“Maybe,” Molly agreed. “But we’d be working at home, after all, and lots of wives bolster their family’s income with home businesses—just like our mamm did for all those years.”
She thumbed a stray tear from Marietta’s cheek, happy to see her sister looking brighter. “How about if we cross that noodle-making bridge when we get there? It’s Second Christmas, and it’s time to have some fun!” she exclaimed. “After I shower and put on some clean clothes, I’ll help you with the food we’re taking to The Marketplace party, all right?”
“More than all right,” Marietta said with a smile. “You’re the best Christmas present ever, Molly.”
“No, you are,” she fired back. “And who knows? Maybe next year at this time, we’ll have different perspectives about what—or who—is really the best Christmas gift.”
* * *
As Marietta sang “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” surrounded by her maidel friends and the rest of their congregation, the music that soared into the high ceiling of The Marketplace commons area made her heart swell. Seated on either side of her at a long table where they’d eaten their potluck lunch, Molly and Jo sang harmony on the chorus, while across from them, Lydianne’s voice rose on the soprano melody. Regina sat with them, too, because her Gabe was up front on the dais with the other men, who led everyone in singing all the familiar, favorite Christmas carols. It was just like the best Sunday morning church services, when Marietta was always filled with such love for her closest friends.
Was it her imagination, or was Glenn smiling especially brightly at her as he sang with the men’s group? He looked several years younger than he had for the past few months, as though a great burden had been lifted from his heart. The kids were playing games together behind the crowd, and Bishop Jeremiah’s mamm had latched onto baby Levi, so Marietta was sitting as a single woman would, without little boys to tend.
She felt different, however. She’d become so accustomed to having Billy Jay alongside her, like a bubbly, curious shadow, that she instinctively glanced back at the children now and then to keep track of him. It was a delight to watch him and Stevie Shetler challenging each other, tossing beanbags into boxes about fifteen feet away from them. Gracie Wagler and Ella Nissley cheered them on until it was their turn to pitch the bags.
Maybe Glenn has it right. If I become Billy Jay’s and Levi’s mamm, I can also be more involved with their friends—and before long, I’ll have Molly’s wee ones to love, and Regina and Lydianne will be having babies, too. The new year can bring me a chance at a whole new life!
Marietta’s heart swelled. When “O Come, All Ye Faithful” ended, Gabe sang the first few words of “Joy to the World,” and everyone joined in with gusto. Even Drusilla Fussner, seated among the Hartzler women, Cora Miller, and Delores Flaud at the next table, appeared caught up in the happiness of the moment. She and her daughter had gone through a rough patch over the Wengerd men, yet the smile on Jo’s face suggested that she wasn’t nearly ready to give up on the romance she’d found with Michael.
Love has indeed come down at Christmas, for so many of us. I’d be a fool to turn my back on Glenn when he might well be the precious gift God is giving me this year.
Marietta blinked. Hadn’t the past few weeks of hosting the Detweiler family given her a clear picture of how happy all of them could be together? She would never accuse God of causing the fire at Glenn’s house to bring about this revelation, but He had certainly given her every opportunity to experience the roles of wife and mamm before she committed to them permanently. Not many women got that chance.
“Time for dessert!” Billy Jay called out when the carol ended.
“Jah, bring on the cakes and pies and cookies!” Stevie chimed in.
The adults laughed, several of them nodding in agreement. As the women rose to remove the lids from their pans of goodies, which filled an entire table at the side of the room, Molly leaned close to Marietta.
“I’ll load up a plate with desserts and head over to see Pete now,” she said. “It’s time he and Riley had some company, don’t you think?”
“Give him my best,” Marietta replied. “Hope he’s feeling better today.”
“Oh, that’ll happen the minute I walk through the door,” her sister assured her with a grin. “Think about what we discussed before we came, okay? I suspect Glenn won’t waste any time coming over now that the men have finished leading the carols.”
Marietta laughed and rose to follow her sister to the dessert table. Without even glancing at Glenn, she sensed that his attention was focused on her—and wasn’t that a sign that she was becoming attuned to his ways? She’d just removed the cover from her chocolate layer cake when his warm hand gently clasped her shoulder.
“What if you and I went for a ride, Marietta?” Glenn murmured. He was standing behind her, so close that his breath tickled her neck. “Dat and the others will keep track of the boys so we can have the sleigh all to ourselves on this sunny winter’s afternoon.”
Marietta’s heart stilled. “You—you have a sleigh out there?”
“Jah. It’s been stashed in our stable for a long while, so I cleaned it up this morning and put in some of those quilts the ladies brought over. Sounds cozy, ain’t so?”
“Just you and me?” She turned to face him, oblivious to the other folks around them. “Are you asking me for a date, Glenn Detweiler?”
His expression softened into an endearing smile. “High time, I’d say.”
Marietta’s pulse pounded, and for a moment she was too nervous to speak. The shine in his deep brown eyes refused to let her go, however. How could she turn him down? Glenn was making every effort to win her rather than expecting her to step into the void Dorcas had created with her passing. He’d promised to give her all the time she needed to make her decision, and this would be the perfect opportunity to be alone with him. She suddenly hoped she could look forward to many such cozy occasions with Glenn.
“It’s been years since I rode in a sleigh,” she whispered. “Let’s go!”
Within minutes they’d put on their wraps and left the crowd behind. As Marietta waited eagerly outside the entry to The Marketplace while Glenn hitched the horse to the sleigh, she lifted her face to the bright sunshine. Folks inside were probably speculating about her and Glenn—maybe even peering out the windows at them—but it didn’t matter. Most of them already seemed to know where this relationship was headed.
I’ve been dragging my feet, Lord, so point me in the right direction. Help me set aside my worries and live into the love You would have me accept—just the way Glenn has accepted me for exactly who I am.
As Glenn pulled the sleigh up, Marietta felt like a young girl going on a long-awaited date with a fellow she’d always hoped would notice her. When she’d positioned herself on the padded seat beside him, he unfolded a multicolored quilt and tucked it around her before covering his legs and midsection with it.
“Ready?” he whispered.
Marietta nodded, sheer joy making her entire being tingle. Had she ever known such a handsome, caring man with a heart big enough to love his family and make room for her, as well? Glenn was gazing at her as though he, too, was finding new things to like—and to love—about her, even after all the years he’d known her.
“Ready,” she replied. “I—I haven’t felt this excited in a long, long time, Glenn.”
He smiled as he urged Ned into a trot. “I intend to keep you feeling that way for years to come, if you’ll have me.”
As the sleigh went gliding down the plowed path toward the road, the sunshine sparkled like countless tiny diamonds on the new snow. Exhilaration thrummed through her veins as the breeze made her cheeks tingle, and Marietta believed she was at long last heading toward a dream she’d never dared to believe would come true.
“I will have you, Glenn,” she said as she scooted against him. “I—I want to be your wife and become part of your family.”
“Seriously?” He put the lines
into one hand so he could wrap his arm around her shoulders. “You’re sure now? I don’t want to rush your decision or—”
She held his gaze, nodding happily. “I love you, Glenn. I know that now—but I like the idea of not rushing. This’ll be my first wedding, and I’d like to plan it and do it up right.”
Glenn’s head fell back against the sleigh. “Woo-hoo!” he yelled, so loud that it startled Ned—and made Marietta jump, as well. He flashed her a grin before he hollered again. “Woo-hoo! I feel like a million bucks, and I don’t care who knows it!”
Right before they reached the gate and the county highway, he stopped the horse, his eyes alight with love and joy. “Marietta, you’ve made me happier than—well, I was happy when I married Dorcas and overjoyed when our boys were born, but you’ve just wrapped me like a Christmas present and tied me up with a big red bow!”
When Glenn kissed her, he was laughing, and so was she—but then a more soulful, quiet sort of joy filled her heart as his lips continued to express his love for her. Did Molly feel all this crazy elation when Pete kissed her?
It didn’t matter, did it? Glenn was offering Marietta a new life on her own terms as the woman she was without her twin—beside the man he could be because he was with her now. His kisses left no doubt that she was the one he loved, and the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
“Wow,” he murmured when they paused for a breath. “Wow.”
Marietta giggled. “Let’s keep riding, Glenn. I feel like my Christmas fairy tale has just begun, and I don’t ever want it to end.”
I suspect a bunch of you readers who like to cook will be wanting Molly’s recipe for the noodle pudding that captures Pete’s heart, so here it is!
RECIPE
Molly’s Noodle Pudding
(serves 16)
1 cup raisins
grated zest plus strained juice of 1 orange
1 12-oz. package wide egg noodles
6 large eggs
6 oz. cottage cheese
2 cups sour cream
2 cups whole milk
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
1 stick butter, cut into pieces
Preheat the oven to 350ºF and butter or spray a 9″x13″ baking dish. Combine the raisins and orange juice in a small bowl to soak. Cook the noodles according to package directions; drain and return them to the pot.
Meanwhile, whisk the orange zest, eggs, cottage cheese, sour cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Add the plumped raisins and 1 T of any juice still in the bowl.
To the cooked noodles in the pot, add the cut butter and toss until melted. Add the cottage cheese mixture and stir until well combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake until bubbly around the edges, set, and lightly browned—about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool on a rack at least 15 minutes before serving. Tastes great warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate any leftovers.
photo credit: Tom Piper
Charlotte Hubbard is the acclaimed author of Amish romance and fiction that evokes simpler times and draws upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi. Faith and family, farming, and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle—and the foundation of all her novels. A deacon, dedicated church musician and choir member, she loves to travel, read, try new recipes, and crochet. A longtime Missourian, Charlotte now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband and their border collie. Please visit Charlotte online at www.CharlotteHubbard.com.
Christmas Comes to Morning Star Page 27