The bishop cleared his throat. “I would speak with you on a different matter.”
Here it comes.
He turned back and, though he knew the answer, asked, “What would that be?”
Thin, tight lips parted enough to squeeze out a comment. “Our Katie is Amish.”
Jesse almost laughed. Like that was big news? Instead of a sarcastic response, he controlled his tone. “Yes, sir. I know.”
The man’s rigid spine stiffened even more. “I have seen you watch her, but your eyes behold what you cannot have. She is not for you.”
Jesse wanted to argue, to challenge the man’s right to control Katie’s life, but what would be the point? Katie herself had said the same thing.
Swallowing his words, Jesse merely nodded before turning away.
Katie isn’t for you. Get used to it, Montgomery.
When Jesse returned to the Switzers’, he found Jonas closing the goats into their makeshift pen for the night. This, at least, was one discussion he would enjoy.
Hearing his friend’s approach, Jonas turned and waited. He wore the same placid expression Jesse had learned to identify as his trademark. Were there new depths of peace lurking in those kind eyes tonight? The decision to leave Apple Grove must have been weighing on the man, and now that the burden was lifted, his entire countenance was more relaxed.
When he drew near, Jonas spoke first. “Was Mr. Littlefield happy with my decision to give him my farm?”
Jesse pulled up short. “How’d you know I was heading over to Littlefield’s place?”
Jonas actually laughed. “Your ways are not as mysterious as you seem to think, my Englisch friend.”
“I guess not.” Jesse joined in with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t say Littlefield was exactly happy when I left, but it was a good visit. He agreed to our terms.”
The man paused in the act of looping the twine barrier around a post. “Our terms?”
“That’s right. Once I explained how you’d decided to sell your land, he—”
“But I do not intend to sell my farm. I told you I would give it as a gift.”
Jesse held up a hand. “I know what you said, and I admire you for wanting to find a peaceful way out, but like I’ve been trying to tell you all along, men like Littlefield don’t understand peaceful ways. So I talked to him in his own language.”
Apprehensive lines appeared on Jonas’s forehead beneath his round hat. “What language is that?”
Jesse almost said “Intimidation” but decided on a better word. “Business. Littlefield and I reached a business agreement. He’s prepared to buy your land, all of it, for five dollars an acre.”
Jonas’s jaw dropped open wide enough to toss an apple inside.
“But…but…” He snatched the straw hat from his head and scrubbed at the sparse hair beneath it. “That’s eight hundred dollars!”
“Yep. That’s what it comes out to.” Jesse held up a hand. “And before you say something stupid, like you won’t take the money, think a minute. You and Amos are going to have a lot of expenses when you make this move. You’ll have houses to build and land to lay claim to and barns to raise. Plus, you’ll probably have to buy supplies to help you over the first year or so till you get your fields plowed and crops going.”
“Ja, what you say is true.”
But despite his agreement, hesitancy still weighed heavy in his voice. Jesse had saved the most convincing argument for last. “And if you decide you don’t need all eight hundred dollars, you can always make a donation to your new Amish district. Once the church gets going, I have a feeling other Amish folks will want to come too. You’ll be able to put the money to good use.”
“A district has many needs.” The struggle twisting Jonas’s features faded, replaced by a slow smile. “Perhaps this money is the Lord’s way of blessing our plans.”
Jesse answered with a grin of his own. “I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
Grateful tears sparkled in the eyes Jonas lifted. In a rare display of emotion, he gripped Jesse’s shoulder—the good one—and squeezed. “Gott has used you to bless me beyond what I deserve, my friend. Danki. I am grateful to Him and to you.”
God used a broken-down cowpoke like him? The thought was so foreign Jesse couldn’t grasp it. Embarrassed, he lowered his eyes and scuffed at the dirt with a boot heel. “I’m glad I could help. I owe you and Miz Switzer a lot.”
“You owe us nothing. Friends help friends.” A playful tone entered his words and lightened the moment. “Even Englisch friends.”
Jesse returned his grin. At that moment the door to the house opened and Maummi Switzer’s voice carried across the distance, calling them in to supper. With a lighter heart than he’d had all day, Jesse fell in step beside his friend.
EIGHTEEN
When the eighth Amish buggy arrived on Sunday afternoon, Jesse and Butch had to start a second row in which to park them. Jonas and Amos stood in front of the house to greet those who arrived and to help the women climb down. Both wore stunned expressions. Earlier in the day Jonas had confessed that he expected three or maybe four families to show up for their discussion about starting a new community.
“Here comes another one.” Butch took the horse’s lead from Zacharias Schrock and led him past the row of buggies toward the makeshift corral they had erected that afternoon.
Zacharias straightened from his inspection of one of the wheel spokes. “That is Levi Beachy.”
Katie’s brother? Jesse turned and watched as Levi’s buggy rolled to a stop in front of the house, and Amos helped the young woman seated on the front bench to the ground. When her footing was secure, he turned to help the girl on the second bench.
Katie.
She joined the other woman, and together the two of them headed for the house. Before she stepped onto the porch, she turned. His throat constricted as he watched her scan the fields. Was there a lovelier woman anywhere in the world? Then her gaze came to rest on him. He couldn’t be sure because of the distance, but he thought he saw a smile, and his pulse stuttered. Then she disappeared inside.
Jesse hadn’t planned on attending the meeting. It wasn’t his business, after all. He was an outsider. But if Katie was going to be there, maybe he’d change his mind.
When the twelfth family had arrived and their horses and buggies were tended, the meeting began. Jonas’s house was big enough to accommodate a large crowd, as it apparently did when his turn came to host church meetings, but tonight there were no backless benches to sit on because no one had anticipated a gathering big enough to require them. Jesse was amused to see that the attendees still arranged themselves as they did for church, with the men on one side of the room and the women on the other. Every chair in the house had been brought in and offered to the women in order of age. The men and younger women either stood along the wall or sat on the floor.
Jesse did not enter, but hovered in the doorway, an observer only. He scanned the room for Katie but did not see her. That’s when he noticed that the door to Maummi Switzer’s bedroom was cracked open, no doubt so she and Sarah could listen to the proceedings.
Most of the conversation unfolded exactly as Jesse expected. Jonas began by announcing his decision to sell his farm and move away from Apple Grove. Then Amos spoke, his voice steady as he described how the Lord had urged him, independently of Jonas, to also consider moving away. The men and women listened, many of them nodding as though in agreement.
Not a single word of accusation against Bishop Miller or anyone else in Apple Grove was uttered, with one exception. When discussion was invited, a young man whose name Jesse did not know got to his feet.
“What explanation will be given to Bishop Miller?” He glanced around the room, and went on in a sharp tone. “I think he should be told what his actions have wrought.”
Amos cleared his throat before he spoke. “My decision came from the Lord, not from the actions of any man.” He fixed an almost tender look on the young man. “We are
commanded to respect authority, not to speak against our brothers and sisters. I will not participate in any discussion that is not governed by that edict. That is not why we are here.”
There were nods all around, and Jesse saw several approving glances exchanged. He looked at Amos, a new respect blossoming inside him. Once he’d thought the man staid and dull. How wrong could he have been?
“Where will we settle?” asked one of the women. “We will not go west, into the territory of the wild savages, will we?”
Jonas gave the answer. “We will pray to the Lord for guidance.” He glanced at Amos, who nodded for him to continue. “There is a place only two hours from here, east of Hays City, where the land is fertile and plentiful. A small Englisch church was built there not long ago, but there is little besides that.”
Jesse straightened, his attention snagged. Was he talking about Colin’s church? Of course he was. It was the perfect place for an Amish community, with plenty of land stretching out in all directions. And if he were a betting man, he would put money on which piece of land Jonas would claim. His new home would be within sight of Emma’s and Rebecca’s.
“Is that not the church of your Englisch son-in-law?” The man who asked had introduced himself as Aaron Wagler when Jesse helped him park his buggy.
“The same.” Jonas looked the man straight in the eye. “I will not deny that I will be happy if the Lord allows us to settle near my daughters. But if He sends us elsewhere, I will go.”
Amos, who had been standing off to the side, stepped up beside him. “We will send a delegation to see the land and to pray to the Lord for guidance.”
The suggestion was met with approving nods all around.
“Who will go?” Maummi Switzer turned in her chair to look at the others. “When we came here to Apple Grove, we sent our bishop to see the land we were to buy.”
“Then we must ask the Lord to appoint new leadership.” Zacharias looked around the room. “Is it the intent of all here to go?”
The sound of shuffling feet drew attention to Levi Beachy. “I do not know. I must pray first and then speak with my father and…others.” He sent an inquiring glance across the room to the young woman who had arrived with him and Katie.
“A wise answer.” Jonas smiled at the young man. “And because you are not married, your name will not be included in the lot regardless.”
Zacharias nodded. “Eight married men. We have no songbooks, but have we eight of any books?”
From his place leaning against the doorjamb, Jesse watched as the people shuffled around, searching through their belongings. Maummi Switzer brushed past him and disappeared up the stairs. They were going to pick a new bishop right now? And what was with the books? “I have one.” Zacharias’s wife, who was seated on the second row, pulled a worn book from her bag. “Die Bibel.”
Sarah’s voice came from the sickroom. “I have a Bible too. Katie, here. Take this to them.”
Heads turned as the bedroom door cracked open a bit farther and Katie emerged carrying a book that resembled the other, only newer. Then Maummi’s footsteps sounded on the stairs, and she came into the room, a stack of books in her arms. Two were Bibles, and the others were various sizes. “I found these in the chest from Emma’s room, left from her school days. Always a reader, our Emma.”
When they had assembled eight books, Zacharias carried them to the front of the room and handed them to Amos.
“Deacon Beiler, you are the only one among us who has born the yoke of leadership. I believe yours should be the hand to ready the lot.”
With a grave nod, Amos took the stack. Maummi Switzer, who had gone to a writing table in the corner, set a spool of spun wool and a slip of paper on top of the books. Everyone watched as Amos crossed the length of the room with a measured step. When he passed by Jesse as he exited, his lips moved in prayer.
Silence fell in the room. Most heads were bowed, though Jesse caught a few anxious gazes exchanged between the men, or between a man and his wife. The atmosphere became heavy, pensive. Even Jonas, who had turned toward the wall, his hands clasped behind his back and his head bowed, maintained the rigid posture of one who dreaded what was about to come.
Sarah’s piercing voice cut the silence. “What’s going on out there? I can’t stand being in here where I can’t see anything.”
A few answering chuckles did little to ease the tension. From his position in the doorway, Jesse could see Amos in the kitchen. He laid out the books before him on the work surface, and then he picked one up. From the thickness, Jesse guessed that it was one of the Bibles, though he couldn’t see which one. Amos slid the piece of paper inside, closed it, and then tied the book with a piece of spun wool. That done, he tied wool around the rest of the books as well. Then he stacked them and carried them back to the room. When he had handed the load to Zacharias, he retired to a place in the far corner where he bowed his head and closed his eyes.
Zacharias carried the books to the writing table and laid them out, one at a time, on the desk. “May the Lord let the lot fall where He wills.”
The first man to approach the table was Jonas. Jesse watched closely as his hand hovered over the surface and then selected one of the books. He held the book at arm’s length, as though he dreaded touching it, and untied the wool. When he fanned the pages and revealed no slip of paper, a relieved smile lit his face. With a light step, he returned to his place beside Amos.
One by one the men followed his lead. Jesse noted with interest that their expressions ranged from worry to dread to, in a few cases, resignation. Aaron Wagler selected one of the Bibles, and Jesse held his breath as he fanned the pages, looking for the paper that would change his life until the day he died. It was not there, and he smiled broadly. The next Bible was chosen by Leo Stolzfus, but again, the paper was not tucked within its pages.
When there were two books left on the table, both Bibles, Zacharias made his selection. Holding his book he turned to Amos, who had kept his eyes closed during the entire process. As though aware of the man’s regard, Amos raised his head. His expression did not change as he took note of the Bible in Zacharias’s hands and the other one on the table.
Zacharias slid the wool off of the cover. The silence in the room deepened as every eye focused on his hands. He opened the book, fanned the pages…
And came up empty.
Just to be certain, he held the book at arm’s length upside down and fanned the pages again. No paper fluttered to the floor.
Amos, his expression as unreadable as ever, left the corner and approached the table. The tension in the air stretched like a tight wire as he picked up the book, his movements slow and reverent. He untied the string and opened the pages.
There, tucked into the center of the Bible, was the slip of paper.
A collective sigh rose from every throat. A smile spread across Amos’s face as he once again bowed his head and closed his eyes, his lips moving in prayer. This time, Jesse felt sure, it was a prayer of thanksgiving.
Maummi Switzer turned in her chair in the front row to face the room. “Our new bishop is Amos Beiler!”
“Waaaaaahooooooo!” The cheer from the sickroom drew chuckles from some and smiles from everyone.
Something stirred in Jesse’s chest. He had no doubt that the Lord had directed the selection process. Amos would make a fine bishop. He would administer his duties with wisdom and much prayer. A leader to be respected and admired. The urge inside Jesse’s ribcage increased until it became a pressing need to act. This was what he’d been waiting for, what he’d been searching for his whole life. The peace he needed wasn’t found from long hours in the saddle. It wasn’t found at the bottom of a whiskey bottle. It was here, among men and women who loved the Lord and listened for His direction. Finally, after years of looking, he’d found his home.
Almost before he knew he intended to move, his feet propelled him into the room. The quiet whispers fell silent as everyone fixed their attention on him. He didn’
t stop until he stood at the front, looking into Amos’s eyes.
“Congratulations, Bishop Beiler.” He straightened to his full height, his spine erect. “I’d like to be your first convert.”
Amos’s close-set eyes widened, and behind him he heard Maummi Switzer’s swift intake of breath. He grinned at that, glad to have gotten one over on her. Behind Amos, Jonas wore a grin that could light up half of Kansas.
When he turned, he was greeted by the delighted smiles of his new family. But his eyes were drawn to the back of the room, to one lovely pair of eyes fixed on him. Katie had thrown the sickroom door open and stood with her gaze riveted on him, both hands clutching her throat. The joy that had filled Jesse’s heart a moment ago fled when he realized that the tears in her eyes were not joyful. Pain etched deep lines on her face. One hand rose to clamp over her mouth, as if to stifle a sob, and then she fled the room. The sound of the door slamming shut behind her echoed throughout the house.
Katie burst through the front door and ran past the group of children who played in the grass waiting for their parents to leave the meeting. She did not stop, not even when Butch called after her. She stumbled and nearly fell, but still she ran, until her feet trod on a carpet of wilted apple blossoms. Throwing herself against the slender trunk of a tree, she finally allowed the tears to flow.
It was not fair! Yes, Jesse had told her he would consider becoming Amish, but she did not believe him. Turning him down was easy when she had her faith to fall back on, but that excuse had been taken from her. Now she was left with nothing but the truth. She was barren, worthless, a woman with nothing to offer. She had already spoiled one man’s dreams, had caused the end of an entire family line. And the man she loved was becoming Amish.
The pounding of feet behind her took her by surprise. Jesse. She should have known he would follow her.
“Go away.” Tears choked her, and the words came out strangled. “I want to be alone.”
A Cowboy at Heart Page 22