Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters)

by Jerry S. Eicher

  Ida shifted her weight on the bed. “We had best speak of the wedding date, should we not?”

  “Of course.” He took the chair again.

  She gave him a tender smile. “Tell me what your thoughts are.”

  He ran his hands through his hair, obviously still distracted. “It makes no difference to me, Ida. Other than having it occur quickly during next month’s wedding season. People will understand.”

  Ida nodded. “So Mamm and I can pick the best date for us?”

  He appeared relieved. “Yah, that’s okay. Whatever works. And I will begin telling the others about Melvin’s children living with us.”

  “Yah, thank you. What about the witnesses for the wedding? Do you have a preference for your side of the family?”

  He waved his hand about. “I don’t care, Ida. Phillip, my youngest brother, would be the natural choice for me, but he’s still sore at me, I’m afraid.” Ben gave a nervous smile. “I was a little harsh with him once, but I’ll ask him anyway. Feel free to ask whomever you wish for your side of the family.” He got to his feet and took her hands in his. “I just want to wed you, Ida.”

  “Ben… ” she whispered, feeling the heat rise in her face again. “Thanks for saying such wunderbah things about me tonight.”

  He smiled. “Now I’d better go. I’ve kept Joe and Verna up long enough.”

  Ida remained seated. “You haven’t finished the story about Barbara and you.”

  A smile played on his face. “I have said enough, Ida. Barbara was a wunderbah frau for me—while Da Hah allowed it. But she has gone on to a better place where I fear she has long forgotten me in the wonder of that splendid land. Da Hah has given me you, Ida. To comfort my heart, to bring joy to my old age, and to bring happiness into my home. You mean much to me.”

  He sat down again and pulled his chair closer. “I’m sorry I haven’t taken the time to properly court you, Ida, such as taking you home after the hymn singing in a buggy with a fast horse.” He laughed. “My old plodder, Misty, can hardly pick one foot up after the other anymore. I really must get a better horse for you. I can’t expect you to drive around the community looking like your horse is ready to die on you. I will see what I can find in Lewistown soon—before the wedding.”

  Ida laughed. “You don’t have to. From the looks of things, I won’t be leaving the house much anyway!”

  He still looked concerned. “So you don’t mind the lack of a proper courting?”

  Ida felt the sting of tears and made no attempt to hide them. “I’ve had my proper courting from your brother. We loved each other, Ben, with all our hearts. We were looking forward to a long life together. I never could understand why it couldn’t be.” Ida paused to wipe her eyes. “So a proper courting? Nee, I think it’s best this way. We’ll make our own memories in life. They’ll just be different from what we’ve had before. But isn’t that how it should be?” It had been many months since Melvin passed, and Ida was surprised at her tears. Ben had drawn surprising emotions out of her.

  He squeezed her hand. “You’re a very wise woman, Ida. But I really must be going. Perhaps I can see you again soon? Maybe some Saturday afternoon?”

  Ida nodded as she searched for her handkerchief.

  Ben stood and smiled down at her. “Are you coming with me to the front door?”

  Ida stood. She gave her eyes one last dab before she followed him down the stairs. Verna and Joe were waiting, sitting quietly with Sarah Mae. Ida did her best to hide her tear-stained face. No doubt both Joe and Verna were curious about what had gone on upstairs, and she couldn’t blame them. This was all so unexpected to them.

  Ida gave Ben one last smile at the front door and then closed it.

  “Well!” Verna said before Ida had even turned around. “Tell us what happened!”

  “Is it going to… work out okay?” Joe asked, cradling his daughter in his arms.

  “Yah, it’s going to work out just fine. The wedding will be sometime in November. Mamm and I will get down to the planning as soon as I’m back home.”

  “Well!” Verna exclaimed again. “If that doesn’t beat all!” She rose to give her sister a hug. “I’m so happy for you,” Verna whispered.

  Ida pressed back the sudden sting of tears again.

  Fourteen

  Saturday afternoon Ida sat beside Joe as he pulled into the Beiler driveway and came to a stop by the hitching post. Her long week at Verna’s house was at an end, but the glow of happiness remained. Now with the meeting with Ben having gone so well, she must begin her wedding plans at once. There was so much to report and discuss with Mamm she could almost explode.

  Joe glanced at Ida. “Do you want me to help you down?”

  Ida laughed. “I’m quite capable, thank you. And I only have a satchel.”

  “I feel like I should do something special for you.” Joe held the reins tightly as Ida climbed down. “You have been so gut with the baby.”

  “Just take care of Verna.” Ida smiled up at him. “And don’t drop little Sarah.”

  Joe grinned as he slapped the reins and guided the horse, turning the buggy around in the driveway to head home.

  Ida took a deep breath as she looked around. The home place still looked the same. But then why shouldn’t it? She hadn’t been gone that long, even though it seemed a year. A life had come into the world in that time, and, in a way, a new life had begun for her. She’d felt a stir of love for Minister Kanagy… for Ben.

  Verna had teased her this morning in the kitchen. “I think you’re really in love with that stern old man, Ida.”

  Ida had smiled and allowed Verna to think what she wished. She had, in fact, thought of the oldest of Melvin’s boys, Willard. He’d be ten now. He had begun to show his daett’s build, but there remained a sorrow that hung about him. Ida had so longed these past months for the opportunity to pull him close in a tight hug and whisper words of comfort in his ear. That wouldn’t have been appropriate, but all that was about to change—and very soon. Hopefully Willard’s heart was still reachable. But surely it would be or Da Hah wouldn’t allow her this opportunity.

  Ida moved toward the front porch.

  The door burst open and Debbie raced toward her across the lawn.

  Ida dropped her satchel and opened her arms.

  Debbie paused a few feet away before she wrapped Ida in a hug. “You look so happy. Must be taking care of babies suits you well.”

  “You only know the half,” Ida gushed. “So much has happened the past week, my head is spinning.”

  Debbie smiled. “Then you’d better start talking. You know I want to hear everything. Especially about Minister Kanagy. Are you expecting him to call on you soon? I’m surprised he hasn’t been here already, knocking down the door looking for you.”

  “Maybe we’d better begin there.” Ida hid a smile. “Ben came over to Verna’s last night, and we had a gut talk.”

  Debbie was shocked. “The man hunted you down at your sister’s place?”

  Ida laughed. “You make it sound horrible. But things went very well. And I have permission to set the wedding date with Mamm. And all of Melvin’s children are coming home to live with us.”

  “Whoa! Whoa!” Debbie held up her hand. “Isn’t this moving a little fast? Are you telling me you were engaged last night?”

  Ida felt heat rise up her neck, and she figured she couldn’t hide this from Debbie. And she wasn’t ashamed of how things had happened. “Actually, Ben sort of asked me last Sunday on the back porch after the service at Deacon Mast’s place… and I sort of accepted. And then last night we worked out the details. We don’t have much time until the wedding season.”

  Debbie’s shock didn’t go away. “You knew on Sunday… and you hid it?”

  Ida winced. “I wasn’t trying to trick anyone. It was a little sudden for me, you know. I needed some time to process it.”

  “Oh, you dear!” Debbie groaned before she wrapped Ida in another hug. “If you’re fine wi
th the stern man, why should I care? But doesn’t he just freeze the blood in your veins?”

  Ida looked away, but Debbie would still see the rush of red. This part she wouldn’t share. Debbie had no need to know that she and Ben had kissed last night. What a scandalous thing to even think about, let alone do. But she had done it!

  Debbie eyed her skeptically. “Well, to each her own, I guess. You don’t have to tell me more right this minute. Come! Your mamm is waiting impatiently for news.”

  Ida pulled on Debbie’s sleeve. “How’s Emery doing? Has he tormented you with any more teasing about that Englisha girl?”

  Debbie glanced away before she answered. “We’d better not talk about Emery. I spoke with him last night. I’m worried that he’s not just teasing. He knows all about Crystal and wants to support her efforts should she decide to join the community.”

  Ida shrugged. “Emery puzzles me. I don’t understand why he doesn’t show more interest in the community’s girls. What about you and Alvin? Anything going on there?”

  Debbie lagged a step behind. “I have to face Alvin on Sunday night. He’ll have some explanation I’m sure.”

  Ida frowned. “You know how I feel about Alvin. Getting rid of him wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

  Debbie managed a smile. “Then it looks like I’m telling my troubles to the wrong person.”

  Ida appeared pensive. “You do have other options, you know. Alvin can take care of himself.”

  Before Debbie could respond, the front door opened again and Mamm hollered out, “Are you girls going to chatter on the lawn all day? This old woman is waiting for news.”

  Ida laughed and rushed forward to give Mamm a hug.

  Mamm protested. “You’re going to smother me, Ida. Has Verna’s boppli so affected you?”

  “She’s such a sweet bundle,” Ida gushed. “And growing even more beautiful since you saw her on Monday night.”

  “I should have visited today, I suppose.” Mamm led the way inside. “But there will be plenty of time. Is Verna coming to church on Sunday?”

  “I don’t think so.” Ida took a seat on the couch, and Mamm settled into her rocker.

  “Thank Da Hah she has that much sense,” Mamm said. “Some of our young women are being influenced by the Englisha ways the past few years, thinking they have to bounce right up after only a few days of rest.”

  “I made sure Verna got plenty of rest,” Ida assured her. “And Joe wouldn’t let Verna out of the house even if she wanted to. That man is the most doting daett I’ve seen in a long time.”

  A slight smile crossed Mamm’s face. “You never got to see your daett and the way he acted. The way he cooed over the crib for weeks after your births.”

  Ida could imagine that. Daett had kept that attention up over the years, even to the present day. She could only hope Ben would be as attentive.

  She had been so eager to talk to Mamm about her wedding plans… but now that she was home, she decided that could wait a few hours more. This evening she would take in the full flavor of life here, the place where she’d grown up. She’d help with the chores and later with the supper dishes. But Mamm should be told about the engagement.

  Ida took a deep breath. “I’d best confess something, Mamm. Minister Kanagy spoke with me last Sunday, and I’m promised to him. He came over to Verna’s last night, and we spoke of it again.”

  Mamm didn’t say anything for a moment. “So that’s why he stopped by the other evening. I thought something might be up.”

  “You don’t object, do you? Will Daett?” Ida waited.

  Mamm shook her head and sighed. “It’s for the best, I suppose. A little soon, perhaps, but people will understand.”

  Silence fell between them as the seconds ticked past. Mamm felt the same as she did. Neither of them wanted to speak further on the matter. It was as if they both tried to hold off the inevitable but knew that was impossible. In the meantime, these last few savored moments of how life once was would give them strength for the journey ahead.

  Fifteen

  That evening Alvin rushed through his chores alone. Mildred wasn’t scheduled to help, so he was by himself. The stillness of the barn was broken only by the moos of the cows and their bangs against the metal stanchions. Star neighed once and stuck his head in the back barn window to plead for a bucket of oats. But the horse would get none tonight. He’d give Star extra feed tomorrow after they made the trip to the service in the morning, and back to the hymn singing, and then to the Beilers’ place in the evening.

  Alvin dreaded the whole coming day. He dreaded the moment when he’d have to face people again—especially Debbie. But there was something he dreaded even more—the expected arrival of Deacon Mast, perhaps even yet this evening. Surely the deacon would visit. And yet dusk had almost fallen, and the deacon still hadn’t made his appearance. Maybe the man was running late. Or maybe he wouldn’t come tonight. Alvin stopped in the middle of the barn floor at the thought. If Deacon Mast considered Alvin’s actions so serious that he wanted to discuss the matter first with the ministry on Sunday morning, Alvin was surely in more trouble than even he’d imagined.

  How had this happened? Alvin groaned out loud. He had come home from his time in the Englisha world and thought he’d left it all behind. Why had the past returned to haunt him? How would he bear the shame of Deacon Mast’s questions? Now it would almost be a relief if the deacon arrived so they could get this over with.

  He wished Mildred had been scheduled to help in the barn tonight. Her presence would soothe him, he was sure. Her looks were plain enough. She certainly didn’t match Debbie in beauty. Why Mildred ever got her nose up in the air about him was a mystery. Maybe she thought she could find greener pastures. Alvin let out a bitter laugh. Mildred had experienced about as much success with that venture as he had with his ill-fated rush into the Englisha world.

  But it was also true that Mildred’s personality was steady, she was scandal-free, and her reputation was above reproach. All of which he couldn’t say for himself right now. Thankfully, Debbie wasn’t involved with Crystal in any way. Debbie shared that advantage with Mildred. Now if he could settle this matter with Deacon Mast and assure him that Crystal would cause no further trouble for him or the community, this problem might go away. Hadn’t he sent her away last Sunday night? The deacon would stroke his beard in worry over all those details. Daett had probably seen to it that the news reached the deacon’s ears. Alvin had watched his daett drive off in his buggy several times this past week. He could have stopped in at Deacon Mast’s on any of those trips.

  Alvin glanced down the road. It was still empty of buggies. Maybe he should visit the deacon after the chores and tell him personally. Such a move might even work to his favor if he showed up voluntarily and confessed willingly. Alvin moved even faster. He shoved the feed in front of the stanchions for the next round of cows. He had them in and secured just as he heard buggy wheels turn in the driveway. Alvin rushed to the window. Sure enough, Deacon Mast was climbing out of his buggy. Well, the cows could wait. There were more important things right now.

  Alvin met Deacon Mast at the barn door. “Gut evening, Deacon. I was expecting you.” Alvin’s smile was crooked.

  “Gut evening, Alvin.” The deacon took in the row of cows with a quick glance. “I see I caught you in the middle of chores. I was afraid that would happen, but I’ve been running late all afternoon.”

  “That doesn’t matter. They can wait.”

  Deacon Mast gave Alvin a weary smile. “I’ll help you, and then we can talk.”

  “With the cows?” Alvin knew alarm filled his face. This was a favor he couldn’t easily repay.

  “Yah, of course.” Deacon Mast nodded. “I’m a farmer too, you know. And a man shouldn’t be kept from his work. Not when he’s milking cows.”

  Alvin swallowed hard. “Well, this is the last round.”

  “Then where can I help?” Deacon Mast looked around and didn’t wait for an answer. He
helped himself to a set of milking equipment.

  Alvin joined in as Deacon Mast bent down beside a cow. He wasn’t exactly comfortable with this arrangement, but this was the deacon after all, and the deacon was in charge. What could he do but follow along? Mildred would laugh if she were here and saw him in this predicament. And he deserved laughter. This was his own fault because of his habit of running away from problems. If he’d never gone to Philadelphia, none of this would be happening.

  Deacon Mast looked over the cow’s back. “Alvin, maybe you can answer some of my questions while we work.”

  Alvin nodded but said nothing. What was there to say? The deacon was polite to even ask. Amish people held conversations all the time while they did the chores. The deacon would of course wait for any major lecture until they were face-to-face. And a lecture would surely come. There was little doubt about that.

  Deacon Mast cleared his throat. “Your daett stopped by this week. He’s quite concerned about what happened last Sunday night. He says the Englisha girl, Crystal, who came to my place, came by to speak with you. You also did not attend the hymn singing. Did you know she was coming to the community, Alvin?”

  “Nee,” Alvin said, his response muffled by the cow he was working with.