“Hot eier nei haus viel geld gekoscht?” Grandma asked, looking at Priscilla again.
Elaine grimaced. She had no idea why Grandma had just asked Priscilla if her new house cost a great deal of money.
“No, Edna,” Priscilla said, shaking her head. “I don’t have a new house. I’m still living at home with my parents.”
Grandma’s brows furrowed as she pursed her lips. “Really? I thought I’d come to visit you there.”
“You’ve been to the home of Priscilla’s parents many times,” Elaine said, handing the crackers to Grandma.
Grandma nodded and set the basket down. “I know, and I…” She stopped talking and looked absently across the room.
“What were you going to say, Edna?” Priscilla prompted.
Grandma sighed. “I forgot.”
“That’s okay.” Priscilla gave a nod of understanding. “Sometimes we all forget things.”
Grandma picked up her bowl of soup and began slurping it, like a child might do. Elaine was on the verge of telling her to eat the soup with a spoon, but hearing a horse and buggy coming up the driveway, she went to see who it was.
Struggling with the desire to flee, Jonah secured his horse to the hitching rack and started for Edna’s house. After praying about it, he’d decided to tell Elaine about his plans to marry Sara, before she heard it from someone else. But now that he was here, he’d begun to have second thoughts. Jonah hated to admit it, but somewhere deep inside, he hoped Elaine might say that she still loved him. Of course, that wasn’t likely, but as close as he and Elaine had once been, he thought she had the right to know of his plans.
As Jonah walked across the yard, he noticed a bicycle sitting near the clothesline and figured Elaine or Edna might have company. Maybe this wasn’t the best time for him to be here.
Jonah was about to return to his horse when Elaine stepped out of the house. “I thought that was you, Jonah. What brings you by here today?”
Jonah shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “Well, first of all, I’ve been wondering how your grandma is doing. I haven’t seen her for quite a while.”
“Grandma’s memory is failing fast,” Elaine replied, refusing to look directly at him. “Her diabetes seems to be getting worse, too.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Jonah cleared his throat again. “I…uh…wanted to also tell you that I’m planning to…”
“Marry Sara?”
“Jah. How’d you know?”
Elaine pointed to the bicycle. “Priscilla’s here, and she told me.” She turned to face him directly. “I appreciate you coming by, and I wish you and Sara the best.” Elaine didn’t smile, but her expression was sincere.
Jonah kicked at a clump of dead grass with the toe of his boot. “Well, uh…guess I’d better head back to my shop. Tell Edna I’m praying for her.” He started to go but turned back around. “I’m praying for you, too, Elaine.”
“Danki. Good-bye, Jonah.” Elaine opened the door and went back in the house.
When the door clicked shut behind her, Jonah headed back to his horse and buggy, full of mixed emotions. He was relieved that Elaine didn’t object to him marrying Sara. But on the other hand, he was disappointed that she hadn’t challenged his decision. It was confirmation that Elaine didn’t love him. Maybe this is how it’s meant to be, he told himself. Sara and Mark need me, and apparently Elaine does not.
CHAPTER 41
It was the week after Thanksgiving, and as Jonah sat at his kitchen table, his shoulders tightened. He remembered a March day much like this morning, when the weather had been nearly the same. Only back then his marriage to Meredith had been only hours away. A cold rain had fallen overnight, but by morning the clouds had broken up, with the promise of a clear blue sky for his wedding. So far, the weather was turning out to be the same today.
As Jonah continued to reflect on the day he and Meredith were to marry, a nervous flutter went through his stomach. What if something happened and Sara changed her mind? He’d been jilted before. Could it happen again?
“Come on, get ahold of yourself,” Jonah murmured. The weather might be similar, but Jonah could think of no reason his marriage to Sara would not take place. The circumstances that led to the halt of his and Meredith’s wedding were quite understandable after finding out that Luke was still alive. So why am I worrying now? Jonah took a deep breath to calm himself.
Jonah’s parents had come for Thanksgiving, and Sara’s mom and dad had done the same. They’d been staying at Sara’s house and would be there until after the wedding. On Thanksgiving, Jonah and his parents had been invited to Sara’s. Jonah had been relieved that from the moment the two sets of parents met, it was as if they’d known each other all their lives.
Sara had moved some of her and Mark’s belongings into Jonah’s place, but after the wedding, they’d get the rest of their things.
Getting up from the kitchen table, Jonah took one last look out the window. He was glad all seemed normal and no buggies were coming up his lane with distressing news. Sparkling drops of rain left over from last night’s showers glistened like diamonds as the sun warmed the earth. Today was a new beginning, and it would be the start of the rest of his life with Sara and Mark. Jonah could hardly wait for that.
As Sara stood beside Jonah in front of their bishop, responding to their marriage vows, joy and hope flooded her soul. Even though she’d been married once before, her heart swelled with emotion and a sense of excitement over becoming Jonah’s wife.
“Can you confess, brother, that you accept our sister as your wife, and that you will not leave her until death separates you?” Bishop Levi asked Jonah.
“Yes,” Jonah replied with a nod.
“And do you believe that this is from the Lord and that you have come thus far because of your faith and prayers?”
Jonah, glancing quickly at Sara, answered, “Yes.”
The bishop then turned to Sara. “Can you confess, sister, that you accept our brother as your husband, and that you will not leave him until death separates you?”
Barely able to speak around the constriction in her throat, Sara nodded and said, “Yes.”
“And do you believe that this is from the Lord and that you have come this far because of your faith and prayers?”
“Yes,” Sara replied, struggling not to let the tears slip out.
Bishop Levi looked at Jonah again. “Because you have confessed that you want to take Sara for your wife, do you promise to remain loyal to her and care for her if she may have any adversity, sickness, or weakness, as is appropriate for a Christian husband?”
“Yes, I will.”
The bishop asked Sara the same question, and she also replied, “Yes, I will.”
Then Bishop Levi took Sara’s right hand and placed it in Jonah’s right hand, putting his hands above and beneath their hands. “May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you together and give His blessings upon you and be merciful to you. And may you hold out until the blessed end. This all in, and through, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
At this point, Bishop Levi, Jonah, and Sara went down on their knees for prayer. When they rose, the bishop said, “Go forth now in the name of the Lord. You are now man and wife.”
As Sara and Jonah returned to their seats, she almost felt like she was floating. It was as if all of her burdens had suddenly been removed. Her illness would still present challenges, but with Jonah at her side, Sara was sure she could get through them.
Glancing at the women’s side of the room, she smiled when she saw that Mark had fallen asleep on Grandma Stutzman’s lap. How grateful she was that Harley’s parents hadn’t objected to her marrying Jonah. They’d given Sara their blessing, as had Sara’s parents, who were also here for the wedding. Jonah’s sister and his parents were here, too, along with several others from Sara and Jonah’s church district, including Leah. Because it was a smaller wedding than most, and since this was Sara’s second marriage, she had
n’t invited many people. But she didn’t mind the smaller group. The people she was closest to were here, and that’s what mattered.
As Jonah listened to the words of testimony from one of their ministers, he reflected on the vows he and Sara had just agreed upon. He was relieved that his silly fears from this morning had been for nothing. Jonah cared deeply for Sara and would take those vows seriously as they made a new life together. He would be a loving husband to Sara and a good father to her son. Hopefully someday, if the Lord allowed, they would be blessed with more children. It would be nice for Mark to have a little brother or sister to grow up with.
In the meantime, though, Jonah would enjoy his time with Mark, setting a godly example and creating pleasant memories for their family of three. At last, Jonah’s desire to be a husband and father had come true, all in the same day, and he was convinced that God had brought him and Sara together. Christmas was just around the corner, and for the first time, he would enjoy the holiday with a wife and son.
After the other ministers in attendance spoke, Bishop Levi offered a few closing remarks. Then he asked the congregation to kneel in prayer. When that was over, everyone rose and sang a closing hymn. The church service was over, and the wedding meal could begin.
Elaine sat on the sofa in the living room, trying to focus on the article she’d been reading in The Budget, but she couldn’t seem to keep her mind on it. All she could think about was that today Jonah and Sara were getting married and had probably become husband and wife by now. All those months during Elaine and Jonah’s courting days, Elaine had thought she would be the woman who’d become Jonah’s wife. Instead, Sara had ended up with the man Elaine loved. How ironic was that?
There’s no point in having regrets or even thinking about this, Elaine reminded herself. I’m doing what’s best for Grandma, and Jonah’s doing what is best for him. He obviously loves Sara and her little boy, and I need to set my regrets aside and try to be happy for them.
She glanced at the clock, wondering if Grandma was still asleep. She’d gone to her room shortly after breakfast, saying she was tired and needed more sleep. But that was almost two hours ago. Surely she ought to be awake by now.
Elaine was about to check on Grandma when a knock sounded on the door. That’s strange, she thought, rising from the sofa. I didn’t hear a horse and buggy pull in.
Elaine opened the door and was surprised to see Priscilla on the porch. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “I thought you’d be at Jonah and Sara’s wedding this morning.”
“I decided not to go. Figured you would need me today.”
Overcome with emotion, Elaine hugged Priscilla and invited her in.
“How’s your grandma doing?” Priscilla asked after following Elaine to the living room.
“She’s about the same. Still has a few good days, but mostly bad.” Elaine frowned.
“I’m truly sorry, and I wish there was more I could do to help you through all this.”
“It helps every time you or Leah drop by.” Elaine motioned to the sofa. “Why don’t you have a seat while I go check on Grandma? I won’t be gone long. Just want to see if she’s awake or needs anything.”
“No problem. Should I make us some tea?”
“Jah, that’d be nice.” Elaine hurried from the room, thankful for friends like Priscilla.
When Elaine entered Grandma’s bedroom, her body tensed. Grandma wasn’t in her bed. That’s strange. Could she have gone to the bathroom without me hearing her walk down the hall? Oh, I hope she didn’t make her way outside somehow.
Elaine was about to leave the room and investigate, but she decided to go to the window and look out first. As she started around the foot of Grandma’s bed, she froze. There lay Grandma on the other side of her bed, stretched out on the floor.
Elaine dropped to her knees and reached out to touch Grandma’s hand. It felt cold. Grandma’s eyes were open, as if she were staring at the ceiling.
“Grandma! Can you hear me, Grandma?” Elaine shouted, vaguely hearing Priscilla’s footsteps in the background, running toward the room.
No response.
Elaine’s muscles jumped under her skin as she felt Grandma’s wrist for a pulse. She found none. There was no movement in Grandma’s chest or breath coming from her mouth. This seemed like a dream—a horrible nightmare.
Elaine’s thoughts became fuzzy. She couldn’t think—could barely breathe. It wasn’t possible. Grandma couldn’t be dead.
CHAPTER 42
Jonah stood at the side of the bed, looking down at his new bride, who’d taken sick with the flu during the night. “Is there anything I can bring you right now? Maybe some soda crackers or a cup of mint tea?” he asked, pulling the covers up to her chin.
Shivering, Sara shook her head. “I don’t think I could keep it down, Jonah.”
“Maybe later then.” He felt her forehead and was thankful that it wasn’t as hot as it had been earlier this morning.
Sara’s eyes fluttered. “I’m sorry we couldn’t go to Edna Schrock’s funeral today.”
“It’s okay,” Jonah replied. “I’m sure there will be plenty of people from our community to offer Elaine support.”
“Now that Edna’s gone, Elaine is free to marry,” Sara said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Are you sorry you didn’t wait for her instead of marrying me?”
Jonah reached under the covers and clasped Sara’s hand. “No, Sara, I made the right decision and have no regrets about marrying you.” He squeezed her fingers gently. “I’m looking forward to the days ahead and seeing what God has planned for our lives.”
“Me, too. And Jonah, I have no regrets about marrying you.”
“Onah! Onah!” Mark hollered from across the hall.
“I’d better go see what our little guy wants, but I’ll be back to check on you soon. Oh, and there’s a glass of water on the nightstand for you. You need to sip it so you don’t get dehydrated.”
“Okay, but please keep Mark out of our bedroom. I don’t want him to get sick, too,” Sara called as Jonah exited the room.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t come in.” Jonah hurried into Mark’s room and lifted him from the crib. “Let’s get you some breakfast, little buddy.”
After Jonah had Mark settled in his high chair with a bowl of cereal, he made a pot of coffee and took a seat at the table. He, too, felt bad about missing Edna Schrock’s funeral, but his first obligation was to Sara. He sure couldn’t leave her alone when she was this sick.
Jonah had gone to Edna’s viewing the other day, and it tugged at his heartstrings to see the look of despair on Elaine’s face. As difficult as it had been for her to be Edna’s caregiver, it would be even harder for Elaine to cope with the loss of her grandmother. It had been a rough year for Elaine, losing both of her grandparents.
Jonah wished once more that she would have allowed him to help her through it. Of course, that was out of the question now. He was a married man, and it wouldn’t look right for him to go over to Elaine’s by himself to help with chores or anything else she may need to have done. But Elaine’s friends would be there for her, helping in whatever way they could. Eventually, Elaine would meet someone special, fall in love, and get married.
“Onah! Onah!”
Jonah jumped at the sound of Mark’s voice. He looked over at the boy and laughed when he saw that Mark had turned his empty bowl upside-down and put it on top of his head.
Jonah was glad for this lighthearted moment. It wasn’t good to think too deeply about things that were out of his control.
Removing the bowl from Mark’s head, Jonah cleaned Mark’s face and hands with a wet paper towel. Then he lifted Mark out of the high chair, returned to his seat at the table, and held the boy in his lap while he waited for the coffee to perk.
Mark burrowed his face into Jonah’s chest, and Jonah’s throat constricted. The love he felt for the boy was beyond measure, and Jonah had no doubt he would love and nurture this child as i
f he were his own flesh and blood.
Elaine’s throat burned as she struggled not to break down. She, along with several others from their church district, had arrived at the cemetery a few minutes ago. It had been determined that Grandma’s death was caused by a heart attack, just as Grandpa’s had been. Her somber funeral had taken place inside the Otto Center earlier this morning, and afterward, the mourners had come to the cemetery to lay her body to rest.
If I’d found her sooner, could she have been saved? Elaine winced. Hadn’t she thought the very same thing when Grandpa died? All the wishing for what she might have done would do her no good now. Grandma was gone, and Elaine was alone. Now she needed to find the strength to go on.
“We’re here for you,” Leah whispered as she and Priscilla slipped their arms around Elaine’s waist.
Elaine’s forehead broke out in a sweat, even though it was a chilly day. Oh, how she needed their friendship—more now than ever before. The anguish she felt over losing Grandma shook Elaine to her very core.
She shivered as Grandma’s simple coffin was placed inside the rough pine box that had been set in the opening of the grave. Elaine felt certain that Grandma was with Jesus and Grandpa now. Her dear grandmother was no longer bound by any illness, and in that, Elaine found some measure of comfort. She really wouldn’t wish Grandma back with her, suffering and confused. But someday she would see her grandparents again, when it was her turn to be called to heaven. What a joyous reunion they would have—the three of them.
A group of men from their church district began to sing as the grave was filled in by the pallbearers. With each shovelful of dirt, the heavy feeling in the pit of Elaine’s stomach increased. At one point, she felt as if she might faint, but the support of Priscilla and Leah kept her standing firm. As the last shovelful of dirt was placed over the coffin, she remembered the promise she’d made to Grandpa before he’d died—to take care of Grandma.
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