He traveled to the bishop’s haus. The gray-haired man answered the door. “Joshua, kumme in. Are you interested in an oatmeal cookie and something to drink?”
“No, danki. I won’t keep you long.”
“Something on your mind, son?”
Joshua grinned. “I asked Madeline Lehman to marry me. She said jah, and I’ve kumme to ask when you can marry us.”
“Congratulations! I’m thrilled for both of you. Do you have a date in mind?”
“Does Thursday, June eighteenth, suit you?” Thankful the bishop hadn’t asked him about his parents’ reaction to his proposal to Madeline, he would await the bishop’s answer and not stay any longer than necessary. His parents had done a good job of hiding their objections to his interest in Madeline, and he didn’t want to make excuses for them to the bishop.
“June eighteenth will work out fine.” He cocked his head. “Is your family supportive of your decision to marry Madeline? It’s no secret Nathaniel suffered heartache after Catherine’s departure.”
Joshua swallowed around the lump in his throat. “Nathaniel and my parents are cordial to Madeline and her daed. Catherine’s abrupt parting is still fresh in their minds. After Madeline and I show them how in love and committed to each other we are as a married couple, I’m certain they’ll fall in love with her.”
He darted a glance at Bishop Kauffman and hoped the man wouldn’t ask him to put off his marriage to Madeline. He couldn’t imagine life without her, and he wasn’t willing to delay their future together. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. The perspiration formed more from dreaded anticipation than from the flickering flames in the fireplace.
“On Sundays, during our mealtime, I’ve noticed your parents don’t join you and the Lehmans. They do avoid them. I suspected it was because of Catherine. Do you want me to speak to them?”
“Oh, no! Please don’t. They are upset with me enough. They’d be really angry if they thought I put you up to discussing this with them. I have faith they will be fine with Madeline given time.”
“She’s a lovely woman. Nothing like her schweschder, as far as I have observed. She shouldn’t be punished for Catherine’s bad choices. I pray God will intervene on your and Madeline’s behalf.”
“Danki, Bishop Kauffman.” He stood and shook the man’s hand.
“Give Madeline my best.”
He smiled, waved, and headed home. He’d not mention his conversation with the bishop about his parents. If the bishop changed his mind and spoke to his parents on his behalf, they might never speak to him again. They’d painstakingly done their best to hide their misgivings about Madeline. They had no idea they hadn’t done a good enough job hiding their feelings about her. He grimaced. Would the bishop speak to his parents anyway? The man might think he was doing them a favor.
Chapter 2
Madeline held up the pattern for her wedding dress. She frowned. Her edges were a little crooked. Not like Mamm’s, straight and perfect. Joshua’s enthusiasm that his family would change their minds about her was infectious. Optimism filled her heart that, given time, they would wilkom her into their lives. She sighed and put her things away.
She glanced out the window. A sow had escaped the pen. Daed was herding her back to the fenced-in area. Hooray! Her daed had succeeded. A wagon was headed toward the haus. She jumped up. Joshua was kumming down the lane. Tossing her fabric to the side, she stuck her threaded needle in the small metal box where she kept her needles and dropped it in the basket.
She shrugged into her cloak and ran outside. Today she’d find out her wedding date! “Joshua, did you visit Bishop Kauffman yesterday?”
“Jah! The date is June eighteenth.”
Her daed came up behind Joshua and slapped him on the back. “Not far away. Will you have time to finish your haus?”
“I’ve started it. I met Elijah at the property early this morning, and he’s still there. I left him to kumme here and tell Madeline the wedding date and that Addie is with child.”
Hands to her cheeks, Madeline yelped. “They must be over the moon thrilled.”
Daed smiled. “I’m glad for them.”
Joshua held the reins to his horse. “Go visit her. I’m sure she’d love to talk to you. You both have a lot to discuss.”
“I’ll make cookies and take them to her tomorrow.”
“I’d better get back. I’ve got a haus to build.” He grinned.
Daed petted Joshua’s horse. “Do you mind if I help you? I can spare some time.”
“Jah! You’re wilkom to kumme anytime. I appreciate the extra muscle.”
“I’ll grab tools and be right behind you.” He headed for the workshop.
Joshua kissed Madeline’s cheek. “You better get busy on your wedding dress.”
“I have the pattern cut out.”
“You’re off to a good start.” He grinned, tipped his hat, and guided his horse toward the main road.
She waited outside until her daed left. She’d call Joshua her husband in a few months. When would Boppli Mast make his or her appearance? What a blessing! She couldn’t wait to sit and chat with Addie. What would she knit for the child?
How fortunate they were both twenty-two. Joshua and Elijah were twenty-three. It was good for her and Joshua to share a close friendship with a couple their age. The woman had befriended her at the first church service she attended. Vibrant and cheerful came to mind when she thought of her friend. Never giving up hope, Addie had believed she’d be a mamm someday. Her treasured friend had been right.
Two deer darted out from the dense woods across the road. A shot rang out. She caught a glimpse of the hunter. She breathed a sigh of relief. The deer bounded away down the road. She lost sight of them. The deer hiding in the woods resembled her hiding her hurt each time she overheard gossipers whisper Catherine’s name and stare at her. She’d fled and hurried home. The last couple of months, the chatter about Catherine had died down. The women in the community were friendlier. She suspected they realized she was staying in Lancaster and taking care of her daed, unlike her schweschder. Her future looked bright.
* * *
Madeline baked Addie’s favorite ginger cookies and drove the buggy to her friend’s haus the next morning. She tied her horse to the post, snatched her basket, and joined her friend. “Good morning.”
Addie stood at the outside pump with a small porcelain bucket. “Madeline, I’m glad you’re here. Congratulations! You’re getting married! I’m tickled for you.”
Madeline hugged her. “And I’m overjoyed you’re having a boppli! Do you have any idea when you’ll give birth?”
Addie patted her protruding stomach. “It’s hard to tell since I’m naturally thick around the middle. Dr. Livingston is guessing I’m around three months. I was hoping I was with child, but too afraid to get my hopes up. That’s why I hadn’t mentioned it.” She motioned to the front door. “Let’s go inside. It’s too cold out here for me. I have warm coffee inside.”
Madeline followed her to the kitchen. She took off her cloak and set it on the chair next to her. Addie set the water she’d fetched on the counter and poured coffee into two mugs.
Madeline accepted a mug of coffee. “How are you and the boppli?”
Addie sat across from her. “I have no desire for food in the mornings. Each day, my rolling stomach settles around dinnertime. By supper, I’m ready to eat anything in sight.” She wrung her hands. “I’m scared, Madeline. I’ve had spots of blood each day.”
Madeline fought to hide the worry in her expression. To lose this boppli would scar her friend forever. She couldn’t bear the thought. “Have you told Dr. Livingston?”
“He said to take it easy and not to worry.”
There must be something she could do for Addie. “What can I do for you? Should you put your feet up?”
“No, it’s not necessary. Dr. Livingston told me I can do light work but not to lift anything heavy. Talking with me about it is what I need. I can tell yo
u anything.”
Madeline squeezed Addie’s fingers. “I feel the same.”
A hard rap interrupted them. “You sit. I’ll go to the door.” Madeline walked to the front room and opened the door. Joshua’s mamm. She swallowed. “Please kumme in.”
“I didn’t know it was your buggy outside.” Mrs. Stutzman wrinkled her nose. “I have shoofly pie for Addie and Elijah. You can take the dish to her and give her my best wishes. I won’t stay.” She shoved the dish into Madeline’s hands.
Addie appeared. “Please join us in the kitchen for some of Madeline’s delicious cookies and coffee.” She gestured. “I won’t take no for an answer. Let me have your cloak.”
Red-faced, Mrs. Stutzman smiled, brushed past Madeline, and followed Addie to the kitchen. “I won’t be here long. I’ll just keep my cloak on. How are you? Is there anything you need?”
Madeline sighed. Joshua’s mamm turned on the charm the minute Addie joined them. The woman was exasperating. She was a different woman around her sons and friends. All smiles. Madeline had observed her softer side with them. Why couldn’t she bestow kindness on Madeline?
“I’m fine. My parents and in-laws are over here most of the time to help, but today they’re working at their own places. They’ll be here with supper later.” Addie served the ginger cookies and coffee. “Madeline, these are scrumptious. Don’t you agree, Mrs. Stutzman?”
Madeline glimpsed at the woman. The last thing Joshua’s mamm wanted to do was compliment her.
Mrs. Stutzman wiped a crumb from her mouth. “They are quite tasty, but more sugar would add a little needed flavor.”
“I’ll take your advice and add more sugar next time.” Madeline sipped her coffee. She’d be polite. It was important Joshua’s mamm understood she wanted to win her friendship.
Addie patted the woman’s hand. “Aren’t you tickled Madeline and Joshua are getting married? I can’t wait to stitch them a gift and choose the food I’ll cook and bring for the wedding meal.”
Joshua’s mamm had taken a sip of coffee and choked. She put the napkin to her lips and recovered. “Madeline and Joshua are not getting married until June. We’ve got plenty of time to prepare. A lot can happen. We shouldn’t rush into doing anything just yet. Don’t you agree, Madeline?”
Madeline clutched her skirt, her knuckles turning white. Mrs. Stutzman counted on the wedding not taking place. It was evident.
“I don’t anticipate anything changing our plans. We love each other very much. We would like you to share in our joy.” She gently squeezed the woman’s hand. She longed for this woman to understand she was sincere.
Mrs. Stutzman stood. “Look at the time. I’ve got to get home and do a little cleaning. Addie, I’m available if you need anything done.” She gave a curt nod to Madeline and left.
Addie scowled. “Mrs. Stutzman doesn’t even attempt to engage you in pleasant conversation. Her attitude is appalling. The suggestion for added sugar to the cookies was an insult, as well as her comment the wedding is a ways off and a lot can happen. How rude. I had a hard time not speaking my mind to her about her treatment of you.”
“You’re a true friend.” Madeline sat back. “You did your best to coax her to compliment me and to show your support for Joshua and me. I’ll keep trying with her. We all just have to pray that God will change her attitude toward me.”
She didn’t want the conversation to center around her problems. She came to celebrate Addie being with child. “Addie, let’s talk about your boppli. Please don’t lift anything heavy and get plenty of rest. May I do laundry? Cook? Anything?”
“No, my parents and in-laws are thrilled to have excuses to kumme and help. We’re fine. I’ll behave. Speaking of family, have you received word from Catherine?”
Madeline could speak about Catherine without reservation to Addie and not worry she’d be judged. Whatever she told her best friend stayed between them. “No, nothing. In spite of her abrupt departure and bad choices in life, I love and miss her. We didn’t agree most of the time about our Amish lifestyle. We found common ground doing the things we loved, like baking, taking walks, and sharing what’s on our hearts. I pray she is healthy and safe.”
Madeline chatted with Addie another hour. “I’ve got to go.” She hugged her friend. “I’m glad we had time to catch up on our news. We’ve both got big events to look forward to. The kind which will create wonderful memories.” She grabbed her cloak and put it on.
“I’m glad for both of us.” Addie hooked her arm through Madeline’s.
They went outside. Madeline untied her horse, waved, and got in the buggy. She headed home and held tight to the reins as a mangy dog darted across the road. Her horse reared and she struggled to pull back on the reins and control him. The dog ran away from them. The horse calmed. She relaxed. Life was full of surprises, and not always good ones.
* * *
Joshua hammered a nail into a two-by-four alongside Elijah as they built studs for the wall frame. He set his hammer on the ground and flexed his hand. “I’m ready for a break. Are you?”
Elijah dropped his nails into the small pouch attached to his tool belt. “My throat is as dry as paper. I need some water.” He hoisted two canteens out of his wagon and handed one to Joshua. “Addie filled these for us. She packed chicken spread sandwiches for us.” He pulled two from a basket in back of the wagon and handed one to Joshua.
“You chose a thoughtful and kind fraa. I suspect she’ll be a wonderful mamm.”
“She’s the best.” He backed up to the old oak tree. “My parents and in-laws have been supportive in every way. I’m sorry your parents won’t be the same.”
“There’s a buggy kumming. It’s Mamm. I wonder if something has happened.” He ran to greet her. “Mamm, is everything all right?”
Elijah helped her out of the buggy. “Good to see you, Mrs. Stutzman.”
“It’s always a pleasure, Elijah. Do you mind if I have a private word with my son?”
“No, of course not.” He smiled and walked away.
“Joshua, I visited Addie, and Madeline was there. She’s told Addie about the wedding. You and Madeline aren’t getting married until June. Why are you telling your friends this early? You don’t know what will happen. I urge you to wait to tell others.”
Heat rose to his cheeks. She would do anything to rob them of the joy of this time in their lives. Telling their friends about their wedding day was thrilling. Most people were happy for them. He was afraid his mamm would find a way to drive them apart. “I don’t foresee anything hindering my marrying Madeline. Therefore, we have no reason to wait to tell our friends we’re getting married. I wish you were spreading the news with us.”
Mrs. Stutzman crossed her arms and narrowed her big, light brown eyes. “Why are you choosing her over us?” She wrinkled her pointed nose.
“You’re the one choosing to shun her, instead of taking her under your wing. She’d love it if you would love her, teach her your recipes, and spend time with her. Mrs. Lehman’s passing has left a hole in her heart. She needs you, Mamm. Won’t you be a nurturing mamm-in-law to her?”
“No, I won’t. She’ll move into your haus, get bored with you, and leave you and your kinner one day. You’ll embarrass us all over again in this community because of her family’s disregard for values of integrity.”
He sucked in his upper lip and counted to ten. He thought of Proverbs in the Bible, Chapter Fifteen, Verse One: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” He’d repeated this verse numerous times since his parents started nagging him about Madeline. “Mr. Lehman and Madeline are two of the most congenial and thoughtful people in our community. You haven’t taken the time to talk with either of them. Your judgment about them disappoints me.”
“Your daed and bruder agree with me. You’ve been raised in a home where your parents have taught you good morals, honor, and loyalty, I’m sick you’ve turned your back on us.”
“I’ve not
turned my back on you, Daed, or Nathaniel. Mamm, do you think God would honor your attitude toward Madeline?”
“He doesn’t honor you disrespecting your parents. We have your best interest at heart. It’s our responsibility to protect you.”
“I don’t mean any disrespect. I’m being sincere.”
She huffed and turned on her heel, climbed in the buggy, and left.
From the reception he’d just gotten from his mamm, he suspected Madeline’s visit at Addie’s wasn’t any better. She had thick skin to put up with his family’s ridicule. He’d stop at Madeline’s on his way home to inquire if she was all right.
Elijah came alongside him. “Here’s your sandwich. I put it back in the basket, away from the flies. I take it your conversation didn’t go well by the way your mamm stormed out of here.”
“You’re correct. I’m at a loss as to what to say to her objections about Madeline. She repeats the same words over and over, and I do the same. I don’t know how to convince her she’s mistaken.”
“Surely she’ll kumme around when you and Madeline have kinner.”
“She’s a stubborn woman. I love her, but she rules with an implacable iron fist. Daed supports her in every way. If she would back down, he would too. Nathaniel loves kinner. I’d be shocked if he didn’t warm up to his niece or nephew when the time kummes.”
They worked for a few more hours. “It’s almost time for supper. Why don’t you head home to Addie, and I’ll stop by Madeline’s and ask how her visit went at your haus with Mamm. I don’t want her having second thoughts due to Mamm’s negative attitude. Danki for your help today, friend.”
“Glad to lend a hand.” They bid farewell and left in their wagons.
Joshua passed Englischers on horseback and tipped his hat. They acknowledged him and waved back. He’d found the Englischers friendly and polite when in town or in passing them on the road. His parents had preconceived notions against them. He and many others in the Amish community didn’t feel the same.
His mamm cooked and baked for elderly widows, and his daed participated in group barn raisings and building additions to homes in the community. They’d been good parents to him and his bruder. He’d always envisioned his parents getting along with his future in-laws. He wanted his and Madeline’s families to join them for supper now and then. It saddened him this probably wouldn’t happen. The older his parents had gotten, the more stubborn they’d become. Nathaniel’s unfortunate experience with Catherine had hardened their hearts. He didn’t like the growing tension between him and his parents. He missed the relaxed atmosphere at home, at meals, and in conversations.
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