“I was ashamed. I didn’t want anyone to know. I’ve hidden it for so long I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want you to feel sorry for me. I didn’t want you to know how stupid I was.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t feel you could trust me.”
Willis gazed into her beautiful green eyes. “I wanted to.”
This was the hard part. He stared at his feet. “When I was twenty, I started seeing a girl who wasn’t Amish. She ran around with a cool bunch of kids. They had fast cars and money to spend, they liked loud music, but I think they were bored a lot of the time.”
He stared at his hand on the car door. His knuckles were white from gripping the steel. Even now it hurt to repeat what happened. “I confided to that young woman that I couldn’t read. I didn’t want to keep a secret that big from someone I thought I was serious about.” He swallowed hard.
“Go on,” Eva said gently.
“She laughed a little. She thought I was kidding. She told the others. They laughed a lot. Of course I laughed, too. I pretended it didn’t matter. A few days later we were coming back from a party when the boy driving pulled into a convenience store parking lot. He said he needed a few things, some candy, some crackers and soda. He gave me a twenty-dollar bill and a list of what he wanted. He said give it to the clerk and he’d get the stuff for me. So I went in and handed the young woman behind the counter the note.” Willis stopped talking. Humiliation burned deep in his chest.
He felt a hand on his arm. Eva was staring at him intently. “It wasn’t a list of grocery items, was it?”
“It read, This is a holdup. Give me all the money in the cash drawer.
“The clerk was just a kid. She went pale as a sheet, started shaking and crying. An alarm went off. I didn’t know what was going on. Then my friends rushed in, laughing like a bunch of fools.” He could see their red faces, hear them howling with mirth while they clapped him on the back as if he was somehow privy to the gag.
“They bolted when the police came.” His girlfriend had been the first one out the door.
“I spent the next twelve hours explaining to them that I had been duped. I was fortunate that I didn’t get arrested. I knew the story would be all over the county in a few days. I decided to leave before I had to face everyone. I ended up here. I never told anyone else, although recently there was someone that I wanted to confide in. The trouble is that she’s so smart I was afraid she would be ashamed of me.”
Eva stepped forward and cupped his face with her hands. “Willis, you are one of the finest men I have ever known. I love you. Do you hear me? I could never be ashamed of the man I love.
“You are not ignorant. When I think of all the times I criticized you for not caring about Otto’s education I’m the one who is ashamed. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
He drew her into his arms without caring who saw. “There’s nothing to forgive unless you leave this brokenhearted fellow behind and return to Illinois.”
“Danny, take my things out of the car, please.” Her eyes never left Willis’s face. He started to believe she truly did love him.
Danny set her suitcases aside. “Why don’t I take the kids to the bus station with me? The driver can bring them back here after we’ve said our goodbyes and had some ice cream. Who wants an ice cream cone?”
Maddie held up her hand. “I do. I do.”
Harley put a hand on her head and turned her toward the van. “We all want some. Come on, Otto.”
“Did you hear what Willis said? I’m not the only one. He’s like me.”
Harley ruffled Otto’s hair and winked at Willis. “Yeah, I heard. I think our big brother’s a mighty fine fellow. I hope he knows how blessed he is to have found a good teacher.” The children got in the van with Danny and drove away.
Willis suddenly realized he was holding Eva in his arms in plain sight of the school, and a number of their church members. He looked over Eva’s head at Michael. “I’d like to continue this conversation somewhere more private.”
“We’re going. Eva, you are welcome to stay with us for as long as need be,” Michael said.
Dinah was grinning from ear to ear. “Leroy and I will make the same offer.”
“Danki. You are all very kind.”
They left and Eva turned to Willis. “Come into the house. I can make us some coffee although it actually belongs to the school and not to me. How did your meeting with the Bartlett people go?”
“I almost forgot. I have a standing order for two hundred cabinet pulls and hinges for the next two months. If they sell well, there will be more orders. They like them.”
“I don’t see why not. You do beautiful work.”
As soon as they were in the house, he closed the door and pulled her into his arms again. “I’m going to kiss you, Eva Coblentz, unless you tell me I can’t.”
“I thought you’d never ask, Willis.” She slipped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes.
* * *
Eva had dreamed about this moment since the first time they sat on the swings together. She knew then that she was losing her heart to this amazing man, though she had been too afraid to admit it. Their first kiss had been amazing. This kiss was far more wondrous.
His lips were firm and gentle as they touched hers. A shiver raced down her spine and she leaned closer, melting against him, loving the way he made her feel cherished and as giddy as any teenager. He pulled away with a sigh and tucked her head under his chin. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t think you mentioned it.”
“Eva darling, I love you. Today, tomorrow, for the rest of my life and into eternity, I will always love you.”
She would never tire of hearing those words or of saying them. “I love you, too. What did I do to deserve such happiness?”
“I am asking myself the same question. I reckon only God knows for sure. Or maybe Bubble does.”
“Gott has truly blessed us.” She rose on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. “What does Bubble have to do with any of this?”
Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her closer and kissed her until her head was spinning and she was breathless all over again. Pulling away, he took a deep breath. “Bubble gave me some interesting encouragement.”
Eva settled her face against the side of his neck. He smelled of smoke and leather and the pine forests all around them. She breathed in the scent knowing she would never forget it. “What sort of encouragement did an imaginary girl give you?”
“You’ll laugh.”
“At you? Never. With you? Every chance I get.”
“Bubble told me you would say yes if I proposed to you.”
“She did? Isn’t she a bold child?”
He leaned back so he could see her face. “Maybe, but sometimes she spouts the truth when I’m least expecting it. Was she right?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
She looked up and tapped his nose with her finger. “You have not asked me.”
He held her at arm’s length. “Teacher, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“To have and to hold?”
He cupped her face with his hands. “In sickness and in health, ja, all of that. Will you please marry me? I desperately need someone to help me with the children and I need a good cook.”
She pulled his hands away. “I knew you had an ulterior motive.”
“I’m simply going down the list the kinder made. You’re pretty and you aren’t too old.”
She laughed out loud. “I love you, Willis Gingrich and all your family.”
A knock at the door startled them both. Willis moved a few steps away. Eva straightened her kapp and smoothed the front of her dress. She opened the door. Samuel Yoder stood there with a manila f
older and his hand.
He cleared his throat. “I believe there has been a mistake. And I’m afraid that I am the one who has made it.”
“Won’t you come in?” Eva said. What was this about?
Samuel stepped to the door and nodded to Willis. “I finished reading your file on young Otto.”
“I see. Please have a seat.” She led the way to her sitting room and sat down in her rocking chair. Samuel sat on the edge of the sofa while Willis stood in the doorway, leaning one shoulder against the doorjamb.
Samuel looked from one to the other. “I was unaware of Otto’s difficulties and I humiliated him in front of the other children. I want to apologize. In looking through your desk I saw numerous articles about dyslexia. Clearly, you have a plan to help the boy. I don’t want to rob him of his chance to learn. I hope that you will consider returning to your teaching post. I will write to your brother and explain that you can’t be spared at this time. If you want to stay?”
Eva’s heart gave a little leap of joy. She glanced at Willis before replying.
“Your decision,” he said with that adorable little half smile on his lips.
She folded her hands together tightly. “I will consider it.”
The outside door opened. The children followed by Danny tripped into the kitchen with ice cream cones in their hands. They made themselves at home around the table. Danny looked into the sitting room. “Are we interrupting?”
Eva stared at him in amazement. “Did you miss your bus?”
“Nope. I saw it. I bought my ticket. I put my suitcase on it and then I changed my mind. Fortunately, I was able to get my suitcase off before the bus left. And I got a refund for the ticket.”
“You’re staying here? In New Covenant? Why?”
“I had a sneaking suspicion that there was going to be an opening for a new teacher soon. Also, Bubble mentioned that you were getting married. Can I guess who the poor fellow is?”
“Willis,” Maddie called out. “Bubble said so.”
Willis wagged his eyebrows at Eva. “Bubble is right again.”
Danny handed his melting cone to Eva. “Brother Yoder, I’d like to talk to you about a teaching position. Have you considered hiring a man?”
“Having a man as a teacher is most unusual.” Samuel stroked his beard. “But I will bring this to the attention of the school board.”
“Fine. And is your granddaughter Becca seeing anyone?”
Samuel frowned. “My granddaughter?”
“I was just curious. Come, I’ll walk you out.” The two men went out the door, leaving Eva and Willis with the three children.
Willis tipped his head toward the kitchen. “I have some explaining to do. Care to listen?”
She walked up to him and laid her hand on his cheek. “If you are sure you don’t mind?”
“I never want to keep secrets from you again.”
* * *
Willis took a deep breath and sat down at the table with his brothers and his sister. “You heard me tell Eva that I can’t read.”
“Is it true?” Maddie asked.
“It is.”
“But you read me stories at night sometimes.”
“I only look at the pictures in your book and I make up the story as I go along. I’m not reading.”
“You could have fooled me,” she declared and licked her ice cream.
He saw Eva struggling not to laugh. “I fooled a lot of people. In school I could memorize what the other children read and then repeat it when my turn came. If I had to go first, I couldn’t do it. Like Otto, I misbehaved a lot, hoping the teacher wouldn’t notice. It worked for a while. She thought I was lazy and so did our daed.”
“I guess he yelled at you a lot. He did me,” Otto said quietly.
“He didn’t understand what was wrong with us but he wanted the best for you and for me. I believe that. I wish he was still here so Eva could explain.”
“He understands now,” she said softly.
Willis nodded. “I started skipping school before the end of my last year and went to work in the smithy with my uncle. I didn’t need to read there, and I liked it.”
Harley walked to the front door. “I’ve got to go. Maddie, wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.” He took off at a run.
“What is that boy up to?” Willis asked.
The other two children shrugged. They all walked out onto the porch. Willis slipped his arm around Eva’s waist and pulled her close. She pushed his arm away. “Not in front of the children,” she whispered but she was smiling.
Harley came walking up the drive, leading a black-and-white pony. He stopped at the foot of the steps and waved to Mrs. Arnett. She waved back and pulled away in her truck with a horse trailer hooked on behind.
Harley handed the reins of the pony to Maddie. “I know you miss Popcorn. This is Zip. He’s as sweet as they come and he’s for you.”
“For me?” Maddie squeaked.
“I’ve been working over at her farm so I could buy him from Mrs. Arnett. Willis put shoes on him not long ago so you can ride him now if you’d like.”
Maddie threw her arms around him. “You are the best brother ever!”
“I know. It was Otto’s idea. He can’t read well but he’s the thinker in this family.”
Maddie hugged Otto. “You are the second-best brother in the whole world.”
“Sure, sure. Get up on him and go for a ride.”
Willis lifted her to the pony’s back and settled her feet in the stirrups. She beamed at him and Eva. “I’m going to go show Annabeth.”
Eva pointed up the road. “Fourth farm on the left. There is a path along the edge of the woods so you don’t have to ride out on the highway.”
Willis nodded. “Goot. Okay. You and Bubble have a nice ride.”
“She can’t come. She’s gone to visit her sister in Texas.” Maddie turned Zip around and trotted him along the path that led past the school.
Harley tugged on Otto’s arm. “Come on. We should keep an eye on her in case she decides to ride to Texas and show Bubble her new horse.”
“Where is Texas?” Otto asked as he followed his brother.
Willis didn’t hear Harley’s reply. He turned to Eva and took her hand. Together they walked to the swing set beside the school. She sat down and he gave her a gentle push. He kept her swinging for a few minutes. “Do you want to continue teaching this year?”
She titled her head back to see him. “How did you know?”
“Bubble told me.”
“How could she? She’s in Texas.”
“She mailed me a letter. Speaking of letters, do you want to read the one you wrote to me?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I said some very personal things. I want you to read it for yourself someday.”
“What if I can’t ever do that?”
She put her feet down, hopped off and twisted around to look at him. “You will. It may take a long time and it won’t be easy but I know you will.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because you have a teacher who loves you. Do you mind if I finish out the school year here?”
“Maybe just a little but I know you had your heart set on it. I’ve waited for you my whole life. I can wait until school is out in the spring. But not one week more.”
“I love you for that!” She leaned forward and he had no choice but to kiss her again.
It was much too brief. He foresaw a long winter ahead. “Was your brother serious about becoming a teacher?”
“I think he is. I’ll have him be my helper this year and he can take over next year.”
Willis moved the swing out of the way. “It’s hard to believe this is real.” He reached out and drew his fingers along the curve of her ch
eek. “I’m afraid I will wake and find it has all been a dream. Promise you won’t vanish with the dawn.”
She captured his hand and pressed a kiss into his palm. “I am not a dream. I love you, Willis, with all my heart. For now and forever. I thought this kind of love was found only in books but I was wrong. It’s found in the heart. My heart.”
She slipped her arms around his waist and laid her cheek against his chest.
He sighed deeply as he pulled her close. “I don’t know anything about books or poems. All I know is iron and roaring hot coals. What will we talk about?”
She giggled and rose on tiptoe until her lips were only an inch away from his. “Silly man. Who says we’re going to be talking? I plan on a lot of kissing and being kissed. Like this.” She proceeded to show him just how wonderful a conversation with the teacher could be.
* * *
Healing Their Amish Hearts
Leigh Bale
This book is dedicated to all those faithful couples who love, adore and cherish one another with a loyalty that surpasses anything this life or the dark forces can throw at them. They cling to one another and put the other first, second only to God, and love one another as the Savior taught us to do.
Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord.
—Psalm 127:3
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter One
Starting a new job was never easy. But for Rebecca Graber, it seemed her first week as the interim teacher of the Amish school in Riverton, Colorado, might also be her last.
Standing beside her desk in the one-room schoolhouse, she picked up her McGuffey reader. Thirty old-fashioned wooden desks sat lined up in orderly fashion with a black potbellied stove at the front of the room. A wide chalkboard covered the front wall, topped with English and German penmanship charts and several pull-down maps and illustrations for lessons. Poetry, artwork and Amish proverbs dotted the other walls. Becca had plenty of paper, crayons and flash cards for the children to use. And sitting on her desk was a large handbell she rang when she called the children in from recess.
The Amish Teacher's Dilemma and Healing Their Amish Hearts Page 18
