The Teacher (Amish Country Brides)

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  “Eight should be fine. The scholars arrive between eight and eight thirty.”

  “I’ll come at ten till eight, then.”

  “I can’t wait.” Martha smiled.

  “The weather is so nice here. It isn’t as humid as Pennsylvania.”

  “Nee, it isn’t, but it does get humid when the temperatures rise. And you’ve got to look out for tornados here. Does your bruder’s house have a basement?”

  “You know, I’m not sure. I thought everybody out here had basements.”

  “Many do, but not everyone. I’m glad our house has one.”

  “Have you ever had to use it during a tornado?”

  “Mostly not, but a couple of times we did when it got real stormy and the sky was making strange noises.”

  “Ach, I think I might too if I heard the sky talking to me.” He chuckled.

  “We usually just enjoy the storms, though. Sit outside on the porch and watch them. There’s some pretty fantastic lightning. One time, it hit one of the trees. The thunder was so loud and it shook the whole house.”

  “Yikes.”

  “Jah, I’m glad it didn’t strike our home.”

  “Me too.”

  “Kayla, Silas’s fraa, said they hardly ever got any storms in the area she was from in California. And never thunder and lightning like out here. I think the storms here might scare her sometimes.”

  “No thunder and lightning?”

  “Well, yes some. But it just wasn’t as boisterous or as frequent as it is here.”

  “I think I hear a buggy coming up the road. Do you think it might be Timothy and Bailey?”

  “There’s a gut chance. We should probably go back now.”

  “In a minute.” He pulled her behind a tree. “You need a kiss first.”

  “I do, huh?” She grinned.

  “Jah. You most definitely do.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Jaden and Martha stayed out a little longer than they anticipated, so Bailey and Timothy beat them to the house. They were sure to put proper distance between them before entering the Millers’ home. Hopefully, the family hadn’t begun supper without them.

  “Onkel Jaden!” A smile burst out on Bailey’s lips the moment she spotted him coming through the door.

  “How’s my oldest niece?”

  “As much trouble as ever.” Her husband Timothy teased. Jaden noticed his faint blond facial hair had begun filling in.

  “He’s right.” Emily joined the conversation. “She’s been a bear lately.”

  “I have not.” Bailey protested, fastening her arms over her chest.

  “You have too. Don’t deny it.” Emily set a loaf of bread on the table, along with some sliced meat. “Kumm sit. It’s ready now.”

  Martha’s family, along with Jaden, Timothy, and Bailey, all sat quietly around the table while Martha’s father said the silent prayer. As soon as he cleared his throat, the food was passed around to each person.

  “This corn is gut.” Bailey’s father commented.

  Jaden smiled. “When do you all leave for the mission?”

  Bailey groaned. “Let’s not talk about the mission.”

  “It’s still a gut thing, even if you’re not going,” Susan said. She glanced at Jaden. “We leave in about three weeks.”

  “Ach,” Emily gasped. “Did you hear what Silas said about Josiah’s church?”

  Her father chuckled. “I don’t think Josiah Beachy has a church.” He winked at his youngest dochder.

  “You know what I mean, Dat. Bishop Detweiler’s church, whatever.” Emily sighed. “They might be breaking fellowship with us because of the mission thing.”

  “Ach,” Martha said. “Is that true, Jaden?”

  Jaden shrugged. “I don’t know much about it, but Josiah did mention it to me before I moved here. Said it might be a possibility but nothing had been set in stone yet.”

  “But if they break fellowship with us, then…” Martha let her voice trail off. She stared at Jaden, then he noticed tears filling her eyes.

  Ach. He wished he could take her in his arms right now and hold her close. “Der Herr will work everything out.” He attempted to assure her.

  “They’re not going to keep me from seeing my dat and siblings, that’s all there is to it.” Bailey insisted.

  “I’m afraid we are not the ones to make the rules, child. We chust have to abide by them.” Martha’s father reminded her.

  “Well, I’m sure Dat will just move to our district then,” Bailey said.

  Jaden grimaced. “Honestly, I don’t know what will happen, Bailey. Nora’s pretty ingrained in Detweiler’s church. Her folks are there. Not to mention she and Miriam Eicher are best friends. Then there’s Michael and Sammy, too.”

  “Let’s chust pray about it. There’s no need to worry.” Martha’s father advised. “Like Jaden said, Der Herr will work everything out.”

  It was true that Jaden had said the words, but that didn’t mean the leaders in his bruder’s district would make the right decisions. If they chose to disfellowship with Bontrager’s community, they wouldn’t be the first family broken up by the rules of the Amish church. Jaden just prayed that his and Martha’s relationship would survive the tumultuous time that might possibly lie ahead for them.

  ~

  “You’ve been quiet.” Jaden spoke the words into Martha’s prayer kapp.

  “Jah.” She leaned back, staring up at him. She couldn’t help the tears that had gathered on her lashes. Ach, she couldn’t lose Jaden. He was the best thing that had ever happened to her. “What is going to become of us, Jaden?”

  He sighed. “Nothing Der Herr does not allow, I assure you. We can trust Him, Martha.”

  “It would be a hard thing, for sure. If they do require you to shun Bontrager’s g’may, then you will have no choice.”

  “Martha, there is always a choice. Let me just say right here, right now, I choose us.”

  “But then you wouldn’t be allowed to fellowship with your bruder. And you’d lose your job. I wouldn’t want that for you.”

  “Jobs are everywhere. And my bruder will do what he feels is right for himself and his family. I will respect whatever decision he makes, if it ever comes to that. Let’s not borrow trouble. Let’s be thankful for the blessings Der Herr has given us today and let Him worry about tomorrow.”

  “I don’t think Der Herr worries.”

  “Exactly. And neither should we. He is in control.” He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “Well, a week helping out here, then a week helping at the school in my bruder’s g’may, and we’ll be finished for the summer.”

  “Jah. I’m excited for Susan and Nathaniel. It will be a wunderbaar experience to get to see another part of the world, I’m thinking.”

  “For sure. It will be gut for them to see how other folks live.”

  “Do you think it’s as bad as they say?”

  “It’s likely worse. I’m surprised your schweschder Emily isn’t going along too.”

  “Nee. She’s tending to her garden and her roadside stand. She’s pretty excited about it since she gets to keep whatever she makes. It’s pretty much the highlight of the year for her.” Martha laughed.

  “Would you ever consider going on a mission trip?”

  “I think I might. What about you?”

  “Jah, I think I would like to. But I guess it’s too late to go on this one, since you need a passport and all.”

  Martha nodded. “It takes a while to get one. I think Susan’s and Nathaniel’s took about five weeks. But you can pay extra money and it will arrive faster. I still don’t know if it would arrive on time for the trip, though.”

  “Maybe next year, then, if they go again.”

  “We could plan on it.” She smiled, thinking on the future. Their future. Ach, a future with Jaden at her side seemed like a dream. But, would her and Jaden’s love survive the potential difficulties life could throw their way? With all her heart, she’d prayed it would.
r />   EIGHTEEN

  Jaden grinned as his driver pulled onto the side of the road near the schoolhouse. “Thank you. If you could pick me up around seven at the house you dropped me off at yesterday, that would be great.”

  “No problem. See you then,” Mr. Sample said. “You looking for a ride here all week?”

  “I think so.”

  “I’m your man. Just give me a call. But let me know as soon as possible because my schedule fills up pretty quickly. I’m wide open right now.”

  “Go ahead and jot me down then. If, for whatever reason, I need to cancel, I’ll give you a call.”

  “Sounds good. Have a great day!”

  “You too.” He slid out and shut the car door.

  He noticed smoke billowing from the chimney. Ach, he should have come earlier to start the fire for Martha. He hadn’t realized she would need one, but he supposed it was a little nippy this morning.

  As he approached the schoolyard, he saw that there were two buggies in the side yard. Had some of the scholars already arrived? It was quite early yet. They still had over a half hour until school began.

  The door to the schoolroom opened just as he began walking up the steps. The widower, who’d been visiting Martha before he arrived yesterday, stepped out the door.

  “Goodbye, Titus.” Jaden heard Martha’s voice echo from inside the schoolhouse. “Denki for starting the fire this morning.”

  Jaden nodded to the man as they passed each other on the steps.

  “You visiting Martha today?” Titus stopped and turned. His eyebrow quirked.

  “I’m helping her teach the scholars this week.”

  “Ach, I hadn’t known. Are we getting a new teacher yet?”

  “Nee, I’ll be teaching in Detweiler’s district.”

  “I see.”

  Jaden wanted to get this conversation over with. “Have a gut day.” He tipped his head, dismissing the man.

  “I’ll be stopping by to drop off mei dochder in a while yet, so I’ll be seeing you again.” Titus trudged down the steps toward his buggy.

  Should he set things straight with the man, so he’d quit pursuing Martha? It seemed like he might have to.

  He yanked the door open. He shouldn’t be frustrated, but he was anyhow. Thinking of another man pursuing Martha set him on edge. You’re jealous. Jah, he supposed he was. He growled before stepping into the classroom.

  “Ach, you just missed Titus Troyer,” Martha said.

  “I passed him on his way out.” He frowned. “I could have started the fire for you. I can come earlier tomorrow. I hadn’t known you’d need one.”

  “Titus was already here when I showed up and he offered to do it. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings since he came all this way.”

  “Alone.” Jaden frowned.

  Her cheeks darkened. “Jah.”

  “Are you going to inform him that we’re seeing each other, or do you want me to? Because I don’t like him hanging around you all the time.”

  “Ach, it’s not a bother, really. I feel bad for him. He’s lonely.” She turned and began writing on the chalkboard.

  Heat spiraled through his veins. “You said he was looking for a fraa.”

  “He is.”

  He didn’t like talking to her back. Was she avoiding him? “Martha.”

  “He’s a nice man. You don’t have to worry about him making a pass at me.”

  “Making a pass at you?” His voice screeched. “I’d knock him into next Tuesday, if he did.”

  Martha gasped, then turned around. “What is this, Jaden? What’s wrong?”

  “What’s—Martha, I thought we were courting, ain’t not?” He removed his hat and slid his hands through his hair.

  “Jah, we are.”

  “Well, then? What? You just enjoy his attention? Or do you enjoy seeing me get upset?” He resisted the urge to throw his hat down.

  “Fine, I’ll tell him.” She turned back around and began writing on the chalkboard again.

  “No. I need to know what’s going on here.” He moved close and touched her shoulder. “Is he courting you too?”

  “Nee. I told you it was nothing. I just don’t want to hurt his feelings. He already lost his fraa. I just feel bad for him. And if coming over here to start a fire for the kinner makes him happy, then I don’t want to douse that little bit of happiness.”

  “I get it. I do. But don’t you see, Martha? He’s not coming over here for the kinner, he’s coming for you. And it’s not fair to him—or me—to allow him to continue this. You’re giving him false hope that he has a chance with you.”

  “I’ll talk to him after school.” She frowned, but he noticed that her eyes glistened.

  Ach, this was not how he’d anticipated beginning his first day of teaching with Martha. “I’m sorry, Martha. I didn’t mean to get upset.”

  She swiped under her eyes, then straightened. “The kinner are here now.”

  ~

  When Martha dismissed the kinner for recess, frustration with Jaden still gnawed at her. She had not been expecting this controlling, jealous side of him. And it bothered her.

  Why couldn’t he trust her? Didn’t he know that he held her heart in the palm of his hand? That she didn’t have the slightest bit of interest in Titus Troyer? Had Jaden actually believed she was courting Titus too? She thought she’d made that abundantly clear to Jaden when Titus had left the house the other day, but apparently, she hadn’t been clear enough.

  Could the kinner sense the friction in the air? If so, it hadn’t been reflected in their actions. In fact, they seemed to be on their best behavior.

  She glanced out the window as Jaden shot a basketball into the hoop on their small basketball court, then passed it off to one of the buwe. He was really gut with the kinner. Detweiler’s district would be blessed to have him teach their scholars. He connected effortlessly with the kinner. He seemed to be a natural.

  NINETEEN

  Martha held the reins as the passenger side of the buggy dipped and Jaden hopped in.

  “You sure you don’t want me to drive?” He offered.

  “Nee, I got it. Quibble can be a pain sometimes.” She gently pulled the reins, backing out of the schoolyard, then turned onto the road. The thing she liked about this country lane was that few cars traveled it. The thing she didn’t like was that there were no painted lines, so Quibble tended to tread the middle.

  The former racehorse trotted as they sat in silence. She supposed each of them were lost in their own thoughts. They still hadn’t discussed what happened that morning. The buwe had been intent on their “new teacher” taking lunch with them, so she and Jaden really hadn’t had any time alone after the kinner arrived. Till now.

  The sound of a car approaching told her she needed to move Quibble to the side. She adjusted the reins, but the stubborn horse refused to veer right. “Ach!” She reached for the whip they kept on the buggy for such instances.

  “Nee.” Jaden frowned and stopped her from grasping it. He gently took the reins from her and directed the horse to the right side, while the Englisch vehicle passed in the other lane.

  Martha gasped. “Now, why wouldn’t he do that for me?”

  “He’s upset with you right now, because you’re upset. He can sense it and he’s mimicking your behavior.”

  “No, he isn’t. No, I’m not.”

  His sideways glance told her he didn’t believe her words.

  “Okay, maybe I am a little upset. Can you blame me?”

  “Let’s wait till we get to your place to have this conversation, okay?” He nodded toward the horse.

  “Fine.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared out at the passing scenery. She didn’t like this one bit.

  “I think the scholars took to me well enough.” He changed the subject. Smart man.

  “They loved you. I knew they would. You’re a natural in the classroom.”

  He flicked a glance at her. “Do you think so?”

  �
��Jah, I do.” She looked at the reins in his hands. “Does it feel weird being on the passenger’s side and holding the reins?”

  “It does.” He smiled. “I’d suggest we switch spots, but if somebody happens by and sees you in my lap, they might get the wrong idea.” He chuckled.

  “Ach, Jaden!” She swatted his arm.

  “Hey, you mentioned it.”

  “Jah, but my mind didn’t go there. Well, until you brought it up.” She shook her head.

  “I’m afraid my mind goes there too much.” He frowned. “How’s that for honesty?”

  “I suspected it did.” She swallowed. “You tend to get carried away when we kiss.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. Just elbow me in the ribs next time.”

  “Ow! That would hurt.”

  “It would get me to stop, at least.”

  “Well, I didn’t ask you to stop. I could have.” Her cheeks warmed and she flicked a glance at him. “So, I guess it’s my fault too.”

  “I don’t ever want to make you uncomfortable, so if I’m being too aggressive, then tell me.”

  “Okay.”

  “Ach, the conversations teachers have.” He teased.

  “I hope I’m the only teacher you’ll ever have this conversation with.”

  “Likewise.” He winked, then opened his palm toward her.

  She slid her fingers between his, loving the feel of her hand in his. “Are you staying for supper?”

  He maneuvered the horse into the driveway. “If you’ll have me.”

  “I’ll always have you.”

  His thumb lightly caressed the top of her hand, before he put proper distance between them. “I hope so.”

  ~

  “Let’s go for a walk.” Jaden suggested, the moment they set their school supplies down inside the house.

  “We have papers to grade, ain’t?”

  “Jah, but they can wait. We have more pressing matters to discuss.” He attempted a sad smile, hoping they wouldn’t argue. He hated arguing with Martha.

  “Let me tell Mamm, in case she needs me.”

  He nodded. “I’ll meet you outside.”