A Plain and Sweet Christmas Romance Collection

by Lauralee Bliss

  Mattie pulled her thoughts away from Mervin and the wedding that wasn’t. Ahead of her, the front porch was filled with women, and a chorus of gut mornings greeted them.

  “Gut morning,” Mattie responded along with Mamm.

  Mamm began to shake hands, while Mattie slipped past her through the open front door. She wanted to find Mervin. If she couldn’t be his frau, she would enjoy being his girlfriend for the day. Girlfriends had privileges. She could snuggle up to him and hold his hand—discreetly of course. Tonight after dark, she might steal a kiss from Mervin. He wouldn’t object to a long kiss on Mary’s wedding day.

  Mattie pressed through the crowd gathered inside Mary’s living room. Most of them were either family members or cooks. Their chatter as they caught up on news filled the house with a low hum.

  “The table waiters are in the kitchen,” one of the cooks spoke in Mattie’s ear.

  “Thank you,” Mattie told her and pressed on.

  Mervin was in the corner by the woodstove, along with several of the other male table waiters. He caught her eye at once and grinned.

  “I love you,” he mouthed across the room, followed by a louder, “I thought you’d be here soon.”

  Mattie slipped between the group of young girls and came to a stop beside him.

  “No smooching beside me,” Cousin Henry teased. “That’s for Mary. It’s her wedding day.”

  Mattie almost stuck her tongue out at him but stifled the impulse. Instead, she said, “You don’t have to add salt to the wound.”

  “Oww! We are sore.” Henry gave Mervin a quick look. “What’s wrong? At last check you two were old enough.”

  Just hush it, Mattie wanted to say, but she should have kept her mouth shut earlier. Mervin’s smile was gone, replaced by a somber look. She would get nowhere if she shamed him in public.

  “We have our reasons,” Mervin told Henry.

  “We?” Henry sent a pointed look Mattie’s way.

  “Jah, we.” Mattie retorted. That wasn’t a lie, because she did want to support Mervin in his decision. At the same time she wanted to change his mind. What a bundle of contradictions she was, but frustrations could drive a woman to extremes. Everyone knew that.

  Henry apparently agreed. “Take my advice and get married,” he said. “Let the future take care of itself.”

  “That’s not what the older people are thinking or Deacon Joe,” Mervin replied. “They are much wiser than we young people are.”

  Henry shrugged. “Mary’s getting married today. Heaven forbid that I should throw any cold water on her wedding.” And you shouldn’t either, his look said plainly.

  “Agreed.” Mervin nodded. “To a great wedding day and to a happy bride.”

  “I’m in on that,” Henry seconded. “Now shouldn’t we get busy?”

  “Show me the way,” Mervin told him.

  “Hold your horses.” Mattie held up her hand. “This is the kitchen and the women’s domain. You two stand there and look handsome while I help with the food. You’re not needed until after the service.”

  “Is she always that bossy?” Henry asked Mervin.

  “Only in the kitchen,” Mervin shot back. “She has me holding the dishcloth when I visit.”

  You’d be the boss if you’d marry me, Mattie almost replied. She bit off the words and smiled instead. “Don’t look too handsome, Mervin. Not for anyone but me.”

  “She does have you firmly in hand,” Henry declared.

  Mattie left them to the sound of hearty laughter. Before she had taken two steps, Mary appeared in the kitchen doorway in her wedding dress. A hush fell over the kitchen. Mary looked stunning, her face aglow. Mattie stole a look at Mervin. Maybe if Mervin saw how joyful Mary was and how well the wedding went today, he—

  “Howdy, everyone,” Mary sang out. “I know I’m not supposed to be about yet, but I couldn’t resist coming down.”

  “You’re looking mighty gut,” Henry shouted from the back wall.

  Mary blew him a kiss and beamed brightly. The three of them were cousins, or Henry wouldn’t dare offer such plain talk. Mattie peeked at Mervin’s face again. He wore a smile, so he had noticed Mary’s beauty and appeared pleased. Surely he would make the connection. She wanted to reach over and plant the thought in his head: If I like Mattie now, how much more wunderbaar would she be after we’ve said the marriage vows.

  Marriage was of the Lord. How could the Lord want anything less than for her wedding to happen this season? Couldn’t Mervin see that the community was far removed from the world the newspapers reported on? She should have seen this earlier and told Mervin. But maybe her silence was better. Mervin would come to the same conclusion today, and their wedding plans could begin in earnest. They could marry by the end of November, and she could be on the farm well before Christmas. What a way to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. They could comfort each other with faith and hope in the future. Had not Jesus come to bring peace and good will to all men?

  Mattie glanced at the kitchen doorway, but Mary had disappeared. The chatter began again and enveloped her like a cocoon. On the wall, the clock inched toward nine o’clock, when the service would begin.

  “Can I help with something?” Mattie touched her sister Edna’s arm to gain her attention.

  “No dear, we’re fine,” Edna replied. “It’s time for you table waiters to get out to the barn though.”

  “It’s a little early,” Mattie protested.

  “Just go. We’re falling over each other here.” Edna waved her hands about.

  Mattie laughed and slipped through the crowd to pull on Mervin’s hand. He followed, and the others lined up behind them. Apparently, Edna had been right, because the people in the living room had begun to move outside, where they sorted themselves out by age. The older women led the way down the sidewalks and up the slight incline toward the barn loft.

  Mervin said nothing on their walk. They went first since they were the oldest couple among the table waiters. She didn’t mind if she was the oldest today if Mervin was with her. Wasn’t this another sign that she was ready to marry? Everything was made right when Mervin was by her side. She was more than ready to say the wedding vows with him.

  Mattie almost whispered the point into Mervin’s ear, but she remembered in time. Mervin didn’t want to wed this year, because he couldn’t stay by her side.

  Mattie stifled her objections and leaned against Mervin’s arm. How confused everything was. Her best arguments were turned against her. She had best stick to her hopes that Willis and Mary’s joy today would make the point for her. Wasn’t Willis a gut friend of Mervin? That ought to keep Mervin’s heart open to what the Lord was so clearly speaking.

  Mattie looked up at Mervin’s face and smiled as they entered the large barn loft. The empty benches prepared for the table waiters stretched out in front of her, and Mervin led the way to the end of the front one.

  Mattie settled in, and the songs began. Bishop Martin stood to lead the line of ministers back to the house. Willis and Mary followed for their last instructions before their wedded life began. Would the ministers speak to them of coming troubles and separations? The subject seemed far removed on this sunny, late-October day. There hadn’t been a cloud in the sky on their short walk in from the house. No doubt the ministers would be inspired to speak of the sweet things that Willis and Mary would share in their married life. Things like kinner and a home together.

  True, that life would begin in an upstairs bedroom where Mary had been born. But what was wrong with that? Mattie would gladly have lived in her parents’ house for the last year with Mervin. She could have driven to Mary’s wedding this morning in Mervin’s buggy, as Mervin’s frau.

  Life would have been okay. Look how the Lord had worked things out after the disappointment Mervin had suffered last year. The rich silage the cows ate from the storm damage had produced extra milk, which hadn’t brought in the funds like the lost corn would have, but it was enough for Mervin to
be able to purchase another farm. How foolish Mervin’s fears had been. She had suffered through life as a single woman this last year for nothing.

  Mattie took a quick look up at Mervin’s face. He wore a slight smile and seemed to share none of her bitter thoughts. Why couldn’t she be serene and peaceful? Mervin kept his composure through thick or thin. Maybe that was the lesson the Lord wished her to learn. Mattie pasted on a smile and stilled her thoughts as another song began. She focused on the words: “Great Redeemer, our Creator, blessed be Your holy name.”

  The words had been written by a man who languished in prison years for his faith. Now they were gathered all this time later and singing the man’s words at a wedding. The tune rose and fell; the sounds were rapturous. How could a man locked away from the world write such glorious music? She couldn’t be happy if she was deprived of her wedding date this year. All while she still had Mervin and his love. Mattie reached over to hold Mervin’s hand when Willis and Mary walked in from their wedding instructions. Everyone had their eyes on the happy couple and didn’t notice the public attentions she gave Mervin.

  Willis and Mary took their seats, their gazes fixed on each other and bright smiles shining on their faces. The ministers returned ten minutes later and the preaching began. At eleven o’clock, Bishop Martin began the concluding sermon. “Greetings, dear brothers and sisters, on this wunderbaar wedding day. We must not forget the instructions the Lord has given us on how men and women should live together,” the bishop said. “They are to respect each other and walk in the different roles the Lord has given the man and the woman. No matter how much the world changes, the Word of God does not change.”

  Mattie listened and nodded. She had no problem with Bishop Martin’s words. Thankfully, the bishop said nothing about the war that loomed on the horizon. Maybe he thought the danger over? She could almost imagine that scenario as Bishop Martin concluded his sermon and looked down on Willis and Mary to say, “Now if our brother and sister still wish to exchange wedding vows, let them please stand to their feet.”

  Willis stood first, followed by Mary. The glow on Mary’s face had spread. How beautiful a bride appeared when she was in love. This was among the Lord’s most precious gifts to humanity. Mattie knew this because of the glow in her own heart. Outside of the Lord Himself, nothing was as wunderbaar as her love for Mervin.

  The last jah was soon spoken by Willis and Mary in answer to Bishop Martin’s questions, and the service was dismissed. The line of table waiters stood and filed behind the curtained-off area of the barn loft. Long lines of tables stretched along the back wall, filled with food dishes. The cooks must have worked nonstop to bring all the kettles up the steep barn steps while the service had been in progress.

  “Mmm,” Mervin said and bent low over a bowl of chicken for a deep breath.

  Since everyone was equally occupied, Mattie brushed Mervin’s cheek with hers. This would have to suffice as her first kiss of the day. Mervin grinned, the food forgotten as he gazed into her eyes.

  “Our wedding day could be soon,” she whispered.

  “Maybe,” he allowed.

  Mattie stilled the pounding of her heart and busied herself with organizing the food dishes they would carry out. Had Mervin just said what she thought he had? She glanced at him. He had!

  Chapter 5

  The next Sunday evening, Mattie opened the front door of the Beilers’ home with one hand, while she held on to Mervin’s arm with the other. He stepped across the threshold, and Mattie let go to close the door behind them. Mervin flopped himself down on the couch while she came closer and beamed a bright smile down on him. “Want something to eat?”

  Mervin laughed. “You know the answer to that.”

  “Jah, I do,” Mattie agreed. “Oh Mervin.” She could go no further. “I’ll be right back with chocolate chip cookies and milk.”

  “Sounds great to me.” He folded his arms and looked up at her with contentment.

  Mattie hurried into the kitchen and opened the cupboard to set a plate on the counter. She transferred the cookies from the canister, five of them. Mervin would be hungry, but she couldn’t hold down a bite.

  Not one! Not with their wedding plans scheduled for discussion tonight. Mattie hugged herself and took deep breaths. Mervin might feel pushed if she came across too strong this evening. She didn’t want to rush him. She was too thrilled that Mervin had agreed to a wedding date.

  Willis and Mary’s wedding had convinced him. She had waited with all the patience she could muster these last few days until Mervin was ready to discuss details. Mattie did a little jig on the kitchen floor, her soft-soled shoes soundless on the vinyl floor. Even if Mervin heard, he would think that she bustled about the kitchen.

  Mattie calmed herself and filled two glasses with milk, one to the brim and the other a quarter full. She would manage a sip or two, but that was all. She had to hold something in her hands. Mervin wouldn’t want her to sit there with nothing while he ate. Mattie took the plate in one hand and the full glass in the other. Mervin had Daed’s newspaper raised high in front of his face when she walked back into the living room.

  “Oh no,” Mattie cried, and the glass slipped from her hand. With a crash, it hit the hardwood floor, and a thousand slivers skidded in all directions, driven by the waves of white milk.

  “Mattie!” Mervin looked up with concern. He laid the newspaper down and stood up.

  “Where did you…? I thought…that thing…I had it hidden,” Mattie sputtered. She pointed at the paper with her empty hand.

  “It was on your daed’s rocker.” Mervin appeared puzzled. “Does he buy one often?”

  “Only when…Oh Mervin” Mattie wailed. “I didn’t want you to see that tonight.”

  “Why not? I was checking on the weather.” Mervin glanced at the floor. “But shouldn’t you clean this up?”

  “The weather?” Mattie stared. “You…”

  Mervin shrugged. “The English do know some things that we farmers don’t.” A smile crept across his face. “But who can really know what the weather will do?”

  “Of course.” Mattie forced herself to focus. “How clumsy of me. I slipped when I saw…Oh Mervin, I can’t even carry a glass of milk from the kitchen to the living room. What has become of me?”

  His smile grew. “Maybe the excitement of the evening overcame you? I did hear noises in the kitchen a moment ago.”

  “I was dancing a jig,” Mattie confessed. “I was thinking about you.”

  That tidbit was better than the truth about the newspaper. Maybe the Saturday paper said nothing about the war. She hadn’t wanted to look, but she had taken no chances and hidden the thing under the couch. Obviously, Daed had figured that out and undid her precautions.

  Mervin motioned toward the floor with his head. “Maybe we should clean this up before the evening gets too old. I think we had some things to discuss.” His smile was soft.

  She could have hugged him, but he was on the other side of the slivers of glass.

  “Jah, of course.” Mattie almost threw Mervin the plate of cookies and dashed back into the kitchen to return with a broom and dustpan. The wastebasket in the corner was almost empty. She dumped the few papers in the corner and began to sweep the debris into the dustpan. Her first try at the wastebasket with the dustpan tilted sideways resulted in a spill.

  “Here, I’ll do that,” Mervin told her. “You can fix a bucket of water and soap. Milk makes an awful stink if it’s not cleaned properly. We wouldn’t want your parents thinking badly of me all week, all because unpleasant odors waft through the house.”

  Mattie forced a laugh and handed Mervin the broom and dustpan. “They wouldn’t think badly of you. I’ll tell Mamm it was my fault.”

  “While we made wedding plans?” Mervin raised his eyebrows. “If possible, we had best keep this between us.”

  Mattie opened her mouth to protest when the bedroom door opened and Mamm appeared in her long nightgown. “What happened?”
Mamm asked. “I thought I heard a crash.”

  Mattie stood in front of the mess. “It was just an accident, Mamm. Go back to bed.”

  Mamm peered around Mattie. “You dropped a glass of milk on the floor. The smell—”

  “Jah, I know,” Mattie broke in. “I’ll clean it. We’ll clean it up.”

  Mamm seemed to notice Mervin for the first time. “You spilt milk in front of…This is not gut, Mattie.”

  “Mamm, please,” Mattie begged. “I feel bad enough already, and we’ll scrub things well.”

  “We will,” Mervin joined in.

  “Okay.” Mamm took a step back. “I’ll leave, then. But be sure and get soap into the cracks—plenty of soap—and sop the water up well.”

  Mattie nodded. Mamm had a right to her concerns, and she had dropped the glass of milk.

  “We’ll do a gut job,” Mervin assured Mamm.

  Mamm smiled and retreated down the hall.

  Mattie covered her face with both hands once the bedroom door clicked shut. “I’m so embarrassed.”

  Mervin’s hand slipped around Mattie’s waist, and he pulled her close. “It’ll be okay. Accidents happen to the best of us.”

  Mattie rested her head on Mervin’s shoulder for a second. When she looked up, the newspaper lying beside the couch caught her eye. The offending object was to blame for all this. She almost kicked it out of sight, but that would only draw attention to the wrong thing. Mervin hadn’t read anything about the war, and she didn’t want him to. Enough had gone wrong for one evening.

  Mattie stepped away from Mervin to retreat into the kitchen, where she rinsed the slop bucket and filled it with warm water from the teakettle. She added a stream of dishwashing soap when the bucket was full. Back in the living room, with a firm grip on the wire handle, Mattie found Mervin on his hands and knees. He picked away at the glass between the cracks of the hardwood floor, his gaze intent.