.” Gus held a palm out toward her. “Stop talking.”

  Esther braced herself and said a quick prayer that everyone could just get along.

  Gus peered at Rose, tilting his head slightly as he wrinkled his nose. “Rose Petal . . .” He
glanced at Esther. “I mean, Rose . . . How do you feel about cats?”

  “Ach, I lieb cats, especially kittens. They’re so cute and playful. And they catch mice, and—”

  “Stop.” Gus raised his hand again. “Follow me. I’ve got a dozen cute and playful creatures you can help me with.”

  “Ya, of course.” She looked at Jayce. “But what are you doing here?”

  “I decided to stay. I’ll rent a room until I can find a place of my own.” He shrugged. “When you realize you’re in love, waiting to get started on a new life no longer makes sense.”

  Rose jumped up on her toes. “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you and Evelyn.”

  If Rose ever had any intentions toward Jayce, she’d thankfully moved past them.

  Gus grumbled something, then told her to go see the cats and he’d catch up with her. “I’m not sure if it’s going to be worth it to let her help me with those kittens. Maybe if I tape her mouth shut.”

  “Gus, you behave around that maedel.”

  Gus grinned at Jayce. “So, you’ve got it in ya after all.” He shook his head. “Aren’t we all just one big dysfunctional family?” He threw his arms in the air, shook his head, and shuffled toward the door.

  Esther could have gone without hearing the word dysfunctional, but the fact that Gus referred to them as family was endearing.

  Lizzie slowly stood. “Gus?”

  Oh dear. Esther twisted the string of her prayer covering, willing Lizzie to be nice.

  Gus folded his arms across his belly. “What?” He narrowed his bushy gray eyebrows at Lizzie.

  “I’m sorry for your loss. It was me in the swing that day, not Esther. I remember now.” Lizzie’s voice cracked as she spoke, and Gus stared at her for a long time.

  “Yeah, uh . . . Thanks.”

  Then he quickly turned to leave. “I’ll be over at my house with jabber-box, my promiscuous cat, and a herd of kittens.”

  Esther blinked back tears. “That was very nice of you, Lizzie,” she said after Gus was gone.

  “Ya, well, don’t get all emotional about it. He’s still a grumpy old man.”

  The sisters and Jayce gathered by the window just as Rose was entering the cottage and Gus was slowly crossing the field.

  “If we hurry, maybe we can whip up some lunch before Rose gets back.” Lizzie twisted her hands together as if she’d come up with a diabolical plan. “We’ve got to find that girl a man. I don’t have the heart to fire her, but she’s going to give me a stroke with all that talking and a heart attack if I have to eat her cooking for much longer.”

  Jayce rubbed his stomach. “I bet I can put something together. I’m starving all of a sudden, and it’s the least I can do for you agreeing to let me stay here.”

  “You’re always hungry.” Lizzie rolled her eyes, grinning.

  Jayce picked up the two bags of groceries on the coffee table, smiled, and headed to the kitchen. Esther and Lizzie sat on the couch and propped their tired feet up on the coffee table.

  “Do you think he knows we wrote the note?” Lizzie pressed her lips together as she turned to Esther. “I just couldn’t stand to see that boy get away. We’ve been so gut by not interfering much, but I knew in mei heart that Evelyn and Jayce belonged together. They just need a little more time. Putting so much distance between them seemed too risky.”

  Esther stiffened. “You almost made those kinner sick with all that vanilla in your buggy.” She paused, recalling the strong aroma in Jayce’s room. Even though she tried to avoid the stairs, she made the trek up to check on things occasionally. “But the lavender was a nice touch. However, I believe I get credit for that note.”

  “I helped.” Lizzie pouted and grumbled something under her breath.

  “Ya, I suppose you did.” She nudged her sister’s shoulder. “But I’m not sure he knows we wrote it, and that’s okay. Perhaps the note served two purposes. Maybe Jayce will be able to mend his relationship with his father. Some distance might help with that. It sounds like the timing was right for all concerned.” She folded her hands in her lap. “And for that we can’t take credit. Gott gets the glory for His perfect timing.”

  Lizzie nodded. “Ya, I agree. But we need to get busy on our next project. We must find someone for Rose.” Lizzie tapped a finger to her chin.

  “I agree. But for today, let’s be happy with all the Lord has gifted us.”

  “Uh . . . ya . . . of course.”

  Esther smiled. Lizzie’s wheels were churning. What could be coming next?

  Epilogue

  Esther, Lizzie, and Rose cleared the table after supper as they’d been doing on Wednesday evenings for a few months now, unless they had overnight guests, which was less likely during the week.

  Gus always sat at one end and Lizzie at the other. They were more tolerant of each other, but that was mostly because they avoided each other except for the Wednesday evening suppers. Both had been given strict instructions not to say or do anything to disrupt the weekly gatherings or they would be excluded from the next meal. They must have taken Esther seriously because, so far, they’d only taken a few jabs at each other, which landed them with firm warnings.

  Jayce bought a farm only two weeks after the film crew left The Peony Inn. It was where he and Evelyn would make their home and raise a family after they were married. They were wrapped up in wedding plans, and Jayce was taking the necessary classes to be baptized into the faith. The decision hadn’t come easily for the boy. He’d spent a lot of time with the bishop and elders, asking questions and learning as much as he could about the Amish faith. In the end and after much prayer and consideration, he’d said it was the only organized religion—as he called it—that was a good fit for him.

  Amos and Naomi attended the weekly meals unless they were visiting Amos’s family in Ohio, which they tried to do every few months. It was a joyous time when the twins arrived right on schedule. Esther and Lizzie served as grandparents on Naomi’s side of the family even though they weren’t biologically related. They spent as much time with the girls as possible. Naomi and Amos named them Regina, after Lizzie and Esther’s mother, and Eve, after Amos’s great-grandmother.

  Life was good for everyone, except Rose. Esther, Lizzie, and Jayce had finally taught her to cook. She still made the occasional mistake, but overall her culinary skills were much improved. They hadn’t, however, been enough to snag a man since none lasted long enough for Rose to cook for. Her moods shifted faster than Esther could keep up with sometimes. Understandably. She’d be so excited to meet a new man, then devastated when he stopped asking her out.

  Esther joined Lizzie in the living room after everyone had left. Rose was upstairs in her room.

  “What are we going to do about that girl?” Lizzie asked. “We’ve set her up with three nice Amish fellows, and they all ran faster than a cat with its tail on fire.” She groaned. “Speaking of cats, I’m surprised I’m still alive with all those black creatures running around. They’re even more dangerous now that they’re full-grown.”

  Gus had found homes for all of them but two, and he had those spayed when he took Whiskers to the vet. “You know the mother mostly stays inside, and the other two keep the mice away and don’t bother you.”

  “They cross mei path at least once a week.”

  “Let’s get back to Rose,” Esther said. “We both know she talks too much, and we’ve gently tried to talk to her about that. She is such a beautiful woman, inside and out.”

  “Yep. She just can’t keep her mouth closed.” Lizzie kicked her socked feet up on the coffee table next to Esther’s.

  “Sometimes I think she talks so much because she’s nervous.” Esther frowned. “She’s almost twenty-four.”

  “Practically an old maid.” Lizzie crossed her ankles. “Maybe we should talk to the herbal doctor in Orleans. Maybe there is a natural medicine to make her be quiet.”

  “Lizzie, we don’t want to change Rose’s personality.” Although, the though
t of less chatter was an appealing idea.

  “I have one more person for her to meet.” Lizzie gave a taut nod of her head. “And I have high hopes for this one.”

  Esther slumped her shoulders. “I don’t know, Lizzie. After the last fellow quit calling so abruptly, Rose was upset for weeks. I think she is growing depressed. I know she cries sometimes, especially after the Wednesday suppers. She sees how happy Amos and Naomi are, and we’re all watching Jayce and Evelyn plan their wedding. I think she’s happy for the other couples, but also sad.”

  “Ach, well, we can’t give up. That’s not our way.”

  “Who is the fellow you want to introduce her to?” Esther asked.

  “You don’t know him.” Lizzie twirled the string of her prayer covering. “He’s . . . um . . . perfect.”

  Esther frowned. “What do you mean? Is he Amish? I feel like Jayce was an exception, an Englischer who was willing to put in the work to convert to our ways. It’s always so unlikely that an outsider will choose to do that.”

  “He’s Amish.” Lizzie slouched into the couch.

  “Lizzie, what do you have up your sleeve?” Esther was intrigued and worried at the same time.

  “Don’t you worry about a thing.” Lizzie didn’t look at her. She just patted her on the knee.

  Esther was already worrying.

  Discussion Questions

  Evelyn and Jayce are drawn to each other right away. Besides physical attraction, what are some of the other qualities they find endearing about each other?

  Despite being matchmakers by nature, Esther and Lizzie agree that encouraging a romantic relationship between Evelyn and Jayce wouldn’t be good for the young couple. But there are several things that Lizzie and/or Esther end up doing to nudge Jayce and Evelyn together. What do the sisters do in that regard?