Sarasota Dreams

by Mayne, Debby

  “Neh.” Ruthie looked down. “I don’t think I’ll be seeing him anymore.”

  “Do you think they’re guilty?” he challenged.

  “No! I don’t believe for one minute they’re guilty, but if I continue seeing Charles, Mr. Krahn and the other men will never leave the Polks alone.”

  “That is not a good enough reason to stop seeing someone you love, Ruthie,” he stated firmly. “That is, if they’re innocent.”

  “Correction.” Mother grinned and winked. “That is, if you love him.”

  Papa leaned back and folded his arms. “Ruthie, are you in love with Charles?”

  Both of her parents watched her without blinking. Ruthie had never lied to them before, and she didn’t plan to start now. She slowly nodded. “Ya, I believe I am.” She cleared her throat. “Or at least I was.”

  Pop stayed in town the next day to talk with the fire marshal. Charles went to the farm with the understanding that he’d come home if needed. Mom went to her job at Penner’s because she felt she was better off busy than trying to help when she didn’t have any idea what she could do to help.

  Throughout the morning, Charles glanced up toward Abe’s house to see if there was any sign of news. When lunchtime rolled around and no one came to get him, he headed to his favorite spot under the shade tree. He’d barely opened his lunch bag when David’s van came rolling up the sandy road.

  Charles started to pull out his sandwich, but when he saw what appeared to be Ruthie sitting beside Pop, he paused. No, that had to be his imagination. What would Ruthie be doing here?

  David pulled to a stop, but no one got out of the van right away. That was odd. Pop generally hopped right out so David could get to his next fare.

  Charles put his lunch bag down, got up off the picnic bench, and walked toward the van. He was about twenty feet from the van when he saw that his eyes hadn’t played tricks on him. Ruthie really was sitting next to Pop, and they were talking with David about something.

  He paused for a moment until Ruthie turned and looked directly at him. His heart felt as though it would pound right out of his chest. Instead of waiting, he ran toward the van and yanked open the door.

  “What are you doing here, Ruthie?”

  Pop shook his head and chuckled. “Why are you talking to your girlfriend like that, Son? After I got some good news, I went to tell her and her parents. She wanted to see you, and who am I to stand in the way?” Charles noticed the joy on the faces of both Pop and Ruthie.

  “But—”

  “I spent the morning with the fire marshal, and we’ve been cleared of any wrongdoing. The chemicals they found were paint thinners used on the exterior of the house.”

  “Do the authorities know how the fire started?” Charles asked.

  “Some faulty wiring that got out of control when sparks ignited the materials we used for painting,” Pop said. “Now that they know we had nothing to do with it, the insurance company is going to come through and settle everything.” He got out of the van and helped Ruthie out.

  Ruthie smiled at Charles. “I am so glad that’s all over with.”

  Charles wasn’t sure what to do next, but Pop was right on top of the situation. “Don’t let this girl get away, Son. Make sure she knows how you feel.” Pop gave him a gentle nudge with his elbow. “Do it now.”

  “Um … Ruthie, I like … no, I love you, and I’d like to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “Whoa, Son,” Pop said with a chuckle. “That’s not exactly what I was talking about. Slow down and wait until the timing is right … and you’re alone.”

  “You said not to let her get away.”

  Pop didn’t try to hide a goofy grin. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

  “See?” Charles heard David laughing in the background, but that didn’t bother him. “And she went to all this trouble to come out here with you, so I’m not wasting another minute. I love Ruthie, and she’s the girl I want to marry.”

  “Well …” Pop got David’s attention and motioned to follow him to the tree. “Since I can’t control my son’s sense of urgency, why don’t we go over there and give them some space?”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Charles said. “I don’t care if everyone in the world knows how I feel.”

  David was still laughing as he and Pop left him and Ruthie alone.

  “Well?” Charles said as he turned back to face Ruthie, whose face was flaming red. “Do you feel the same way?”

  She looked down for a few seconds then slowly raised her gaze to meet his. He held his breath until she finally nodded. “Yes, Charles, I do feel the same way.”

  “Okay then.” He sucked in a breath. “I guess I should have asked your father for your hand first, right?”

  “Probably,” Ruthie gave him a shy grin, “but I think he’ll understand.”

  Ruthie’s nerves were a tangled mess as she rode back home in silence. Occasionally she caught David glancing at her in the rearview mirror, but once she looked at him, he turned his attention back to the road. After he pulled up in front of her house, he hopped out and ran around to open her door.

  As soon as Ruthie’s feet hit the ground, David leaned over and whispered, “Congratulations. I’m glad Charles found such a sweet girl.”

  Ruthie felt her cheeks grow hot, but she didn’t look away as she would have in the past. Instead she met his gaze and said, “Thank you.”

  Before entering her house, she stood facing the front door and inhaled the air that had started to cool down a bit. Charles said he would be here after he got home from work because he wanted to talk to her parents. She knew it would be difficult not to say anything to her parents, so she hoped Mother wasn’t home.

  The instant she walked inside, she heard Mother puttering around in the kitchen, so she went straight to her bedroom. Mother must have heard her because she was there in a matter of seconds.

  One look at her, and Mother narrowed her eyes. “What’s that funny look about, Ruthie?”

  Ruthie just smiled.

  Mother’s eyebrows shot up. “I heard the news about the Polks’ innocence. Your father and I are very happy.”

  “Ya. Me, too.” Maybe Mother wouldn’t guess the rest.

  “I need your help with supper. Your papa will be home early tonight. He said we’re having company for dessert.”

  Ruthie’s heart thudded. Tonight wasn’t a good time to have company.

  “Who?”

  “The Polks, of course. We have a wedding to discuss.” Mother smiled as she closed the distance between them and gave Ruthie a big hug.

  “You know?”

  “Of course I do.” Mother chuckled as she captured a stray strand of Ruthie’s hair and tucked it beneath her kapp. “I am so happy for you, Ruthie. Charles is a very sweet boy, and his family is so nice.”

  Ruthie couldn’t keep the tears from falling. Mother dabbed at Ruthie’s cheeks with her sleeve.

  “Why don’t you freshen up and change clothes before everyone arrives?”

  Ruthie was in her room changing when she heard Papa walk in the front door, so she hurried to join her parents. Papa motioned for her to join them for a family discussion.

  “I want you to know that the church is demanding a public apology from the troublemakers,” he said.

  “Have they apologized to the Polks yet?” Mother asked.

  “Mr. Hostetler is over there right now, doing just that. I pray they find it in their hearts to forgive him.”

  “Even for us it would be difficult, after those terrible accusations,” Mother said.

  “What if the Polks can’t accept their apology?” Ruthie asked.

  Papa placed his hand on her shoulder. “Do not worry about what you cannot control, Ruthie. This is in the Lord’s hands now. The church council is going to meet with all the families who tried to prevent the Polks from joining.”

  Charles was nervous as he and his parents took off on foot for the Kauffmans’ house. Pop hadn’t
wasted any time letting Mom know, and Charles had spoken to Ruthie’s father when Abe sent him home early. This would be the first time the two families would come together knowing they’d eventually all be part of one big family.

  “Mr. Hostetler seemed very sorry,” Mom said. “I feel bad that he and the others have to speak in front of the church about what they did wrong.”

  “I believe it’s the right thing for the church to do.” Pop smiled. “It reinforces my decision that we’re doing the right thing.” He turned to Charles. “You okay, Son?”

  Charles cleared his throat. “I’m very nervous.”

  “Relax, Son,” Pop said as they started up the walkway to the front door. “Everything will be just fine.”

  Before they got to the door, Mr. Kauffman flung it open and pulled Charles into a bear hug. “Welcome to the family, Charles.” Then he turned to Mom and Pop with only slightly less enthusiastic hugs. “Esther and I are very happy.”

  Charles saw Ruthie appear at the front door, her sweet, smiling face lighting up the near darkness.

  “Go on, Son,” Pop said as he nudged him toward the house. “She’s waiting for you. Go make some memories.”

  Without wasting another second, Charles ran toward Ruthie and pulled her into his arms. He leaned down and whispered, “Okay if I give you a kiss?”

  She nodded. As he kissed her, their parents let out deep sighs, reflecting what Charles felt in his heart. He pulled away and looked into Ruthie’s eyes.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  “I love you,” she said without an ounce of reservation. Yes, this was a moment he’d never forget.

  Epilogue

  Ruthie stood in the churchyard with her brand new husband of half an hour, watching Mary and Abe take turns chasing after their toddler. Her heart overflowed with joy, love, and peace like she’d never felt before.

  “That’ll be us in a few years,” Charles whispered.

  She turned to face the man she loved and trusted with all her heart. “I certainly hope so.”

  As if on cue, Shelley approached and opened the blanket so Ruthie and Charles could get a better look at the bundle in her arms. Ruthie’s heart did a little flip. “He smiled at me.”

  Shelley offered a beatific grin. “He senses your joy.”

  Ruthie sighed. She couldn’t ever remember a time when she was this happy. She had a husband she adored, parents who loved her, in-laws who were happy to share their son with her, and friends who were a few steps ahead of her so she would have someone to ask questions when she and Charles started their own family.

  “C’mon, Mary,” Abe called from the edge of the lawn. “Grab Elizabeth and let’s go. David will be here any minute.”

  As their friends left the churchyard one by one, Ruthie and Charles hugged them and accepted their best wishes. They soon found themselves alone.

  “Ready to go home now, my sweet wife?” Charles asked.

  Ruthie’s eyes misted as she nodded. “Yes, my loving husband. I am ready to go to our home.”