Promise at Pebble Creek

by Lisa Jones Baker

  As she gazed up at him, she knew that true love was rare. And at that very moment, she knew, without a doubt, that they had it. She felt it throughout her entire body; the realization was so strong, it was a part of her. It didn’t matter that neither had confessed that love. Still, he was Englisch. And she was Amish.

  And the difference between the two was much more involved than merely liking different flavors of ice cream. But there was another thing Marcus wasn’t aware of. And that was talk of his possible involvement in the robbery. Something she was determined to end.

  “Hannah, I have this emotional connection to my dad. It’s Chevrolets. Ya see, when he was alive, cars were our common interest. The bond that made us close. We even put a new engine in an old Camaro together. And to give that up . . .”

  Sadly, she understood where he was coming from. “Marcus, I wouldn’t ever want you to make a decision that your heart couldn’t go along with. I guess, well, it would be like me joining a faith that didn’t allow me to read adventure books.”

  He laughed.

  She joined in the laughter. “We’re so serious today.”

  “I know. Do you think God will find a way for us to be together?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. Because I only see two options. That you become Amish. Or that I be Englisch. And I think that if either of us changed, we’d be giving up a huge part of ourselves.”

  “You think Old Sam would’ve had a solution?”

  The question prompted the corners of her lips to curve upward. “Jah. I do. He got answers from reading the Bible. Marcus, tonight, before you go to bed, would you ask Gott if there’s a way for us to be together?” Before he could say yes or no, she added, “And I’ll do the same.”

  He lifted his palms to the sky with a helpless expression. “Maybe God led me here to talk to you.”

  His sincerity warmed her heart. For some reason, she was sure that what he’d just said was true. Looking around, she stopped and smiled at him before her gaze wandered up the top of the hill.

  “History was made up there,” she said in a soft voice.

  He smiled a little. “Then we’d better venture up there to experience it.”

  The idea made Hannah sigh with relief.

  He motioned in the direction of the hill. “After you.” He hesitated. “But what if the rain starts early?”

  She shrugged. “We’ll be okay.”

  Hannah stepped ahead of him before he joined her.

  “It’s beautiful here. Even with the sun behind the clouds.”

  She glanced up at him. To her surprise, there was an expression on his face that she’d never seen before. Light lines edged the corners of his eyes. His jaw was set. She changed her focus to the ground, careful not to lose her footing on the unlevel terrain.

  In silence, they walked for some time, occasionally glancing down at the sprawling stream. Hannah began to relax. She pointed. “I’ve told you a little bit about Pebble Creek.”

  He gently bumped into her as he changed his path to avoid a stone. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine.” A mélange of stories about what had happened on this very hill floated through Hannah’s mind until she parted her lips in awe.

  “So Old Sam owned Pebble Creek, and now that he’s gone, it belongs to his great-niece. Is that true?”

  Automatically, she nodded. “Jah. It’s such a long story; in fact, Pebble Creek is really a number of stories. And at the end, they all spell true love.”

  “We talked a little about Old Sam when we washed the dishes after we ate dinner at Ben’s. I’d like to hear more.”

  “I never knew his wife, Esther. I’ve heard a lot about her.”

  “Oh?”

  “Old Sam Beachy was something of a legend. He lived to be just over a hundred.”

  The pitch of Marcus’s voice lifted in surprise. “You don’t say.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Hannah paused for a moment as she stopped to tuck a hair back under her kapp. Next to her, Marcus stopped, too. While she shoved the strand under the covering, she heard Marcus expel a satisfied breath.

  She looked up at him and smiled a little. “It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?”

  He nodded as they stepped upward. “It is. And now you’ve got me hooked on Old Sam and Esther Beachy. I can’t wait to hear what happened to them.”

  “I’ll tell you,” Hannah said as she swung her hands back and forth to pick up speed as the hill steepened. “Esther went to the Lord years ago, but Old Sam talked about her all the time. Especially while he made hope chests.”

  “I did hear something about that.”

  “Jah. Years ago, when he lost Esther, Annie, Rachel, and Rebecca tried everything they could to make sure he was okay. And because of that, he loved the three like they were his own.”

  “What did they do to help him?”

  “Rebecca Sommer; now it’s Rebecca Conrad . . .”

  “Yes, I met her at church. Lovely lady.”

  “She took him fresh flowers. Annie Mast, now she’s Annie Miller, baked him sponge cakes, because Esther wasn’t around to do it. And Rachel, she married Doc Zimmerman; he’s the vet everyone around here relies on . . . she listened to his horse-and-buggy stories.”

  Marcus chuckled. “Sounds like Old Sam was a lucky man.”

  Hannah grinned at the thought of the three trying to take care of him. “I think so. Anyway, those three supposedly were recipients of the most beautiful hope chests Sam ever made.”

  “I believe you. But what is it that made his hope chests special?”

  “It wasn’t the actual chests; it was the lids. I think I told you, Old Sam was extremely talented at etching designs into the wood. His carvings actually looked real.”

  “Interesting.”

  “And he designed lids for people all over the United States. Personalized lids; for example, Annie’s had a sponge cake recipe. Rebecca’s was a bouquet and Rachel’s was a horse and buggy.”

  Marcus stopped for a moment. Hannah did, too, and she put her hands on her hips while she caught her breath.

  “Marcus, the top of this hill was a very special place for Old Sam. The story goes that he’d made Esther a very special gift to celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary.”

  “What a blessing, Hannah.”

  “Well, unfortunately, Esther passed before that day. But Old Sam wanted to make the occasion really special, so he hid her gift.” Hannah swallowed an emotional knot. “At the top of Pebble Creek.”

  In silence, the two stood next to each other while the sun smiled down on them. Hannah closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the warmth. As she pondered Old Sam putting so much love into a present for his beloved wife, a tear of joy started down her cheek, but she caught it with her hand.

  Marcus spoke in a softened voice. “I can already feel the special ambience of this place.”

  She turned to him. “Jah?”

  “Uh-huh. Hannah, this is a very special day for both of us. In fact, already I have so much appreciation for Pebble Creek and what it meant to Old Sam. I’ve no doubt he was a good mentor.”

  The observation took Hannah by surprise, and she stopped to look at him. “That’s interesting.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve heard Old Sam referred to as many wonderful things, but it’s the first time I’ve ever heard the word ‘mentor’ associated with him. But you’re right. He mentored Annie, Rebecca, and Rachel . . .” She threw her hands in the air as a honeybee buzzed close to them. “And so many more people.”

  In silence, they continued stepping up the hill. For a moment, Hannah stopped to catch her breath. Automatically, she turned to look down at where they’d started. Marcus did the same.

  He let out a low whistle. “Now that’s something ya don’t see in the city.”

  Hannah laughed. “I don’t imagine you would.” A few moments later, she softened her pitch to a more serious tone. “You really love it here, don’t you?”

 
An odd combination of happiness and sadness filled his eyes. She understood why he’d be happy. At Pebble Creek, who wouldn’t? She didn’t want to pry, but suddenly, she guessed that the sadness in his expression must have to do with why he’d ventured here for a walk. After all, Pebble Creek wasn’t exactly in his backyard.

  As they stood in a comfortable silence, he glanced down at her.

  A long silence ensued while she studied Marcus. The lines around his mouth finally relaxed, and he smiled a little. “You’re good for me, Hannah.”

  She tried to understand why.

  He went on to explain, “You’re the epitome of what a Christian should be.” He lifted his palms to the sky and gave a defeated shake of his head. “We have to forgive, don’t we?”

  She nodded.

  “I guess that being a Christian is so new to me, I’m slowly realizing exactly what it means to follow Christ. And now I clearly see that it’s not always going to be easy to do that.”

  “I know people in our church who struggle to forgive. Marcus, pray for help. Sometimes we just can’t do what’s expected of us on our own. But that’s what faith and prayer are all about.”

  At the same time, they began taking slow steps up the hill again. Hannah decided to share some of Old Sam with Marcus. She spoke softly as she looked up at the top of the hill.

  “Marcus, Gott makes all things possible. That’s what Old Sam always said. And even after he lost his four sons and his wife, he never complained.”

  Catching her breath, she held up the bottom of her dress to avoid tripping in a place where the earth dipped. In the process, she bumped into Marcus.

  “Sorry about that.”

  “You’re fine. But please . . . go on. Tell me more about Old Sam.”

  “He loved animals, Marcus.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Uh-huh. I’m told he always had at least one horse. As well as a dog, squirrels, and basically any furry creature who needed him. And he spoiled them rotten.”

  Marcus laughed. “I like him already. And I’ve never even met him.” After a thoughtful silence, he lifted the pitch of his voice to a more optimistic one. “I wish I could meet Old Sam, Hannah. It sounds like he had a lot of wisdom.”

  “Jah, he did. In fact, word has it that when Annie Mast was about to lose Levi Miller, she went to Old Sam for advice. He gave it. She followed it. And in the end, the two married.”

  Hannah would give anything to ask Old Sam what to do. Because she couldn’t picture Marcus giving up the life he’d always had, including a car and a cell phone, to join the Amish faith. And she knew that in her heart, she could never be anything but who she was.

  Hannah Lapp, an Amish country girl, wanted more than anything to marry within her church, and although Marcus was a true believer, trying to follow the path Christ had paved for him, she couldn’t imagine any life other than what she had. Growing old within the Amish church with all the families she’d known forever.

  They continued walking. Hannah sensed that something serious was on Marcus’s mind. She was dying to know what it was; maybe she could help. At the same time, she didn’t want to pry.

  Maemm had once told her that loving someone meant being there for them, even with no words said. And oftentimes, Hannah had been told, it was best not to ask. When the loved one was ready to talk, they would come to you.

  Marcus lightened the pitch of his voice to a more upbeat tone. “You think Sam’s anniversary gift for Esther is still buried at the top of this hill?”

  Hannah’s heart warmed as she recalled the beautiful story. She couldn’t wait to share it with Marcus.

  “You want to hear what happened?” Before he could answer, she went on. “It’s pretty amazing.”

  At the same time, they stopped. Hannah put her hands on her hips. “We’re almost there.”

  “And I can’t wait to hear it!” Curiosity edged his voice.

  They resumed their pace. “I don’t know every single detail, but the story goes that dear Old Sam loved Esther so very much, he decided to give her something very unique and special for their sixtieth wedding anniversary.”

  Marcus whistled. “Six decades of marriage.” His body touched Hannah’s as he stepped around a bump in the ground. As he got back into step at her side, she immediately missed the comforting feel of his nearness.

  She was fully aware of the strict rules of her church, which wouldn’t permit her to even hold hands with a single man, let alone someone who wasn’t of their faith; yet, his gentle touch sent a comfortable, it-will-be-okay sensation up her arms that landed in her shoulders. She didn’t shrug to rid herself of the welcome sensation. On the contrary, she wanted to savor it for as long as she could. His presence alone reminded her of a protective shield. She trusted him.

  “You were saying?”

  She thought for a moment to choose her words. “Old Sam . . . he did something so romantic for their sixtieth, like I said.” She turned to him and lifted a hand to the sky. “I just want to remind you that, unfortunately, Esther went to the Lord before that day.”

  “So, of course, she never opened the present.”

  Hannah shook her head. “No. But he made something. . . actually, you would expect it to be a hope chest, but it wasn’t.”

  “What was it?”

  “I’m not exactly sure, but anyway, here’s what I’ve heard. Old Sam, you see, never did anything that wasn’t extraordinary. So he decided to bury his gift for her.”

  Marcus glanced at her to go on.

  “You won’t believe this, but he hid her special gift at the very top of this hill. And . . .” Excitement made Hannah’s words come out faster and faster as the story came from her. “He even left clues to where it was.”

  “So . . . let me get this straight. If Esther passed away before their anniversary, the gift remains hidden?”

  “For a long time, it did. But something else that’s kind of miraculous happened.”

  Marcus laughed. “This is quite a story, Hannah. You’re sure you’re not making this up?”

  Before she could respond, he grinned. “Just kidding. But who’d have imagined something like this could have happened here . . .” He extended his arms in front of him. “In this small, country community.”

  A big smile lifted the corners of her lips as she agreed with him. “Old Sam left a will.” She cleared a knot from her throat. “Long story short, his great-niece found his hidden note to Esther and became so engrossed in finding the gift he’d made, she found it.” Hannah pointed to the top. “Right up here.”

  “I wonder what it would be like, finding someone you loved so very much that you’d spend nearly sixty years with them.”

  Hannah’s breath caught. For some reason, she’d been so engrossed in her story, the observation Marcus had just made took her by surprise. Because it was something she’d never really thought of.

  “Don’t you wonder, too?”

  Hannah softened her voice. “It would be a miracle.” She contemplated everlasting love and a breathless sigh escaped her throat. “But Gott’s all about love. And I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that He would bless two of his best followers with so many years together.”

  At the top, they stopped. Together, they looked down at two sitting stones.

  Hannah motioned to him and carefully hiked up the bottom of her dress as she sat down on one. Marcus sat down next to her on the other.

  As they looked down at the beautiful creek that wound its way through the area, Marcus spoke in a low voice. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

  “Me neither, Marcus.” After a slight pause, she eyed him with a lifted brow. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the theft.”

  “Do the police have any leads?”

  Hannah shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of.” With a soft, concerned tone, she added, “Marcus, I’m really concerned that whoever robbed King’s Bakery hasn’t been caught. We don’t know who it was, or if they plan to rob again. I’ve
been thinking that I need to take things into my own hands. I think it’s time I try to catch whoever it is.”

  Marcus held up a hand to stop her. “Whoa, Miss Hannah.”

  After a pause, he went on in the most logical tone he could. “I know you’re a smart woman and that you make your own decisions. And I have no doubt that you’re probably savvy enough to catch whoever broke into the bakery. But I don’t want you trying to do something so dangerous. Please, Hannah. Let the police do their job.”

  She studied him for a moment, then smiled in agreement. “I will, Marcus.” Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze to the floor before lifting her chin to look at him. “I like it that you’re protective.”

  He turned to her, and emotion filled his voice as he looked at her. “Thank you, Hannah. That’s a load off my mind.”

  They sat in silence while the warm breeze fanned the backs of their necks. The landscape beneath them was like a beautiful picture, with the creek winding its way through the countryside.

  “There’s something about this very spot . . .” He motioned to the stones. “That’s making me feel something I’ve never experienced before in my life.”

  Hannah’s heart thumped in anticipation as she waited for him to go on. She yearned to share everything with him. Every secret. Every fear. Every dream.

  But despite their growing bond, there was a stronger barrier that would prevent her from ever being his life’s partner. He wasn’t of the Amish faith. And the way she lived and worshipped her Lord and Savior were two things she’d never, ever give up.

  But maybe Gott wanted her to be with Marcus . . . even if she had to part from her faith. After all, believing was what Christianity was all about. So, was she being selfish? Should she consider breaking from the only way of life she knew to have true love?

  * * *

  While they sat at the top of Pebble Creek, an ache filled Marcus’s chest. Why were his heartstrings pulling so hard? He narrowed his brows as he tried to reason things out. The ache was a combination of pain and of joy.

  All that he’d learned about the Arthur community raced through his mind. He thought of Old Sam’s gift to Esther. Her death before he could let her find it. Of Hannah assuring him that she’d leave finding the King’s Bakery thief to the police. And finally, the sweet story Hannah had shared with him. Of what she yearned for.