Despite her sternness, Henrietta smiled. “Nee. It ain’t no regular meal.” She paused for a moment, but then turned business-like all over again. “And that’s why we have to get a move on. I want the table set well beforehand.”
“We’ll get it done,” Doris said. “We’re almost finished with these cookies.”
“And don’t forget your pumpkin pie,” Henrietta said. “You’ll need to be making two or three, I’m thinking. That nephew of mine gobbles down almost a whole one on his own.”
“And that’s after eating his whole dinner,” Sally said. “Matthew should be fat as a papa pig.”
Doris smiled at the thought for Matthew was anything but fat. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and his waist tapered to his trousers in such an attractive way. His suspenders always seemed to be straining a bit against his wide, muscled chest. Just thinking of him, made Doris’s cheeks grow warm and she turned her face, hoping no one would notice, for she was sure she was blushing.
“Enough of such nonsense talk,” Henrietta said, but she leaned close to her youngest daughter. “But you’re right at that, Sally.”
The two of them laughed, and Doris concentrated on the next chunk of dough she was rolling out. In truth, she was eager to get to the pies, but she wouldn’t make them until tomorrow. She wanted them completely fresh for Matthew.
Had he told her? Had he gone to Annie’s already? And what exactly was Doris going to say to her parents? She was grateful that Kara already knew. Maybe Kara could help smooth the way…
“You gonna just sit there and stare into space?” Henrietta asked her.
Doris gave a start and began rolling the dough again.
“I s’pose you’re fretting about that boy again.” Her mother’s voice was tense and disapproving.
“Mamm, his name is Jordan,” she said. She sighed. It’d been such a habit to defend Jordan with her mother that she slipped right back into it, but then she realized, she didn’t have to anymore. She didn’t love Jordan. It was over. She began to smile.
“What is so funny?” Henrietta asked, frowning.
“Mamm, I’m going to tell you something. It’s somewhat of an early Christmas present.”
Her mother’s face turned white, and she sank into a kitchen chair. “Nee,” she whispered. “Don’t tell me.”
Doris laid down the rolling pin. “Mamm, it ain’t what you’re thinking,” she said, knowing her mother thought she and Jordan had gotten engaged.
But her mother’s eyes widened, and she pressed a hand to her chest. “Don’t tell me. Don’t say it out loud.”
Doris shook her head. “Nee, Mamm. It ain’t that. Jordan and I…” Her mother let out a soft gasp. “We, well, we broke up.”
The kitchen went instantly silent. Then Sally uttered something Doris didn’t understand. She kept her eyes on her mother. Henrietta blinked once, twice, and her mouth fell open. She blinked again.
“What?”
“You heard me, Mamm.”
“You and Jordan…” She visibly swallowed and sucked in a breath. “You aren’t courting no more…?”
Doris shook her head.
“You aren’t teasing me, are you?” Henrietta asked. “You’re serious? For sure and for certain serious?”
Doris laughed. “Jah, Mamm. For sure and for certain serious.”
Tears welled in Henrietta’s eyes. She bit her lip and shook her head over and over. “I can hardly believe it.”
“What happened?” Sally asked. “Did he break up with you?”
Doris glanced at her sister. “Nee. I broke up with him.”
“What?” her mother eked out. Then she got to her feet and a smile broke out over her face. She huffed out a laugh and then smiled again. “Ach, daughter, I’m so glad.”
“I know you are,” Doris said. “I know, Mamm.”
“But this is wonderful gut news,” her mother cried. “I… I have to tell your dat.” And with that, she rushed from the room.
Doris watched her go, realizing anew just how worried and sick of heart her mother had been.
“You broke up with him?” Sally asked. “After all this grief? How come?”
Doris didn’t want to go into it with Sally. Besides, Sally would find out why soon enough. Hopefully, Doris had paved the way for her and Matthew to share their secret—share the truth of their love soon. Very soon.
Kara walked into the kitchen and headed straight for the bowl of cookie dough. She dipped in her finger, hooking a small chunk. She popped it in her mouth and then stared at her sisters.
“What’s going on in here?” she asked, around the dough in her mouth.
“Our Doris has broken up with Jordan,” Sally said.
Kara’s gaze flew to Doris. Her eyes flashed understanding. “Oh?” she murmured.
“Aren’t you surprised?” Sally demanded. “After everything that’s been going on for months around here?”
“Jah. Jah. I’m surprised,” Kara said, not taking her eyes off Doris.
Doris shrugged.
“Well, gut for you,” Kara said. She gave Doris a smile. She stood there for a moment, looking pleased, and then she left the room.
Sally frowned. “That was a strange reaction.” She looked at Doris. “You might as well know… I’m glad, too. I never liked Jordan Lehman. Not even a little.”
And with that, she followed Kara out of the room.
Chapter Fourteen
Matthew and his father spent nearly the entire day at Jeremy’s farm, talking about bees. Matthew almost went crazy, sitting there, feigning interest, when his mind was firmly stuck on telling Annie the truth of things. Every minute that wore on, found him feeling more and more anxious. Why in the world hadn’t he stopped her the other night? Why had he let her misunderstand things? Good Lord—he’d allowed himself to become engaged by default.
He needed to make it right. And fast.
But he was stuck, sitting there talking, sipping tea, even eating the noon meal together with the Ebersoles. While Annie was dreaming about her wedding. Thank goodness, they’d agreed to keep it secret.
Finally, nearing three o’clock, Nathaniel stood. “I can’t thank you enough, Jeremy. This has been a most pleasant day. And I’m going to do it. Come spring, I’m going to set up my first hive.”
“I’ll be over to help you,” Jeremy said, the corners of his eyes crinkling into tiny lines as he smiled.
“Can’t thank you enough,” Nathaniel repeated.
They said their farewells and thanks to Jeremy’s wife and bundled up to leave the house. They’d put Blackie in Jeremy’s barn when they arrived, so Matthew went there to fetch her. It didn’t take long to hitch her back up to the buggy.
“Your mamm is going to be right happy about this bee business,” Nathaniel said.
Matthew didn’t know about that, but he wasn’t about to put a damper on Nathaniel’s excitement.
“I almost wish we could skip this winter right on by and get to spring.” Nathaniel chuckled. “But I have some more learning to do, and I can use these slow months to gather some of the supplies. Shall we check the catalogue at the Feed & Supply on the way home?”
Matthew gritted his teeth. He was going to screech if there were any more delays in getting home. The need to see Annie was eating him alive.
“How about we save that for another day, Dat?” he suggested, marveling at how even his voice was.
Nathaniel chuckled. “I s’pose you’re right at that,” he said. “Verna will be wondering why we’re so long in coming home.”
Matthew let out his breath and guided Blackie toward home. The sky was dark and heavy with snow when they arrived. Matthew prayed the snow would hold off until he’d made it to Annie’s and back.
“Aren’t you going to bed Blackie for the night?” Nathaniel asked when Matthew drove the buggy to the front porch.
“I was thinking of making a quick visit,” he said.
“Oh?” Nathaniel’s brow rose. “To a certain yo
ung lady, I’m thinking?”
Matthew forced himself to grin. “Might be.”
“Well, come in for a minute or two and see your mother. Will you be back for supper?”
“Jah, I’ll be back,” Matthew said. Likely, he’d be back in record time. What he had to say would probably result in Annie rushing back inside within minutes of his arrival.
He secured the reins and the two of them went in the front door.
“You’re back!” Verna said. Her eyes twinkled, and she rushed toward them. “I’m so happy to see you.” She was looking at Matthew with complete animation, her features dancing on her face.
“Mamm?” he questioned.
“I’m just so happy to see you, Matthew,” she exclaimed, her smile wide on her face. “I’m fixing your favorite meal tonight. Nathaniel, aren’t we blessed to have such a son?”
Nathaniel stared at his wife. “What has gotten into you, woman?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she chirped. “Not a thing.” She reached over and squeezed Matthew’s forearm. “I hope you’re gut and hungry this evening.”
“Mamm, what is going on?” But even as he asked the question, his heart turned to lead. Annie hadn’t kept quiet. She’d blurted the news, and her mother must have come rushing over to tell Verna. Nausea roiled in his stomach, and he leaned heavily against the back of the front door.
“This is such a gut day! A happy day! Nathaniel, I must talk to you.” Verna grabbed Nathaniel’s arm and began to drag him toward the kitchen.
“Mamm!” Matthew blurted.
Verna turned to him. When she saw his face, she hesitated, confused. The crease between her eyebrows deepened. “What is it?” she asked, her voice full of dread. “What’s happened?”
“Did Annie Hershberger’s mamm come see you today?”
Verna’s face paled. “Jah. Violet came by…”
Matthew’s voice was heavy with regret. “Mamm, I have to tell you something.”
Verna backed up until she knocked into Nathaniel, who put his arm around her.
“It ain’t true…” Matthew said
“What do you mean?” Verna cried. “Violet came over to tell me herself. Annie told her you two got engaged. Ach, I’m so happy, Matthew. Annie Hershberger is a fine girl. Isn’t she, Nathaniel? Isn’t Annie Hershberger a fine girl?”
Nathaniel looked dumbstruck. “What is going on? I’m completely confused here.”
“Annie thinks we’re engaged—” Matthew started.
“Thinks you’re engaged? How does a girl think she’s engaged? She either is or she isn’t.”
“There’s been a misunderstanding.” Matthew swallowed. Why, oh why, had Annie spilled the news? They’d agreed not to. Ach, but this was even worse than he’d feared.
“Maybe we better all sit down,” Nathaniel said, leading Verna into the front room. They both sat on the couch, and Matthew came in and sat in the rocker.
“I’m sorry, Mamm. Annie shouldn’t have said anything…” he started. This is your fault, not Annie’s, he told himself. “I mean, I don’t blame her. I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”
“You asked Annie to marry you, and now you’re going back on it?” Verna exclaimed.
Nathaniel’s face tightened. “What is this, son? Tell me it ain’t so.”
“It was a misunderstanding,” he said again. “She misunderstood me—”
“And you didn’t set her straight?” Nathaniel’s voice went up a notch.
“I-I…” Matthew shut his mouth. There was no defense for it. He was a heartless fool.
Verna rose from the couch. “And now she thinks she’s going to marry you? And Violet thinks so, too? She was so happy. She told me Annie is beside herself with excitement. They’re already planning the wedding! Ach, Matthew, how could you do such a thing!”
“You’ll marry her,” Nathaniel said simply. “You said you would, and now you shall. Annie Hershberger is a nice girl, like your mamm said. You could do much worse.”
Matthew gaped at Nathaniel. “B-but… I can’t,” he cried. “I’m about to go talk to Annie right now. I’m going to set things right. She wasn’t supposed to say a word.”
“This ain’t on Annie, son,” Nathaniel said sternly. “And you can too marry her.”
“Nee, I can’t,” Matthew said. How could this have turned into such a disaster? He couldn’t marry Annie, and when Annie learned the truth of it, she wouldn’t him to.
Nathaniel scowled. “Why not? You’ve been courting her, haven’t you? Is something wrong with her?”
Matthew shook his head. “Nee. Nothing’s wrong with her. She’s perfectly fine.”
“There you are, then.” Verna’s breath was coming fast, and her face was flushed.
Matthew had never felt like such a worm. “I’m sorry, Mamm and Dat. Truly, truly sorry.”
“Why can’t you marry her? You must feel something for her, or you wouldn’t have been courting her,” Nathaniel said.
“I do feel something for her—”
“There!” Verna cried. “You can marry her then.”
“I’m in love with someone else,” he blurted. They both gaped at him.
“What? Who?” Verna demanded. “And why were you courting Annie if you loved someone else? Who is it? Tell us, Matthew.”
Matthew looked uneasily at Verna then at Nathaniel. He braced himself. “I’m in love with Doris,” he stated.
Both of their mouths dropped open. Verna fell back to the couch. “Your cousin?” she cried. “You’re in love with your cousin?”
Matthew nodded. “I love Doris. I always have.”
Verna slapped Nathaniel’s arm. “Say something, Nathaniel. He’s in love with his cousin.”
“Doris ain’t his cousin,” Nathaniel said quietly.
“She most certainly is…” Verna’s voice faded, and she began trembling. She clasped her hand to her bosom, and her eyes filled with tears. “And Matthew ain’t really our son. Is that what you’re saying, Nathaniel? He ain’t our son.”
She started to weep then, rocking back and forth.
Nathaniel sighed. “Verna, that ain’t what I’m saying. He’s our son as sure as if he’d been born to us. You know that…”
“Mamm—” Matthew said. His heart twisted with her every sob.
“Verna, stop your crying. This ain’t a crisis,” Nathaniel said. He looked at Matthew. “I always knew you had feelings for her. I figured they’d pass.”
“They haven’t,” Matthew admitted.
“I can see that.” Nathaniel put his arm around Verna. “Stop you’re crying, and let’s talk about this.”
“Doris ain’t in love with you,” Verna said through her tears. “She’s in love with that fool, Jordan Lehman.”
Matthew shook his head. “Not anymore.”
Verna sat up straighter. “What? How do you know that?”
“She told me.”
“But that can’t be! Just yesterday, Henrietta was going on and on about it. Again.”
“Verna,” Nathaniel said, “let’s hear Matthew out.”
“Doris and I spoke last night,” Matthew said, and despite the enormous mess he was in, he couldn’t help but feel a moment of happiness remembering the night before. “She told me that she loves me, too.”
Verna pressed her lips together and then shook her head. “Well, isn’t this just a fine kettle of fish.”
Nathaniel’s gaze on Matthew was intent, and he leaned forward. “You want to marry the girl?”
“I want to marry the girl,” Matthew affirmed. The words flowed from Matthew’s lips and he smiled. “I love her, Dat.”
Nathaniel nodded. “I can see that.” He tilted his head and stood up. “Then, so be it.”
“But Nathaniel,” Verna cried, “what will folks think? Matthew and Doris are kin.”
Nathaniel bent down until his face was even with hers. “They ain’t kin. Not blood kin, anyway. This won’t change things. In truth, it’ll only tie Matthew even clos
er to us. He’ll now be our son and our niece’s husband.” He chuckled lightly and stood straight. “Take the buggy and get over there to see Annie.”
Matthew stood up and stepped to Nathaniel, taking him into a big embrace. “Thank you, Dat.”
He let go, knowing Nathaniel wasn’t much for displays of affection. Nathaniel blinked away a tear and gave a gruff, “You’re welcome.”
Matthew knelt before Verna and took her hands in his. “Mamm?”
Verna’s stern expression melted, and she sighed heavily and then nodded. “Go on, son. Go see Annie.”
“Ach, Mamm,” Matthew said, squeezing her hands. And then, he stood and left the house.
Chapter Fifteen
Matthew was sweating by the time he pulled the buggy into the Hershberger’s farm. It was highly odd to be driving straight up to their porch. He’d always picked Annie up at the end of her drive. In fact, since they’d been courting, he hadn’t gone near her house.
Well, he was now.
He secured the reins and climbed out. He hardly felt the slicing wind that had come up. He climbed the steps and knocked on the door, praying it would be Annie who answered.
It wasn’t.
“Ach! Matthew Wanner! Come right in,” Violet greeted him with a beaming smile. “How wonderful gut to see you.”
Matthew did his best to smile back. “It’s nice to see you, too,” he said, wishing with all his heart that it was so. “May I see Annie for a moment?”
Violet stood there, grinning at him. “Annie? Why, of course, son.” She turned and headed toward the kitchen, but Annie had already appeared. She smiled at Matthew as she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel.
“Matthew, I wasn’t expecting you.” He could see the questions in her eyes. Him showing up like this was highly odd behavior, and she was unsure what he was doing there.
“Would you go for a short ride with me, Annie?”
Annie tossed her mother a puzzled look and then said, “Of course. Let me get my cape.”
She disappeared for a minute and Matthew stood nervously waiting for her. When she reappeared, Violet said, “Take your time, you two. Annie, no worries, I’ll finish the meatloaf.”
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