She gazed around his yard. A row of fist-sized rocks lined the newly weeded flower beds, the berm in the center of his lawn, and the gravel path leading up to his house. There were a lot of rocks. Somebody must have been collecting rocks for years to make such an impressive border.
Suvie held her breath as her heart skipped around in her chest like an agitated bunny rabbit. She would not allow herself to hope. Aaron had made himself very clear.
Numb and a little ferhoodled, Suvie let Anna lead her to Aaron’s front door, where Felty—who was the only one who didn’t have something in his hands—knocked.
Her heart sank to her toes when there was no answer. If Aaron was waiting for her, wouldn’t he come to the door? Maybe Anna and Felty were only hoping Aaron was interested in Suvie.
Anna beamed and held her cereal tighter. “You’ll have to go around, dear. He really needs to see you.”
Suvie glanced at Felty. His arms were empty. Couldn’t he go around and let Suvie remain safely on the porch with Anna, the cereal, and the potted rose?
Felty smiled a kindly, grandfatherly, irritating smile. He wasn’t going anywhere.
Suvie huffed out a breath and marched around the side of the house. She’d have to hurry. A distant roll of thunder told her that a downpour was only a few minutes away. If she found Aaron, which was looking unlikely, she could hand him the rose, wish him well, and run away before he even said a word. It would be better that way. She didn’t need to compound her heartache.
As she expected, Mary’s pile of rocks was gone, leaving a patch of dead grass as the only sign it had been there in the first place. More heart palpitations. More holding her breath and scolding herself for being so deerich. She would not let her childish hopes get the better of her.
Aaron sat on his back porch with an unopened umbrella next to him. Irritation bubbled up inside her. Aaron didn’t want her here. She was only making a pest of herself. “Can’t you answer your front door so people don’t have to hike all the way around the house?”
His smile might have knocked her over if she hadn’t been determined to keep her head. “You brought a rose.”
She hastily set the rose on the bottom porch step and stepped away. “It’s pink. Plant it soon.”
“Will you help me?”
Suvie folded her arms to keep her heart from jumping out of her chest. “You just have to dig a hole and make sure the roots aren’t packed together.”
“I know. But will you help me?”
“It’s going to rain.”
He wrapped his fingers around the umbrella at his side. “I have an umbrella.” He stood up and came down the steps toward her. Her heart pounded in her ears and her tongue went numb. Was this unbridled happiness or sheer panic?
Aaron pointed to the corner of the house. “There’s something I want to show you.”
She lost all ability to think clearly. “I left your grandparents on the porch with a box of cereal.”
Smiling that aggravatingly stunning smile, he took her hand—took her hand—and tucked it under his elbow. “Cum. I want to show you.”
Dazed and giddy, Suvie let him lead her around to the side of the house. Ten flats of big, beautiful petunia blooms sat on the grass next to the foundation.
Suvie couldn’t help herself. She laughed out loud. “Where did you find these?”
His grin seemed to go all the way to his toes. “I hired a driver. Two Walmarts in Green Bay, then De Pere, Appleton, and Neenah. I wanted a lot.”
She almost didn’t dare ask the question. The answer held too much hope or too much pain. “Why?”
Thunder clapped, and the rain announced itself with a roar. Aaron opened his umbrella and held it over his head. It was too small to keep more than one person dry.
Suvie gasped as he slid his arm around her and pulled her to him. “You’ll have to stand this close if you want to stay dry,” he said, with a light in his eyes that sent warmth spreading through her chest. What had happened to him? And was she awake or still in bed dreaming of something that would never be? She felt his breath against her cheek as he studied her face. “Will you help me plant these?”
He was breathlessly close, and under the umbrella, it seemed they were the only two people in the world. She couldn’t concentrate on anything else but the feel of his arm around her and unrestrained tenderness in his eyes. “I . . . I don’t know. I can’t think straight when you’re this close. We need a bigger umbrella.”
Aaron chuckled. “I brought out a puny one on purpose.”
“Well, if your plan was to make me feel like I just fell off a cliff, it’s working.”
His smile faded, and he tightened his arm around her. An unintentional sigh escaped her lips. She could be quite comfortable in his arms for the rest of her life. “I’ve been wonderful selfish, Suvie, but I want to make things better. I’m sorry for what I said that might have hurt you.”
“You mean when you told me you don’t like vanilla ice cream?”
His lips twitched upward. “That and the time I accused you of trying to make me forget Mary or when I said I didn’t want to plant petunias with you ever again. Or when I pushed you away out of a sense of loyalty to my deceased wife. I was wrong.”
“What about Mary?”
“I will always love Mary, but I can’t go on living as if I were already dead. Mary would have wanted me to be happy.”
“I think she would have.”
He traced his finger down the side of her face. “You make me happy, Suvie. I love you, and I want to plant petunias with you something wonderful. For the rest of my life.”
She held her breath as he seemed to get even closer without moving a muscle. She had to be dreaming. Could anything make her feel this giddy in real life? “I think I’d like that too.”
He lit up like a whole box of fireworks at a wedding. “You would?”
She nodded. “Even though you like bran flakes and Swiss cheese.”
She shivered at the way he gazed at her. “I like you much better than bran flakes.” Without warning, he kissed her, making her heart stop altogether and squeezing the breath right out of her lungs.
Oy, anyhow! It just got better and better.
And she was pretty sure it wasn’t an accident this time.
Chapter 8
Suvie and Aaron stood before the bishop, facing each other but not daring to actually look up. It was too embarrassing to be in front of all these people, everyone’s eyes on no one but him and her.
Suvie’s heart hadn’t slowed down since Aaron had asked her to marry him while they had planted the ten flats of petunias in every nook and cranny of his yard. She might never feel normal again, which was fine by her. She could get used to this ferhoodled, dizzy feeling.
She wore a white apron and white kapp and a deep purple dress she’d made especially for the occasion. If the hem was a little crooked, Mamm hadn’t said a word. Suvie had always wanted to wear purple when she got married. Her attendants were in purple too, and her wedding plates and glasses were white and purple with green napkins.
Mamm, who had despaired of Suvie ever finding a husband, had insisted on twelve attendants and had tatted a beautiful handkerchief for each of the girls. Suvie was impressed that she had finished all the handkerchiefs on such short notice. Of course, she might have been tatting for years and years in hopes of a wedding for her hopeless daughter.
Suvie kept her eyes downcast, but she could barely contain the emotions swirling inside her. It would be unseemly to cry in the middle of her vows, but her heart was as full as a wagon after the corn harvest.
Thank the gute Lord that Amish weddings did not include kissing. It was all she could do to muster the vows. A kiss in front of all these people would have been quite impossible yet.
After the ceremony, Aaron stayed glued to her side as they walked to the giant tent Dat had rented for the wedding supper. She smiled at Aaron. Aaron smiled back. He hadn’t stopped smiling since that rainy day under the umb
rella.
It was a gute thing. Aaron deserved to be happy. Suvie planned to do everything in her power to see that he was always smiling.
Suvie and Aaron sat at the head table, and Freeman, Mary’s brother, was one of the first to approach them. He smelled heavily of breath mints, and his smile seemed forced and a little sad, but his open face spoke of deep sincerity. “I am wonderful happy for you,” he said, “but sorry my mamm couldn’t see clear to come.”
Aaron had gone to visit Lydia three times after he and Suvie got published, but Lydia could not be happy and tried her best to make Aaron feel terrible about his choice. Since Lydia refused to hear him, Aaron settled for writing a long letter, giving her the same advice Dawdi and Freeman had given him. But Freeman had told him she’d torn it into little pieces and thrown it into the stove. Suvie prayed every night that Lydia would find some peace, but her grief had defined her life for so long, it would be a hard road back and she would have to choose it herself.
Mamm was almost as giddy as Suvie was. After a supper of chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and celery dressing, Mamm handed out pens with Suvie and Aaron’s names on them, and two of Suvie’s brothers lit fireworks even though it was only one o’clock in the afternoon. Mamm’s enthusiasm was overflowing.
During supper, Aaron held Suvie’s hand under the table when he thought he could get away with it, and while he didn’t say much, he was for sure and certain wearing out his cheeks with all the smiling.
After supper, Anna and Felty came to their table, Felty carrying a cardboard box.
“This is part of your wedding present,” Anna said, tapping her finger on the box. “There are three more just like it in our buggy.”
Aaron squeezed Suvie’s hand. “What is it, Mammi?”
“Four boxes of Cocoa Pebbles, twenty peanut butter Cap’n Crunch, five Froot Loops, and one Count Chocula. I’m not sure about that one, but it has a very interesting picture on the front of the package. And no bran flakes.” Anna leaned across the table and pinned Aaron with a stern gaze. “Please don’t ever buy bran flakes again. You never know what could happen.”
Felty shrugged. “Well, Annie. They do keep you regular.”
Anna shook her finger at her husband. “Aaron and Suvie do not want regular. They want wunderbarr. No more bran flakes for them.”
Suvie giggled. “I will try very hard to keep Aaron from eating another bran flake ever again.”
Anna seemed satisfied. “Gute. There’s no use getting off on the wrong foot. Marriage is hard enough.”
Felty’s eyes widened in surprise. “You think marriage is hard?”
Anna waved away his concern. “Now, Felty. Everyone isn’t as perfectly matched as we are, and Suvie doesn’t know how to cook. There are bound to be some rough patches.”
Suvie laughed. “Especially since I don’t know how to cook.”
Aaron didn’t seem the least bit upset. “We’ve got plenty of cold cereal to eat for breakfast, supper, and dinner. And I can make pancakes.”
“And s’mores,” Suvie said. “I know how to make s’mores.”
Anna and Felty walked away, and Anna pointed to Aaron’s little sister Priscilla and whispered something to Felty.
Aaron leaned close to Suvie’s ear. “Do you think they’re thinking of another match?”
Suvie giggled. “Priscilla is almost twenty-two. Anna can’t resist.”
Aaron leaned closer so their arms were touching. “I can’t resist you.” He squeezed her hand again. “Are you happy?”
The bishop was looking in their direction. Suvie scooted a few inches away from Aaron and grinned. “Happier than I could have ever imagined. Gotte is gute.”
“Lord willing, I’m going to make you happy every day for the rest of your life.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” she said.
“Me too.”
Joshua’s Bride
MOLLY JEBBER
Patty Campbell, my dear friend,
talented author, and mentor.
And
DJ Welker, my dear friend, talented
author, and wonderful editor.
Thank you both so much for your friendship,
encouragement and support.
Chapter 1
1885—Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Madeline grinned, put a finger to her lips, and pointed to her daed in his plain coat, and snoring on the front porch in his favorite rocking chair with a blanket half covering him. His straw hat sat lopsided on his head, and his brown hair covered his right eye. She pointed to the back door.
Joshua grinned and went outside with her. He clasped her hand. “Let’s go behind your daed’s shed by the weeping willow trees.”
She squinted, shielded her eyes, and shivered. She was tired of cold weather and anxious for spring to arrive. Anytime she was with Joshua, she was happy. He had a lilt in his step, smiled most of the time, and didn’t let much get him down. He tackled his problems and had faith they would work out fine with God’s help, no matter how long it took. He’d been quiet and fidgety today at the church meal, and he hurried to their shady spot. Something was on his mind, but what?
She stood in the shade. “What’s wrong? You’re acting odd.”
He held both her hands and stared into her eyes. “Everything’s fine.” He cleared his throat. “Beautiful Madeline, love of my life, will you marry me?”
She clapped her hands and jumped for joy. “Jah! Jah! Jah! I’d love to marry you!” She’d found the perfect husband, and they would be together forever. She’d tuck this eighth day of March in her mind as the day she began planning her future with her fiancé. “I’m so happy, Joshua.”
Joshua picked her up and twirled her around. “I love you, Madeline Lehman, soon to be Mrs. Stutzman.” He set her on her feet. “Your daed granted me his permission the other night.”
Her daed loved Joshua as if he were his son. He’d said so more than once. The two men had become fast friends. Her mamm would’ve loved Joshua. She could envision her mamm and herself getting ready for the wedding. They’d have planned, cooked, and sewed to prepare for the special day together. Her mamm had been a strong woman of faith and brought so much joy to their lives with her cheerful outlook on life and compassionate heart. She’d been patient with Catherine’s quick temper and curiosity about the world. Madeline was glad Mamm hadn’t known about Catherine’s leaving her Amish life behind for good.
She’d never forget the day she found Mamm on the floor. She’d shaken her to rouse her to no avail. Mamm’s body was cool and her eyes blank and wide open. Her older schweschder, Catherine, had screamed and run to fetch their daed. He’d rocked her mamm in his arms and then carried her body to the wagon and driven to Dr. Wilson’s office. He came home and said the doctor didn’t know what took her life. It’d been over five years ago when they lived in Shipshewana, Indiana. She laid her hands in Joshua’s. “I wish Mamm were here to share in the most wonderful day of my life.”
“From what you’ve told me about her, she sounds like a loving and wise mamm. I’m sorry I didn’t get to know her.” Joshua gently squeezed her fingers.
Two cats a few feet away, meowing and chasing each other, brought a smile to her lips as she gathered her thoughts. She tilted her head and stared at their hands. “Did you tell your parents you were going to ask me to marry you today?”
“I did.” He dropped his eyes from hers.
“Please tell me what they said.” She frowned and stared at her hands.
“They asked me not to marry you.” Joshua gently lifted her chin until her gaze met his. “They’re afraid you’ll leave Lancaster like Catherine. As time passes, I’m certain my parents will grow to love you.”
“Joshua, maybe we should wait to wed.”
He swiped sweat from his brow with his shirt sleeve. “You are the fraa for me, Madeline. I won’t let them ruin this important time in our lives.” He tapped a finger to his chin and stared at the sky for a moment. He smiled. “Let’s a
sk the bishop to schedule a date in June. It’s not too far away, but we’d have enough time to invite everyone and plan the day.”
She sighed. “Joshua, we have to consider your parents’ request we not marry.”
He kissed her cheek. “As time goes on, Mamm and Daed will understand we’re committed to each other forever and they will regret wrongfully judging you because of Catherine’s decisions. I’m hoping Nathaniel will fall in love with a sweet Amish woman someday soon and take his mind off his past with Catherine. Then we can be one happy family.”
The love of her life had a positive outlook on problems. She’d be sad to delay their wedding. She’d throw caution to the wind and have faith everything would work out well. It was unfortunate Joshua’s bruder, Nathaniel, had fallen in love with Catherine and she’d left without a word to him. Madeline hoped Joshua was right and that his parents would see how much she loved Joshua and understand she wouldn’t leave Joshua like Catherine had left Nathaniel.
“I’m going to visit the bishop tomorrow. I’d like to get on his schedule as soon as possible. I’m ready to start building our haus.”
Her heart swelled with joy. “You are a good provider. I’m blessed Daed moved us to Lancaster three years ago. I had prayed moving from Shipshewana, Indiana, and kumming here would be a fresh new start for us. I’m blessed to have met you, and your friendship with Daed has helped him through his grief with Mamm and Catherine’s departure from us. I thought her meeting Nathaniel had turned her life around. I’m so sorry she hurt your bruder, Joshua.”
“It’s not your fault. I’m confident my bruder will recover. He loved her, and he needs time to get over her. He’s burly, and because of his large stature, he’s mistaken for a hard man, but he’s a softie inside.”
“His soft voice amazed me the first time he spoke. You two don’t look anything alike, but your voices are similar. I’m surprised Nathaniel is two years younger than you. He looks older. Catherine is two years older than I am, but I always felt like the responsible one.”
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