Chapter 17
When the time came, Mary had put Lois to bed and was in the living room waiting with Samuel for the guests. Mary was intrigued to know who the other person was but she didn’t ask Samuel who else was expected. "When is the wedding?"
"No date has been set."
Then it sounded like two buggies approaching. When they headed to the door, Mary noticed a huge smile on Samuel's face. When he opened the door, Mary was surprised to see Trevor driving up in one buggy and Dorothea was driving the other.
"Is Trevor coming to dinner?"
He didn't answer her; he strode out toward Dorothea's buggy. They talked while he secured her horse.
Trevor gave Mary a wave, ignored the pair talking and headed to Mary.
"Hello, Trevor. You’re joining us for dinner?"
"Jah, didn't Samuel tell you I was?"
She smiled. "Nee, but that isn't unusual. He has a lot on his mind."
He walked into the house with her and shortly after that Dorothea and Samuel came inside.
They all sat down in the living room and then Samuel jumped up. "I'll just see how cook’s doing with the dinner."
"How are you, Dorothea?" Mary asked.
"I'm fine." She looked down at the rug, looking beautiful as always.
Then Mary looked up to say something to Trevor and noticed he was admiring Dorothea. "And are you staying in town for long, Trevor?" Mary asked.
“A few more weeks."
Samuel walked through the door. "Dinner is ready in the dining room. This way, please."
As they ate, the conversation centered around Samuel's work and Dorothea wasn't saying much.
"Dorothea, would you like to come over soon for an afternoon and get to know Lois?"
Her face lit up. "I'd love to." She looked over at Samuel. "Will that be all right?"
"Of course it will. That's a great idea. You can get to know Lois and she can get to know you."
She looked back at Mary. "She’s always asleep when I’m here.”
“Jah, she sleeps a lot.”
“When would I be able to visit?" she asked.
Mary was pleased with her reaction. "Tomorrow afternoon if you'd like."
"I'd love that. What time should I be here?
"She normally has a nap about three so what if you get here around twelve? We could even have a picnic in the yard area.”
"I like that idea. I'll look forward to it."
"Me too," Mary said.
When the night was over and Samuel had closed the door on the guests, Mary took her opportunity to speak with him. "I hope you don't mind me asking Dorothea to spend time with Lois. I had meant to ask you before they arrived but I forgot."
"I think it's a good idea. I think it's a great idea that she gradually spends more and more time with Lois."
Mary was relieved. He could very well have been angry with her for making such a decision.
"My greatest dream is to have a lot of kinner. And now it's the right time to introduce them so they become close before she’s thrown into motherhood."
He gave her a big smile before he turned and headed to his area of the house.
Before Mary went to bed, she peeped in at her sleeping baby. She was rhythmically breathing in and out. Lois was the best thing that happened to her and she was grateful God had blessed her with seeing Lois every day. She was pleased to hear that Samuel wanted a lot of children and Dorothea seemed so pleased to spend time with Lois. It was a good sign and hopefully Dorothea would feel just as much love for Lois as she would for her own children.
Chapter 18
The next day at their picnic in the yard, Dorothea kept handing Lois new things to play with. “I heard about what happened with your husband, Mary, and I'm very sorry. I'm sure you’d much rather be someplace other than here, and raising kinner of your own."
She nodded. "You’re right. Some things just aren't meant to be. I'm grateful for the job."
“And what will you do once Samuel and I are married?"
She shrugged. "I haven't figured that out yet. I'm not thinking too far ahead.”
"Samuel said he'd help you find a job."
Mary nodded. “He said the same to me and I'm grateful for that."
“I hate to put you out of a job, but there’s no sense in the both of us caring for one child.”
"I don't think of it like that. It's all about Lois and her welfare. I’m just happy Lois has someone to love her and to be her mother. Sadly, she won’t remember Beth."
"And I will love her as my own."
"Do you think you will love Lois as much as you would your own kinner when you have them?"
"I'm sure of it. It's a funny thing, but I've often thought of that situation. I've often wondered what would happen if I found I couldn't have children, the one thing I want so desperately. I would adopt a child or become a foster parent.”
"Really?" Mary was certainly glad to hear her say that.
She nodded and this was the most animated she’d ever seen Dorothea. "I wanted my own family since I was a little girl. And Samuel came along. He suits me.”
"What do you like about him?"
"He's so handsome and he'll be a good provider. My mother always told me that a man should be a hard worker, and I know that Samuel works hard."
"He does. I think he’d make you a very good husband."
Mary smiled down at Lois; now she felt comfortable with Dorothea. It wasn't that Dorothea was snobby or unfriendly, she was very shy. "I hope you and Samuel have many more.”
"Denke. So do I. And I hope you don't move away. It would be nice if we could become friends. I might need some help with Lois."
"I hope I can stay in this community, but I don't know if I can. It depends where I get a job."
"I hope it's somewhere nearby."
"Me too, but life has always found a way to surprise me.”
"In what way?"
Mary's gaze dropped to the blades of grass. She couldn’t begin to tell her new friend all the tragedies that had befallen her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You mean your husband. You’ll meet someone else. You're young and beautiful."
Mary giggled. "I might be young, but I'm not beautiful."
"You are."
"Well, it's nice of you to say so."
Lois grabbed hold of Dorothea's arm and tried to pull herself up.
"She's trying to stand."
Mary giggled. "She does that all the time in her crib."
"She’ll be walking in no time. And then she’ll be running and I’ll be running to catch up with her when she gets into mischief."
When Dorothea started talking about the future, Mary saw what a good mother she'd make. And Lois was warming to her already.
Her fears about Dorothea had been unfounded, but there was one unanswered question. What would she do when Dorothea and Samuel married? Lois started rubbing her eyes.
"It's nap time,” Mary said.
"How many naps does she have a day?"
"One midmorning and one in the afternoon. They’re getting shorter and shorter but still, she can't go the afternoon without having her sleep.”
"I’ve had such fun."
"You can come back whenever you like."
"Can I? I don't want to intrude on your routine.”
"You won't be and I think Lois likes to see a new face around."
"I won't be new for long."
Mary stood and then leaned down to scoop Lois into her arms. “Why don’t you sit on the porch and I'll bring us back some lemonade and something to eat after I put her to sleep?"
"Are you sure? I don't like intruding if you're supposed to have other duties while she's asleep."
"That's fine. I'm able to have free time when she's asleep. Samuel has someone else to cook and do the housework.”
"I would love to talk with you some more."
"I'll be back soon."
As Mary was putting Lois to bed, she looked out the window and saw a bug
gy approaching the house. She patted Lois on her back while leaning forward to see who was driving the buggy. When it came closer she saw it was Trevor.
She couldn't work out why Trevor would be there when Samuel was out. Perhaps there was some miscommunication. When Lois closed her eyes, she crept out of the nursery and closed the door.
When Mary reached the kitchen, she walked toward the front of the house to see if she could offer Trevor some refreshments. Before she opened the front door, she heard laughing coming from the porch. She pushed the door open and walked out. Dorothea looked up and Trevor turned around and jumped to his feet, looking guilty.
"Hello, Trevor. I was just fixing Dorothea and myself a pitcher of lemonade if you'd like some.”
"Sure, why not?”
She nodded and turned to go away and then she turned back. “Is Samuel coming home soon?"
"Nee, I was passing and thought I would stop by.”
Mary nodded and then headed back to the kitchen but as she walked, she remembered that over dinner she had mentioned what time the baby was going to sleep. Had Trevor deliberately come there solely to spend more time with Dorothea? He certainly looked guilty about something.
When she brought the lemonade back, she hesitated before she moved onto the porch hoping to hear what was said. She was certain now that Trevor was trying to steal Dorothea from under his friend’s nose.
When she came out with the tray of refreshments she noticed there was already an extra chair pulled close for her. She placed the tray down and poured them each a drink. When she sat, she thought she had better fill in the silence. “Dorothea and I just had a lovely time with Lois."
"Oh, you did? That's good. Dorothea and I have just discovered how close we live to one another,” Trevor said, smiling at Dorothea.
"Ah, but when she gets married you won’t be.” Mary said and noticed Trevor stopped smiling when she said that. Perhaps she should be trying to help Trevor along. If Dorothea changed her mind and married Trevor, Samuel would once again be free to marry her. But, she didn't want to be Samuel’s second choice. She then reminded herself that Lois was the focus in all this and not her love life. One thing she knew for certain was that marrying Samuel would be a dream compared to her marriage to Damian. "If you'll excuse me I think I heard Lois crying.”
"Jah, you must go and see to her," Trevor said
Mary was gone for ten minutes and when she returned, she came back to laughing and giggling which stopped when she walked out the front door. When Trevor made his excuses to leave, Dorothea said she would go as well.
“Do you mind if I have a word with you, Dorothea, before you go?" Mary asked.
"Sure that's fine.”
They waited until Trevor left, and then Mary said, "Dorothea, am I wrong or is Trevor showing you extra special attention?"
"I think you might be right, but he knows that I’m marrying Samuel."
"That didn't seem to worry him today, did it? And he was over here when he knew Samuel wasn't going to be here."
"You heard what he said, he was just passing."
"You don’t believe that any more than I do."
Her perfectly shaped thin eyebrows flew upward. “I don't know what to do. I like them both. I had agreed to go out with Trevor before Samuel asked me out and then I canceled Trevor to go with Samuel and … now …. look how I’ve made a big mess of things. I feel I'm caught between the two."
Mary breathed out heavily. This was not good for Lois. "You must choose between them.”
"I know that. But it's not easy."
"Nothing in life ever seems to be easy."
"What do you think I should do?"
Mary stared into Dorothea's eyes and was tempted to tell her to marry Trevor. "You must pray and make a decision. It was an inappropriate thing that he came around like that today when he knew Samuel would be out. He does seem a very nice man and your mudder probably would approve of him, but she’d also approve of Samuel."
"That is true."
"When you said yes to Samuel, what were you thinking then, in regard to Trevor?"
"I just want to get married. And he asked me, so I said yes. Does it really matter who you marry?"
She thought about Damian. Yes, it matters who you marry. She had thought she had the right man in Damian, but not long after they married he changed. "Just because a man and a woman belong to the same community or even similar communities with the same doctrines, it doesn't guarantee a successful and happy marriage. Everyone is different. Sometimes marriage isn't easy; I know that, but it needn't be a mystery."
"Is that what your marriage was like?"
She nodded. "I'll tell you something that I've never told anybody."
She leaned forward. "What is it?"
"He was leaving me and the Amish when he was killed. He was run over by a truck in front of my eyes."
She gasped. "That's horrible."
"The marriage was a disaster. He wasn't willing to go to anybody to talk about the marriage; he saw that as a failure. He'd decided he would rather give up altogether and that's what he did. It takes two to make a marriage work and people need to be compatible with each other. You'll have to work out who is the most compatible with you. It's not about who asked you first. Who will you be able to get along with better? Not just who is the most exciting companion because that all fades away. Who has the qualities that suit you?"
"I appreciate your honesty. I've got a lot to think about.”
Mary felt she was about to burst into tears. Every time she thought her baby’s life was going in a certain direction it changed. Maybe it was time to take things into her own hands.
Chapter 19
It was a week later when Mary happened to overhear Dorothea rejecting Samuel.
“I’m sorry it has to be this way, but when you asked me I should’ve taken the time to think it through properly before I gave you my answer.”
“I see.”
“Are you going to ask what changed my mind?”
“Nee. It doesn’t matter.”
He was surprisingly calm. It had to be awful for Dorothea to have that conversation and worse for Samuel to hear it.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“What will you do now?” he asked.
“I’m going to go back home, and help Mamm in her store. She always wanted me to stay on.”
“I hope things work out well for you.”
“I’m leaving on Monday, but thought I should tell you as soon as I could. Goodbye, Samuel.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
Mary ducked away and slipped into the next room so she wouldn’t be seen. Was Samuel being cold or was he completely devoid of normal human emotions? He hadn’t tried to change her mind. Mary moved toward the window and looked out at Samuel and Dorothea as they made their way to her buggy.
When the buggy left, Mary raced back into the kitchen so Samuel wouldn’t know she’d been spying.
“Can I have a word with you, Mary?”
“Jah, of course. I’ve just put Lois down for a nap.”
She followed him into his study. “Have a seat,” he said as he slipped into the chair behind his desk. “There’s no need to look for another job. I wanted to tell you as soon as I could.”
“What’s happened?”
“Dorothea has changed her mind about marrying me.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She tried to look suitably shocked, but the concern was genuine.
He flicked his hand in the air. “It’s a disappointment, but I’ve had a few of those.”
The statement shocked Mary. She hadn’t been aware he’d had hardships. “Beth never mentioned anything.”
“I’m talking about Beth and William leaving Lois an orphan.”
Mary couldn’t have felt more stupid. “I’m sorry. I thought you meant something different.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I thought my life was going in one direction and now it’s not.”
&nbs
p; Mary nodded. “I know what you mean.”
“Jah, you’ve had your share of losses and heartache too. And yet you manage to smile and light up the lives of those around you.”
“I do?”
He chuckled. “I’ve never seen Freda so happy, or Luke walking with such a spring in his steps. You’ve brought joy to this household. I have a very important request.”
Her heart beat fast. Could it be he realized she was the one he really loved? “What is it?”
“I want you to stay on here at the haus and continue to spread your sunshine.”
She couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “I’d like that very much.”
He continued, “I would like to keep you on here even if I marry again.”
It was another blow, but she was careful not to let her smile falter. “I will accept that. A lifelong position here seeing Lois every day would make me a happy woman indeed.” That was all she’d ever wanted. God had answered her prayers.
He stood, leaned forward and reached out his hand, and they shook on it. She breathed out heavily. She’d won. She had secured her position with her baby by her side. Deep down, she was relieved she could give up the notion that he’d ever be interested in her.
“I’ll do my very best to take care of Lois.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that you will.”
Chapter 20
After the meeting on Sunday, Mary walked up to Dorothea to say goodbye. The bishop had announced to everyone that their visitor was leaving. Surprisingly, he also announced Trevor was leaving.
“Hello, Dorothea.”
“I guess you heard I’m leaving?”
The Amish Woman And Her Secret Baby: Amish Women of Pleasant Valley Page 8
