by Amy Clipston
“Danki for driving me home,” she said, breaking the moment in two. She touched his shoulder and pushed open the door. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”
“I can’t wait,” he said. “Gut nacht.”
She climbed out of the buggy and then hurried up the porch steps, her steps so light she felt as if she were floating on a cloud.
Marlene ran into the kitchen and then stopped dead in her tracks when she found her father at the kitchen table, scowling. Anna and Betsy wiped tears from their cheeks as Aenti Feenie and Onkel Leonard looked on, their faces etched with concern.
“What happened?” Marlene asked as her happiness dissolved.
“My cousin Floyd called me earlier today and offered me a job at his shop,” Dat announced.
“What?” Marlene’s voice cracked. “Floyd in Indiana?”
“We’re moving back to Shipshewana next week,” Dat continued. “It’s all set. I’m going to rent a haus from him, and we’re going to—”
“No!” Marlene cried as the floor dropped out from under her. She had to be dreaming. This couldn’t be real!
“No, no, no! I don’t want to go back. I want to stay here.” Marlene gestured around the kitchen as dread poured into her. “We’ve made a life here, and we belong here. We’ve been reunited with this community after all this time. You can’t do this to me. You can’t make me leave.”
“Marlene.” Dat stood and held his hands up. “Please calm down and listen to me. It’s all settled. Floyd is going to pay me a decent salary in Indiana.” His words shot across her nerves like shards of glass, cutting and fraying them.
“No!” Tears rushed down Marlene’s hot cheeks, and she let out a sob. “I don’t want to go. I want to stay here.”
Dat glanced at her aunt and uncle. “I appreciate all that Feenie and Leonard have done for us, but we belong back in Indiana.”
“I don’t! I want to stay here!”
Before Dat could respond, Marlene rushed into the mudroom, grabbed a flashlight from the shelf on the wall, and dashed out the back door into the darkness.
CHAPTER 8
Marlene dropped to her knees in front of her mother’s grave as tears continued to flow down her cheeks. She hadn’t stopped running until she reached the cemetery, then weaved through the headstones until she found her mother’s name.
Reaching up, she ran her fingers over the cool concrete as her heartache rushed through her.
“Mamm,” she whispered, “I need your help. Dat wants to take Anna and me back to Shipshewana, and I want to stay here. It’s comforting to be back here in Bird-in-Hand. I feel closer to you, and not just because your grave is here. The memories of the four of us together as a family make me froh. This is where I belong. This is home.”
She sat back on her heels while pressing her fingers onto the gravestone. “I miss you, Mamm. I miss your voice, your laugh, and your hugs. I miss your patience and your sage advice. For the first time in years, I’m froh. I’ve met someone. I don’t know if you remember Rudy Swarey, but we grew up together. I had a crush on him when we were teenagers, but we were never close. We were barely acquaintances back then, but he’s my freind now. In fact, he’s my best freind, and I think I’m falling in love with him.”
Her own words rang loudly in her ears, and she gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Her heart twisted with renewed grief at the thought of losing him.
“I do love him, Mamm,” she continued. “When I’m with him, I’m happy. In fact, I’m happier than I’ve been in years. He’s different from Colin. He understands me in a way Colin never did. Rudy is handsome, funny, thoughtful, and genuine. I also feel this attraction that I’ve never felt before. Rudy is the man I’ve always prayed to find.”
Her lip quivered as sorrow coursed through her. If only her mother could have seen Rudy and Marlene together.
“And now that I’ve fallen in love—true love, for the first time—I have to say good-bye to him. I don’t know how to do it. Please help me. Please send me a sign. How do I make Dat realize that we belong here? How do I convince him not to take me away from my life here and a possible future with Rudy? Help me, Mamm. Please.”
Hugging her arms to her chest, Marlene leaned forward and sobbed as a wave of anguish pulled her under.
Rudy stepped out of the barn after stowing his horse and buggy and froze. He blinked to make sure he wasn’t imagining Marlene walking up his driveway with a flashlight guiding her way.
“Marlene?” He rushed over to her, and his heart clenched when he spotted tears streaming down her face. “Marlene! Was iss letz?” He reached for her and swiped the tears away with the tip of his finger. “Tell me what’s wrong.” Alarm roared through him as she took deep breaths and sniffed.
“It’s mei dat.” She looked up at him, and her lip trembled. “When I got home, he said he got a job offer back in Shipshewana. His cousin offered him a job and a haus to rent. He wants to go back there, says we belong in Indiana. I ran out of the haus and went to the cemetery to see mei mamm. Then I came here to tell you.”
“No.” Rudy shook his head as dread pooled inside him. “No, you can’t go.”
“I don’t want to go.” She sniffed as more tears leaked from her eyes.
As he examined her tearful face, a new emotion burned through him. He knew in that moment that he loved her.
He truly loved her, and he could not lose her.
He was in love with Marlene Bawell, and he felt it to the marrow of his bones. He couldn’t let her go—not now, not ever.
“You can’t go.” He rested his hands on her shoulders and took a deep breath as determination surged through him. “You can’t leave me, Marlene. I’m in love with you, and I can’t lose you.”
She gasped as she looked up at him. “I love you, too, Rudy.”
He pulled her to him and brushed his lips over hers. The contact sent liquid heat shooting from his head to his toes. Finally he understood. This is what love was supposed to feel like!
When he broke the kiss, she rested her head on his shoulder. “I can’t lose you either, Rudy. Not when I finally have you.”
He searched her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I had a crush on you when we were teenagers.” She gave a little laugh as she wiped at her eyes.
“What?” He gasped. “I never knew you liked me.”
“I know.” She shrugged. “You never noticed me, but I noticed you.”
“I may have been blind back then, but I don’t want to let you go now.”
“Ich liebe dich.” Her words were music to his ears.
“I love you too.” He shook his head. “Look at us. We’re nearly thirty, and we’ve finally found each other. Remember when you said you feel old? Well, I do too.”
“Does that make us late bloomers?” She smiled tenderly, but then it faded. “I hope it’s not too late, Rudy.”
“It isn’t. I refuse to let you go.” He set his jaw as resolve gripped him. “Let’s go talk to your father. We have to convince him to stay.”
“Okay.”
“Let me hitch up my horse.” Threading his fingers with hers, he steered her toward the barn.
“What are you going to say to mei dat to convince him to stay?” Marlene asked as they rode in the buggy to her family’s house.
“I’m not sure.” A muscle in Rudy’s jaw ticked as he kept his eyes trained on the windshield. “Maybe we can ask him if you can stay with your aenti and onkel while he and Anna go back to Indiana.”
Marlene nodded as she considered it. “That might work. I’d miss them, but I could always visit them, and they could visit me.”
“Right.” He gave her a kind glance, then looked back toward the road. “I’m not sure what else I can say unless we just beg him not to go.”
“I pray it works,” she whispered, her heart swelling with hope.
Closing her eyes, Marlene opened her heart to God:
Please, God, don’t make me leave Rudy. I love him and I can’
t endure the thought of losing him. Please convince Dat to let us stay and continue building a life here. Only you can warm his heart.
She opened her eyes as her aunt and uncle’s house came into view. When Rudy halted the horse, she turned to him and touched his hand. “Danki for coming with me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of letting you face this alone.” He brushed his thumb across her cheek. “We’ll get through this together.”
She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. “Thank you.”
Then she pushed open the buggy door and hurried toward the house. Rudy caught up with her and took her hand in his. They walked up the porch steps and in through the mudroom, where they found her father sitting at the kitchen table alone.
“Marlene!” Dat stood, his voice echoing off the kitchen walls. “How dare you run off like that. I was worried sick about you!”
“Elias,” Rudy began, still holding onto her hand. “Please listen to what I have to say.” He glanced at Marlene and then back at Dat. “I’m in love with Marlene, and I don’t want you to go. Please stay here and let us build a life together. You haven’t been here two months yet, so there’s still time for you to make this feel like home again.”
Dat shook his head. “It’s not that simple.”
Onkel Leonard appeared in the doorway. “Actually, it is.”
“What do you mean?” Dat turned to face him.
“What if I offered you a partnership in my business?” Onkel Leonard came to stand beside Dat. “I’ll double your salary, and I’ll help you find a haus to rent. I know of one nearby, and I’ll loan you the money for the deposit. I wanted to offer you this sooner, but you seemed so determined to return to Indiana. We’ve only just been reunited, and I want you to stay. I’d be honored to make you my partner.”
Hope lit in Marlene’s chest as she looked up at Rudy. He nodded at her as if to tell her to keep the faith.
“I couldn’t take more from you, Leonard.” Dat shook his head. “You’ve already done so much.”
“That’s what family is for.” Onkel Leonard sighed. “Feenie and I have always wished we’d done more for you after Rosa Lynn died. Let us help you now.” He offered his hand to Dat. “What do you say?”
Dat hesitated, then took his hand and shook it. “Danki. I’ll accept your offer.”
Marlene clapped as she jumped up and down. “Does this mean we’re going to stay?”
Dat turned to her and nodded. “Ya, I guess it does.”
“Danki! Danki, Dat!” She hugged her father as happiness blossomed in her soul. Then she turned back to Rudy and wove her fingers through his.
Dat cleared his throat and faced Rudy. “And you. Do you have something to ask me?”
“Ya, I do.” Rudy squeezed her hand as he looked at Dat. “I would like your blessing to please date Marlene. She means a lot to me, and I’d like to get to know her better.”
Marlene held her breath as her dat looked between them.
“Ya, you have my blessing,” Dat said, and Marlene blew out the breath she’d been holding. “Well then, I suppose it’s late. You need to get back home, Rudy.”
“I do.” Rudy looked down at her. “Will you walk me outside?”
Marlene held tight to Rudy’s hand as they stepped out onto the porch. “I thought I was going to lose you.”
“You’ll never lose me,” he whispered, his gaze burning down on her and a smile turning up his lips. “I’m so froh right now I think I might explode.”
She laughed as her heartbeat leapt. “I feel the same way.”
“I thought you would never consider dating someone like me.”
“I didn’t think you’d be interested in me,” Marlene admitted. “Aren’t we a pair?”
“Ya, we are.” As her arm reached around his waist, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, sending electric pulses singing through her. She closed her eyes and savored the feel of him.
Rudy leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m so glad you’re my girlfriend. I love you, Marlene.”
“Ich liebe dich,” she said. “Thank you for choosing me.”
As Rudy pulled her close for a hug, Marlene felt overwhelming gratitude—and silently thanked God for helping her find her true home.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.Marlene feels like a stranger when she moves back to Bird-in-Hand after living in Indiana for ten years. Think of a time when you felt lost and alone. Where did you find your strength? What Bible verses would help?
2.Rudy is reluctant to date after his painful breakup with Laura Riehl nearly four years ago. Instead of dating, he tries to convince himself that he doesn’t have feelings for Marlene. What do you think changed his point of view throughout the story?
3.Ada is determined to convince Rudy to get married so she can finally welcome grandchildren into the world. While her intentions are good, she tends to meddle and make Rudy crazy. Can you relate to his feelings toward his mother?
4.After Marlene’s mother died, her father insisted they move away in order to escape the memories. Have you ever faced a difficult loss? If so, where did you find comfort during that time?
5.Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Was it Marlene, Rudy, Elias, Anna, or someone else?
6.Elias decides to stay in Bird-in-Hand at the end of the story. What do you think causes him to change his heart and mind?
7.What role did the store play in the growth of Marlene and Rudy’s relationship?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, I’m grateful for my loving family, including my mother, Lola Goebelbecker; my husband, Joe; and my sons, Zac and Matt.
Special thanks to my mother and my dear friend Becky Biddy, who graciously proofread the draft and corrected my hilarious typos.
I’m also grateful for my special Amish friend who patiently answers my endless stream of questions. You’re a blessing in my life.
Thank you to my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, North Carolina, for your encouragement, prayers, love, and friendship. You all mean so much to my family and me.
Thank you to Zac Weikal and the fabulous members of my Bakery Bunch! I’m so grateful for your friendship and your excitement about my books. You all are awesome!
To my agent, Natasha Kern—I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, advice, and friendship. You are a tremendous blessing in my life.
Thank you to my amazing editor, Jocelyn Bailey, for your friendship and guidance. I’m grateful to each and every person at HarperCollins Christian Publishing who helped make this book a reality.
Thank you most of all to God—for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify you. I’m grateful and humbled you’ve chosen this path for me.
A REUNION OF HEARTS
Beth Wiseman
To Rae of Sunshine, always remembered, never forgotten.
CHAPTER 1
Ruth Beiler stepped out of the red Buick Enclave she’d rented at the airport and pressed her feet on the dewy grass that twinkled in the early-morning light. Her brown loafers sank into the lush green yard where she’d spent her childhood. Memories of wonderful times flooded her mind—playing in the sprinkler with Esther on hot summer days, hosting Sunday singings, collecting eggs, planting a garden, and hanging clothes on the line, only to argue about who would take them down later.
Ruth had missed her family, especially her sister. Esther and Amos had lived in their family home for two years now, since their parents relocated to the daadi haus on the north end of the property. The house had been in the Stoltzfus family for four generations.
Coming back to Lancaster County, even after five years, still fueled the grief Ruth carried around like a cement backpack, an unwanted accessory that would forever be a part of who she was now. Losing a child did that to a person.
She stood in the grass, feet rooted to the ground, as she scanned her surroundings. The barn sported a fr
esh coat of red paint. The chicken coop had been overhauled with new wiring, and there was a wooden house with a ramp inside. Several hens pushed for space to crane their necks out to squawk a disgruntled welcome.
The white farmhouse looked exactly the same. The porch was painted a light gray, and two white rockers rested beside each other with a small table in between. Green blinds in the windows were drawn halfway. The flowerbeds were in full bloom with begonias, lilies, freesia, and daffodils—their mother’s favorite.
Ruth breathed in the familiar scent of the flowers mingled with freshly cut hay and manure. Altogether, the smells of springtime created an aroma Ruth had found herself trying to remember at her new home in Florida.
Like a mirror cracking before her eyes, the pleasant memories broke and fell in pieces, giving way to the dark part of her mind where the pain was still fresh. The sirens, the bright lights on the cars spinning red and blue, and the police marching up the porch steps.
She and Gideon were having supper with Esther and Amos when they received the news that Grace had been killed. Their only child. Beautiful, ten-year-old Grace was riding in a buggy with Mae Beiler, Ruth’s mother-in-law, when she was killed along with her grandmother. Onlookers said a fire alarm sounded nearby, and Mae’s horse got spooked and darted into traffic on Lincoln Highway.
Ruth squeezed her eyelids closed as the images of that night resurfaced, causing tears to fill her eyes. For the week she would be here, she’d promised herself she would try to focus on happy memories and not let her grief overshadow this time with her sister and other family members who were coming from out of state for the reunion.
She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and pictured two little girls playing in the sprinkler not ten feet from where she was standing. It was a technique she learned from her support group, to quickly replace the bad memory with a good one. Ruth would need to practice a lot to get through this week.