Last Bride, The (Home to Hickory Hollow Book #5)

by Beverly Lewis

  Tessie Ann paid little mind, still cherishing her time with Molly’s little ones. She could hardly wait to hold her own wee one and was thinking ahead now to tomorrow’s doctor appointment. How will things go? she mused.

  “Well, lookee there,” her father said, slowing the horse. “Just see who’s comin’ this way.”

  “You missed havin’ a visitor, Tessie, dear.” Mamma smiled over her shoulder.

  Not having to wait even a minute to guess, Tessie heard Levi’s voice. “Hullo, Ammon. Wie bischt?” he said, like they were old friends. Tessie was glad she was well hidden toward the back of the buggy.

  One of the horses neighed; Tessie couldn’t tell which.

  “I was just over at your place,” Levi told Dat.

  “Well, why don’t ya turn around . . . follow us home,” Dat suggested.

  “Is Tessie with ya, then?”

  “Jah, in the back here,” her father was quick to say.

  Tessie groaned quietly, and Mamma turned again to look at her, though not any too kindly this time.

  “Well, only if it’s all right with Tessie Ann” came Levi’s gracious reply.

  Mamma craned her neck at Tessie again, eyebrows raised high.

  It wasn’t like her to be impolite. Besides, hearing Levi’s voice and realizing he’d gone out of his way to see her today, perhaps even shortened his time with his grandparents in Florida for her, Tessie suddenly believed she owed him this visit.

  “All right, then,” she said quietly, glad her father hadn’t been the one to turn around and inquire of her. “Tell Levi it’s okay.”

  Mandy’s husband walked alongside her to their enclosed carriage after they bid farewell to Molly and family. Sylvan waited silently till she was settled, then helped pull the heavy lap robe over her before walking around to the driver’s side and hopping in. This was one of the rare times he’d done this since they’d married, and the thoughtful gesture was not lost on Mandy.

  After the mare pulled out of the long driveway and they were heading down Hickory Lane, Sylvan asked, “Ya didn’t have such a gut time at first, did you?”

  She was surprised he’d noticed. “’Twas a challenge, I guess.”

  “Thought so.” Sylvan glanced at her and offered a quick smile.

  “Tessie Ann just attracts children, is all. Like bees to honey.”

  He was silent.

  “I was glad I eventually got to hold the new baby,” she said. But he’d known that, having found her all tucked away in the small room near the kitchen, baby Michael’s head resting innocently on her shoulder and little Mae at her feet. So very caring of him to come searching, she’d decided at the time.

  They talked of other things for a while, making more conversation than usual. Another nice change, she thought. Then, after waving at some folks in a carriage as they passed, Sylvan mentioned he’d heard from Norm Byler, who was thinking of returning to Indiana. “He wants to try and win Glenice’s heart again.”

  She listened, not sure it was right to reveal the poor woman’s impromptu visit to see her.

  “Just thought you should know.” Sylvan kept his hands on the reins, his eyes on the road ahead.

  “How soon will he be goin’?”

  “He’s sorting through his things presently, is what he told me. Said this Sunday would be his last at church.”

  “Tessie’s confession day . . . if she decides to tell all.”

  “Hard to know ’bout that sister, jah?” Sylvan said.

  Mandy nodded, curious about her husband’s willingness to share his thoughts today, and his little asides. “I just keep remembering her in my prayers,” she said.

  “Gscheit—wise.”

  And she agreed.

  Chapter 32

  Mamma’s intentions were comically evident when she suggested Tessie get comfortable in the rocking chair on the far end of the kitchen, near the coal heater stove, almost the minute they arrived home. Dat announced they’d make themselves scarce, and Mamma skedaddled off to the front room while Dat hurried back outdoors—it sounded like he was out there helping Levi tie his horse to the hitching post. Tessie, feeling a little nervous, could hear them talking and taking their time coming in.

  A bit later, Dat reappeared in the kitchen, having removed his shoes and coat. Then, without looking at her, he darted out of the way, joining Mamma out of earshot of the kitchen. Tessie shook her head, amused by this rushing about.

  Presently, she heard the thuds of Levi’s boots coming off in the outer room, and then the pause for him to remove his coat and hang it, she supposed. Soon he emerged, his light brown hair ruffled up some—she guessed he’d taken a moment to run his long fingers through it.

  “Hullo, Tessie Ann.” He moved quickly to her side and repositioned the vacant chair to face her before he sat down. “It’s gut to see you again.” He leaned forward, smiling at her, his hands folded between his knees.

  “Hullo, Levi.”

  “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

  How can he think that?

  She felt her cheeks redden and quickly said, “From what you wrote, it sounds like ya had a nice time in Pinecraft.”

  “I did, but you’ve been on my mind ever since I left. I couldn’t wait to get back here.” His eyes searched hers. “How’re ya doin’ . . . now?”

  “I’m all right, I guess. How ’bout you?”

  “Well, now that I’m here, wonderful-gut.” He leaned back in the chair and folded his arms, his smile ever so warm.

  She was speechless. Hadn’t he heard about her upcoming confession and discipline? Or that the bishop was urging her to come clean?

  “Listen, Tessie, I’d like to take you out for supper again. What do ya say?”

  She reminded herself that he didn’t know yet that her pregnancy was high-risk. “My baby . . . may not be healthy, Levi. In fact, it’s likely that he or she will be born with a serious illness . . . or worse. And I—”

  “A special child, then?”

  “Jah, possibly.”

  He looked away, staring at the window. He was quiet awhile before he returned his serious gaze to her. “I’d still like to treat you to supper, if that’s all right,” he said.

  The small sphere of a world she’d purposely created these past months, with dearest Marcus at the center, shifted with Levi’s persistence. This fine young man just kept surprising her.

  “It’s nice of you to ask me, but I’m not sure.” She wished their visit wasn’t so very private. “I hope you understand.”

  Not to be deterred, he mentioned that his father’s warm family carriage was available Friday night. “My parents have plans on Saturday . . . the traditional night for courting, ya know.” His face brightened hopefully. “I’d really like to get to know you better.”

  “Honestly, it’ll serve you no purpose,” she replied, though she felt herself hesitate.

  He frowned and studied her hands. “All right, then. Maybe all you need is a listening ear, Tessie . . . what ’bout that?”

  This startled her and pointed away from the notion that her father had anything to do with Levi’s rush back home. Knowing that this visit was likely all Levi’s doing gave her some reassurance, despite her inner resistance. “Could I give you my answer later this week?” she said finally. “Would ya mind?”

  He smiled and reached for her hand, giving it a brief squeeze. “I’ll look forward to that.”

  “Denki.”

  “Good-bye, Tessie Ann—take gut care,” Levi said, then left the kitchen to retrieve his coat and boots.

  All this before she’d ever thought to offer him coffee and something sweet to eat.

  Upon awakening early Monday morning, Tessie stretched her arms until they touched the headboard. She got out of bed to kneel and ask God in prayer to help her through the consultation in Strasburg that morning, wanting to trust fully and not give any place to anxiety.

  Her local doctor had informed her that the cost for the first meeting at the non
profit clinic would be low compared to hospitals involved with insurance networks. Since she and her family did not have medical insurance—something prohibited by their church ordinance—she was grateful to have saved enough money for the first visit, and possibly another later on. Thanks to my work at Mandy and Emmalyn’s little shop.

  Presently, Tessie made her way into the post-and-beam building that housed the clinic. Situated on a two-and-a-half-acre slope overlooking a snowy field, the property had been owned years ago by an Amish farmer whose granddaughters suffered from debilitating genetic disorders. Tessie’s primary doctor had shared with her that the clinic was raised in a single day by sixty Amish and Mennonite men working together, much like a barn raising. As she entered, Tessie noticed the quaint feel to the porch and the pretty springtime wreath decorating the door.

  The receptionist was soft-spoken and cordial as she led Tessie Ann down the hallway to a consultation room. A large framed painting of a seated Amish family, their heads bowed before a meal, touched her. The familiar scene was depicted from a different perspective—from high above, as God must see them. “This was painted by one of the founders’ daughters,” the woman told her.

  The considerate doctor breezed into the small room and sat behind a desk near her chair. “Why are we seeing you today, Tessie Ann?” he asked. His hair was peppered gray on the sides and he sported a short mustache and a close-cropped beard. The kindness in his eyes helped her to relax.

  She told of her doctor’s referral, which he seemed aware of, and then referred to her father’s list of families of concern in her church district. “Turns out I married into one of those families without knowing,” she explained, saying she wanted to do everything she could to give her baby the benefit of the well-known clinic. “You’ve helped so many little ones in the Plain community.” Tessie’s breath caught in her throat, and she tried not to tear up.

  “Is this your first pregnancy?” the doctor asked, and she replied that it was.

  The astute doctor also inquired about the surnames in her family tree, as well as her husband’s, then asked the location of her church district. “Has your family lived in the same area of Hickory Hollow for two or three generations?”

  “Oh, jah, and even farther back than that. My husband’s family, too—Marcus died in October of last year, unfortunately.”

  The doctor offered his sympathy and asked how long they’d been married. “You’re so young to be a widow, Tessie.”

  She nodded, saying they’d only had a few weeks together as a married couple. “Marcus fell from the rafters at a barn raising,” she said, her throat tight.

  Again, the doctor’s expression was one of genuine kindness, and he shook his head with obvious regret. “Have you had any complications during your pregnancy, thus far?” he asked.

  “None that I know of. Just some anemia, but I took some supplements for that.”

  The meticulous doctor named a list of other, more worrisome symptoms, but she had not suffered with any of them.

  Intrigued, Tessie Ann watched as, with her permission, he took a moment to rapidly type her answers into a nearby computer. Later, the good doctor clarified that over twelve percent of all Amish living in Lancaster County shared the surname King, which was certainly cause for concern for Tessie’s baby.

  “We offer easy access and affordable therapeutic care that can effectively limit the possibility of suffering for your child,” the doctor said. He also urged her to have her newborn tested as soon as possible. “Ninety-five percent of the diseases we see present symptoms during infancy,” he explained. “But merely screening your baby won’t guarantee a successful outcome,” he added with a professional smile. “If we diagnose early, a follow-up plan will be absolutely essential in addressing any issues for your baby.”

  She listened, trying to grasp everything.

  “We can also mix special formula for babies who test positive for certain disorders, so do come with your newborn to the clinic for early screening.” He confirmed the name of her doctor and contact information.

  “Do you know my chances of having a sick baby?” she said, asking the question that had plagued her for so long now.

  “Given the circumstances, I would say you’re at medium to high risk.” He reiterated that bringing her baby in for screening and diagnosis was vital.

  Feeling a bit overwhelmed but also thankful to know there was help if she should need it, Tessie thanked the doctor, then returned to the waiting room to await her driver.

  Mamma sat Tessie down in the kitchen and offered some freshly made peanut blossoms and hot cocoa, full of questions about the visit with the expert geneticist. Tessie was glad for the chance to rehearse what she’d learned, although it wasn’t exactly easy to put into simple terms the things the helpful doctor had explained.

  Later, Mamma did a bit of fishing, no doubt trying to find out if Tessie had given any thought to Levi Smucker’s visit. “I daresay he likes ya, honey-girl—and quite a lot.”

  “Seems so.” But that was all she had to say about it, given that she wanted to pray more before deciding to accept his supper invitation. And, too, she wished to walk over to the tranquil little Amish cemetery. It helped her to speak her thoughts into the air and pretend Marcus was still alive, especially now that she felt so close to him, with his baby growing and moving about more each and every day.

  Mamma rose and got some mending, divided it up between them, and mentioned there was a small amount of ironing. It seemed Tessie wasn’t free to take her long walk until after supper that night, once the sun had already gone to bed. So she would wait till tomorrow, needing the sunshine.

  Besides, there’s no need to hurry my decision for Levi, she told herself. And if I’m facing the shun . . . or a shaming, that’ll put the kibosh on a relationship.

  For sure and for certain!

  Chapter 33

  Tuesday morning, while dusting and redding up, Mandy noticed a new devotional book lying on the small table next to Sylvan’s side of the bed. It obviously belonged to him, because he’d written his name on the inside.

  Thumbing through, she opened to a random page and was surprised to see yellow highlights on various lines, and in some cases, complete paragraphs. She read some of those same passages and quickly realized they portrayed an understanding and thoughtful husband, one pleasing to God.

  She was astonished to think Sylvan was studying such guiding principles. He must be taking the words to heart, too. Several times here recently, he’d spent more time in the evenings with her, coming in from the barn earlier than ever before. And he was smiling at her more, too. This realization warmed her heart.

  In the same moment, she felt sad, even remorseful. Have I made things hard for my husband, considering I cared deeply for someone else before him?

  She carried the book across the hallway, cherishing her discovery, and leaned against the doorjamb of the vacant room where she prayed their baby might sleep and play one day.

  Standing there, dreaming her longed-for hopes, she lost track of the hour. A baby will draw Sylvan closer to me, she thought. A baby will be God’s blessing on us . . . make us a family. Oh, she was ready and waiting with all of her heart.

  Her older sisters came to mind. Mandy was glad she’d gone to see baby Michael Abram, so dear and trusting, though holding him had made her ache all the more for a baby of her own. A little gift from heaven.

  Then, hearing her husband coming into the kitchen downstairs, Mandy quickly made her way back to their room to place his book on the small square table right where she’d found it.

  Before dinner that noon, when Mandy went over to invite her to join them, Great-Aunt Elaine claimed she was completely satisfied to have her own meal in her own kitchen. “I’m making toasted cheese sandwiches and homemade tomato soup.”

  Sylvan seemed pleased to have Mandy to himself today, surprising her by stating how happy he was, having his wife at home more often. “’Specially when you’re the best co
ok I know,” he said, blue eyes twinkling. His compliment took her off guard, but she rather liked it. He also seemed eager to talk with her . . . and not just today, now that she considered it.

  How on earth could a mere book work such wonders?

  After the noon meal, Tessie Ann pulled on her boots, even though the snow had largely turned to slush. After the months of seemingly endless cold, she breathed deep of the fresh, almost-springtime air and raised her face to receive the sunshine as she walked up Hickory Lane toward the fenced-in cemetery, past where Mandy and Sylvan resided. She did not stare at her childhood home as fondly, not coveting it as much today. Rather, she kept her attention on beseeching God about her future and whether to accept Levi’s recent invitation. Why was this so hard?

  Dat had mentioned at breakfast that today’s warm spell was to be only a short reprieve from late winter’s chill, because a cold snap was blowing in this very evening. It was a mighty good thing, too, considering the hog butchering would go better in colder temperatures. Most butcherings were done in mid-December or early January for that very reason.

  “The Lord knows just what we need,” Tessie whispered, deciding she would not go with her parents to the Smuckers’ work frolic tomorrow. Reuben and his sweet wife, Sarah, would welcome her help, of course, as they would many others’, but Tessie wanted to catch up on some maternity dressmaking, and then possibly go over to see Dawdi Dave. She was fairly sure her grandfather would not venture out to the butchering at his age, but then, who could say?

  The cemetery looked nothing like it had in the height of spring when they’d buried her dear grandmother. She recalled the leafy trees shimmering in a wide veil of new green—their deacon and his younger brothers had planted the trees years ago. Sadly, the People had buried two of their small children, as well, on that day last May, one of them Marcus’s aunt’s little straw-haired boy, seriously ill for all the days of his young life. Tessie had never witnessed so many silent tears. The scene came back to her as she opened the wide wooden gate and turned to latch it behind her.