The Amish Deacon's Daughter

by Samantha Price

  “They haven’t told me.”

  Olive rubbed Amy’s shoulder. “Do you think it’s possible it mightn’t be that bad?”

  Amy chuckled. “I’m going to a place I’ve never heard of and it’s probably in the middle of nowhere. I won’t know a single person, and they want me to marry an old man.”

  Jessie fiddled with the strings of her prayer kapp. “How old is he?”

  “He’s thirty.”

  “That’s not too old. Joshua is twenty-eight,” Lucy said.

  Amy took a look around the coffee shop. It was three-quarters full, and everyone was happily chatting and not taking notice that they were Amish. She would miss her friends and the times at the coffee shop. “I need the largest slice of chocolate cake in the store.”

  The girls giggled. Amy waved to Dan to take their orders.

  Dan strode toward them, smoothed back his hair and smiled down at Lucy. They all knew Dan had a secret crush on Lucy. “Sorry to keep you waiting, girls. Now, what would everyone like today?” He took a notepad and pen from the back pocket of his jeans.

  “Amy’s father is sending her to Wisconsin, so she needs the biggest slice of chocolate cake she’s ever seen,” Lucy said.

  “Yikes, Wisconsin? Really?” Dan scowled.

  Amy nodded and pushed her bottom lip out.

  Dan said, “Yours is on the house, Amy, and I’ll add an extra couple of scoops of chocolate ice-cream.”

  Amy giggled. “Thanks, Dan.”

  Once Dan had taken their orders and given Amy a wink, her mood improved. “I’m blessed to have you girls as friends. I’ll write to all of you every day.”

  “Will you work once you get there?” Olive asked.

  “I’m working for my board. That’s what Dat arranged with the bishop. I’ll be staying with them and helping Mrs. Miller. They’ve got five kinner.”

  “You like children, so that’s okay,” Jessie said.

  “Jah, I do. It mightn’t be so bad once I get there, and I don’t have to stay if I don’t like it.” Her friends fell silent. “I leave at the end of the week.”

  “Are you going by Greyhound?” Lucy asked.

  “Nee, even the Greyhound doesn’t go there. I’ve got a long train ride and after that, there’s a long bus ride.”

  Olive leaned forward and put her hand on Amy’s arm. “Sounds like a true adventure.”

  “Jah, see it as an adventure. You never know what could happen or who you might meet.” Jessie smiled and raised her eyebrows as if she were trying to beam enthusiasm into Amy.

  Amy scratched the back of her neck and nodded. She was doing her best to look on the bright side of things.

  The hardest part of leaving for Amy was telling the family she worked for she was leaving. They asked her to call them when she returned, but something within told her she’d never go back. She’d tried to explain to her father that a suitable period of notice should be given to one’s employer, but her father said a week was enough notice.

  The train ride was a disaster. All the while Amy’s stomach churned, not knowing how she’d find the bus to start the next leg of her journey. She’d never gone on public transport like this, not alone. When she sat down in the dining car to eat her inclusive-in-the-ticket-price dinner, she had to hurry back to her seat. She’d started to cry and didn’t want anyone to see her. Amy was alone, afraid, and wishing she could be anywhere other than where she was right now.

  Chapter 3

  When she got off the train at the stop she had been told, Amy had managed to find the bus stop for her next leg of the journey, thanks to a helpful employee at the train station.

  The bus trip was long and arduous, but Amy had managed to get some sleep. Relief was what she felt when she stepped down from the bus at Augusta. The first thing she did was look for some friendly Amish folk, but no one was there to collect her.

  Mentally, she went back over what her father had told her. Yes, she’d been told she’d be met at the bus station. After hours on the train and then more hours on the bus, she would’ve hoped that whoever was picking her up would’ve had the decency to be on time. Punctuality and polite behavior had been drummed into her since she was born. Did these Wisconsin Amish have the same standards? Apparently not!

  If she wasn’t so tired from the trip, she might’ve made arrangements to go straight home again. Thankful she had the Miller’s address, she jumped into one of the two waiting taxis determined not to wait any longer. It was a bad start to her ‘adventure.’

  She nestled back into the backseat of the taxi. Was this a sign of things to come? This whole thing had been her father’s idea and it was going to be a disaster. Amy reminded herself her parents said she wouldn’t have to stay long. She’d stay, meet the poor unfortunate Andrew, who couldn’t find a wife, then she’d go home and tell her parents how unsuitable he was. Then, hopefully, her father would not try to play matchmaker again.

  Surely her father, as the deacon, should’ve known things happen in Gott’s timing. Possibly Gott just wanted her to be older before she met a man; and if her kinner turned out anything like those screaming children on the train, she wouldn’t mind if she didn’t have any at all. With five younger sisters, she was sure that, in time, she’d have plenty of nieces and nephews.

  The taxi drove past a row of stores, just like the ones at home. She was homesick already and hadn’t even got to the Millers’ yet. Before long, fields and farms surrounded her. The taxi pulled off the sealed road and headed down a dirt-packed driveway.

  “Looks like this is it,” the taxi driver said as he slowed the car.

  Amy craned her neck trying to see a house. When they got past a clump of trees, the house came into view. It was a pretty pink two-level house, and it looked small. The lawn and the flowers surrounding it were overgrown, but that didn’t detract from its charm.

  But wait, would an Amish bishop live in a pink house? Amy leaned forward. “Are you sure this is it?”

  “This is the address you gave me.”

  When the taxi stopped in front of the house, a short thickset middle-aged woman came out. She was pleasant looking, and dressed in traditional Amish clothing. Amy was pleased to see a friendly face.

  “Amy?”

  Amy opened the car door and looked up at the woman who had to be Mrs. Miller. “Jah, it’s me.”

  The driver helped Amy get her suitcase out, and Amy paid him. Amy was not happy to pay him out of the little money she’d brought with her. She was supposed to have been driven here by one of the Millers—they were the ones who wanted her here, after all.

  “I thought you were coming tomorrow,” Mrs. Miller said.

  “Nee, it was today.”

  Mrs. Miller took hold of Amy’s shoulders and hugged her. Amy stiffened, not used to displays of affection from strangers.

  When Mrs. Miller released her, she said, “I’m Jane.”

  Amy nodded. “Wie gehts, Jane?”

  “Gut. Now, come along inside and I’ll show you your room.” Jane leaned forward and picked up Amy’s suitcase and walked into the house.

  Amy followed, wondering where the five children were. Inside, the house was warm and smelled of freshly baked bread. The house was bare. There were no embroidered Scripture plaques on the walls, and not even cushions lay on the two couches or easy chairs. Amy’s pace quickened to catch up with Jane who was already halfway up the stairs at the end of the room.

  Once she was at the top of the stairs, Jane turned around. “I’ve put you in the end bedroom and, from the window, you can see right across the farm.”

  “Lovely.”

  Jane placed Amy’s suitcase on her bed. “Here’s a closet for your clothes, a dresser, and there’s a bathroom outside the house. The bathroom’s been added on, but John built it like a part of the house.”

  Amy smiled and nodded as she looked around the room. It was lovely; the ceilings were high, and it was full of light. “Your haus is so pretty.”

  “Denke.” />
  “Am I taking someone’s room?”

  “It’s Gabbie’s. She didn’t mind staying in the twins’ room.”

  “That’s nice of her. Dat said you have five kinner.”

  Jane laughed. “I do. They will be back soon and it won’t be so quiet around here believe me. John’s out getting new shoes for the little ones. They’re growing so quickly. I’ll make you something to eat in the kitchen and we can talk. Unless you’d like to unpack first?”

  “Nee, I can do that later.”

  Over hot tea and cinnamon cookies, Jane talked about her kinner. “My oldest is Gabbie she’s eighteen.”

  Amy pressed her lips together. The daughter of a bishop was eighteen and not married? According to Amy’s father, that was close to being a crime. “Is she getting married?” That would only be fair since her own parents had shuffled her off to this distant place.

  “Nee not yet, but I’m sure you two will be best of friends.”

  Amy had friends and had no reason to befriend anyone if she was only going to be there a short while.

  Jane continued, “Adam and Job are the twins, they’re nine. Joseph is fourteen and Joel is twelve.”

  Now things were worse. Amy had convinced herself the children would be younger and she’d be able to play with them. She knew nothing about boys that age or how they played, she only knew about girls. Amy took a sip of her hot tea after doing her best to give Jane a smile. Jane was nice and friendly and that made Amy feel better.

  Soon, clip-clopping of hooves and laughter came from outside.

  “That’ll be everyone back,” Jane said.

  Amy stood up and walked to the window. Three boys leaped out of the buggy before it stopped. Amy winced when she saw them running and tackling each other. When the buggy came to a halt, the oldest boy and the girl got out and then the buggy headed to the barn.

  “Come and meet everyone.” Jane walked to the door and Amy followed close behind.

  Gabbie ran to them. “Are you Amy?”

  Amy nodded.

  “I’ve been waiting for you to get here,” Gabbie’s eyes were bright and from the way she moved, Amy saw she had loads of energy.

  Jane laughed and turned to Amy. “Gabbie has been excited ever since she heard you were coming here.”

  “Jah, we’ll have loads in common.” Gabbie’s warm hazel eyes twinkled with enthusiasm.

  Amy smiled. “I’m sure we will. My schweschder, Martha, is your age.”

  “Boys, come here and say hello to Amy,” Jane called out.

  The boys stopped their messing about and walked toward their mother. Jane introduced each boy who politely responded by greeting Amy nicely. When the introductions were through, the boys went back to playing.

  Gabbie rolled her eyes. “Don’t mind them; they’re just boys.”

  Jane gave each girl a pat on the shoulder. “Come on you two. You can help me with dinner.”

  Amy followed Gabbie and Jane into the kitchen.

  Jane said, “You have a seat, Amy, you must be tired from your travels.”

  “I am a little tired; I left in the early hours this morning to get to the train station. I managed to get a little sleep on the bus.”

  “It’s a long way,” Jane said, as she placed an assortment of vegetables on the chopping board.

  “When does Amy meet Onkel Andrew?” Gabbie asked.

  “He’s coming to dinner tomorrow night.”

  Gabbie giggled. “I’ll show you around the place tomorrow if you’d like, Amy.”

  Amy looked at Jane, aware that she was supposed to be helping Jane in the house. “I believe I’ll be busy working in the haus.”

  “You can both go after your morning chores. Gabbie will show you what to do.”

  Gabbie and Amy smiled at each other.

  “Are you sure I can’t help with the dinner?” Amy asked.

  A deep voice sounded from the doorway. “Ah, this must be Amy.”

  Amy turned to see Mr. Miller walk into the room. She stood up and greeted the short, balding man. He was quite round in the tummy. “Hello, Bishop John.”

  “Hello. We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

  “Jah, I know.” Amy secretly hoped that the man her parents sent her to meet wouldn’t look like his bruder. She tried not to look at Bishop John too hard; she’d find out soon enough what Andrew was like.

  “We’re pleased to have you here,” Bishop John said.

  Amy smiled politely at him. “Denke for having me.”

  “Kaffe, Jane?” Mr. Miller asked looking up at his wife.

  “Jah, I’ll bring it out to you.” Jane smiled at her husband before he left the kitchen.

  Dinner was quiet, with the four younger children at a different table. Jane and John talked about the farm and an upcoming town meeting.

  “What’s the town meeting about?” Amy asked.

  “The sand mines. The miners have moved in and we’re trying to stop more coming. There’s even a mine across from our schul,” John said.

  Gabbie leaned forward and said, “It’s a terrible thing. The mining causes silica to float around in the air, and it’s toxic.”

  Amy pulled a face and looked back at John. “That’s terrible.”

  John nodded. “And it’ll affect the water supply for the whole town soon enough. The miners are offering some people big money for their land. Up to eight times above the regular market value.”

  “Ach, that’s like what’s happening in Lancaster County, but it’s not miners; it’s developers buying up the farmlands for high prices. My friend, Lucy, is very upset about it.”

  “Seems we settle in one place and then something causes us to move again. We’ll surely run out of places to go,” Jane said.

  Amy frowned. “Are you going to move?”

  Jane looked at her husband.

  John said, “It’s been something we’ve had to consider. We're concerned for our children.”

  Amy breathed out heavily and considered the coincidence of being sent to a place where the land was threatened much like at home. She hadn’t bothered to listen to very much of what Lucy had spoken about, but to see the Miller family affected like this seemed so unfair. Everyone had a right to clean drinking water and fresh, clean air.

  Chapter 4

  Amy borrowed a spare coat of Gabbie’s the next day after Gabbie had offered to show her around. The coat she’d brought with her wasn’t warm enough for the colder climate.

  “They’ve sent you here to marry my onkel haven’t they?” Gabbie said as they walked.

  “I guess that’s their plan,” Amy said. “What’s he like?”

  “We could go and spy on him.” Gabbie giggled. “His timber mill is only a ten-minute walk from here. Don’t worry we won’t let him see us.”

  “Okay.” It was best she was prepared. If he looked anything like his bruder, better she find out sooner than later. As they walked along the road, Amy looked at the forest to the left of them. “Are there bears around here?”

  “Sometimes, but not too many. No one’s been eaten by a bear for years.” Gabbie giggled.

  “Hm. Encouraging. So, how are we going to spy on him without him seeing?”

  Gabbie skipped away from Amy and called over her shoulder, “There’s a hill that looks down over the mill. We’re nearly there.”

  Amy ran to catch her. “They’re not trying to marry you off to anyone, Gabbie?”

  Gabbie stopped skipping and turned around. “Nee, they say I’m too immature and need to grow up.” She laughed. “Too silly and too young in the head.”

  Amy smiled at her. She should have thought of using that as her own excuse and then she might still be home.

  Gabbie pointed to raised grounds ahead of them. “It’s over that hill.”

  They climbed through a wire fence, and as they neared the top, Gabbie pulled Amy down. “We don’t want anyone to see us.”

  Lying down and with their tummies pressed against the grass, both
girls poked their heads over the top.

  Amy saw two chestnut draft horses, and then she saw him. He had hair of gold, he stood tall, and his body was solid but lean. She hoped that was Andrew, but then two other men appeared behind him and they both looked older and not as nice-looking. “Which one is he?” she whispered.

  “Guess,” Gabbie said.

  Amy pushed a hand underneath her to stop the sharp grass sticking her through her clothing. “The one in the light shirt?”

  “Jah.”

  Amy turned to look at Gabbie. Was it another of her jokes and Andrew was one of the plainer men? Her face gave nothing away. “He’s not at all like your vadder, Gabbie.”

  “They’re step-bruders. Dat’s mamm died, and my grossdaddi married Andrew’s mudder when Andrew was three. I’m not supposed to tell anyone this, but Andrew’s mudder ran off with an Englisch boy and came back when Andrew was two.” Gabbie whispered, “She didn’t ever marry the Englischer.”

  “Of course not.”

  Gabbie looked at her expectantly.

  “Oh.” Amy took a moment to absorb the information. That meant Andrew’s mother had been an unmarried mother when she’d returned to the community to marry Bishop John’s father, making Bishop John and Andrew not blood-related at all.

  Amy nodded, trying to take it all in and work out who was who. “Does Andrew know?”

  “Jah, of course. He knows; I’m not supposed to say anything to anyone. They think I gossip.” Gabbie laughed. “I suppose I do.”

  “Do Andrew’s mudder and John’s vadder live around here somewhere?”

  Gabbie rolled onto her back. “Both are dead.”

  “Ach. That’s sad.”

  “That’s life.” Gabbie’s tone was matter-of-fact.

  Amy fixed her gaze back on Andrew. Suddenly, it seemed a good idea to have come all this way to meet him. It was worth the torturous trip. “What’s he like?”

  Gabbie scoffed. “I guess he’s okay.”

  Amy furrowed her brow. “What do you mean? It sounds like you don’t get along with him.”

  “He’s old and he’s like every other grown up. Too serious, not any fun.”