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

by Beverly Lewis

  She laughed softly. “How can I refuse?”

  “That’s just what I was hopin’ to hear.” He leaned near and whispered, “I love you, Tessie Ann,” making her blush but good.

  “I’m not goin’ to say it back, not in front of everyone.” She smiled at him, too aware of the other Amish vendors, who were trying not to stare and not succeeding.

  “But you’ll say it in front of God and the People . . . at least in the way they’ll expect, ain’t so?”

  “And soon, too, I ’spect.”

  He grinned at her as she eased out of her chair. “Of course . . . just as soon as we talk to your father.” They’d agreed recently that it was time.

  Levi kept his hand on her elbow as they walked to his buggy, and he gently helped her in. “You know what I think?” Tessie asked.

  “Hmm.” His eyes twinkled. “You’re ready for ice cream?”

  “That’s not what I was goin’ to say, but sure.” She couldn’t help but smile again. “I honestly think Marcus would be very happy for me . . . and for you.”

  He nodded wholeheartedly. “I think you’re absolutely right.”

  They pulled into the ice-cream shop, and Levi tied the horse to the back hitching post, then stood near the carriage to help Tessie down. “Sweets for the sweetest girl ever.”

  “You’re just full of sugary words today, ain’t?”

  “And every word’s true.” Levi slipped his arm around her as they walked around the side of the little building.

  “We should have plenty of homemade ice cream on hand for the wedding feast, jah?” she suggested.

  “Whatever you’d like.”

  She smiled. “Well, in that case . . .”

  “Within reason, of course.” He chuckled as he opened the door to the cozy shop and they stepped inside.

  I’ll be the plumpest bride in Hickory Hollow! thought Tessie.

  Chapter 39

  When Levi took her home later that evening, he accompanied Tessie into her father’s house. Mamma was nowhere to be seen, but Dat was sitting at the kitchen table working a crossword puzzle.

  Levi went right over and sat down at the table beside him. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask ya something,” Levi began.

  Dat looked over his glasses at him, then reached up and deliberately removed them. “What’s on your mind, Levi?”

  Levi glanced at Tessie, who stood near, then back at her father. “I’m here to ask for Tessie’s hand in marriage . . . and for your blessing, Ammon.”

  Dat’s lower lip quivered slightly, and he cleared his throat, gathering himself somewhat. Then, with what appeared to be tears welling up, he quoted from the book of Tobit: “‘And he takes the hand of the daughter and puts it in the hand of Tobias.’” With that, he reached for Tessie’s hand and placed it in Levi’s right hand, cupping their hands in both of his before praying silently.

  May Thy will be done, O Father God, Tessie prayed, as well.

  When Dat raised his head, he was unable to squelch his grin. He called for Mamma to come downstairs. “Such gut news,” he said. “When’s the wedding?”

  “We’ll set a date as soon as we talk with the bishop,” Levi said, a broad smile on his handsome face as Mamma joined them. “We want his consent, too.”

  Tessie agreed, scarcely able to contain her own happiness.

  “Surely bishop’ll dispense with havin’ ya wait till the fall wedding season,” Mamma said, coming over to give Tessie a hug and Levi a handshake. “And if so, we can have the wedding feast here for just the two immediate families. If that’s what yous want,” she added.

  There was a twinkle in Levi’s eye. “Well, we won’t be runnin’ off to elope, that’s certain.”

  Tessie poked his arm. “Oh now, aren’t you a gut one!”

  No one mentioned it was right smart to get plans under way, considering the baby was coming in a couple of months. Even so, that was definitely on Tessie’s mind as she cradled her stomach and walked with Levi to the outer room. She closed the kitchen door behind them. “I love you, I hope you know,” she whispered as he took her into his arms.

  “So you’ll marry me, then?”

  Tessie laughed softly. “What do you think?”

  He kissed her cheek. “My father told me just today he’s ready to hand over the farm to me—lookin’ to retire. So we’ll live in the big house there, not far from your beloved childhood home.”

  “Not as beloved as the one I’ll move to . . . with you.”

  He smiled into her eyes. “I hope you’ll be happy there, Tessie Ann.”

  Nodding and trying not to cry, she said, “Wherever you are, that’ll be home to me.”

  He drew her near again and said how pretty she was. And always had been.

  “Well, you must be blind just now.” She glanced down at her middle.

  “Not blind at all, my love.” And with one more kiss on the cheek, Levi turned and waved good-bye. “We’ve got us a weddin’ to plan.”

  “Not before we talk to the bishop, remember.” She watched him go, glad for the solar yard light her father had installed with Sylvan’s help last fall. “Till I see you again,” she whispered, her heart full.

  Oh, goodness, she hadn’t expected to like Levi this much. Like him, and fall in love with him, too. Why, she hadn’t expected to care deeply for anyone ever again, after Marcus. But the Lord certainly had worked in wondrous ways—if not miraculous ones—and Tessie was thankful for the surprising gift she’d found in her wonderful-gut husband-to-be. A precious gift, indeed.

  A few days later, as they rode around in his black open buggy, Levi asked if Tessie was ready to go and apply for their marriage license now that they had the bishop’s permission. He, too, had agreed the wedding should take place sooner rather than later.

  “I want to be sensitive to your feelings about that, ya know.”

  She glanced at him, glad for his understanding spirit. “Ach, I appreciate you for it, Levi. I’ve come a long way, believe me.”

  He held the reins as he turned to look thoughtfully at her. “I believe you, love.” He reached for her hand. “I do.”

  Tessie felt self-conscious as they entered the Chester County courthouse later that week. She looked about, then ducked her head, hoping no one would recognize her and feeling squeamish at being there as a pregnant bride-to-be. And for a similar purpose to last September. This time, though, she would gladly follow the church ordinance and marry in front of the bishop and the People.

  Thanks to the Amish grapevine, more of the Hickory Hollow Plain community had begun to express interest in attending their wedding. Eager whispers and hopeful smiles were offered at the marketplace and farm auctions, as well as at various gatherings for the womenfolk. It wasn’t long till Mamma told Tessie Ann that their original plan for a small guest list simply would not do.

  So, two weeks before the Thursday wedding, Tessie’s father cheerfully stood up in church and invited all of the membership to his house for the wedding.

  Four hundred and fifty guests came to honor Levi and Tessie that lovely, sunshiny May morning, including Tessie’s four sisters and their spouses, and Mamma’s and Dat’s many siblings and their families, too.

  After the three-and-a-half-hour Preaching service, as was their custom, Tessie and Levi went to stand before the bishop with their four wedding attendants, including dear Cousin Emmalyn.

  The bishop read a Bible quotation from Ephesians chapter five: “‘Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.’” Then he read further. “‘For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.’”

  Next, Tessie answered the important questions asked of a bride, including the very last one: “Do you confess, our sister, Tessie Ann Miller King, that you accept this, our brother, Levi Emmanuel Smucker, as your lifelong husband, and that you will never leave him until death divides you?”

  Tess
ie was momentarily distracted by Marcus’s last name—her former married name—and paused, though she kept a solemn expression. “Jah, I do,” she said, looking into the bishop’s face. “With all of my heart.”

  Levi was then asked the same questions, his words serious as he immediately answered.

  Tessie thrilled to hear Bishop John declare them husband and wife at the end of his prayer. “Go forth in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

  The couple returned to their appointed chairs, and Tessie looked forward to what was to come as they sat patiently through the testimony of one of the church members. Next, several ministers were invited to comment on the sermons, as well as to offer good wishes to the couple. Hearing her new last name made Tessie Ann smile a little, although she was careful to maintain an attitude of respect in the house of worship—today, her father’s home.

  When everything was accomplished in an orderly manner, her Dat got up and thanked everyone for coming and also those who’d helped cook the upcoming feast or assisted with the horses and carriages outdoors. Once Dat was seated, Reuben Smucker walked to the front, hands folded and eyes glistening. Reading his comments from a small piece of paper, he, too, made a short statement of gratitude, thanking everyone in attendance.

  After the final prayer, given by the bishop from the old Christenpflicht prayer book, the People waited for the benediction to come, and the last song, which told of the marriage supper of Jesus Christ, the Lamb.

  Levi waited till they were alone upstairs in her old room to take Tessie in his arms and kiss her tenderly. Smiling, he admitted, “I’ve waited since seventh grade to kiss you like that, mei lieb.” He did not stop with one, and Tessie embraced the fervency of his affection, thinking she might just melt right there in his arms. “Ach, I love you so,” he said between each kiss.

  “I’m ever so happy,” she finally breathed.

  “Well then, I am, too.” Levi pulled her gently near again.

  It was impossible for Tessie to count her blessings. Blessings and mercies. Ach, so very many.

  Later, when she spotted Mandy in the kitchen helping to set the long tables, she noticed a sweet smile on her face. Was her sister just delighted for Tessie and Levi—was that it?

  Yet the more Tessie looked her way, the more she wondered if Mandy had something special to tell her, just maybe. Oh, she could scarcely wait to find out!

  At the wedding feast, Dawdi Dave was grinning to beat the band, happier than Tessie had seen him since before Mammi Rosanna’s passing. After a couple bites of the delicious wedding cake, she even briefly left Levi’s side to tell him so.

  Levi’s family members were ever so cordial, though the grandparents he’d traveled to Florida to see in early March had stayed put, due to his grandmother’s ongoing health struggles. Levi had told Tessie that he’d confided in them about her while there and was nearly pushed out the door as they’d encouraged him to hurry home to Hickory Hollow . . . and to Tessie. “Yet another confirmation we were meant to be together, don’t ya think?” he added, and she wholeheartedly agreed.

  Lloyd and Hannah King, Marcus’s parents, were also at the feast and the afternoon Singing offered by the youth for the older folk. The youth sang two of Tessie’s favorite faster songs, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “He Leadeth Me.”

  While they sang, Tessie considered the wisdom of her mother, who’d encouraged her to seek out Lloyd and Hannah to invite them to be involved in Marcus’s and her child’s life . . . when the time came. Lloyd had humbly apologized to Tessie Ann that day for saying she’d lied about eloping with his son. And Tessie had shaken his hand, encouraged by this change in their relationship. Marcus would have been glad to see it, Tessie thought, remembering.

  Ella Mae Zook sat there in the front room with her daughter Mattie and son-in-law David, singing along and obviously enjoying the lovely old hymns, moving her little head slowly from side to side, eyes closed.

  From her place next to Levi, Tessie noticed Dawdi Dave glance over at the Wise Woman every so often. She couldn’t help but smile at the sweetness all round.

  She turned her attention back to Levi, and her new husband looked fondly at her. Oh, she could scarcely grasp the many blessings of this never-to-be-forgotten day.

  Tessie remembered the psalm her father had read at family worship just last evening and embraced it as her own: He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

  Epilogue

  A couple days after the wedding, I was just itching to go and visit Mandy. Passing by the old tree, I made my way into the familiar house. It wasn’t until then I realized I’d failed to look up longingly at my old oak.

  I found my sister sewing the prettiest baby quilt in the kitchen, near a big black pot of stew simmering on the stove. “That’s real perty,” I said, eyeing it.

  “Well, it’s for you.” Mandy held up the cradle-size quilt, displaying both sides. “For your baby, I mean.”

  My heart dropped. “Oh.”

  “Wrong color, maybe?”

  “Ach, not at all.”

  “Gut, then, ’cause that’ll leave me plenty-a time to make one for my little one, too.” Mandy smiled mischievously.

  “Puh, aren’t you a tease!” I pulled out a chair and sat down beside her, reaching for her hand.

  “If the midwife’s correct, our baby’ll come in December.”

  “A wee Christmas gift?”

  “Close to the day, maybe.” Mandy nodded. “And just think, my little one will only be a few months younger than yours, Tessie Ann. Our two should be dear, close cousins, jah?”

  I leaned to embrace my sister. “I’m ever so happy for you.”

  “Sylvan’s been walkin’ around like we’re havin’ twin boys or some such thing.”

  “Twins, really?”

  “Might be. Mattie Beiler says she doubts it’s only one baby I’m carryin’.”

  It wondered me how the midwife could know this so soon, but I didn’t question. Mattie had delivered oodles of babies, so she would know, if anyone did. Besides, twins would surely be a double joy for my sister after her long wait for a babe of her own.

  When my labor pains grew on that early July afternoon, Levi fairly flew out to the phone shanty. Soon enough, our good driver, Thomas Flory, arrived in his van and rushed us to the hospital, where in just a few more hours we welcomed tiny pink May Sarah Smucker into the world, named for both Levi’s Mamma and mine.

  I remembered the gut doctor’s advice, and a week later Levi and I took our baby to the Strasburg clinic to be screened for genetic diseases. Wonder of wonders, little May was as healthy as could be, free of the dreaded genes that might’ve caused her brain damage, terrible pain, or even eventually taken her life.

  Dat and Mamma reckoned it a divine miracle, and Levi pronounced it an added Sege—blessing. I held baby May close to my heart as we rode back home, then placed her in the rocking cradle Levi had made. It was soothing to me, watching her sleep and breathe, and I offered up a prayer of thanksgiving in gratefulness for this answer to the many prayers I’d offered these past months. How this day might’ve turned out, bringing with it a far different outcome! But really, what mattered most was trusting our heavenly Father. “The trials only come to make us stronger,” Cousin Emmalyn had encouraged me recently.

  There was more to living a devout life than striving to follow rules—trying to do everything right. Jah, ever so much more.

  I knelt at the cradle, rocking it slowly and gently. And I peered down with wonder at this precious new life. “I’m here to love ya, baby May,” I whispered, eager to teach her to trust wholly in the Lord and to appreciate the power of patience.

  And to embrace and know the beauty of grace—God’s glorious grace.

  Author’s Note

  Pieces of my heart must surely reside in Hickory Hollow, at least part of the time—the story people who “live” there are that precious to me. Perhaps, if you haven’t had the opportunity to view the foo
tage of this lovely and very real setting (with a fictitious name), you’ll want to watch “Glimpses of Lancaster County with Beverly Lewis” on YouTube. The area is splendid, if not heavenly.

  I am grateful for the continued encouragement and insight of my editors, David Horton and Rochelle Glöege. Thanks, as well, to my most supportive first reader, David Lewis, my novel-writing husband, partner, and collaborator for our upcoming book, Child of Mine, which releases June 2014.

  My heartfelt appreciation also goes out to the Amish and Mennonite parents and children who suffer with severe genetic diseases. From them, I was blessed to glean not only vital information but plentiful doses of sweet-spirited consideration. I am forever grateful, as well, for the reams of enlightening information I consumed over many months prior to the writing of this story, numerous articles (found in the American Journal of Medical Genetics) by renowned Dr. D. Holms Morton and his wife, Dr. Caroline S. Morton, as well as Dr. Kevin A. Strauss and others, each associated with the remarkable Clinic for Special Children in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

  The character of Ella Mae Zook, Hickory Hollow’s Wise Woman, has been inspired by two devout and endearing women, members of my father’s Lancaster congregation when I was growing up: Edna Keller and Helen Kline. Not only were they particularly wise, but they were warm and wonderful in all respects. Even now, I am taken by the extraordinary way Jesus’ love was extended through each of them to others. Their legacies continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew them—and in the imaginary narrative and wit of Ella Mae Zook.

  May we daily demonstrate the tender compassion the dear Wise Woman offers so readily to Tessie and Mandy in this book, and to others in the novels I’ve set in Hickory Hollow. There, perhaps, in that very special place, we can meet ourselves anew.