This was the first time she’d ever been to his house. Carson assured her that the GPS on her Smartphone would get her there with no problems. He said he lived in a gated community and that she’d have to punch in a password to get through the gate. When she entered the suburb, she immediately realized that a higher class of people resided there. Her jaw hung open as she passed mansion after mansion. The house her parents owned in Pennsylvania was large, but these homes were fancy. Some had beautiful fountains in the front yard. Others espoused topiaries or statues. She couldn’t believe the extravagance.
When she finally reached Carson’s house, she was relieved to see that it wasn’t as fancy as some of the other homes had been. However, the house was still very nice. She was nervous enough about meeting his parents.
She parked her compact car in front of his house and he rushed to open her door for her. He’s such a gentleman. Carson said he still lived with his parents, but was ready to purchase a home of his own. He cautioned her beforehand that his parents might act a little strange around her because she looked so much like Brianna. She remembered hearing others in the past say that she looked like another girl, or that they’d seen her twin. Now she wondered if it was Carson’s Brianna they’d spoken of. Or perhaps she just had a familiar face.
<><><>
Carson held his breath as he and Elisabeth walked into his parents’ home. He’d warned his parents that she looked a lot like Brianna, so he hoped they would treat her kindly and not overreact. Not that they would ever be rude to her in front of her face. For some reason, it seemed his parents had never approved of Brianna. It was probably because they felt she was conceited and not as domesticated as they had hoped for in his choice of a mate. He felt confident that they would be pleasantly surprised with Elisabeth. Although she looked like Brianna, comparing the two was like night and day.
Carson led Elisabeth into the great room where his parents sat reading. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Elisabeth Schrock.” His smile broadened, and he grasped Elisabeth’s hand.
Mrs. Welch let out a small gasp as she looked up from her novel, but quickly regained her composure. “It’s nice to meet you, Elisabeth.” She shook her hand.
Likewise, Mr. Welch held out his hand and smiled kindly. “Carson says this will be your first time visiting the Statue of Liberty.”
Elisabeth’s eyes shone brightly. “Yes, it is. I’m excited to see it. I heard you can climb the stairs all the way up to the crown. I can’t wait to look out over the harbor from way up high.”
Carson smiled affectionately at Elisabeth, wanting to kiss her. She was so cute with her innocence and enthusiasm. He hoped his parents would see her for the gem he knew she was.
“Carson tells us you come from an Amish family?” his mother asked.
“Yes, all my family lives in Paradise, Pennsylvania. I left about two and half years ago,” she stated.
“Don’t the Amish only attend school until the eighth grade?” Carson cringed as his mother asked the demeaning question. She’d always felt that a good education was necessary to make it in the world.
“Yes, that is true. The Amish feel that an eighth grade education is sufficient for their way of life and I agree. After a scholar graduates, they usually learn the vocation that they will be working in for the rest of their life. For the girls, it’s learning to do all of the tasks necessary to be a good wife and homemaker. And for the boys, they usually learn to farm, build houses, or follow in whichever trade their father works at.”
“That’s interesting. What did you learn after you finished school?”
Carson was surprised and relieved that his mother sounded truly interested.
“Just the usual things, I guess. Let’s see, there’s cooking, baking, canning, sewing, quilting, laundering…” as Elisabeth continued, Carson lost count, “and then, gardening, keeping house, and caring for children.” She shrugged as if it were no big deal. “But when I left, my friend Mattie suggested that I study for the GED. I passed the test about two years ago, and then I was able to find an office job at Family Dental.”
“I’ve always wanted to learn how to make a loaf of bread. My grandmother used to bake when I was little, but she passed away before I could learn.”
Carson couldn’t believe how much his mother was latching on to Elisabeth. And he’d never seen her sentimental.
“I would be happy to show you, if you’d like,” Elisabeth offered with a genuine smile.
Carson’s father spoke up then, smiling broadly, “Carson, I think you’ve found a keeper.”
“I agree, Dad.” Carson winked at Elisabeth. “We’d love to visit more, but Elisabeth and I should get going.”
“Oh, do you have to leave so soon?” his mother protested.
“I’m afraid so, Mom.” Carson grinned.
“Why don’t you bring her over for dinner sometime this week? That way, we can all get better acquainted.” His mother looked fondly at Elisabeth.
“I would like that,” Elisabeth said, flashing her beautiful smile in his direction once again.
As Carson and Elisabeth left his parents’ house, he couldn’t remember a time in his life when he’d been more content. Finally, he’d met a girl that his parents approved of. And it seemed they adored her just as much as he did. He smiled and patted his shirt pocket to be sure it still held its precious contents. Carson had wanted this day to be absolutely perfect, and so far he had not been disappointed.
<><><>
Chapter 6
As the vehicle traveled up the lane to the Schrock residence, Brianna gasped with excitement and trepidation. Home at last! Nothing looked familiar but, of course, she hadn’t expected it to. She drank in the beautiful sights—rolling green hills that seemed to stretch for miles, large stalks of corn ready to be harvested, all neatly divided into perfectly symmetrical rows, a large white farm house with green shutters and a sprawling porch, an even larger red barn with white trim stood next to a stately concrete silo. So this was home. A wonderful warm sensation flooded her soul and she sent up a quick prayer of thanks to a God she had been talking to more and more lately, it seemed.
Brianna couldn’t help the tears filled eyes as she watched the members of her presumed family pile out the back door of the house. As soon as the car door flew open, a woman—who looked to be in her forties—wrapped loving arms around Brianna, tears freely flowing from her eyes. “Dochder, oh how I’ve missed you so! You’re here to stay now, jah?”
Although Brianna didn’t understand much Pennsylvania Dutch, she knew that this was her mother and that she wanted her to stay. She wants me! “Yes, Mom. I want to stay.” Brianna smiled broadly.
Rachel then spoke up. “Remember that I told you about Elisabeth’s accident? You’ll have to reintroduce yourselves to her because she doesn’t remember who you are. In actuality, for Elisabeth, it’s like she’s meeting you for the first time.”
“I guess that does have its advantages,” a young man spoke up, “she won’t remember all the times I got her into trouble.” He laughed and held out his hand. “Hello schweschder, I’m your favorite brother, Jacob.” He wriggled his eyebrows.
Brianna enjoyed his playful spirit and didn’t doubt that they had probably gotten along well in the past. “Hello, brother. Nice to meet you…again.”
Jacob pointed to his siblings. “This is Mary, and she is five. Martha here is seven. Paul is ten. Tabitha is twelve. James is thirteen. Michael is sixteen. And I am eighteen.”
She’d been informed by Rachel that she was twenty years old. Otherwise, she might have asked.
A man with a long brownish-gray beard stepped forward and patted her shoulder somewhat hesitantly. “Gut to see you, Elisabeth.”
“You are my father, right?” Brianna noticed a slight misting of his eyes after she said the words and he nodded affirmatively. “It is gut to see you too, Dad.”
“Let us go inside now. Supper is almost ready. Jacob, show your schweschder to h
er room so she can put her things away and wash for dinner,” Mamm Schrock dictated. “Rachel, you are welcome to stay for supper.”
Rachel briefly locked eyes with Jacob, and then looked away. “I…should probably get home soon. Mamm is expecting me. Elisabeth, I will come by and see you tomorrow.” Rachel leaned over to embrace Brianna. “Study your flashcards,” she whispered in her ear.
“Thank you for everything, Rachel.” Brianna sincerely meant every word. She waved to her friend, and then followed Jacob inside her new home.
<><><>
Elisabeth huffed as she climbed the final steps up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. She glanced at Carson, who seemed a little winded himself, and then laughed. “For an Amish girl that’s worked physically hard most of her life, you’d think I could handle a few stairs with no problem.”
“A few stairs?” Carson asked incredulously. “I think I’d call that a little more than a few. One hundred fifty-four steps, to be exact.”
“Shall we take a look at the view?” Elisabeth smiled and Carson took her hand and led her to the lookout.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he stated unnecessarily.
“Oh wow! This is amazing. I can see everything from up here.” She glanced over at Carson to see him looking at the view as well. “Look at the skyscrapers. We’re as tall as they are.”
“That’s Manhattan right there.” Carson pointed out. “And there’s the Brooklyn Bridge.”
“Ach, the people look like ants all the way down there.” Elisabeth gasped. She’d never seen such a sight.
“So, do you like it?” Carson smiled, his arm draped around her shoulders.
“Yes, it’s magnificent!” She gazed into his sparkling eyes.
Carson’s voice became husky. “You know, I think you’re pretty magnificent.” He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. While she was distracted, he pulled something out of his shirt pocket. He dropped to one knee and took her hand in his.
Elisabeth gasped when she saw the beautiful golden diamond ring he held. He couldn’t be…
“Elisabeth Schrock, I’d love to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. Will you marry me?” Carson’s gaze was intense, and when she nodded, he happily slipped the ring onto her finger. He rose and sealed their engagement with another sweet kiss.
I’m engaged! She wanted to squeal with excitement, but instead basked in Carson’s masculine embrace.
<><><>
Luke stared out at an open field through the kitchen window of his house. A sultry breeze wafted to his nostrils, bringing with it the faint scent of fresh baked bread from his folks’ place. There would have been bread baking in this house if Elisabeth hadn’t gone. Frustration mounted as he thought about all he’d lost when Elisabeth had left. Luke couldn’t help the feelings of unforgiveness and bitterness that now resided in his heart. How could someone carry on a relationship for two years and then just walk away without even saying goodbye?
He’d begun building this house—that was intended to be a home for him and Elisabeth—before she had left. He’d completed construction on it last fall. It was to be the place where they would build their lives together, share their hopes and dreams, and raise a family that would continue their Plain traditions and faith in God.
But perhaps God had other plans. That sure seemed to be the case as he stood in the large vacant dwelling. Alone. He never could picture any other woman here, but Elisabeth. He released an elongated sigh. Was he destined to a life of bachelordom?
A knock at the back door startled him. Rachel Brenneman’s younger brother stood on the porch.
“Rachel wanted me to give you a message,” the boy said slowly, staring at his bangs as if trying to remember her exact words.
Luke waited patiently, slowly tapping his fingers against his thigh.
“Oh yeah. She said, ‘Go tell Luke that Elisabeth is home.’ I think that was it.”
Luke blinked his eyes a few times, absorbing the words. “Elisabeth Schrock? She’s home? Are you sure?”
“That’s what my sister said to tell you. Came home just a little while ago all excited. Told Mamm she found Elisabeth in New York City when she helped Aunt Emma with her boppli. Rachel don’t lie none, so I reckon it’s true.” He stared up at Luke through his blond locks as though waiting to be dismissed.
“Alright, denki.” Luke patted the boy’s shoulder. The boy turned on his heel and raced off through the back field.
Dare he hope? Could it possibly be true?
What he felt like doing was hollering a big ‘Whoop!’ He wanted to race over to Elisabeth’s place, take her into his arms, and never let her go again.
But no, he scowled, strengthening his resolve. How could he just go over there and take her back as if nothing had ever happened, as if she’d never done anything wrong? Hadn’t left him high and dry. Surely that’s what she’d be expecting. He wasn’t about to give her that satisfaction. No. He would go for a brief visit and see if she was remorseful at all. If he saw that she was contrite, then, and only then would he take her back.
Nevertheless, his heart soared at the thought of seeing his precious Beth again.
<><><>
Although the day had been exciting, Brianna was now exhausted and ready for bed. Her brothers and sisters had assaulted her with questions after supper, but most of them she could not answer. She wondered how many times she would have to tell the story of the accident and how Rachel found her in the hospital. She loved telling the latter, but her time in the hospital was shrouded with the pain of loneliness she’d felt. But thankfully, that was all behind her now. Today would start a new chapter in her life. This new life would definitely take some getting used to.
Brianna was almost asleep when she heard a noise outside her bedroom window. She tried to ignore it, but the noise persisted so she dragged herself out of bed to look out the window. When she opened the curtain, she saw a small rock hit the glass. She looked to the ground outside and was frightened when she saw a man with a flashlight. She immediately stepped back from the window. Oh no, someone is trying to break into the house! She couldn’t believe this was happening on her first night back. She’d need to alert the family to keep everyone safe from harm.
“Aah! Somebody help!” she screamed at the top of her lungs.
Within a minute, her entire family was standing in her doorway. “Was iss letz, Elisabeth?” her father asked, wide-eyed.
She stared back at him in confusion.
“He asked what is wrong,” Jacob clarified.
Brianna began trembling, pointing toward the window. “There…there was a man standing outside on the lawn! He was throwing rocks at the window. I think he was trying to break into the house, but my screaming scared him off.”
Jacob looked at his father with a smile and they both roared with laughter. Brianna’s confused look only made things worse and the others joined in as well, including Mamm.
“I don’t understand.” Brianna looked from one to the other. “How is that funny?”
Jacob took a few deep breaths to keep from cracking up more as he explained, “You just scared off your beau. That was most likely Luke coming to see you!” He couldn’t help but burst into laughter again.
Brianna’s hands flew to her cheeks, which immediately warmed. “Oh. I…I didn’t know.”
“I’ll explain how Amish courtship works in the morning.” Mamm smiled, patting Brianna’s arm. “Now, it’s time for everyone to get to bed.” She looked at all of the children and they obeyed immediately.
Before Jacob left, he turned to Brianna. “I love having you home, Elisabeth. I can tell we’re going to have a lot of fun with you around again.”
Brianna was left alone with her thoughts. I guess I have a lot to learn about being Amish. I hope Luke is understanding. She yawned, snuggled under her sheet, and fell into a peaceful night of sleep.
<><><>
Chapter 7
Knock. Knock. Knock.
&n
bsp; Brianna groaned and pulled the covers over her head, attempting to block out the noise.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
She turned over in her bed, this time burying her face in the pillow. I wish those nurses would go away. Don’t they know that the patients need their sleep?
“Elisabeth, it’s time to get up now,” she heard a male voice call from the door.
Brianna’s eyes immediately flew open. Understanding swiftly dawned on her. I’m home. That was my brother. “Uh, okay. I’ll get dressed and be downstairs in just a little bit.”
“You’d better hurry,” Jacob said in a teasing sing-song voice. “I’m sure somebody will be over to see you soon.”
“Who?” She poked her head through the door, not caring that her hair stuck up in places and it hadn’t been brushed yet.
“Remember the boogie man from last night?” He chuckled.
“My…my…”
“Jah, your beau. Luke. He’s already been over once this morning. I told him you were being lazy.” He smiled.
Brianna gasped. “You did not!”
“No, I didn’t. But I did say you were still sleeping, so he might have thought it just the same.” He laughed.
Unexpectedly, Brianna grabbed a pillow from her bed and bopped Jacob on the head with it. Jacob then caught the pillow and flung it back at her.
“You don’t have time to play right now, schweschder. Don’t forget Mamm still has to teach you about Amish courtship. And she’d better make it quick by the look of it, because Luke is awfully eager to see you.” Jacob knew he shouldn’t tease, but he was just having too much fun seeing his sister in such a state. Jacob shook his head and pulled the door to close it.
“Jacob, wait!” Brianna called in desperation. “What does he want?”
“Who, Luke?” he asked, scratching his head.
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