Amish Widow's Proposal

by Samantha Price

  “Best she stays with Beth and doesn’t go with you from now on. You’re getting close to the end and you need to focus on this birth.” Sally reached over and patted Evelyn’s stomach, which made Evelyn laugh. “Come and warm yourself by the fire.”

  Evelyn hung her shawl behind the door and walked over to the crackling fire.

  “I’ll pull a chair close for you.”

  “Denke,” When Sally had moved the chair Evelyn sat down, and then Sally pushed another one near the fire for herself.

  “Cup of tea?”

  “Nee denke, I just had one.”

  “That doesn’t usually stop you.”

  “That’s true, but I’m a little nervous about the appointment. I’m not sure why.”

  “Probably because this is the first time you’ve gone to see the midwife since Amos died.”

  “That could be it.” Evelyn held her hands up to the fire. “Where’s Jed today?”

  “I’m not certain if he’s working on your haus or someone else’s haus today. Do you want to drive past your house when your appointment is over?”

  “Nee.”

  “What is it?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You like him, don’t you?”

  “He’s a nice man and he seems kind. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “Why? We tell each other everything.” When Evelyn remained silent, Sally probed further. “Are you keeping something from me?”

  “I told you about Hezekiah.”

  “Jah, I know but I’ve got a feeling you’re keeping something else from me.”

  Evelyn sighed and then told her about Amos’ large debt to Hezekiah. When she’d finished explaining, Sally looked white in the face.

  “You should’ve told me right away.”

  Evelyn shook her head. “There’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing anyone can do about it.”

  Sally raised her eyebrows. “If you marry Hezekiah, you won’t have a thing to worry about.”

  Evelyn shook her head. “I hate to say it but sometimes it sounds tempting. I’ve always gotten along well with his kinner, they’re lovely.”

  “Jah, they’re delightful. But you can’t marry someone for those reasons.”

  “I married Amos for less.”

  Sally frowned, and muttered, “That was a long time ago.”

  “It doesn’t make any difference. I still should never have married Amos. He seemed nice and I thought love would grow, but it didn’t. Things just got worse. In the end, I don’t think he even liked me.”

  “Of course he did.”

  Evelyn shook her head. “It makes little difference if he did or didn’t. If I ever marry again it must be for love.” She stared into her sister’s face. “Tell me what it feels like to be in love.”

  Sally’s face glowed as her gaze turned upward. “I feel excited when I know he’s going to be coming home soon—I can scarcely wait. All the time, I want to be near him. He makes me happy when he’s around and even when he’s not around, just thinking about him makes me smile. My life is much better since we married.” She looked back at Evelyn. “Does that explain it?”

  “The look on your face explains it better.”

  Sally giggled. “It’s hard to put feelings into words. You’ll know when you’re in love. You won’t have to ask anyone if you’re in love.”

  “So, if I have to ask someone if I’m in love, I’ll know I’m not?”

  “That’s right. You’ll know it in your heart because you’ll want to be near him all the time.”

  “I hope I find someone like that one day. My biggest regret is not having my kinner with a man I was in love with. I feel almost like I’ve been cheated.”

  “Don’t feel like that. Gott might have planned it that way so your kinner could come into the world. Think about it, if Amos didn’t come into your life, you wouldn’t have had Martha or Tom.”

  “Tom?”

  Sally giggled. “That’s what I’m calling him.”

  Evelyn placed a hand over her stomach. “I might have a girl.”

  “I think he’ll be a boy.”

  “I don’t know that I like the name Tom. I guess I don’t dislike it, but I don’t think that’ll be my boppli’s name.”

  “We’ve got a few weeks to think of something. Now if we were to go to a doctor and you were to have an ultrasound, you’d know if you were having a boy or a girl and that would make finding a name easier.”

  “Not this again! I told you I’m having a home-birth and that’s all there is to it.”

  “You know she’s not trained.”

  “I know that. She’s been delivering babies in the community for twenty years just like her mother before her. You can train someone but you can’t train a person into having instincts. That’s all the training I need her to have—and she delivered Martha. Her mother delivered all of us.”

  “I know that, but wouldn’t you feel better if you went to a doctor and just checked out that there was nothing wrong?”

  “Sounds like you’re expecting things to go wrong.”

  “Nee I’m not, but I felt a whole lot better when I went to a doctor for my second birth.”

  “I wouldn’t. I don’t like doctors at all, not one little bit. All they want to do is give medicine to treat the symptoms rather than look further to see what’s causing the problem.”

  Sally giggled.

  “What’s funny?”

  “Nothing.”

  “There’s nothing funny about visiting doctors. Anything that’s wrong with me I can take herbs for.”

  Sally sighed. “There are all kinds of things that can go wrong.”

  “Jah, but I’m certain if doctors get involved there might be more things that they can cause to go wrong. Dana says the more the doctors intervene, the more things that can go wrong. It’s proven to be correct and Dana’s studied the statistics.”

  “It suits Dana to say things like that. Anyone can twist things with statistics to suit themselves.”

  “No they can’t. The numbers don’t lie. I’ve heard some horror stories of what happens. I prefer to have my boppli at home. If there’s an emergency, the hospital’s not far away.”

  “Okay. I do have to say Dana’s experienced, I’ll give her that much. We better go now if you don’t want to be late.” Sally passed Evelyn her shawl and then wrapped her own over her shoulders. “Mark hitched the buggy already.”

  “We could’ve taken my buggy.” Evelyn followed Sally out the door.

  “Mark didn’t want us to go in your buggy. He said to let you know you shouldn’t travel long distances in it if you’re still using the old one.”

  “I’m using the newer one today. I won’t use the old one again. Denke, for having Jed bring it to me. I’ve got people doing things for me, but I haven’t done anything for anyone for a long time. I want to do something to help someone.”

  “You’re doing something helpful by raising Martha and looking after Tom.”

  “I never thought of it like that.”

  “And you mix up your potions to give people when they’re sick, and you’re always giving people your teas when they fall ill.”

  “I haven’t done anything with my herbs for weeks and I haven’t even been outside to water them. Everything has fallen by the wayside since Amos died. I do feel better when I’m mixing up things for people.”

  “That’s what you’re good at. Gott gave you that gift. Now let’s go. It’s a good twenty minutes away.”

  “I’m right behind you.”

  The sisters glanced at one another and exchanged smiles. Sally always made Evelyn feel better through her encouraging words.

  Chapter 14

  For in this hope we were saved Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

  Romans 8: 24-25

  * * *

  Over the next four weeks, Evelyn visited her house almost every day to watch the
progress Jed was making. As well as Mark, there were other Amish men helping with the project. Members of the community had donated building materials as well as their labor.

  After she hadn’t been to the house for several days, Jed knocked on her door.

  Evelyn opened the door to see his concerned face.

  “Are you alright? You haven’t been to the haus for days.”

  “Come in.” As soon as he walked in, she said, “I’m okay, just a little tired. Have a seat. Are you hungry?”

  “I’m always hungry.”

  “I’ve just made a pot roast. On second thought, let’s go into the kitchen and I’ll slice you some.”

  “It smells wunderbaar.”

  “Well, I hope it tastes as gut.”

  “Where is Martha?”

  “She’s asleep. Sometimes she still has an afternoon nap.”

  When she’d placed a bowl of food in front of him, she sat opposite. “How’s the haus going?”

  “It’s making gut progress. I’ve had a couple of ladies, Olive and Greta, come out to look at the garden. They’re going to plant something out in front.” Jed chuckled. “I was too busy to listen to what they were saying. They were speaking mostly to Mark.”

  “That’s so kind of them. I’ll be sure to thank them.”

  “They heard you were getting the old placed fixed up.” He took another mouthful. “Mmm. This is tasty.”

  “Denke. Maybe you should slow down.”

  He laughed. “I’m hungrier than I thought.”

  “That’s because I didn’t bring food out to you today. I’m sorry.”

  Since he had a mouthful, he shook his head and waved his hand. When he’d finished swallowing he said, “You’ve got better things to do than run after me.”

  “Would you like more?”

  He shook his head. “Nee denke. That was enough. I meant to tell you, Mark and I took your horse to the auction this morning. He had to be there two days before the auction took place.”

  “Denke. I didn’t realize it was going to be happening so soon.”

  “How about you come with me and we’ll watch the auction? Just you and me; we could make a day of it.”

  “I would, but I think it’d be too tiring for Martha.”

  “We could leave her with one of your schweschders on the way.”

  A smile slowly crept across her face at the thought of a whole day alone with Jed. “I’d love to. I’m sure Beth wouldn’t mind and Martha loves going to Beth’s haus.”

  “That’s settled then. I’ll borrow one of Mark’s buggies and I’ll collect you early in the morning. How about we go for breakfast first?”

  Delighted with the attention he was paying her, Evelyn nodded.

  He leaned toward her with his blue eyes sparkling. “I’ll look forward to it.”

  “Me too.”

  “I’ve got a few things to tie up at the haus before I finish for the day.” He looked about him. “Seems very quiet with Martha asleep.”

  “It is peaceful.”

  He stood. “Can I do anything for you while I’m here?”

  She glanced up at the ceiling. “I do have a fear of spiders and there are two cobwebs in the corners up there.” She pointed. “I haven’t seen the spiders, but they must be around somewhere.”

  “I’ll get them for you.”

  “Denke, I would’ve got them down myself, but I only just noticed them earlier today.”

  “They can appear in a day. It takes them no time at all to spin a web.”

  Evelyn shuddered at the thought. “I’ll get the broom.”

  “I’ll get it; just tell me where it is.”

  “Just outside the back door.”

  Minutes later the cobwebs were gone.

  He glanced at the dishes in the sink. “I’ll do those before I go. You sit down.”

  “I can’t let you.”

  “I insist. That’s the least I can do for you.”

  Evelyn sat at the kitchen table hoping the tap wouldn’t act up. It was strange that a man was washing up. She’d never seen her father or Amos lift a finger in the kitchen—that was looked upon as women’s work. “Do you know what you’re doing?” she said with a laugh.

  He turned around and flashed her a smile. “I do, and if you keep up that talk I’ll make you a beard.” He picked up the bubbles in the sink.

  Evelyn giggled. “Put them on yourself. We’ll see what you’ll look like when you’re married.”

  He scooped up bubbles and dabbed them on his face to make a beard. “How do I look?” As he faced her, she broke into peals of laughter. “Handsome?” he asked.

  “Very handsome. I only wish someone would knock on the door; then I’d make you answer it.”

  He laughed and turned to continue washing up with soap bubbles still on his face. “I hope this is rejuvenating for my skin,” he said as he scrubbed the plates.

  “You’ll be clean.”

  Evelyn stood to put the bowls away once he was finished. Seeing the bubbles still on his face she picked up a dishtowel and said, “Turn to me.”

  When he faced her, she dabbed at his handsome face. It’d been some time since she’d been so close to a man. She stepped back when she’d finished even though she wanted to stay close to him.

  “Denke,” he said in a husky tone. When she lifted her hand to put the dishtowel down, he took hold of her hand and pulled her close. “Evelyn, would you ever marry again?”

  She swallowed hard and stared into the bluest of blue eyes. How she wanted him to sweep her into his arms and hold her tight.

  He added, “If you found a man to marry.”

  Nervous, she pulled her hand away. “I would.”

  He cleared his throat. “Before I go I’ll take a look at that fire.”

  “I’ve got plenty of chopped wood.”

  Once Jed walked into the living room, he leaned down, put another log on, and then straightened up. “That should last a while.”

  “Denke, Jed. You’re always so helpful.”

  “You make me want to do things for you.” He stepped toward her but she stepped back. Wagging a finger at her, he said, “Don’t forget I’ll be here to collect you bright and early on Friday.”

  Her face beamed with the thought of spending a whole day with him, and just him. “I’m looking forward to it, and I’ll be ready.”

  When he left, she looked out the window at him driving away. She was certain that he was fond of her, and he certainly liked Martha. Would he really be interested in her? It felt nice to have a man around the house.

  Friday morning finally arrived and Evelyn had Martha packed and ready to stay at her aunt Beth’s house.

  “He’s here; he’s here,” Martha called out excitedly.

  “Okay, are you all ready? Have we got everything?”

  “Jah.”

  Evelyn picked up Martha’s bag, which contained a change of clothing, and opened the front door. Once she closed it behind her, she managed to grab Martha’s hand before she ran to the buggy.

  Jed jumped down. “Guder mariye.”

  “Guder mariye.”

  “Hello, Mr. Esh,” Martha said in a small voice.

  “Hello, Martha. Are you ready to go to your aunt’s haus?”

  Martha nodded.

  He scooped Martha up and placed her on the back seat with her bag, and then helped Evelyn into the buggy.

  Once they’d dropped Martha at Beth’s house, they were finally alone.

  “I’ve been looking forward to today,” he said.

  “Me too.”

  “What? Being with me, or the horse auction?”

  “Breakfast,” she said with a smile.

  He laughed. “Denke, I hope we can improve on that.”

  He took her to the diner they’d already been to.

  “I noticed when we were here before that their breakfast menu looked good.”

  Studying the menu from their table by the window, Evelyn had to agree. “It does look nic
e. I’ll have to go with the bacon, scrambled eggs and hash browns.”

  “Sounds gut. I’m going with the big breakfast.”

  After the waitress had taken their orders, she filled their coffee cups. Evelyn had stopped drinking coffee months ago, but the waitress didn’t even ask if she wanted it. Evelyn suddenly felt nervous; she’d grown to like Jed so much, but didn’t know what to do, what to say, or how to act around him.

  “I must say, I always like spending time with you.”

  “Me too. You make me laugh.”

  He smiled. “That’s something you should do more often. Your whole face lights up when you laugh. Sometimes you look so sad.”

  “I am sad sometimes.”

  “You should never be sad. You’ve got so much going for you.”

  “I have?”

  He nodded and took a mouthful of coffee. “You’ve got a dochder, another child on the way, and a familye who love you. You’ve also got two houses, when many people don’t even have one.”

  Evelyn stared into her coffee that she wasn’t going to drink. He was right. She hadn’t appreciated exactly what she had—she’d been too busy looking at the way she thought things should be.

  “You’re absolutely right. Gott must have sent you here to scold me.”

  He laughed. “I don’t know about that. I wasn’t scolding you—just be happy. There’s no reason to be otherwise. You’re probably thinking that I don’t know what it feels like to lose a spouse and that’s true, but I’ve had loss in my life.”

  “Your parents?”

  He nodded. “And I had a sister who was born not long after my youngest bruder. She died when she was two and I don’t think my parents ever recovered.”

  “That’s sad, I didn’t know.”

  “It’s a part of life and I always thought it was cold when I heard people say that, but it’s true. One day we’ll be gone.”

  “That’s a cheery thought. Didn’t you want me to smile?”

  Jed took a mouthful of coffee. “We’ve so little time here on earth that we should make the best of it and that’s living it with a smile—thinking of others more than ourselves. I used to be critical of others when I was younger until I learned that there’s always a reason why people behave the way they do. Often it’s because they’ve been hurt, and I don’t mean physically.”