He’s considerate of my thoughts and feelings, she mused as they rode. And his endearing looks were enough to know that Andy also enjoyed her company very much.
“My family’s lookin’ forward to having you with us at Mamm’s table tonight,” he said as they pulled into the snowy lane.
“I’m happy to spend time with all of yous,” she said, smiling with anticipation.
“Susie’s already asked to sit next to you—Mammi Zook has claimed your other side. You’ll find you’re quite popular tonight,” Andy said as he helped her remove the heavy lap blanket. “Wait right there.” He got down and tied the mare to the hitching post and covered her with a horse blanket, then hurried around to stand below where Sylvia would step down, offering his hand. “I hope this is your best Christmas yet, Sylvie,” he said as she got out of the carriage.
She thanked him, and he escorted her to the back porch, where Rebecca warmly welcomed her, showing her where to hang her coat and scarf and outer bonnet. “You’ll be sitting across from Andy,” she said, which Sylvia thought was nice. So we can look at each other.
The doorway that led out of the kitchen into the next room was decorated with garlands of Christmas cards, and two tall red candles with greenery at the base already lit the table.
After the silent blessing, Rebecca passed a platter of savory meat loaf to her husband, who then passed it to Andy’s brother Michael, next to Andy. As Andy had indicated, Sylvia sat between Mamie and Susie, two of her favorite people. Sylvia had become well acquainted with Susie at the Singings in the past months.
“It’s nice to have ya with us,” Susie whispered.
With a nod, Sylvia agreed.
Mamie seemed to have a perpetual smile on her dear face, and it reminded Sylvia of Ella Mae’s cheery disposition.
Rebecca’s spread of food was as plentiful as if they hadn’t already had their Christmas dinner at noon. A large bowl of Basque potatoes sprinkled with parsley was within reach, and Rebecca invited her to help herself, after which Sylvia passed the bowl to Susie. Another large dish of cut corn, some pickled green tomatoes, chow chow, and dinner rolls still warm from the oven rounded out the delicious meal.
“Mamm outdid herself again,” Michael said from where he sat over near his father.
“Twice in one day,” Mamie agreed.
“She had lots of help,” Preacher Zook said, glancing at Mamie and Susie.
Andy nodded, lifting his gaze to Sylvia just then and grinning.
“Well, it’s Christmas, after all.” Rebecca leaned forward to smile at Sylvia. “And we have ourselves a special guest.”
“Denki,” Sylvia was quick to say, then smiled at Andy, who seemed to be looking at her each time she glanced his way.
During the course of the festive meal, Susie asked Sylvia if she was doing any quilting this winter. Sylvia first thought of the wall hanging she and Mamma had helped Adeline finish, but instead she mentioned the quilted potholders she had made as gifts for her aunts and many girl cousins.
“Sounds like you’ve been real busy,” Susie said, reaching for her glass of water.
“What ’bout you?” Sylvia asked. “Any quilting?”
“Oh jah. Mamma, Mammi, and I are workin’ on something,” said Susie, turning to glance at Rebecca. “It’s a surprise, though.”
Andy winked at Sylvia, and she guessed she had better not ask anything more about that.
Michael mentioned her father’s new clock shop in Bird-in-Hand. “Does he plan to have the same amount of inventory in town as at your shop over yonder?” He tilted his head in the direction of Sylvia’s house.
“Actually, more in town now, because of all the tourist traffic,” she said, wondering why he’d asked. “You could drop by sometime and see the place. It’s small but just the right size, really.”
Mamie was fairly quiet throughout the meal, although she did make a point of saying how blessed she had been by Sylvia’s parents after Mahlon’s passing. “They went far beyond the call of duty for me.”
“Well, we think of you as family,” Sylvia said, truly meaning it.
“Mahlon thought the world of your Dat.” Mamie gave her hand a pat. “I’m sure ya knew.”
Preacher Zook nodded his agreement, and his eyes grew misty. He didn’t say how pleased he was that his son was dating Earnest’s daughter, but there certainly seemed to be that undeclared understanding.
After the meal, Andy invited Sylvia into the front room, and they sat near the coal stove alone together while the other women cleaned up the kitchen.
“I think it’s safe to say that my family is quite fond of you,” Andy said.
“Well, I like them, too.” She was so happy to have this special time with him on Christmas night.
Just then, Andy leaned over and picked up something from the floor on the opposite side of the sofa. “Here’s a little somethin’ for you,” he said, giving her a wrapped present. “Merry Christmas, Sylvie.”
What a surprise!
“Open it,” he urged, leaning closer.
Carefully, she removed the pretty green and silver bow and the wrapping on the rectangular box. Opening the lid, she found a whittled piece of wood with these words carved into it: Love believes all things . . . hopes all things.
She looked at Andy. “Denki. Es is schee . . . so perty.”
He smiled. “Glad ya like it.”
She was delighted by the craftsmanship. “I know just where I’ll put it . . . on my dresser,” she told him. That way I can see it first thing in the morning.
“I chose First Corinthians, chapter thirteen, because I know you’ve endured some hard things where love is concerned.”
How well he understood her! “You know, whenever I might be tempted to wish I could change certain things in my life, I realize that the sadness and heartache eventually led me on the path to you.”
Andy’s eyes searched hers as he reached for her hand. “I love ya, Sylvie. I truly do.”
The sweetest words, she thought. Tears of joy pricked her eyes as she leaned into him, knowing she would remember this night forever.
CHAPTER
thirty-eight
March came in blustery, though not bitterly cold. Earnest occasionally spotted a few of the hardiest farmers out doing early plowing. They’re as competitive as womenfolk on washday. Some sowed clover or alfalfa seed, and others improved their soil quality by liming in order to fine-tune the pH to the correct levels.
Earnest and his sons worked together in the field after he returned from his shop in town, working into the evening to plow and cultivate in anticipation of planting corn the last week of April or early May.
In the time since her visit, Adeline’s letters to him had dropped off significantly, but Sylvia was still receiving frequent letters from her, which made both him and Rhoda happy.
After months of reciting and practicing with Earnest, Tommy was ready to walk in with the boys at Preaching service on May fifteenth and sing all twenty-eight lines of Das Loblied from memory. Earnest couldn’t help but feel a healthy dose of pride about this, though he would miss having his youngest son sitting with him from now on.
The end of an era, thought Earnest. My children are growing up.
A bittersweet shadow fell over him, and he was sorry there were no more little feet pitter-pattering through the house.
The following Thursday, Earnest paid one of his favorite longtime Mennonite drivers to take Sylvia in his passenger van to Georgia. Several other Amish from Lancaster County were traveling south, as well, so there would be pleasant company and a few stops along the route. He and Rhoda felt sure Sylvia would do fine, since she knew the driver and two of the older couples.
“We’ll look forward to hearing all ’bout Adeline’s wedding once you’re back home,” Rhoda said before she kissed Sylvia good-bye on the cheek.
Earnest watched their daughter step into the van. “Have a great time, and let Adeline know we’re thinking of her and Brendon.”
Sylvia waved and nodded.
“She’ll be all right, dear,” Rhoda whispered as the van headed toward Hickory Lane and was soon out of sight.
“Jah,” he agreed as they walked back to the house together. We raised her right.
Sylvia was touched by Adeline’s thoughtfulness in involving her in the activities planned for the other two wedding attendants. To her surprise, neither Callie nor Piper seemed at all startled by Sylvia’s Plain attire. Adeline must’ve prepared them ahead of time.
The four young women had their nails done, even their toenails, something Sylvia had never experienced. Sylvia, however, opted for a clear polish on her fingernails but none on her toes, recalling her conversation with Preacher Zook.
They had facials, too, as well as a special luncheon the day before the wedding. “So we’re all nice and relaxed,” Adeline told them, smiling especially at Sylvia.
The wedding itself was nearly breathtaking in its beauty as a variety of fragrant, brilliant flowers surrounded the area where Adeline and her beloved Brendon stood before the minister to say their marriage vows. An archway of white roses sheltered them, and the single flower girl wore a gown so similar to Adeline’s that she looked like her miniature.
Sylvia’s black Amish dress and cape apron blended in nicely with the other girls’ long black sleeveless dresses, which shimmered when the sunshine caught them.
Because she was unaccustomed to services with musical instruments, Sylvia hadn’t been prepared for the lovely strains of the string quartet, and she wondered if there might be such pretty melodies in heaven. There would never be such music at her and Andy’s wedding, but she reveled in it presently all the same.
Later, before Adeline left with Brendon for their honeymoon to Mackinac Island, Sylvia spent some time with her after the wedding luncheon.
Adeline thanked her for being willing to participate in this wonderful day. “You’re amazing, Sylvie,” she said. “Everyone thinks you’re very sweet.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have missed it,” she said as they stood beneath the white reception tent, similar to the ones some of her Amish neighbors rented these days to accommodate the many guests.
“You stepped way out of your comfort zone for me, and I’ll never forget it,” Adeline said, her hands holding both of Sylvia’s in this semi-private moment.
Lest she tear up, Sylvia took a deep breath. “Ach, ya made it real easy.”
They embraced, and Adeline whispered that she loved her.
“We’ll meet again, and Dat and Mamma will be shipping something special to yous real soon,” Sylvia said with a smile.
“Hmm . . . what could it be?” Adeline asked, looking like she might have already guessed.
“I promised not to tell.”
“Not one little hint?”
Sylvia smiled, seeing Brendon coming this way. “Say, I think your husband’s lookin’ for ya.”
“Classic deflection!” Adeline laughed and turned to welcome her handsome groom in his black tuxedo, which somewhat resembled the long frock coats Amishmen wore to Preaching services.
Brendon beamed as he thanked Sylvia for coming. “I’m looking forward to visiting Hickory Hollow sometime in the near future,” he said.
“I hope ya do.” Sylvia smiled in return. “And be sure to bring along Adeline, too, won’t ya?”
Brendon grinned, reaching to shake Sylvia’s hand. “You’re my sister now, too, you know.”
“Denki for everything you and Adeline did for me.” Sylvia also mentioned how pretty Georgia was. “I never knew just how beautiful.”
“You’re always welcome to visit us, remember.” Brendon glanced lovingly at Adeline, who nodded her agreement.
“Be sure to greet your parents for me . . . well, for us.” Adeline hugged her again.
“I’ll have plenty to tell them,” Sylvia said, feeling a little sad when Adeline linked her arm through Brendon’s and walked over to the bride’s table.
I’ll miss them, she thought.
As she ate supper with Earnest and their sons that evening, Rhoda talked about the differences between their Plain weddings and what Adeline had planned.
“Is she married yet?” Ernie asked with a glance at the wall clock.
“Jah, surely by now,” Rhoda said.
“Sylvie should already be on her way home, actually. She’ll get here in the wee hours,” Earnest said.
“She’ll be awful tired, I s’pect,” Rhoda said. “But I’m sure it’s worth it to be with Adeline.”
Adam glanced over at them. “Do ya think we’ll ever meet Adeline’s husband?”
Earnest nodded. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they visit us sometime soon.”
“I hope so!” Tommy said, grinning.
Rhoda had to smile, as well.
“She’ll always be an Englischer,” Calvin said. “Don’t ya think so, Dat?”
Earnest agreed. “Remember, even though she’s not Amish, she’s a Christian now.”
“Well, you weren’t Amish either when you were her age,” Ernie piped up. “So maybe there’s still hope for Adeline.”
Rhoda didn’t know what to say to that, and she waited for Earnest to respond.
“Adeline’s content with her life as an Englischer,” her husband insisted. “She won’t be going Plain, I can assure you.”
“Will we get to meet her kids someday?” Tommy asked, looking hopeful.
“Oh, wouldn’t that be nice?” Rhoda said, smiling at her boys. “Just think, you’ll be uncles to both your sisters’ little ones when the time comes.”
Tommy and Calvin exchanged curious looks.
Then Adam asked, “Do ya s’pect Sylvie will get hitched up soon?” He looked sheepish. “I prob’ly shouldn’t say, but I think everyone knows Andy Zook is courtin’ her.”
“A little patience, son,” Earnest cautioned. “In gut time, we’ll all know for sure.”
Rhoda was proud of the way he’d handled these questions and was anxious to see how he would react to the news she planned to tell him in private . . . tonight.
Rhoda missed Sylvia’s help after supper as she washed and dried the dishes by herself. Earnest and the boys had ventured out to do some fieldwork while it was still light.
Once the dishes and pots and pans were put away, she removed her white work apron and went out to sit on the back porch, glad for the longer evenings now and warmer temperatures. She reveled in the sweet fragrance thick in the air this time of year. The lilac bushes and honeysuckle were in full bloom and mixed delightfully with the honey-like scent of the rhododendron leaves.
New life after a long, cold winter, she thought, breathing deeply and gazing toward the field where Earnest and their sons worked together. Thinking again of Adeline’s wedding day, she looked forward to hearing about Sylvia’s Georgia trip. She’ll be starting baptism instruction next Sunday once again, Rhoda thought. After that, Andy’s free to propose marriage.
Rhoda sighed happily, because as often as Sylvia and Andy saw each other, she was hopeful that she and Earnest would be hosting a wedding come November.
Hours later, Rhoda was relaxing in their room reading her Bible when Earnest returned from the shower, dressed for bed. She glanced over at him and asked, “What would you say if I was in the family way?”
His eyelids fluttered. “Are you serious, love?”
“Jah, absolutely.”
“Then I’d say hallelujah!” He went straight to her, reaching for her hands as she rose and he held her near. “We’ll be old by the time this new baby reaches courting age, though, ain’t?” he whispered.
“Not that old,” she said and returned his tender kisses.
“When is this little Miller expected?”
“Close to Christmas, if my calculations are correct.”
“Well, isn’t that something!” Earnest had never grinned quite so big.
“Just think, we might have a wedding for Sylvia and a new baby for us all in the space of a mon
th,” she remarked. “I’ll need to line up plenty-a help.”
Earnest agreed as he led her over to the bed and sat there with her on the edge of it. “A midlife baby . . . and near Christmas, yet.”
Now Rhoda was laughing. “An added blessing for the Lord’s birthday, I say.”
He nodded and kissed her cheek.
“God is ever so gut,” she whispered. “Another baby is just what I’d been hopin’ for. . . .”
Sylvia leaned her head against the van window, glad there were fewer people traveling with her this trip. From where she sat in the second row of seats, she could see the dashboard clock and assumed she would be home within another two hours.
The traffic was light, but the few car headlights coming toward them flickered brightly and made her all the sleepier as she relived her time with Adeline and Brendon and their family and friends. They’re so happy, thought Sylvia, wondering how she would feel on her own wedding day.
In her drowsiness, she missed Andy like never before. She thought ahead to the coming months of baptismal instruction, largely a review of all she’d learned last year. This time, though, she would not waver in following the Lord in holy baptism.
The miles became a blur as the motion of the van and the sound of the engine lulled her into a deep sleep.
When they finally arrived in Hickory Hollow, Sylvia woke up as they drove past the Zooks’ farmhouse. Noticing a single golden light upstairs, she groggily wondered if Andy was up praying for her. The thought made her smile sleepily, and she counted her blessings, Andy being high on her list.
Bless him, O Lord, for loving me in spite of my imperfect family, she prayed.
Then, seeing Dat’s house come into view, she yawned and sat up straighter, ready to go in and head right to bed. She could hardly wait to stretch out and rest after the long drive, glad that tomorrow—well, today—was not a Preaching Sunday, so she could sleep in.
Andy had mentioned prior to her leaving that he wanted to drop by for a visit in the afternoon to maybe take a walk together, so she would see him again soon.
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