She looked back at Amos’s house and saw him walking inside the front door. When she moved onto the road, she heard a car. She moved to one side to allow the car to pass since it was traveling so fast. Instead of passing, the car stopped beside her.
Glancing down, she saw it was Tony. Her heart pounded in fear.
“Get out!”
“No.” Fear filled her entire body. He’d come to kill her himself. She moved her horse forward. “I’ll not stop.”
Then he beeped his car’s horn loudly. Her horse was experienced and used to traffic and sudden noises, so he paid the sounds no mind. Tony drove beside her honking the horn and nudging the buggy while yelling out to her.
“Stop it! Stop it you maniac!” If she stopped the buggy, he would see she was pregnant and then things would be worse. If he didn’t kill her, he might beat her and harm the baby. “Go away.” She prayed and didn’t know what else to do. The horse would never outrun the car, and she’d already left Amos’s house and couldn’t turn around because his car was alongside. Then she got an idea. “Okay I'll stop,” she yelled out.
Once she stopped, he got out of the car, and was nearly at the buggy, she set the horse off racing. It would take him a while to get back to his car and start it again and by then she hoped to make it to the next house. He wouldn’t kill her in front of people.
In her rear-view mirror, she could see him getting back in his car. She knew she was doomed. She prayed again for the safety of her baby. Then she heard galloping hooves from somewhere. She swiveled her head to the other side and saw Amos galloping on a horse and he was now beside her buggy.
“Stop!” he said.
With him there to protect her, she stopped. “Amos, it’s Tony in the car.”
“I’ll handle him.” He jumped off his horse and handed her a gun from out of his coat. “For protection,” he said. Then he walked over to Tony who’d stopped a distance back from the buggy.
“I want to talk to Jeanie,” Tony said to Amos. “Are you her boyfriend?”
“I’m a friend.”
“What kind of friend?”
Jeanie heard them talking and wasn’t brave enough to look. She stared down at the gun and remembered Malachi teaching her the steps to use it.
“Leave the lady alone.” Amos said.
“I just want to settle the score.”
“What score would that be?”
“Get out of my way.”
“I'm sorry, but I can't do that. You see, Jeanie is a good friend of mine.”
“Is that right?”
“That is right. Jeanie is a friend to everybody in the Amish community.”
“I might have to arrange for your disposal, too, just like her stupid husband.”
Jeanie gasped when she heard those words. He had just admitted to killing Malachi, as plain as day. She looked down at the gun. She could step out of the buggy and shoot him right now, and if he hurt Amos she’d have to. The gun was heavier than the one she’d practiced with before. Malachi had told her everyone who lived on a farm had to know how to shoot.
“My place is just up the road there. Why don’t we sit down and talk about this man-to-man?”
“I'm going to speak to Jeanie, not you.”
“She doesn't want to speak to you.”
Jeanie didn’t want Tony to hurt Amos, so she decided to get out of the buggy. Tony could’ve had a gun in his pocket for all she knew. Just as she was getting out, a car came over the hill and she quickly got back in. Peeping over the buggy seat, she watched as Amos waved the car down. Then Tony got back in his car, reversed with a spin of his wheels, turned and screeched up the road. Amos asked the people to phone the police from one of their cell phones. When the call had been made, the car proceeded on its way.
Amos ran to her. “Are you all right, Jeanie?”
She took a deep breath. “Yes. Has he gone?”
“He has.”
“He could’ve killed you, Amos.”
“The police are on their way.”
“He killed Malachi,” Jeanie sobbed.
“Apparently so. Wait right there.” He grabbed his patiently waiting horse and clipped his lead onto the back of the buggy. Then he opened the door and she moved over as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “I'll take you back to my place. The police will be here soon.”
“Denke for saving me.”
She passed the gun back to him and he took it with his free hand. “At least you didn’t have to use it.”
“I was tempted. The police said they arrested him. I wonder what happened.”
He gave a one-shoulder shrug, and she wondered if she would’ve actually used that gun.
* * *
As they waited in Amos's house for the police, Jeanie knew she wouldn’t be able to carry on until she told Amos the whole truth.
“There’s something else you need to know. I’m not the nice person you think I am, Amos.”
“Nee? Then who are you?” He chuckled.
“I’m not joking, Amos. You might never want to speak with me again when you learn what I’ve done.” She hoped he’d understand her desperation. “I deliberately came here weeks ago to … in a plot to win your heart.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I’m flattered.”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand. Oh, Amos. I’ve fallen in love with you now, but back then I had nothing like that on my mind. I was only getting close to you so we could keep the farm.”
He stared at her, shocked. “Tell me that again?”
“It’s true.”
“You didn’t have feelings for me?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t then, but I do now.”
“You were deceiving me? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Jah. That’s exactly what I was doing.”
He looked away. “How could you?”
He wasn’t taking it as well as she’d hoped and she couldn’t blame him. “I couldn’t go on until I’d told you the truth.”
“You might’ve told me the truth back then, before feelings developed.”
“I didn't know how. I feel awful.”
They heard a car and Amos stood and looked out the window. “It’s the police. We’ll talk about this when they’ve gone.”
They found out from the police that Tony had slipped out of the station before they had been able to get that arrest warrant. Now they had the warrant and were looking for him. Jeanie and Amos told the police everything they knew, and all that Tony had said. The police asked them to go to the station the next morning to make official statements.
When the police left, Jeanie knew things had changed between Amos and herself. She could sense his disappointment. “I should go.” She stood up.
“Wait. Let’s talk.”
“Okay.” She sat down again hoping he wouldn’t be too harsh.
“Do you mean to tell me you were wooing me in an attempt to have me fall in love with you so you could keep the farm?”
“Worse. As well, I hoped we’d marry to give my child security and a father.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I was wrong about you. I didn’t think you’d be capable of doing that.”
She looked into his dark eyes. “I’m not.” She wanted to tell him that Magda had talked her into it. “I am, I guess, because that’s what I did. But I couldn't live with myself. It was awful and I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“I forgive you, but I’ll withdraw my offer of marriage.”
She looked at him and he looked away from her. “I understand. I’m disappointed with myself. I understand how you feel.”
“You can keep the farm. I’ll have the papers re-drawn up into your name. I’ve asked them to go ahead with that anyway.”
Jeanie stood. “I couldn’t do that now, not after …”
“Jeanie, I want to give you the farm in memory of my good friend. As you once pointed out, it would’ve been yours if Malachi had lived.”
“Denke, Amos, but
I don’t know. So much has happened. The farm’s not the happy place it once was. It doesn’t feel right to stay there now.” She felt truly awful, and she had to get away. She stood up. “I’ll go now, and I’m dreadfully sorry things worked out like this.”
He stood as well. “So am I. As you wish. We’ll leave the farm as is.” He walked to the door and she hurried to her buggy. “Wait, Jeanie.”
She turned around. “You’ve had an awful fright. I’ll take you home and I’ll bring Werner back to drive the buggy home.”
“Denke. I do feel a little shaken.”
Chapter 22
She preferred to be alone, but she had to think of the health of her baby. That was the only reason she agreed for Amos to drive her home. She was embarrassed about her behavior and everything she’d done. Desperation and fear had made her act against her principles.
* * *
For the next months, they kept working the farm. They hadn’t talked with Amos and he hadn’t talked with them. Zelda had left and there was no sign of her brothers. At the community gatherings they all avoided Amos, which was easy to do as he also avoided them.
* * *
Two weeks remained before her baby was due and Jeanie knew she had to put an end to the silliness. As the newly self-appointed head of their small household, she took it upon herself to straighten things out with Amos. It would be embarrassing to see him again, but it was important to her that things were sorted by the time the baby arrived. If he could allow them to stay until the potato harvest so they could see things through, then they’d find another place to live. Amos could do what he wanted with the farm. The three of them had become resigned to the fact that the farm would never be theirs.
Jeanie chose Saturday as the day. Neither Magda or Werner was home, so she could slip away unnoticed to visit Amos.
When she got closer to his house, she saw him bending down fixing a fence post close to the house. Jasper was by his side. Amos stood up when he saw her approach, and then he put Jasper behind the fence. She stopped the buggy and climbed out as he walked over.
“Morning, Jeanie.”
“Hello, Amos. I wanted to have a word with you if I could?”
“Sure. Would you like to come inside?”
“We could sit on the porch. It’s such a nice day.”
He looked up at the morning sun making its way higher into the sky. “It’s going to be a warm one.” After he gave her a smile, they walked over to the porch. He sat on the far chair and she took the one closer.
It hit her suddenly, just how much she’d missed his company.
“I hope you haven’t had any more trouble with that ex-boyfriend of yours?”
“Nee, he’s keeping well away. He knows the police are keeping an eye on him. They told me he got bail and he’s awaiting trial. Although, who knows how long that will be?”
“Good. I do worry about you.”
“You do?” When he nodded, she stared into his dark eyes wondering if he missed her.
“I do. Are you surprised?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “A little, I guess. Things haven’t been so good between us. I don’t like to leave things the way they are. We haven’t even discussed the farm and what will happen with it. I mean, it’s yours to do with what you will.”
“I no longer see the farm as mine, Jeanie. I’ve been leaving things as is because I’m embarrassed by my actions. That’s why I haven’t been to see you.”
“You’re embarrassed?”
“I am.”
“So are we, and I hate that things are so awkward.”
He shook his head and looked down.
“At one time, I cared so much about the farm because I thought I had to be strong for Werner and Magda. I was convinced Malachi wanted me to carry on and do what he would’ve done. Now I know that all he would’ve wanted was for me to be happy. Especially now that the baby’s coming soon.”
He was now smiling at her. “Have you been well?” When she nodded, he said, “All Malachi would’ve wanted was for you to be happy and your child to have a home where he could be raised.”
“He?”
“Or she.”
Jeanie giggled. “I know you're right and I wasted so much time and energy worrying about the future.”
“I’m sorry, Jeanie. I was the one who caused you all that worry. I should’ve changed the contract to your name just like you said. My head was clouded, but now I see clearly. Anyway, the contract is now in your name and waiting for you to sign. I’ll drive you there myself first thing Monday.” He chuckled. “I’m convinced those lawyers think I’m crazy, what with all the changes I’ve instructed them to make, but I don’t care.”
She rubbed her head and looked away from him. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“Jeanie, what I want is to marry you.”
She whipped her head around to look back at him. “After all of my deception?”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You were striving to help others, and you were right to tell me. I should’ve honored my word to Malachi right after he died, because … well, I just should’ve.” He shrugged. “Tell me, is there any hope for you and me?”
This was the last thing she’d expected. “You mean, you still want to …”
“Jah, I still want to marry you, if you’ll have me. One day, Werner will marry and he could take over the farm. Magda can stay there or live with us. Whatever you want, or wherever Magda wants to live. I can build on a grossdaddi haus here.”
She looked down and pushed her fingertips into either side of her forehead, making tiny circles. “That’s a lot to think about.”
“I’m such a fool. Just answer me this.”
Jeanie looked up, right into his dark chocolate-colored eyes. “What?”
“Do you have feelings for me?”
“I do.”
“Why don’t we marry, and then we can figure everything out from there?”
She could feel her face break into a smile. This talk had turned out better than she could’ve hoped. “I do miss you. I missed our Saturday’s together.” Now her child would have a father and a happy home.
“Will you give it some thought?”
“I will marry you, Amos. I don't need to give it any more thought.”
His eyebrows flew nearly to his hat. “You will?”
Jeanie giggled. “I’ve felt so bad, sure that you thought me a dreadful person. Every day I was going over and over in my head how I could’ve — should've — done things differently. If you can overlook my faults, I’m happy to marry you.”
The corners of his lips tilted upward. “Then, you’ll overlook my faults?”
“I will.” She was certain he didn’t have many of those.
He jumped to his feet and lifted her up and encircled his arms around her and held her tight.
“Careful,” she said with a giggle looking down at her baby bump. “You won’t be able to hold me too close for a while.” She felt a warm sensation spread down her legs and looked down at the liquid on the porch. “Oh! My water’s broke.”
He gasped. “Did I do that?”
“Nee, but the boppli’s coming. Can you call Sandra Beiler?”
“Jah, are you okay?”
“I think so.”
“Stay here.” He ran to the barn.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said to herself as he disappeared behind the barn doors. She stood leaning on the porch rail, caressing her rounded belly and praying the birth would go all right. Nothing was as important as this baby coming into the world safely. It made her see that all those things she’d been worried about for the past months were nothing in comparison. A new life was coming and she had to be a good mother and teach her child right from wrong.
Looking up toward the barn, she saw Amos hurrying back. “She’s twenty minutes away.”
“Good.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. I don’t even have contractions yet.” She was a
little embarrassed about her water breaking in front of him, but that was something over which she’d had no control. Maybe it was a sign that she’d made the right choice when she’d accepted his proposal of marriage.
“Looks like you’ll have the boppli under my roof — under our roof.”
She smiled at him. “It seems when you give up and give everything over to Gott, He works things out.”
He chuckled and stood beside her near the porch railing. “Someone said to me once that it’s only when we stop worrying that Gott works on our problems for us.”
When Jeanie felt a tightening of her abdomen, she touched the contraction with her hands. “I can feel something happening.”
“Please wait until she comes. I’ve delivered horses and calves, but I think humans would be different.”
Jeanie laughed. “Jah, those mothers wouldn't talk to you. I think you’ll be safe if Sandra was only twenty minutes away.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “We’ve had a rocky start, you and I, but there’s something about you that has always pulled me toward you.”
“I feel it too. I enjoyed the time I’ve spent with you. I know we’ll have a good life together.”
“We need to be totally honest with each other.”
“I agree,” Jeanie said, glad they were of the same mind. “Can you call around and find out where Magda is? She wants to be at the birth.”
“Sure.”
Just when the midwife arrived, Jeanie had another contraction. Soon after that, Sandra and Amos made up a room where Jeanie would have her baby.
Late that evening, at ten minutes past eleven, a baby boy came into the world. Jeanie took him into her arms with tears of joy and sadness, thinking about how happy Malachi would’ve been to see him. Magda hurried out of the room to let Amos know the baby had arrived safely. By now Magda had been told that Jeanie had accepted Amos’s sudden proposal and she was delighted about it.
When Magda was back in the room, she leaned down and whispered in her ear, “When you’re ready, we’ll let Amos in to see him.”
The Amish Potato Farmer's Widow Page 10