Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters)

by Jerry S. Eicher

  “Who was the strange girl at the service?” Ida asked before they were out of the Masts’ driveway.

  “I don’t know, but she looked interesting,” Emery commented.

  “Emery!” Ida’s voice scolded. “You’re not interested in an Englisha girl?”

  Emery laughed. “I don’t know.”

  “You’re teasing,” Ida said. “You never show any interest in girls.”

  Debbie shifted on the buggy seat. “Her name is Crystal Meyers, if you have to know. She’s the person Alvin dated while he was in the Englisha world.”

  Ida gasped. “So that’s why Alvin rushed off right after church let out! He must still care about her.”

  Debbie forced a smile. “I doubt that. I figured Alvin had some emergency at the farm.” She wanted to add, At least Mildred wasn’t riding with him. She decided to keep her mouth shut on that subject.

  Ida appeared grim and fell silent.

  Debbie cleared her throat. “I saw you were smiling at Minister Kanagy, Ida.”

  Emery guffawed. “Now I’ve heard everything! Is that true, Ida?”

  Ida blushed all shades of red, but she used her lecturing tone when replying. “Marriage is sacred, Emery. Don’t laugh at whom I might marry.”

  Emery gave his best smile. “It’s all right, Ida. If you want the skinny old bear, help yourself.”

  Ida gave him a wise look. “These things are too deep for you, Emery. Just stay out of them.”

  Emery grimaced. “I was just trying to help. I wouldn’t advise marriage in this case, but what do I know? You don’t see any girls hanging around me.”

  “That’s because you don’t let them,” Ida said. “You’re fine and handsome enough.”

  “I agree,” Debbie said. “You’d be a blessing to any girl. Many would like to fall in love with you, I’m sure.”

  Emery glowed. “Coming from the two of you, those are quite some compliments.”

  “It’s intended to be.” Ida settled back in the buggy seat.

  Emery grunted. “Maybe I’ll ask Mildred Schrock home one of these days.”

  “Mildred!” Ida appeared startled. “So once you get going you have two of them you’re interested in?”

  Emery laughed. “Mildred’s about the only one left of the girls my age without a boyfriend.”

  “You could take Mildred off my hands.” Debbie made her voice sound cheerful. “I’ve noticed Mildred keeps smiling at Alvin.” Debbie was certain Emery was teasing about both women… but then again, about Crystal she wasn’t so sure.

  Ida shrugged but left the subject alone.

  Emery didn’t seem too concerned as he slowed for the turn into their driveway. Once Emery came to a stop by the barn, Debbie hopped out on one side of the buggy and Ida on the other. They had the tugs undone and the snaps off by the time Emery reached his horse’s bridle. He grunted his appreciation and led the horse forward while the two girls held the buggy shafts. With Emery leading the horse to the barn, they set them gently on the ground.

  “Want help?” Ida hollered after him.

  Emery shook his head but didn’t look back.

  Debbie turned to lead the way toward the house, and Ida followed close behind her. Both Saloma and Adam were seated in their rockers when they walked in. Saloma looks better than she did last night, Debbie thought. She and the bishop had stayed home this morning. The bishop to nurse a bad cold, and Saloma because of her grief over Lois’s wedding to an Englisha man.

  Bishop Beiler boomed through his congestion, “I see the popcorn makers have arrived!”

  Debbie smiled as she took off her shawl.

  Ida came to a stop in front of her mother. “There was a strange Englisha woman in church today, Mamm. Debbie claims it was Alvin’s old girlfriend from his fling in the outside world.”

  “Oh!” Saloma’s face darkened.

  “Yah,” Ida continued. “She drove in with Deacon Mast and Susie.”

  Debbie paused as her memory churned. She hadn’t thought this would be a problem, but now painful memories danced in her head of the Saturday morning she’d driven to Alvin’s apartment in Philadelphia. She’d hoped to speak words of love and encouragement so Alvin would return home. Instead she’d left without a word when she saw Alvin approaching the building with a charming, pretty woman and a large dog. Alvin had been laughing and talking with none of his usual bashfulness.

  “This isn’t possible, is it?” Saloma asked, looking at her husband.

  Bishop Beiler stared. “Is this true? Has this woman followed Alvin into the community? Are you sure of this, Debbie?”

  “I wish I were wrong,” Debbie told them. “I really do.”

  “Does Alvin know of this?” Bishop Beiler leaned forward, as if to rise. “We’ve had enough problems with that man already.” Moments later the bishop sat back with a sigh. “Even if Alvin didn’t know about her coming, this sure doesn’t speak well of his character. No such woman should feel right following him home.”

  “Alvin doesn’t think highly of Englisha girls,” Debbie said. Even with her fears about Mildred, Debbie decided she should speak the truth. Alvin had experienced enough problems with the ministry already. She wished Alvin hadn’t rushed home right after church. That move didn’t speak well of his ability to face his problems. But she didn’t want the bishop to think ill of Alvin for what he hadn’t done and of what there was little danger of him doing.

  “How’d you say she got here?” Saloma asked.

  Ida shook her head. “Well, actually I saw her sitting with Susie, so I assumed she was with the Masts.”

  “I don’t think Crystal’s staying long,” Debbie offered. She didn’t know if that was true, but once Crystal found out Alvin had no interest in her, she’d surely move on.

  “Maybe it’s only for one Sunday.” The bishop’s voice was hopeful. “The woman might be visiting for some valid reason. We mustn’t imagine things that we don’t know are true.”

  Saloma also smiled. “She probably just planned to come to one Sunday service. I doubt if she’s staying past this afternoon. She’s Englisha, after all. Maybe it’s just curiosity.”

  “I agree.” Debbie went to join Ida in the kitchen. She would see Alvin next Sunday evening, and they would have a conversation about this and go from there. Alvin shouldn’t run away from his problems.

  Ida had the popcorn popper on the stove when Debbie walked in. She glanced up. “This is all the more reason you really should consider Paul. Alvin has Englisha girls following him home now!”

  Debbie groaned. “Ida, please! Alvin and I have been through a lot. For one thing, I came from the outside, so how can I fault Alvin for problems with that world too? But I can assure you that Alvin isn’t in danger of falling for Crystal. I admit I had a few fears fluttering around in my stomach when I first saw her, but I know how Alvin feels about Crystal now.”

  Ida grimaced. “Paul Wagler truly loves you, Debbie. I’ve known that for a long time. I don’t understand why you don’t see it.”

  Ida had her mind made up. Debbie groaned. But maybe she was the one who had lost hers. All they needed now to top this awful day off was for Minister Kanagy to show up this afternoon and begin his heavy-handed courtship of Ida.

  “Sorry if I hurt your feelings,” Ida said. “I wasn’t trying to be hard on you and Alvin.”

  Debbie smiled understandingly. “These are big problems that Alvin and I have. I’m not saying they aren’t. But I want to work through them, not run away.”

  “I just don’t like the way Alvin’s been using you.” Ida turned to pour in the popcorn kernels. She asked over her shoulder, “Will you get me the bowl?”

  “Sure.” Debbie rushed to the counter even though there was no need to hurry. The popcorn wouldn’t pop for two minutes or so. Ida gave her a concerned look but said nothing as she twirled the popcorn popper handle. Debbie smiled back, waiting until Ida dumped the first batch of white kernels into the bowl. While Debbie added the salt and butter, s
he caught sight of a buggy in the driveway. Joe Weaver was climbing out to tie his horse.

  Debbie caught her breath. Verna’s time must have arrived! Ida had a suitcase packed upstairs all week in preparation for this moment.

  “Joe’s here!” Debbie tried to quell her excitement. This was exactly what they needed to distract themselves from all their troubles.

  Ida set the empty popcorn popper on the stove with a bang. Her hands flew to her apron strings, and she jerked them open. Without a word, she dashed up the stairs.

  Debbie grabbed the popcorn bowl and went to the living room doorway.

  “What’s gotten into the girl?” Saloma asked. Apparently she hadn’t noticed the buggy drive in.

  “Joe’s here!” Debbie told them. “Verna’s baby must be on the way!”

  Saloma’s face lit up and the section of the Budget she’d been reading flew across the floor.

  “Don’t do that,” Bishop Beiler chided. “You’ll be tearing the pages so I can’t read them.”

  “Verna’s baby!” Saloma gushed.

  “It’s happened before,” the bishop said with twinkles in his eyes.

  Saloma ignored him and made her way to the living room window just as Joe came up the front steps. Saloma jerked open the door. “Is it time, Joe?”

  He took his hat off, a worried look on his face. “Yah. Verna had me pick up the midwife an hour ago, and then she sent me here for Ida.”

  “Cheer up!” Bishop Beiler boomed from his rocker. “Babies are born all the time.”

  Saloma waved her hand at her husband. “Don’t pay any attention to him, Joe. Of course you’re worried. It’s a big undertaking. I’ll see if Ida’s ready.”

  Before Saloma could take a step toward the stairs, Ida bustled down with her night satchel. She’d changed into her chore clothing. She didn’t say a word as Joe led the way outside.

  Saloma stared after them. “Da Hah gives, and Da Hah takes away. Blessed be His name!” she called.

  “Amen!” Bishop Beiler said loudly from his rocker.

  Debbie fled back into the kitchen. She was blessed to be a part of this family in their sorrows and in their joys. Someday, if the Lord willed it, she and Alvin would experience this very thing. She would do everything in her power to make that happen—even with Crystal Meyers and Mildred Schrock around.

  Seven

  Joe urged his driving horse, Isaiah, onward as Ida clung to the buggy front and tried to remain calm. After all, there really was no rush. She would help with the birth where she could, but the full responsibility for that lay in the capable hands of the old midwife Sadie Graber. By the means of her considerable skills, half the Amish babies around Lewistown had been brought into the world. Ida’s job was to help take care of the boppli once he or she was born.

  “Sadie knows what she’s doing,” Ida said reassuringly as she clutched tightly to the side of the buggy when Joe took a corner at good speed.

  Joe’s face twitched. “I know, but I’m awfully worried.”

  “Da Hah will do what He wishes,” Ida said.

  “That’s what’s got me afraid.” Joe made no pretense of hiding his doubts about the matter.

  Ida tried to hide her smile. One’s first child must be the worst for causing fears, but in the end Joe would submit as they all did to the inevitable revelation of Da Hah’s will. But that didn’t mean one didn’t pray sorrows wouldn’t come or that the birth would be as easy and as safe as possible.

  Joe’s lips moved in whispered prayer. “Dear Hah, You know I love Verna and the boppli that’s coming. If it’s not against Your will, please keep them both safe. How could I live without Verna? And how could either of us go on if the child is lost?”

  Ida reached over and squeezed Joe’s arm.

  He smiled in gratitude, but his face was still tense. Joe regarded her for a moment. “You’ve had your share of sorrows, Ida.” Joe turned his attention to the road as he navigated another sharp corner.

  “Da Hah has seen me through all of them,” Ida said. “And He will be with you and Verna.”

  Joe nodded but kept Isaiah moving at high speed. Yah, he trusted Da Hah, but he still wanted to get back home. He slowed the horse as they neared home. “I must admit that I’m feeling tense and have a headache. But it’s nothing compared to Verna’s pains.”

  Ida leaned forward to pick up her satchel she’d set on the buggy floor. She rummaged through it and pulled out a bottle of aspirin. Ida shook two into her hand and held them out to Joe. “Take these. It’s going to be some long hours, I’m thinking.”

  Joe snorted. “I’m not a baby.” But he took them, tossed the pills into his mouth dry, and swallowed.

  “Now relax!” Ida commanded.

  Joe smiled. He pulled into the driveway and stopped alongside the midwife’s horse and buggy at the hitching post.

  Ida helped Joe unhitch Isaiah and headed for the house. Halfway across the lawn, she paused. Did Joe know enough about how long birthing might take to think of unhitching Sadie’s horse? Nee, likely not. She ran back to the barn door and hollered, “Joe, you do know that Sadie might be here all night?”

  “I’ll see to her horse then,” Joe hollered back. “Thank you.”

  Ida chuckled. Joe hadn’t admitted his not realizing these things, but that’s how men were. They didn’t like confessing their lack of knowledge. Just as Minister Kanagy hadn’t wanted to admit this afternoon to his total ignorance on how to proceed with courting her. The poor man. She couldn’t blame him though. This was an awkward situation for both of them, made all the worse by the man’s sorrow over his frau’s recent death. She hadn’t told anyone about the exchange. She deliberately blocked it out of her mind on the drive home with Debbie and Emery. But now she let the memories rush back.

  For once Minister Kanagy’s nervous twitches and fumbles had seemed completely appropriate. He’d motioned her out on the back porch when she walked by after the services. She’d obeyed, praying that no one would interrupt them in the midst of their talk. Not that they were doing anything wrong, but still…

  Was this going to be a new start for her as Minister Kanagy’s frau? It certainly seemed so. But Minister Kanagy was just standing there, totally at a loss for words once he had her attention. He’d appeared confident enough earlier when he’d watched her during the services, but that was gone now.

  “I… uh… sometimes… Ida… um… I don’t really know… You’ll have to forgive my clumsiness, Ida. T–t–this is very h–h–hard,” he stuttered.

  What came over her, Ida had no idea. Maybe it was Da Hah giving her boldness and a willing heart because, truth to tell, she wasn’t attracted to the man. Not like she’d been to his brother, Melvin, and, before that, to Paul Wagler. Paul didn’t really count though. And as for Melvin, love had come slowly into her heart. There was no reason it wouldn’t do that for his brother. With time, she told herself.

  Ida reached out and took Minister Kanagy’s hand. She used his first name. “Ben, I understand. And I’m so sorry about Barbara’s passing. I really am.”

  He gulped hard even though his fingers lingered in hers. “You understand then? About the children? And my inability to take care of them well enough? And that the wedding season will soon be over?”

  She’d smiled. “I understand all that.”

  He’d stood there dazed.

  Before long someone would walk past, so she’d prompted him. “Are you asking me to be your frau, Ben?”

  Relief had flooded his face. “Yah, Ida. Yah!” I know I’m not that gut a husband for you, but I’m pressed greatly in my soul. And you are a godly woman.”

  Ida had smiled. The man had a poetic side to him. She hadn’t expected that. “Da Hah will help us, I’m thinking. And yah, I’m willing.”

  His eyes had widened. “You move my heart to great depths, Ida.”

  Ida had pulled her hand from his. She could appreciate that he was grateful for the easy conquest, but even now footsteps sounded near th
e porch door.

  Minister Kanagy rushed out, “I will come by your home then? This week sometime? For making the plans?” He hadn’t even waited for her nod before he fled.

  Debbie had glanced strangely at Ida when she arrived back at the kitchen. Thankfully Debbie had apparently attributed Ida’s distracted condition to the trauma associated with Lois’s wedding the day before.

  Ida had struggled for more than thirty minutes to compose herself. She was thrilled to gather her shawl around her shoulders in the washroom when it was time to leave. She’d allowed Debbie to lead the way outside to Emery’s buggy. Thankfully she’d been able to turn her thoughts and the conversation elsewhere for the ride home. The conversation about the strange girl in church, who turned out to be Crystal Meyers, had served as a convenient distraction.

  She would soon be Minister Kanagy’s frau! Ida pushed open Verna and Joe’s front door. No thrills ran up and down her spine, but neither was that a requirement. She was happy with what Da Hah had apparently planned. And she would get to care for Melvin’s children. That would be one of the first things she’d speak with Minister Kanagy about. He would have to agree to bring them all into his house if he wanted to wed her.

  Pausing to listen, Ida heard soft sounds coming from the downstairs bedroom. She headed that way.

  Sadie met her at the door with a smile. “I thought I heard someone drive in. Is Joe still beside himself?”

  Ida grinned. “I gave him two aspirins. He’ll be in after he’s put your horse up.”

  Sadie laughed. “I’m not surprised he’s in such a state.”

  Ida joined in the laughter. “Can I do anything to help?”