by Molly Jebber
Toby rested his hands on his hips. “I enjoyed putting everything in order.”
Andrew clapped him on the shoulder. “Would you like to kumme with me to the woodshop?”
Toby nodded, followed him, and stepped inside the large space. “You have this shop outfitted with anything a person would need for handcrafting pieces. Do you have time to teach me how to build a chair or table? I haven’t built any furniture, but I’m interested in learning the craft.”
He was encouraged by Toby’s enthusiasm. “Since the farm equipment is in good shape, winter is the best time for us to work together on building pieces. You can consign what you make with Mr. Kline, and I’ll take half the profit for the materials.”
Toby rubbed his hands together. “You don’t have to. The training you give me is payment enough.”
“No, I insist. It will make the craft more fun for you.” Andrew showed him how to construct a simple crate. “Draw your design for size and then select the scrap lumber to do your project. After you have managed to construct a good solid crate, then I’ll teach you how to do something harder.”
“I’m eager to start.” Toby picked up a sharpened pencil and drew his design, chose his wood, and explained to Andrew what he understood he was to do to accomplish his task.
Andrew sanded and smoothed the edges of the hardwood shelf he’d constructed a couple of days ago and then lifted his brush to paint it.
Toby worked for the next hour and then lifted his small crate. “What do you think?”
Andrew took the crate from him and studied the angles. “Excellent work.” He checked the clock. “Time for you to head home. Would you like to take the crate with you?”
Toby grinned. “Danki. I need one.” He accepted his creation from Andrew. “Is there anything more you’d like me to do before I leave?”
Andrew shook his head. “No. You’ve done a good job today. I made the right decision hiring you. I’ll show you how to build a small table tomorrow. Do you have a friend who might like to join us? Someone you know who may be interested in handcrafting furniture?”
“No. I haven’t had time for friends between taking care of Daed and chores. But I don’t mind. My family is my first priority, and I like taking care of them. I’d love to stay and talk, but I’ve got to go. Goodbye, Andrew.” Toby strolled to the door.
“Goodbye. Danki for your help today.” He liked Toby’s eagerness to learn and his taking initiative to organize the barn. Toby wasn’t much younger than himself, and he enjoyed his company.
He locked the woodshop and hurried to the haus to change his clothes for his supper with Maryann and then drove to her haus. There was the love of his life waiting on him outside. He jumped out and helped her into the buggy. His heart beat faster sitting next to her. “I would’ve kumme in and spoken with your parents and held Betsy for a couple of minutes. You didn’t have to wait in the cold.”
“I fed Betsy, and Mamm was rocking her to sleep.” She sighed. “I can’t believe she’s thirteen months already. Daed is snoring in his chair.” She chuckled.
“I can’t understand how you do it. You work all day, kumme home and take care of little Betsy, and look beautiful no matter what time of day it is.” He covered her lap with the wool blanket, and Maryann tucked the edges under her legs.
She rolled down the heavy curtain and tied it closed to keep the wind out of the buggy. “You flatter me, Andrew. And I don’t mind.” She grinned. “How was your meeting with the Fergusons?”
“I found out some disturbing news on the way there. Wally told me his daed isn’t fond of the Amish. I was surprised and prepared myself for the worst.”
“Did we make a mistake? Should we have alerted the sheriff?” Maryann gripped the blanket.
He shook his head. “No. We did the right thing.”
“Did Wally lie about what he did?”
“He did, but I insisted he tell his daed the truth. He was reluctant, but then he confessed what he had done to his daed. His daed was upset Wally fibbed and thanked me for not reporting him to the sheriff. We parted without dissention. Our meeting may have him reconsider his negative attitude about us. You have more exposure to the Englischers, working at the bakery, than I do. I hadn’t considered being Amish might be a problem.”
“We’ve been fortunate. Wally is the first one to give me any trouble since Hannah and Ellie have stopped working at the bakery. They told me stories about dealing with some rude customers. But Wally or their stories didn’t put me off about working at the bakery. I enjoy it. The sheriff is a friend, and he would be happy to help. I trust him. He came to the bakery at his usual time after you left, but I didn’t mention the incident to him. I would prefer to handle these situations like you did with the Fergusons.”
“Bishop Fisher likes us to settle our differences among ourselves, and I agree with him when we can and not put ourselves in danger. I would rather you had told the sheriff if I had not kumme along. I don’t want you to take any chances.”
“I like your being protective of me.” She blushed.
“Good. I plan to protect you for a long time.” He drove to the restaurant. “Danki for recommending Toby to me. He’s doing a good job. He organized my barn, and we worked together in the woodshop. I enjoy his company.”
“Rachael’s thankful he’ll have you as a friend. She said she wishes he’d take time to cultivate friendships with other men and find time to choose and court a woman.”
“He’s in a rough spot with his father being ill, and he wants to spend his free time with him. I’m sure he’s afraid he might not have much longer with his daed.” Andrew parked the buggy and hopped out to assist Maryann.
He followed Maryann inside the restaurant and the waitress seated them at a table not far from the crackling fireplace. Andrew pulled out Maryann’s chair for her. He turned to the waitress. “Danki. This is perfect.”
The bubbly young Englischer held her small pad of paper and a pencil. “This is our best table. It’s away from the other tables and provides warmth from the fire. I’m glad you’re pleased. We have meatloaf and whipped potatoes; ham, beans, and cornbread; or chicken and stuffing with mixed vegetables. What would you like to drink?”
“I’ll have hot tea, danki. Maryann, would you like some?”
She nodded. “Yes, please.”
“I’ll get your hot teas while you ponder what you’d like for supper.” She left them and went to the kitchen. She returned a short time later with the cups of hot tea, a cup of cream, and a small bowl of sugar, and served them. “What are you having this evening?”
Andrew gazed into Maryann’s eyes. “I’m having the meatloaf and whipped potatoes. What about you?”
She grinned. “The same. Danki.”
He sat back. He’d fallen in love with her a short time after they met. He’d been captivated by her beauty and kindness. “Maryann, in the couple of months we’ve been talking, I’ve fallen in love with you. I hope my revealing this to you won’t scare you off.”
“Scare me off? No, just the opposite. I love you, Andrew. The first time you came into the bakery and persisted in making sure we’d meet again, you captured my interest.”
He stretched his hand out to cover hers and then retracted it. This wouldn’t be proper or the Amish way. He let go of his inhibitions when he was around her. She was captivating. His heart danced in his chest, and he didn’t want to wait much longer to call her his fraa. “I would’ve waited if you had not felt the same. I’m glad you didn’t allow your unhappy marriage with Gerald to taint your view on finding love again. After what you’ve been through, I admire you for opening your heart to me.”
“I wanted to fall in love and marry again and find a suitable daed for Betsy. I’m happy we found each other.”
The waitress delivered their food and moved to the next table.
Andrew and Maryann bowed their heads. Andrew offered a prayer to God for the food. He inhaled the aroma of the large slice of meatloaf. He dipped h
is spoon in the rich brown gravy on top of the heap of whipped potatoes. He took a bite. “This is delicious.”
She wiped her lips with the red checkered cloth napkin. “This is scrumptious.”
Andrew sensed her family liked him. He didn’t expect they’d have any misgivings about him, but he didn’t want to assume. “I’ve talked and gotten closer to your parents, and also Joel and Ellie after the services and at socials. Do they have any reservations about you and me?”
She shook her head. “They like you. Before Ellie got acquainted with you, she was skeptical and had questions. She loves us, and she’s overprotective. She lived in the outside world, where she met Englischers who brought trouble to her life. She also met caring Englischers who became her friends. She’s put her past behind her and is a wonderful fraa to Joel, and she’ll be an excellent mamm to their kinner. She’s given us her stamp of approval, and she’s the toughest one to win over.”
He chuckled. “She is inquisitive. But I could tell she loves you, and you’re blessed to have a schweschder-in-law who cares about you. I’ve had friends say they tolerate their in-laws.”
“She’s a blessing. I’m not sure Joel would’ve answered my letter by kumming to get me if it hadn’t been for Ellie’s prompting. She and I connected at our first meeting. We became fast friends.” Maryann sipped her tea.
Andrew told her about building projects he had in mind, and Maryann told him about her day at the bakery while they finished their supper. He liked discussing their work with each other. He couldn’t be happier with her. He checked the clocks for sale on a shelf on the wall. It was almost seven thirty. He should take her home. She had to get up earlier than he did in the morning. Andrew paid the bill, escorted her to his buggy, and covered her legs with the wool blanket. He got in and headed to her haus. “Looks like we’ll get another inch of snow.”
Maryann pulled her cape closer. “I worry about my parents in this weather. Mamm catches chills and fevers more often than the rest of us. She frets about the smallest things. She can go from sad to angry and jump to happy in a matter of minutes. I love her, and I regret the time I spent away from her. She’s wonderful for Betsy, and I’m looking forward to having Mamm around to help me teach Betsy how to quilt and make dresses. She’s better at those things than me.”
Andrew drove about eight minutes out of town and pulled to a stop in front of her haus. He’d known from the minute he laid eyes on her she was the one for him. She might need more courting time. He’d take the chance and find out. “Do you mind if I kumme in? I won’t stay long. I’d like to speak to your daed about an important matter.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll tell you after I speak with him.” Andrew got out, and she accepted his hand to exit the buggy. “Ellie and Joel are here. Their mare is hard to miss with its unusual brown and white spots.”
“Ellie likes to bring them supper. She’s like a hen taking care of her chicks. She’s always doing things for us.”
Her parents sat next to the fire. Joel had on his coat and Ellie had on her heavy black cape. Ellie cocked her head. “We stayed as long as we could to try and catch Maryann. Andrew, we’re glad you’re here, too. How was supper at the corner restaurant?”
Maryann grinned. “It was magnificent. Meatloaf and whipped potatoes. I’m glad you’re here. Your cheeks are rosy, and you’re chipper. Are you nauseous in the mornings?”
Ellie beamed. “Nope. I need to put the fork down. I’m hungry most of the time.” She grinned. “I can’t wait to hold this little one.” She rubbed her protruding stomach.
Mamm grinned. “She and Joel didn’t leave any chicken and dumplings on their plates. And Ellie had two pieces of vanilla cake. But I’m not complaining. I told her to enjoy it.”
Daed patted his stomach. “I enjoyed two pieces.”
Mamm raised her brows. “I didn’t notice you had another piece.”
“When you stepped out of the kitchen, I cut another piece and put it on top of the one I had, and then I didn’t waste any time devouring them both.” He chuckled.
They laughed.
Joel put his hand on Ellie’s back. “With this unpredictable weather, we’d better head home. Wilkom.” He shook Andrew’s hand.
Ellie smiled at Andrew. “Take good care of my schweschder-in-law.”
“I plan to.” Andrew gestured them to stay. Ellie and Joel would appreciate what he had to say. “Can you wait a minute?”
Her parents and Joel and Ellie stared at him. He cleared his throat. “I’d like Maryann’s family’s permission to ask her to marry me.”
Daed put his hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “I approve, Andrew. She’s been cheerful all the time since she’s met you.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you!” Maryann bounced on her toes.
Her mamm had happy tears. She clapped hands to her cheeks. “Wilkom to the family, Andrew.”
Ellie narrowed her eyes. “It’s kind of soon. You’ve only been seeing each other several months.”
Andrew froze.
Joel frowned at her. “Ellie, what more does this man have to do to prove to you he loves Maryann? He’s answered your one thousand questions, and you can’t find anything wrong with him.”
Andrew, Maryann, and her family laughed.
Ellie winced. “Sorry, Andrew. They’re right. I’m delighted for you both. Planning a wedding will be fun.” Ellie squeezed Maryann’s hand.
Joel ushered his fraa to the door. “Ellie, you’ll have plenty of time to plan this wedding with Maryann. Right now, I’ve got to take you and our unborn boppli home.”
Joel and Ellie hugged his parents, then Maryann and Andrew, and advanced outside to their buggy.
“Andrew, I had no idea you’d propose tonight. I’m shocked and ecstatic you did.” Maryann beamed.
His heart thumped with joy. He couldn’t wait to have her as a partner. He loved her family. He’d been alone, and being accepted by them gave him a sense of belonging. “Ellie had me worried for a moment.”
“She had me holding my breath. I’m relieved Joel set her straight. If he hadn’t, I would have. I don’t want anything or anyone to stand in our way.” She gazed at him with loving eyes.
“I’m glad your family approved. I would’ve been embarrassed and speechless if they hadn’t. More importantly, I’m happy you were ready. I was afraid I might be asking you to marry me too soon.”
“I’m ready.” Maryann held clasped hands under her chin.
Her daed stood and beckoned her mamm. “We approve. Kumme on, fraa of mine, we should let this young couple have some privacy. I could use a cup of hot chocolate.”
Naomi Wenger moved to stand beside him. “So happy for you both.”
Andrew watched them head for the kitchen. “Maryann, I’m the happiest man on earth right now. Do you have a calendar?” He didn’t want to wait another minute to get plans rolling and arrive at their wedding date. Each day they’d talked, laughed, and discussed serious matters, he’d fallen deeper in love with her. He wished they could exchange their vows tomorrow.
She crossed the room, pulled open a drawer, and removed a calendar. She joined him and pointed to May fourteenth. “What do you think of this date?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Why not April second?”
“You and our friends and family will be busy with planting. I’d like for as many as possible from the community to attend.” She cocked her head. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m as anxious as you are for us to wed. I’m considering the best time for everyone.”
He tapped a finger to his chin in deep thought. “I’ll settle for May fourteenth.”
“Are you sure? What about planting?” She tilted her head.
Andrew grimaced. “Amish are always busy. I’m for a May wedding.”
Maryann marked the calendar. “You win. May fourteenth is the date, as long as the bishop has it open on his calendar.”
“I’m not sure if I can wait that long to call you my fraa.” Andrew reached
for her hand. “I’ll ask the bishop tomorrow to mark the date on his calendar, and I’ll kumme to the bakery and let you know if it’s confirmed.” He would move the date up if Bishop Fisher didn’t have May fourteenth available, even if it was planting season. “I should head home and let you get to bed.” He pulled her close and gently kissed her lips. “I love you, Maryann.” He opened the door, hurried to his buggy, and headed home, shivering under the wool blanket. He was glad to have his kerosene lanterns to provide light on his way home, and he was thankful his home wasn’t too far from Maryann’s parents’ place.
* * *
Andrew poured Toby a cup of hot coffee and carried it to the barn Thursday morning. “You’re earlier than usual.”
Toby was almost an hour before his regular starting time. He handed Toby the mug.
“Danki. It’s a relief to have a regular job, and I like taking care of your place and livestock.”
“I proposed to Maryann last night, and she agreed to marry me. I’m sure she’s told your schweschder and Magdelena this morning at the bakery.”
Toby grinned. “Congratulations, Andrew.” He cocked his head. “I’m surprised. You and Maryann have had a short courtship. How did you know she was the one for you?”
“The moment I saw her in the bakery the day we met, I was drawn to her. We had a strong connection. And we didn’t waste time with small talk. We discussed our pasts and our likes and dislikes early on. She’s smart, kind, funny, stubborn, and a sweetheart. I can’t imagine my life without her. Believe me, when you know, you just know.”
“I can tell the way you talk about her that you’re in love. I wish you both the best.” Toby gave him an approving smile.
“Danki. I’ll visit Bishop Fisher a little later and then go to the bakery to tell Maryann what he says about the date we chose.”
“When is the wedding?”
“Thursday, May fourteenth. Mark your calendar. I expect you there.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
Andrew clamped his hand on Toby’s shoulder. “How old are you? You can’t be much younger than me. I’m twenty-two. You should consider a woman to court. Don’t you want to find the right girl and get married?”