The Middlefield Family Collection

by Kathleen Fuller

  “That’s it?”

  Leona chuckled. “God knows your needs, Cora. Even without me speaking them. Or you speaking them. But He does like to hear us talk to Him. More than just at holidays or out of desperation.”

  They sat in silence for a couple of moments. “Leona?” Cora said at last.

  “Ya?”

  “Could you pray that Sawyer changes his mind?”

  Leona didn’t respond right away. “I will pray for God’s will. If it’s God’s will that Sawyer become Amish, I can’t ask for something different to happen.”

  “I see.” And she did. Maybe it was the medicine, or the prayer, or Leona’s calming presence. But for the first time she did understand. She couldn’t ask God to change Sawyer’s mind any more than Sawyer could force her to stay here. New York was where she belonged. And Sawyer belonged here. With this family.

  It was time she stopped fighting that.

  The next day Sawyer went through the motions at work. Laura wasn’t due back for a couple of days, and he missed her. Cora wasn’t making things easier either. His grandmother had been quiet since Leona’s visit. Too quiet, which had Sawyer worried. She hadn’t asked to return to New York, and she hadn’t mentioned anything to him about Laura or his baptism or the wedding. When he tried to talk to her last night, she shut him down.

  Sawyer left work a little earlier than usual. Lukas had stayed behind to visit with his parents, who lived next door to the shop. As he drove home he prayed for God to take away his worries. If he was to fully pledge his faithfulness to the Lord, he had to turn everything over to Him—especially what he couldn’t control. Bishop Esh had emphasized that during their first visit together, when Sawyer expressed his desire to join the church. Too bad he hadn’t told Sawyer how difficult it would be.

  He arrived home, took care of his horse, and went inside. In the mudroom, he hung his hat on the hook and brushed the dust out of his hair, which now touched the back of his collar. The house was unnaturally quiet. Anna must be out visiting, and Cora was probably still in her room. He started toward the storage room, when the sweetest voice he ever heard stopped him.

  “Sawyer.”

  He turned and saw Laura behind him, smiling. He hurried toward her and gently, very gently, touched her face. Then she was in his arms, leaning her head on his shoulder. His pulse thrummed as he drew her closer. Kissed the top of her kapp. Held on to her as if he never wanted to let go. He kissed her tenderly. A short, sweet kiss that held the promise of more as he entwined his fingers with hers.

  “I missed you,” he whispered.

  “I missed you too.” She stepped away, a serious expression on her face. “We have a lot to talk about, but there’s someone I want you to meet.” She took his hand and led him to the living room, separating from him as they entered.

  A plump, blond-haired woman with Laura’s delicate features sat on the couch, talking to Anna. Laura said, “Mamm.”

  The woman stood. She was several inches shorter than Laura, and everything about her was round. Her blue eyes narrowed in scrutiny as she approached Sawyer. “So. This is him.”

  “Mamm, meet Sawyer.”

  He held out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you—”

  “Ella.” Her firm grip surprised him. “I was just visiting with your mudder.”

  “Adoptive mother.”

  Sawyer winced as everyone turned at the sound of Cora’s voice. He glanced at Anna, who didn’t react to his grandmother’s correction. Instead, she went to her. “Cora. I’m glad you can join us. You remember Laura?”

  Laura moved a little closer to Sawyer. Anna didn’t know about Cora attempting to pay off Laura to leave him. It needed to stay that way.

  “How could I forget?” Even on crutches, she managed to put on an air of dignity. Or snobbiness. Sawyer could rarely tell the difference with her.

  “Why don’t you sit down?” Anna moved one of the chairs closer to her. “I was about to get everyone something to drink.”

  Cora didn’t reply—she just hobbled to the chair, leaned her crutches against the wall, and sat down. She kept her gaze fixed on Ella. The two women took each other’s measure.

  “You’re not Amish,” Ella said.

  “How perceptive.”

  “Grandmother—” Sawyer said.

  But Ella held up her hand. “Are you planning to join the church, like your grandson?”

  “Heavens, no. As soon as I’m healed, I plan to return to my home in New York.” She looked at him. “I had hoped to convince Sawyer to come with me, but—”

  Sawyer frowned. Why had she stopped speaking? His gaze went to Ella, whose expression was cold enough to plunge the equator into a deep freeze. Now he knew why his grandmother had clammed up.

  Laura was right, they did have a lot to talk about.

  “Sawyer, could you geh to the ice machine for me?” Anna smiled but kept twisting the ribbons of her kapp, as if she also noticed the tension. “Laura, you could geh with him while I fix our guests a snack.”

  “Nothing for me,” Cora said. She kept her attention on Ella.

  “I’m fine.” Ella seemed just as interested in Cora.

  “We’d be happy to.” Sawyer hardly thought they needed ice, given the climate in the room, but he was glad to get out of there. He whispered thanks to Anna as he and Laura hurried out of the living room.

  As soon as they got outside, Sawyer turned to Laura. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

  With everyone else gone, Cora continued to look at Ella. She didn’t seem happy to be here, and unlike the other Amish Cora had met, she wasn’t overly friendly. Ella Stutzman even seemed suspicious of Sawyer. Which was preposterous. She ought to be counting her lucky stars that Laura had nabbed a man as wonderful as her grandson.

  Cora didn’t appreciate Ella’s attitude, but she thought she might be able to use it to her advantage. “I understand you hail from Tennessee?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Her voice held a soft Southern twang, similar to Laura’s. “And you’re from New York.”

  “Manhattan. Upper west side.” Cora lifted her chin.

  Ella didn’t reply.

  Cora leaned forward. “Let’s dispense with the chitchat, Ms. Stutzman.”

  “Mrs.” She sat back, folding her hands over her large belly. “I can appreciate a plainspoken woman. I can also see you disapprove of my daughter.”

  “As you do my grandson.”

  “I don’t disapprove of him. I just want Laura to be happy. I reckon she’s runnin’ into this marriage a mite too fast.”

  Cora adjusted her glasses, but inside she rejoiced. Finally, an ally. For the first time in months she thought she might have a real chance at convincing Sawyer to come home with her.

  “Mrs. Stutzman, we have much to discuss.”

  After a quiet supper, Katherine approached her mother, who was darning a pair of her father’s socks in the living room. She sat down on the edge of the couch. Even though she was tired, she couldn’t go to bed yet.

  “What did you say to Johnny when he dropped me off earlier?” she asked Mamm.

  Her mother didn’t look up from her sewing. “I told him he’s not welcome here anymore.”

  Katherine twisted her fingers together. It wasn’t like her mother to be so rude, even when she was upset with someone. “Why?”

  “Because I’m tired of you being hurt. There are other men who are interested in you.”

  “Please don’t mention David Esh.”

  “All right, perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything to Frau Esh.” She put down her sewing. “But there’s also Isaac, who’s written you three times in a little over a week.”

  “I don’t even know him.”

  Mamm went back to her sewing. “These things take time to develop.”

  Katherine glanced away. “I think you don’t trust mei decisions.”

  “The bu is fickle. You know that better than anyone. And don’t you find it coincidental that he’s suddenly showing up
here, acting like he cares? You’ve gone through a major illness. By next week he’ll be back to ignoring you.”

  Katherine looked away, tears pooling in her eyes. She didn’t want her mother’s words to make sense, but they did.

  “I don’t mean to be harsh, Katherine. But you need to forget about him. Once and for all.”

  The tears she’d been holding back spilled. “I don’t know how.”

  “You find someone else. You pray for God to bring you the right mann.”

  “But what if He doesn’t?” She wiped the tears from her face. “What if I never get married? It’s all I ever wanted. A husband, kinner. A familye of mei own, like Mary Beth has. Like mei schweschder Leah does. What if I can’t have that?”

  Her mother didn’t say anything for a long time. She looked down at Daed’s socks in her lap. “Then God will give you another desire, lieb. One that will serve His purpose. You must be content with that.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Johnny awoke after a restless night, still trying to figure out what to do about Katherine. He couldn’t show up at her house anymore, her mother had made that crystal clear.

  But what about Katherine’s father? He hadn’t seemed upset with him when he came to pick Katherine up yesterday. Maybe Herr Yoder could get through to his wife. It was worth a try. But they didn’t have a phone. And he didn’t dare risk sneaking over there.

  He sat up in bed. Before getting dressed, he went downstairs and searched his junk drawer in the kitchen for a pencil and some paper. He scribbled a note to Katherine’s father, then ran back upstairs, dressed, and headed back to the kitchen. He was about to leave the house when his cell phone rang. Since he hadn’t heard it ring for days, the noise made him jump.

  “Hello?”

  “John?” James Wagner’s voice bellowed through the speaker. “How have you been, son?”

  Johnny froze. He hadn’t even thought about the Wagners, except when Katie had picked up the drawing yesterday. “I’m fine.”

  “Good to hear. Just checking in to see when we can draw up that partnership paperwork. Lois is eager to get started with her plans.”

  “I really haven’t had a chance to think about it.”

  “Son, we’ve given you two days. That’s plenty of time to decide.”

  Johnny shoved his hat on his head. “I’ve been caught up in a couple of things. Can I get back to you next week?”

  “No. I need to know your decision now.”

  Johnny sat down at the table. He paused, wrestling with the decision.

  He took a deep breath. “All right, Wagner,” he said, “let’s talk.”

  After his conversation with the Wagners, Johnny left the farm and went to his parents’ house. As he pulled into the drive, he thought about everything that had happened since he moved out—most of it things his folks had no clue about. But despite his desire for independence, he felt an odd sense of separation from them. He hadn’t thought he’d miss their closeness, not this soon. Not this much.

  He put that out of his mind and searched for Caleb. He found his brother chopping wood behind the house. He approached him quietly, not wanting to startle him. When Caleb reached for another chunk of wood, Johnny spoke.

  “Hey.”

  Caleb looked up and grinned. “You came to help me with the wood?”

  “Nee. I believe that’s your job.”

  Caleb placed the piece on the level stump. “I don’t suppose there’s some way I can convince you to give me a hand? It will take me all day to get this pile done. I need the time to look for a job.”

  Johnny nodded. “I’ll help. But I need you to do me a favor first.” He pulled the folded note out of the pocket of his jacket. Today had been hotter than the past week, almost like August instead of June. That’s the way Ohio summers were—never could predict the weather from one day to the next. Johnny might say the same thing about life too.

  “What’s this?” Caleb put down his ax and walked over to Johnny.

  “I need you to give it to Katherine’s daed. To him only. And don’t let Katherine or her mother know it’s from me.”

  “Okay.” His brother tilted his head to the side. “Can I ask why?”

  “I don’t want to geh into it. But if you can get this to him now, I’ll work on the wood while you’re gone.”

  Caleb didn’t hesitate. “Deal.” He took off his hat and wiped his damp forehead with the back of his hand. He took the letter. “Mind if I use your buggy?”

  “Geh ahead.” Johnny turned and picked up the ax.

  “How’s the farm going?”

  “Haven’t gotten very far. Some stuff has happened.”

  Caleb looked at him. “You’re not giving up, are you?”

  Johnny looked at the letter in Caleb’s hand. “Nee. I’m not giving up. Just changing plans.”

  By the time Caleb returned, Johnny had finished half of the wood. His shirt was soaked with sweat. Once he got started, he worked at a furious pace, taking out his frustration on the wood.

  Caleb parked Johnny’s buggy in the driveway and got out. Katherine’s father exited the passenger side. Johnny took off his hat and slicked back his damp hair. He put down the ax and met them halfway.

  “Danki for coming out,” he said. “And thanks, Caleb.”

  His brother nodded, then slipped past him and went back to the woodpile. He grinned as he saw the pile of split wood.

  “You wanted to talk?” Katherine’s dad looked him square in the eye. She favored her father more than her mother. Hopefully her father would be more understanding too.

  “Ya. You want to sit down on the porch?”

  “Nee. We’re gut here. I have a question for you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Why are you being so secretive? I don’t like doing things behind mei frau’s back.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry I’m putting you in that position. But I didn’t know who else to talk to.”

  “About Katherine?”

  Johnny nodded. “Ya. I’ve messed up, Herr Yoder.”

  “Call me Thomas.”

  “Thomas, I hurt your dochder, and I’m truly sorry for that. I want you to know that I care for her.”

  “You have a strange way of showing it.” He wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead. “Then again, mei Katherine hasn’t gone about things the right way either.”

  “This isn’t her fault. I should have been honest with her from the beginning.”

  “The beginning?”

  Johnny hedged. “Well, not exactly the beginning. But I know what a wonderful maedel she is now.” He blew out a breath. “I also have to be honest with you. Up until today, I didn’t have much to offer her.”

  “What’s changed?”

  He gave a brief explanation about his deal with the Wagners, leaving out the part about the Amish tourist trap. And that they weren’t Amish. He’d deal with that later.

  “So you’re trying to make a case for yourself.”

  Johnny started to pace. “Your frau is mad at me, with gut reason. And Katherine doesn’t believe I’ve changed mei mind.” He stopped and looked at Thomas Yoder. Apparently he wasn’t doing such a bang-up job explaining himself. “Maybe I shouldn’t have sent Caleb.”

  “Now, hold on.” Thomas put his hand on Johnny’s shoulder. “I’m here, aren’t I? And I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t think you were gut for mei dochder.”

  “But what about Frau Yoder?”

  “I love Margaret, but we’ve been known to butt heads on occasion. This is one of them. Normally I stay out of this type of thing, but in this case I think you need a helping hand. You’ve been telling me how you feel about Katherine. Now you have to show her.”

  “I tried to help her get her memory back.”

  “That’s not what I mean, John. You have to be honest with her, like you said. But completely honest. You have to tell her the real reason you’ve been pushing her away all these years.”

  Johnny took off his hat and tap
ped the dust and wood chips from it. “What if I don’t know the real reason?”

  “You do. Your pride is keeping you from admitting it.”

  Pride again. His father had accused him of being prideful about buying the horse farm. And looking back on it, he had to admit that his daed might be right. Did he really need a huge farm? Had he bought it to be boastful? Had he agreed to the Wagners’ investment because it was the best plan?

  Or was it all about being worthy?

  “Search your heart, John. Pray about what to say to her.”

  “How can I talk to her? I’m not exactly welcomed at your haus.”

  “You let me take care of that.” He smiled. “Then the rest is up to you.”

  “I think we both agree Sawyer and Laura are an ill match.” Out of habit, Cora crossed her leg, accidentally jarring her injured ankle.

  “Are you okay?” Ella asked. “That looks painful.”

  “It’s fine.” She straightened her posture. “Back to the business at hand. I’ve been trying to convince Sawyer to change his mind about the wedding.” She didn’t add anything about the church. One problem at a time.

  “Why? You don’t think my daughter is gut enough for him?”

  Cora swallowed. “No, that’s not the case at all. She’s a . . . a charming young woman.”

  “You don’t know much about her, do you? Just like I don’t know anythin’ about Sawyer. That’s why I came back with Laura. To find out what it is about this fella that has her so head-over-heels.”

  “Well, he is an exemplary young man. Anyone can see that.”

  “I’ll reserve my opinion right now.”

  The woman’s soft matronly appearance masked a strong personality. Impressive. But not intimidating. “Mrs. Stutzman, Sawyer has gone through a difficult time. Due to circumstances I’d rather not discuss at the moment, he hasn’t had a chance to fully appreciate his legacy.”

  “Geh on.”

  “I’m the owner and CEO of a Fortune 500 company.”

  Ella cracked her first smile. “Then we have something in common. Mei Matthew and I run our own bakery.”