They rode in silence for a few moments until Melvin cleared his throat. “My children—they don’t bother you?”
Ida jumped. “Of course not! I love children. Well, I don’t know yours very well—yet. But the youngest, Lisa, she’s a picture of cuteness. And she’s so well behaved.”
“I have six of them.” He turned his head to look at her.
“That you have children makes no difference. Not for me. I know there are many problems that one can have with children in second marriages. But I’m okay with working through any that might arise.”
As he guided his horse onto the Beiler driveway, Melvin said, “I didn’t know how you would react, Ida. I’m glad to hear your thoughts. I love my children.”
“They are wunderbah children.” Ida smiled as the buggy came to a halt beside the hitching post. She climbed out. In the light of the buggy lamps, Melvin gave her a kind look, and Ida felt heat burn up her neck. She waited while Melvin got out and tied up his horse. Her heart pounded, but not quite like it had before. He was a comforting presence. He wasn’t stern like she’d expected—although he probably could be.
“What is your horse’s name?” Ida asked as a gust of wind blew against her bonnet.
“Red Rover.” He came to stand beside her. “Are you ready to head for the house?”
“Shouldn’t he have a blanket?” Ida asked, motioning toward the horse.
He smiled. “You’re a thoughtful woman! I didn’t bring one along because I didn’t expect this storm.”
Ida glanced toward Emery’s buggy. “I’m sure there’s one in Emery’s buggy. He won’t mind if you borrow it.”
Melvin seemed agreeable enough. He returned with the blanket moments later and threw it over Red Rover’s back.
Ida helped Melvin fasten the straps underneath. Then the couple headed toward the house. Ida clasped her hands in front of her. She’d never considered herself confident around men, but she had clearly made an impression on Melvin—and she hadn’t really tried. The thought sent warm circles around her heart. Paul could make her hopes leap into the air, but Paul had never generated this kind of emotion. She had longed for his attention, but had never obtained this level of consideration. Ida pinched herself. Paul was a most inappropriate subject at the moment!
Melvin opened the front door, and waited while Ida went inside.
As Ida removed her shawl and Melvin undid his winter coat, she said, “Over there’s fine” as she motioned toward the woodstove. “You need to be warmed up.”
“Are you always this helpful?” He was regarding her with an interested look.
“I guess you’ll have to ask other people.” Ida winced. She wasn’t about to sing her own praises, not even to get another loving look from this man.
Melvin relaxed and smiled. “That’s a gut answer. I’ll take it as a yah.”
“I didn’t say that!” she protested. “I’m sure I can be quite a pill at times.”
He smiled and motioned toward the couch. “Shall we sit?”
“Of course!” Ida wrung her hands. “I’m forgetting all my manners. Let me get some pie from the kitchen for you. I’ll be right back.” Ida raced off.
Melvin grinned when she came back with pieces of cherry pie and glasses of milk. She paused before she set them down. “Is this okay? We do have shoofly—if you’d rather, but it’s a few days old. This is fresh from yesterday.”
He laughed. “Cherry pie? I couldn’t ask for anything better, Ida. And please don’t take any further bother. I’m happy just to speak with you tonight.”
Heat rushed up her neck again. She sat on the couch beside him and hid her face for a moment before giving him a quick sideways glance. His voice reached her like a soft breeze blowing over her soul.
“You’ll have to tell me, Ida, if speak too plainly since I’m not used to these things anymore. I haven’t dated for a long while, you know, or spoken of heart matters with a woman who wasn’t my frau.”
Ida nodded but didn’t face him.
He continued. “I’ve been trying to make my intentions known at the church services.” He paused for a moment. “Is it too much to read a welcome of my attention into your responses so far, Ida?”
“They are welcome.” She met his gaze. She was redder than a summer beet, she knew, but he might as well get used to her reactions. She would be calmer as she became used to him. And he was a mighty decent man. She could clearly see that. “Your attentions are an honor to receive.” She didn’t add that it would also be an honor to live as his frau. That would be too plain of talk for her on a first date.
He seemed happy with her response as they ate their pie and the clock ticked on the wall. His voice broke the silence. “This is almost more than I could have expected, Ida. I can’t tell you what this means to me—that you would return my affections and allow me to bring you home. I do hope we can continue so we might get to know each other better quickly.”
Ida gathered her thoughts. She might as well tell Melvin what he apparently couldn’t bring himself to say. Perhaps it might also help decrease her frequent blushes. And she did need to learn to speak her mind with this man if she hoped to be his frau sometime in the future. Her voice trembled. “I understand what you’re saying, Melvin. You’re worried you may not court me like I might expect. I know you can’t do all the typical activities with your six children at home to care for. And you have been married before. I know that makes it different too. But, Melvin, it’s okay. I don’t expect to be pampered or treated like I just finished school.”
He looked startled and surprised.
“What I’m saying is true,” she said.
“Thank you, Ida, for understanding,” he spoke at last. “I’m unworthy of such a blessing. Twice in my life Da Hah has given me more than I could have imagined. After Mary’s passing, I never thought to find another woman I could…” He let the words hang in the air.
“I’ll never be Mary. I want to be clear on that. I’m not worthy to fill her shoes.”
His smile was soft. “I don’t wish that, Ida. You’re quite gut enough as your own person.”
She ducked her head and felt warmth fill her face.
He didn’t seem to notice. His voice was hesitant when he spoke again. “I hate to bring this up at a moment like this. But does your family know what a problem Debbie is causing the community right now?”
She glanced at him. “Are you saying Debbie’s situation might come between us?”
He shook his head. “You know I wouldn’t let that happen, Ida. I’m just concerned.”
“I appreciate that.” She looked away.
He touched her arm. “It’s your daett I’m most concerned about.”
She met his gaze. He looked sorrowful enough and deeply troubled. He was being honest, and he was right to bring the subject up. They needed to clear the air. “I hope you will make no requirement about Debbie leaving our house before you see more of me.”
He didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “I take it that’s a yah to my bringing you home again and coming to visit sometimes?”
Ida met his gaze. There was a twinkle in his eyes, and Ida felt the heat rise into her face again. She couldn’t get any words out. Melvin was saying he wouldn’t make an issue out of Debbie’s situation and he wanted to see her again.
“So it’s a yah?” he persisted.
She nodded.
He found her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for letting me come over, Ida. I must be going although it’s still early.” Melvin got to his feet. “Other than mentioning Debbie, I have greatly enjoyed myself tonight. And I may come again—right?” The twinkle was back in his eyes.
“Yah…” Ida managed as she rose and followed him to the front door.
“I’ll throw the buggy blanket back where it came from.” He reached back to brush her arm with his fingertips. “You don’t have to come out in the cold.” He paused on the porch for a quick wave.
She watched him from th
e window until he’d driven out of the lane. When the weather warmed, she would go out and see Melvin off in person, Ida told herself. But this was gut enough for the first evening. She was going to love this man. Of that much she was certain. Now if Debbie could be convinced to return Paul’s affections, the world would be back in order again. Ida’s heart had already begun to open wide.
Twenty
On Friday evening, nearly two weeks later, Debbie pulled into Verna’s driveway and came to a stop beside the barn. She was on her way home from work. She should’ve stopped in a long time ago, Debbie told herself. But Alvin’s departure had taken the heart out of her plans to ask for Verna’s help. Now it seemed useless. What could Verna do that the others at the Beiler household couldn’t? Still, this would be the time for a long talk with Verna. A talk far away from the bustle after Sunday service. Then they’d only have a few minutes alone before someone interrupted. And here at Verna’s house no one would overhear if they wished to discuss Alvin in detail.
Ida would probably object to this visit if she knew about it. She’d be afraid Verna’s advice would be different than what she’d said in the past two weeks. Actually, pressure was what Ida applied, though Debbie was sure she meant no harm. Ida was sincerely concerned, and who could blame her? Paul was still persistent, trying to persuade Debbie to accept his offer of a relationship. He’d looked quite impatient this past Sunday, and she expected another contact with him before long. The man wouldn’t look kindly at another brush-off from her. Of that she was sure. Nor would other people in the community. Once it became clear to people like Minister Kanagy that she’d turned down the most eligible suitor in the community, her welcome in their midst might end. She might appear as little more than a troublemaker at best and a danger to community beliefs at the worst. Yet was that the truth? She was certain Bishop Beiler understood her heart, even though he too would struggle to understand why she continued to turn down Paul. The real problem was Minister Kanagy. His brother Melvin had brought Ida home from the singing on Sunday night again. If Debbie read the signs correctly, Ida planned to marry the man before too long. How her troubles impacted that situation she wasn’t sure. And whether Ida’s choices helped her own, she wasn’t sure either.
Ida told her Melvin was much more sympathetic to her cause than his brother was. Did Debbie trust Ida’s evaluation of Melvin? The man might sweet talk Ida to stay in her good graces but say something else to his brother.
How had everything that had gone so well at the beginning turned so much toward a likely inglorious end? She’d never hear the end of it from her mother if she had to leave the Beiler place in disgrace. And Lois would be even more solidified in her determination to never come back to the community—if there was any hope of that.
Debbie sighed and walked briskly toward Verna’s front door. The first of the spring thaws was starting, and Debbie paused to breathe deeply. The cool, clean air encouraged her heart and energy stirred inside of her. The change of the seasons usually affected her this way. Perhaps there was hope for her future even if she couldn’t see where the path was leading. She climbed the front steps and knocked. She heard footsteps at once, and the door was soon flung open.
Verna rushed out to wrap Debbie in a tight hug before she could even get out “Gut evening!”
Debbie laughed once she could breathe. “With that kind of welcome I should have come sooner.”
“Yah, you should have.” Verna led the way inside. “Have a seat on the couch, and I’ll bank the fire in the kitchen stove so the food won’t burn. It’ll only take a minute.”
“No, you won’t!” Debbie declared. “I’ll come into the kitchen and help you if I can.”
“Oh, nee!” Verna protested. “I’m well ahead on making supper.”
“Then I’ll sit in the kitchen, and you can keep working. You don’t stop food preparations right in the middle.” Debbie pulled out a kitchen chair. “Lois taught me that much.”
“How is Lois?” Verna asked, a slight frown crossing her lips.
Debbie winced. “Other than that Saturday when she came home for a visit, we haven’t seen anything of her. I’m afraid she’s taking well to my former world.”
“That’s such a shame.” Verna pulled out a chair to sit down. “Let’s talk about something a little more cheerful.”
“I could use it.” Debbie grimaced. “If there is anything more cheerful.”
Verna sounded chirpy as she said, “Well, Ida’s dating Melvin. That looks like a sure relationship. That doesn’t help with Lois’s situation though. But we have to be honest and admit that her decision was coming for a long time. And there’s Alvin, of course. That isn’t gut either.”
“I know.” Debbie groaned.
Verna reached over to give her friend a quick hug. “Yah, but don’t take all this responsibility on your own shoulders. It wasn’t your fault Alvin and Lois turned out like they did.”
“Then whose fault was it?” Her voice was way too bitter, but she couldn’t help herself. “Minister Kanagy sure seems to think it was mine.”
“Minister Kanagy doesn’t know everything!” Verna protested. “I’m depending on the gut sense of the community to see you through this situation.”
“Even if I turn down Paul Wagler…maybe for the final time if it finally soaks in?” Debbie glanced sharply at Verna.
“I suppose that will make it harder,” Verna allowed. “The Wagler family won’t take the rejection kindly.”
“Well, now you do see.” Debbie fell silent.
Verna touched her arm. “Perhaps you’re considering Paul just a little bit?”
Debbie groaned again. “Not you too, Verna. I came over here for sympathy, not more pressure for something I can’t do.”
“Then we will say no more about it.” Verna set her lips firmly.
Debbie wrinkled her brow. “Even your father thinks I should accept Paul’s attention. Am I wrong, Verna?”
“You said you didn’t want any pressure.” Verna glanced at Debbie. “If I think you’re wrong, that’s just more pressure.”
“But do you really think I should?” Debbie moaned before the words were even out of her mouth. “I really value what you think. You know me better than anyone else here.”
Verna laughed. “With the type of an attitude you have now, nee…you shouldn’t. I’d feel sorry for Paul.”
Debbie sat up straight. “Paul! Now I’ve heard everything. I’m the one who should be felt sorry for.”
Verna’s face appeared pensive. “What I really think is that you should visit Alvin in Philadelphia. Speak with him. You may be able to talk some sense into his head.”
Debbie gasped. “That’s a sudden change of subject. I don’t even know where he stays. And going there by myself…wouldn’t that just make it worse? An Amish woman—or would-be Amish woman chasing a man?”
Verna shrugged. “It wouldn’t be indecent in your world, and that’s where Alvin is right now. And I don’t think things could get much worse for you here. Even if someone from the community found out about it.”
Debbie searched Verna’s face. “It’ll confirm what they’re all thinking.”
“Ach…yah…it would.” Verna waved her hand about. “But nothing risked, nothing gained. That’s what I say.”
“You can say that.” Debbie glared at the wall for a moment. “You’re safely married and living with the man you love. And you’re expecting.” Debbie glanced at Verna’s mid-section.
Verna turned bright red. “I know. It’s no longer a secret. I’m showing early, it seems.”
“You must be thrilled!” Debbie beamed.
“I am.” Verna laughed. “It’s one of the most wunderbah things to ever happen to me. It’s going to be a boy boppli, I’m sure. He’ll look just like Joe. Oh, Debbie you must not lose heart! Not that long ago I thought things with Joe were over forever. But Da Hah saw us through, and here we are as happy as can be. And I’m to have Joe’s boppli this fall sometime.” Verna’
s voice ended with an excited giggle.
“I knew I came over for a reason,” Debbie muttered. “You do lift a person’s soul to higher ground.”
“Debbie, it’s so gut to hear hope in your voice again,” Verna said. “Remember how we schemed at my wedding to get you and Alvin together? Well, why can’t we do the same thing again?”
And you can see how that worked out, Debbie almost said. But she must not cast cold water on Verna’s plans. Debbie took a deep breath. “So you think I should visit Alvin? I could go tomorrow. It’s Saturday.”
“Yah, I do.” Verna was serious now. “It’s really your last chance, before…before…”
“Before what?” Debbie looked up sharply.
“Has Daett or Mamm talked to you about Alvin?” Verna’s face was creased with concern.
Debbie clutched the edge of the tablecloth. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Verna.”
“Alvin is to be placed in the bann on Sunday.” Verna’s voice caught. “I was praying this morning that I could speak with you before then. In fact, I thought of driving over this evening after supper. But now I don’t have to.” Verna thrust a piece of paper toward Debbie.
“What’s this?” Debbie asked as she took the offered note with care.
“Alvin’s address. I asked his mother for it.” Verna had hope written all over her face.
Debbie unfolded the paper and read the writing in a quick glance. “So you’ve been planning this? That I should go see Alvin for some time?”
Verna looked guilty. “Nee, well, last week it came to me. But what we did at my wedding worked, Debbie. Don’t tell me it didn’t even though events overran our plans. That Paul Wagler! He’s the limit is all I can say. He’d intimidate any boy, let alone Alvin.”
“So you think that’s why Alvin left…because of Paul?” Debbie studied the paper. Verna hadn’t said anything about the possible theft of money. Did Verna not subscribe to that theory or had she even heard it?
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