Ben grinned. “I think this will work out well. Let me go confirm it with Phillip.” He sent a meaningful glance toward Debbie before heading to the barn. Debbie let out a sigh. First she had had to deal with Paul’s semi-unexpected attention. Now this Phillip cousin. What if he asked her home for a date on Sunday night? That is, if, as expected, he stayed over the weekend to visit family. Well, she would just tell him no. That’s all there was to it. She wasn’t ready for a romantic adventure. Not until she was sure Da Hah was behind it.
Ida walked over to Debbie. “I saw the way you were so kind with Paul. That was nice of you.”
Debbie shrugged. “He was at the end of his rope and too stubborn to admit it.”
“I noticed you spoke with him a lot.” Ida continued to probe.
“We had a good time…”
Ida brightened a bit. “Maybe the sparks will fly for you yet.”
Debbie laughed. “You have some impractical theories, you know that, my friend?”
“I know,” Ida admitted. “I guess I should stop worrying about other people and find Lois while I have a free minute. I really need to thank her for making the extra effort today. My wedding wouldn’t have been the same without the awesome food she and Mamm prepared for the noon meal. And there’s more coming tonight, I’m sure.” Ida turned and rushed off toward the house.
Debbie waited. Ida would never stop showing her concern for people. It was her lot in life. She always seemed to know what needed doing. Like thanking Lois for her help with the wedding. Lois had appeared cheerful enough all day, but she was here without her husband. That must wear on her. Whether Doug was Amish or not, he was still her husband.
Debbie walked toward Minister Kanagy as he came out of the barn with a big grin on his face. She already knew the answer from Phillip long before she reached him.
“Phillip is more than glad to help us out,” Minister Kanagy said. “He said he almost feels like he knows you.” The man’s eyes twinkled. “I want to take this chance to tell you, Debbie, how much I appreciate how you’ve been handling yourself since Alvin is no longer seeing you. Ida told me it was all Alvin’s doing. And I’ve noticed he’s already dating Mildred. Not that there’s anything wrong with that—other than his hurting your heart. Some young women might have gotten bitter through the experience. I’m glad to see you’re not holding anything against him. Ida told me about you asking to wash Mildred’s feet at the communion service. No one was expecting that of you, Debbie, but you did it anyway. This is something we can all be thankful for—having someone like you living amongst the community. I sometimes don’t even think about you coming from the outside anymore. It’s as if that never was.”
Debbie felt herself turn red. “Thank you, I appreciate that.”
Ben smiled. “You’re welcome. And I’d best be off to find Ida, my frau.”
Debbie directed him toward the house with a wave of her hand. When he was gone, she stood silent and amazed. After all his months of scrutiny, she had finally managed to impress him. She had received praise from Bishop Beiler and Minister Kanagy.
A shadow crossed Debbie’s face at the memory of Paul’s assertion that he still cared about her. Paul had probably accepted Ida’s invitation to serve as a witness out of his friendship with the Beiler family, yes, but his purpose had gone deeper. He had clearly hoped he’d have a chance to advance his continued affection for her because Alvin was out of the way. Apparently he hoped to win her over before another man got in his way again.
Debbie told herself she ought to be honored with the continued attention from unmarried Amish men. But the one man she’d wanted to marry hadn’t seen things that way.
Debbie’s brow furrowed as she thought of Paul. The poor man.
But right now she’d better get ready to meet Phillip Kanagy or he would catch her flat-footed. The man was good looking, Debbie admitted.
She walked back into the barn and up the stairs. She stood by the upper barn door looking out. Below her the washroom door opened, and a long line of teenaged girls walked out for the evening hymn singing and supper. The older boys had already gathered outside the barn where they’d pair up with the girls before they took their seats.
Debbie watched Ida come out the front door of the house and run across the lawn to join Ben. They hurried into the barn, and soon Debbie heard them thump up the stairs. She turned and watched them go to the head of the line and take their places at their table. An unfamiliar man was already seated with Carrie, who appeared happy enough with the change in plans. Now what was Debbie to do? Ida hadn’t said anything as she zipped past. And she was taken up with Ben at the moment.
Well, Phillip could find his own way, Debbie decided. She would take her seat. She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when a man’s deep voice stopped her.
“I’m right behind you.”
A quick retort sprang to Debbie’s lips, but it died when she turned around. Phillip was much more handsome than he’d appeared at a distance. Much more!
“Debbie?” he asked, though it was obvious he knew good and well who she was.
She relaxed. “And you’re Phillip.”
“That’s my name.” He smiled. “I hope you don’t mind the change in plans. That fellow you were with today seemed like a very decent man. Sorry about him having to leave.”
“Poor Paul,” she murmured. “He put himself out for the Beiler family today.”
“That was very thoughtful of him. Ben told me all about him.” Phillip motioned toward the table where Ida and Ben were sitting. “Shall we be seated?”
Debbie liked how he took charge yet wasn’t bossy. And he sounded like he cared about Paul’s condition, and yet he wasn’t full of angst that she’d been with him all day.
“Are you a local?” Phillip asked as he glanced her way.
Debbie smiled. “Yah, you could say so.” Apparently no one had filled Phillip in on her past history or he was a very good actor. She decided to see how long she could convince him she was raised Amish.
“I know you’re Debbie, but that’s about all. I don’t even know your last name.”
“Yoder,” she said lightly, watching his face. He didn’t register any surprise at the Amish name, but Ida clearly heard. She gave Debbie a sharp glance. Debbie smiled at Phillip. “Actually, I’m a Watson—Debbie Watson. I was Englisha until I graduated from college. I’ve boarded with the Beilers for a long time, and it seems like I’ve always been drawn to the life of the Amish community. Now I’m Amish. I joined the church only recently.”
The drop of his mouth was unmistakably genuine. And he seemed, well, interested. Intrigued almost.
“Is that really true?” The surprise still lingered in his eyes. “I believed you when you said your name was Yoder. You look quite Plain.”
She smiled. “I was raised living next door to the Beilers. I hung around with the Beiler sisters—Verna, Ida, and Lois. When I finished college, I made the jump…once Mom pushed me out of the nest, so to speak. And here I am.”
“You’re baptized in the Amish faith?” His expression revealed his fascination.
She nodded. “This fall, yah. I just had my first communion.”
He seemed pleased. “And where was this college you went to?”
Debbie hesitated. “Does that make a difference?”
“Just wondering,” he said.
“Do you know anything about Englisha colleges?”
He laughed. “Nee, but you seem to have made it through okay without getting corrupted.”
He was hitting all the right buttons, Debbie thought. And he hadn’t picked a fight yet. Phillip maneuvered around her feelings like a man sure of his grasp on the tiller.
“Franklin and Marshall was the college.” She added, “In Lancaster.”
He didn’t miss a beat. “Nice college. I’ve driven past there often. It’s a nice choice of location.”
Debbie smiled. Maybe this evening wouldn’t turn out so badly after all. Then she caught si
ght of Emery talking with Crystal at the young folks’ table. Why on earth was Emery with Crystal? Did he feel sorry for her? Or was there a deeper motive?
“What’s wrong?” Phillip asked, noticing her distress.
“Nothing… I hope.” Debbie forced her attention back to Phillip and resumed their casual chatter.
Thirty-Five
Ida got up from the couch to take another glance out the living room window of the home she now shared with Ben. It was Sunday, and the children ought to be arriving any moment now. She could hardly wait! Ben was reading his copy of the weekly Budget and was digging deep into the bowl of popcorn she’d prepared. The past few days since the wedding had gone by so quickly. Ida wondered if they’d allowed enough alone time before the children arrived, but Ben didn’t appear unhappy, so he must be okay with the plans.
He noticed her glance and smiled. “They’ll be here soon enough.”
“You don’t mind then?” She hesitated. “All of them coming at once. I will be busy, you know.”
He grinned and reached for her hand. “You’ll always have time for a kiss, won’t you? Like right now? A kiss for an old man?”
“You’re not that old!” She playfully slapped his cheek, but then she planted a kiss firmly on it. He set The Budget aside and gathered her in his arms. Ida remembered this was how they’d first kissed. Heat still rose in her face being this intimate, even though they were alone in the house. It would take her a while to get used to the fact that she was Ben’s frau and that kisses could come at unexpected moments like this.
“We can’t be doing this when the children are around,” she said.
His smile didn’t fade. “Then I’ll be remembering them in my mind.”
“You say such nice things.” She stroked his beard.
His eyes twinkled. “That’s because you’re nice.”
“Maybe it’s because you’re a gut man,” she corrected.
He grunted. “Now you’ll have me blushing.”
So he’d noticed her constant blushes. Well, she was a young bride. Young brides were supposed to blush. A shadow crossed her face.
“Did I say something wrong?” he sounded concerned.
“Nee.” She gave him a warm smile. “I was just thinking of Paul and Debbie.”
He touched her hand. “I wouldn’t worry about that. Would you object to another Kanagy dating a Beiler?”
Ida looked up in surprise. “Phillip? Phillip and Debbie? Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugged. “I was thinking of other things.” He smiled. “And it’s not a sure thing. Phillip is interested, but I don’t know what arrangements they made, if any. Phillip doesn’t exactly talk with me about everything… yet.”
She gave him a baleful glance. “Then you don’t know anything. You’re guessing… and hoping. Well, I still wish Paul and Debbie would come together someday. Even if Phillip is your brother.”
“You never were one to shy away from the truth, Ida.” He sounded amused. “I guess love lies in the hands of Da Hah… and Debbie and Phillip… and Paul.”
“Yah,” Ida agreed. “I must stop trying to help Da Hah. I have other things that need doing.”
“Yah, I would think so,” he said, motioning toward the front door.
Ida jumped up when she heard the sound of buggy wheels in the driveway. Her hands flew to her face. “Oh, Ben, they’re here!”
“Yah.” He got up and took her hand. “Let’s go welcome our children home.”
She clung to his hand and felt great waves of joy rush through her. She’d never doubted Ben’s resolve to take Melvin’s children in, but now that the moment had arrived to hear him say our children…Oh, it was almost too much to take in! She needed to receive this great privilege and blessing one slow breath at a time. Breathe, Ida. Breathe.
Ben’s sister Lily was waiting beside the buggy with a big smile on her face. All of the children except for three-year-old Lisa were gathered around her, uncertain where to go or what to do. Lisa was still sitting on the buggy seat. Ida let go of Ben’s hand and headed straight for the little girl. She reached in, gathered her into her arms, and smothered her with kisses. Then Ida set Lisa on the ground and glanced around. Maybe this was a bad start, showing such emotion right away. But Ben had tears in his eyes, as did both of his children, eighteen-year-old Wilma and sixteen-year-old John. They had their daett’s gut heart inside of them, Ida decided.
She gave Wilma and John quick hugs. Wilma clung to her for a moment, but John was a little stiff. Ida decided he wouldn’t like hugs in the future. And he was almost a man, so that was understandable. And she wasn’t his mother, so she’d try to remember to give him plenty of room. The last thing she wanted was for Ben’s children to feel uncomfortable around her.
Ida took four-year-old Lonnie into her arms next. He smiled up at her, his face glowing. “It’s really you!” he said. “Are we going to live here all the time now?”
Ida choked back the sobs, unable to answer. Five-year-old Ephraim and six-year-old Amos joined their embrace. They created a little circle of heads around her body. Ida was crying with joy. All three of these boys would be hers forever! Their tender hearts were still flexible enough to make room for her with only minor adjustments. And they’d been young enough to have been spared the brunt of sorrow associated with their daett and mamm’s passing.
Ida untangled herself from the arms of the three young boys. She approached eight-year-old Rosa. She wiped her eyes, and reached for the girl. Rosa’s return hug was a little weak. Ten-year-old Willard was totally stiff and unresponsive, but she already knew he would be. Willard was the one she’d prayed for the most, and she could again see why. His heart had been deeply wounded, and only Da Hah would be able to break through. Still, she gave Willard a long hug and whispered in his ear, “It’s so gut to have you home.”
He didn’t say anything.
Ida stepped back, let out a long breath, and smiled at all of them. “Well, you have come!” She stepped next to Ben. “We welcome you to your new home. Why don’t we all go into the house, and we can start getting to know each other better.”
That seemed to break their trance. The three boys raced for the house, with Rosa tagging along behind them. Willard headed toward the barn without a backward glance.
“Where’s he going?” Ida asked Ben
“Willard has chores to do,” Ben said. He glanced toward his two children. John gave his daett a quick nod as if he understood and walked toward the barn.
They knew it was best if Willard wasn’t alone, even if he wished to be, Ida thought. Deep gratefulness rose up inside her. She whispered, “Thanks for everything you’re doing, Ben.”
He stepped closer to slip his arm around her. “You were right from the start, Ida. I should have seen it myself about my brother’s children. I’ve always loved them, but they grew even dearer to my heart in the week they were here before the wedding.”
“Well, I guess I’d better get out of here,” Lily said loudly.
Ben laughed. “You have your own wedding coming up next week. You’ll be getting plenty of hugs yourself, so don’t look so innocent.”
“I can’t wait.” Lily grinned as she climbed into the buggy. “See you soon!” And with a wave she drove out of the lane.
Wilma was almost at the house, Ida noticed. She left Ben’s side to hurry after her. She caught up with her at the front steps and stopped to catch her breath. “Will you fill me in on how you’ve been running the household? I do declare I’m getting to be an old woman.”
Wilma smiled. “You look quite young to me.”
“Thank you!” Ida returned. “How did it go with all the children?”
Wilma looked pleased that Ida was consulting her. “We were just doing the best we could. The relatives helped me before the wedding to clean the house.” Wilma made a wry face. “That’s why things were decent when you got here on your wedding night. It wasn’t because of me.” She frowned. “I’m glad to hand runnin
g the house over to you.”
“I’m sure you did great.” Ida laid her hand on Wilma’s shoulder. “Between the two of us, we should manage just fine. Now, what kind of meal schedule did you have?”
Wilma didn’t answer for a moment. “I kept Mamm’s ways, but you don’t have to.”
Ida drew Wilma close. “I know I’m new here and have my own ways, but that doesn’t mean we will change everything. For one thing, that’s what your daett, John, and you are used to. And we want everyone happy, don’t we?”
Wilma glowed. “You’re everything Daett said you were.”
Ida blushed and hid her face for a moment. “I’m sure your daett doesn’t know everything about me.”
Wilma didn’t appear convinced. “He’s had a few days with you, and he looks quite happy.”
Ida took Wilma’s arm. “Please know I’m not trying to take your mamm’s place, Wilma. And you’ve been running the household for quite some time now. I don’t want to just step in and take over. I hope you know that.”
Wilma sighed. “No one can take Mamm’s place. Thank you for not trying. Daett said you’d be like that too.”
Ida looked away. “What else has your daett told you?”
Wilma laughed. “Only nice things, believe me.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Ida let out a long breath.
“We usually have supper at six,” Wilma offered. “And I did laundry on Mondays—when I got to it. The situation was getting pretty serious, believe me, with those three boys living here. Da Hah knows I love my cousins, but they are a rambunctious bunch. They needed a clean set of clothes every day!”
Ida smiled. “I believe you. We’ll have to see what we can do about sharing the load and corralling the boys.”
Wilma’s eyes widened. “You plan on taming them?”
Ida didn’t hesitate. “The truth is, I don’t know. I’ll consult your daett, and we’ll do what we can. Boys and girls can learn how to play without rolling in the dirt like farm animals.”
Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters) Page 23