While Jessica poured the beverages, Eli pulled a chair out from the dining room table and stretched his legs. When she came toward him, she glimpsed approval in his eyes.
“I think Old Sam would like the kitchen.”
“Really?”
“Jah.”
“I love it, Eli.” She handed him a plastic glass.
“Denki. You’re really excited about this, aren’t you?” Before she could get a word in, he went on. “Today your face is glowing. There’s an excitement I’ve never seen in your eyes.”
“I can’t wait to see what’s inside the box. But Eli, I have something to tell you.” She looked down to choose her words. When their gazes locked, happiness edged her voice. “During our walk yesterday, you gave me a lot to think about.”
She drew a hand over her chest and took in a breath. “I went to bed last night thinking about eternal life. About God.”
She was quick to note the seriousness in his eyes. He stayed very still while she went on.
“Eli, I couldn’t forget what you said about the human body. About your heart.” She drew in a breath. “And I prayed. At some point during the night … I just knew. Of course, God exists. How could I ever have doubted?”
Without hesitation, he jumped up from his seat and moved around the table to hug her. She held on to him tightly. When they embraced, she knew she never wanted to let him go.
When he released her, his eyes sparkled with moisture. “Jess, you don’t know how this makes me feel. I’ve been praying for you to know Christ. I’ve wanted it more than I’ve ever yearned for anything in my life.”
Her jaw dropped while she considered his strong words.
Slow steps returned him to his chair, and they smiled at each other. A long silence passed while she enjoyed knowing that she was a Christian and what it meant.
Eli broke the silence. “This morning, something Old Sam used to tell me kept playing in my mind.”
“What?”
“That with God, nothing is impossible. To pray and to believe.”
She took a drink, then scooted her chair closer to the table. “I’m still digesting that God is real.” She wasn’t sure why she laughed. “Eli, I have so many questions, but there’s one thing I’m sure of. God brought me here to know Him. I’m not sure how my great-uncle knew this would happen, but I believe he did.”
Eli leaned forward and softened his voice. “Let’s get that key and go see what it opens. I know that you’re sorting everything out. And the truth is, Jessica, so am I.”
*
Sometime later, Jessica walked ahead of Eli as they made their way up the hill that overlooked Pebble Creek. The humidity made Jessica’s T-shirt stick to her back. She ran her finger over her ear to keep hair out of her face.
As she took in the beauty of the property, she realized that God had created this entire place. That it hadn’t just happened. No, Pebble Creek was no coincidence. And she owed her new life to Old Sam. And to the Millers.
Eli’s voice broke her reverie. “I just want to warn you,” he said in a lowered voice. “We can’t be sure that your key will unlock whatever’s in the ground. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
His conservative approach didn’t stymie her excitement one bit. She put her hands on her hips and raised her chin to counter his skeptical gaze when he turned to her. “I will not be disappointed! Eli Miller, I know we’re going to find Old Sam’s gift for Esther!”
After a pause, he chuckled. “I like your positive spirit! That’s one of the many things I admire about you.”
She absorbed his kind words and swallowed an emotional knot. Today, she felt more special than ever. Not only because of Eli, but because she knew God was watching over her. She had a Heavenly Father who loved her and who had created her. There was no doubt in her mind.
She realized Eli was waiting for her to respond. “Where’s your sense of adventure? It’s okay to be cautious, I guess, but are you even the slightest excited about finding out what’s in the box?”
Stepping to her side, he looked down at her and grinned.
She asked, “You want me to take a turn carrying that shovel?”
When he didn’t respond, she took that as a no.
“Just thought I’d offer.” She breathed in as she avoided a dip in the ground. “You know, I never realized how good life could be.” She shook her head. “But there’s a lot on my mind right now. Eli, you know what scares me?”
“What?”
“That my parents …” She choked and quickly regained her composure. “They didn’t go to church. I don’t think they believed.” She softened her tone so she could barely hear her words. “I want them to be in heaven.”
After a long pause, Eli responded. “Jessica, God is kind and loving. He’s also forgiving.”
She nodded and smiled a little. “Eli, I don’t know what to do about selling Pebble Creek.”
He didn’t reply.
“I want to do the right thing for God. For Old Sam. I’d love to live here. Right here on this beautiful land. But my life’s in St. Louis. It’s where I work.”
She noticed the heavy silence that followed. As their slow steps continued up the hill, she considered what she’d just said. She’d been honest.
However, to her surprise, she didn’t totally rule out living here. In fact, the idea prompted more serious thinking.
But there were things to consider. For instance, her love for Eli. She drew in a sudden breath at her unexpected revelation. She did love him. She was sure of it.
But after Eli finished the repairs on her home, if she remained here, would she even see him again? That question prompted an ache in her stomach and she frowned.
So many things flitted through her head, she wasn’t watching where she was going, and her foot got stuck in a hole. As she nearly tripped, Eli was quick to steady her until she got her balance. Again, his warm, gentle touch made her ache for more. She needed Eli like she needed air.
“Thanks,” she said in a soft voice. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“That’s because you aren’t sure you’re doing the right thing, Jess.”
His words stopped her thoughts until he took her arm and pulled her to face him. When she looked into his eyes, she glimpsed turmoil. But she guessed that his uneasiness wasn’t because he loved her. It all had to do with Pebble Creek. Old Sam’s land meant everything to him. It wasn’t that he wanted her to stay.
“What’s going on underneath all of that honey-blond hair, Jess? Are you thinking about my suggestion?”
She hesitated before responding. “You mean, for me to stay here?”
He nodded.
“I’ve considered it. But a move from another state … it’s all so complicated.”
“Why does it have to be?”
She shrugged. “What would I do for a living?” She looked up at him, then lowered her lids. She could feel warmth flood her cheeks. “Besides, it’s not like we’d be seeing each other every day.” She hesitated before softening her voice. “Your work’s almost done.”
When he didn’t respond, she thought it odd that her words seemed to disturb him. He didn’t say a word, but she sensed uncertainty in his body language. In the fixed straight line of his lips. In his set jaw. The expression in his eyes was cold.
But why would he care if she stayed? The remodeling of her home would be finished, and there would no longer be a need for his services.
Finally, he broke the silence with a low whistle. They both stopped and stared down at Pebble Creek. “Would you look at that?”
She let out a breath of amazement and nodded. “It’s got to be the most beautiful place in the world, not that I have anything to compare it to.”
“We don’t need anything to compare it to. In my heart, I know there’s no place like it, and that’s the very reason my parents bonded here. For some reason …”
He turned to her. Not sure what to say, she merely stared back. Something stirred wi
thin her, causing an odd combination of discomfort and bliss. She’d never experienced this kind of sensation and wasn’t sure she liked it. Their gazes continued to lock with a curious intensity.
When he turned to proceed up the hill, she felt a sense of loss. The moment they had just shared was so special, she never wanted to forget it. But had it meant anything to him? She focused on making it up the hill. She remembered their reason for this walk and smiled a little. What was inside the box? What would the key reveal?
A newfound enthusiasm edged her voice. “I can’t wait to unlock the box.” She reached into her right pocket to make sure the unique-looking key was still there. She sighed with relief when she touched it.
For some reason, her fingers on the metal prompted her to think of the Holy Bible in Sam’s bedroom and the magazine of daily devotions. She decided to mention it. “Eli, I’ve read parts of Old Sam’s Bible. Scripture.”
Eli slowed his pace and glanced down at her without saying anything.
A laugh escaped her throat. She wasn’t sure why. There certainly wasn’t anything funny about the Bible. Or about reading it. “Now I understand why Old Sam was so wonderful. If he lived by what he read, it certainly explains why everyone loved him.”
“So how much have you read?”
“Bits and pieces. About how God so loved the world that he gave his Son. That there are three gifts, and the greatest is love. Stories about Abraham. The first night I was here, I opened the book to where Sam’s marker was. It was the book of John.”
As the incline steepened, their steps slowed. “I guess it was impossible for me to live in Old Sam’s house and not believe. There’s so much to learn. In fact, I feel like life’s just beginning.”
Near the top, Eli stopped and put down the shovel, catching his breath. For long moments, they gazed at each other with what seemed to be a mutual understanding. In the background, the damp breeze caressed Jessica’s neck. A honeybee buzzed around her head. All the while, Pebble Creek loomed in the distance.
“Jess?”
“What?”
“I’m so happy that you believe. God must love you terribly, and I know how much it would mean to Old Sam for you to know our Lord and Savior. I wish he was with us right now.”
They continued in silence, the only sounds their footsteps, their breathing, and an occasional honeybee buzzing. At the top Jessica and Eli turned to look at each other.
Without words, she looked on as he grabbed the shovel and began digging. As he worked, the light smell of flowers filled Jessica’s senses. The scent was pleasant, and the purple on the coneflowers was the most beautiful hue she’d ever seen. Jessica couldn’t help but think that the tiny plants served as a nice backdrop for Levi’s and Annie’s sitting stones.
Jessica took a step back as Eli continued shoveling. As more of the copper box revealed itself, Jessica raised a curious brow in great anticipation.
Eli straightened to tap the shovel against the earth. “It’s definitely copper. And you know what that means?”
She didn’t take her gaze from the box. “What?”
“That whatever Old Sam put inside must be extremely dear to his heart. That he wanted to make sure his gift would be protected.”
Eli continued digging. Finally, the entire container was exposed. Eli had shoveled enough dirt to pull the box out of the earth.
As he did so, two earth worms scurried away. A butterfly fluttered in front of them. Eli and Jessica stared in silence at what had been uncovered.
“It’s a copper hope chest, Eli.”
With one steady motion, Eli bent to grip the box by the two handles on the sides and pulled it straight up out of the hole. Jessica helped to place the chest between them.
Eli bent to blow loose particles of dirt off the copper. Jessica reached in the back pocket of her blue jeans to retrieve the key.
Eli grinned in amusement as she held the metal key. “It’s the moment we’ve waited for.” He motioned. “Go ahead, Jess. See if it works.”
With great care, she slowly inserted the key into the lock. It went all the way in, and she turned it. As purple coneflowers danced with the breeze, she opened the lid and gasped with surprise.
With great care, Eli helped her to remove a hand-carved pair of hands holding a gold cross.
Jessica had her left hand on it, and Eli held it with his right. As they focused on Old Sam’s work of love, time seemed to stand still. The only sound was that of Eli catching his breath.
Long moments passed before Eli’s voice cracked with emotion. “I wish Esther had lived to see what Sam made for their sixtieth wedding anniversary.”
Emotion edged Jessica’s voice as well, as she imagined Old Sam’s great love for his wife of nearly six decades. “So romantic.”
Eli cleared his throat. “And I believe the cross between the hands signifies that they’ll be together forever in eternity.”
Eli’s words touched Jessica’s heart with such ferocity, the emotion took her breath away. She laid her other hand on the gift that must have been carved with such strong love and faith. She studied the gold cross, and tears started down her cheeks.
“Jess? Are you okay?”
Eli was so close to her, she felt his warm breath against her face. When he spoke, compassion filled his voice. “When I glimpsed these hands and the cross, I immediately knew they were intended to represent Old Sam’s marriage to Esther and the great love they shared for nearly sixty years.” He hesitated before looking into her eyes. “But to me, Jessica Beachy, it means much more.”
She took in his words and wondered what he was trying to say.
With one palm on Sam’s gift and his other closing on Jessica’s, he smiled a little. “I can’t believe this is happening, but I have to tell you what I’m thinking.” After catching his breath, he whispered, “I feel like these two hands represent the strong bond between us and that the cross represents God in our lives.”
It took a few moments for her to absorb what he’d said. When she finally did, her heart jumped with happiness.
“Jess, this is where you belong. I know it. And Old Sam knew it, too. Think about this: I want more than anything to court you and for us to have the kind of relationship that Old Sam had with Esther. A love that will last for an eternity. I want you to join the Amish church.”
Her excited heart nearly stopped at his surprising admission.
His voice cracked with emotion. “Will you stay here with me? I love you.”
Chapter Ten
Jessica believed in God. That evening, Eli stopped what he was doing to give a prayer of thanks. “Amen.”
Then another reality hit him. What had he done this afternoon? He had told Jess that he loved her, and in a roundabout way, committed his future to her. To his dismay, she hadn’t responded.
As Eli filled the horse troughs with water, he frowned and considered the day and all that had transpired. As he caught a bead of sweat that dripped down the front of his neck, he pushed out a sigh of uncertainty.
He turned off the spigot. As he wound the hose around its hook, he thought more about Jessica, her belief in God, Old Sam’s gift, and Eli’s commitment to the Englisch girl. Feeling overwhelmed, he gave a rough shake of his head to settle his thoughts.
He considered Old Sam and the way he had lived his life with such grace and kindness. Even the walk up the hill with Jessica seemed like a blessing from God because she’d shared with him Scriptures she’d read from Old Sam’s Bible. Their discussion about God and eternity and her newfound belief had bonded him to her even more strongly than he’d already been.
Eli chuckled. Even when he wasn’t here on earth, the old hope-chest maker was still doing good things for others. God had truly blessed him, and in turn, he had blessed others.
He focused on the open door that led from the barn to the pasture and smiled a little when he glimpsed their two horses. He considered the carefree lives of Flame and Storm; at least he didn’t think that they worried
about anything. They were well cared for.
He was still happy that God had given him independence. However, right now he wasn’t sure he was making good decisions. Before telling Jessica that he loved her, he should have given much more thought to his statement and to the impact it would have on her. She’d been through so much. Now he’d just dumped more on her.
Besides, before today, he’d never even contemplated a future with her. They’d never even courted. And she had just accepted the Lord as her Savior.
Many things needed sorting out. Issues that would take time. She probably hadn’t even given any thought to which church she would join. And realistically, a life in the Amish church wasn’t even close to the type of life she lived.
The light sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts and he turned. “Maemm?”
“It’s time to eat. I was worried because you didn’t come in to say hi after you got back from the Beachy place.”
The last thing Eli wanted was to worry his mother. The more he thought about his claim that he loved Jess, the more he became convinced that he’d been out of line and irresponsible.
“Want to talk about it?”
“About what?”
His mother rolled her eyes and smiled as she stepped closer to him. With her gentle hand on his shoulder, she spoke in a soft, reassuring voice. “Whatever’s bothering you?”
She pointed a reprimanding finger and smiled. “And don’t try to tell me everything’s okay because I know it’s not.” She raised a curious brow. “What happened today between you and Jessica?”
Eli pressed his lips together in deep deliberation and slowly shook his head. There was no use trying to hide things from Maemm. She could read him like a book. And experience had taught him that she was persistent, so there was no use trying to hide what was on his mind.
“I’ve said something I regret.”
Without responding she looked at him to continue.
At the same time, they turned and walked to the bench behind the barn. She took a seat next to him and turned slightly to better face him. “Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad. I want to help.”
“I’m afraid that this is something that requires Old Sam’s wisdom. But he’s not here.”
Secret at Pebble Creek Page 18