Amish Sweethearts

by Amy Clipston

  “Danki, Mamm,” he said as he hugged her. “I am too.”

  Ariana and Jesse came.

  “You looked so naerfich and terrified you made me cry.” Ariana smacked his shoulder and gave him a watery smile. “It’s so gut to have you back.”

  “Danki.” He blew out a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry for making you cry.”

  “Just don’t leave us again,” Jesse added.

  “I don’t plan to.” Tobias looked across the barn to where Mariella stood with her sisters. She gave him a little wave before they all left the barn. He hoped he could talk to her later and thank her once again for giving him the courage to face his fears.

  “Let’s help set up for the meal,” Jesse said. “I’m starved.”

  “I am too.” Ariana touched Mamm’s arm. “We can help serve.”

  “Ya, of course.” Mamm looked at Tobias again. “I’ll see you after lunch.”

  Jesse pointed to the benches at the far corner of the barn. “We can help get the tables set up over there.”

  Tobias looked to where his father was talking to Ammon and Mel, and a sudden determination overwhelmed him. He needed to speak to Dat. He needed to know if he shared his mother’s happiness about his return to the church. Surely he did.

  “I’ll help in a minute. I need to take care of something first.”

  Tobias crossed the barn and came to a stop beside Dat. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited while the three men discussed the possibility of snow coming early to Lancaster County.

  After glancing at Tobias, Mel pointed across the barn. “Well, it looks like they could use our help preparing tables, Ammon. Why don’t we offer a hand?”

  “Ya, we should.” Ammon shook Dat’s hand and nodded at Tobias. “We’ll see you both at lunch.”

  When the men had gone, Tobias dropped his arms and faced his father, waiting—hoping—for him to say something. A flurry of activity had exploded throughout the barn, but Tobias remained focused only on his father, as if they were the only two people in the room.

  His father chose instead to look at the activity, but at least he didn’t just nod and walk away.

  “I’m a member of the church again,” Tobias finally said. “My sin has been forgiven.”

  Dat turned to look at him. “Ya. That’s gut.” Tobias had hoped for a glimmer of joy, but his father’s hazel eyes remained serious.

  “I guess this means I need to buy a new buggy.”

  Dat crossed his arms over his white shirt and black vest. “I didn’t cash the check you sent me. I sold the other buggy for parts, and I have that money too. You can have it all to purchase a new buggy.”

  “You don’t need to give me that money. Keep it. I owe you a lot more than that for the pain and heartache I caused you and Mamm.” Tobias longed for his father to say something positive about his return, but did he deserve any kind words from him? “Are you glad I’m back?” He heard the plea in his voice.

  Dat’s expression suddenly warmed. “Of course I am.”

  “Marvin! Tobias!” Mel called from a nearby table. “Come and join us for lunch.”

  The moment was over. Dat didn’t seem angry or unforgiving. Just distant. As Tobias walked beside him toward their friends, he wondered if he and his father would ever have the close relationship he craved. If not, he had himself to blame.

  After lunch, Tobias hitched his father’s buggy to his horse. Then he leaned against the buggy and waited for his parents to finish talking with another couple in the driveway. His mind swirled with a mixture of well-being and anxiety as he considered all that had happened today. He’d been welcomed back into the church, and then he ate lunch with his congregation members, who treated him as if he’d never left. He should be elated. God had showed him yet another blessing. But instead he felt as if something was missing in his life.

  He yanked himself from his thoughts as Ariana and Jesse approached.

  “I’m going to go home with Jesse to visit with his family this afternoon,” Ariana said. “Would you let Mamm and Dat know I’ll be home for supper?”

  “Ya, of course.” Tobias shook Jesse’s hand. “Please tell your parents and bruders I said hello.”

  “I will. Do you need me to come over and help with chores tomorrow?” Jesse offered.

  “No, danki. I can handle them now. But I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your help while I was gone, Jesse.” He extended his hand, and his friend shook it with a nod.

  Ariana and Jesse started down the driveway, and then Ariana spun to face Tobias again. “Do you want to come with us? I’m sorry I didn’t think to ask earlier.”

  “No, but danki. I think I need to stay home and be with Mamm and Dat. Have a great time, and don’t worry about me.” He waved them off, and Ariana and Jesse continued toward Jesse’s buggy.

  “Tobias!”

  He turned to see Mariella hurrying toward him, her purple dress fluttering around her legs. He stood up straight as a smile curved up the corners of his mouth. Why did she have such a strong effect on him? “Hi, Mari.”

  “I only have a minute,” she said. “My parents are ready to go home.” She pointed toward where her family was already climbing into their buggy. “I just wanted to tell you I’m grateful you confessed your sins and were reinstated today. I knew you could do it.”

  She smiled. Did she have any idea how that simple gesture affected him?

  Stop! She’s Ariana’s best friend. She’s off-limits.

  “Mari!” Ammon hollered.

  “I have to go.” She began walking backward. “Have a gut afternoon.”

  “Mari, wait,” he called, taking a step toward her. “Danki for being here today.”

  She laughed, the mirth lighting up her pretty face. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m a member of the congregation, and mei dat is the bishop.”

  “I just meant, well . . . Danki for being mei freind.”

  “I’ll always be your freind.” She waved, turned, and rushed off.

  Tobias was surprised how much he wanted to see her again—and sooner rather than later.

  Chapter Four

  Tobias stepped from the mudroom and stopped in the doorway to the kitchen. Memories rolled over him when he saw his mother and sister starting to cook breakfast. The delicious aroma of eggs, bacon, home fries, and freshly baked bread transported him back to when he’d walked into the house every day after morning chores. It was as if time had stood still and he’d never left home.

  But time hadn’t stood still. He had left home, and now he had to rebuild his fragile relationship with his family—especially with his father, but even with Mamm and Ariana. As forgiving and kind as the women in his family were, he knew how badly he had hurt them. How could he have ever taken his precious loved ones for granted?

  Ariana raised a dark eyebrow as she set dishes on the table. “Are you just going to stand in the doorway and stare at us?”

  “No, I definitely want some breakfast if you and Mamm are making it. It already smells appeditlich.” Tobias shoved away his worries and walked to the table. “May I help you serve it when it’s done?”

  Ariana chuckled. “Just wash up. Mamm and I can serve it.”

  Tobias washed his hands at the sink as Dat entered the kitchen through the doorway that led to the family room.

  “Gude mariye,” Ariana and Mamm sang in unison.

  “Gude mariye,” he responded before eyeing Tobias. “You’re up early.”

  “I’ve been up for more than an hour now.” Tobias leaned back against the sink as he dried his hands. “The animals are cared for. I’m going to start cleaning out the barn after breakfast.”

  Dat blinked. “I thought you’d sleep in today.”

  “There’s no time to sleep in when chores have to be done. And since I’ve been gone, I thought I’d do them on my own this morning. You deserve a break, Dat.” Tobias tossed the wet paper towels into the trash can and then sat down at the table. When Ariana grinned at him, he winked at her i
n response.

  He’d hoped to ask his father how the dairy farm was doing yesterday afternoon. But his father seemed relaxed, had even napped, and he didn’t want to disturb him. Now seemed like the right time.

  “Dat, I’ve been meaning to ask you. How’s the dairy farm doing?”

  His father raised his eyebrows, as if to question if his son was really interested, and Tobias nearly cringed. But they slipped into an easy conversation, and once again Tobias realized how grateful he was that Jesse had filled in on the farm while he was in Florida.

  When breakfast was ready, Mamm took her spot at the end of the table, opposite Dat’s, and Ariana sat down across from Tobias. They all bowed their head in silent prayer and then began to serve themselves. Tobias lifted the platter of eggs and scraped a pile onto his plate. Next he reached for the bacon and then the bread.

  “Is Mariella still planning to come over today to work on the dresses for the wedding?” Mamm asked.

  Tobias stopped chewing at the mention of Mariella’s name. He turned toward Ariana and awaited her response.

  “Ya.” Ariana forked some egg as she spoke. “She’ll be here soon. We’re going to work on the dresses and then start another quilt.”

  Tobias felt a little thrill. He’d have a chance to talk to Mariella again today. But why did he allow himself to be so excited? She’d never be interested in being more than his friend. She knew too much about his problems. He pushed away all thoughts about her and focused on his family.

  “How are your wedding plans coming along?” he asked his sister.

  “Gut. We’re almost finished with the dresses, and we have some ideas for the table decorations.” Ariana lifted her mug of coffee. “It’s coming so quickly. I can’t believe it’s only a month away.”

  “I know.” Mamm beamed. “I can’t believe mei boppli is going to be a fraa.”

  His mother and sister talked about the wedding plans the whole time they ate, and when all their plates were clean, he carried the empty platters to the counter. Then he turned to his father.

  “Would you like to get started in the barn?” he offered.

  “Ya,” Dat said, agreeing and then heading toward the mudroom.

  Mamm grabbed Tobias’s arm before he could take a step. “Danki for helping your dat with the chores.”

  “It’s my job to help him.”

  “I know that, but I also remember how frustrated you and your dat would get with each other.” She released his arm. “I can tell you’re trying to get his approval, but you already have it by coming back to us and making yourself right with the church. He may not say it or show it, but he’s very, very froh you’re back.”

  “He is?” He longed to temper the desperation in his voice.

  “Ya, he is.” Mamm touched his shoulder. “You’re our sohn, and we’ll always love you. Give your dat some time. He’ll tell you how much he’s missed you.”

  Tobias nodded before going to the back door. Maybe Mamm was right. Maybe Dat would open up to him someday.

  Mariella sliced cooked chicken breast as she and Ariana worked at the kitchen counter later that morning.

  “I like your idea for the table decorations.” Ariana cut up celery beside her. “Plastic vases with flowers would be nice. They’d be just enough to dress up the tables, but simple enough to remain plain.”

  “That’s what I was thinking. We can go to the store later this week if you’d like,” Mariella said, offering her assistance.

  “Are you sure your mamm doesn’t mind your being here so often?” Ariana asked as she scraped the celery pieces into a large bowl between them.

  “No, she doesn’t mind at all. Mei schweschdere help her around the haus, and Mamm is froh I’m helping to sew and sell quilts. She appreciates the extra money I bring home.”

  “Oh gut.” Ariana smiled. “We can get back to sewing after lunch if you want to stay longer.”

  “I told mei mamm I might not be home until supper, so we have plenty of time.”

  Mariella cubed the remaining chicken and added it to the bowl. She was mixing in mayonnaise when the back door opened and then clicked shut. The voices of the Smucker men sounded from the mudroom, and her face heated. Although she’d been working in the sewing room with Ariana and Roseanne for a few hours, she hadn’t seen Tobias since she’d arrived. She hoped to have a chance to talk to him alone before she went home.

  Tobias stepped into the kitchen with his father in tow, and Mariella sucked in a deep breath. Tobias was so handsome clad in a deep-blue shirt and black work trousers. He pushed his hand through his thick, dark hair, causing it to stand up in a haphazard but adorable manner. He smiled at her, and she felt as though electricity zipped through her veins.

  “Hi, Mari. Ariana mentioned you planned to come over today.”

  “Ya. We’ve been working on the dresses for the wedding. We’re going to work on a quilt this afternoon.”

  “Hi, Mariella,” Marvin said before looking at Ariana. “Where’s your mamm?”

  Ariana set a basket of rolls on the table. “She’s in the sewing room. She’ll be down in a minute. Mariella and I offered to start making lunch while Mamm finishes what she’s working on.”

  “I’m going to go talk to her.” Marvin walked through the kitchen, and then his footfalls sounded on the stairs.

  Mariella returned to mixing her ingredients as Tobias crossed the kitchen and stood beside her at the sink.

  “Chicken salad?” He peered into the bowl before turning on the faucet. He stood so close their arms nearly bumped.

  “Ya. Do you like it?”

  “I love chicken salad.”

  “I do too.” She looked up at him and nearly lost herself in the depths of his dark eyes.

  Stop it! He’s Ariana’s bruder!

  “Oh, no!” Ariana announced, and Mariella jumped with a start. “We forgot the grapes!”

  “We can’t forget the grapes,” Tobias said, mocking his sister with a smirk before scrubbing his hands.

  Ariana took a bag of grapes from the refrigerator and moved to where she’d left the cutting board and knife she’d used to prepare the celery. “I’ll slice them, and then you can mix them in.”

  “Okay.”

  “Would you like me to pour glasses of water?” Tobias offered.

  “Ya. Danki,” Ariana told him over her shoulder.

  When it was ready, Mariella split the chicken salad between two bowls and carried them to the table. Ariana put out bags of pretzels and potato chips and Tobias set out plates and utensils.

  “Everything looks appeditlich,” Roseanne said as she and Marvin entered the kitchen. “Danki for making lunch.”

  “Gern gschehne.” Ariana gestured toward Mariella. “Mariella suggested chicken salad when I told her we had leftover chicken already cooked.”

  Mariella shrugged as everyone looked at her. “I was thinking about chicken salad the other day.”

  “It was a great suggestion,” Tobias quipped as he moved to a chair.

  As he tapped the chair beside him, his eyes looked as if they beckoned her. Did he want her to sit next him? If so, and if she did, would Ariana notice how happy Mariella was to be close to her brother?

  Mariella hesitated, remaining by the sink.

  “Let’s eat.” Marvin rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait to try your chicken salad.”

  “Mariella. Why don’t you sit by Tobias?” Ariana suggested as she sank into a chair. “That way we can talk across the table.”

  “Oh.” Mariella looked at Tobias, and he raised his eyebrows. “That sounds gut.” She slipped into the chair beside him.

  When they closed their eyes for the silent prayer, Mariella’s leg brushed against his, and she sucked in a startled breath. Did he notice how touching him affected her? Did he like being this close to her?

  After the prayer, Ariana passed a bowl of chicken salad to each of her parents, and they scooped the salad onto rolls before passing the bowls along.


  “This is fantastic,” Marvin said after swallowing a bite of his sandwich.

  Roseanne nodded in agreement, her mouth full.

  “I nearly forgot the grapes,” Ariana said, admitting her misstep with a laugh.

  “Here.” Tobias handed a bowl of chicken salad to Mariella. “Make your sandwich first.”

  She looked down at the empty roll sitting on his plate. “Don’t you want to make yours?”

  “I can wait.” He reached for the bag of chips and set a handful of them on his plate. “Would you like some chips?”

  “Ya, please.” As she scooped the salad onto her roll, she smiled. Perhaps her dreams would come true someday. Then they’d share many more meals together.

  After he finished his late afternoon chores, Tobias moved through his father’s biggest barn to the small shop at the back. Although it had a window, the November sunlight was dim outside. He crossed to the workbench and flipped on a Coleman lantern, surprised the battery still worked after five months.

  In the warm yellow light, he ran his finger over the tools. And then memories came back as he touched the half-finished birdhouse he’d started before leaving for Florida. For years he’d retreated to this shop to both escape his constant arguments with his father and defy him.

  While Dat pushed Tobias to respect and appreciate the dairy farm, Tobias had pulled away from the farm, insisting he wanted to be a carpenter. He built the birdhouses and sold them in his uncle Titus’s furniture store. The extra money he earned with his hobby had been nice, but he’d been more interested in irritating his father.

  Tobias sank onto the stool in front of his workbench and hung his head as shame crawled onto his shoulders and dug its sharp talons into his muscles. He’d been thoughtless, immature, and cruel to his father, and he needed to find a way to prove to Dat that he was no longer that petulant person. The letter of apology he’d sent soon after he left hadn’t been enough—he knew that. He was ready to be the son his father deserved. But was it too late to make up for his mistakes?

  Trying to dismiss his worry, he began to clean and organize his tools. They looked as if they hadn’t been touched since he left. He was about to hang a hammer on the pegboard above the workbench, when a voice sounded behind him.