Plain and Fancy

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  A sudden knock at the front door drew Laura out of her musings. She looked over at the mantel clock. Who would be coming by at nine o’clock at night, and who would knock rather than use the doorbell?

  Dad stood. “I’ll get it.”

  Laura strained to hear the voices coming from the hall. She couldn’t be sure who Dad was talking to, but it sounded like a woman. Probably one of Mom’s lady friends or someone from Dad’s office. She leaned against the sofa pillows and tried not to eavesdrop.

  “Laura, someone is here to see you,” Dad said as he entered the living room with a woman.

  Laura’s mouth dropped open, and she leaped from the couch. “Martha Rose! What are you doing here? Is Eli with you?” She stared at the doorway, half expecting, half hoping Eli might step into the room.

  Martha Rose shook her head. “I’ve come alone. Only Amon knows I’m here. I left him plenty of my breast milk, and he agreed to care for baby Amanda and little Ben so I could make the trip to see you.” She smiled. “The bus ride took a little over twenty-seven hours, and Amon knows I won’t be gone long. Besides, if he runs into any kind of problem with the kinner, he can always call on Mom.”

  Laura’s heart began to pound as she tried to digest all that Martha Rose had said. “What’s wrong? Has someone been hurt? Is it Eli?”

  Martha Rose held up her hand. “Eli’s fine ... at least physically.” She glanced at Laura’s folks, then back at Laura. “Could we talk in private?”

  Laura looked at Mom and Dad. They both shrugged and turned to go. “We’ll be upstairs if you need us,” Dad said.

  “Thanks,” Laura mumbled. Her brain felt like it was in a fog. Why had Martha Rose traveled all the way from Pennsylvania to Minnesota if there was nothing wrong at home? Home—was that how she thought of the house she and Eli had shared? Wasn’t this her home—here with Mom and Dad? She studied her surroundings. Everything looked the same, yet it felt so different. It was like trying to fit into a pair of shoes that were too small.

  ***

  When Wesley and Irene entered their room, Irene took a seat on the end of their bed and released a sigh. “I wonder what Martha Rose wants. I hope she’s not here to try and talk Laura into going back to Pennsylvania with her.”

  “If she is, it’s none of our business.” Wesley leaned on the dresser and stared at her.

  “You don’t have to sound so snippy. I only want what’s best for our daughter.”

  His defenses rose, and he marched across the room. “And you think I don’t?”

  “Calm down, Wesley. It’s not like you to shout like that.”

  “I’m not shouting. I’m speaking my mind, which is something I should have done a long time ago.”

  Irene’s chin trembled, and tears shimmered in her green eyes. The old Wesley would have succumbed to that pathetic look, but not anymore. He was tired of saying things just because they were what she wanted to hear. It was high time he stood up to her and said what was on his mind.

  He took a seat on the bed beside her. “I love you, Irene, and I have ever since we met in college.”

  “I—I love you, too.”

  “But just because I love you doesn’t mean I always agree with you or will do things your way.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  He tucked his thumb under her chin and tipped her head back so she was looking into his eyes. “I’m saying that I don’t agree with you where Laura’s concerned.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think Laura’s place is with her husband and baby.”

  Her eyes widened. “You can’t mean that, Wesley. Laura’s baby is handicapped, and he will need special care.”

  He nodded. “I think Laura is capable of giving David whatever help he needs.”

  “But she doesn’t want to care for him; she’s said so many times.”

  “That’s because she thinks she can’t, but I believe she can.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  He smiled and reached for her hand. “She’s her mother’s daughter—full of courage, determination, and strength she doesn’t even know she has.”

  “You–you think that about me?”

  “Sure do.”

  She leaned her head against his shoulder. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, dear.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Laura’s place is with Eli, just as much as your place is with me.”

  ***

  “Laura, are you okay?” Martha Rose asked, placing a hand on Laura’s trembling shoulder.

  “I ... uh ... sure didn’t expect to see you tonight.” Laura motioned to the sofa. “Please, have a seat. Let me take your coat. Would you like some tea or hot chocolate?” She was rambling but couldn’t seem to help herself.

  Martha Rose took off her coat and draped it over the back of the couch. Then she sat down. “Maybe something to drink, but after we talk.”

  Laura sat beside her. “What’s so important that you would come all this way by bus?”

  “My brother has been so upset since you left. He told me he wrote a letter asking you to come home.”

  “Did he also tell you that I’ve been lying to him all these months?”

  “About being a believer?”

  Laura nodded.

  “Jah, he mentioned that, too.”

  Laura swallowed hard. “Then you understand why I can’t go back.”

  Martha Rose reached inside her coat pocket and pulled out a small Bible. She opened it and began reading. “‘If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.’” She smiled. “That’s found in the book of 1 Corinthians.”

  Laura’s eyes widened. “Are you saying Eli could choose to stay with me even though I’m not a believer?”

  Martha Rose nodded. “It doesn’t have to be that way, though.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You could give your heart to Jesus, Laura. He wants you to accept His death as forgiveness for your sins. 1 John 3:23 says, ‘And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.’”

  As Martha Rose continued to read from the Bible, Laura was finally convinced of the truth in God’s Word, and soon tears began streaming down her face. “Oh, Martha Rose, you have no idea how much I’ve sinned. I did a terrible thing, and now God is punishing me. How can I ever believe He would forgive me?”

  “Romans 3:23 says, ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.’ If we ask, God will forgive any sin.” Martha Rose clasped Laura’s hand.

  “When I first found out I was pregnant, I—I didn’t even want our baby.”

  “Why, Laura?”

  “I was afraid of having a child. I know it’s a vain thing to say, but I wanted to keep my trim figure.” She gulped. “Even more than that, I wanted Eli all to myself.” Laura closed her eyes and drew in a shuddering breath. “God’s punishment for my selfish thoughts was David. I believe that’s why He gave us a disabled child.”

  Martha Rose shook her head. “God doesn’t work that way. He loves you, just as He loves the special child He gave you and Eli. God wants you to ask His forgiveness and surrender your life to Him.”

  “I—I want to change, but I don’t know if I have enough faith to believe.”

  “All you need to do is take that first little step by accepting Jesus as your Savior. Then, through studying His Word and praying, your faith will be strengthened. Would you like to pray right now and ask Jesus into your heart?”

  Laura nodded and bowed her head. After surrendering her will to God and asking His forgiveness for her sins, the peace she so desperately sought flooded her soul. When she went to bed that night, a strange warmth crept through her body. She felt God’s presence for the very first time and knew without reservation that she was a new person because of His Son, Jesus. Martha Rose slept in the guest room across the hall, and Laura
thanked God that her special friend had come.

  CHAPTER 28

  Laura clung tightly to Martha Rose’s hand as they stepped down from the bus. She was almost home, and even though she still had some doubts about her ability to care for a disabled child, it was comforting to know she would have God to help her . She scanned the faces of those waiting to pick up passengers. There was no sign of Eli or Amon.

  “Are you sure they knew we were coming?” Laura asked Martha Rose, feeling a sense of panic rise in her throat.

  “I talked to Eli at the furniture shop where he works, so I’m certain they’ll be here.” Martha Rose led Laura toward the bus station. “Let’s get out of the cold and wait for them inside.”

  The women had no more than taken seats when Amon walked up. He was alone.

  Laura felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. “Where’s Eli? Didn’t he come with you?” Maybe he’s changed his mind about wanting me back.

  “Eli’s at the hospital,” Amon said, placing a hand on Laura’s shoulder.

  Her stomach churned like whipping cream about to become butter. “The hospital? Is it the baby? Is David worse?”

  Amon shook his head. “There was an accident today.”

  “An accident? What happened?” Martha Rose’s face registered the concern Laura felt.

  “Eli cut his hand at work, on one of those fancy electric saws.”

  Laura covered her mouth with her hand. “How bad?”

  “He lost part of one finger, but the doctor said he should still be able to use the hand once everything heals.”

  “Oh, my dear, sweet Eli,” Laura cried. “Hasn’t he already been through enough? If only I hadn’t run away. If only—”

  Martha Rose held up her hand. “No, Laura. You can’t go blaming yourself. Just as David’s birth defect is no one’s fault, this was an accident, plain and simple. In time, Eli will heal and be back at work.”

  Laura looked down at her clasped hands, feeling like a small child learning to walk. “Guess my faith is still pretty weak. I’d better pray about it, huh?”

  Martha Rose nodded. “Prayer is always the best way.”

  ***

  Eli lay in his hospital bed, fighting the weight of heavy eyelids. Against his wishes, the nurse had given him a shot for pain, and now he felt so sleepy he could hardly stay awake. Amon had left for the bus station over an hour ago. What was taking so long? Maybe Laura had changed her mind and stayed in Minneapolis. Maybe...

  “Eli? Eli?” A gentle voice filled his senses. Was he dreaming, or was it just wishful thinking?

  He felt someone touch his arm, and his eyes snapped open. “Laura?”

  She nodded, her eyes full of tears. “Oh, Eli, I’m so sorry!” She rested her head on his chest and sobbed. “Can you ever forgive me for running away ... for lying about my relationship with God ... for wanting you to change when it was really me who needed changing?”

  Eli stroked the top of her head, noting with joy that she was wearing her covering. “I’ve already forgiven you, but I must ask your forgiveness, too.”

  She raised her head and stared into his eyes. “For what? You’ve done nothing.”

  He swallowed against the lump in his throat. “For not being understanding enough.” He touched her chin with his uninjured hand. “I think I expected too much, and sometimes I spoke harshly instead of trying to see things from your point of view. If I’d been a better husband, maybe you would have found your way to God sooner.”

  Laura shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. I was stubborn and selfish. That’s what kept me from turning to God. I believed I could do everything in my own strength. I thought I could have whatever I wanted, and it didn’t matter who I hurt in the process.” She sniffed deeply. “When I finally found forgiveness for my sins, I became a new creature.” She leaned closer, so their lips were almost touching. “I love you, Eli.”

  He smiled. “And I love you. Christmas is only a few days away, and I’m convinced that it’s going to be our best Christmas ever.” He sealed his promise with a tender kiss.

  EPILOGUE

  Laura stood at the kitchen counter, about to open the jar of pickled beets she would serve with the stew they’d be having for supper. She gazed out the window at Eli and their two-year-old son as they romped in the snow. David was doing so well, and she thanked God for him every day. He was such an agreeable, loving child. How could she have ever not wanted him? Eli had been right all along. David was special—a wonderful gift from God.

  A soft meow drew Laura’s attention from the window. She turned toward the sound, and her lips formed a smile. Foosie ran across the kitchen floor, and their nine-month-old daughter, Barbara, followed in fast pursuit.

  Laura chuckled at the sight of her perfect little girl, up on her knees, chasing that poor cat and pulling on its tail. No wonder Foosie preferred to be outdoors these days.

  “Life couldn’t be any better,” Laura whispered. Not only had she made peace with God, but her parents had also moved to Lancaster County, where her father practiced law at a small firm during the week and tinkered in his garden every weekend. Laura had finally come to realize that Eli’s folks really did care about her, and she’d even made things right with Pauline, who had written her a letter not long ago, apologizing for her bad behavior.

  As Laura poured the beets from the glass canning jar into a bowl, she looked up. “Lord, I thank You for the two wunderbaar children and the husband You gave to me, and I especially thank You for turning a fancy, spoiled English woman like me into a plain Amish wife who loves You so much. You have truly blessed me, and I ask for Your blessings on each one in our extended families.”

  RECIPE FOR LAURA’S PICKLED BEETS

  Ingredients:

  3 quarts small beets

  3 cups cider vinegar

  2 tablespoons salt

  4 cups sugar

  1 1/2 cups water

  2 cinnamon sticks

  Cook the beets in a large pan until tender and put into clean, hot canning jars. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a separate pan and boil until it becomes a syrup. Pour the boiling syrup over the beets, then seal. Cold pack them for 10 to 15 minutes.

  BACK COVER MATERIAL

  When Love Is an Unwelcomed Complication

  Laura Meade grew up with all the modern conveniences and frill that her fancy English world could offer. While studying interior design at a school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she becomes fascinated with the Amish who live in the area, and she seeks to learn more about their culture.

  When Laura meets Eli Yoder, one the Plain People, she falls hopelessly in love.

  Never much of churchgoer, Laura has no real concept of God’s love or the need to attend church. Eli, a baptized member of the Amish church, forbid him to marry outside the faith, and he knows that should he decide to leave, he will face a shunning.