Ellie's Redemption

by Molly Jebber

  Heat rose to his cheeks. He had to ask two important questions. “Has she committed her life to God? Has she joined the church?”

  “Jah to both your questions, but it doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t trust her.”

  He’d learned firsthand how gossips could tarnish one’s reputation. His family had suffered from embellished stories about his schweschder, Maryann. He’d hoped taking Mamm out of the home they’d once shared with his schweschder in Lancaster and bringing her to a new location would help heal her heart from the hurt they’d suffered as a result of Maryann’s actions. He hoped never to experience such pain again.

  Abigail lowered her chin and gazed up at him. “I hope you won’t judge me for warning you about Ellie. I’m trying to protect you. You’re new in town, and I don’t want you to waste your time on someone who may hurt you.”

  He didn’t believe her. She had an ulterior motive, to shift his focus from Ellie to her. It wouldn’t work. She was forceful, driven, and rude. “Let’s change the subject. I’m sure there’s something else we can discuss.”

  “Kumme to my haus for supper.” She raised her shoulders. “No harm in friends sharing a meal together. I’ll expect you at my haus tomorrow evening around six.”

  Joel gritted his teeth. This girl had the determination of a beaver taking down a tree. Mamm would never let him live it down if he didn’t say jah to her request. He was certain Mamm wouldn’t be convinced he’d given Abigail a fair chance unless he accepted her invitation. The minute he got home, he’d make his disinterest in Abigail known. Then maybe Mamm would quit playing matchmaker when he told her he wasn’t interested in Abigail. “I’ll be there.”

  Abigail swayed from side to side and curled her lips in a satisfied grin. “I hope this will be the first of many visits you’ll make to my haus.”

  He gave her a curt nod and left. Abigail would be hard to avoid at social gatherings and church. Going to her haus for supper to prove to Mamm and to Abigail he’d given the girl a chance might be a mistake. The girl wouldn’t be easy to deter. He shook his head. He’d be polite but direct with her tomorrow evening.

  * * *

  Joel listened to the crunch of dry brown leaves with each step and gazed at the gray clouds. Hot summer weather had left, and the temperature turned cool this twenty-third day of September. Questions about Ellie swirled in his head. Ellie’s answers to Abigail’s warning could ruin any chance of friendship, or perhaps more, with her. He’d hope for the best. First, he had to go to supper at Abigail’s and tell her the truth.

  He worked hard until five thirty and then freshened up, changed clothes, threw his pole and dinted metal box he used to store what he needed in the back of his wagon, and headed to Abigail’s. On the way, he admired the big barns, white homes, and pristine fields. Charm, a quaint small town, had the necessary businesses to supply whatever he needed. He didn’t miss the larger and busy town of Lancaster.

  Joel guided his horse to the hitching post, jumped down, and secured the animal.

  Abigail opened the door and came skipping in his direction.

  “You’re here! Kumme on in.”

  He approached her. Her enthusiasm would make his planned conversation with her after supper awkward. Guilt shuddered through him. Kumming here was a bad idea. “Good evening. Lead the way.”

  She took him inside to the sitting room. “I’ll hang up your coat.”

  He handed it to her. “Danki.”

  Her daed stood and offered his hand. “Call me Ben.”

  A cheerful, round-as-she-was-tall woman appeared. “Joel, I’m glad you could join us for supper. Would you care for some water, coffee, or tea?”

  “Danki. Water would be fine.”

  Abigail gestured for him to sit. “I’ll bring you a glass. You stay and chat with Daed.”

  Mrs. Fisher left the room, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “I’ll be in the kitchen. Ham and beans and cornbread will be ready in a few minutes.”

  Ben settled back in a maple chair with stuffed blue cushions on the back and seat, stretching his long arms. “My dochder tells me you moved here from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. What brought your family to Charm?”

  Abigail returned, handed him a glass of water, and sat a respectable distance from him on the settee. She flashed him a cheerful grin.

  Joel held up his water. “Danki, Abigail.” He then focused on Mr. Fisher. “My grossmudder and grossdaadi died in a haus fire not far from us. My parents wanted a fresh start, and a good friend offered to buy both properties and suggested we consider Charm. He’d visited here a time or two and said the location and smaller size appealed to him.”

  “We love living in Charm. I’m sure you will too.” Ben relaxed and crossed his legs.

  Mrs. Fisher stuck her head in the room. “Time for supper. Take your seats at the table.”

  Joel followed Abigail and her daed. Steam escaped from the large white porcelain bowl centered on the table. The scent of yellow cornbread drifted from the woven basket covered with a thin white cloth. His stomach grumbled. “Mrs. Fisher, danki for preparing this meal. It looks scrumptious.”

  Ben offered a prayer of thanks to God for the food.

  “Call me Lovina. Sit and dig in. We’ve got plenty for two or three additional servings. And Abigail made her special cornbread just for you.” Mrs. Fisher’s rosy cheeks beamed as she handed him the ladle with her calloused hands. “Abigail gushes about your mamm, and I can understand why. I met her at the service, and she is lovely.”

  “She’s fond of Abigail too.” He glanced at the breadbasket. “Abigail, danki for making the cornbread.” Joel passed the ladle to Ben, and then accepted the breadbasket from Lovina. He wished Mamm didn’t like Abigail quite as much as she did. He slathered his cornbread with apple butter. Mamm put on a good front when she chose to. The Fishers would be shocked to learn Mamm had a temper and battled sadness often.

  Ben held a spoonful of ham and bean soup. “Your daed and I had a pleasant conversation before the service Sunday. He said you are a hardworking farmer and he’s blessed to have you working alongside him.”

  “Daed has set a good example for me. He has taught and continues to teach me how to manage crops, livestock, and many other things. I’m grateful to him. We’re close.”

  Daed was his best friend, confidant, and teacher. He admired his patience and devotion to Mamm, in spite of her dismissiveness and lack of interest in him.

  Joel and Ben discussed farming, and Abigail and Lovina listened. He waited for a pause in the conversation and then nodded to Abigail. “Would you like to take a walk?”

  Abigail rested her hand on her mamm’s shoulder. “I’ll help with the dishes first.”

  “You and Joel enjoy your walk. I don’t mind taking care of the dishes. Your daed will help.”

  Ben nodded. “I’d be happy to.”

  Abigail snatched a blanket from the quilt rack and her shawl from the knotty-pine coatrack.

  Joel followed her outside. “Do you want to fish? I brought my pole.” He shrugged into his coat.

  “Bring it. I’ll sit and watch you. We can chat while you fish.” She threw her shawl around her shoulders.

  They walked to the pond across the road and waved to families enjoying the evening sharing picnic suppers and fishing. She spread the blanket, and he pulled a small container out of his tackle box and removed a worm. He readied his pole and cast his line. He felt an immediate tug and reeled in a small bluegill and then released it. “Your parents are easy to talk to, and I enjoyed their hospitality.”

  “I could tell they had a good time with you.”

  His heart pounded in his chest. He set his pole down and sat next to her. “Abigail, danki for inviting me over. I appreciate your friendship.”

  “Friendship?” She crossed her arms and stared at him.

  “I’m sorry, Abigail. I don’t foresee anything more for us.”

  “After what I said about Ellie, you still want to pursue her, don’t you?” />
  His shoulders tensed. “Please don’t bring up Ellie again.”

  “I don’t understand, Joel. Your parents and my parents are happy about our getting together.” She swiped the tear trailing down her cheek.

  “I don’t want to leave you with the wrong impression. I’m sorry, Abigail.” He stood and offered her his hand.

  She didn’t take it. “I’ll get the blanket.”

  He grabbed his fishing pole and waited on her.

  She joined him with the blanket folded in her arms. “I’m going to wait on you, Joel. I believe you’ll find out Ellie isn’t the kind of fraa any Amish man would pursue. Then you’ll kumme back to me.”

  “Please, Abigail, don’t wait for me.”

  They walked back in silence. She stopped by his wagon. “I’ll be here for you if you change your mind.”

  He got in the wagon. The girl was exasperating. “Good day, Abigail.”

  He headed home. Glad each of the five farms between his home and Abigail’s had a lot of acreage, so she didn’t live too close to him. Girls in Lancaster had talked to him, but none had caught his attention the same as Ellie. No sparks flew with Abigail. She insisted on leaving the door open, and she didn’t take no for an answer. He wanted the girl he would consider for a potential fraa to listen to him and for them to solve problems together. Abigail left him with the impression she would always insist on being in charge. To have a fraa speak unkindly of others wouldn’t suit him either.

  He glanced behind him in the wagon bed and moaned. He’d left his tackle box by the pond. Turning his wagon around, he went to retrieve it. Families were gathering their things and getting in their wagons. Ellie and her young brother Peter were walking toward the pond. They must’ve just arrived.

  Ellie waved and motioned for him. “Kumme and join us.” She waited for him to reach them. “Peter, this is Joel Wenger. You probably noticed him at Liza and Daed’s wedding and at the service this past Sunday.”

  Peter looked at him. “I do.” He held up his fishing pole to Joel. “Do you wanna fish with me?”

  “I left my pole in my wagon. Why don’t you fish, and I’ll talk to Ellie and watch you. If you catch a big fish, I’ll gladly help you reel it in.”

  Peter nodded and skipped to the pond. He cast his line.

  “Ellie, please excuse me a minute. I left my tackle box earlier.” He strolled over to get it and returned to her side.

  Ellie patted the spot next to her on the tattered patchwork quilt, then pulled her thin shawl around her shoulders. “Were you fishing earlier? Did you catch anything?”

  He didn’t want her to find out from the gossips about him joining Abigail and her parents for supper and assume he was pursuing the annoying girl. He’d rather she found out what happened from him. “Abigail and I were here earlier after we finished having supper with her parents. We visited more than I fished.”

  Ellie stared at Peter, her eyes sad. “It’s getting cooler outside. Maybe I should take Peter home.”

  Joel noticed her expression was full of disappointment. He’d given her the wrong impression. He wasn’t good at this. “Ellie, please don’t leave. I’m not interested in Abigail. I went to supper to prove to Mamm I had spent enough time with her to know she isn’t for me. Abigail has impressed Mamm, and it’s been difficult for me to not upset her or Abigail.”

  Ellie stared at the pond. “Have you been honest with Abigail?”

  “Jah. I told her I didn’t foresee anything more than friendship with us. She insisted she’ll wait on me. She’s sure I’ll change my mind. The girl is determined.”

  Ellie chuckled. “If you keep your distance, maybe she’ll give up.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Peter skipped to them. “Can I play ball with my friends? They’re right over there.” He pointed to the kinner.

  “Go ahead, but we’ll have to leave soon. Stay where I can watch you.”

  “I will.” Peter cupped his mouth to Joel’s ear. “Talk all you want, and then I’ll get more time to play.”

  Joel laughed. “I’ll do my best.”

  Ellie rolled her eyes. “Peter, I can hear you.”

  Peter shrugged, kissed Ellie on the cheek, and then hurried to join the kinner.

  “He’s a sweet child. You’re good with him.”

  “I’m blessed to have him as a bruder. I went through a difficult time in my life after my mamm passed. His schweschder had passed a short time before we met, and he had been sad and spoke only when necessary. When we met, I reminded him of her in age and appearance. We became fast friends. His mamm died, and she left a letter giving Daed legal guardianship of Peter should anything happen to her. Peter and I shared the deep hurt and loss kumming from losing our mamms. We are helping each other heal.”

  Joel’s heart thumped in his chest. He would be grief-stricken if anything happened to his mamm. He loved her, and she took care of their home. He knew she loved them, even if she didn’t show it in words or hugs. “I’m sorry you both suffered such a painful loss.”

  “Peter has adjusted better than I had anticipated, especially for just being six. Liza and Daed are wonderful with him. I’m sure he reminisces about his mamm and schweschder now and then. My mamm kummes to mind often. She and I were close.”

  He wished he and Mamm were closer. Mamm had been sad and not herself for awhile.

  Peter returned. “My friends are leaving. Joel, will you fish with me?”

  “I’ve got to get home, Peter. It was a pleasure to meet you.” He tousled the boy’s hair.

  “You’ll have to kumme to our haus and meet Snuggles, my rabbit.”

  Joel knelt on one knee. “I’d like to meet Snuggles. You picked a good name for your pet. I wouldn’t have thought of it.”

  “Danki.” Peter stood a little straighter.

  “We should head home, Peter. I don’t want you getting sick in this cooler air.” She gathered their things and bid Joel farewell.

  “Be careful going home.” Joel carried his tackle box and hurried to his wagon.

  He glanced over his shoulder. Peter held Ellie’s hand as they got in their buggy. She and Peter had a special bond. He and Maryann had once shared a similar bond. He envied his friends who had strong relationships with their siblings.

  He went home and took his time taking care of his horse, then went inside. “Good evening.”

  Mamm held her threaded needle and sock. “Did you have a pleasant time with Abigail and her parents?”

  Joel stood tall, feet apart. “Abigail isn’t the girl for me, and I told her we should remain friends.”

  “Joel Wenger, are you mad? The girl is delightful. Why wouldn’t you give her a chance? Is it her parents?”

  “Her parents are kind and gracious. But she’s not the kind of girl I would want to consider for a potential fraa. She makes me uncomfortable with her pushy behavior.”

  Mamm glared at him. “You sure were chummy with Ellie Graber. Mrs. Keim warned me to keep you away from Ellie. She said the girl shouldn’t be trusted. Stay away from her.”

  He was shocked at her outburst, but he wouldn’t take the word of rumormongers. “Ellie’s a sweet girl. We shouldn’t believe the unkind words of others about someone until we know them better ourselves.”

  Daed gave him an understanding nod. “You’re right, Son, and choosing a partner is an important decision. Take your time. The right one will kumme along. One look at your mamm, and I had to get acquainted with her. The more we talked and got together at social functions, the more I fell in love with her.”

  Mamm blushed and kept silent.

  Daed was a gentle soul, and he always came to Joel’s aid.

  “I want what you describe, Daed.” Joel rolled his shoulders and yawned. “It’s been a long day. I’m off to bed.” He left and went to his room.

  Leaving his parents alone might generate a loving conversation between them after Daed’s compliment to Mamm. Daed had loneliness written on his face often, and
Joel prayed they would rekindle the love and laughter in their marriage. His schwescher’s bad decision had changed his mamm, and not for the better. She was worried, frustrated, and brokenhearted. She’d withdrawn from them, and the happy mamm he once knew had changed to a sad and bitter woman. He missed the endearing exchanges, touch of the hand, and closeness they’d shown to one another in the past.

  He wanted to marry a woman who would bring out the best in him and he’d do the same for her. Ellie had lifted his mood the minute he met her. She listened intently and appeared to have a caring heart. Easy to talk to, he enjoyed her company. He was curious to find out more. She was someone he would pursue. He’d deal with whether the gossip about her was true and Mamm’s disapproval much later.

  He knelt and said a prayer to God, undressed, and got in bed. Opening his Bible, he turned to Deuteronomy 31:8. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

  He put his Bible on the side table, slid flat on his back, put his head on the pillow, and stared at the ceiling. He hoped Abigail wouldn’t cause any trouble. He had an inkling she was good at misleading people into believing she was someone she was not. Brash with him, she was kind to Mamm. With her parents, she was sweet and obedient. He didn’t understand her behavior. He was sure she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  Chapter Two

  Ellie worked to concentrate on Peter’s chatter about playing with his friends on the way home, but her mind drifted to Joel. He listened to her, and he’d expressed compassion about the loss of her mamm. Each time they spoke, he impressed her more. She gazed at the horses frolicking in the field as they drove past. Joel hadn’t mentioned anything negative he might have heard about her. She had time to show him she was the kind of girl he’d want to consider. She might get her heart broken when the time came to spill about her transgressions, but she’d take the risk.

  She pulled up next to Daed inside the open barn. “Good evening.”

  Peter jumped out and hugged him. “I fished and played with my friends. Ellie has a new beau. His name’s Joel.” He cupped his hand to his mouth and giggled.